Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].

Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, answered orally.

Questions Nos. 17 to 115, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 116 to 122, inclusive, answered orally.

National Drugs Strategy.

Richard Bruton

Question:

123 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Transport and Marine regarding the introduction of random drug testing under the interim National Drugs Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34121/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

In developing proposals for the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, my Department consulted widely with all partners, including the Department of Transport. The finalised Strategy includes an action to "implement random road side drug testing as soon as this is technically and legally possible", with the Department of Transport as lead agency for this action.

I understand that, at this stage, there is no feasible basis yet in Europe for the introduction of a scheme of preliminary roadside testing for drugs. Testing devices are still in the prototype stages. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which comes under the remit of the Department of Transport, is keeping abreast of developments in this area. My colleague, Noel Dempsey T.D., Minister for Transport will be guided by the Bureau as to when a roadside test suitable for use here becomes available and can be introduced.

Rural Development.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

124 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has discussed the decline of rural services with other Departments; his views on whether recent budgetary decisions will have a negative impact on local community services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34141/09]

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

I can assure the Deputy that, as Minister with responsibility for Rural Development, I continue to have ongoing dialogue with other Ministers and Departments around issues that impact on rural areas.

The Deputy will appreciate that, in the current economic circumstances, the Government is faced with difficult decisions. In recent Budgets we have considered a range of measures to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn for 2009 and to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

In relation to the various programme areas in my Department that support rural development, efforts have been made to minimise the effects on frontline services, where possible. This approach will continue in the context of the ongoing financial management of my Department's Vote for the remainder of the year.

While funding for some programmes operated by my Department has been reduced, it is important to note that there will still be significant expenditure this year across a number of schemes. In particular, I should mention the very substantial investment in our rural areas now being made under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. This Programme includes investment of €425m, which is 55% co-funded by the EU, towards improving the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying the rural economy.

Security of the Elderly.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

125 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has completed his review of the Community Supports for Older People Scheme; when he plans to reinstate the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34105/09]

Willie Penrose

Question:

161 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects that have been assisted under the community service project scheme; the funding drawn down since its inception; if the budget will be reintroduced; if so, when and the funding allocated towards the renewal of this scheme; the effect this will have on the projects that were with his Department prior to the suspension of the scheme; if these will have first priority in regard to the new funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34204/09]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

165 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the continuing high level of crimes committed against the elderly, he will take steps to reinstate the scheme of community support for older people which was suspended five months ago; and the terms of any new scheme proposed. [34186/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 together.

The House will be aware that my Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared.

Pending consideration of the review and the putting in place of revised arrangements for 2010, I have agreed to lift the suspension. Community and voluntary organisations participating in the Scheme in recent years have been notified and have been advised of the conditions attaching to the reopening of the Scheme.

Since my Department took over responsibility for the Scheme in 2002 some 62,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Scheme. Expenditure under the Scheme is estimated to be in excess of €20m for the period 2002-2009. All applications on hand at the time of suspension of the Scheme in April have been dealt with. Some €1.28m has been paid to 214 groups to date in 2009 with 3,695 older people receiving grants for equipment under the Scheme.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 121.

Substance Misuse.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

127 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action taken to date to highlight the dangers of the use of cocaine and heroin as a result of recent reports indicating increases in the use of these illicit substances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34211/09]

Catherine Byrne

Question:

141 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently published figures on alcohol and drug misuse here; if he is committed to reducing the incidence of substance misuse, particularly amongst young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33243/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 141 together.

The recent data produced by the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit of the Health Research Board related to the number of people being treated for cocaine and opiate use by various treatment services during the period 2002-2007. Such figures, focusing on treatment data, do not provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of drug use. Indeed, increased treatment numbers are generally to be welcomed.

Our best estimates in regard to prevalence are those found in the two all island Prevalence Surveys undertaken in 2002/2003 and 2006/07, with the next such survey to be undertaken in 2010/2011. Indeed, the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit attribute the increased numbers in cocaine and opiate treatment to a combination of factors, an increase in the number of treatment places, an increase in reporting to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System, as well as increased drug use.

A recent report into young people involved in criminal and anti-social behaviour indicates that many of the incidents involved were alcohol related. Evidence indicates a well recognised link between alcohol consumption among young people and their engagement in the committal of offences. Significant services are available that seek to address the risk factors that influence the early onset of substance use among young people and to promote protective factors, as well as addressing problem alcohol and drug use when they arise.

The further development of prevention measures aimed primarily at those deemed to be most at risk of becoming involved in illegal drug use, and at the younger adult population generally, is a crucial element of the recently published National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. Such interventions will cover both school and non-school settings, recognising in particular the dangers that arise in the case of early school leavers. Along with this, there will be an increased emphasis on developing awareness among the general population with respect to problem drug and alcohol use.

Last March the Government decided to include alcohol with drugs in a National Substance Misuse Strategy that will be developed by the end of next year. I welcome this and I see it facilitating a more coherent approach to the overall problem of substance misuse, particularly among young people.

Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 121.

Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

129 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta i leith sainmhínithe nua ar cad is Gaeltacht ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34187/09]

Michael D. Higgins

The value of the Fund at the end of August 2009, net of liabilities, was some €49.1m. This excludes the amount of some €48.6m currently maintained in a Reserve Account to meet reclaims and to cover expenses. The reserve is currently set at 15% of the total moneys received by the Fund and not yet reclaimed.

The geographical spread of the applications received for funding under each round is set out in Table I. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved €1,864,228 for 90 drug related projects, which are regionally based, set out in Table II.

Of the 9,393 applications received to date, 9,246 applications have been assessed with 6,509 or 70% of these recommended for funding. The number of applications not recommended or deemed ineligible for funding to date has amounted to 2,737 or 30% of assessed applications. In addition, the Government agreed to provide €64.4m to support the Rural Social Scheme between the years 2004 and 2008. No specific allocations were made to areas of the State given the national coverage of the programme. The Government approved a further €10m to support an Early Childhood Initiative based in three projects in Tallaght West in Dublin South and Ballymun, Darndale, Moatview and Belcamp on Dublin's Northside.

Following consideration and decision by the Government, all applicants are notified of the outcome of their application. The Deputy will appreciate that the number of approvals under each measure are made having regard to the resources available and the quality of applications received. Given the nature of the application, assessment and approval processes, the issue of waiting lists does not arise.

Table 1: County Breakdown of Applications Received under each Round of Funding
County	Round 1 — 2004/05	Round 2 — 2006	Round 3 — 2007	Round 4 — 2008	Total
Carlow	16	49	44	9	118
Cavan	7	49	75	18	149
Clare	24	98	58	9	189
Cork	181	245	353	119	898
Donegal	57	220	200	25	502
Dublin	560	910	750	533	2,753
Galway	111	223	190	80	604
Kerry	68	162	131	20	381
Kildare	21	84	54	23	182
Kilkenny	31	84	52	12	179
Laois	13	37	48	2	100
Leitrim	27	40	40	6	113
Limerick	57	163	122	76	418
Longford	32	27	28	19	106
Louth	36	65	72	47	220
Mayo	45	154	157	10	366
Meath	5	91	83	28	207
Monaghan	8	76	48	5	137
Offaly	7	42	57	2	108
Roscommon	38	70	45	10	163
Sligo	53	87	58	15	213
Tipperary	54	109	108	43	314
Waterford	60	132	93	20	305
Westmeath	23	66	63	22	174
Wexford	33	102	92	47	274
Wicklow	34	75	94	16	219
UK	1	—	—	—	1
Total all Counties	1,602	3,460	3,115	1,216	9,393

Table 2: Regionally-based Drugs Projects
Dial to Stop Drug Initiative
Task Force	Area	Total Grant
		€
East Coast RDTF	East County Wicklow, Arklow, South Dublin City — Dublin 2, 4, 14, 18	30,000
Midlands RDTF	Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois	30,000
Mid West RDTF	Clare, Limerick and South Tipperary	30,000
North Dublin City & County RDTF	North County Dublin — Ashbourne, Swords, Balbriggan, Donabate	30,000
South East RDTF	Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, South Tipperary	30,000
Southern RDTF	County Cork & County Kerry	30,000
Bray LDTF	Bray Town	30,000
Cork City LDTF	Cork City	30,000
Dun Laoghaire LDTF	Dun Laoghaire	30,000
Finglas Cabra LDTF	Dublin 7, Dublin 11	30,000
Total		300,000

Family Support Initiatives
Task Force	Area	Total Grant
		€
East Coast Area RDTF	Joint Family Support Initiative — Bara Project	45,281
East Coast Area RDTF	Greystones Ecumenical Group	1,000
North Dublin City & County RDTF	Swords Family Support Group	8,400
North Dublin City & County RDTF	CAD/CIC Training programme	29,600
South-Western Area RDTF	Kildare West Wicklow CAT/Abbey project	35,000
South-Western Area RDTF	Cuan Mhuire	19,300
South-Western Area RDTF	Kildare Community Education Partnership	9,400
Midlands RDTF	Ashdale/ Woodlands Grove Residents Association	500
Midlands RDTF	Edenderry Addressing Substance Abuse — EASA	43,540
Midlands RDTF	Harmony Community Development Project	10,000
Midlands RDTF	National Association for Parent Support	4,960
Midlands RDTF	Longford Acorn Project	8,500
Midlands RDTF	Midland Regional Youth Service	5,000
Midlands RDTF	Arden View Community & Family Resource Centre	2,500
Mid-West RDTF	Tipp Regional Youth Service	20,000
Mid-West RDTF	Southhill Family Resource Centre	9,550
Mid-West RDTF	Bushypark Treatment Centre	44,920
North-Eastern RDTF	North East Family Support Network	70,000
North-Western RDTF	Letterkenny CDP	10,140
North-Western RDTF	North West Alcohol Forum	30,000
North-Western RDTF	Moville & District Family Resource Centre	9,785
North-Western RDTF	Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre	10,000
North-Western RDTF	Ballymote Family Resource Centre	12,000
North-Western RDTF	Dunfanaghy Community & Family Resource Centre	5,000
Southern RDTF	Listowel Family Resource Centre	10,800
Southern RDTF	Cobh Community Drugs Initiative	7,200
Southern RDTF	Tabor Lodge	67,000
Southern RDTF	Matt Talbot Adolescent Service	44,966
South East RDTF	South East Region Family Support Network	41,748
South East RDTF	Kilkenny Family Support Group	3,680
South East RDTF	Waterford CBDI	3,000
South East RDTF	You are Not Alone Family Support Group	3,355
South East RDTF	Aislinn Family Support	15,000
South East RDTF	Suir Valley CBDI	3,250
Western RDTF	Strengthening Families Programme (SFP	65,450
Ballyfermot LDTF	Ballyfermot STAR	41,700
Ballyfermot LDTF	Familiscope	30,000
Ballymun LDTF	Star Ballymun	35,000
Ballymun LDTF	Ballymun Youth Action Project	10,000
Blanchardstown LDTF	Blanchardstown LDTF	43,355
Blanchardstown LDTF	Coolmine Therapeutic Community	10,000
Blanchardstown LDTF	Sibling Support Programme	8,000
Canal Communities	Canal Communities Task Force	70,000
Clondalkin LDTF	Families First Team	35,000
Clondalkin LDTF	CUMAS	7,140
Cork City LDTF	Gurranabraher/Churchfield CLDTF Community Project — Parents Support Group	7,680
Cork City LDTF	Cork Gay Community Dev Co. Ltd. — Parents Support Series of Workshops	3,000
Cork City LDTF	Cork City Partnership Ltd	10,200
Cork City LDTF	FADA — Farranree Alcohol & Drug Awareness	1,550
Cork City LDTF	NeCodrA — New Community Drug Awareness Group	3,200
Cork City LDTF	Bridge Recovery Group	9,370
Cork City LDTF	Hillgrove Outreach Project — North Side Family Support Services	8,000
Cork City LDTF	Ballyphehane Action for Youth — Bay Project	7,000
Cork City LDTF	Churchfield Community Trust	7,000
Cork City LDTF	Ballincollig Youth Initiative	8,000
Cork City LDTF	Sunday’s Well Life Centre	5,000
Dublin North East LDTF	Dublin North East Family Support Network	51,700
Dublin North East LDTF	Childcare Bureau	6,700
Dublin North East LDTF	Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme	7,200
Dublin 12 LDTF	Addiction Response Crumlin — ARC	10,000
Dublin 12 LDTF	Addiction Response Crumlin — ARC	7,000
Dublin 12 LDTF	D12 Task Force	8,000
Dublin 12 LDTF	D12 Task Force	20,000
Dublin 12 LDTF	Loreto Centre	15,000
Dublin 12 LDTF	Walkinstown Greenhills Resource Centre	10,000
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown LDTF	DROP — Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Outreach Project	32,108
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown LDTF	Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Community Addiction Team	24,892
Finglas / Cabra LDTF	Millennium Carving	14,300
Finglas / Cabra LDTF	Finglas Addiction Support Team	30,000
Finglas / Cabra LDTF	Fingal Centre	35,000
North Inner City LDTF	Inter Agency Drugs Project	75,000
South Inner City LDTF	Whitefriar/Aungier Area Community Council — WAACC	18,080
South Inner City LDTF	Exchange House Traveller Centre	34,920
South Inner City LDTF	Community Awareness of Drugs — CAD	2,400
South Inner City LDTF	Community Addiction Program — Oliver Bond	8,000
South Inner City LDTF	Coolmine Therapeutic Community	6,600
Tallaght LDTF	SWAN FSO — peer led family support group	35,000
Tallaght LDTF	JADD — Outreach: High Support Families	30,308
Tallaght LDTF	Prisoners Families info line	8,000
Tallaght LDTF	Tallaght Travellers Youth Service	4,000
Total		1,564,228

Job Losses.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

133 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the contacts he has had with Foras na Gaeilge with a view to securing alternative employment for the 10 workers who have lost their jobs with the cessation of the publication of a newspaper (details supplied) in County Galway; the role he had in attempting to save these jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27097/09]

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

The position is that the workers in question were employed by a private limited company, which secured a time-bound procurement contract with Foras na Gaeilge for the publication of an Irish language newspaper.

On expiry of that particular contract, I understand that the same company was selected from a new procurement competition and received a significantly increased offer in respect of a 4-year contract to 2013. Following bilateral discussions with Foras na Gaeilge, however, the company decided to decline the offer and consequently a further competition is in train at the present time.

Given these circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that I have no function in the employment issue he raises.

Decentralisation Programme.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

134 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance and the Office of Public Works regarding the proposed decentralisation of his Department to County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34130/09]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's headquarters are scheduled to relocate to Charlestown, Co Mayo, under the Decentralisation Programme. I can confirm that negotiations are still ongoing between the OPW, the Department of Finance and other relevant authorities in relation to a particular site in Charlestown, which the OPW has identified as being suitable for my Department's headquarters.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Department of Finance was approached by a community development organisation in relation to a property in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, with turn-key potential as a headquarters building. I am advised that OPW is continuing to examine the property in question to ascertain its suitability. As stated by me in previous replies, I should emphasise that this is a sensible and prudent response to the approach that has been made and implies no decision.

Departmental Expenditure.

Joe McHugh

Question:

135 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has concerns regarding the value for money aspect of Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34137/09]

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

I am concerned that all bodies funded from my Department's Vote should deliver value for money (VFM) outputs and outcomes, especially in the present difficult economic environment.

In the case of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the body is required to set out a range of outputs that it will deliver, both in the context of the National Development Plan and my own Department's Annual Output Statement. The outputs achieved by Údarás are reported on annually and those reports are laid before the Oireachtas.

It may be noted that Údarás was a participant with the State's other industrial development agencies in the Inter-Agency Group to Review VFM Indicators. Furthermore, with specific regard to capital expenditure, the organisation is subject to the Department of Finance's Capital Appraisal Guidelines, which require, inter alia, that business cases and post-project reviews be carried out in order to ensure VFM.

It should be noted also that the statutory remit of Údarás relates, not only to economic development, but also to a wider framework encompassing the linguistic and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. Clearly, any assessment of the delivery of VFM outcomes for Údarás must have regard to these different facets of the organisation's statutory remit.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 824 and 826 to 830, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department implements and funds a broad range of measures and programmes covering the areas addressed by the Deputy in his questions. In the context of the current economic climate, my primary concern has been and will continue to be the protection of front line services delivering vital programmes and initiatives, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities, whether they be urban or rural. This should minimise negative consequences of funding reductions.

As I outlined in my response to Parliamentary Questions 38, 44 and 135 of the 17th June 2009, which were answered together, the revised 2009 allocation for my Department shows a gross reduction of €47.4m on the initial estimated allocation announced in October 2008. Full details of the reductions at an individual programme level are available in the Revised Estimates Volume 2009, which is available on-line on the website of the Department of Finance (http://www.finance.gov.ie/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=-1&CatID=13&m=f).

Against this background, no area is immune to cost cutting measures in the current economic environment. It is in this context that reduced budget allocations have been made to certain measures and programmes. I appreciate that this involves some difficult choices having to be made. I am acutely aware of the concerns of community and rural groups in this regard and it is why I have responded by placing such emphasis on the protection and prioritisation of front line services and support to customers/beneficiaries over administration, overheads and ancillary costs.

Both I, the Minister of State, and our officials are in regular and ongoing contact with the community and voluntary sector on the issues raised by the Deputy and are aware of their concerns. We will do what we can to address those concerns within the broader public policy and budgetary context.

The Deputy will be aware that across Government as a whole, we are taking a number of difficult decisions, but our approach is to do this in as balanced a way as possible. Although funding for some programmes operated by my Department has been curtailed or suspended, I still expect that a sufficient spend will be made in order to ensure continued positive impact across community, rural and voluntary sectors.

If the Deputy has a specific question about a particular programme, scheme, project, group or organisation I will be happy to deal with that.

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 121.

Small and Medium Enterprises.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

138 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, under the schemes or funding available to him, he has created or is proposing to create initiatives to either protect or promote small and medium enterprises within the areas of his Ministry in which there have been redundancies or job losses in view of the economic position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/09]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

156 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had meetings with the Department of Finance or Enterprise, Trade and Employment to discuss initiatives to either protect or promote small and medium enterprises within the areas of his Ministry where there have been redundancies or job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34213/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 156 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment has primary responsibility in relation to the promotion of small and medium enterprises. However, my Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes that support the growth of business and enterprise. Relevant schemes include the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (RDP), the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP), the CLÁR programme, the Community Services Programme, and Rural Recreation schemes.

My Department is responsible for the implementation of the LEADER elements of the 2007-2013 RDP. A key objective of the programme focuses on the diversification of the rural economy and specifically provides €48.26m to support micro-enterprises. This funding will complement the supports provided by the County Enterprise Boards and will focus, in particular, on the development of indigenous rural resources in artisan food, forestry, marine, rural/agri-tourism, cultural heritage and community promoted enterprises; the development of recreational tourism and other complementary tourism supports and environmentally friendly initiatives. Axis 3 and Axis 4 (LEADER) of the RDP commenced in February 2009 and there are currently project commitments totalling €4.8 million registered under the Business Creation and Development measure.

My Department's LDSIP provides for integrated approaches to identify, nurture and support individuals, groups and communities in accessing suitable and sustainable employment and self-employment options. Types of activity supported include: proactive outreach and targeted supports such as complementary education and training, support with work placement, support into self-employment or enterprise, and community enterprise activities.

Enterprise support is a feature of the LDSIP and is differentiated from mainstream enterprise initiatives by its focus on disadvantage and on supporting the individual into self-employment or enterprise through training and education, mentoring, networking and after-care as well as small grants towards start-up.

In addition to the above, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Western Development Commission (WDC), which are agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Údarás na Gaeltachta is working to reverse the downward employment trend in the Gaeltacht and effect the transition from a declining manufacturing sector to employment in services, including Irish-language centred employment.

To assist in the current economic climate, an tÚdarás is administering in the Gaeltacht the new Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund which have been established to address the needs of vulnerable small to medium enterprises.

My Department also operates, in conjunction with the relevant County Enterprise Boards, an Enterprise Scheme for the non-Gaeltacht Islands, the aim of which is to encourage the development of both new and existing micro-enterprises on islands outside the Gaeltacht. The introduction of this scheme, which complements the enterprise supports provided by Údaras na Gaeltachta on Gaeltacht islands, recognises the higher costs and locational disadvantage involved in running an island-based business.

I have allocated some €47m to projects approved under the Community Services Programme. I hope that by the end of 2009, over 450 projects will be operational and employing 2,700 people.

Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 121.

Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

140 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na scéimeanna teanga agus Gaeltachta atá faoi scrúdú agus á measúnú ina Roinn faoi láthair; agus cén uair a shíleann sé go ndéanfar cinneadh ina leith. [33658/09]

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

Beidh a fhios ag an Teachta go bhfuil go leor moltaí a bhaineann le hobair agus scéimeanna mo Roinne sa Tuarascáil a foilsíodh mar thoradh ar an Staidéar Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Tá na ceisteanna sin uile faoi bhráid an Choiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht ag an bpointe seo i gcomhthéacs na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Níl i gceist agam cinneadh a dhéanamh faoi thodhchaí aon scéim de chuid mo Roinne-se go dtí go mbeidh an chéim reatha d'obair an Choiste thart.

Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 127.

Inland Waterways.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

142 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had or proposes to have meetings with Waterways Ireland as to funding or budgetary matters regarding improvements to the canals within their remit to provide better facilities for users of the canals from a tourist as well as local perspective with special emphasis on moorings or marinas, angling or walking facilities or other facility within the remit of the agency in view of the present economic climate; the funding requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34203/09]

Denis Naughten

Question:

158 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he last held a meeting with the chief executive of Waterways Ireland; the agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33469/09]

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

I propose to take Questions 142 and 158 together.

I meet with the Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland on a regular basis. At our most recent meeting on 27 July 2009, we discussed progress by the organisation to date in 2009.

As the Deputies will be aware, Waterways Ireland has made considerable progress in recent years. During 2008, the ongoing upgrading of the waterways saw a total of 581 metres of additional moorings completed, with the maintenance programme keeping 95% of all navigable waterways open, as planned, for recreational activity. Maintenance projects included:

continuance of the dredging programme on the Grand Canal to restore the canal to its navigable depth;

the completion of dredging on 3,200 metres of the Barrow line between Vicarstown and Courtwood in Co. Laois and on a further 1,300 metres of the Main Line dredged between Plunkett and Derries Bridges adjacent to Pollagh Co. Offaly; and

the upgrading of stone jetties on the Barrow navigation, with 300 metres of bank protection works and trackway widening between Carlow and Bestfield Lock and the installation of new lock gates.

Achievements this year on the development of the waterways include:

completion of 79 metres of additional moorings;

completion of the construction of the final bridge at Lyneen to reconnect the Royal Canal to the Shannon; and

progress on the restoration of the Ulster Canal with the preliminary stages of the design process well underway.

I also had preliminary discussions with the Chief Executive regarding Waterways Ireland's proposed capital programme and financial provision for 2010. The precise scale of works to be carried out in 2010 to improve services and facilities along the navigation and the associated funding to be made available will be set out in Waterway's Ireland's Business Plan for 2010, which is currently being prepared, and which will be submitted for approval to the North/South Ministerial Council in due course.

Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 121.

Housing Grants.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

144 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to resume the Gaeltacht housing grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34216/09]

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

The potential for the resumption of the grant scheme under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts will be considered in the context of the 20 year Strategy for Irish, which is under consideration at present by the Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht, and also in the context of the financial position prevailing.

Foilseacháin sa Ghaeilge.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

145 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén uair a bheidh nuachtán Gaeilge ar fáil do phobal na Gaeilge arís; agus an féidir leis a gheallúint anois, agus an spriocdháta d’iarratais ar an deontas nua thart, nach gcuirfear aon mhoill ar chinneadh luath a dhéanamh. [33659/09]

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

As part of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 launched by An Taoiseach last month, new institutional structures have been put in place to support the implementation of the Strategy, including the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Drugs (OMD). One of the key roles of the new Office will be to support the work of the Task Forces.

The Strategy provides that Task Forces will report to the OMD for expenditure and activity relating to their projects twice a year. In addition, they will be required to produce an annual statement, in an agreed format, giving an assessment of the work and outputs of their projects — and their broader strategic and co-ordinating work — in the previous 12 months. I expect to receive the first of such reports and statements early in 2010.

In addition, statutory, community and voluntary representatives will act as liaison persons between the Task Forces and the Office and will be providing regular updates on relevant issues at the Drugs Advisory Group, which I chair. The Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform is represented on this and all the new bodies that are being put in place to drive the implementation of the Strategy.

My Department is in regular contact with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform who will be actively involved in rolling out the new Strategy. I recently met with Minister Ahern and his Officials on this matter, the first of the twice yearly meetings under the new Strategy.

Appendix
Local Drugs Task Forces	Regional Drugs Task Forces
Ballyfermot	East Coast (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Wicklow)
Ballymun	Midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath)
Blanchardstown	Mid West (Clare, Limerick and Tipperary NR)
Bray	North Dublin and Area (North Dublin City and Fingal)
Canal Communities	North East (East Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan)
Clondalkin	North West (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and West Cavan)
Cork	Southern (Cork and Kerry)
Dublin North East	South East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary SR, Waterford and Wexford)
Dublin 12	South West (South Dublin City, South Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow)
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown	Western (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon)
Finglas Cabra
North Inner City
South Inner City
Tallaght

Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 129.

Community Development.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

151 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications received for the provision of funding under the CLÁR programme for the past two years; the number received to date in 2009; the amount of funding drawn down in each year; if there is a waiting list; the number of such applications; his plans to upgrade the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34208/09]

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

The CLÁR Programme provides funding and co-funding to Government Departments, State Agencies and Local Authorities to accelerate investment in selected priority developments in areas that have suffered significant depopulation. These investments support physical, economic and social infrastructure across a variety of measures.

Table A below outlines the number of applications received for 2007, 2008 and the number received, to date, in 2009.

It is important to note that for a number of measures, applications are not made directly to my Department. Rather, CLÁR funding is provided on the basis of co-funding/top-up arrangements with other Government Departments and Agencies. In these cases, the numbers in the table reflect the numbers of grants approved, rather than applications made.

Table B, following, outlines the funding drawn down during 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009.

There is no waiting list for the provision of funding under the CLÁR programme. For those CLÁR measures that remain open for new applications, applications continue to be assessed in my Department. For those CLÁR measures that are not currently open for applications, applicants are informed of the position by my officials.

I will continue to examine the scope for the Programme to provide support for rural infrastructure within the context of the current financial situation and the overall level of such support provided across Government.

Table A: CLÁR applications received during 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009
MEASURE	Applications received 2007	Applications received 2008	Applications received 2009 to date
Coillte Co-funded Roads	9	6
LIS roads	19	1
Class II & III roads	24	23
Bridges	5	7
CLAR Flashing Amber Safety lights	9	0
Public Water and Sewerage	8	16
Group Water	13	18
Group Sewerage	4	4
Water Conservation Measure	2	0
Village Enhancement	11	2
Bi-lingual Signage	22	50	5
Sports Top Up *	271	0
Gaeltacht Top-up *	8	24
Health Measure *	0	1
Voluntary Ambulance	2	3	1
Three Phase Electricity	152	143
Community Initiatives	6	1
Schools Play Facilities	198	55	5
Coastal/Harbours*	27	26
Total	790	380

*For these measures, applications are not made directly to the Department. Rather, CLÁR funding is provided on the basis of co-funding/top-up arrangements with other Government Departments and Agencies.

Note: Applications from Local Authorities and other Government Departments under CLÁR measures such as the Class 2 & 3 roads and Health are counted as one application, but include multiple projects. For example, the "Health Measure" includes 31 projects, some of which have several elements.

Table B: CLÁR Expenditure 2007-2009 to date
Measure	Expenditure 2007	Expenditure 2008	Expenditure 2009 (to date)
	€	€	€
Flashing Safety Lights	1,510,466.35	280,630.34	4,582.34
Coillte co-funded Roads	491,065.77	456,618.64
LIS Roads	2,318,104.46	3,000,947.82
Class 2 & 3 Roads	2,826,863.02	2,869,865.61
Bridges	116,615.51	94,824.35
Public Water &Sewerage Schemes	2,782,487.58	3,620,102.22	1,940,039.62
Group Water Schemes	1,426,853.95	5,332,499.20	4,348,332.41
Group Sewerage Schemes		131,937.22	423,467.04
Tax incentive Shannon	594,374.00
Water Conservation measure		245,533.18	31,416.14
Village Enhancement	807,258.49	465,610.78
LA Housing	233,548.16	365,150.38	61,354.45
Community Initiative	876,875.51	619,394.33	68,293.28
Gaeltacht	423,783.96	542,260.30	216,838.08
Bi-lingual Signage Scheme	20,796.37	38,003.45	27,780.51
Sports Capital Grants Top Up	1,754,642.00	1,672,300.00	984,400.00
Minor Health Projects	117,196.62
Voluntary Ambulance	241,589.94	535,526.06	2,774.28
School Outdoor Play Facility	1,020,156.18	533,840.02	167,406.62
Fibre Optic	5,342.15	9,294.83
Wireless internet	16,063.83		8,200.74
Single to Three phase Electricity	1,750,214.03	1,604,161.97	30,000.00
Courthouses Enhancement	50,000.00
Coastal and Harbour Development	82,500.00	1,471,872.65	876,918.13
Western Rail Corridor	1,862,563.00	283,851.00
NIRSA CLÁR mapping		4,247.10	4,264.65
Total	21,329,360.88	24,178,471.45	9,191,803.64

National Drugs Strategy.

Joan Burton

Question:

152 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to his announcement of 22 September 2009 regarding the extension of the dial to stop drug dealing scheme, the number of areas in which the scheme is operating; if further extensions are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34193/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30 September 2008. The campaign was rolled out across fifteen Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas with funding being provided by my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Dormant Accounts Fund.

As was highlighted during the launch, the confidential number used in the campaign is open for all to use regardless of the area they come from. While active promotion took place only in those Task Force areas that expressed an interest, calls have been received from all over the country, including those areas that did not have a campaign.

I recently decided to extend the campaign due to its on-going success. A decision on any further extensions will be made when the data from the campaign has been evaluated.

Community Development.

Joan Burton

Question:

153 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main features of the plan announced by him on 18 September 2009 for the integration of the local development inclusion programme and the community development programmes; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by persons involved that the integration of these programmes may lead to loss of key services to communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34194/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

The LDSIP and the CDP are my Departments two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are delivered through separate local delivery structures.

I have already indicated that my strong view is that a single focused programme with a single integrated delivery structure is now needed in order to maximise the impact of these two programmes which serve disadvantaged communities. The Centre for Effective Services is currently preparing proposals for me in this regard, which will draw on good international practice and independent advice. I hope to receive this in the near future with a view to rolling out a new programme early next year.

My overall aim is to ensure that, from 2010, disadvantaged communities will benefit from a more focused programme with clear objectives and simplified and streamlined delivery structures.

Irish Language.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

154 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in regard to the securing of efficiency savings in respect of An Foras Teanga; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34214/09]

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

Following discussions between the two Finance Departments in relation to the North/South Bodies as a group, including An Foras Teanga, it has been agreed that these Bodies should examine the programme objectives set out in their current 2009 Business Plans with a view to delivering them with a more efficient and effective use of resources in the period 2009-2010. Taking the baseline as set out in the 2009 Business Plans in each case, it is proposed that the Bodies will be required to achieve efficiency cash-releasing savings of a minimum of 3% in 2009 and a minimum of 6% in 2010.

The current position in regard to An Foras Teanga is that both Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency have been asked to review their 2009 and 2010 Business Plans and budgets in this light.

Substance Misuse.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

155 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had consultations with the Department of Health and Children or health organisations such as the World Health Organisation, or his fellow EU Ministers or at EU level in regard to research on the effects of the created drug Cocathlyne on persons who use cocaine and alcohol; if there has been further research results in regard to this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34207/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

I have not had recent consultations with the Department of Health & Children, nor with the other parties referred to by the Deputy, in regard to research on the effects of cocaethylene. However, much is already known about its effects.

The 2007 report of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs entitled "An Overview of Cocaine Use in Ireland II" identified the well established risks associated with cocaethylene, which is a naturally produced by-product when cocaine and alcohol are combined.

When people mix these substances, the human liver combines them in the system to form cocaethylene and this is more toxic than using either drug alone. Data from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System confirm that cocaine and alcohol are being used together. The combination of the two drugs intensifies euphoric effects, but cocaethylene can cause more serious physical harm, particularly to the cardiovascular system, as well as having the potential to increase the risk of sudden death.

Heightening awareness of the risks associated with the combined use of alcohol and cocaine was a fundamental element of the national cocaine awareness campaign undertaken by the HSE in 2008. Allied to this, Drugs Task Forces, with funding provided by my Department, undertook local campaigns at that time to dovetail with the national campaign.

Furthermore, the recently launched National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 places particular emphasis on prevention. Various prevention and education interventions are planned, focusing on young people, both in the school and the non-school setting, as well as on the overall population. A sustained range of awareness campaigns is envisaged as part of this approach.

Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 138.

I am not in a position to say at this stage what additional financial resources might be allocated to tackle the drugs problem during the period up to 2016. It is clear that resources will be scarce in the coming years and so it is imperative that the optimum use is made of available funding. However, this funding is considerable, with over €275m being available across the different Departments and agencies this year.

Departmental Funding.

Jack Wall

Question:

163 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding allocated under the agencies of his Department to recreational or sporting clubs in each of the past three years to promote youth activities as an alternative to anti-social behaviour and drug misuse; the areas to which this funding was allocated; the use of the funding; if it was for capital or general project purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34202/09]

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

I am informed that Údarás na Gaeltachta is the only agency of my Department which has allocated funding for the purposes outlined during the period in question. The following table outlines the information provided to me by an tÚdarás.

Appendix: Údarás na Gaeltachta
Year	Funding Allocated	Areas to which the funding was allocated	The use of the funding
	€
2006	150,610	Óige na Gaeltachta Teo — the Gaeltacht Youth Club Organisation	Funding for the organisation and 33 Youth Clubs covering every Gaeltacht County
2007	350,000	Óige na Gaeltachta Teo — the Gaeltacht Youth Club Organisation	Funding for the organisation and 53 Youth Clubs covering every Gaeltacht County, including 2 drop in centres.
2008	291,000	Óige na Gaeltachta Teo — the Gaeltacht Youth Club Organisation	Funding for the organisation and 56 Youth Clubs covering every Gaeltacht County
2009 to Date	230,000	Óige na Gaeltachta Teo — the Gaeltacht Youth Club Organisation	Funding for the organisation and 59 Youth Clubs covering every Gaeltacht County

The majority of this funding was for was current expenditure purposes, with a small proportion for equipment.

National Drugs Strategy.

Jack Wall

Question:

164 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent report produced by an organisation (details supplied), showing that they are catering for 20 new heroin addictions per week and that the abuse of heroin is spreading in many towns here; his views on this report; the additional steps he will take to address this problem and to reduce the demand for heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34191/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

I am aware of the report in question and I note that it states that, in 2008, nearly 1,000 new attendees accessed the needle exchange facilities provided by the organisation. However, this figure is in respect of new cases only, and it represents a reduction on the corresponding figure of 1,333 reported by the same organisation for 2007. Overall, the latest report advises that 4,657 individuals attended the needle exchange facilities and this also shows a slight decrease on the 4,705 recorded in the organisation's 2007 report.

Nevertheless, it is, undoubtedly, a matter of concern that 1,000 new cases have come forward in 2008 and there is a need to improve our prevention strategies, as set out in the recently published National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. At the same time, increasing numbers in treatment is something that we are striving to achieve, with a view to moving them towards a drug-free life.

Overall it is encouraging that injecting opiate users are making the first steps to access treatment services as this will help to reduce the risks of the spread of blood borne viruses, improve the overall health of individuals and is likely to encourage some opiate users, at least, to engage further with treatment and rehabilitation services.

The indications are that the use of heroin has stabilised in the Dublin region. However, heroin has become more widely dispersed around the country — in particular in the major cities and in Leinster towns. I accept that heroin remains a very significant problem and responding to it remains as a fundamental element of the new Strategy.

Through the implementation of the demand reduction actions under the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation pillars of the new Strategy, I intend that demand for all illicit drugs, including heroin, will be reduced.

Various prevention and education interventions are planned, focusing on young people, both in the school and the non-school setting, as well as on the overall population. A sustained range of awareness campaigns is envisaged as part of this approach. Furthermore, I recently announced the allocation of funding for the continuation of the successful "Dial to Stop Drugs" campaign. The new Strategy also envisages the development of a national integrated treatment and rehabilitation service and every effort will be made to encourage drug users to engage with the services. In this context, the Deputy should note that I recently allocated capital funding of €1.1m towards the fast tracked development of six treatment clinics in Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Enniscorthy, Drogheda and Dundalk. It is expected that some of these clinics will be in operation by the end of the year, with treatment being available in all six locations early in 2010.

I am determined that real progress will be made across the period of the new Strategy, with all sectors working in a co-ordinated and targeted way, to achieve the implementation of the agreed actions.

Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 125.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which the CLÁR and RAPID programmes have been affected in 2009 by budgetary cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/09]

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

In the current economic environment, the Deputy will be aware that across Government as a whole, we are taking a number of difficult decisions, but our approach is to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

In this context, no area is immune to cost-cutting measures and some level of reduction in budget allocations have been made to certain measures and programmes, including the CLÁR Programme.

Notwithstanding this — and while some of the measures under the CLÁR Programme are not currently open for new applications — a high number of projects continue to be implemented throughout the country. Overall, in 2009, I anticipate a significant level of investment under the Programme — of the order of approx €16m. This will allow it to continue to meet its objective of providing funding and co-funding to Government Departments, State agencies and local authorities to accelerate investment in selected priority developments in areas that have suffered significant depopulation.

With regard to the RAPID Programme, as the Deputy is aware, it aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within 51 designated RAPID areas nationally. It is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas.

In 2004, I introduced the RAPID Leverage Schemes and under these, my Department tops-up the funds of other Departments and agencies to provide small-scale local projects such as playgrounds, traffic measures, improved health facilities, CCTV and top-up funds for projects promoted by sporting organisations under the Sports Capital Programme. Capital funding of €7.8m was provided to fund the Leverage Schemes in 2008 and I anticipate a spend of a broadly comparable level this year.

As the Deputy is aware, in May 2009 the Government approved the inclusion of five new towns in the RAPID programme: Ballina, Co. Mayo; Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford; Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Rathkeale, Co. Limerick.

Overall, while funding for some programmes operated by my Department has been reduced, I still expect that a sufficient spend will be made this year in order to continue to support communities throughout the country.

Employment Statistics.

Richard Bruton

Question:

167 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the details for the first quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2007 of the persons aged 15 to 19 years, 20 to 24 years, and 25 to 29 years showing the number in employment, in the labour force and unemployed; the participation rate in the labour force and the unemployment rate in each respective age category; and the same data for the age group 30-64. [33030/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Pat Carey)

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates for the information requested. Details on the number in employment, in the labour force and unemployed; the participation rate in the labour force and the unemployment rate in each requested age category for Quarter 1 2007 and 2009 are contained in the following table.

Quarterly National Household Survey, Quarter 1 2007
Age group	Number in Employment	Number in Labour Force	Unemployed	Participation Rate	Unemployment Rate
	’000	’000	’000	%	%
15 – 19 years	69.3	79.5	10.2	27.7	12.8
20 – 24 years	244.6	262.3	17.7	75.4	6.7
25 – 29 years	330.7	348.8	18.1	87.0	5.2
30 – 64 years	1,401.60	1,453.40	51.8	75.0	3.6

Quarterly National Household Survey, Quarter 1 2009
Age group	Number in Employment	Number in Labour Force	Unemployed	Participation Rate	Unemployment Rate
	’000	’000	’000	%	%
15 – 19 years	41.4	55.7	14.3	19.7	25.6
20 – 24 years	182.9	222.6	39.7	70.8	17.8
25 – 29 years	305.2	352.8	47.6	84.6	13.5
30 – 64 years	1,391.80	1,512.60	120.8	74.7	8.0

Data may be subject to future revision.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Reference period: q1=Jan-Mar, q2=Apr-Jun, q3=Jul-Sep, q4=Oct-Dec.

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

168 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach the annual cost to his Department of Ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same in each of the past ten years. [33088/09]

The Taoiseach

The following table details the annual cost to my Department of Ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements for the years 1999 to August 2009.

Year	Taoiseach & Officials from Private Office	Chief Whip & Officials from Private Office	Minister of State for European Affairs & Officials from Private Office
	€	€	€
1999	48,982.95	7,110.42
2000	201,518.10	25,148.88
2001	116,075.67	30,246.51
2002	226,060.35	16,713.69	3,908.11
2003	80,696.43	27,154.61	30,286.71
2004	181,130.20	46,926.45	28,995.04
2005	267,149.77	29,170.46	26,722.42
2006	218,839.64	16,087.43	18,515.30
2007	118,889.84	13,476.28	32,342.54
2008	261,562.32	2,238.24	4,965.79
YTD August 2009	110,230.63	11,660.85	5,184.33

Typically the costs are in respect of the Taoiseach, Private Office Staff, and Security and include the following:

foreign subsistence,

hotel costs,

air fares,

taxi expenses,

car hire,

telecommunication expenses,

ferry charges,

road tolls,

carbon emission charges and

other receipted expenses.

It should be noted that the majority of costs in relation to the Minister of European Affairs are in respect of Private Office staff, as the Minister's expenses are paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The table below details overseas travel engagements by the Taoiseach from 1st of January 2008 to end August 2009:

Date	Event
14 – 18 January 2008	Official visit to South Africa and Tanzania
26 – 28 February 2008	Official visit to Slovenia, Austria (including OSCE) and Poland
16 – 18 March 2008	St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington
29 April – 2 May 2008	Official trip to Washington and Boston
13 – 14 July 2008	EU Mediterranean Summit, Paris
15 – 18 July 2008	Official visit to New York
24 – 26 September 2008	UN Summit, New York
26 September 2008	BIC meeting, Edinburgh
15 – 16 October 2008	EU Council, Brussels
21 – 26 October 2008	ASEM Summit in China
27 – 28 November 2008	Meet with Heads of State in Finland and Sweden
3 – 4 December 2008	Meet with Heads of State in Luxembourg, Berlin and London
5 December 2008	Meet with UK Prime Minister in London followed by meeting with EU Commissioner in Brussels
11 – 12 December 2008	EU Council, Brussels
11 – 17 January 2009	Official visit to Japan
29 – 30 January 2009	World Economic Forum, Davos
14 – 18 March 2009	St Patrick’s day visit to New York and Washington

The table below details overseas engagements attended by the Chief Whip, Mr Pat Carey, T.D. from 1st of January 2008 to end August 2009:

Date	Event
24-26 January 2008	Ministerial conference: ICT for an Inclusive Society, Riga, Latvia
21-22 February 2008	Informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers, Brdo, Slovenia
13-18 March 2008	St Patricks Day Celebrations, Vienna, Austria
29-31 March 2008	British/Irish Council, Edinburgh, Scotland
25-26 September 2008	British/Irish Council, Edinburgh
14-19 March 2009	St Patricks Day Celebrations, Boston, USA
13-18 August 2009	Representing Government at “Milwaukee Irish Fest”, Milwaukee, USA

The table below details the events attended by the Minister of State for European Affairs from 1st of January 2008 to end August 2009:

Date	Event
11 – 19 March 2008	St. Patrick’s Day, Shanghai
9 – 10 April 2008	Meetings with Comms. McCreevy and Walstrom
2 – 6 July 2008	Quebec 400 Celebrations
12 – 14 July 2008	Informal Council Meeting (Brest) and meeting with Pres. Sarkozy in Paris
9 – 10 Nov 2008	Various meetings re Lisbon (Brussels) Armistice Commemoration, Paris
25 – 26 Nov 2008	Various meetings re Lisbon Treaty, Prague
8 – 9 December 2008	Various meetings re Lisbon Treaty, Riga
26th February 2009	Various meetings re Lisbon Treaty, Brussels
5 – 6 March 2009	CEPS Annual Conference, Brussels
18th May 2009	GAERC
26 – 28 June 2009	OSCE Conference, Corfu
9 – 10 July	Croatia Summit 2009

It is not practicable to provide all of the details of the events attended over the last ten years, however I would be happy to provide details in relation to any specific queries the Deputy may have.

Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 4.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton

Question:

170 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33906/09]

The Taoiseach

My Department commissioned 5 experts' and consultants' reports during 2008. The following table details the reports and their cost.

Report Name	Cost
	€
2008 Irish Civil Service Customer Satisfaction Survey	69,817.00
Knowledge Management Report -To carry out initial analysis of knowledge management and produce Report and plan.	2,268.75
Evaluate and present a report on virtualisation options for eCabinet System	726.00
Review of the Economic Regulatory Environment	408,375.00
Value for Money Review of National Economic and Social Development Office — External Evaluation Report	3,375.90

Departmental Staff.

Damien English

Question:

171 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33957/09]

Damien English

Question:

172 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33972/09]

The Taoiseach

The information requested is set out beneath:

Department of the Taoiseach
Year	Early Retirements	Terminations of Contracts	Resignations
	Number	*Cost	Number	Cost	Number	Cost
		€		€
2006	1	—	2	171,509.32	2	Nil
2007	0	—	5	278,293.00	2	Nil
2008	2	—	5	518,643.00	1	Nil
2009	2	—	1	35,849.02	Nil	Nil

Central Statistics Office (CSO)
Year	Early Retirements	Terminations of Contracts	Resignations
	Number	*Cost	Number	Cost	Number	Cost
		€		€
2006	4	—	0	Nil	12	Nil
2007	9	—	1	Nil	25	Nil
2008	7	—	0	Nil	9	Nil
2009	8	—	0	Nil	1	Nil

*No cost arises for my Department because payments relating to lump sum and pensions are paid by the Office of the Paymaster General.

The figures relate to early retirements, terminations of contract or resignations of permanent staff of the CSO. Short-term temporary appointments of field staff to collect survey information have not been included. There were no costs arising from termination of contract or resignations in respect of temporary field officer posts.

National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO)

In NESDO the contract for one member of staff terminated. However, there was no cost involved in not renewing the contract. There were no early retirements or resignations in the years concerned.

Departmental Contracts.

Richard Bruton

Question:

176 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the details of the quarterly data on hourly wage rates, hours worked and average earnings since the first quarter of 2007 in respect of each category of employment for which the Central Statistics Office collects information. [34575/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Pat Carey)

Quarterly statistics on earnings, employment and hours worked are compiled by the Central Statistics Office from the following sources:

The Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS) which will ultimately replace the other CSO short-term earnings surveys;

The survey on earnings in Distribution and Business Services;

The survey on earnings and hours in the Construction Sector; and

The survey on earnings in the Public Sector.

Statistics from the EHECS survey are given in Table 1.

Table 1 — Employment, Average weekly paid hours and average earnings in the industrial and financial sectors
		2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4	2009Q1*
Industry (B-E)	Employees (Number)	237,700	238,200	240,000	237,800	231,100	232,600	226,900	221,400	215,40
	Weekly Paid Hours (Hours)	38.1	38.5	37.9	38.3	37.5	38.5	38.4	38.1	36.6
	Average Hourly Earnings (Euro)	19.51	19.56	19.25	20.34	20.82	20.35	20.26	21.44	22.05
Financial and insurance activities (K)	Employees (Number)	79,300	80,700	81,000	81,700	83,200	86,000	84,900	84,300	84,300
	Weekly Paid Hours (Hours)	34.0	34.0	34.0	34.1	33.8	34.0	33.8	33.8	33.2
	Average Hourly Earnings (Euro)	31.82	31.86	26.42	28.96	34.17	32.96	27.98	30.18	30.37

*Provisional.

Table 2 — Average Weekly Earnings in Distribution and Business Services (€)
	2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4
Motor trades (50)	631.90	635.26	637.22	647.21	650.76	633.35	629.62	631.25
Wholesale trade (51)	713.83	715.97	722.55	717.72	724.68	736.73	733.88	748.24
Retail trade (52)	714.86	735.69	746.07	771.87	778.15	754.63	757.53	789.45
Hotels and restaurants (55)	430.00	444.38	448.84	461.93	447.17	458.35	474.17	481.83
Land transport (60)	705.99	720.35	715.60	705.21	757.48	743.47	724.86	745.70
Post and telecommunications (64)	888.41	906.54	910.96	..	976.95	919.94	926.14	..
Other business activities (74)	714.40	727.73	732.95	728.98	736.61	721.19	703.15	733.87
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods (50-52)	701.35	714.38	721.09	733.72	739.65	727.86	728.02	750.73
Water and air transport, supporting transport and travel agent activities (61-63)	811.96	816.33	809.85	..	822.85	855.66	823.04	..
Real estate, renting of machinery and equipment (70-71)	835.35	859.70	862.69	867.60	854.39	844.05	838.53	885.52
Computing activities, research and development (72-73)	762.55	767.14	766.36	774.35	798.49	815.61	817.56	850.30
Distribution and business services (50-64, 70-74)	695.31	708.56	708.56	726.63	727.01	719.43	714.34	748.81

Table 3 — Average hourly earnings and average weekly hours in the Construction Sector
	2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4
Average Earnings per Hour	18.25	18.46	18.44	18.77	19.03	18.93	18.97	19.20
Average Hours Worked per Week	43.0	43.3	44.4	45.2	43.6	43.0	43.2	42.8

Table 4 — Employment in the Public Sector (000's)
	2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4	2009Q1
Civil Service	37.3	38.0	38.4	37.9	38.6	39.5	39.3	38.8	38.7
Defence	11.2	11.1	11.2	11.2	11.2	11.2	11.3	11.3	11.1
An Garda Siochana	12.8	13.3	13.4	13.7	13.8	14.0	14.2	14.3	14.4
Education	97.7	97.0	93.5	100.9	101.4	101.6	97.9	105.0	104.1
Regional Bodies	38.1	40.0	40.1	38.8	39.0	41.2	40.4	38.5	37.8
Semi-State Companies	53.0	53.3	53.0	52.8	52.8	53.8	53.9	53.3	52.3
Public Sector (excluding Health)	251.7	254.0	251.1	256.6	258.0	262.6	258.2	262.3	259.5
Health	110.4	111.6	112.8	111.5	110.3	110.5	110.8	111.0	111.8
Public Sector (including Health)	362.1	365.6	363.9	368.1	368.3	373.1	369.1	373.3	371.2

Table 5 — Public Sector average weekly earnings
	2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4	2009Q1
Civil Service	870.81	870.83	879.58	889.8	912.35	889.82	921.24	940.84	941.09
Defence	740.88	741.82	778.14	807.18	788.18	799.65	820.12	825.84	828.79
An Garda Síochána	1,209.20	1,248.26	1,104.22	1,262.10	1,226.16	1,247.74	1,196.19	1,158.88	1,177.54
Education	900.87	931.32	930.16	921.63	932.28	944.97	944.49	964.15	969.36
Regional Bodies	814.52	813.92	811.36	830.41	832.64	838.55	815.58	864.45	869.1
Semi-State Companies	992.3	1,007.55	999.23	1,033.54	1,044.40	1,036.55	1,047.07	1,072.40	1,085.75
Public Sector (excluding Health)	908.32	926.64	918.31	936.56	941.01	942.81	945.18	966.65	973.04

Richard Bruton

Question:

177 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the details of the quarterly data on earnings and hours worked in different public service categories in each quarter since 2007, distinguishing basic pay from overtime and allowances. [34576/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Pat Carey)

The current quarterly earnings survey on the public sector collects data on weekly earnings but does not distinguish basic pay and overtime. This survey will be replaced shortly by the new quarterly Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS), which will be extended to all sectors. It will provide more detail on the components of earnings and it will be possible to distinguish regular, overtime and irregular earnings.

Public Sector Average Weekly Earnings (€)
	2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4	2009Q1
Public Sector (excluding Health)	908.32	926.64	918.31	936.56	941.01	942.81	945.18	966.65	973.04

Civil Service	870.81	870.83	879.58	889.8	912.35	889.82	921.24	940.84	941.09
Administrative Civil Servants	852.56	850.91	862.98	874.96	893.66	873.55	905.1	923.23	920.35
Industrial Civil Servants	687.1	693.94	694.61	688.36	792.74	708.18	727.16	743.32	747.09
Others in the Public Sector	394.6	442.92	400.49	454.02	467.89	469.93	483.29	513.11	523.05
Prison Officers	1,179.85	1,222.53	1,193.50	1,162.79	1,172.33	1,184.57	1,209.70	1,219.39	1,252.09

Defence	740.88	741.82	778.14	807.18	788.18	799.65	820.12	825.84	828.79

An Garda Síochána	1,209.20	1,248.26	1,104.22	1,262.10	1,226.16	1,247.74	1,196.19	1,158.88	1,177.54

Education	900.87	931.32	930.16	921.63	932.28	944.97	944.49	964.15	969.36
Primary education	859.11	873.59	867.21	861.3	878.2	880.52	883.24	906.7	907.28
Secondary education (excl. VECs & ITs)	1,041.04	1,068.73	1,024.49	1,048.76	1,073.95	1,078.05	1,064.73	1,097.10	1,103.04
Third level education (excl. VECs & ITs)	978.18	1,035.56	1,055.97	1,010.53	1,035.62	1,035.15	1,079.46	1,108.55	1,095.36
VECs and ITs	809.4	851.44	869.22	855.32	840.3	886.04	860.48	860.31	882.83

Regional Bodies	814.52	813.92	811.36	830.41	832.64	838.55	815.58	864.45	869.1
Local Authorities	811.57	810.5	807.96	826.97	828.71	834.56	810.27	859.92	864.63
Non-Local Authority Regional Bodies	912.89	929.87	926.95	949.99	973.19	988.52	1,007.04	1,038.81	1,038.38

Semi-State Companies	992.3	1,007.55	999.23	1,033.54	1,044.40	1,036.55	1,047.07	1,072.40	1,085.75
Commercial Semi-State Companies	1,003.55	1,023.17	1,008.02	1,052.71	1,069.06	1,050.40	1,060.45	1,086.94	1,097.73
Non-Commercial Semi-State Companies	949.18	947.69	958.65	964.75	975.07	997.11	1,009.07	1,031.13	1,051.71

Richard Bruton

Question:

178 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office collects information on bonuses and overtime or other allowances payable in private sector employments; and if they can distinguish movements in the categories since the first quarter of 2007. [34577/09]

The Taoiseach

The quarterly Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS) is a new quarterly survey which is being phased in to replace all other existing CSO short-term earnings inquiries. It provides more detail on the components of earnings and labour costs, including separate information on regular pay, overtime and irregular earnings.

The survey was rolled out to the Industrial and Financial sectors from Q4 2005 onwards and was extended to other sectors in Q1 2008. The next EHECS quarterly publication (for Q2 2009) will be extended to provide economy-wide coverage of earnings and labour cost data. The current data for the Industrial and Financial sectors (up to Q1 2009) is set out below:

Hourly earnings by NACE Principal Activity (€)
NACE sector	Earnings	2007Q1	2007Q2	2007Q3	2007Q4	2008Q1	2008Q2	2008Q3	2008Q4	2009Q1*
Industry (B-E)	Regular	17.24	17.61	17.6	18.13	18.15	18.21	18.4	19.08	19.63
	Overtime	1.16	1.22	1.19	1.21	1.12	1.18	1.12	1.09	0.91
	Irregular	1.1	0.73	0.46	0.99	1.55	0.96	0.74	1.28	1.51
	Total	19.51	19.56	19.25	20.34	20.82	20.35	20.26	21.44	22.05

Financial and insurance activities (K)	Regular	24.58	24.88	24.67	25.58	25.72	26.6	26.33	26.95	27.25
	Overtime	0.55	0.6	0.47	0.5	0.45	0.46	0.39	0.44	0.32
	Irregular	6.68	6.39	1.28	2.88	8	5.9	1.25	2.8	2.79
	Total	31.82	31.86	26.42	28.96	34.17	32.96	27.98	30.18	30.37

*Provisional.

EU Support Schemes.

Chris Andrews

Question:

179 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the European Union support schemes (details supplied) that are currently being accessed by Irish financial institutions; and the reason they may not be currently accessed here. [32949/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The decision of any eligible Irish undertaking, including financial institutions, to make an application under any particular EU scheme would be a commercial matter for the institution involved. Applications are between the undertaking involved and the relevant EU institution providing support. The Irish Authorities would not necessarily be made aware of individual applications made to EU support schemes which allow for direct applications.

Irish banks have benefited from the European Investment Banks (EIB) loans for SMEs. In 2009, the EIB made €300m available to Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and Ulster Bank for onward lending to SMEs carrying out investment projects. This was additional to €50m previously made available to Bank Of Scotland Ireland through its UK parent.

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 2007-2013 (CIP) contains a financial instrument, the SME Guarantee Facility that aims to improve the financial environment for SMEs by facilitating their access to debt and equity finance, through financial intermediaries. The SME Guarantee Facility is operated by the European Investment Fund (EIF) on behalf of the European Commission. Irish financial intermediaries are free to make contact directly with the EIF concerning participation in the facility. I am aware that some have done so. My Department has informed the Irish Bankers' Federation of the facility, the operation and the scope of the arrangement and has made itself available to any bank interested in pursuing the possibility of securing funding under the SME Guarantee in terms of facilitating contacts with relevant officials in the European Investment Fund (EIF) and/or the European Commission, for further advice and assistance.

The Enterprise and Industry Grants Work Programme is an annual listing of the various programmes run by the European Commission's Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry and grant programmes, including for example the CIP, linked to it. The CIP Information Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) aims to stimulate innovation and competitiveness and accelerate the development of a sustainable, competitive, innovative and inclusive information society. It supports activities to accelerate innovation and implementation of ICT based services and systems through the wider uptake and best use of ICT and the exploitation of digital content by citizens, governments and businesses. As such it is not a mechanism for providing funding to the financial institutions. The Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) Scheme, administered by Enterprise Ireland, is not financially supported by EU funds and was never designed to be accessible by financial institutions. The IDABC Programme (Interoperable Delivery of European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens) is primarily to encourage interoperabiliy around eGovernment programmes in the Member States. It would not be relevant to financial institutions.

The Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises (JEREMIE) launched in 2005 is an initiative of the European Commission together with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund in order to promote increased access to finance for the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the regions of the EU.

When Ireland's ERDF Structural Programmes 2007-13 were being developed, my Department in consultation with representatives of the Department of Finance, Enterprise Ireland, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly had a number of discussions with representatives from the EIB on this issue. As part of these discussions the JEREMIE programme was examined in the context of the existing arrangements in place to assist SMEs in accessing appropriate financial support. Having reflected on the matter fully and given the nature and structure of the JEREMIE programme, particularly in terms of the scale of operations that would be required to secure EIF participation, it was not considered suited to our Structural Funds programmes.

While, participation by the financial institutions in any EU programme is a commercial decision for the institution concerned, nevertheless I would urge financial institutions to make use of EU funding opportunities where these are appropriate to the institution and of benefit to Irish businesses. For its part, the State will continue to consider participation in appropriate programmes.

Departmental Programmes.

Mary Upton

Question:

180 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the future of the jobs initiative scheme. [33194/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The Job Initiative Programme (JI) which was launched in July 1996 continues to provide full time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of Social Welfare payments over that period.

The main purpose of the programme is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The programme is sponsored by voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities.

Following changes introduced on 10 November 2004 by Minister Micheál Martin no new entrants have been admitted onto the Job Initiative Schemes. However, contracts for existing participants are renewed allowing them the option to continue until they are 65 years of age.

The 2009 budget for the Job Initiative is €39m and there are currently 1,444 participants with this number decreasing annually due to retirement and other reasons.

Prompt Payment System.

Chris Andrews

Question:

181 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will set up a reporting function for small and medium enterprises to report Departments that do not comply with the newly introduced payment period of 15 days; when a decision to include State agencies in this payment period will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33038/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As on and from 15 June last all Government Departments are required to pay suppliers and contractors within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Responsibility for implementing the terms of the Government Decision rests with each individual Department. Suppliers pursuing payments should contact the relevant Departmental section with which the contract was arranged.

The Secretary General of my Department wrote to all Government Departments on 26th May, asking them to take the necessary steps to implement this commitment and to ensure that Department line staff and Finance Units are made aware of the need to prioritise payments to suppliers to meet the 15 day deadline.

The Government Decision of 19 May included a requirement for Departments to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting these requirements. These reports are to be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the end of the quarter. The first such reports are due by 15 October 2009. Departments are also required to include information on the implementation of the measures in their subsequent Annual Reports.

As a result of the measures Departments are required to give greater priority to making timely payments and to ensure that suppliers themselves are aware of how they can assist the process by meeting the requirements of Departments in relation to the submission of invoices.

The application of the requirement to other State areas is under review.

In light of the above arrangements, I anticipate that compliance with the new procedures, should improve overall cash flow to suppliers, including in particular for small and medium enterprises, through earlier payments by Government Departments.

Middle East Peace Process.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

182 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to a non-paper forwarded by the UK Government to the European Commission in 2009 in relation to customs checks on goods from illegal Israeli settlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33057/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Day to day import controls and related verification procedures in respect of imports from illegal Israeli settlements are undertaken by the Customs authorities and my Department is not involved in these procedures.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

183 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is acceptable that, due to unclear labelling, consumers here are not always able to distinguish if goods produced in the West Bank have been produced in an illegal Israeli settlement or in a Palestinian controlled area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33059/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As I advised in a previous reply on this matter to the House, insofar as consumer protection considerations are concerned, the Consumer Protection Act 2007 includes specific provisions in relation to the provision of information to consumers in the course of commercial transactions. Specifically the Act provides that the provision of false information in relation to the geographical or commercial origin of a product and where that information would be likely to cause the average consumer to make a transactional decision that the average consumer would not otherwise make, that such a practice is a misleading commercial practice. Traders who engage in misleading commercial practices commit an offence and are liable on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction, as the case may be, to the fines and penalties provided for under the Act.

Evidence of traders engaging in misleading commercial practices should be brought to the attention of the National Consumer Agency, which is the body responsible for the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act 2007.

As regards issues relating to the West Bank and settlements within the West Bank, such issues essentially involve foreign policy considerations which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

184 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the annual cost to her Department of Ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33081/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The information available to me to respond to the Deputy's question is limited by the level at which details are recorded on my Department's financial systems. There have also been changes to my Department's systems over the last ten years which further limits the level of detail available.

It is not feasible, therefore, to provide details of the cost of each individual Ministerial overseas travel engagement for the last ten years. However, the table below provides, as far as the information is available, the total identifiable cost related to foreign travel undertaken by all Ministers and Ministers of State at my Department for each year since 2002. The figures include costs related to accompanying staff of the relevant Minister or Minister of State's office.

Where Ministerial foreign travel was organised by an agency of the Department, certain costs related to the Minister's delegation were borne directly by the relevant agency.

Table 1 — Total cost related to foreign travel undertaken by Ministers and Ministers of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment 2002-2009
Year	Total Cost
	€
2002	98,088.24
2003	118,094.29
2004	258,058.58
2005	250,292.20
2006	233,818.60
2007	146,980.61
2008	184,369.39
2009 (to date)	43,907.26

Redundancy Payments.

Finian McGrath

Question:

185 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond to a query regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [33110/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

It is not clear from the Deputy's question the nature of the query which is with my Department.

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to Redundancy payments on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In respect of Redundancy, there are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation and are unable to pay.

I am advised by my Department that there are no records in existence of a claim for redundancy payment in respect of the individual in question.

John O'Mahony

Question:

186 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employers in County Mayo waiting for their employers redundancy rebate; the length of time each application is taking to process in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33127/09]

John O'Mahony

Question:

187 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies in each county waiting for their employers redundancy rebate and the length of time each application is taking to process in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33128/09]

Simon Coveney

Question:

189 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Cork City and County waiting on redundancy payments from her Department; the length of time they have been waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33182/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

I propose to take Questions Nos.186, 187 and 189 together.

The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is in receipt of an unprecedented level of claims for redundancy payment that are giving rise to very significant delays in the processing of those payments for both companies and individuals. Currently, the average time it takes to process rebate applications from employers filed online is 7 months while claims submitted by post are taking 8 months. The Department is currently processing rebate claims submitted online from March '09 and claims filed manually from February '09.

To put it in perspective, at end September 2009, the number of Redundancy claims paid by my Department relating to applications received in 2009 and earlier years, amounted to 32,127. This equates to payments of around €206.5 million, both to employers and, in some cases, directly to employees. This means the Department is issuing an average of around €5.7 million per week in redundancy payments. The backlog of applications awaiting payment at end September '09 stands at 43,250. Of this total, an estimated 10,500 claims are the subject of requests for further information.

Unfortunately, I am unable to provide the Deputy with the specific information he has requested as the Department does not collate those statistics on a county basis. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that at this time, my focus and that of my Department is on ensuring that the redundancy payments are expedited as quickly as possible.

Naturally, the Tánaiste and I share concerns about current processing times which individuals and employers continue to experience and further initiatives, including that of additional resourcing measures, have been implemented in order to improve the turnaround in the processing of redundancy payments.

Departmental Programmes.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

188 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the projects operated under the FÁS job initiative programme, if she will ensure that the programme will continue to engage in the work it has been doing, particularly for long term unemployed people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33181/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The 2009 budget for the Job Initiative is €39m and there are currently 1,444 participants with this number decreasing annually due to retirement and other reasons.

Question No. 189 answered with Question No. 186.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Simon Coveney

Question:

190 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment number of people in Cork City and County who have received an offer of training from FÁS in the past three months under the National Employment Action Plan; the number waiting in Cork City and County for an offer of this training; the total number of places on offer in Cork City and County; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33183/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The National Employment Action Plan Preventive Strategy (NEAP) involves a systematic referral of certain cohorts of registered unemployed persons by the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) to FÁS for assistance.

Department of Social & Family Affairs National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) referrals to FÁS Employment Services, Cork, in the third quarter of 2009 totalled, approximately 2,700 clients, with approximately 2,000 attending interview. Of these, approximately 1,000 expressed an interest in availing of training.

At the end of September 2009, FÁS in Cork has approximately, 710 NEAP clients awaiting training, the majority of which will be offered places on FÁS programmes over the next four months.

During the third quarter of 2009, 1,354 NEAP clients received an offer of training. A breakdown of these is provided in the following table:

Month 2009	Full Time Training	Evening/Saturday Morning Courses (estimate)	Technical Employment Support Grant Funded Training
July	293	106	22
August	211	208	12
September	256	220	26
Total	760	534	60
Overall Total			1,354

Departmental Agencies.

John Deasy

Question:

191 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the location of the six unoccupied Industrial Development Authority units in Waterford that are being leased; the persons from whom they are being leased; the history of occupancy of these properties; the cost to date of leasing each of these properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33257/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas.

The location of the 6 units in the Waterford Industrial Estate on which the Agency has long term lease agreements, and which are currently available for use, is set out in the attached tabular statement.

For reasons of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity it is not possible to release details of persons from whom these properties are being leased.

These leases, which are 35-year leases, were entered into in the 1980s and in the time available it has not been possible to provide a history of the occupancy nor the cost to date of leasing each of these properties. I have asked the Agency to forward this information to the Deputy in due course.

Table showing the location of the 6 IDA leased properties in Waterford Industrial Estate which are available for leasing
LOCATION
Waterford Ind Est, Johnstown Centre
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6

FÁS Training Programmes.

Beverley Flynn

Question:

192 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the private training providers contracted by FÁS to give hairdressing and related training courses in the Mayo, Sligo and Galway areas in the past five years; and the regularity with which the contract for these courses has been put out to tender. [33290/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

This is a day-to-day matter for FÁS.

In the FÁS North West Region, between 5th December 2005 and 24th July 2009, six Hairdressing Courses were conducted by Contracted Trainers, Muintearas, in Sligo. Thirty-two requests for Tender were issued and seven Tenders were returned. Contracts were awarded to the lowest tender.

In the FÁS West Region, two Hairdressing Courses were organised under Contracted Training — both contracts were awarded to the Connaught College of Hairdressing, Forster Street, Galway and both programmes were run in Galway City. The first contract ran from December 2004 to June 2005. There was only one suitable trainer on the National Register of Trainers and one tender was requested. The second ran from July 2005 to January 2006. Two requests for Tender were issued, as by then the NRT listed two suitable trainers. Two tenders were returned. Contracts were awarded to the lowest tender.

Under the CDP Programme (STB), one programme was tendered in late 2006 to commence in 2007. It was awarded to the Connaught College of Hairdressing. Four requests for tender were issued, as by then the NRT listed four suitable trainers. Two tenders were returned. Contracts were awarded to the lowest tender.

Employment Support Services.

Beverley Flynn

Question:

193 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding or assistance available to an unemployed person who wishes to take part on a training course which is only given by a private provider. [33291/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The Technical Employment Service Grant provides FÁS Employment Service Officers (ESOs) with a flexible fund to provide a tailored response to meet the needs of specific client groups. This support is provided as part of the jobseeker's Action Plan, which is agreed between FÁS and the client as a means of entering/re-entering the labour market. This funding is available to those who are experiencing major barriers to progression from unemployment to the workforce and where this need cannot be met by FÁS directly or by any other state provider within a reasonable timeframe or at a location convenient to the jobseeker. A budget of €1,270 (in exceptional circumstances, up to €2,500) per client can be made available for this purpose.

From January to August 2009, 7,418 clients have availed of TESG funding for a variety of interventions. The total budget in 2008 was €2.5m which increased in 2009 to €6.5m.

Redundancy Payments.

Michael McGrath

Question:

194 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a statutory redundancy application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33336/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees and, statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.

The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department received a statutory lump sum application for the individual concerned in June 2009, claiming an inability to pay on behalf of the employer. When an employer claims inability to pay, the onus is on the employer to provide sufficient proof to substantiate the claim. In this case the company has now gone into liquidation and the statutory lump sum entitlement will be paid to eligible employees from the Social Insurance Fund. The Department will then seek to recover 40% of the lump sum paid from the liquidator. My Department is currently awaiting the submission of documentation from the liquidator. Once this is received, and if it is in order, the claim will be processed for payment.

EU Directives.

Arthur Morgan

John McGuinness

Question:

198 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if guidelines or regulations have been issued by her Department relating to the control of unattended petrol dispensing outlets; the authority or agency responsible for such regulations; if such sites are inspected or approved by the agency or a local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33556/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

No guidelines have been issued by my Department relating to the control of unattended petrol dispensing outlets nor does my Department issue guidelines on such matters.

There are Regulations in existence which relate to petrol stations. These are the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979, S.I. 311/1979. Under these regulations, the dispensing of petrol must be constantly supervised and controlled by an authorized person, located at the petrol station.

The only situation where petrol could be dispensed in the absence of such an authorized person is under the conditions attached to the licence granted to the operator of a petrol station. In practice, the general responsibility for the licensing of petrol stations, including the conditions attaching to licences, rests with the Local Authorities.

Health and Safety Authority inspectors have power to inspect petrol stations under the Dangerous Substances Acts as do authorised servants and officers of local authorities. The Health and Safety Authority includes a small number of petrol stations in its inspection programme each year. However, it primarily carries out those inspections in the context of its workplace health and safety remit under the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005 — its remit and powers under the 2005 Act are considerably wider than those under the Dangerous Substances Acts. Essentially, the Authority addresses the inspection of (manned) petrol stations in the same way that it addresses any other workplace, largely from a risk assessment and safety management perspective with a focus primarily on employees.

I understand that, in recent times, the issue of unmanned petrol stations and the conditions that might be expected to apply to their operation has been considered by officers from a number of fire authorities, the Health and Safety Authority and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management which operates under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Persons interested in establishing an unattended, petrol-dispensing outlet, should apply for a licence to the relevant local (fire) authority responsible for the place in which it is to be situated.

Redundancy Payments.

Willie Penrose

Question:

199 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employees issued with RP9 forms by employers in the construction industry; the length of time it takes to process same; if this method of temporary lay offs is used by industries other than construction; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that once laid off temporary, the employee, when issued with the RP9 form must wait four weeks and then make a claim for redundancy payment, but which period causes the employee to lose their right to statutory notice or payment in lieu of notice; if she will take steps to remedy this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33563/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The RP9 form is merely a form of notice between the employer and employee where the issue of temporary lay off occurs. It is not a form that is submitted to the Department for any statutory purpose. There is no obligation on the employer or employee to use the RP9 form for this purpose and Notice may be given orally without the use of the RP9.

In general, a layoff situation exists when an employer suspends an employee's employment because there is no work available, when the employer expects the cessation of work to be temporary and when the employer notifies the employee to this effect. While layoff situations are commonly experienced in the construction sector, there is no legislative exclusion in relation to the use of periods of layoff for other sectors.

An employee who has been laid off or kept on short time or a mixture of both either for four consecutive weeks or for a broken series of six weeks where all six weeks occur within a 13 week period, may, if he so wishes, claim a redundancy payment. The Redundancy Payment claim would be conditional on the employer not issuing a counter claim by offering 13 weeks continual employment, starting within four weeks of the date of receipt of the employees’ claim for redundancy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 206, inclusive, together.

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

I am advised that there are currently 6,100 Community Employment Scheme participants in the Dublin area. A budget of €99m has been provided for this purpose for 2009.

The detailed information requested by the Deputy will take some time to collate and will be provided at a later date.

Departmental Programmes.

Joe Costello

Question:

207 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to implement the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditures proposals on cutbacks in the community sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33763/09]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

221 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has made a decision on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes proposals relating to eligibility for community employment schemes; if she will take into consideration that the proposed change will lead to the closure of the special status drug community employment programmes which provide services to just less than 1,000 recovering drug users. [34183/09]

Willie Penrose

Question:

235 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ensure that a recommendation of a proposal contained in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report regarding the future of 46 voluntary and community programmes will not be implemented; if her attention has been drawn to the importance of the operation of the community employment schemes in these areas and ensure that they continue as heretofore; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34557/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 221 and 235 together.

The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report has no recommendations to alter the eligibility criteria for participating on the mainstream Community Employment (CE) programme nor on the special status drug CE programmes. It does, however, recommend the removal of the dual-entitlement to certain social welfare payments while participating on CE. The McCarthy Report will inform the 2010 Estimates process which is not yet complete.

The recommendations in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report with regard to the 46 voluntary and community programmes refer to programmes under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Departmental Agencies.

George Lee

Question:

208 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average salary of all staff employed by FÁS, broken down by grades for each year from 1997 to 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33828/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The average salary per grade grouping provided to me by FÁS is set out in the table in respect of the years 1998 to 2008. The figures are not available at individual grade level as it is not possible to extract this retrospectively from the computer payroll system. For the same reason figures in respect of 1997 can not be provided at this stage.

For ease of comparison the figures for all years are expressed in euro.

Average Salary by Grade Grouping 1998-2008 (expressed in euro)
Grouping/Avg. Salary	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Management (Gr 1-7)	45,967	48,001	48,978	54,170	58,729	61,075	68,405	70,845	75,478	79,820	81,414
Operational (Grades 8-10)	31,021	31,973	32,526	36,193	38,501	40,013	44,436	46,216	48,779	51,516	52,048
Clerical (Grade 11)	18,691	18,857	19,309	21,707	23,327	24,191	26,548	27,891	29,030	30,938	31,126
Operatives (Grades 13-15)	15,303	15,404	15,427	17,383	18,681	19,483	21,591	24,065	25,146	26,940	27,571
Overall Average Salary	29,076	29,954	30,394	34,228	35,714	37,151	41,486	43,047	45,196	47,775	48,294

Figures for 1997 not readily available.

Nutraceutical Sector.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

209 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investment the she is making in the nutraceutical sector; the percentage of gross domestic product attributed to this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33834/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

There is no universal definition of nutraceuticals as a sector and therefore, it is difficult to define the level of investment in the sector and the percentage of Gross Domestic Product attributed to it. The nutraceuticals market is frequently defined as encompassing functional foods, vitamins, minerals and supplements and it is evident that it can offer lucrative opportunities to the indigenous food industry. Currently, Irish manufacturing capability is largely confined to a small number of large dairy companies and SMEs in the ingredient and beverage sectors. These companies have successfully launched products such as fortified milk drinks, probiotic yoghurts, cholesterol lowering spreads, energy drinks and functional waters.

Enterprise Ireland is actively involved in supporting this sector and has prioritised it for development. For example, in July 2008, I announced a €19.5m investment (funded by Enterprise Ireland) towards Food for Health Ireland (FHI). FHI is a unique partnership between four of Ireland's major dairy processing companies and four public research organisations. The industry-led research agenda will focus its efforts over a five-year period on maximising the health potential of bioactives derived from milk. In general, the nutraceutical sector is supported through existing EI grant funding mechanisms and EI has supported large-scale strategic investments in research and development for key players in the sector. Other supports to this sector include capital grants and support towards strategic Human Research Development programmes.

Competition Authority.

Phil Hogan

Question:

210 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the Competition Authority by a leading economic consultancy (details supplied) for wasting resources and being inadequately prepared in relation to a recent prosecution by the Competition Authority which was dismissed in the Circuit Court in Mayo in July 2009; the steps she is taking to ensure that the Authority is both efficient and effective; the measures she is taking to address the criticisms levelled at the Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33836/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Competition Authority is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition law in the State. Section 29 (3) of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Competition Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under section 30 (1)(b) of that Act, the Competition Authority is responsible for investigating any breach of the Act. As investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Authority I have no direct function in the matter.

That being said, I understand that the case the Deputy refers to, is one which was heard in the Central Criminal Court sitting in Galway earlier this year. The case was prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a referral of a file from the Authority. The Court decided, after hearing the prosecution case, that there was sufficient evidence presented in Court to warrant putting the evidence before the jury for it to consider and on which to reach a decision. The jury duly considered the evidence and acquitted the defendants on all charges.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

211 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the service which is provided by the FÁS services to a business department at Rossa Avenue, Cork in regard to support, funding and assistance to individuals, groups and companies seeking training and certification in the cleaning industry in the Cork region; the budget allocation and number trained in 2008 and to date in 2009; if this service will be provided in 2010; the minimum standard which is set for personnel working in the cleaning industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33845/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

FÁS South West Region provided training to 267 persons employed in the cleaning industry in 2008 at a total cost of €195,160 under the Competency Development Programme. This training was provided in three different courses as outlined below:

Food Premises Cleaning Certificate Stage 1: 31 people.

Cleaning Operatives Proficiency Certificate Stage 1: 213 people.

Cleaning Operatives Proficiency Certificate Stage 2: 23 people.

All of these courses were 100% funded by FÁS.

To be eligible to participate in any of the above programmes, participants were required to have 2 years experience working in the cleaning industry. The courses were certified by the British Institute of Cleaning Science.

The Cleaning Operators Proficiency Certificate Scheme is intended to set an objective standard of competence assessment for operators in the cleaning industry. The certificate is recognised as best practice throughout the cleaning industry in Europe. No such training was provided in 2009.

Visa Applications.

Jack Wall

Question:

212 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position of a visa in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33876/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The Employment Permits Section informs me that it has no record of a valid application in this case.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton

Question:

213 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports her Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33899/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department commissioned twenty-one experts' or consultants' reports in 2008. Details in relation to these reports are set out in the following table:

	Title of Report Commissioned	Name of Consultant or Expert	Cost
			€
1	Report of an assessment of a named company’s restructuring plan.	KPMG	273,460
2	Report and Recommendations from the Consultation Process with Staff in the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment	Institute of Public Administration (IPA)	18,000
3	Evaluation Report on Department’s Website	IQ Content Ltd	41,261
4	Evaluation of Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) Programme	CIRCA Consultants, SIA Group and International Panel of Experts	105,082*
5	Productive Sector Operational Programme (PSOP) Managing Authority Lookback Audit (Parts 1 & 2)	Contract-auditline (CAL)	38,130
6	Conduct an Equality survey under the ESF Co-Funded EQUAL Community Initiative	Social and Market Research	23,850
7	Audit of DAWN project under the ESF Co-Funded EQUAL Community Initiative	Ernst and Young	25,090
8	Review and Assessment of the ESF Co-Funded EQUAL Community Initiative	PA Consulting	61,595
9	Evaluation of Ireland’s membership of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)	CIRCA Consultants	51,183†

*Shared equally between D/ETE and Forfás.

†Shared jointly by DETE & Forfás.

	Title of Report Commissioned	Name of Consultant or Expert	Cost
			€
10	Measuring Administrative Burdens in Company Law, Employment Law and Health & Safety Law	EPS Consulting	58,249
11	Prioritising Health & Safety Information Obligations	Scannell Solutions	4,538
12	Prioritising Health & Safety Information Obligations; additional review	Scannell Solutions	605
13	Prioritising Information Obligations in Company Law	Arthur Cox	2,226
14	Listing of Information Obligations in Employment Law	UCD School of Law	4,650
15	Listing of Information Obligations in Company Law	NUI Galway	5,102
16	Listing of Information Obligations in Health & Safety Law	University of Limerick	4,616
17	Provision of Statistical Analysis for the High Level Group on Business Regulation Report	Experian Ireland Ltd	182
18	Three Standard Cost Model measurements for the High Level Group on Business Regulation	Tom Ferris	5,707
19	Report of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers	As part of its work the Advisory Group commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers and Emily Gibson BL to carry out specific studies in relation to the Group’s terms of reference	33,732
20	Companies Registration Office Business Process Engineering Review	Grant Thornton	71,874
21	Companies Registration Office XBRL Feasibility Study	Bizmeasures Ltd.	31,683

Redundancy Payments.

Noel Ahern

Question:

214 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) will receive the revenue refund due to them on the redundancy payment they made to their employee several months ago. [33918/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

From the records held by my Department in relation to Redundancy payments, I am advised that a rebate payment in respect of the individual named and employed by the company issued in August 2009. The one aspect which does not match our records is the PPS number quoted by the Deputy for the individual concerned.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English

Question:

215 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost to her Department and each agency under the aegis of her Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33950/09]

Damien English

Question:

216 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons in her Department and each agency under the aegis of her Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33965/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Agency	Year	Resignation	Cost	Termination of Contract	Cost	Early Retirements	Cost to Department
					€		€
Enterprise, Trade & Employment	2006	17	0	0	0	6	369,215.39
	2007	13	0	*4	0	5	551,090.21
	2008	15	0	*9	**84,864.92	6	450,639.38
	2009	2	0	*12	**83,057.99	15	514,316.03
FÁS	2006	15	0	0	0	26	1,811,313.31
	2007	9	0	0	0	29	2,134,249.13
	2008	5	0	0	0	29	2,806,793.62
	2009	1	0	33	117,310.80	50	2,992,627.64
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority	2006	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2007	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	1	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	0	0	0	0	0	0
Competition Authority	2006	2	0	0	0	0	0
	2007	9	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	3	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	3	0	0	0	0	0
National Consumer Agency	2006	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	2007	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	0	0	0	0	0	0
Personal Injuries Assesment Board	2006	2	0	0	0	0	0
	2007	12	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	7	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	0	0	0	0	1	10,872.97
Science Foundation Ireland	2006	7	0	0	0	0	0
	2007	10	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	3	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	0	0	0	0	0	0
Enterprise Ireland	2006	39	0	0	0	50	4,878,000
	2007	19	0	0	0	46	2,966,000
	2008	28	0	0	0	6	323,000
	2009	30	0	1	4,298	3	9,233
IDA Ireland	2006	6	0	0	0	0
	2007	7	0	0	0	***1	58,457
	2008	9	0	0	0	0
	2009	3	0	0	0	0
Shannon Development	2006	1	0	0	0	4	555,215
	2007	1	0	0	0	3	579,815
	2008	0	0	0	0	3	987,044
	2009	0	0	0	0	2	0
Forfás	2006	9	0	0	0	0	0
	2007	12	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	6	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	9	0	0	0	0	0
National Standards Authority of Ireland	2006	5	0	0	0	1	32,179
	2007	7	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	5	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	0	0	0	0	5	42,477
Intertrade Ireland	2006	2	0	0	0	0	0
	2007	1	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	2	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	2	0	0	0	0	0
County Enterprise Board’s	2006	6	0	1	11,000	0	0
	2007	7	0	0	0	0	0
	2008	4	0	0	0	0	0
	2009	3	0	2	6,120	2	0

*Numbers refer to Ministerial private office staff appointments, i.e. posts of Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary, Special Adviser and Civilian Driver employed under contract. These contracts terminate not later than the date on which the office holder who made the appointment ceases to hold the office by reference to which he or she is an office holder (i.e. ceases to hold the office of Minister of the Government or Minister of State).

**The figure of 84,864.92 in 2008 reflects the total amount of severance payments made to two ministerial appointees while the figure of 83,057.99 reflects the total amount of severance payments to seven ministerial appointees in 2009.

***For ill health early retirement in 2007 Pension of 19,486 p.a is payable and a lump sum of 58,457 has been paid in 2007, however as its ill health retirement, the cost of this is borne by the IDA pension fund and not by the IDA/DETE.

Redundancy Payments.

David Stanton

Question:

217 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people currently awaiting statutory redundancy payments as notified to the National Employment Rights Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34029/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

218 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a claim for redundancy payment by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [34093/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

I have to advise the Deputy that my understanding, based on the records available in the Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is that there is no record of a claim for a redundancy payment in relation to the individual in question.

Departmental Agencies.

John Deasy

Question:

219 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost and location of each property rented by the Industrial Development Authority in each county in each of the past five years; and the properties which are being used by the IDA and which are held for potential investors. [34094/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is day-to-day operational matters for the agency as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas and not a matter in which I have a function.

I understand from IDA that the Agency's building portfolio currently consists of 139 units, of which 65 are owned by IDA and 74 are leased from private landlords (known as Private Finance).

Of these properties, 72 are leased and 38 are available for marketing. There are 25 properties under process of open market sale or transfer to Local Authority, while 4 are currently under lease negotiations.

The annual net cost, after deduction of rental income, to IDA of leasing these buildings is in the region of €4million per annum.

In the time available it has not been possible to give details of the location and status of each property in each of the past five years, but the attached tabular statement shows the location and status on a county by county basis of each of the 139 properties mentioned.

Table showing the location on a county by county basis of IDA's Current Building Portfolio Building Units
Region	IDA Owned/IDA Leased	Status	Total
DUBLIN
	IDA Owned	Occupied	3
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	21
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	5
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	10
Total			39
KILDARE
	IDA Owned	Occupied	0
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	1
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	5
Total			6
WICKLOW
	IDA Owned	Occupied	0
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	1
	Leased	Occupied	6
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			7
OFFALY
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			1
ROSCOMMON
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	3
	Leased	Reserved	1
	Leased	Available	0
Total			5
WESTMEATH
	IDA Owned	Occupied	0
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	3
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	1
Total			4
LOUTH
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			1
MONAGHAN
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			1
DONEGAL
	IDA Owned	Occupied	8
	IDA Owned	Reserved	3
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	4
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			15
SLIGO
	IDA Owned	Occupied	0
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	1
	IDA Owned	Available	1
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			2
KILKENNY
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			1
WATERFORD
	IDA Owned	Occupied	4
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	1
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	6
Total			11
WEXFORD
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	2
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	1
Total			4
CORK
	IDA Owned	Occupied	3
	IDA Owned	Reserved
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress
	IDA Owned	Available	1
	Leased	Occupied	11
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	4
Total			19
KERRY
	IDA Owned	Occupied	5
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	0
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			5
GALWAY
	IDA Owned	Occupied	4
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	2
	IDA Owned	Available	0
	Leased	Occupied	2
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	7
Total			15
MAYO
	IDA Owned	Occupied	1
	IDA Owned	Reserved	0
	IDA Owned	Sale in Progress	0
	IDA Owned	Available	1
	Leased	Occupied	1
	Leased	Reserved	0
	Leased	Available	0
Total			3

Redundancy Payments.

Michael Ring

Question:

220 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their redundancy rebate payment in view of the fact that the delay is causing hardship. [34173/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The Redundancy Section of my Department has on record a notification of redundancy (RP 50) which was received on-line (electronically) on the 14th of July, 2009 from the company concerned. Claims submitted online because of their nature tend to have a faster processing time compared to applications by post and I would urge all future applicants to avail of the on-line Redundancy Payments facility of my Department. All claims are processed strictly in order of date of receipt in fairness to all claimants.

Question No. 221 answered with Question No. 207.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

222 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34314/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department availed of the Department of Finance Framework Agreement in respect of the provision of mobile phone services. Vodafone was awarded the contract after a competitive tendering process which evaluated tenders on a range of criteria including best value for money and which took into account the Department's mobile phone usage pattern. The current contract was awarded in August 2008, the duration of which will be in keeping fully with the terms of the Department of Finance Framework Agreement.

Importation Policy.

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

223 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 16 September 2009, the reason the €41 million worth of imports from Israel did not qualify for preferential duty; and if she can give assurances that the reason was not due to the fact that these goods were the produce of Israeli settlements. [34325/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The basis for assessing whether import duties apply, and the extent to which they might be applicable to imports, is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

224 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of occasions on which her Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34340/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

In one case an application was made in 2007 for the payment of a severance gratuity in respect of a CEO whose contract was not being renewed. The proposed gratuity was not sanctioned by the Department of Finance and therefore was not paid.

In 2008 the Department of Finance sanctioned the following severance terms to the former Director General of FÁS under and in accordance with Section 6(3) of the Labour Services Act 1987:

Superannuation benefits (Pension and Lump Sum) based on 40 years service, including added notional service, payable with effect from 26 November 2008, and an ex-gratia payment, equivalent to 6 months salary, amounting to €111,243.50.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

225 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from her Department in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34355/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Three Civil Servants were dismissed from my Department in the last five years for misconduct, poor performance or failure to fulfil the terms of their contract. All three were dismissed during 2009.

Redundancy Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

226 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [34425/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

I am advised that a redundancy payment claim for the individual named was submitted to the Redundancy Payments Section of my Department in early September 2009 and is currently awaiting processing.

The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is in receipt of an unprecedented level of claims for redundancy payment that are giving rise to very significant delays in the processing of those payments for both companies and individuals. Currently, the average time it takes to process rebate applications from employers filed online is 7 months while claims submitted by post are taking 8 months. In respect of lumpsum payments paid directly to employees in instances where the employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time, assuming all of the necessary supporting documentation is filed, is between 6-8 weeks.

Work Permits.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

227 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a work authorisation granted to a non-EU citizen which is valid until November 2010 could be used up to that date should that person be made redundant due to the economic situation; if they can transfer to another employer in those circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34456/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

The position is that holders of Working Visas or Work Authorisations are allowed to change their employers within the same skills category as specified on their original Visa or Authorisation.

The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that this site is not in their ownership.

Work Placement Programme.

Michael McGrath

Question:

231 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on expanding the terms of the work placement programme to enable persons on jobseeker’s benefit to avail of the scheme. [34483/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The aim of the Work Placement Programme is to provide valuable work experience for 6 months to 2,000 unemployed individuals. Participants on the programme will retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placement.

It was agreed that the target cohort of this programme would be those who have been unemployed for a period of 6 months and in receipt of job seekers allowance. This would allow a person on the Live Register to explore their options particularly job search options before a commitment was entered into by the State to pay welfare for 6 months work experience

The programme is limited to those in receipt of job seekers allowance. However, a person receiving job seekers benefit may at any stage opt for jobseekers allowance and, provided they qualify, can avail of the programme.

It is my intention that the programme and its criteria will be reviewed and evaluated in the near future.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Finian McGrath

Question:

232 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34508/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

At present FÁS does not provide training courses for unemployed persons to become dog handlers. Should a demand emerge in the future, the feasibility of allocating resources to the provision of such a training course would be examined.

Pension Provisions.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

233 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the pension top up and discretionary payments made to a person (details supplied) were made under the terms of the Labour Services Act 1987 or the Superannuation Act 1963; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34550/09]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

234 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will explain the way the pension top up and discretionary payment made to a person (details supplied) can be in accordance with Section 4 of the Labour Services Act 1987; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34551/09]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

The severance arrangements granted to the former Director General of FÁS was granted under and in accordance with Section 6(3) of the Labour Services Act 1987. The Labour Services Act provides that terms and conditions, including those in relation to remuneration and superannuation, of the office of the Director General, may be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister of Finance.

Question No. 235 answered with Question No. 207.

Middle East Peace Process.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

236 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of checks made on imported Israeli goods in 2008 to verify that the goods were not from an illegal settlement. [33058/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the course of 2008, a total of 12 imports from Israel (where a preferential rate of duty was claimed) were referred, in accordance with the relevant EU rules, to the Israeli customs authorities for verification of the entitlement to the preferential rate of duty. The verification process in such cases is set out in the EU rules and would include a check by the Israeli customs authorities to verify that the goods were not from an illegal settlement.

Preferential Trade Agreements.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

237 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the list of illegal settlement postcodes drawn up by the EU to ensure that Member States do not offer preferential trade agreements to produce originating in these postcodes. [33060/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, while a list as described by the Deputy does exist, it is regarded by the European Commission as confidential. In the circumstances, therefore, it is not considered possible to provide this list to the Deputy. However, the Deputy may wish to make an application to the European Commission directly, seeking access to the list in question.

Departmental Expenditure.

Pat Breen

Question:

238 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 22 September 2009, his plans to undertake a review and renegotiation of rental payments to achieve value for money in view of his plans to rationalise the district veterinary offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33670/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

Arising from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's decision to reorganise it's local network of offices, the Commissioners of Public Works are liaising with the Department to ensure that the optimum outcome in terms of value for money is achieved in respect of each location where the Department plans to increase services, and in respect of each location where the Department plans to cease providing services.

Bank Transfers.

Joan Burton

Question:

239 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties and charges faced by businesses paying suppliers and contractors based outside the single euro payments area, particularly the UK, by bank transfer; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that such charges impose a financial burden on businesses, particularly small businesses and that such charges are often flat rate charges, resulting in small transactions to be relatively costly; if he has proposals to help alleviate this problem; if he has taken the opportunity to raise this matter at EU level or directly with her counterparts in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34025/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

This is not an issue that has been raised by the relevant stakeholders to my Department. I assume the Deputy is referring to payments made in sterling when referring to transactions being made to suppliers and contractors based in the United Kingdom, which is outside of the eurozone.

Transaction charges for retail cross border credit transfers in euro within the EU must be charged at the same rate as the equivalent domestic transaction. This obligation flows from the Cross-Border Payments Regulation (Regulation 2560/2001(EC)) adopted by the EU on 19 December 2001 which established the principle that charges levied by an institution in respect of certain cross-border payments in euro will be the same as the charges levied by the same institution for corresponding domestic payments. Non-eurozone Member States were entitled to opt in to the provisions of the Regulation. However, I understand that the United Kingdom has chosen not to do so. Therefore payments made in sterling to or from the United Kingdom are not subject to the Regulation. Non-eurozone Member States may opt to implement the Regulation fully at any stage; however this is a matter for the relevant Member States.

With regard to the regulation of bank charges in the State, there are basically two categories of charges applied by the banks — interest-related banking charges and non-interest-related banking charges and fees.

Interest-related charges are determined by the banks themselves on the basis of market considerations and neither the Minister for Finance nor the Financial Regulator have any statutory role in this matter. In setting the level of such charge for a borrower, a bank would have regard to a variety of factors such as the prevailing rate set by the European Central Bank, the customer's credit history, the risk perceived to attach to the loan and the cost of funds to the bank.

The regulation of non-interest-related charges, such as cross border banking charges, is vested in the Financial Regulator under the Consumer Credit Act 1995 and credit institutions are obliged to seek the prior approval of the Regulator before any increase in such charges above the previously approved level. In fact, Ireland is the only EU country with statutory control on such fee increases.

The Financial Regulator assesses each charging proposal against the criteria set down in the Act and either approves the charge at the notified level, approves it at a lower level or rejects the proposal. The criteria set out in the Act are:

the promotion of fair competition;

statement of commercial justification;

a credit institution passing any costs on to its customers; and

the effect on customers of any proposal to impose or change any charge in relation to the provision of such service.

By way of concluding, it is a matter for individual businesses to actively ‘shop around' to secure the best value for money in the costs associated with cross border banking charges.

Illegal Cigarette Trade.

Joe McHugh

Question:

240 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the Exchequer lost €500 million due to the illegal cigarette trade in 2008; his further views on whether Customs are sufficiently staffed to address this problem; if he will increase the number employed by Customs; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that retailers here lose €500 million per annum due to this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34528/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax and tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that there is no internationally recognised method for determining the amount of tax lost as a result of the illicit trade in cigarettes. However, the Commissioners have previously given a tentative estimate that approximately 20% of cigarettes consumed in Ireland in 2008 were untaxed. The tax involved would amount to approximately €380m. It should be noted however that, in addition to illicit cigarettes, this estimate also includes legal cross-border shopping purchases brought into the State for personal consumption.

As regards the question of staffing resources available to Revenue's Customs Service to combat cigarette smuggling, enforcement staff are deployed at all key ports and airports for the purpose of detection, interception and seizure of smuggled goods including contraband cigarettes. Staff numbers at these locations are subject to continuous review and these officers are frequently augmented by additional staff from other areas where the need arises for specific operational reasons. In addition, enforcement officers carry out checks at inland premises including retail outlets, markets, warehouses etc. for contraband cigarettes that may have evaded detection at the point of importation.

Enforcement action undertaken by Customs in 2008 resulted in 10,191 seizures of cigarettes totalling in excess of 135m cigarettes, while up to the end of August 2009, Customs have made 7164 seizures of cigarettes amounting to 61m cigarettes.

On the question of a possible increase in the number of Customs enforcement officers, as the Deputy is aware, this issue needs to be viewed in the context of the current restriction on recruitment in the public service. However, the number of Revenue staff deployed in particular areas has always been and will continue to be decided on the basis of business needs and risk assessment. The Commissioners also believe that improved strategies, tactics, detection techniques and training are equally if not more important than increases in the number of officers. These include more effective profiling, improved intelligence gathering, continued co-operation with the legitimate tobacco industry and the better use of scanning technology. All these matters are under continuous review as part of an ongoing assessment of Revenue's ability to deal with the increasing threat to excise duties. In this regard, a new tobacco tax stamp with added security features was recently introduced and a second container scanner is due to be delivered by the end of November.

Finally, I am aware of various reports in the media on the impact of the illicit cigarette trade on legitimate retailers. It is inevitable that retailers do suffer some loss in trade as a result of smuggling. The Commissioners therefore hope to increase the current level of detection through the deployment of improved strategies and tactics etc, as referred to above.

Commission on Taxation Report.

Michael Ring

Question:

241 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposals contained in the taxation commission’s report with regard to charities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34098/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Commission on Taxation have made a number of recommendations in relation to the tax treatment of charities and other approved bodies, as well as in relation to tax relief for donations to such bodies.

Mary Upton

Question:

243 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will consider developing a building (details supplied) as a tourist attraction; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that workhouses form an integral part of our history and would be an important tourist attraction, particularly for those with Irish ancestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

The property referred to by the Deputy is in private ownership.

The Commissioners of Public Works have no plans to acquire it at the present time.

Tax Code.

Mary Upton

Question:

244 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the complexity of the taxation and relief system here in order to reduce the ability of those with access to the best advice from reducing their tax burden while low and middle income workers cannot avail of these breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33005/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In recent years many legislative, administrative and technological initiatives have been implemented to improve and simplify the manner in which taxes and duties are administered. Making it as easy as possible for all customers to fulfil their obligations and claim their entitlements is a key objective and is a cornerstone of Revenue's strategy of maximising voluntary compliance.

Initiatives of particular benefit to Pay as You Earn (PAYE) and self-employed are as follows:

PAYE Taxpayer Simplification Initiatives. A number of approaches have been taken in recent years specifically aimed at making PAYE customers aware of their tax credit and relief entitlements and making it easier to claim them.

On-line facilities are now available to PAYE customers. Once registered, the self-service facilities enable PAYE customers to manage their tax affairs in a quick, free and secure manner and at a time that suits them best.

Other self-service options available include text messaging and touch-tone telephone.

Revenue also issued a new PAYE Guide for Employees with 2009 Tax Credit Certificates. The guide, written in simple language, explains the mechanisms of the PAYE system, explains tax credits and reliefs, encourages customers to apply for them and promotes PAYE Anytime.

Revenue has been making considerable efforts to automate tax credit and relief entitlements. Developments in this area include the automatic granting of age credits, the introduction of DIRT exempt accounts for over 65s and the issue of automatic refunds for tuition fees and non-reimbursed amounts for prescribed drugs.

Mortgage interest relief is provided at source through financial institutions under arrangements which were put in place with effect from 1 January 2002, that is the TRS system. This means that the mortgage holders get the benefit of the relief directly from their mortgage providers in the form of reduced monthly repayments which take account of the tax relief. In addition, health insurance relief is also provided at source by way of reduced payments.

Tax relief on contributions to occupational pension schemes for PAYE earners is provided on a "net pay" basis. This means that employee pensions contributions are deducted from gross pay by employers before income tax and levies are calculated.

Simplification Initiatives for Self-Employed Taxpayers

Registration thresholds for VAT have been increased in recent years to reduce the administrative burden on smaller businesses.

Revenue reduced the frequency of tax returns and payments required from smaller businesses during 2006 and 2007. It regularly reviews the liability of cases and transfers customers to the less frequent filing programme where eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly simplified arrangements were extended to include newly eligible customers from 1 January 2009. Over 90,000 businesses currently benefit from less frequent PAYE/PRSI and VAT filing obligations.

With a view to making tax compliance easier for small businesses, Revenue carried out a detailed review of self-assessed returns and identified taxpayers to whom the shorter Form 11E is more appropriate. As a result the 2008 Form 11E issued to 125,000 customers who file paper returns as opposed to 21,000 in 2007. Revenue will continue to review self-assessed returns with the intention of issuing a shorter form to as many categories of customers as possible.

A new system of accounting for VAT on construction services came into effect from 1 September 2008. The effect of the reverse charge mechanism is that it simplifies the operation of VAT in the sector and there are cash flow benefits to principals.

A new Guide to VAT was also published in July 2008 and updated by Addendum to include the Finance Act (No. 2) 2008 changes. There are over fifty VAT Information leaflets available in support of the Guide.

Revenue's On-line Service (ROS) offers business and individuals a quick, secure and cost effective method to manage their tax affairs on-line and the number of customers using it continues to increase. Revenue has a number of incentives to encourage customers to avail of ROS.

Revenue's website (www.revenue.ie) was redesigned and launched in December 2008 following wide-ranging consultation and was aimed at delivering improvements in quality and timeliness, information and services.

In June 2009, Revenue launched its new National Excise Licence Office which reduces the administrative burden associated with Excise Licence obligations.

Work will continue in this area with the aim of reducing any remaining complexity in the taxation and relief system, both as it pertains to the individual taxpayer and small businesses.

Banking Sector Regulation.

Joe McHugh

As Minister for Finance I welcome international investment into Ireland and we are all aware of the essential role discharged by international investment in supporting the Irish economy.

As Minister, I am not in a position to provide investment advice to investors in relation to the Irish property market or any other market.

Question No. 248 answered with Question No. 245.

Tax Code.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

249 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the logic behind the tax on life insurance and assurance policies introduced recently; and his views on removing it or removing it for those policies which are compulsory for mortgages. [33072/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In the Supplementary Budget 2009, I introduced a life insurance levy at a rate of 1% on premiums. This measure is one small part of this Government's concerted effort to raise the revenue necessary to help address the serious recent decline in the public finances.

All taxes and potential taxation measures are constantly reviewed in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill. As the Deputy is aware, it is not customary for the Minister of Finance to comment on specific tax and expenditure changes in advance of the Budget.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

250 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33083/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In the time available, it has not been possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy. Every effort is being made to collate the information and I will reply directly to the Deputy when this process is completed.

Tax Code.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

251 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will reduce the excise duty charged per bottle of wine and particularly on wine sold in restaurants or hotels and consumed with meals in view of the crisis in the hospitality industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33098/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that before Budget 2009, excise duty on wine remained unchanged since the Budget of 1994. The growth in the consumption of wine has been strong over the last ten years particularly relative to other alcohol products. It should also be noted the excise on wine remains considerably lower than excise on spirits.

The alcohol products tax content of a bottle of wine was 30.6% of the retail price in 1994 and following Budget 2009 is now 25.7%. Under EU legislation, Member States must levy the same excise duty on all still wine products and the same excise duty on all sparkling wine products. It is therefore not possible to differentiate excise duty on wine according to where it is sold or consumed.

Banking Sector Regulation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

252 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the action he will take regarding credit unions with regard to a new approach to financial regulation in view of the request that regulation be developed in the context of revisions of the Credit Union Act 1997 rather than in the context of regulatory failures connected to the property market. [33107/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Credit Union Act 1997 has served credit unions well providing stability and legal certainty during a period of substantial growth and development of the movement. The need for some modernisation of the legislative and regulatory framework for credit unions has become evident over time and there is consensus among all stakeholders that the current legislative framework needs reform. While some preparatory work has already been done in this regard there is however no clear consensus at this stage on the future shape of the reformed legislative framework for credit unions. I have asked the Chair of the Financial Regulator to initiate a review of credit unions which it is hoped will make an important contribution to identifying the appropriate way forward.

Richard Bruton

Question:

253 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the restriction on loans of more than five years duration within the credit unions is restricting the ability of unions to restructure loans for persons experiencing financial difficulty; and his proposals to relax this restriction. [33108/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

A core objective of the legislative and regulatory framework for Credit Unions in Ireland is to ensure the safety and soundness of credit unions. This requires prudent lending and investment decisions by Boards of credit unions to safeguard members' savings. The restrictions contained in Section 35 of the Credit Union Act 1997, as amended, are an important asset and liability tool for credit unions as the funding of credit unions is predominantly provided on a short term basis in the form of on-demand savings and consequently the limits on longer term-term lending are necessary.

I am aware that credit unions are seeking to facilitate revised repayment instalments for credit union members currently experiencing difficulty in meeting loan repayments due to unfavourable changes in their financial circumstances but that these endeavours, in certain circumstances, run up against the current Section 35 limits on longer-term lending for some credit unions. Subject to the over-arching considerations that the financial position of a credit union, the security of members' savings and accurate reporting of the financial status of a credit union is maintained, it should be possible to explore all reasonable steps to allow a member, in carefully monitored and controlled circumstances, to re-schedule their repayments to a level which is affordable to them. Of course, each credit union must fully and properly recognise arrears situations where they exist, and where members are in difficulty the process of facilitating them must be transparent to board members and regulators so that a credit union is never in doubt as to its own position.

My Department has, at my request, reactivated the Group, representative of stakeholders, the Regulatory Authority and my Department, which successfully reviewed the Section 35 lending limits in 2006. The mandate for this Group is to find a solution to this issue. My officials have consulted with the relevant stakeholders and have received proposals from them on how we might best proceed. This work is being brought forward with a view to reaching agreement on this issue as soon as possible.

Court Accommodation.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the air travel tax arising from travel undertaken in any month is payable by the 23rd of the following month. The yields from the air travel tax received in the period from May to September 2009, in respect of travel undertaken during the months April to August 2009 are as follows:

Month	€m
May	9.6
June	11.5
July	11.9
August	12.5
September	12.4
Total	57.9

It should be recognised that visitors will only be subject to the tax on their return air journey. The additional €10 or €2 in the context of a much larger purchasing decision involving total travel and accommodation costs should have an extremely limited effect on tourist numbers. I appreciate the airline industry continues to go through a difficult period. However, this difficult trading period arises primarily from weak world economic activity.

It should be noted that at present the decline in air travel is an international phenomenon and as a result aviation services are contracting on a global basis. Indeed the decline in the number of people travelling is also evident in those countries where there is no air travel tax in place.

The estimated yield from the air travel tax is €85m in 2009 and €125m in a full year.

We currently face significant financial challenges and the air travel tax is an important revenue raising measure. I tried to be as fair as possible in looking at areas for additional tax revenues. It is also worth noting that fuel used by commercial airlines is completely exempt from tax, so it's a sector that already has considerable preferential treatment.

Departmental Staff.

Simon Coveney

Question:

258 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who have availed of the early retirement scheme as announced by him in 2009 in tabular form; the sectors of the public service from which they come; and the level of position they held. [33198/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

In summary, the information reported to my Department by the end of September indicates that some 992 civil servants had applied for the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) and that 811 of these had been approved. These Civil Service numbers are based on returns from all Departments and Offices. (The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism provided an overall number).

In the wider public service, some 347 public servants had applied and 130 of these had been approved. However, it should be noted that information from the Education Sector will not be available until the end of October and from the Local Authorities until November. Also, processing of applications under the ISER has been suspended in the Health Sector as a result of a direction by IMPACT and some other health unions to their members not to cooperate with redeployment. As the closing date for the Scheme has been extended to 16th October next, and the monitoring process is continuing, additional information is expected to become available in due course.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
	Department
	Applications			1	3	5		16	10	5	21				21	82
	Approved			0	3	2		10	6	4	12				14	51
Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism
	Civil Servants
	Applications															4
	Approved															2
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
	Civil Servants
	Applications			1		4			1						3	9
	Approved			1		4			1						1	7
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
	Civil Servants
	Applications			1	1	4		2	1	1						10
	Approved			1	1	4		2	1	1						10
Department of Defence
	Department
	Applications					2		1	6	2						11
	Approved					2		1	6	2						11
Department of Education & Science
	Civil Servants
	Applications			1	4	3		5	7	2					11	33
	Approved			0	3	2		0	4	1					2	12

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment
	Department
	Applications			2	6	11		11	9	2						41
	Approved			2	4	8		8	8	1						31
Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government
	Civil Servants
	Applications			1	7	11		5	3	2	4				14	47
	Approved			1	6	10		4	3	2	4				9	39
Department of Finance
	Department
	Applications			1	6	14		7		2	1					31
	Approved			1	5	12		6		2	0					26
	OPW
	Applications					10		5	1	1	1				9	27
	Approved					9		5	1	1	1				9	26
	Valuation Office
	Applications							1								1
	Approved							1								1
	Office of the Ombudsman
	Applications															0
	Approved															0

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
	CPSA
	Applications					2										2
	Approved					2										2
	PAS
	Applications							1	1							2
	Approved							1	1							2
	Revenue
	Applications				16	73		110	82	9	26				6	322
	Approved				16	73		110	82	9	26				6	322
	State Laboratory
	Applications														1	1
	Approved														1	1
	C&AG
	Applications														9	9
	Approved														9	9
Department of Foreign Affairs
	Department
	Applications			2	3	1		3	3	1	4					17
	Approved			2	3	1		3	3	1	3					16
Department of Health & Children
	Department
	Applications				7	10		2	2	1	3					25
	Approved				7	10		2	2	1	3					25

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform
	Department
	Applications				6	11		7	6		3				18	51
	Approved				6	11		7	6		2				18	50
	Irish Prison Service
	Applications				2	1										3
	Approved				2	1										3
	Courts Service
	Applications				4	10		12	3	1	2					32
	Approved				3	6		7	2	1	1					20
	Property Registration Authority
	Applications				2			3	2		1				17	25
	Approved				0			3	2		1				13	19
	Garda Civilians
	Applications					4		5	1	7	10					27
	Approved					2		3	1	4	6					16
	Legal Aid Board
	Applications					1										1
	Approved					1										1
Department of Social & Family Affairs
	Civil Servants
	Applications				8	20		46	26	18	9					127
	Approved				2	14		27	13	13	6					75

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of the Taoiseach
	Department
	Applications				1	1		1								3
	Approved				0	1		0								1
	CSSO
	Applications							2							3	5
	Approved							2							2	4
	OAG
	Applications							1							1	2
	Approved							1							1	2
	DPP
	Applications														2	2
	Approved														0	0
	CSO
	Applications				1		2	1	1		1				3	9
	Approved				1		2	1	1		1				2	8
Department of Transport
	Department
	Applications			2	8	9		7	5	1	1				2	35
	Approved			1	7	6		3	3	1	1				1	23
Total by Grade
	Applications	0	0	12	83	206	2	253	170	55	87	0	0	0	120	992
	Approved	0	0	9	67	180	2	206	146	44	67	0	0	0	88	811

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement	Total
Department of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries	Public Servants
	BIM	EO Higher
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	1			1
	Sea Fisheries Protection Authority	Sea Fisheries Officer
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	1			1
	Teagasc	Head of Directorate	Admin	Other
	Applications	2	2	17	21
	Approved	2	2	17	21
Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism	Public Servants
	National Library of Ireland	SO	HEO	Ass. Keeper
	Applications	1	1	1	3
	Approved	1	1	1	3
	Fáilte Ireland	Level 2c	Level 3	Level 5
	Applications	1	1	1	3
	Approved	1	1	1	3
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources	Public Servants
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs	Public Servants
	Western Development Commission	APH
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	1			1

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement	Total
	Udaras na Gaeltachta	1	2	4	Bainisteoir	LPF
	Applications	1	2	1	1	1	6
	Approved	1	2	1	1	1	6
Department of Defence	Public Servants
	Civil Employees	BFW/Trade Foreman
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
Department of Education & Science	Public Servants
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment	Public Servants
	Health & Safety Authority	Inspector I
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
	Competition Authority	Case Officer
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
	FAS	6	7	8	9	10
	Applications	7	5	21	3	2
	Approved	4	3	17	3	2
		11	13
		9	2				49
		9	2				40
	Shannon Development	E1	E3A	E4	E5
	Applications	2	2	1	1		6
	Approved	2	2	1	1		6

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement	Total
	PIAB	AP
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
	Forfás	D	E	F	1
	Applications	1	1	1	1		4
	Approved	0	0	0	0		0
	Enterprise Ireland	B	C	D	E	F
	Applications	1	3	1	1	2
	Approved	1	3	1	1	2
		PSO	SSO	SPSO
		1	1	1			11
		1	1	1			11
	Science Foundation Ireland	Director
	Applications	1
	Approved	1
	NSAI	E	EO	SSO
	Applications	1	1	1			3
	Approved	1	1	1			3
	IDA Ireland	E	F	I
	Applications	2	1	1			4
	Approved	2	1	1			4
Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government	Public Servants
	An Bord Pleanála	SEO
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
	DDDA	PO
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement	Total
	RPII	Principal Scientific Officer
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	0			0
Department of Finance	Public Servants
Department of Foreign Affairs	Public Servants
Department of Health & Children	Public Servants
	HSE
	Applications	113			113
	Approved	15			15
	Voluntary Sector
	Applications	109			109
	Approved	5			5
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform	Public Servants
Department of Social & Family Affairs	Public Servants
Department of the Taoiseach	Public Servants
Department of Transport	Public Servants
	Road Safety Authority	HEO	EO	CO
	Applications	1	2	1	4
	Approved	1	2	0	3
	National Roads Authority	E2F
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	1			1
TOTAL					TOTAL
	Applications				347
	Approved				130

Simon Coveney

Question:

259 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who have availed of the career break scheme as announced by him in 2009 in tabular form; the sections of the public service they are from; and the level of position they held. [33199/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

In summary, the information reported to my Department by the end of September indicates that some 608 civil servants had applied for the Special Incentive Career Break Scheme and that 519 of these had been approved. These Civil Service numbers are based on returns from all Departments and Offices.

In the wider public service, some 428 public servants had applied and 104 of these had been approved. However, it should be noted that information from the Education Sector will not be available until the end of October and from the Local Authorities until November. Processing of applications under the Special Incentive Career Break Scheme has been suspended in the health sector as a result of a direction by IMPACT and some other health unions to their members not to co-operate with redeployment. As information is still being updated in respect of some areas of the public service, the above figures may be revised in due course.

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
	Department
	Applications							5	11	1	28				11	56
	Approved							4	11	1	27				7	50
Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism
	Civil Servants
	Applications															0
	Approved															0
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
	Civil Servants
	Applications					1			2	1	2				1	7
	Approved					1			2	1	2				1	7
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
	Civil Servants
	Applications					1					3					4
	Approved					1					3					4
	Charitable Donations & Bequests
	Applications							1								1
	Approved							1								1
Department of Defence
	Department
	Applications							1	3		4					8
	Approved							1	3		4					8

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of Education & Science
	Department
	Applications						2	3	11	1	5					22
	Approved						2	3	11	1	5					22
	NCSE
	Applications								1							1
	Approved								1							1
	SEC
	Applications														1	1
	Approved														1	1
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment
	Department
	Applications					1	2	2	4	1	19					29
	Approved					1	2	2	4	1	19					29
Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government
	Civil Servants
	Applications					4		4	10	2	5				18	43
	Approved					4		4	10	2	5				14	39
Department of Finance
	Department
	Applications					1	2	1			4					8
	Approved					1	2	1			3					7

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme
	S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
OPW
Applications										3				15	18
Approved										3				11	14
Valuation Office
Applications								1							1
Approved								1							1
Office of the Ombudsman
Applications														1	1
Approved														1	1
CPSA
Applications								1							1
Approved								1							1
PAS
Applications								2	1						3
Approved								2	1						3
Revenue
Applications					1	1	6	33	4	58		1			104
Approved					1	1	6	32	4	57		1			102

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
	State Laboratory
	Applications														1	1
	Approved														1	1
	C&AG
	Applications										1					1
	Approved										1					1
Department of Foreign Affairs
	Department
	Applications				1	1	3		3	1	12				1	22
	Approved				1	1	3		3	1	12				1	22
Department of Health & Children
	Department
	Applications					1		5	4		3					13
	Approved					0		5	3		3					11
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform
	Department
	Applications					1	1	7	12	1	24				12	58
	Approved					1	1	6	12	1	22				8	51
	Irish Prison Service
	Applications															0
	Approved															0
	Courts Service
	Applications					1			4		8					13
	Approved					0			4		5					9

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
	Property Registration Authority
	Applications							1	4	1	4				1	11
	Approved							1	4	1	3				0	9
	Garda Civilians
	Applications							3		3	21					27
	Approved							1		2	13					16
	Legal Aid Board
	Applications							1	4		5				6	16
	Approved							1	3		3				2	9
	Irish Youth Justice
	Applications							1	1							2
	Approved							1	1							2
	Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
	Applications					1		2	4							7
	Approved					1		2	4							7
Department of Social & Family Affairs
	Civil Servants
	Applications					1		5	9	3	43		2			63
	Approved					1		4	8	2	36		0			51

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme
		S/Gen	D/Gen	A/Sec	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	HSO	SVO	SA	Other	Total
Department of the Taoiseach
	Department
	Applications					2	2		2							6
	Approved					2	2		1							5
	CSSO
	Applications							3							2	5
	Approved							0							0	0
	OAG
	Applications														2	2
	Approved														0	0
	DPP
	Applications							1			4				4	9
	Approved							0			1				0	1
	CSO
	Applications								5	2	13				7	27
	Approved								3	2	11				3	19
Department of Transport
	Department
	Applications					2	2		6		6				1	17
	Approved					2	2		4		6				0	14
Total by Grade
	Applications	0	0	0	1	19	15	52	137	22	275	0	3	0	84	608
	Approved	0	0	0	1	17	15	43	128	20	244	0	1	0	50	519

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme	Total
Department of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries	Public Servants
	Teagasc	Admin	Other
	Applications	1	4				5
	Approved	1	4				5
Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism	Public Servants
	National Museum of Ireland	Attendant	Education Assistant	Technical Assistant
	Applications	1	1	1			3
	Approved	0	0	0			0
	Fáilte Ireland	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6	Level 7
	Applications	3	1	2	1	2	9
	Approved	1	1	1	1	1	5
	Arts Council	EA
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	0					0
	IMMA	Technical
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources	Public Servants
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs	Public Servants
Department of Defence	Public Servants
		Craftsman
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme	Total
Department of Education & Science	Public Servants
	HEA	EO	CO
	Applications	3	1				4
	Approved	3	1				4
	VEC	CO	CO G3	III	IV	VI
	Applications	1	2	4	4	1
	Approved	1	2	2	3	1
		VII	Admin Assist	Liaison Officer
		3	1	1			17
		1	1	1			12
	FETAC	3	4	5
	Applications	1	1	2			4
	Approved	1	0	2			3
	NQAI	VII
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
	NEWB	EWO
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	0					0
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment	Public Servants
	NSAI	SSO	C
	Applications	2	1				3
	Approved	2	1				3

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme	Total
	Health & Safety Authority	Inspector III	Inspector II	HEO	EO	CO
	Applications	2	1	1	1	2	7
	Approved	2	1	1	1	2	7
	Competition Authority	Case Officer
	Applications	4					4
	Approved	4					4
	FAS	8	9	10	11
	Applications	1	2	1	16		20
	Approved	1	2	1	16		20
	Shannon Development	E3A
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	1					1
	Science Foundation Ireland	B
	Applications	1					1
	Approved	0					0
	Forfás	B	C	D
	Applications	2	2	2			6
	Approved	0	0	0			0
	IDA Ireland	C	D	E	E
	Applications	1	1	2	1		5
	Approved	0	0	0	1		1

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme	Total
Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government	Public Servants
	An Bord Pleanála	SEO	EO	AA	Planning Inspector
	Applications	1	1	2	1	5
	Approved	1	1	2	0	4
	LGCSB	VII
	Applications	2				2
	Approved	0				0
Department of Finance	Public Servants
Department of Foreign Affairs	Public Servants
Department of Health & Children	Public Servants
	HSE
	Applications	196				196
	Approved	26				26
	Voluntary Sector
	Applications	110				110
	Approved	0				0
	Health Research Board	Support	Research II
	Applications	1	1			2
	Approved	0	0			0
	National Cancer Screening Service	Clerical IV	Sen. Radio.
	Applications	2	1			3
	Approved	0	0			0
	National Council for Nursing and Midwifery	Grade IV
	Applications	1				1
	Approved	1				1

Special Incentive Career Break Scheme	Total
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform	Public Servants
	Legal Aid Board	Sol. I	Sol. III
	Applications	1	3		4
	Approved	0	1		1
Department of Social & Family Affairs	Public Servants
	Citizens Information Board	HEO	Grade IV
	Applications	1	2		3
	Approved	0	2		2
	Family Support Agency	EO
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	1			1
Department of the Taoiseach	Public Servants
Department of Transport	Public Servants
	Road Safety Authority	CO
	Applications	2			2
	Approved	0			0
	Commission for Taxi Regulation	EO
	Applications	1			1
	Approved	1			1
	DTO	Exe. Trans. Planner	Sen. Exe. Trans. Planner	Sen. S.O.
	Applications	2	1	1	4
	Approved	0	0	0	0
TOTAL
	Applications				428
	Approved				104

Proposed Legislation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

260 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of debt service payments made in the past 12 months on the €77 billion which it is proposed will be purchased; the value of interest, of repayments of capital, of roll-up interest; and if he will provide the information in respect of the loan values being transferred from each of the respective banks. [33232/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Information provided by me during the Second Stage debate on the Bill included the fact that, of the total portfolio value of €77 billion, €9 billion accounted for rolled up interest. I also indicated that, based on information provided by the relevant institutions, about 40% of the assets were cash-flow producing.

It is expected that the securities issued to purchase assets from the participating institutions will be linked to six-month Euribor. Based on information provided by the institutions it is expected that the cash-flow outlined above will be sufficient to cover NAMA's obligations including interest payments.

The detailed figures that the Deputy has requested will not be available until a loan by loan assessment has been completed.

Departmental Staff.

Richard Bruton

Question:

261 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the impact to date in 2009 of the embargo on public service recruitment on public service numbers; the number of persons who have left the public service by retirement or otherwise; and the number of positions where replacement was permitted. [33233/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

At the end of March 2009, the Government introduced a moratorium on public service recruitment and promotion. I allowed for certain exceptions in the Education and Health Sectors for the filling of certain key posts as well as the Local Authorities for requests that related to fire, health and safety, Interreg and beach wardens for whom a more general sanction was given.

Based on the information returned to my Department, the number of persons in the public service has decreased by 1,385 between end-March and end-June of this year. It should be noted that this does not include the numbers employed in the Non-Commercial Agencies as officials are currently collecting this information.

With regard to applications for exemptions under the moratorium, the information available indicates that, to date, the Department of Finance has received approximately 1,237 written applications for the filling of specific posts comprehended by the moratorium, of which the filling of 502 has been sanctioned. Civil Service full-time posts accounted for 328 applications and sanction was conveyed in 158 cases. The main areas of exemption were the prison service, educational psychologists and social welfare staff. Applications for the filling of Public Service posts accounted for some 909 posts and sanction was conveyed in 344 cases. The main areas of exemption were in the Department Education and Science (renewal of secondment of teachers to Education Services) and the Department of Health and Children (mental health nurses).

Banking Sector Regulation.

Frank Feighan

Question:

262 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance if he will investigate the clearing time of five working days being operated by banks for cheques lodged; if there is irregularity involved with regard to customers credit; the person who allowed this change in regulation; and the action he will take in relation to same. [33264/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am not aware of any irregularities regarding the clearing time for cheques in Ireland. I should explain that the clearing system in Ireland is governed by private arrangements between the participating institutions, operating under the aegis of the Irish Payment Services Organisation (IPSO). The clearing cycle for a cheque should in normal circumstances take no more than three business days, with cheques that are unpaid generally being returned within 5 working days. This might occur where there are insufficient funds in the payer's bank account. Presentation of a cheque by a payee to his or her bank occurs on Day 1 of the clearing cycle. The payee will commence receiving interest from Day 2, which is the same day settlement takes place between the payee's bank and the drawer's bank at the Central Bank. The drawer's bank account is debited on Day 2 or Day 3 of the cycle. The clearing cycle may be quicker (in some cases instantaneous) if a cheque is both drawn on and collected on the same bank.

There is also provision for special presentation of a cheque for immediate payment, which is only available in the Dublin area for cheques up to a value of €625,000 and where the payee presents the cheque before 3 p.m. in the nominated branch of the bank.

This timeframe is also dependent on the bank or financial institution being a member of the Irish Paper Clearing Company (IPCC) Ltd. The IPCC is responsible for the clearing and settlement of all paper payment instruments in Ireland. Any bank or financial institution outside of this framework may have a longer cheque clearance cycle. A list of members is available directly from IPSO at www.ipso.ie.

As to when any particular bank will permit a customer to draw against lodged cheques, this is an individual bank decision based on its own risk management and credit control arrangements. I would expect that all banks would inform their customers of the relevant terms and conditions. If the Deputy wishes to provide me with further information on this matter, I can arrange for enquiries to be made.

I think it is also important to point out that this question also highlights the disadvantages of the continued high usage of cheques as a method of payment within the commercial sector in Ireland.

It might be noted that electronic payment transactions have the potential to achieve significant savings for individual businesses; in particular electronic payments processing and invoice presentation can realise significant administrative cost savings, improved efficiency and improvements in the quality of customer service. This has the potential to benefit not just businesses but also their customers.

Government policy is to promote the increased use of electronic payments throughout our economy. In promoting this policy objective, I have reduced stamp duty on combined ATM cards from €10 to €5 in Budget 2009, building upon changes in the previous year's Budget. I also increased stamp duty on cheques, from 30 cent to 50 cent per cheque, to further disincentivise cheque usage.

I have recently made regulations (S.I. 383 of 2009) to transpose the EU Payment Services Directive (Directive 2007/64/EC), which, inter alia, establishes rules on the maximum time for the execution of both paper-initiated and electronic payments. These regulations will take effect from 1 November 2009.

I have also previously indicated the need to establish new governance arrangements to further promote the development of electronic payments in our economy, and I am currently making preparations for the establishment of a task force comprising key representatives of the main stakeholders to direct the preparation and implementation of a national payments implementation plan over a two year period.

Richard Bruton

Question:

263 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the members of the committee monitoring lending to business; the new requirements imposed on banks to report on lending trends in a way that will facilitate evaluation of the credit squeeze; if the commitments made by each financial institution to date in 2009 have been delivered; and if he will publish in each case a tabular statement of the lending variables which are being monitored and identify the ones in respect of which commitments have been made. [33308/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In the context of the recapitalisation, AIB and Bank of Ireland made specific commitments on lending. I am pleased to say that the measures taken to date by the recapitalised banks, including those relating to lending, are outlined in the supplementary booklet on NAMA. I would direct the Deputy to Section 4 of that booklet.

The Credit Supply Clearing Group under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment has responsibility for identifying specific patterns of events or cases where the flow of credit to viable businesses appears to be blocked and to seek to identify credit supply solutions. This group includes members from the following organisations; Department of Finance, Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism, ISME, SFA, IFA, Chambers Ireland, IBF, AIB, Anglo Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland (Ireland), National Irish Bank, Ulster Bank, Forfás, Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Irish Hoteliers Federation and Fáilte Ireland.

I published the independent review of credit availability conducted by Mazars on 10 July 2009. A follow on report to look at the situation since then is in the process of being undertaken by my Department and other stakeholders. As with the original report, both the supply and demand sides will be covered. I expect that the demand side survey will commence this week.

National Monuments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

264 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance further to Question No. 168 of 7 July 2009 and previous related questions, the extent to which the outstanding and contentious issues have been addressed or resolved arising from his visit to Rathcoffey Castle, County Kildare, earlier in 2009 and his discussions with the various interested parties; if any resolution put forward is expected to have current or retrospective effect; if the issue of ongoing litigation has been addressed in this context; if it is intended or expected to achieve public access on specific or agreed days or weekends throughout the year; the degree to which he has had discussions with all the interested parties with a view to reaching an amicable settlement; if he has the power to make an order to resolve the issues in a fashion satisfactory to all involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33309/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

The Gate House at Rathcoffey Castle was placed in the guardianship of the State in 1941. Guardianship, as defined in the National Monuments Acts, confers on the Commissioners of Public Works the responsibility for the maintenance of the structure only and does not affect the owner's property rights relating to the property. The guardianship deed did not include provision for a public access route.

Earlier this year, I visited Rathcoffey Castle, and met with local interest groups concerning their desire to access the property. I also met with the landowner who was prepared, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, to facilitate public access under strict conditions on agreed dates that would not impinge on his farming operation. As a result, the Office of Public Works co-ordinated and advertised an open date for 24 September 2009. It is intended to hold similar arrangements into the future.

Financial Services Regulation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

265 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on giving the Financial Services Ombudsman the discretion to name institutions which have a bad record of handling consumer complaints. [33320/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Financial Services Ombudsman has requested the power to name institutions where it is in the public interest to do so.

My officials are reviewing the issue and have sought legal advice. This advice will help to better inform the deliberations to formulate a policy decision on the issue.

Richard Bruton

Question:

266 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on giving the Financial Services Ombudsman the ability to make class rulings rather than having to hear each individual complaint separately. [33321/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

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

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

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

The Deputy may be aware that a High Court judgment in October 2007 confirmed that the Financial Services Ombudsman's power of direction, except in relation to a change in general practice, may only relate to an individual claimant and does not extend to payment of compensation for other consumers in relation to similar conduct of the financial service provider.

Legal advice received from the Office of the Attorney General highlighted difficulties in ensuring due process is afforded in introducing a retrospective element to FSO's decisions extending beyond individual claimants.

On the basis of this advice I do not propose to pursue this matter further.

Pension Provisions.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

267 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to assist former employees of a company (details supplied) in regard to the difficulties they have encountered with their pension fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33323/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Section 22 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2009 provides that I, as Minister for Finance may, after consultation with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, make a Pensions Insolvency Payments Scheme (PIPS).

PIPS is a cost-neutral Exchequer scheme offering payments in cases where a defined benefit pension scheme is winding up in deficit and the sponsoring employer becomes insolvent — the "double insolvency" criterion. Within the constraint set by the statutory requirement that it be cost-neutral, PIPS will provide trustees with the opportunity to purchase pensions at a discounted rate as a special support for pensioners in the absence of a solvent employer.

Work on the scheme is well advanced and it is my intention to bring forward the necessary regulations giving effect to PIPS shortly. Once that has been done, it is open to the trustees of any pension scheme that meets the criteria to apply.

Departmental Expenditure.

Alan Shatter

Question:

268 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Finance the steps being taken to ensure the start up of infrastructure capital projects to a value of €6.5 billion in the year 2010; the preliminary work undertaken to date in 2009 and expected to be undertaken prior to the 31 December 2009; the projects concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33420/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Following on from my Supplementary Budget last April, every Department was allocated a capital envelope for the period 2009-2013. The aggregate allocation for 2010 amounts to €6.621 billion, or about 4.7% of GNP, which is a considerable commitment to capital investment in times of constrained resources. Each Department was also given approval to enter into contractual commitments amounting to €20 billion over the period up to the end of 2013. This financial framework, which is subject to normal budgetary review at each budget, will give Departments a basis to plan and progress those projects which make the greatest economic return, improve national competitiveness and protect and sustain employment. The relevant Departments are responsible for the management of capital investment within the limits of this overall investment framework.

Tax Code.

Sean Fleming

Question:

269 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding tax payable when a person donates land to a registered charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33425/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxation treatment applying to donations of land to a charity is as follows.

Section 611 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides relief from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) involving the donation of an asset by a taxpayer to a charity. The donation must be a bone fide donation and not a commercial transaction at arm's length. In such circumstances, the transaction is treated as giving rise to neither a gain nor a loss for CGT purposes.

Section 82 of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 provides for relief from stamp duty on the conveyance, transfer or lease of land made, or agreed to be made, for charitable purposes to a body of persons established for charitable purposes only or to the trustees of a trust so established.

Section 76 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) Consolidation Act 2003 provides that a gift which is taken for charitable purposes is exempt from CAT to the extent that it has been or will be applied for such purposes.

I am further advised by Revenue that income tax relief for donations to charities under Section 848A of the TCA 1997 only applies where the donation takes the form of money or designated securities; it does not apply to a donation of land.

Sean Fleming

Question:

270 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding farmers receiving VAT back on the cost of installing wind turbines on their farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33442/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the question of whether farmers are entitled to claim credit for, or a repayment of, VAT charged to them on the installation of wind turbines on their farms depends on whether or not the farmer is registered for VAT.

Farmers who are registered for VAT are accountable persons for VAT in respect of all their taxable activities, whether those activities consist solely of farming or both farming and other activities such as the generation of electricity for provision to the national grid. As accountable persons for VAT, they would be entitled to claim input credit for VAT charged on the installation of a wind turbine for use in their taxable activities.

In so far as farmers who are not registered for VAT are concerned, they are not in the normal course entitled to credit for, or repayment of, VAT incurred by them on their business inputs. However, farmers not registered for VAT are entitled to a flat-rate addition of 5.2% on supplies of livestock to a VAT registered person in the state subject to the farmer issuing a flat-rate invoice in the appropriate form. In addition, the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 25) Order, 1993 does provide for refunds to unregistered farmers for tax borne on the “construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure which is designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business”. However, while the installation of a wind turbine may be the construction of a structure, such a structure is not “designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business”. It is designed rather to generate electricity for wherever required. Consequently, the installation of wind turbines does not come within the scope of the refund order.

Tax Clearance Certificates.

Willie Penrose

Question:

271 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has applied for a tax clearance certificate will receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33447/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the named person (details supplied) was issued with a Tax Clearance Certificate on 16 September 2009 having brought his tax affairs up to date on 15 September 2009 when he filed his 2008 tax return.

Telecommunications Services.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

272 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33464/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Following an EU procurement exercise conducted by my Department, a mobile phone framework agreement was established to provide non-commercial public sector bodies with a simple way to procure mobile voice and data services at competitive rates from a list of qualified vendors. This framework commenced in February 2008.

The framework agreement is intended to maximise volume discounts and provide for reductions in administrative and transaction costs for providers and public sector purchasers.

My Department ran a competition under the framework for its own mobile voice and data services in May 2008 and selected O2 as the most economically advantageous response. My own mobile phone service is included in this contract. The contract will be tendered again before the end of 2009.

I have been informed by the Office of Public Works that Minister Martin Mansergh's mobile phone contract is with Vodafone.

Departmental Staff.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

273 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33465/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Currently 10 employees of the Department of Finance are exempt from paying income levy in accordance with the relevant provisions.

Tax Code.

Pat Breen

Question:

274 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance further to Question No. 94 of 9 June 2009, if he will clarify if payments made prior to the change in the 7 April 2009 supplementary budget regarding the pension levy, the term exempt means that contributions made under the €15,000 threshold are eligible for refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33470/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I introduced the changes in the pension related deduction announced in the Supplementary Budget of 7 April 2009 to ameliorate the impact of the deduction on lower paid public servants. These changes, including the introduction of the €15,000 threshold, took effect from 1 May 2009 and were not backdated. Therefore, no exemption threshold would apply during the period from 1 March 2009, when the deduction first took effect, to 30 April 2009 and no refund would arise in respect of that period as a result of the changes in rates and bands.

Financial Services Regulation.

George Lee

Question:

275 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Finance his plans to promote independent and impartial financial advice by banning commission for money managers in order to prevent product providers from offering commission in order to secure sales and banning advisers from recommending products that automatically pay commissions, as has been done by the Financial Services Authority in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33475/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

It is understood that the Financial Services Authority in the UK is currently engaged in a consultation process on the matters the Deputy refers to. As such, the outcome of this process is yet to be determined.

There are currently no plans to proscribe the use of commissions by financial intermediaries in Ireland as it is considered that the existing legislative protections in place for the consumer sufficiently empowers the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman to investigate and, if necessary, sanction any misbehaviour in relation to mis-selling of financial products or the provision of financial advice which does not serve the best interests of the customer.

The Financial Regulator Consumer Protection Code, which came into effect in August 2006, is a legally enforceable statutory code which is applicable to all entities which the Financial Regulator regulates.

Under the General Principles of the Consumer Protection Code (the Code), all regulated firms are required to: act honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of the customer; make full disclosure of all relevant material information, including all charges, in a way that seeks to inform the customer; and seek to avoid conflicts of interest.

The disclosure of sales remuneration in relation to certain life assurance products is required by the Life Assurance (Provision of Information) Regulations 2001. These Regulations cover life assurance products, personal pension plans and life assurance investment and savings products.

The sale of investment products is covered by the Regulations which transposed the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) into Irish law. Under these Regulations firms are required to ensure that there is clear and prior disclosure to its clients detailing the existence, nature and amount of the commission.

Tax Code.

Joe McHugh

Question:

276 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the reason the salmon hardship fund payments are subject to taxation as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33477/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The position is that payments from the hardship fund have two identifiable component parts. One component part is taxable; the other is not. The part of the payment which relates to the 2006 licence fee is not liable to tax. I understand that when making payments Bord Iascaigh Mhara identified the amount of the payment relating to the 2006 licence fee so that this could be excluded from income tax returns.

The taxable component is that part of the payment related to catch. This part of the payment is based on the verifiable catch for each licence holder and the average net income per salmon for the 5 years 2001 to 2005 i.e. €23 per salmon. This element is an income replacement figure and is taxable on recipients as income of the year of receipt.

I am also advised that to facilitate recipients who wished to spread the taxable amount over three tax years, eligible applicants could opt under the scheme to receive their payment in one sum or alternatively to have it paid in equal amounts over a three-year period (2007 to 2009).

Consultancy Contracts.

Joan Burton

Question:

277 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance further to Question No. 128 of 22 September 2009, the financial and budgetary implications of contracts concluded by the National Treasury Management Agency with companies (details supplied) in respect of advisory services; the expected cost of each of these contracts for 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33478/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As the Deputy will be aware, in the setting up of NAMA, the NTMA issued a number of tenders in May 2009 through the procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie to procure banking/financial advisory and legal advisors. Arthur Cox was awarded the legal mandate and HSBC were awarded the bankingadvisory mandate. In July 2009, the NTMA issued a tender to procure general banking advisors in relation to the whole financial system through the procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie and Rothschilds were awarded this mandate to 30 June 2010. All contracts were issued under my direction.

It is the policy of the NTMA not to publicly disclose the value of individual contracts awarded. However, for 2009, the costs in total are expected to be €1.3m and in 2010 the costs are expected to be of a similar amount.

Pension Provisions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

278 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the report of a pension appeal conducted by the Department of Transport and Marine in respect of the impaired pension of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will grant a pension uplift to them. [33495/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The appellant is a former employee of the Dublin Harbour Police under the Department of Transport. That Department submitted the papers on this appeal to my Department in August. A number of outstanding queries have been raised with the Department of Transport and on receipt of their response, I will determine this appeal without delay.

Tax Yield.

Joe Behan

Question:

279 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Finance the number of members of the Judiciary who have opted to pay the public sector pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33497/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 does not apply to the Judiciary for constitutional reasons. I have no function in relation to the matter but the Revenue Commissioners have published the available information.

Financial Services Regulation.

Joan Burton

Question:

280 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the rights of people with endowment mortgages who may face a shortfall on the amount of money promised at the outset by the originating institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33499/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

284 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Revenue Commissioners have changed the status of persons who carry out translation services from self employed non PAYE workers to PAYE workers in view of the uncertainty of workload and the fact that each person is a subcontractor in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33512/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The position is that the question of whether an individual providing translation services — or any other services — is engaged under either a contract of service (i.e. an employee) or a contract for service (i.e. self-employed) is a question of fact and of general law. Regardless of how the parties to an engagement may describe themselves, all the relevant factors (including written, oral and implied details) that bear on the relationship between the parties must be examined, given their proper weight and a decision made on their overall effect.

To provide some clarity as to whether an individual is employed or self-employed, the Employment Status Group (set up under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness) published a Code of Practice for determining Employment or Self-employment status of Individuals. As the Deputy may be aware, under Towards 2016 — The Ten Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement, a commitment was given to the Social Partners that the regulatory bodies (i.e. the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)) would be active in the area of correctly establishing the status — employed or self-employed — of individuals. Arising from this, the Code of Practice was re-launched by the Social Partners in December 2007 and re-issued to all employers in early 2008.

In addition, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that cases come to their attention wherein individuals have been incorrectly classified (either by the individuals or by the person engaging those individuals) as self-employed in relation to a particular engagement. If, on an examination of the facts and circumstances and having regard for the Code of Practice referred to above, Revenue find that individuals are, in fact, employees rather than self-employed contractors, Revenue will notify the person engaging those individuals to register for, and operate, the PAYE system on payments made to those individuals.

Depending on the facts and circumstances of a case, an individual may be a full time employee, a part-time employee, a temporary employee or a casual employee. The fact that individuals may not have continual work does not, of itself, make such individuals self-employed contractors.

Departmental Correspondence.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

285 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm receipt of correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); if their application has been considered; if their application has been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33533/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

The Maritime Institute of Ireland wrote to me earlier this year in relation to its plans for Phase III of the works to the Mariner's Church. Enclosed with the correspondence was a copy of the proposal the Institute had submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach seeking additional funding to progress the project and allow the proposed Museum to open to the public.

Officials from the OPW had discussions with the Department of the Taoiseach and provided their technical assessment of the proposal. While satisfied as to the merit of the project, further official support can only be considered in the light of available resources.

Tax Code.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

286 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to abolish tax individualisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33553/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The position is that all tax policies are reviewed in the context of the annual budget and Finance Bill.

It should be noted that the issue of individualisation of the income tax bands was considered by the Commission on Taxation. The commission concluded that the current partly individualised system represents a balance between, on the one hand, acknowledging the choices families make in caring for children and, on the other, taking account of the need to encourage labour participation and accordingly recommended that no change be made to the current system.

Departmental Expenditure.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

287 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if a Book of Estimates will be published in advance of budget day 2010; if not, when this practice ceased; the reason for not publishing same as in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33590/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Budget 2008 marked the introduction of a unified budget whereby all of the key announcements on both the spending and the revenue side of the budget are announced together on budget day.

The detailed expenditure allocations that had previously appeared in the Abridged Estimates Volume (AEV) were presented as Budget Estimates as part of the budget documentation. In advance of the budget, an indication of the pre-budget expenditure position was included as part of the Pre-Budget Outlook in October 2007. As the Government decided to introduce an early budget in October 2008 no Pre-Budget Outlook was released, although Budget Estimates were published as normal.

The Government will decide in the near future on the make-up of the budgetary and Estimates-related documentation in the run-up to the 2010 budget.

Tax Code.

The proposed 80% windfall tax to which the Deputy refers is being considered as part of the NAMA legislation and it will be discussed on Committee Stage of the Bill. The analysis of the Commission on Taxation will help inform my consideration of the measure.

However, it is not customary for the Minister of Finance to comment on the specific details of tax changes prior to publication of the legislation.

Pension Provisions.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

293 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to deal with the actions of persons who, as alleged in paragraph 5.5.6 of part 10 of the Commission on Taxation report 2009, avoid the pensions contribution cap introduced in budget 2009 by arranging for their employer to make contributions in excess of these relevant limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33685/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Tax relief on employee contributions to occupational pension schemes is subject to age-related percentage limits and to an overall annual earnings cap. The earnings cap, originally set at an amount of €254,000, was indexed with effect from 2007, and for the 2008 tax year, stood at just over €275,000.

Changes were announced in Budget 2009 and included in Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 to improve the equity of the existing tax arrangements in the pensions area by significantly reducing the annual earnings cap for 2009 to €150,000.

The annual earnings cap and age-related percentage limits for pension contribution purposes referred to above do not apply to employer contributions to occupational pension schemes but only to employee contributions.

The Commission on Taxation Report makes the point that changes could be made to the terms of employment contracts, due to the reduction in the annual earnings cap, to provide for a switch from employee contributions to employer contributions. In this regard, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that any attempts to circumvent the limits imposed on personal contributions to pension schemes in this way would fall foul of the rules governing salary sacrifice arrangements.

When I initially announced, on 7 April, the Government's intention to establish NAMA, I indicated that the potential maximum book value of loans for transfer to the agency was estimated to be in the region of €80 to €90 billion. Since then, it has repeatedly been made clear, including on my Department's website and the NAMA website, that this was an indicative figure and that further detailed work and extensive due diligence on the loans books would be needed before final figures could be announced.

Since April, a substantial amount of work and analysis has been undertaken by the interim NAMA. In light of this work, it is now expected that NAMA will purchase loans with a book value of approximately €77 billion from certain institutions. Again I would emphasise that the final figure will not be available until a loan by loan evaluation had been completed.

The current estimate of €77 billion takes account of the decision that a €5 million threshold should apply to loans on the books of the larger banks. The application of this €5 million threshold is expected to generate significant operational efficiencies for NAMA.

Financial Institutions Support Scheme.

Richard Bruton

Question:

297 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the premium which is proposed for credit unions to cover the cost of the Government guarantee of deposits up to €100,000; if he has developed an agreement for the future operation of the savings protection scheme; and if he has convened the working group on the credit union legislative framework. [33733/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Government has given legal effect to the announcement of 20 September 2008 to extend the deposit guarantee scheme to credit union savers. This was done by the enacting of the Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Act 2009 and the European Communities (Deposit Guarantee Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 last June. This measure has had a very significant effect in providing reassurance to credit union members that their savings are secure.

The next step is for me, as Minister for Finance, to make an order under section 12(2) of the Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Act 2009 bringing section 4 of the Act, dealing with the amount to be held in the Deposit Protection Account, into operation for credit unions. The Department is considering this in consultation with the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and a decision will be taken as soon as possible.

Alongside my announcement of 20 September 2008, I indicated that it was intended that the guarantee which was being announced for credit institution savers would act as a backstop to an approved stabilisation scheme for credit unions. I believe that approved stabilisation arrangements are important to the continued stability of the credit union movement as they will act as the first port of call in the event of a credit union experiencing significant financial stress. My Department will, of course, continue to work with the Registrar and the representative bodies to support the achievement of this objective.

The legal framework governing the regulation of credit unions is provided by the Credit Union Act 1997. The Act has served credit unions well providing stability and legal certainty during a period of substantial growth and development of the movement. As a result of this development and changes in the financial environment generally, the need for some modernisation of the legislative and regulatory framework for credit unions has become evident over time. There is consensus among all stakeholders that the current legislative framework needs reform. While some important preparatory work has already been carried out in this regard there is, however, no clear consensus at this stage on the future shape of the reformed legislative framework for credit unions. I have asked the Chair of the Financial Regulator to initiate a review of credit unions which it is hoped will make an important contribution to identifying the appropriate way forward.

Tax Yield.

Joan Burton

Question:

298 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax revenue which would be raised on a 2010 and full year basis by reducing the threshold for application of the minimum effective tax rate for those availing of specified tax reliefs from its current level of €500,000 to €250,000, €200,000 to €150,000, €125,000 to €100,000, €90,000 to €80,000 and €75,000; if he will estimate the amount of tax revenue which would be raised on a 2010 and full year basis at each of the thresholds above if the minimum effective tax rate was from its current 20% to 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28% 29% and 30%. [33766/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the restriction of reliefs measure relating to higher income earners announced in budget 2006, which took effect on 1 January 2007.

It is estimated by the Revenue Commissioners that reducing the existing threshold of €250,000 by the stated amounts, assuming double the stated amounts as the appropriate marginal relief limit and applying the stated tax rates to both the existing and altered thresholds, would result in the following full year yields to the Exchequer.

These estimates are based on personal income tax data for 2007, the latest year for which the relevant information is available.

Existing and new tax rates%	Existing and new thresholds & marginal relief limits	Full year yield
	€	€m
20	250,000 – 500,000	No change
	200,000 – 400,000	2.8
	150,000 – 300,000	6.3
	125,000 – 250,000	8.7
	100,000 – 200,000	11.2
	90,000 – 180,000	12.3
	80,000 – 160,000	13.3
	75,000 – 150,000	13.8

21	250,000 – 500,000	2.7
	200,000 – 400,000	5.8
	150,000 – 300,000	9.7
	125,000 – 250,000	12.4
	100,000 – 200,000	15.3
	90,000 – 180,000	16.7
	80,000 – 160,000	17.9
	75,000 – 150,000	18.5

22	250,000 – 500,000	5.6
	200,000 – 400,000	9.0
	150,000 – 300,000	13.3
	125,000 – 250,000	16.4
	100,000 – 200,000	19.8
	90,000 – 180,000	21.4
	80,000 – 160,000	22.8
	75,000 – 150,000	23.6

23	250,000 – 500,000	8.7
	200,000 – 400,000	12.4
	150,000 – 300,000	17.2
	125,000 – 250,000	20.7
	100,000 – 200,000	24.6
	90,000 – 180,000	26.4
	80,000 – 160,000	28.1
	75,000 – 150,000	29.0

24	250,000 – 500,000	12.0
	200,000 – 400,000	16.2
	150,000 – 300,000	21.5
	125,000 – 250,000	25.3
	100,000 – 200,000	29.8
	90,000 – 180,000	31.9
	80,000 – 160,000	33.9
	75,000 – 150,000	34.9

25	250,000 – 500,000	15.5
	200,000 – 400,000	20.0
	150,000 – 300,000	25.9
	125,000 – 250,000	30.3
	100,000 – 200,000	35.3
	90,000 – 180,000	37.7
	80,000 – 160,000	39.9
	75,000 – 150,000	41.1

26	250,000 – 500,000	19.2
	200,000 – 400,000	24.2
	150,000 – 300,000	30.7
	125,000 – 250,000	35.5
	100,000 – 200,000	41.1
	90,000 – 180,000	43.9
	80,000 – 160,000	46.5
	75,000 – 150,000	47.8

27	250,000 – 500,000	23.1
	200,000 – 400,000	28.6
	150,000 – 300,000	35.8
	125,000 – 250,000	41.1
	100,000 – 200,000	47.4
	90,000 – 180,000	50.4
	80,000 – 160,000	53.4
	75,000 – 150,000	54.9

28	250,000 – 500,000	27.1
	200,000 – 400,000	33.2
	150,000 – 300,000	41.2
	125,000 – 250,000	47.0
	100,000 – 200,000	54.2
	90,000 – 180,000	57.4
	80,000 – 160,000	60.8
	75,000 – 150,000	62.5

29	250,000 – 500,000	31.5
	200,000 – 400,000	38.1
	150,000 – 300,000	46.9
	125,000 – 250,000	53.4
	100,000 – 200,000	61.3
	90,000 – 180,000	64.9
	80,000 – 160,000	68.7
	75,000 – 150,000	70.7

30	250,000 – 500,000	36.1
	200,000 – 400,000	43.4
	150,000 – 300,000	53.1
	125,000 – 250,000	60.3
	100,000 – 200,000	69.0
	90,000 – 180,000	73.0
	80,000 – 160,000	77.3
	75,000 – 150,000	79.6

Joan Burton

Question:

303 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the Exchequer cost on a 2010 and full year basis of permitting persons who are made unemployed to offset the retraining costs they incur on certified training courses against income for the previous six years in view of the relevant recommendation set out in the Commission on Taxation report 2009. [33774/09]

Joan Burton

Question:

304 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax revenue which would be raised on a 2010 and full year basis by discontinuing the partial reintroduction of the remittance basis in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 in view of the relevant recommendation set out in the Commission on Taxation report 2009. [33775/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.

I am informed that, where available, costings of the various recommendations made by the Commission have been provided in its report. The estimates are generally to be found adjacent to the specific recommendation concerned. In the case of tax expenditures they are presented in a tabular form at the beginning of each relevant section of Part 7 of the report. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they provided extensive technical assistance and support to the Commission in the preparation of these costings. In a number of cases no costing has been provided because there was no data available upon which a reasonable estimate could be based. I am similarly not in a position to provide the Deputy with those costs.

Questions Nos. 305 to 337, inclusive, answered with Question No. 242.

Financial Services Regulation.

Paul Kehoe

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that whilst there is no national project currently underway, local compliance interventions may be carried out. However, the details of any such interventions would not be disclosed for operational and confidentiality reasons. If the Deputy has details on a case of particular concern, he may contact the Revenue Commissioners.

Question No. 342 withdrawn.

Departmental Properties.

Michael McGrath

Question:

343 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a query regarding property (details supplied) in County Cork which may be held by his Department under the State Property Act 1954. [33857/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Martin Mansergh)

The Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of the Department of Finance, are responsible for management of property under Sections 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the State Property Act; as a result of companies being dissolved, with voluntarily or as a result of being struck off the Companies Register, the assets of the company become vested in the Minister for Finance. The Minister for Finance can, if appropriate, waive his interest in property, under Section 28 of the Act.

The residents of Calderwood Circle, Donnybrook, Douglas, Co. Cork may, in this instance, make an application to the Minister to waive his interest. This Office will then acknowledge receipt of the application and refer the matter to the Chief State Solicitor's Office for advice. The Chief State Solicitor's Office will correspond with the applicant's solicitor, and will then advise if the Minister for Finance should waive his interest or not.

Financial Services Regulation.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

344 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the mortgage default rate and the foreclosure rate here since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33858/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The data which the Deputy has requested is not available as far back as 2000. Data on mortgage defaults is not compiled by the Financial Regulator on a routine basis. However, in December 2008, the Financial Regulator published the findings of an examination of procedures for handling arrears and repossessions across credit institutions and other mortgage lenders. This examination showed that at end June 2008, 13,931 mortgage accounts (1.44% of residential accounts at end June 2008) were over 3 months in arrears, compared with end December 2006 when there were 11,252 accounts over 3 months in arrears (1.21% of residential accounts at end 2006).

In relation to the foreclosure rate the Courts Service only hold data on the number of court repossession orders granted. Orders for repossession do not, of course, necessarily equate with actual repossessions. It is up to the person or company which obtained the order for repossession to pursue its execution. Notwithstanding this, the aforementioned December 2008 report of the Financial Regulator found that between January 2005 and June 2008 credit institutions repossessed 112 residential properties. Other mortgage lenders repossessed 16 properties in that time period. In total, there were 128 repossessions by court order for the period January 2005 to June 2008 out of a total of almost 1 million mortgage accounts reported to be held at end June 2008.

The Irish Bankers Federation (IBF) has confirmed that, with respect to its members, 96 repossessions took place in 2008, which represents 0.01% of all mortgages. In the first 6 months of 2009 70 repossessions have taken place.

Tax Collection.

Jack Wall

Question:

345 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the tax paid by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in each of the past three years; if the person is entitled to any tax rebate for the stated periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33869/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of tax payments by the person concerned for the past three years. Tax has been paid by the person during the current year, 2009, and they are writing to the person concerned in relation to the matter.

Financial Institutions Support Scheme.

Joe Carey

Question:

346 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance if he will elaborate on his recent comments in relation to commercial property yields; the information which allowed him to definitively say that property yields have been pushed up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33871/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The current position of property yields was based on an assessment of information indices published by organisations such as IPD (Independent Property Database) and JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle). Tables setting out details on property yields were included in the supplementary documentation circulated to Deputies at the beginning of the Second Stage debate on the NAMA Bill. The figures show that yields are moving towards being 2% higher than their long term averages, and more in some cases. While this is above the long term average, it is obviously considerably higher than yield figures at the peak of the market, which were at an all time low.

Consultancy Contracts.

Joan Burton

Question:

347 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33901/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The following table sets out the consultancy firms commissioned by my Department during 2008, the work completed by them and the total cost of such work to date.

Name of Firm	Purpose of the Contract	Total Cost
		€
Arthur Cox	Legal Advice in respect of the Bank Guarantee Scheme	3,882,000
Hay Group Ireland, Lr. Mount Street, Dublin 2	Job evaluation of senior posts in the public sector for the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector	114,000
MRPA Kinman Communications	Provision of Publicity Services for NDP/CSF to support delivery of NDP Communications Strategy particularly at local level	39,000
Baseline Creative Services Ltd	Development of NDP 2007-2013 identity guidelines as agreed under the Government-approved Communications Strategy for the National Development Plan 2007-2013	13,000
IPA — Institute of Public Administration	Work in relation to the review of the capacity of the Department of Finance	51,000
Ernst & Young	Study on the economic and budgetary implications of a CCCTB	194,000

In addition to these consultancy related items, the following reports were also commissioned during 2008: Mr. Maurice O'Connell (former Governor Central Bank) was commissioned to write a review of the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) in 2008. There were no costs associated with the report.

The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was announced by the Government in November 2008 and commenced its work in December 2008. The costs incurred by the Group in the preparation of its report, which was published in July this year, amount to €42,148.

Financial Institutions Support Scheme.

Joan Burton

Question:

348 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the extent of State capital injections to date into Anglo Irish Bank since it was nationalised; the level of further capital injections expected in 2009 and 2010; if he expects the State to see any return on this capital injection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33913/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Tax Code.

Michael Creed

Question:

352 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a VAT refund on micro wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33936/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I would point out that any proposed changes in VAT must be considered in the context of EU law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. There is no provision in European VAT law that would allow the application of a reduced VAT rate, or an exemption from VAT, on supplies of goods or services based on their environmental impact per se. While Member States can retain the zero rating provisions which they had in existence on 1 January 1991, they cannot introduce any new ones. Therefore, it is not possible for Ireland to apply a zero rate to micro wind turbines.

The supply of certain environmental products, such as insulation materials, wind turbine equipment, wood pellet boilers and solar panels, are chargeable at the standard VAT rate which in Ireland is 21.5%. However, the reduced VAT rate of 13.5% may be applied to such products where they are provided under a single supply and install contract where the VAT exclusive cost of the goods does not exceed two-thirds of the total VAT exclusive charge to the customer.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the current VAT classifications with a view to reducing the rate of VAT applied to certain environmental goods and services from the standard VAT rate to the reduced VAT rate of 13.5%. While the scope for reduced rates is limited, the Finance Act 2008 provided for the VAT rate applicable on the supply of miscanthus rhizomes, seeds, bulbs, roots and similar goods used for the agricultural production of bio-fuels being reduced from 21% to 13.5%. This and other measures under the Programme for Government clearly demonstrate the Government's commitment to addressing the environmental challenges which we face.

I would draw to your attention that the EU Commission recently undertook a study of the possibility of using reduced VAT rates as a tool to support the climate change agenda. Ireland expressed support for such a study. However, at a recent Council of Finance Ministers meeting, the Ministers noted that reduced VAT rates as a tool for achieving environmental policy objectives are relevant only to a certain extent.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English

Question:

353 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33952/09]

Damien English

Question:

354 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33967/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together.

There is no direct cost to my Department arising from the payment of pensions and lump sums to retiring civil servants as the cost of such benefits are met from the Vote for Superannuation and Retired Allowances. However the lump sum costs arising in respect of my Department and bodies under its aegis are as set out in the following table.

In addition to the recently announced Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) there are a number of other arrangements which make provision for retirement earlier than normal pension age in certain circumstances. These are:

CNER Arrangements for cost-neutral early retirement which 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.

Retirement before normal pension age with immediate payment of superannuation benefits may be permitted on medical grounds.

Superannuation benefits may also be paid to a Civil Servant before normal pension age as a consequence of the abolition of his or her post or removal from office to facilitate improvements in the organisation of the Department by which greater efficiency and economy can be affected.

Year	Retirements	Cost of Lump sums	Resigned	Cost	Contract terminated	Cost
2006	4	466,299	6	0	0	0
2007	3	731,672	9	0	0	0
2008	4	298,764	3	0	0	0
2009 to date	11	168,985	1	0	0	0
TOTAL	22	1,665,720	40	0	0	0

Bodies under the aegis of the Department
Commission on Public Service Appointments
Year	Retirements	Lump Sum Cost	Resigned	Cost	Contract terminated	Cost
2006			0	0	0	0
2007			0	0	0	0
2008			0	0	0	0
2009	1	€10,535.97	0	0	0	0

State Laboratory
Year	Retirements	Lump Sum Cost	Resignations	Cost	Contracts terminated	Cost
		€				0
2006	1	73,675.63				0
2007	1	107,905.87				0
2008	0	0	1	0		0
2009	1	65,441.49				0
TOTAL	3	247,022.99	Nil	0		0

Public Appointments Service
Year	Retirements	Lump Sum Cost	Resigned	Cost	Contract terminated	Cost
2006	0		5	0	0	0
2007	2	53,288.91	2	0	0	0
2008	0		3	0	0	0
2009	0		1	0	0	0
TOTAL	2	53,288.91	11	0	0	0

Revenue Commissioners
Year	Retirements	Lump Sum Cost	Resigned	Cost	Contract terminated	Cost
2006	25	2,732,777	51	0	2	0
2007	39	3,498,623	80	0	4	0
2008	31	2,634,770	48	0	4	0
2009	147	2179738	6	0	1	0
TOTAL	242	11,045,908	185	0	11	0

At the time of reply details were unavailable for a small number of bodies under the remit of the Department. Details will be forwarded directly to the Deputy by the bodies concerned as they become available.

National Asset Management Agency.

Finian McGrath

Question:

355 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [33979/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In general the provision of any benefit is subject to income tax in accordance with the provisions of section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

Benefits provided by an employer including payment of taxi fares for non-business journeys (e.g. travel to and from work) constitutes a taxable benefit and the cost of the taxi paid by the employer is subject to PAYE/PRSI.

However, PAYE/PRSI need not be applied to the benefit arising from the provision of taxi transport, on an irregular basis, to an employee where the employee is required to work early (before public transport commences) or late (after 10.00pm) by the employer, and the provision of the taxi transport is provided to ensure the safety of the employee. In all other circumstances, PAYE /PRSI must be applied to such outlays unless the travel is in the nature of business travel.

Departmental Expenditure.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

359 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his views on public bodies using public time and resources to lobby against recommendations in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme and Commission on Taxation 2009 reports; if he plans to issue a circular on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34331/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was established to make recommendations for savings on public expenditure and public service numbers with a view to restoring sustainability to the public finances. In the context of the 2010 Estimates process, Government Departments have been asked by my Department to identify options for making the necessary expenditure savings, taking into account the Special Group's proposals and any additional or alternative options of their own. However, decisions on all such options will be taken for the Government.

Similarly, the Commission on Taxation has prepared a Report setting out its recommendations for structural reforms in the taxation system, and the implementation of these recommendations will be a matter for Government to consider in the context of the annual budgetary process.

As regards the role of State bodies in this overall process, relevant bodies would be expected to contribute their views and analysis to inform the consideration of options by Departments, under whose aegis they operate, and in turn by the Government. More generally, State bodies are subject to oversight by the relevant Government Departments as regards their activities and expenditure, and are accountable to Dáil Éireann. Any specific queries or concerns about the use of public funds by particular public bodies would be a matter for the relevant Government Department to deal with in the first instance. Consequently, I have no plans for a circular at this stage although I take the point the Deputy is making.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

360 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34342/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

There are specific provisions within the Civil Service Superannuation Acts for added years in the following circumstances:

Retirement before normal pension age with immediate payment of superannuation benefits may be permitted on medical grounds.

Completion of term of office as TLAC appointee — Govt Decision S25189

Under the above arrangements the following number of staff retired from my Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009. As the numbers involved are so small any further breakdown by grade as requested would not be appropriate

Department of Finance
Year	2007	2008	2009
No. of cases	1	6	0
Circumstances	Ill Health	4 Ill Health
		1 TLAC
		1 Abolition of post

Retirement earlier than normal pension age may also occur in the following circumstances. There are no top up provisions in these cases:

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER).

Arrangements for cost-neutral early retirement which 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.

Revenue Commissioners

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the statistics requested by the Deputy with regard to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are contained in the following table.

Year	2007	2008	2009
No. of cases	15	12	16
Circumstances	Ill-Health	11 Ill-Health, 1 TLAC	15 Ill-Health, 1 other (added years service awarded to officer seconded to international body)

Valuation Office
Year	2007	2008	2009
No. of cases	0	1	2
Circumstances		Ill-Health,	Ill-Health

Estimate of the cost of tax and PRSI reliefs for private pension provision 2007.
	Estimated costs
	€ million
Employees’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes	590
Employers’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes	150
Estimated cost of exemption of employers’ contributions from employee BIK	540
Exemption of investment income and gains of approved Superannuation Funds	900
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs)	420
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs)	65
Estimated cost of tax relief on “tax-free” lump sum payments	130
Estimated cost of PRSI and Health Levy relief on employee and employer contributions	240
Gross cost of tax relief	3,035
Estimated tax yield from payment of pension benefits	410
Net cost of tax relief	2,625

Tax Code.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

368 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the amount that would be saved if all discretionary tax reliefs were standardised. [34438/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the deductions and reliefs which are allowable for tax at an individual's marginal rate of income tax and for which estimates of cost can be provided are set out below together with estimated costs for the year 2006, the most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is available. If relief for these deductions and reliefs was confined to the standard rate of income tax the saving to the Exchequer could be of the order of €1,100 million.

This estimate does not take into account any possible behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of such a change or the economic effect of such a change. This applies in particular to the BES, Film Relief and Capital Allowances regime. The standard rating of employee pension reliefs would also have an impact on workers' take home pay.

Tax Relief Provision	2006 Cost
	€m
Person Taking Care of Incapacitated Taxpayer	2.8
Health Expenses*	167.2
Contributions Under Permanent Health Benefit Schemes, after Deduction of Tax on Benefits Received	3.1
Employees’ Contributions To Approved Superannuation Schemes	543.3
Retirement Annuity Premiums	435.9
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts	56.4
Interest paid relating to borrowings for purposes such as acquiring an interest in a company or partnership or to pay death duties.	31.1
Expenses Allowable to Employees under Schedule E	71.2
Donations to Approved Bodies	49.5
Donations to Sports Bodies.	0.3
Retirement Relief for certain Sports Persons.	0.2
Revenue Job Assist allowance	0.3
Allowance for seafarers	0.3
Investment in Corporate Trades (BES)	21.4
Investment in Seed Capital	1.2
Stock Relief	2.0
Relief for expenditure on significant buildings and gardens	6.2
Donation of Heritage items	5.7
Capital Allowances ( Income Tax only)	796.8
Rented Residential Relief — Section 23	252.4
Investment in Films	36.4
Total	2,483.7

*For 2009, Health Expenses Relief has already been standard rated, with the exception of nursing home expenses. The majority of the saving in relation to this item will accrue to the Exchequer from 2010.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

369 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the impact on the Exchequer of the withdrawal of the tax on insurance policies. [34439/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

At present the taxation of insurance policies is as follows:

(i) 1% life insurance levy

(ii) 3% non–life insurance levy

In addition, a stamp duty is charged on insurance policies. The life insurance levy was only introduced part-way through 2009. At the time of the Supplementary Budget, the estimated full year impact on the Exchequer from the withdrawal of the life insurance levy is €140 million. The estimated full year impact on the Exchequer from the withdrawal of the non-life insurance levy is €107 million. The estimated full year impact on the Exchequer from the withdrawal of stamp duty on insurance policies, other than life assurance policies, is €2 million.

It should be noted that a private health insurance levy introduced in the new health insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, is balanced by a new tax relief at source in respect for persons aged over 50 with health insurance. The overall impact of this measure on the Exchequer is intended to be revenue neutral.

Tax Yield.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

370 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer if the health levy was increased by 3% on persons earning in excess of €100,000. [34440/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield to the Exchequer from increasing the health contribution rate by three percentage points on incomes in excess of €100,000 is estimated at €205m in a full year.

The figure is an estimate from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2007 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2010. It is therefore provisional and likely to be revised.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

371 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the savings to the Exchequer if pension contributions were reduced to €100,000. [34441/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the current annual earnings cap of €150,000, which operates to limit the level of tax-relieved personal pension contributions in any one year. The annual earnings cap acts, in conjunction with age-related percentage limits of annual earnings, to put a ceiling on the annual amount of tax relief an individual taxpayer can obtain on pension contributions.

The full year yield to the Exchequer arising from reducing the earnings cap to the amount mentioned in the question is estimated as follows:

Proposed Earnings Cap	Estimated Exchequer Yield
€	€m
100,000	85
	A breakdown of the figures by reference to income levels is available only in respect of the tax relief for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) to the extent that these contributions are included in the personal tax returns of tax payers.

With regard to occupational pensions, (that is, schemes set up by the employer), the figures in respect of employee contributions are available only in aggregate form. Information on such contributions is not captured in such a way as to make it possible to associate contributions with individual income levels. For that reason the estimated yield to the Exchequer in respect of these contributions is extremely tentative.

The estimated yield is based on assuming that tax relief which would be affected by the changes mentioned in the question is currently allowed at the top income tax rate of 41% and at the maximum age-related percentage limit of earnings. The figure provided could therefore be regarded as the maximum Exchequer yield in respect of those taxpayers.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

372 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the savings to the Exchequer if all property based tax reliefs were abolished. [34442/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the abolition of the tax relief on future expenditure in relation to the following property based tax incentive schemes that remain in the tax code:

*Convalescent Homes

*Qualifying (Private) Hospitals

*Qualifying Mental Health Centres

Qualifying Specialist Palliative Care Units (subject to Commencement Order) Buildings used for Childcare Purposes

*Registered Nursing Homes

*Qualifying (Nursing Home) Residential Units, and

Certain tourism infrastructure under the Mid-Shannon Scheme (only 80% of expenditure can qualify in certain areas).

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on information regarding the cost of these schemes that has been received and collated for the tax year 2007, the latest year for which data is available, the annual yield to the Exchequer from the abolition of these reliefs could be in the region of €43 million. Apart from the schemes listed above all other property based tax incentive schemes have been terminated on, or before, 31 July 2008.

*Abolished in Supplementary Budget and Finance Bill 2009.

Tax Code.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

373 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the remaining property based tax reliefs. [34443/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The termination of most of the remaining property-related capital allowance schemes was announced in my Supplementary Budget speech in April last and was provided for, subject to transitional arrangements, in Finance Act 2009. As a result, the only remaining property-related capital allowance schemes are as follows:

Qualifying specialist Palliative Care Units (subject to commencement order)

Buildings used for childcare purposes

Certain tourism infrastructure under the mid- Shannon scheme (scheme terminates 31 May 2013)

It is assumed the Deputy is referring to Betting Duty. The amount of Betting Duty paid in 2008 was €36.6m and the estimated yield in 2009 is around €31m. As the rate of Betting Duty in those years was 1 per cent, one could at first glance assume that the yield from a 10 per cent rate would be in the order of ten times those amounts. However, such a figure would not be realised. It is likely that a Betting Duty rate of 10 per cent would have a detrimental affect on the betting industry.

As the Deputy may be aware, due to pressure on the betting sector, I decided to defer the introduction of the increase in the betting duty provided for in Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 pending a review. Accordingly, the Finance Act 2009 contains a provision for continuing the existing betting duty rate of 1% unless and until an order is made bringing the 2% rate into effect, or alternative betting taxation arrangements are enacted. This decision is based on the premise that the betting sector will engage in constructive discussions about putting in place a fair and workable tax base for the sector. Such discussions will, inter alia, touch on issues such as online/phone betting, which is largely untaxed, and look at proposals that could potentially bring this area into the tax net, if possible, while also protecting Irish employment in the sector.

To this end my officials, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, are looking at the scope to overcome legal and operational difficulties in the area of internet gambling and will continue to do so, on an ongoing basis.

In addition, my Department is working closely with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which has initiated a review in order to provide the Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing gambling architecture in the State. The review, amongst other things, will consider:

the recommendations contained in the Report Regulating Gaming in Ireland,

the existing law regulating gaming lotteries and other forms of gambling in the jurisdiction,

international developments, in particular the experience of the UK's Gambling Commission,

developments in relation to remote gambling (e.g. via the internet and mobile phones).

Tax Code.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

377 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the issue of re-introducing a tax on betting at race meetings. [34447/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The on-course levy currently stands at zero having been reduced from a rate of 5% in 1999. It was reduced in the context of the reduction in the off-course duty at that time and the importance of supporting attendances at race meetings. The issue of re-introducing a tax on on-course betting is not under consideration at present.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

378 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined increasing capital gains tax on share trading; and the return for the Exchequer if he increased this tax to 50%. [34448/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year gain from increasing the capital gains tax rate for individuals to 50 per cent could be in the region of €140 million, assuming no significant behavioural change on the part of the affected taxpayers.

As CGT is very dependent on individual behaviour, any change in rate may not produce a corresponding increase or decrease in tax yield. In current economic conditions any estimate of additional yield must be treated with caution and, in such circumstances, increasing the rate could lead to a reduction in yield from the tax.

Pension Provisions.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

379 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the value of the National Pensions Reserve Fund. [34449/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) was established on 2 April 2001 under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 with the objective of meeting as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare pensions and public service pensions to be paid from the year 2025 until at least 2055.

The National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission — who control and manage the Fund — publish a report on the performance of the NPRF at the end of each quarter. The most recent such report, to 30 June 2009, valued the Fund at €19.4 billion.

The Fund's annual and quarterly reports are available publicly on the Commission's website http://www.nprf.ie/home.html.

Tax Code.

Phil Hogan

Question:

380 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance if the €200 charge in respect of a non-principal private residence is tax deductible from rental income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34500/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The position is that a person in receipt of rental income is assessed for income tax on the net amount of the rents received (i.e. the gross rents less allowable expenses incurred in earning those rents). In computing the net amount of the rents received, only those deductions that are specified in section 97(2) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 are allowable. The main deductible expenses are:

Any rent payable by the landlord in the case of a sub-lease;

The cost to the landlord of any goods provided or services rendered to a tenant;

The cost of maintenance, repairs, insurance and management of the property;

Interest on borrowed money used to purchase, improve or repair the property; and

Payment of local authority rates in the case of rateable properties used for commercial purposes.

As payment of the new local authority charge for residential properties is not included on the list of allowable deductions, it is not an allowable expense in computing taxable rental income.

Departmental Properties.

Brian Hayes

Question:

381 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the properties rented, owned or leased by his Department in Dublin 1; the rent paid per annum; if car parking is leased or rented; if so, the location, owner and amount paid; if there is a tenancy or occupancy termination imminent; the reason given for same; the plans in place for relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34515/09]

Brian Hayes

Question:

382 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the properties rented, owned or leased by his Department in Dublin 3; the rent paid per annum; if car parking is leased or rented; if so, the location, owner and amount paid; if there is a tenancy or occupancy termination imminent; the reason given for same; the plans in place for relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are currently renting 7,434 sq. ft of warehouse space at Promenade Road, Dublin 3 on a short term basis from Blackhorse Transport Services Ltd. at a rent of €16,400 per month. The Office of Public Works has been asked to secure alternative accommodation in the area.

The Office of Public Works have supplied the attached tables of properties rented, owned or leased by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Minister for Finance for other Government Departments in Dublin 1 & 3. The Landlord details and annual rent amounts in the case of leased properties are included in the schedule. It should be noted that the Commissioners of Public Works do not release the termination dates of leases, as such information is commercially sensitive.

Location Dublin 1
Building Name	Address	Rent PA	Type	Own or Lease	Landlord Name
		€
Abbey Street Upper 26 – 30	Chapter House	667,133.08	Office	Leased	Liam & Roisin Carroll
Abbey Street Upper 26 – 30	Chapter House	1,206,162.28	Office	Leased	Liam & Roisin Carroll
Abbey Street Upper 26 – 30	Chapter House	994,569.76	Office	Leased	Liam & Roisin Carroll
Abbey Street Upper 26 – 30	Chapter House	211,542.00	Office	Leased	Liam & Roisin Carroll
Amiens Street (Gandon House)	Amiens Street	655,000.00	Office	Leased	Gandon Property Ltd
Amiens Street (Gandon House)	Amiens Street	75,500.00	Office	Leased	Gandon Property Ltd
Amiens Street (Gandon House)	Amiens Street	500,000.00	Office	Leased	Gandon Property Ltd
Arran Quay (Arran Court)	Arran Quay	165,337.23	Office	Leased	Linders
Bond Road Revenue Warehouse	Bond Road	733,092.00	Warehouse	Leased	Henry A Crosbie
Capel Street 89 -94	89 – 94 Capel Street	689,321.76	Office	Leased	Alexion (PROPCO) Limited
Cumberland St SWO	19-28 North Cumberland Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Custom House	Beresford Place – Custom House Q		Office	Owned
Custom House Dublin Port	Promenade Road		Office	Owned
Dublin Port Garda Car Park	Terminal Building	12,740.00	Carpark	Leased	Dublin Port Company
Ed HQ Office Blocks	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Fitzgibbon Street GS	24-30 Fitzgibbon Street		Garda Station	Owned(restricted)
Frederick St North Frederick Crt	Frederick Court	702,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Life Assurance
Gardiner Street Upper 77	77 Upper Gardiner Street	201,190.00	Miscellaneous	Leased	Dave Walsh
Great Strand St Millennium Hse	52-56 Great Strand Street	265,675.00	Office	Leased	Liam & Roisin Carroll
Henrietta St Registry of Deeds	Henrietta Street		Office	Owned
Irish Life Centre Block 1	Lower Abbey Street	918,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Life Assurance
Irish Life Centre Block 1	Lower Abbey Street	206,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Life Assurance
Irish Life Centre Block 2	Lower Abbey Street	1,310,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Estates
Irish Life Centre Block 4 & 5	Lower Abbey Street	273,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Life Assurance
Irish Life Centre Block 5/7	Lower Abbey Street	1,110,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Life Assurance
Irish Life Centre Block D E & F	Lower Abbey Street	900,000.00	Office	Leased	Irish Life Assurance

Location Dublin 1— continued
Building Name	Address	Rent PA	Type	Own or Lease	Landlord Name
		€
Kings Inn House SWO	Parnell St	558,200.00	Office	Leased	Danninger Ltd
Kings Inn House SWO	Parnell St	208,275.00	Office	Leased	Danninger Ltd
Marlborough St 101-104 Clare Hse	101-104 Marlborough Street	412,344.90	Office	Leased	Terrybium Limited
Marlborough St Car Park Educat	Marlborough St – Sean McDermott	306,962.96	Carpark	Leased	Q-Park Management
Marlborough St Ed HQ 28 Marlb St	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ BMS Depot	Marlborough Street		Depot – BMS	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ C/nade Bldg	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ Clock Tower	Marlborough Street		Conference Centre	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ E D P Bldg	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ Talbot Hse	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ Train Colge	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ Tyrone Annex	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
Marlborough St Ed HQ Tyrone Hse	Marlborough Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
National Conference Centre	Spencer Dock		Conference Centre	Owned
O’Connell St 29-32	Lyon/Findlater House	7,618.43	Office	Leased	Telecom Eireann
O’Connell St 29-32	Lyon/Findlater House	533,290.00	Office	Leased	Telecom Eireann
O’Connell St 29-32	Lyon/Findlater House	345,000.00	Office	Leased	Turson Limited
O’Connell Street Upper 11 – 13	Hamman Buildings		Office	Owned (restricted)
O’Connell Street Upper 14 – 15	14-15 Upper O’Connell Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
O’Connell Street Upper 14 – 15	14-15 Upper O’Connell Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
O’Connell Street Upper 44	44 Upper O’Connell Street		Garda Station	Owned (restricted)
O’Connell Street Upper 45	45 Upper O’Connell Street		Office	Owned (restricted)
O’Connell Street Upper 9 – 10	Árus Brugha		Office	Owned
Parnell Sq 13-15 Parnell House	13 – 15 Parnell Square	1,830,000.00	Office	Leased	ALSTEAD SECURITIES
Parnell Sq 16	16 Parnell Square	1,493,644.72	Office	Leased	ALSTEAD SECURITIES
Parnell Sq 2 – 3	2 – 3 Parnell Square	715,000.00	Office	Leased	AUSTIN KELLY
Parnell Sq 22 Municipal Art Gal	22 Parnell Square		Art Gallery	Owned (restricted)

Location Dublin 1— continued
Building Name	Address	Rent PA	Type	Own or Lease	Landlord Name
		€
Parnell St Parnell Business Cntr	125 Parnell Street	45,801.99	Office	Leased	PASCAL CONROY
Parnell St Parnell Cntr Car Pk	Parnell Street	66,144.00	Carpark	Leased	Park Rite Limited
Parnell St Parnell Cntr Car Pk	Parnell Street	59,280.00	Carpark	Leased	Park Rite Limited
Store Street Aras Mhic Dhiarmada	Store Street		Office	Owned
Store Street GS	Store Street		Garda Station	Owned
Store Street GS Car Park	Store Street		Carpark	Owned
Talbot Street 37 Car Pk	Ripley Court Hotel	60,750.00	Carpark	Leased	Ripley Court Hotel
Trinity Church	12C Lower Abbey Street		Church	Owned

Location Dublin 3
Building Name	Address	Rent PA	Type	Own or Lease	Landlord Name
		€
Clontarf GS	Strandville Avenue East		Garda Station	Owned
East Wall PVII	Bond Road Extension	278,000.00	Miscellaneous	Leased	Molloy & Sherry

Ministerial Correspondence.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

383 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to correspondence from a union (details supplied) seeking a resolution to the industrial relations dispute between the union and a bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34547/09]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

384 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he or the Government appointed directors will intervene in a dispute (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34549/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 384 together.

I responded directly to the correspondence in question on 30 September 2009. I do not accept that Government support of an institution provides any argument in favour of any particular group. In fact, taxpayers will naturally look to bank employees to understand and respond to the financial situation in which these institutions find themselves. Jobs in the financial sector are now being protected by enormous taxpayer support and while ordinary financial sector workers are not to blame for this situation, they are getting more assistance than many other workers in other sectors. While I will not be participating in the negotiation process in relation to this dispute, either directly or by seeking to influence directors, and am not giving an opinion on the merits of this particular case, I feel this general background must be borne in mind by financial sector employees generally.

Secretarial Allowances.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

385 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the use of the special secretarial allowance (details supplied); the action he has taken on this matter; if he will implement the recommendation of the Oireachtas Commission that the SSA be terminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34554/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The nature of the Special Secretarial Allowance (SSA) scheme available to Members of the Oireachtas and the purposes to which it applies are set out as follows.

There are four options available to TDs under the SSA scheme as follows:

(i) a Parliamentary Assistant supplied and employed by the Oireachtas Commission, or

(ii) two TDs may opt to combine and have a higher level staff member supplied and paid for by the Oireachtas Commission, or

(iii) a fully vouched annual amount of up to €41,902 for employing a temporary staff member or for the purchase of secretarial equipment and services; or

(iv) a vouched annual amount of €11,591 for work or service done or the employment of a temporary person, plus an un-vouched annual amount of €8,888. Ministers may available of the options (iii) and (iv) above under the SSA scheme.

There are three options for Senators under the SSA scheme: either (i) Parliamentary Secretaries supplied and employed by the Oireachtas Commission; or (ii) a fully vouched annual amount of up to €20,546 for employing a temporary staff member or for the purchase of secretarial equipment and services; or (iii) a Parliamentary Secretary employed at 75% supplied and paid for by the Oireachtas Commission and an annual un-vouched amount of €6,666.

The Oireachtas Commission made proposals to me about the system of expense allowances payable to members of the Oireachtas including the application of the SSA scheme. The proposals were an attempt by the Commission to provide a more streamlined expenses system and the introduction of a single composite allowance in place of the existing separate allowances.

I have introduced enabling legislation which would allow the proposals of the Commission in regard to a composite allowance to be implemented. The Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act, 2009 provides for the introduction of a single composite allowance for Deputies and Senators to be known as the Parliamentary Standard Allowance.

However, I am of the view there is a need for further consideration and discussion of the proposed composite allowance before it is introduced in any regulations.

Public Service Staff.

Richard Bruton

Question:

386 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of payments made in overtime in special shift allowances in the main categories of public service employment in each month since January 2008 to September 2009. [34578/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The information which the Deputy has sought will require collation. The information will be provided to the Deputy by my Department as soon as possible.

Richard Bruton

Question:

387 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of the public service wage bill in each month since January 2008 to September 2009. [34579/09]

Richard Bruton

Question:

388 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of servicing public debt in each month since January 2008 to September 2009. [34581/09]

Richard Bruton

Question:

389 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of gross current spending net of public pay, social welfare and the cost of servicing public debt in each month from January 2008 to September 2009. [34582/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 to 389, inclusive, together.

The figures for the Voted component of current expenditure, including the Exchequer Pay and Pensions Bill, in the attached tables are presented in net expenditure terms, which is the only full monthly breakdown available. These figures are formally returned to the Department of Finance five working days after the end of the relevant month. It should be noted that they are point in time estimates and may be subject to revision on a full year basis following year-end. The end-September figures are not yet available.

Figures for national debt servicing are taken from the Exchequer Statement for the relevant month. The figures include interest costs, sinking fund contributions and other debt management expenses.

	2008
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
Net Current Expenditure less net Social Welfare expenditure, Exchequer Pay & Pensions Bill and National Debt Service costs	1,605	1,196	881	1,539	1,011	1,020	1,459	1,000	1,381	1,239	1,049	1,444	14,823
Net Exchequer Pay & Pensions Bill	1,702	1,388	1,404	1,625	1,540	1,425	1,649	1,419	1,634	1,656	1,574	1,656	18,670
National Debt Servicing costs*	519	47	36	1,133	43	98	43	58	14	218	-26	-85	2,098

	2009
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Total to date
Net Current Expenditure net of SW, payroll and debt service	1,574	1,151	1,083	1,413	941	1,063	1,243	797	—	9,264
Net Exchequer Pay & Pensions Bill	1,759	1,443	1,604	1,509	1,550	1,392	1,632	1,418	—	12,307
National Debt Servicing costs*	122	71	134	1,781	94	238	93	63	182	2,778

*A negative amount can arise in Exchequer debt servicing costs for a particular month due to debt management transfers between NTMA accounts.

Note: Rounding may affect total

Richard Bruton

Question:

390 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of total tax receipts of revenue from the public service levy and of borrowing in each month since January 2008 to September 2009. [34583/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The table presents figures for the pension-related deduction on public service remuneration and the Exchequer balance at the end of each month. The pension-related deduction is presented on a monthly basis.

The pension-related deduction on remuneration is not classed as a tax receipt; it is, for the most part, received by Departments as an appropriation-in-aid. These figures are returned by Departments five working days after the end of the month and, as such, the end-September returns are not yet available. A small component is paid directly to the Central Fund from the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), the Central Bank and the Oireachtas. The figures in the attached table include the receipts by Departments and the Central Fund.

Receipts from the pension-related deduction on remuneration from Local Authority employees are not included as they do not accrue to Central Government.

2008
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
630	-125	-354	-3,742	-3,598	-5,648	-6,713	-8,425	-9,404	-11,013	-7,895	-12,714

2009
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept
€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
-747	-2,085	-3,721	-7,316	-10,588	-14,709	-16,439	-18,733	-20,158
0	0	11	89	96	95	91	78	—

Departmental Staff.

Alan Shatter

Question:

391 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Finance the guidelines that exist with regard to the procedure applicable to the dismissal of a public servant or a chief executive or an employee of a State or semi-State body; the circumstances stated in such guidelines in which it is said to be appropriate to effect such dismissal; the financial arrangements applicable to same; if he will provide a copy of the said guidelines; if it is intended to make amendments to them. [34592/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The area for which I have direct responsibility is the civil service. A Disciplinary Code for civil servants is set out in Circular 14/2006: Civil Service Disciplinary Code revised in accordance with the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005.The Code came into effect on 4 July 2006 and replaced the previous Code as set out in Circular 1/92. The Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 allows certain provisions contained in the Public Service Management Act 1997 to take effect. The 2005 Act gives each Secretary General/Head of Scheduled Office, as appropriate authority, responsibility for managing all matters relating to performance, conduct and discipline of civil servants below Principal Officer level. Ministers continue to be the appropriate authority for these matters in relation to civil servants at or above Principal level in accordance with the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 2005. The code is available on the personnel code website: www.personnelcode.gov.ie.

Specific arrangements apply to disciplinary matters affecting employees in other areas of the public service and these are the prime responsibility of the relevant Ministers. For instance, procedures for the suspension and dismissal of teachers have recently been agreed and these are available from the Department of Education and Science.

Guidelines are available on the contracts, remuneration and other conditions of chief executives and senior management of commercial state bodies. The guidelines are available on my Department's website — www.finance.gov.ie.

Contracts for Chief Executives of individual non-commercial state bodies contain provisions relating to circumstances in which the employment of the chief executive may be terminated. The circumstances in which employment may be terminated normally include misconduct or gross default affecting the business of the Body concerned, bankruptcy, incapacitation and conviction of a criminal offence, other than an offence which in the opinion of the Body concerned does not affect the position as chief executive.

As regards severance/early retirement arrangements for chief executive officers, there are guidelines set out in the letter to all Heads of Departments of 26 May 1998. The provisions in that letter may be applicable where the board and the responsible Minister consider that a fresh approach is needed in the interest of the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. A copy of the letter is as follows:

Ref: P18/126/98

26 May 1998

To: All Heads of Department

A Chara,

Severance and Early Retirement for Chief Executives of State Sponsored Bodies

1. I am directed by the Minister for Finance to say that he has considered the issue of severance/early retirement payments for Chief Executives of State Sponsored Bodies (SSBs). This consideration has had particular regard to the fact that it is becoming more common for Chief Executive Officers of State Sponsored Bodies to be employed on fixed term contracts, and that there may be times when the Board of a State Sponsored Body and the relevant Minister may conclude that it is in the best interests of the efficiency and effectiveness of the SSB concerned to terminate or not to renew the contract of an incumbent CEO. This need not necessarily arise as a result of any dissatisfaction with the performance of the individual concerned, but perhaps because a new and fresh approach needs to be introduced. In such circumstances, the Minister will not object to the application of special early retirement/severance provisions, subject to certain conditions and safeguards.

2. The Minister has therefore decided that this Department will not object to the making of severance payments or grant of early retirement terms to Chief Executives of State Bodies within the following maximum limits and subject to the conditions specified, from a current date. Departments may deal with cases within the guidelines and limits without reference to this Department except where such reference is specifically required (drafts of any consequent changes in the relevant pension schemes would need to be cleared in the normal way).

a) Payment of pension and lump sum, based on actual reckonable pensionable service, increased as appropriate in accordance with paragraph (b) following, may be allowed at age 55 for a CEO who retires from that position, who has served at least 6 years in that capacity and who has at least 15 years actual service overall in the public sector only service with the body from which the CEO is retiring or service which has been transferred into the scheme of that body may reckon.

b) In determining the pension and lump sum to be paid, one added year of pensionable service may be granted for each year in excess of 15 years overall actual service in the public sector1 (i.e. including service in capacities other than as a CEO) subject to a maximum of 5 added years;

c) Actuarially reduced benefits may be made available without age restriction — this means that a person might receive a pension benefit or lump sum before age 55, provided that the cost of providing these benefits at the earlier age are entirely offset by a reduction in the amount of benefits payable: the amount of such reduction would require to be determined by the relevant scheme's actuaries;

d) Where an immediate pension (other than on an actuarially reduced basis) is not payable, a severance payment of four weeks pay per year of continuous service, up to a maximum of 26 weeks pay, may be made. However, where pension becomes payable within 26 weeks of retirement, the amount of the severance should be reduced to the amount of salary which would have been payable between the date of retirement and commencement of pension.

3. Application of the foregoing terms would be strictly conditional on completion of contract, unless the Board, in agreement with the appropriate Minister and the Minister for Finance, decides to terminate the CEO's employment before the termination of the contract. It is not therefore appropriate to make such payments where the initiative for the termination of a contract comes from the CEO concerned.

4. Application of these terms would also be conditional on there being no re-employment, direct or indirect, of the individual concerned by the body from which s/he is retiring, or another public sector body in the same sector.

5. Where subsequent employment is obtained in the public sector such that pension plus pay in the new job exceeds the equivalent of the retirement salary on the basis of which the pension is payable, then pension will be abated to bring the total down to the level of that salary. This abatement will not apply in relation to work after age 65. Where pension rights are acquired in respect of post-retirement work, the original pension (if based on actual service plus added years) would be reduced and based on actual service only. In such circumstances the uprated portion of the lump sum attributable to the added years would be required to be repaid. It should be explicitly stated that any grant of early retirement terms would be subject to these conditions.

6. The terms set out above are intended to be maximum ones, and a Board would be free to apply lesser benefits or not to apply early retirement benefits at all. Early retirement benefits might be denied, for example, if the Board wanted the contract renewed for a further term. It is not, therefore, intended to interfere with the freedom of Boards in this area, but rather to indicate the maximum limits which the Minister would be prepared to approve.

7. Adjustment to the terms set out above will be necessary where a retiring CEO has already availed of a severance or early retirement package from a public sector body, and in such cases this Department should be consulted.

8. The arrangements set out in this letter should be allowed strictly on the basis, accepted in writing by the CEO, that they are in full and final settlement of any claim which the CEO may have in relation to the early retirement or termination or non-renewal of a contract.

9. The Minister does not anticipate approving any improvement on the terms set out above, even in individual exceptional cases, other than on foot of a Government decision.

10. It is essential that Departments should convey to the Pensions Section of this Department details of each case dealt with under the terms of this letter. The contact point in this Department for telephone queries is Mr. Kevin Cardiff at (01) 604-5476.

Yours sincerely,

John Hurley

Secretary General, Public Service Management and Development.

An Roinn Airgeadais

Department of Finance

Ref: P18/126/98

4 June 1998

To: All Heads of Department

A Chara,

Severance and Early Retirement for Chief Executives of State Sponsored Bodies

I am directed by the Minister for Finance to refer to this Department's letter of 26 May 1998, in regard to the above. For the purposes of clarification, Departments should note that the grant of added years in accordance with paragraph 2(b) of that letter is subject to the following conditions, in accordance with the normal practice in relation to such added years, viz.

i. A person may not receive a greater number of added years than the additional service s/he would have if s/he served to his/her maximum retirement age. Thus a person retiring from a CEO position at 63 cannot receive more than 2 additional years service.

ii. The grant of additional pensionable service may not lead to a person having more than the maximum pensionable service for the relevant pension scheme (i.e. 40 years in most cases).

Yours sincerely

Kevin Cardiff

Alan Shatter
Share
Alan Shatter
Question:
392 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Finance the guidelines that exist with regard to the procedure applicable to the early retirement of a public servant or a chief executive or an employee of a State or semi-State body; the circumstances stated in such guidelines in which it is said to be appropriate to effect such early retirement; the financial arrangements applicable to same; if he will provide a copy of the said guidelines; if it is intended to make a amendments to them. [34593/09]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
Share

In the civil and public service, Cost Neutral Early Retirement (CNER) has been available since 1 April 2004 for individuals who wish to retire with immediate pension up to 10 years before normal retirement age. More recently, the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) has been available. The procedures and circumstances whereby these arrangements may be availed of are set out in Circulars 10 of 2005 (CNER) and 12 of 2009 (ISER). Civil and public service superannuation schemes provide for early retirement on grounds of ill-health, which may include some additional years of notional service, depending on age and service.

There are specific early retirement provisions in various areas of the Public service. Gardaí, prison officers and psychiatric nurses who are not new entrants as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 may retire on reaching the age of 50 if they have 30 years of service. This means that they have qualified for full pension entitlements because under their schemes each year of service in excess of 20 years reckons as 2 years of service for pension purposes. Primary and secondary school teachers may retire on or after age 55 if they have 35 years of service. In the Defence forces, officers who are not new entrants under the 2004 Act may retire with immediate pension after 12 years service regardless of age and similar enlisted personnel may retire with immediate pension after 21 years service also regardless of age.

Section 6 of the Superannuation Act 1909 and sections 6 and 7 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963 set out rules governing early retirement of civil servants as a consequence of abolition of office or for the purposes of facilitating improvements in the organisation of the department in order to effect greater efficiency and economy. Section 6 of the 1909 Act allows for the immediate payment of pension on retiring. Section 6 of the 1963 Act allows for the addition of up to 10 years of notional service and section 7 of that Act allows for the grant of a special severance gratuity of up to one-half of annual salary. In the wider public service the provisions of the 1909 and 1963 Acts serve as guidelines in dealing with similar cases. In operating these provisions, the practice in the main is not to grant additional years of notional service and a severance payment to any one individual.

The Government agreed that these provisions could apply in the case of Secretaries General who retire on completion of their contracts with the addition of up to 10 years of notional service and up to 6 months pay in severance regardless of age. Similar provisions are included in the Local Government Superannuation Scheme in relation to County Managers.

For full-time board members and equivalent positions in the Competition Authority, Labour Court, Environmental Protection Agency and Bord Pleanála retirement is normally between age 60 and 65; however, members who have their appointment terminated (other than for stated misconduct), or are not re-appointed on expiration of their period of office, are entitled to immediate pension and lump sum where they have accrued more than two years' service. Preservation of benefits applies only in case of voluntary resignation after two or more years' service.

The Department of Finance letter of 26 May 1998 to all Heads of Departments sets out the enhanced retirement/severance terms for chief executive officers of non-commercial semi-State bodies whose contracts are not renewed or are terminated, and the conditions under which they may be made available. Such non-renewal or termination might arise where the board and Minister conclude that there is a need for a fresh approach in the interest of efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. As regards this letter about CEOs, consideration will be given to the possible need for clarification of the terms provided for and the conditions attaching to them.

It is not possible to cover all the early retirement arrangements across the public service. The Deputy might wish to consult respective Ministers about specific circumstances pertaining to agencies and bodies under their aegis.

Health Services.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
393 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33101/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
394 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [33102/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
395 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for an allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [33103/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

Joe Costello
Share
Joe Costello
Question:
396 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied). [33117/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010.

The ECCE scheme is a general one and services participating will be required to make reasonable accommodation for children with special needs in accordance with the Equal Status Acts 2000 and 2004. However, the scheme takes account of a number of issues to accommodate children with special needs.

While the age range in which children will qualify for the scheme is, generally, between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1 September each year, exceptions to the upper age limit will be considered where a child cannot start primary school until s/he is more than 5 years 6 months of age, due to either being assessed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as being developmentally delayed or having a physical or sensory disability which prevents the child from availing of age-appropriate education. In such cases, the pre-school year relevant to such children will be taken as their qualifying year.

To apply for an exemption to be made on either of these grounds, a letter should be forwarded to the Childcare Directorate in my Office stating the reasons for the exception sought. The letter should be accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate, details of his or her Personal Public Service (PPS) number and the name and address of the pre-school service in which s/he will be enrolled. In addition, the letter should be accompanied either by a supporting assessment report from the HSE or, where relevant, by a letter from the Principal of the local primary school confirming the age admissions policy applied. as having a special need which will delay his or her entry to primary school. Given the timeframe available before the introduction of the first period of free pre-school provision in January next, it is accepted that not all parents will have had time to apply for and receive an assessment report in advance of this date. To accommodate parents in this position, a professional assessment other than from the HSE may be accepted. This would not include assessments provided, for example, by a General Practitioner.

Additionally, the general requirement that a child would be expected to attend 4 or 5 days each week will not apply to children with special needs where a shorter week would be more appropriate to their needs. Many specialist pre-school services arrange for children attending their services to also attend a mainstream service for 1, 2, or 3 days a week and this will continue to be facilitated under the ECCE. In the case in question, I understand that the reason for shorter hours of attendance at pre-school will arise from the fact that a Special Needs Assistant will be available to the child for less than the 15 hours per week available under the ECCE. While I regret that this will be the case, I would point out that attendance for the full period of provision each week is not compulsory and no child, particularly in the circumstances outlined, will be precluded from availing of his or her pre-school place on this basis.

Food Labelling.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
397 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding food labelling and particularly the labelling of Irish products; if her attention has been drawn to a practice of re-labelling poultry and poultry products, which were original sourced in the UK, packaged in Northern Ireland and then subsequently sold as Irish produce; if she will clarify if this process is legal; and the steps he will take to halt this practice. [33567/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Trevor Sargent)
Share

Food labelling is currently governed by Council Directive 2000/13/EC, transposed in 2002, with several amendments since. While I am not aware of any specific case of re-labelling poultry and poultry products which were originally sourced in the UK, under Council Directive 2000/13/EC, it is permissible to state, under country of origin labelling, the country in which the product last underwent a substantial, economically justified, transformation.

In January 2008, the European Commission presented its proposals on updating and harmonising this legislation. The proposal is still under discussion. The new labelling proposal, however, states that, in the event of the country of origin being stated on the label, the place of birth, rearing and slaughter of the animal, where different from the country of origin must also be stated. Legal advice provided to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland confirms that it is permissible for food produced in Northern Ireland to be labelled as Irish.

Pension Provisions.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
398 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to a query from a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [34046/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

All employees, including full time and part time employees on the payroll, who are, or are entitled to be, members of a public service occupational pension scheme or pension arrangement are subject to the deduction provided for under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009.

I can confirm that the levy applies to all employees of St Michael's House as this employer is deemed to be a public sector employer for the purposes of the legislation (Sections 1 (i), 2 (1) (b) (i) and 2 (1) (b) (iii) refer).

The employee in question is liable to the pension levy under Section 2(1)(a)(i) and 2(1)(b)(iii) if he is employed on a contract of service (i.e. the normal employment arrangement) i.e. he is liable in respect of his remuneration as a public servant but not in respect of the pension he receives.

Health Services.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
399 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34458/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

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.

Dan Neville
Share
Dan Neville
Question:
400 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [32955/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Nursing Home Support Scheme.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
401 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a commencement order will be signed in respect of a scheme (details supplied). [32963/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 was signed by the President on the 1st July 2009. To date, the Minister has signed three commencement orders in respect of the Act.

The first of these was signed on the 3rd July and enabled the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to immediately commence price negotiations with private nursing homes.

The second was signed on the 21st September and commenced the new care representative appointment process from the 5th October. This allows people to apply to the Circuit Court for appointment as a care representative from that date where they wish to request the Nursing Home Loan on behalf of an applicant with reduced capacity.

A third commencement order was signed on the 28th September and enables the HSE to prescribe forms for the purposes of the scheme. As of yesterday, the application form and information booklet for the scheme are available to the public and may be obtained from the HSE. This will enable people to familiarise themselves with the application form and process, gather necessary information and generally prepare themselves so that they are ready to apply when the scheme is introduced.

Finally, the Minister announced yesterday that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will commence on the 27th October 2009 and intends to sign an order commencing all remaining sections of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 with effect from that date.

Child Abuse.

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
402 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the introduction and implementation of mandatory reporting in cases of suspected child abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32976/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

The introduction of mandatory reporting has not been proceeded with to date, on the basis that it has not been adequately demonstrated that the system would result in greater protection for children.We also need to ensure that available resources are used efficiently. I understand that recent research points to difficulties in other jurisdictions where mandatory reporting was introduced.

The Implementation Plan approved by Government in response to the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse identifies the need for legislation to provide that staff employed by the State and in agencies in receipt of funding from the Exchequer will have:

a duty to comply with the Children First national guidelines;

a duty to share relevant information in the best interests of the child

a duty to co-operate with other relevant services in the best interests of the child.

It is intended that this legislation will be drafted by December 2010.

A revised edition of Children First Guidelines will be published by the end of this year. Children First Guidelines are national over-arching guidelines that apply to all individuals and agencies that are dealing with children. They are intended to support and guide health professionals, teachers, and members of the Garda Síochána and the many people in sporting, cultural, community and voluntary organisations who come into regular contact with children.

Medical Cards.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
403 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the medical card renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been determined in view of the fact that same was submitted in July 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32985/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
404 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients referred by a hospital (details supplied) to the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; if she will break these figures down by their area of requirement; the total cost of NTPF surgeries in this hospital since 2007; the number of doctors and specialists working in this hospital serving both public patients and with the NTP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33001/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The number of patients referred by Tallaght Hospital to the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; broken down by area are set out as follows:

Year

Referrals for day-case & in-patient surgery

Referrals for first time out-patient appointment

Referrals for Radiology (MRI)

Number of cases undertaken for NTPF in Tallaght Hospital & cost of same

2007

613

705

—

5 / €81,770

2008

1,101

240

102

44 / €67,800

2009

732

813

73

47 / €67,600

As the number of doctors and specialists working in Tallaght Hospital serving both public patients and the NTPF is a service matter, this matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
405 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if any consideration has been given towards establishing a pilot family nurse partnership (details supplied); her views that such a project whilst costly to establish and maintain would be beneficial to society and save money in other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33006/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Staff.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
406 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has met the Attorney General regarding the case of a person (details supplied); if she will report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on her discussion and the decision taken with regard to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33007/09]

Alan Shatter
Share
Alan Shatter
Question:
423 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made by her to date with regard to the holding of an inquiry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33207/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 423 together.

I met with a support group for victims who were former patients of Mr. Michael Shine at the end of June last and undertook to consider their submission, which included a request for an independent inquiry, in consultation with my cabinet colleagues and the Attorney General. I subsequently met with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Attorney General and plan to further consult with my colleagues to consider options in relation to the matter. I expect to meet with the support group again in the coming weeks to discuss these deliberations.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
407 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [33021/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

The Minister announced yesterday that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will commence on the 27th October 2009.

The application form and information booklet for the scheme are now available to the public and may be obtained from the HSE. This will enable people to familiarise themselves with the application form and process, gather necessary information and generally prepare themselves so that they are ready to apply when the scheme is introduced.

In addition, the new care representative appointment process commenced from the 5th October. This allows people to apply to the Circuit Court for appointment as a care representative from that date where they wish to apply for the Nursing Home Loan on behalf of an applicant with reduced capacity.

The family of the individual referred to by the Deputy should contact the HSE for further information at this stage. The number for the HSE's Infoline is 1850 24 1850.

Medical Cards.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
408 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an application for a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited. [33031/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
409 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to the Health Service Executive who refused them a medical card will be expedited and approved. [33032/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
410 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will receive an initial consultation; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33042/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Accommodation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
411 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on reopening an infectious disease hospital or part thereof, to contain a major outbreak of the swine flu or to cater for another infectious epidemic, as Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin, was meant to cater for in the past before it was regraded a few short years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33073/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
412 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the annual cost to her Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33085/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The total amounts paid to Ministers for Health and Ministers of State at the Department of Health and Children for travel and subsistence in respect of overseas travel during the ten years ended 2008 amounted to €44,083 and are set out in the following tables. Hotel accommodation charges are generally paid directly to the hotel by, or on behalf, of the Department though in some cases hotel costs were paid directly to the Minister/Minister of State which are included in the figures. Summary: total paid each year

Year

Amount Paid

€

1999

6,802

2000

5,851

2001

6,977

2002

3,884

2003

1,694

2004

4,754

2005

1,815

2006

5,409

2007

1,657

2008

5,240

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister Mary Harney

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount claimed

€

November 2004

USA: New York

Visiting health facilities

618.51

March 2005

Ljubljana, Zagreb & Sarajevo

St Patrick’s Day Programme

267.37

April 2005

Italy: Rome as Tánaiste

Attending Pope’s funeral

103.50

May 2005

Switzerland: Geneva

WHO: World Health Assembly

186.15

May 2005

Isle of Man as Tánaiste

Speaker at British/Irish Council meeting

20.64

May 2005

Switzerland: Geneva as Tánaiste

Speaker at Economic forum — Davos

440.49

June 2005

Luxembourg

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

178.67

October 2005

UK: Hertfordshire

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

84.89

November 2005

UK: London

EU Presidency -Patient Safety summit

151.36

December 2005

Brussels

EU: Council of Ministers

140.67

February 2006

Canada: Toronto and Vancouver

Analysis of Cancer Control Governance Models

486.53

February 2006

Austria: Vienna

EU: Council of Minsters meeting

112.67

March 2006

Bahrain and South Africa

St Patrick’s Day Programme

1,351.44

April 2006

Austria: Vienna

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

56.33

May 2006

USA: Philadelphia and Washington DC

Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics conference, National Cancer Institute & health facilities

835.70

October 2006

USA: Chicago

Visit to Children’s Memorial Hospital

402.88

November 2006

Brussels

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

356.22

February 2007

Italy: Milan as Tánaiste

Speaker at “Observatory on Europe” meeting

377.72

March 2007

Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen

St Patrick’s Day Programme

922.77

February 2008

USA: Arizona, Texas and Washington DC

Visiting health facilities

772.92

March 2008

Czech Republic: Prague

St Patrick’s Day Programme

618.32

April 2008

Slovenia

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

112.00

June 2008

Luxembourg

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

142.50

June 2008

Estonia: Tallinn

WHO ministerial conference

126.32

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister Micheál Martin

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

March 2001

USA: New York

St Patrick’s Day Programme

764.82

December 2001

Egypt: Cairo

Official visit to Cairo

447.07

June 2002

Luxembourg

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

416.88

May 2003

Switzerland: Geneva

WHO: World Health Assembly

301.07

September 2003

USA: Washington DC

Visiting health facilities

238.75

November 2003

Hungary: Budapest

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

177.45

March 2004

USA: Los Angeles and San Francisco

St Patrick’s Day Programme

1,193.93

March 2004

Czech Republic: Prague

ENDSP conference

276.12

May 2004

Switzerland: Geneva

WHO: World Health Assembly

283.96

June 2004

Hungary: Budapest

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

176.91

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister Brian Cowen

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

March 1999

France: Paris

St Patrick’s Day Programme

1,594.31

June 1999

USA: New York

Visit to UN

2,283.18

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister for Children: Mary Hanafin

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

April 2000

Russia: Moscow

Meetings on Adoption

723.31

June 2000

Germany: Munich

WHO conference on nursing and midwifery

287.01

November 2000

France: Paris

OECD conference on gender main streaming

864.40

November 2000

Egypt: Cairo

Arab League of Women summit

442.74

January 2001

Sweden: Stockholm

International Forum on combatting intolerance

360.54

March 2001

USA: New York & BostonCanada: Toronto

St Patrick’s Day Programme

3,270.25

June 2001

Luxembourg

EU: Council of foreign Ministers meeting

160.65

July 2001

Canada: Vancouver

World Assembly on Mental Health

1,195.23

August 2001

Australia: MelbournePhilippines: Manila

Meetings on international adoption agreements

1,990.44

February 2002

Poland: Warsaw

Conference on a tobacco free Europe

835.33

March 2002

USA: Chicago

St Patrick’s Day Programme

1,060.38

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State John Moloney

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

June 2008

Brussels

Mental Health conference

661.83

September 2008

China: Beijing

Attending Paralympics Games 2008

1,133.67

November 2008

UK: London

Celebrations for Samaritans 100 years

157.69

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State Pat ‘The Cope' Gallagher

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

March 2007

USA: California

St Patrick’s Day Programme

276.03

September 2007

Spain: Barcelona en route from Athens

International health conference on advances in clinical medicine

199.25

November 2007

China: Beijing

Food Safety Conference

456.73

December 2007

Brussels

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

155.33

December 2007

Italy: Rome

Health policies meeting

427.00

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State Seán Power

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

June 2006

Luxembourg

EU ministerial meeting

484.10

July 2006

USA: Washington DC

World conference on tobacco

160.19

November 2006

Turkey: Istanbul

WHO ministerial conference

767.84

November 2006

France: Strasbourg

Council of Europe Ministerial Conference

374.00

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State Tim O'Malley

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

March 2003

Cyprus

St Patrick’s Day Programme

269.10

March 2004

Czech Republic: Prague

St Patrick’s Day Programme

1,900.00

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State Ivor Callely

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

September 2002

Germany: Berlin

UN conference on Ageing

240.78

October 2002

Luxembourg

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

119.11

March 2003

UK: Manchester

St Patrick’s Day Programme

194.08

March 2003

Malta

Official visit to Malta

206.39

January 2003

UK: London

Visit to Camden Primary Trust

307.28

May 2004

USA: New York and Washington DC

Visit to US

923.45

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State Dr Tom Moffatt

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

April 1999

Greece: Athens

EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting

257.77

May 2000

USA: Minneapolis

Meeting with Minnesota Department of Health re Food Alerts

1,250.39

Travel and subsistence paid to Minister of State Frank Fahey

Month of travel

Destination

Type of meeting attended

Amount Claimed

€

March 1999

USA: Texas

St Patrick’s Day Programme

1,923.04

April 1999

Luxembourg & Brussels

EU meetings

480.70

June 1999

Luxembourg

EU: General Affairs Council meeting

231.07

October 1999

Finland: Helsinki

European summit

293.55

October 1999

USA: New Orleans

Celtic Nations Heritage Festival

1,155.61

November 1999

Norway: Oslo

UN convention on the rights of the child

442.26

December 1999

UK: London

Irish National Youth Federation meeting

423.34

Hospital Services.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
413 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospice beds in County Mayo; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33092/09]

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
414 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for additional hospice beds in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33093/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together.

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Richard Bruton
Share
Richard Bruton
Question:
415 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children when new beds for older people will come on stream in St Joseph’s Hospital, Raheny and in Clontarf Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin; and the financial provision that has been made by the Health Service Executive for commissioning these beds into use and operating them thereafter. [33106/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
416 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33114/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
417 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for an allowance by persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [33115/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
418 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed new health centre for Dunfanaghy, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33126/09]

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
422 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a health centre (details supplied) in County Cork; the stage the development of the centre is currently at; the funding available for the centre; and the timescale for the project. [33186/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 422 together.

As these questions relate to service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputies.

Medical Cards.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
419 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a person (details supplied)in County Cork; if, in view of the industrial dispute which is delaying the processing of medical card applications for persons who have turned 16 years of age, she will re-instate their original card entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33132/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
420 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages approved in the Health Service Executive south area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33133/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
421 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33141/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 418.

Question No. 423 answered with Question No. 406.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
424 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans in place to build on the success of prostate cancer awareness week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33211/09]

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
427 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce a comprehensive screening programme for prostate cancer here in respect of men over 50 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33214/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 427 together.

I have no plans to introduce a population-based screening programme for prostate cancer at this time. The available international evidence does not indicate that such a programme would be effective in reducing mortality. For this reason the National Cancer Control Strategy (2006) did not recommend the introduction of a population based screening programme for prostate cancer. This position is consistent with the Recommendations adopted by the European Union which indicate that cancer screening programmes should be introduced only when they have demonstrated their efficacy having regard to expert medical evidence. My Department and the National Cancer Screening Service will keep emerging international evidence under review, including the results of randomised trials that are currently being conducted internationally.

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is working to enhance access to early diagnosis and multi-disciplinary decision-making for prostate cancer. I am pleased to say that Rapid Access Prostate Cancer Diagnostic Clinics are being established in each of the eight cancer centres designated under the NCCP. Patients at higher risk will be fast-tracked to these clinics, and those patients who receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer will have immediate access to a multidisciplinary specialist cancer consultation regarding appropriate management.

The first two Rapid Access clinics have opened at University Hospital Galway (UHG) and St. James's Hospital, Dublin, with two more (St. Vincent's and Beaumont) to be established later this year and a further four in 2010.

Any man who has concerns in relation to prostate cancer should contact his GP for appropriate referral.

Hospital Staff.

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
425 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant urologists employed by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33212/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
426 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for a public patient to gain access to prostate cancer services; the average waiting times which have been recorded for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33213/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The matters raised by the Deputy relate to the provision of healthcare services and accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters.

Question No. 427 answered with Question No. 424.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
428 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, listed for surgery on 4 September 2008, had their operation cancelled and has not received an alternative date for treatment; if she will review the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33234/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Inter-Country Adoptions.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
429 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the applications of couples here adopting from Ethiopia if Ireland fully signs up to the Hague Convention principles on adoption during the couples’ adoption process; if this will halt all adoptions from Ethiopia that will be in process at that time; if couples in the system will be allowed to continue with their adoption; the stage of the process they must have reached in order to be classed as in the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33235/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

The Adoption Bill, 2009, which is designed to give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through the Seanad and I am actively seeking time for its progression in the current Dáil session. I firmly believe that legislation and, specifically, the regime of the Hague Convention, provides an assurance for individual children, their families, and the State that appropriate procedures have been followed and that the adoption was affected in the best interests of the child. This applies in the case of adoptions from Ethiopia and other countries who have not, as yet, ratified the Hague Convention, and would seem unlikely to do so in the immediate future. Only adoptions effected before the commencement of the Act can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill.

Hospital Charges.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
430 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to empower public hospitals to reclaim funding from health insurers in situations in which private patients have been admitted to publicly designated beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33236/09]

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
580 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has had discussions with the Health Service Executive regarding the problems surrounding the collection of money from private health insurers in relation to private patients in public hospitals; if changes are proposed with regard to persons who are treated by consultants who opted for a public only contract and private patients who are accommodated in beds designated for public patients; if she has received further information from the HSE on retrieving money owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34520/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 580 together.

The Government's focus is to achieve fair access by patients to publicly-funded hospital capacity based on medical need. The new consultants' contract includes new measures designed to progress this, for example, through the operation of one-for-all outpatient and ambulatory diagnostic clinics, a key entry point to hospital care. There are also clear new rules on consultants' public-private mix of patients and new measures to manage these rules by newly appointed clinical directors. These contractual features complement existing ‘bed designation' rules, set out as follows.

Although patients may be treated in public hospitals on a private basis, the core purpose of the public hospital system is to provide services for all patients under the statutory eligibility provisions. All persons ordinarily resident in Ireland have full eligibility for hospital services, meaning there is universal access to public hospital care. The fact that a person may have private health insurance does not take away from his/her eligibility for services as a public patient.

Bed designation was introduced as part of the mechanism to control the level of private activity in publicly funded hospitals and to help ensure equitable access for public patients. Under the Health (In-Patient) Regulations 1991, beds in public hospitals are categorised as public, private or non-designated. Under these Regulations no private patient being admitted electively may be accommodated in a designated public bed. Similarly no private patient admitted as an emergency may be accommodated in a designated public bed unless (and only for such time as) a designated private bed is not available. The Regulations contain reciprocal provisions regarding the accommodation of public patients in beds designated as private.

Thus, there are limits provided for, and implemented, on the usage of publicly-funded hospital capacity for private activity. The absence of such limits — even if the economic cost of private activity were fully recouped — would create an unacceptable incentive for both consultants and hospitals to maximise private activity, which, while certainly generating income for public-contract holding consultants and for public hospitals, could only be at the expense of fair access for public patients. Indeed, it would call into question why Exchequer funds were allocated for such hospital capacity at all.

It is important that the application of these Regulations and the operation of the mixed public/private hospital system supports the achievement of Government policy on fair access for public patients. I have no plans, therefore, to enable the HSE to levy an accommodation charge in respect of the situations referred to by the Deputy as I believe it would be contrary to the fundamental purpose of public hospital services.

With the support of my Department, the HSE is working to improve business processes for collecting outstanding debts due from private health insurers in respect of patients using private facilities in public hospitals. This includes engagement with private health insurers. The HSE has also drawn up proposals for centralising the management of patient debts and other income. Earlier this year the VHI agreed to make a payment of €50m towards outstanding debts. This was in response to an initiative that I undertook to enable the HSE to implement its National Service Plan for 2009.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
431 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the amount paid by the National Treatment Purchase Fund for procedures in private hospitals equates to the amount paid for the same procedures by private health insurers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33252/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I have emphasised to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) the need for maximum cost-effectiveness in the discharge of its remit, consistent with providing safe and effective care, and I am satisfied that the Fund is aware of its responsibilities in this regard. I have also asked the NTPF, in its dealings with private hospitals, to seek even better value in the current year and the Fund indicates that it has already succeeded in negotiating reductions in the prices paid for certain high-volume procedures. The Fund has also stated that where acceptable prices cannot be agreed, it will not purchase the required service from the provider concerned.

The NTPF uses a number of benchmarks in determining whether the prices offered by private providers represent value for money. These include public hospital average case mix costs and, where known, the prices paid by private health insurers. The NTPF has undertaken a comparison of the average price it has paid for certain high-volume procedures with the public hospital average case mix cost for similar treatments. While it is not appropriate to draw a direct comparison between the price charged by a private hospital for a procedure and the average public hospital case mix cost, the NTPF indicates that for the treatments in question there is a reasonable correlation in average costs. In some cases the price paid by the NTPF is appreciably lower than the average case mix cost in the public hospital system.

In his Annual Report for 2008, having reviewed the relevant NTPF records, the Comptroller and Auditor General concluded that most procedures purchased from private hospitals by the NTPF cost less than the case mix-adjusted benchmark cost in the public hospital system. The initial cost payable for these procedures is necessarily set on the basis of complication-free surgery. In general, the samples examined suggest that cost uplifts are limited to cases requiring additional clinical care, the need for which was not apparent when the treatment was contracted for.

Health Service Allowances.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
432 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33258/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Community Care.

George Lee
Share
George Lee
Question:
433 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide funding for a suitable supported residence in the community for people ready to move on from the Central Mental Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33267/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Services.

Charles Flanagan
Share
Charles Flanagan
Question:
434 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the new unit for cystic fibrosis patients at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33274/09]

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
441 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [33328/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 441 together.

The next phase in the development of St. Vincent's Hospital will involve the building of a new ward block to replace existing accommodation. The new facility will provide accommodation for cystic fibrosis patients with appropriate isolation facilities for the treatment of their condition. It will also include a dedicated day unit for people with cystic fibrosis.

The HSE, in partnership with St. Vincent's Hospital, structured the tender for this development in such a way that payments for the works can be deferred towards the end of the construction period. A contract has recently been awarded by the hospital to begin the site preparation work. In the interim tender documents are being completed for the development in order to ensure earliest possible commencement of construction in 2010. It is intended that the development will become operational as early as possible in 2011.

Vaccination Programme.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
435 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the estimated cost of the full roll out of the human papilloma virus vaccine; if she has completed a cost benefit analysis of the vaccine programme; if she will reverse the decision not to roll out this vaccine programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33277/09]

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
519 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to roll out the human Papilloma virus vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33923/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 519 together.

I have considered all the relevant advice available to me in relation to the potential public health benefits of HPV vaccination in the prevention of cervical cancer and the wider policy implications for its possible introduction into the National Immunisation Programme. I accept the consensus view of the relevant expert bodies that the introduction of a universal high uptake vaccination programme in young girls, in conjunction with population based cervical screening, could significantly reduce overall cervical cancer incidence. All of the clinical advice available to me indicates that, in the context of the limited resources available, the national roll-out of a cervical screening programme should take precedence over the introduction of a HPV vaccination programme.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has completed an assessment of the cost effectiveness of HPV. It shows that the vaccine does have the potential to play an important long term role in the prevention of cervical cancer and that a vaccination programme should be put in place to enable these long term benefits to be realised.

Accordingly, in August 2008, the Health Service Executive (HSE) was requested by the Department to examine operational and procurement issues relating to the introduction of a HPV vaccination programme for 12 year old girls on a basis that would achieve maximum cost effectiveness and appropriate national uptake rates.

I am keeping the cost of implementing such a programme under review. I am committed to progressively introducing cancer prevention measures, such as new screening and vaccination programmes, according to clinical prioritisation within resources available.

Hospital Staff.

Michael Noonan
Share
Michael Noonan
Question:
436 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in appointing a third geriatrician to the Limerick region; if, in sanctioning this appointment, she will sanction the necessary support staff to provide a full geriatric service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33279/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Thomas Byrne
Share
Thomas Byrne
Question:
437 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if same is being assessed on the over 70s criteria on the basis of their spouse being over the age of 70 years and their combined gross income being below the relevant thresholds. [33282/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Service Staff.

Emmet Stagg
Share
Emmet Stagg
Question:
438 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the crisis in undermanning of the special needs assistants service in County Kildare, she will direct the Health Service Executive to make further staff and resources available to deal with the backlog and daily work load of community welfare officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33287/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
439 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33296/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
440 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the nursing homes support scheme, a fair deal, which was to be introduced in July 2009; when same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33298/09]

George Lee
Share
George Lee
Question:
464 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the hardship caused by the delay of the introduction of the fair deal scheme for nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33483/09]

Emmet Stagg
Share
Emmet Stagg
Question:
508 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 16 September 2009, if the implementation of new charges on long-term stay patients in public nursing homes has been introduced at this stage under the fair deal scheme. [33746/09]

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
572 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009 will come into operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34473/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 440, 464, 508 and 572, together.

The Minister announced yesterday that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will commence on the 27th October 2009. The legislation providing for the scheme was signed into law on the 1st July 2009. Certain sections of the Act were commenced on the 3rd July to enable the National Treatment Purchase Fund to immediately begin price negotiations with private nursing homes. This work, which must be completed before the scheme can commence, is almost concluded.

The Minster is aware of the effect of the delay in introducing the new scheme on nursing home residents and is anxious to ensure that they benefit from the scheme as soon as possible. For this reason, she commenced two particular elements of the legislation which will allow people to prepare in advance so that they are ready to apply on the 27th October.

Firstly, as of the 5th October, the new care representative appointment process has commenced. This allows people to apply to the Circuit Court for appointment as a care representative from that date where they wish to apply for the Nursing Home Loan on behalf of an applicant with reduced capacity.

In addition, the Minister signed an order enabling the HSE to prescribe forms for the purposes of the scheme. The application form and information booklet for the scheme are now available to the public and may be obtained from the HSE. This will enable people to familiarise themselves with the application form and process, gather necessary information and generally prepare themselves so that they are ready to apply on the 27th October when the scheme is introduced.

Question No. 441 answered with Question No. 434.

Community Care.

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
442 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the disability day care services that are available to adults in the south Dublin area; the number of places which are available in each centre; the number of these that are currently filled; the number of places that are still available to new patients; the amount of money currently allocated to fund each of these places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33330/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Medical Cards.

Paul Connaughton
Share
Paul Connaughton
Question:
443 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card review for persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33343/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
444 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a child (details supplied) in County Longford has been informed that they should receive treatment in early 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33349/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
445 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children awaiting assessment for orthodontic treatment in Counties Longford and Westmeath; if the facilities in the constituency are able to cope with the demand for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33351/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
446 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to overcome the problems that persons will encounter as beds and wards at a care centre (details supplied) in County Longford close due to cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33352/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
447 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for hip replacements in respect of persons in Counties Longford and Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33353/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Staff.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
448 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken with the Health Service Executive to resolve the continuing dispute at a nursing home (details supplied) in County Longford, due to the withdrawal of early morning allowance, the pensions scheme, sick pay services and night shift allowance and the reduction in Sunday premiums, annual leave, working hours and unpaid breaks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33355/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

The Deputy's question refers to a private nursing home and as such I have no function in relation to the management or resolution of disputes at the home.

Child Care Services.

Alan Shatter
Share
Alan Shatter
Question:
449 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce amendments to the early childhood care and education scheme; if it is intended to address the many anomalies that arise under it which have been communicated to the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs; if she acknowledges that the fees payable under the scheme may reduce both the quality of care and the number of qualified staff in some crèches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33359/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware, the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children and which will be introduced in January 2010, was announced in the Supplementary Budget in April this year. Since the announcement of the scheme I have had a number of meetings with the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations, which represent the views of child care service providers throughout the country, and also with individual childcare providers. I have also listened carefully to the views of parents and where possible have made modifications to the scheme to address issues which have been raised.

In relation to the age range for eligibility which includes children aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at 1 September each year, it has been agreed to interpret the application of the age range as generously as possible to include children who are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months on the 1 September. This will mean that children born on or between 2 February 2005 and 30 June 2006 will be eligible to enter the scheme in January 2010 and in September 2010, children born on or after 2 February 2006 or on or before 30 June 2007 will qualify, and so on in subsequent years.

The options available to pre-school services as to how they deliver the pre-school year was raised with my Office and has been responded to by allowing for a wider range of options. Full or part-time day care services can provide the pre-school year for 2 hours and 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week for 50 weeks (241 days) per year, in return for the capitation fee of €48.50 per week. In addition, they can also apply to provide the pre-school year for 3 hours and 45 minutes per day, 3 days per week for 50 weeks per year.

A play-school sessional service will, normally, provide the pre-school year for 3 hours per day, 5 days a week for 38 weeks (183 days) per year, in return for a capitation fee of €64.50 per week. However, where for good reason a sessional service is unable to operate over 5 days, it will be allowed to provide the pre-school year for 3 hours 30 minutes per day for 4 days per week over 41 weeks (157 days). Further flexibility is provided for in that, a full or part-time service may choose to provide a sessional service over 38 weeks of a year (or 2 sessional services each day) while a sessional service may choose to provide 2 hours 15 minutes per day over 50 weeks.

The issue of commercial rates on pre-school services was also raised. In July of this year the Valuation Office, which is responsible for implementing the Valuation Act 2001, clarified that the ECCE will result in certain services being considered exempt from commercial rates. Services covered by this exemption must be participating in the ECCE and solely and exclusively used for the provision of educational services which are available to the general public. In addition, the expenses incurred in providing the service must be defrayed wholly or mainly by the State. The legal position for services not covered by the exemption is unchanged and rateable status of community services will continue to be dealt with on a case by case basis on the grounds of charitable status as provided for under Schedule 4 Item 16 of the Valuation Act.

Some service providers expressed the view that the capitation of €64.50 (€2,450 p.a.) a week provided for under the scheme did not take into account the high level of qualification which some staff in the pre-school sector had attained. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that, in July of this year, sanction was received to add a higher capitation rate of €75 per week (€2,850 p.a.), for sessional services with highly qualified staff. To qualify for the higher capitation fee all Pre-School leaders must hold a level 7 or 8 qualification relating to childcare and have 3 years experience working in the sector, and all assistants must hold a relevant level 5 qualification.

The annual capitation fee of €2,450 (or €2,850 in the case of the higher rate) will be paid to participating services for each child enrolled and availing of the free pre-school provision. This is considered sufficient to accommodate the great majority of services. The scheme also allows participating services to charge parents for additional services which they provide, including additional hours and activities, provided these are offered on a clearly optional basis to parents. Mandatory charges are not permitted under the scheme. The ECCE introduces, for the first time, minimum requirements in relation to staff qualifications. Together with the Workforce Development Plan, which is due to be launched next year, I am satisfied that the ECCE scheme will support the improvement of quality care and the level of qualifications held by staff working in pre-school services.

Departmental Staff.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
450 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of posts in the Office of Tobacco Control occupied by staff on fixed-term contracts; and when those contracts end. [33360/09]

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
451 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of posts in the Office for Tobacco Control occupied by staff on secondment; and when those staff are required to return to their original posts. [33361/09]

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
452 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of posts, full time and part time, which will exist in the Office for Tobacco Control at the end of 2009. [33362/09]

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
453 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the staffing levels it is intended to maintain at the Office of Tobacco Control until such time as the office has been merged with the Medicines Board and the Food Authority of Ireland in 2010. [33363/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 450 to 453, inclusive, together.

There are four posts occupied by staff on fixed term contracts that expire on 31 December 2009. Three posts are occupied by staff on secondment, who are due to return to their original posts by 31 December 2009. Three further posts are occupied by staff on contracts of indefinite duration. My Department is currently considering a proposal that was submitted by the Office for Tobacco Control in September, outlining the staffing levels required to maintain the Office until the merger.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Liz McManus
Share
Liz McManus
Question:
454 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will give a commitment that the accident and emergency department in St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin will be maintained on a 24-hour basis in view of reports that the department will close at night from 4 October 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33418/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Paul Kehoe
Share
Paul Kehoe
Question:
455 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of a medical card for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33422/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Adoption Services.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
456 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of a bilateral agreement or the drafting of such an agreement on adoption in Russia by Irish parents; the issues still outstanding in regard to missing post-placement reports; the delays that are being experienced by parents wishing to adopt from Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33438/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

Ireland has no bilateral intercountry adoption agreement in place with Russia. However, work on the preparation of a draft agreement with the Russian authorities is being undertaken. I am aware that there are people who have received Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt outside the State and may intend to adopt from Russia. The decision regarding the country of choice for adoption is a matter for prospective applicants. This choice obviously should have regard to their personal preference, to their knowledge of and/or connection with the proposed country of origin and, also, to the status of the country as a contracting State either to the Hague Convention or to a bilateral agreement.

The Adoption Bill, 2009, which will give force of law to the Hague Convention, was published on 23 January, 2009. The Bill, which recently passed all the stages in the Seanad, will continue to be prioritised by the Government for its passage through the Oireachtas. Any applicant who is seeking to proceed with an adoption from a non-Hague country, or from a country with which Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement, should have regard to the likelihood of the adoption being completed in advance of the Adoption Bill being commenced.

In relation to post-placement reports, an extensive examination of a list of required post-placement reports was carried out by the Health Service Executive and the Adoption Board. The Adoption Board has written to the Russian Embassy arising from this examination. I understand that the majority of the outstanding reports have been completed and are with the adoptive parents for translation, apostilling and notarisation — that is, the social workers have already conducted the home visit and the report. In a small number of cases, parents have neglected or have been unwilling or unable to arrange for a home visit with their social worker. Further contact has been made again to arrange for all outstanding visits to be undertaken and is being prioritised by the Health Service Executive Adoption Services to ensure that the parents can have the required reports forwarded to the Russian Embassy in Dublin.

Children in Care.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
457 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps taken since the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse 2009 to deliver on the implementation plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33450/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

Following the publication and acceptance by Government of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was tasked with producing an Implementation Plan. The Plan was endorsed by Government and was published on 28 July 2009. The Plan sets out 99 actions to address each of the 20 recommendations contained in the Ryan Report. It includes measures considered necessary to further improve services for children in care, in detention and at risk, to address the effects of past abuses, to reform service provision and to ensure that children and young people have a voice.

Work has commenced across the various Government Departments and agencies to address the actions under their remit. The actions contained in the Plan are to be implemented over a four year timeframe, with each action assigned an individual target date for completion. As set out in the Plan, I will chair a high level group to oversee the implementation of the actions specified in the Plan.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
458 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the national average waiting time for an MRI scan; the longest waiting time for an MRI scan here; the length of the waiting list in each hospital providing this scan; the international best practise waiting time for such a test; and if she will make a statement on the level of equipment and staff devoted to this test. [33451/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
459 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the facilities being put in place to assist persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33459/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
460 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an appointment for a consultation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33462/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Departmental Staff.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
461 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a lump sum was not awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon by the Health Service Executive on their retirement; and the progress made in verifying their outstanding service. [33467/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Health Services Executive is responsible for administering the pension schemes that its employees are members of and therefore it is the appropriate organisation to address the Deputy's query. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issue to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services.

Dan Neville
Share
Dan Neville
Question:
462 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the lands and buildings of psychiatric institutions which have been disposed of since January 2006; the amount raised from the sale of these assets; the amount surrendered to the Department of Finance; the amount reinvested into the development of mental health services in view of the fact that A Vision for Change has been adopted as policy and that a commitment to reinvest all money realised from the sale of such assets into mental health services was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33471/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

‘ A Vision for Change’ the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy 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 mental health service. 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. The HSE has disposed of a small number of psychiatric properties in recent years. Proceeds of the sale of St. Loman's Hospital, Verville Retreat in Clontarf and two other Dublin properties, amount to just over €42m, and these funds have been surrendered to the Exchequer. A submission detailing the priority projects to be funded from these historic disposals has been received from the HSE. The submission has been examined in detail in the Department of Health & Children and some preliminary discussions have taken place with the Department of Finance in relation to the proposals. However, a number of issues have arisen which require clarification and further consideration. The HSE has recently been requested to provide additional information and this information is awaited.

Departmental Bodies.

Dan Neville
Share
Dan Neville
Question:
463 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the setting up of the Health and Social Care Professions Council, registration boards for certain designated health and social care professions and the designated professions under section 4 of the Health and Social Care Professional Act 2005 for which established boards have been set up in view of the fact that this Act was signed into law on 30 November 2005. [33472/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Health and Social Care Professionals Council, launched in March 2007, is being established on a phased basis. The CEO and one head of administrative staff were appointed in 2008. An additional two senior administrative staff took up duty with the Council in late August 2009 and will be responsible for Registration and Education and Legal Affairs and Fitness to Practice. These particular appointments will greatly assist the Council in their ongoing work in preparing for the establishment of the individual Professional Registration Board the first of which, The Social Work Registration Board, will be established later this year. It is hoped to bring additional Registration Boards on stream commencing in 2010, including The Physiotherapy Registration Board which has been delayed due to legal issues which are currently being resolved.

The 2008 Budget Day announcement on rationalisation of agencies provided for the merging of the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) and the Opticians Board into with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. There is a considerable amount of work involved for the Council in facilitating this rationalisation as efficiently and as effectively as possible. My Department is working with the Council, the PHECC and the Opticians Board to ensure that the appropriate administrative and legislative provision is in place to initiate this rationalisation, commencing 2010. The resources, both human and financial, which the Council will acquire on foot of rationalisation, will be of great assistance in rolling out of the twelve Registration Boards on a phased basis.

Question No. 464 answered with Question No. 440.

Hospital Staff.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
465 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) who was in full-time employment with the South Eastern Health Board and the Health Service Executive for 26 years as a laboratory aide at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, will be restored to that position in view of the circumstances of his case; if she will insist on the HSE taking action in the case. [33493/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Sean Fleming
Share
Sean Fleming
Question:
466 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be considered for a transfer to Abbeyleix Hospital. [33494/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Adoption Services.

Maureen O'Sullivan
Share
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
467 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Hague Convention is expected to be ratified; the reason the Adoption Board is not checking the law compatibility of other Hague compliant countries prior to application for entry in the adoption register; and if she will make a statement on the countries which will be available to adopters here once the Hague convention is ratified and countries which have children available for adoption. [33508/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

The Adoption Bill, 2009, which will give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, has passed through Seanad Éireann, and I am actively seeking time for its progression in the current Dáil session.

I firmly believe that legislation and, specifically, the regime of the Hague Convention, provides an assurance for individual children, their families, and the State that appropriate procedures have been followed and that the adoption was affected in the best interests of the child.

The Adoption Board, on an on-going basis, reviews the compatibility of adoption laws in other countries with Irish law. As of today, the Adoption Board has undertaken a review of 42 countries — 19 of which have ratified or acceded to the Hague Convention.

Medical Cards.

Charlie O'Connor
Share
Charlie O'Connor
Question:
468 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide assurances that medical card services will continue to be delivered effectively to the residents of Tallaght, Dublin 24 and the general Dublin south west area; her plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33530/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I take it that the Deputy is referring to the centralisation of the processing of medical card applications from Local Health Offices to the Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Finglas. Up to the start of this year, medical card and GP visit card applications were processed in the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) 32 local health areas. However, under the HSE's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the PCRS. The change is being implemented on a phased basis and has commenced with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The phased implementation will allow the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising.

The HSE has advised my Department that there are no plans to close any of the local health offices and these offices will continue to deal with queries of a general nature about the medical card scheme and will provide any assistance needed with the application process. However, the process will involve a reassignment of existing human resources within the HSE to other critical frontline services and the Executive is working through the formal process with the trade union involved. This flexibility by public service workers is essential in the context of the current economic environment.

I fully support the HSE's decision to centralise the medical card and GP visit card application and review process to one location. The HSE has advised that when fully implemented, this measure will ensure:

Improved turnaround time for the processing of applications (Under the new arrangements, the Executive will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 days or less for all medical card applications. Emergency applications will be dealt with immediately with a card issuing within 24 hours);

Equitable application of eligibility across the country;

Consistency of service provision to customers;

Clearer lines of governance and accountability; and

Improved unified data.

The HSE has also indicated that this project, while realising health sector efficiencies and savings, will not have an adverse affect on patient care or the quality of service provided. Applications from people whose income exceeds the income guidelines but have a case to be considered on medical or hardship grounds will also be processed by the PCRS.

This project is an example of the type of innovation signalled in the Transforming Public Services Programme announced by the Taoiseach last November. It demonstrates how improved services can be delivered within the more limited resources available in a way which meets the needs of citizens in a modern society.

As the Deputy's question refers specifically to the position in Tallaght, Dublin 24, and the general Dublin south west area, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter, and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Charlie O'Connor
Share
Charlie O'Connor
Question:
469 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in respect of a plans for the development of a major new children’s hospital at the Mater Hospital site, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33531/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which was established in May, 2007. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Health Service Staff.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
470 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to deal with the breakdown of the speech therapy service in County Mayo in view of the fact that there is no national panel to recruit from and the Health Service Executive is unable to do it another way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33536/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
473 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children her plan for a national recruitment campaign for the appointment of speech and language therapists; when this campaign will begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33539/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 470 together.

There has been a growing demand for, and investment in, speech and language therapy services over the last number of years. A particular priority for my Department and the Department of Education and Science in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the health care needs of the population into the future. In this regard, since 1997, the number of training places for speech and language therapy has been increased from 25 to 105 which represents an increase of 320%.

Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The numbers employed in speech and language therapy has also grown significantly, from 282 whole time equivalents employed in December 1997 rising to 755 whole time equivalents employed in March 2009, which represents an increase of 168%. The Government is committed to ensuring continued adequate recruitment of professional staff across a range of service settings. Additional funding of €20 million has been provided in 2009 for health and education services for children with special educational needs. This includes funding of €10 million provided for health services for children with disabilities. This funding will provide a total of 125 additional therapy posts in the HSE (speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers) targeted at children of school-going age. 90 of these will be in disability services and 35 posts will be allocated to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

My Department has written to the Health Service Executive setting out the overall approved employment control ceiling for 2009. As part of this approval, written confirmation has been provided to the HSE that the general moratorium on recruitment, promotion and the payment of acting up allowances does not apply to specific designated grades. Delegated sanction has been given to the HSE for the creation and filling of frontline posts including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy posts. The approval indicated that vacancies in existing posts in these grades may continue to be filled. New posts may also be created in these grades, up to a specified limit, provided that the HSE is satisfied in each case that there is no scope to redeploy an equivalent post from the hospital sector to the primary and community care sector. This moratorium exemption provides for an increase in the number of therapy posts, in line with Government policy, in order to meet the requirements of integrated care delivery and primary care needs particularly in respect of children at risk, the elderly and those with disabilities. The recruitment and retention of these key front line therapy posts, including speech and language therapists, is vital to ensure continued progress in the development of community settings.

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. With regard to a national recruitment campaign for the appointment of speech and language therapists, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
471 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to deal with the situation in County Mayo in which children are unable to be screened in respect of speech and language therapy for the first time in 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33537/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
472 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on waiting lists to be screened for speech and language therapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33538/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
474 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been recommend for speech and language therapy and are waiting for appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33540/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
475 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for speech and language therapy for children in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33541/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 471, 472, 474 and 475 together.

As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 473 answered with Question No. 470.

Questions Nos. 474 and 475 answered with Question No. 471.

Adoption Services.

Michael D. Higgins
Share
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
476 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the contents of the MoLISA report. [33548/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

In late August, I was made aware of two significant Reports regarding child welfare, protection and adoption in Vietnam. The issues referred to in these two reports are of concern to the Government especially since they confirm anecdotal reports that have been aired in the past.

Firstly, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, with technical assistance from UNICEF in Vietnam, published a Report known as the ‘MoLISA Report' entitled “Creating a protective environment for children in Vietnam: An assessment of child protection laws and policies, especially children in special circumstances in Vietnam”. The MoLISA report found that, inter alia:

there are no detailed principles or criteria to guide the assessment in Vietnam of prospective guardians, foster parents or substitute families for orphans;

there is no framework for the systematic, professional assessment of orphans and abandoned children to determine what type of placement would be in their best interest, and to ensure that they are matched with the most appropriate alternative family;

there is no clear requirement that decisions about alternative care be based on the child's best interest;

there is no clear statement in law that international adoptions shall be used only as a last resort, once all options for placement within the country have been considered;

there are no systematic procedures for ensuring that all efforts are made to find a suitable domestic family before consideration of international options;

there is no requirement that birth parents be given counselling and be clearly informed of the consequences of adoption prior to giving consent;

The Report contains a series of recommendations including, the need to:

reform the institutional care of orphaned and abandoned children in Vietnam;

provide counselling to birth parents prior to giving consent to adoption;

intensify preparations for accession to the Hague Convention on inter-country adoption;

centralise authority to consider and approve inter-country adoptions, and

stipulate that international adoptions may be considered only after all other options have been explored and, also, that the child cannot be placed into foster care or with a family or cannot, in any suitable manner, be cared for in Vietnam.

In addition to the MoLISA Report, I have recently received, in draft form, the report of an examination of inter-country adoption in Vietnam carried out by the International Social Services (ISS) — a UN-affiliated organisation. The Report was jointly commissioned by UNICEF and the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and seeks, inter alia, to "identify and address problems in both domestic and inter-country adoption processes with a view to assisting Vietnam in its preparations to ratify the Hague Convention”.

I will be considering these two Reports jointly. These Reports go to the heart of the matter in relation to concerns in relation to inter-country adoption in Vietnam. I would be failing in my duty to protect children if I did not acknowledge and consider the content of these Reports extremely carefully before deciding on an appropriate response.

Medical Cards.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
477 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 has not heard back or has not been granted a medical card despite having applied for the card nearly one year ago. [33557/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Ambulance Service.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
478 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive has not paid arrears of €8.6 million to Dublin City Council in relation to the provision of the ambulance service despite being invoiced monthly; the reason for the delay in payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33564/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
479 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33579/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
480 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be supported. [33592/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Medical Cards.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
481 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite the appeal. [33595/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
482 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow was told in July 2009 that they would be eligible in August 2009 for an appointment, they will be seen as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33601/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Service Staff.

Ulick Burke
Share
Ulick Burke
Question:
483 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a receptionist has not been appointed to the Birr community nursing centre, County Offaly, in view of the fact the position has been vacant for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33620/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Ulick Burke
Share
Ulick Burke
Question:
484 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the security provided at the Birr Community Nursing Unit, County Offaly; the Health Service Executive budget from which it has been financed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33621/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
485 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will request the Health Service Executive to reconsider the centralisation of the medical card administration, in view of the hardship being caused by the new regulations for the over 70s medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33623/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

Up to the start of this year, medical card and GP visit card applications were processed in the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) 32 local health areas. However, under the HSE's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The change is being implemented on a phased basis and has commenced with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The phased implementation will allow the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising.

The HSE has advised my Department that there are no plans to close any of the local health offices and these offices will continue to deal with queries of a general nature about the medical card scheme and will provide any assistance needed with the application process. However, the process will involve a reassignment of existing human resources within the HSE to other critical frontline services and the Executive is working through the formal process with the trade union involved. This flexibility by public service workers is essential in the context of the current economic environment.

I fully support the HSE's decision to centralise the medical card and GP visit card application and review process to one location. The HSE has advised that when fully implemented, this measure will ensure:

Improved turnaround time for the processing of applications (Under the new arrangements, the Executive will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 days or less for all medical card applications. Emergency applications will be dealt with immediately with a card issuing within 24 hours);

Equitable application of eligibility across the country;

Consistency of service provision to customers;

Clearer lines of governance and accountability; and

Improved unified data.

The HSE has also indicated that this project, while realising health sector efficiencies and savings, will not have an adverse affect on patient care or the quality of service provided. Applications from people whose income exceeds the income guidelines but have a case to be considered on medical or hardship grounds will also be processed by the PCRS.

This project is an example of the type of innovation signalled in the Transforming Public Services Programme announced by the Taoiseach last November. It demonstrates how improved services can be delivered within the more limited resources available in a way which meets the needs of citizens in a modern society.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
486 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for an appointment with a consultant dermatologist in Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33631/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
487 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients awaiting an appointment with a consultant dermatologist in Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33632/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
488 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to appoint a consultant dermatologists to Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33633/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
489 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason she supported a situation (details supplied) in Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33634/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
491 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is morally or legally right to permit a system of making and cancelling appointments to see non-existent consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33636/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
492 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will issue an apology to the patients of Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, who were issued with false appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33637/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
493 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the name of the person or organisation who gave the authority to Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath to issue false appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33638/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
494 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the midlands has been targeted for the cutting of medical services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33639/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
496 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath was permitted to issue appointments with a consultant dermatologist that could not be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33641/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
497 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason she and the Health Service Executive failed to reply to queries in relation to the malpractice at Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath in relation to appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33642/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
498 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the person who prompted the spokesperson for Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital to say that appointments which were false were made in good faith. [33643/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
499 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm what constitutes good faith in the medical services for which she has responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33644/09]

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
500 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the potential risk to the health of patients who were given false appointments to see a consultant dermatologist who had left Longford/Westmeath Regional Hospital six months previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33645/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 to 489, inclusive, 491 to 494, inclusive, and 496 to 500, inclusive, together.

All hospitals funded by the HSE, including those in the Dublin/Midlands region, are required to deliver a high quality service to its patients, while remaining within the financial allocation provided.

The first Consultant Dermatologist for the Midlands Area was appointed to the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar in September 2007. This Consultant Dermatologist resigned her post earlier this year.

The HSE sought on a number of occasions to recruit a suitable temporary replacement without success. Discussions have taken place between the HSE and a major teaching hospital in Dublin with a view to expanding the remit of the post. As a result of these discussions, the HSE intends to advertise the permanent restructured post within the coming weeks. In the meantime, the HSE is endeavouring to put arrangements in place pending filling of the post permanently.

I understand that the appointment times issued to patients by the hospital were based on an expectation, at the time, that the consultant post was about to be filled. Unfortunately, the expected appointment did not materialise. The hospital management regrets any confusion resulting from this.

In the meantime, some patients who required urgent treatment have been seen in Dublin and arrangements have also been made for children to be treated in Dublin.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the waiting times and numbers of patients on the waiting list.

Hospital Staff.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
490 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospitals here which have consultant posts which do not exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33635/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement, including medical consultant staffing. 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.

As the Deputy's question refers to arrangements for the provision of services it has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.

Questions Nos. 491 to 494, inclusive, answered with Question No. 486.

Hospitals Building Programme.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
495 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason phase 2B of Longford-Westmeath Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath is not completed after 12 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33640/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar forms part of the Dublin/Midlands Hospital Group and provides an extensive range of acute services to the population of Dublin/Midlands and in particular the Longford/ Westmeath area.

Stage I of the Phase 2B Capital Development at Mullingar commenced in 2006 and is scheduled for completion shortly at a cost of €23m.

This Phase of the Project includes:

Fit out of the existing ward shells to provide a new paediatric ward, a new day surgery/gynaecology ward, a new obstetric ward and a new medical ward, incorporating an acute stroke unit.

Refurbishment of the existing paediatric and obstetric wards to provide surgical and medical wards and a Palliative Care Unit.

An extension of the existing facilities to accommodate an interim Special Care Baby Unit adjacent to the new paediatric ward.

I understand that these works are completed and that the ward areas are now fully occupied.

In addition, approval was granted for the refurbishment of two further wards in the existing hospital — a Medical/Surgical and a Delivery/Gynaecology ward. This work has been completed and I am advised that the wards will be commissioned by the end of this month.

Questions Nos. 496 to 500, inclusive, answered with Question No. 486.

Health Services.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
501 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of an application for orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33661/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Pregnancy Counselling Services.

Joe Costello
Share
Joe Costello
Question:
502 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the existence of unregulated crisis pregnancy agencies here; if so, the steps she proposes to take to deal with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33686/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I assume that the Deputy is referring to agencies which seek to manipulate women by providing a "disingenuous" crisis pregnancy counselling and/or information service.

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency was established in October 2001 and is to be integrated with the HSE at the end of this year as part of the Government's programme of rationalisation of State agencies.

Among the Agency's mandates is the provision of services and supports to women experiencing crisis pregnancy with a view to reducing the number of women with crisis pregnancy who opt for abortion. The Agency supports the delivery of crisis pregnancy and post termination counselling services through service level agreements with 14 providers operating in over 50 locations nationwide.

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency is aware of the existence of a number of agencies which seek to manipulate women by providing a "disingenuous" crisis pregnancy counselling and/or information service. The Agency is working on a wide range of actions to address this issue. These actions include:

A public awareness campaign which I launched in July 2009 entitled "Don't be manipulated" which highlights the existence of disingenuous agencies and promotes the availability of free, non-judgemental state-funded crisis pregnancy services.

Continuous promotion through the "Positive Options" campaign of the availability of free, non-judgemental and confidential state-funded crisis pregnancy counselling services.

Redevelopment of the "Positive Options" website to highlight the actions of disingenuous agencies and to give guidance on how to deal with same.

Prominent advertising of "Positive Options" and consumer tips in the Golden Pages, including the regional directories, under "Pregnancy Testing and Counselling" and "Family Planning" sections. The use of a common logo for all state funded counselling services in current editions of the Directories.

Funding of resources which provide clear objective information on the adoption process. The Agency provides information on adoption in manuals used in the training of bona fide crisis pregnancy counsellors.

Expansion of crisis pregnancy counselling services nationally by over 50% since the Agency was established in 2001.

Guidance for crisis pregnancy counselling services in responding to third party complaints they may receive about "disingenuous" counselling services.

Standardised training and up-skilling for counsellors in state-funded crisis pregnancy counselling services.

Health Services.

Kathleen Lynch
Share
Kathleen Lynch
Question:
503 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in receipt of home care packages in the Cork region in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33687/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
504 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if home help and other assistance will be approved; and if she will expedite a response. [33737/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
505 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [33741/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
506 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an appointment will be made with a psychologist for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if domiciliary care allowance will be awarded and back dated; and if she will expedite both matters. [33742/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
507 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Service Executive will commence building of the new National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire for spinal cord injuries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33744/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Health Service Executive is involved in ongoing discussions with the National Rehabilitation Hospital regarding its development proposals. I recently met with a delegation from the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

The development of a new National Rehabilitation Hospital needs to be considered within the context of a national policy for the delivery of rehabilitation services. My Department and the Heath Service Executive established a Working Group to develop a policy/strategy for the provision of rehabilitation services. Its terms of reference include the development of an appropriate policy framework for rehabilitation and a preferred model of care for the provision of rehabilitation services. The Working Group has met on a number of occasions to date and it is expected to complete its work in 2009.

In the current economic situation, there is a need to ensure that all developments are planned and implemented to give best value for money and with the most appropriate mix of national, regional and local services.

The proposal to develop a new National Rehabilitation Hospital at a capital cost in excess of €100m and an additional revenue requirement of €45m annually, must also be considered in the context of the current economic climate and available funding.

Question No. 508 answered with Question No. 440.

Health Service Allowances.

Noel Ahern
Share
Noel Ahern
Question:
509 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 9 July 2009, the service available for persons caring for mentally ill relatives; if there if an easily accessible point of contact within the Health Service Executive from whom the carer can seek professional advice by phone in order to deal with the problems which may arise on a daily basis with the mentally ill person. [33758/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

I understand from the HSE that a reply was issued to the Deputy on 28th September 2009.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Noel Ahern
Share
Noel Ahern
Question:
510 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 8 July 2009, the position regarding persons with an intellectual disability and particularly with reference to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if all existing funded schemes in this area are being maintained; the reason they are being told there will be no service for them from September 2009 unless additional funds are provided; and if she will provide same. [33759/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Hospital Staff.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
511 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the process undertaken in relation to the appointment of four regional directors of the Health Service Executive; if candidates from outside the HSE were interviewed for this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33811/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
512 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an increasing number of children and teenagers have had to stop their private orthodontic treatment mid-way due to inability to pay as a consequence of loss of income on the part of their parents or themselves and whether she will instruct the HSE to take over these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33839/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Repayment Scheme.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
513 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will have their application for the health repayment scheme addressed and responded to promptly and in detail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33855/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Accommodation.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
514 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the cuts that have taken place at Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, in 2009; the number of wards that have been closed; the number of clinics that have been cut; the number of children awaiting inpatient treatment for more than three months, six months and 12 months; her plans for funding the hospital in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33870/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

Each hospital funded by the HSE is required to deliver services within the financial allocation provided. In common with all hospitals, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin must deliver a high quality service to its patients, while remaining within budget.

The Deputy's Question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the specific service issues raised.

Health Services.

Noel Ahern
Share
Noel Ahern
Question:
515 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the counselling and advisory services available from her Department or agencies under her Department for women who have lost a baby through death or miscarriage; if there is a specific service provided by maternity hospitals; if this service is available for a specific period thereafter; if women in such situations are referred on by maternity hospitals; the structure, organisation and availability of such services and relevant routes to tap into such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33872/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

My Department has been informed that a reply to the Deputy's previous question on the topic is due to be issued today by the HSE.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
516 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the provisions which have been made to process the increased number of applications for the back to school clothing scheme in view of the delay experienced by applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33887/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Community Care.

Maureen O'Sullivan
Share
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
517 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will validate the continued investment (details supplied) in inpatient treatment despite the fact that community care has been her policy since 1984. [33892/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

Policy for the development of mental health services is outlined in ‘A Vision for Change’ the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy. The aim is to migrate from traditional institutional based model to a patient-centred, flexible and community based mental health service, where need for hospital admission is greatly reduced, whilst still providing in-patient care when appropriate.

Implementation of the recommendations in ‘A Vision for Change’ is primarily the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). In April 2009 the HSE adopted an implementation plan for the five-year period 2009-2013. In addition, a joint research initiative between the Mental Health Commission, the University of Limerick and the HSE is underway to examine the functioning and effectiveness of Community Mental Health Teams. The HSE will shortly appoint a national lead for mental health which will bring a new impetus to the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’.

Departmental Contracts.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
518 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports her Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33903/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

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

Reports Commissioned in 2008

Name of Report

Cost

€

National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — End of Term Report 2005-2008

Nil

Report of the Independent Pharmacy Pricing Body

41,597

Strategic Plan for the St. Ultan’s Children’s Project

14,702

Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2008

18,137

A Directory of Health Research Undertaken on Children (0-17 years)

60,148

Evaluation Report on the Inclusion Programme: Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

15,727

National Men’s Health Policy 2008-2013

20,604

Phase III of a Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Homeless Youth in Dublin

22,000

Report on the Irish Medicines Board assuming the role of Competent Authority for Cosmetics Products

Nil

Research on Young Carers in the Irish Population

108,476

Review of Protecting our Future: Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse 2002

65,181

Third Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on ‘ A Vision for Change’ — the Report of the Expert Group on MentalHealth Policy

16,154

Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services

Final cost not yet available.

Report of the Commission established to provide an independent assessment of how a 35 hour week can be achieved for nurses

397,540

Review of the circumstances surrounding the elapse of time in bringing to completion the Western Health Board inquiry into allegations of abuse in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway

21,015

Study of certain Accounting Issues within the Health Service Executive

54,450

Question No. 519 answered with Question No. 435.

Health Services.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
520 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a public nursing home bed for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33930/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
521 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate delays in providing speech therapy for persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33931/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Medical Cards.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
522 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the entitlement to a medical card of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33932/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
523 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have their medical card reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33933/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
524 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to her Department and each agency under the aegis of her Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33954/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
525 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in her Department and each agency under the aegis of her Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33969/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.

The number of Civil Servants in my Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 is set out as follows:

Civil Servants

2006

2007

2008

Jan – 6/10/09

Early Retirement

3

6

1

14

Contract Terminated

0

0

0

0

Resignation

5

11

5

1

The "Early Retirement" category includes officers who retired on ill health grounds, those who availed of the civil service scheme of cost neutral early retirement and those who availed of the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement up to 6th October 2009.

Officers who resign from the Civil Service with more than two years service receive no payment on resignation. Their pension entitlements are preserved and the officer must apply for same on reaching the appropriate age of retirement i.e. 60 or 65. Officers who resign with less than two years service receive a refund of their superannuation contributions less tax payable.

My Department does not have delegated authority to calculate, award and pay superannuation to officers who resign or retire from the Department. This is a matter for the Department of Finance.

The above figures do not include (i) staff who retired on age grounds between the ages of 60 and 65 or (ii) staff whose contracts expired (including staff appointed to support Minister/Ministers of State whose contracts expired when the relevant Minister/Minister of State ceased to hold office).

In addition to the above, one staff member was dismissed from my Department in 2009. No payment was made to the officer on dismissal.

My Department does not collect information on early retirements, termination of contracts or resignations in respect of agencies that come within its remit. I would however, refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Number 34344/09 which deals with pension top-ups or discretionary payments on retirement.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
526 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if persons (details supplied) will be supported. [33977/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
527 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) will be supported. [33978/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
528 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the payment of a child care grant to a group (details supplied) in County Cork. [33984/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, under which the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being implemented.

Capital funding of €250,000 under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006 was approved for the group in question in November 2005. This funding was transferred to the NCIP as the group failed to get to contract within the required timeframe under the EOCP. Additional NCIP funding of €40,000 was approved in February 2008. In February 2009 a decommital was approved for €290,000 as the group had failed to get to contract within the required timeframe under the NCIP. An appeal was received from the group in March 2009 regarding this decision. On 17 September 2009 €33,507 was approved on appeal to cover debts incurred by the group whilst trying to get to contract. This payment is being withheld pending receipt of some specific documentation from the group.

Health Services.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
529 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 22 September 2009, when a reply will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33985/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I understand from the HSE that it will be in a position to respond to the Deputy in the near future.

Legal Staff.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
530 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 479 of 16 September 2009, when a reply will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33987/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
531 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 16 September 2009, when a reply will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33988/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.

The HSE has informed me that replies to these questions are due to be issued to the Deputy this week.

Health Service Staff.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
532 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 16 September 2009, when a reply will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33989/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I understand from the HSE that this information is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Medical Cards.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
533 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33999/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Accommodation.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
534 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the position in relation to bed closures at a hospital (details supplied) in County Cork and if she will request a review of this proposal with a view to maintaining the four beds in question. [34001/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Olwyn Enright
Share
Olwyn Enright
Question:
535 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she has taken to replace a speech and language therapist providing services to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34004/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

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. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Olwyn Enright
Share
Olwyn Enright
Question:
536 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if the occupational therapy service provided by her to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly has been changed; the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34005/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Olwyn Enright
Share
Olwyn Enright
Question:
537 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the schools in County Offaly receiving speech and language therapy services from her; if any of these services have been withdrawn from schools in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34006/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Olwyn Enright
Share
Olwyn Enright
Question:
538 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the schools in County Offaly receiving occupational therapy services from her; if any of these services have been withdrawn from schools in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34007/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Mental Health Services.

Joe Costello
Share
Joe Costello
Question:
539 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children when steps will be taken by the relevant Departments and agencies to ensure that adequate and appropriate accommodations will be provided to people with mental health problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34019/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

‘ A Vision for Change’ provides a comprehensive policy framework for the development of mental health services over a 7-10 year period. It recommends, inter alia, that access to housing for individuals with mental health problems should be on the same basis as every other citizen, the provision of social housing is the responsibility of the Local Authority and opportunities for independent housing should be provided.

Bilateral meetings with officials from the Office for Disability and Mental Health and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to discuss progressing recommendations in ‘A Vision for Change’ have taken place. The Office is participating in the development of a national housing strategy for people with a disability, including mental illness, by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Cooperation between the HSE and Local Authorities is on-going. The voluntary housing sector also plays a significant role in the provision of social housing with regard to people with disabilities, in partnership with local authorities. Capital funding is provided by the Department of the Environment, through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), to approved housing bodies to deliver housing for special needs groups, such as people with disabilities including those with a mental illness.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
540 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [34024/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
541 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist in having payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork issued without delay under the drugs repayment scheme. [34027/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Ciaran Lynch
Share
Ciaran Lynch
Question:
542 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted enhanced subvention; when they will be provided with a public or contract bed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34037/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
543 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time which a child must wait for a speech therapy in areas (details supplied); the way these waiting times compare to waiting times over the past five years. [34057/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Ambulance Services.

Noel O'Flynn
Share
Noel O'Flynn
Question:
544 Deputy Noel O’Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the All Ireland Air Ambulance Service which is located at Ballydwyer, Ballymacelligott, Tralee, County Kerry has requested assistance of her Department for approval of the voluntary ambulance service to come under the protocol of the 999 and 112 phone and channel 16 systems; if she will consider supporting the ambulance service through the Health Service Executive by providing medical staff to be part of the crew on the helicopter which will provide medical assistance to injured persons which, when operational, augment the services already provided by the road vehicle ambulance services; if her further attention has been drawn to the success of this voluntary service in the UK and other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34067/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Booz Allen Hamilton study, jointly commissioned by the Department of Health and Children and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) for the island of Ireland, was published in April 2004. The study did not support the establishment of a HEMS for emergency responses, as data on mortality and morbidity benefits to patients transported by HEMS in the primary response role and relative to ground ambulance services was inconclusive. The study offered a supportive view of helicopter use for inter-hospital transfers, with some evidence for the use of helicopters in the aeromedical response role, in support of the land service.

In light of the report and the need to significantly enhance land ambulance services in both jurisdictions, the Departments agreed that policy for the medium-term would concentrate on the consolidation and development of land services. For the HSE, this includes:

working to unify land ambulance services into one integrated national service;

ensuring that ambulance personnel are trained to provide more complex pre-hospital care;

improving the command and control function;

organising emergency ambulance services to support the reconfiguration of the acute hospital service.

An air ambulance service is currently provided by the Air Corps through a service level agreement with the Health Service Executive. The Air Corps service provides for the following categories:

inter-hospital transfer of patients with spinal or other serious injury or illness;

neonates requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland;

patients requiring specialised emergency treatment in the UK;

organ retrieval teams within Ireland;

paediatric patients requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland.

In addition, the Irish Coast Guard provides air ambulance inter-hospital transfers and also provides emergency medical evacuation from the islands around Ireland. In situations where the Coast Guard service is not available, the Air Corps will transport patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals.

In the circumstances, therefore, there are no plans at present to pursue the introduction of alternative air ambulance services. In the event of the All-Ireland Air Ambulance Service commencing operations, the HSE would not be in a position to provide communications or manpower support or to integrate its activities into those of the public emergency ambulance services in any other way.

Hospital Services.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
545 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if she plans to move the life-saving stroke unit out of the Midlands Regional Hospital; if so, the facilities she envisages will remain in the hospital under the HSE’s removal of essential services from the Midlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34080/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
546 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of providers who have applied to participate in the new scheme to provide free pre-school year of early childhood care and education; the list of the providers countrywide who will be taking part in this particular scheme; if she expects the scheme to commence in January 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34085/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new scheme to provide a free Pre-School year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) which was announced in April by the Minister of Finance. The scheme is being introduced on the 1st January 2010.

Some 4,700 pre-school services are notified to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and nearly 100 services are registered with the Irish Montessori Educational Board (IMEB). As part of the preparations for introducing the new scheme, my Office wrote to all pre-school service providers in the State in June of this year inviting them to participate in the initiative. To date, applications have been received from approximately 4,180 services. I am informed that some 200 of the services written to have not applied to enter the scheme from January 2010 as they are already satisfactorily funded under other Government schemes such as the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS).

It is expected that a list of participating services will be made available to the City and County Childcare Committees by my Office by the middle of next month when the contract process is completed. Arrangements for the implementation of the scheme are progressing well and it is on course to come into effect from January 2010.

Health Services.

Joe Costello
Share
Joe Costello
Question:
547 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34092/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

I am not in a position to comment on individual cases. Under the Health Act 2004, the management and delivery of health and personal social services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Therefore I have asked the Executive to update the Deputy in relation to the matters raised in the correspondence.

Health Service Staff.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
548 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing staff employed in the each Health Service Executive area in 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34160/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
549 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing staff employed in the each Health Service Executive area in 2008 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34161/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
550 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing staff employed in the each Health Service Executive area in 2007 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34162/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
551 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing staff employed in each Health Service Executive area in 2006 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34163/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 to 551, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
552 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed in each Health Service Executive area in 2005 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34164/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
553 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-medical staff and their grade employed in the Health Service Executive in 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34165/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
554 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-medical staff and their grade employed in the Health Service Executive in 2008 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34166/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
555 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-medical staff and their grade employed in the Health Service Executive in 2007 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34167/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
556 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-medical staff and their grade employed in the Health Service Executive in 2006 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34168/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
557 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-medical staff and their grade employed in the Health Service Executive in 2005 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34169/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 to 557, inclusive, together.

The number of public health service staff employed, in each HSE area, in 2005 is as follows:

Dublin/Mid-Leinster

Dublin/North-East

National

South

West

Total

29,965.27

22,963.77

559.08

22,976.98

25,513.03

101,978.13

The number of public health service staff employed, by grade category, from Dec 2005 to Aug 2009 is as follows:

Dublin/Mid-Leinster

Dublin/North-East

National

South

West

Total

29,965.27

22,963.77

559.08

22,976.98

25,513.03

101,978.13

31/12/2005

31/12/2006

31/12/2007

31/12/2008

31/08/2009

Medical/ Dental

7,266.44

7,712.38

8,005.00

8,109.48

8,076.71

Nursing

35,248.45

36,737.34

39,005.99

38,107.92

37,955.71

Health & Social Care Professionals

13,951.74

14,912.96

15,704.67

15,979.73

15,779.48

Management/ Admin

16,699.19

17,261.64

18,043.36

17,967.47

17,649.89

Other Patient & Client Care

15,585.75

16,738.58

17,846.03

18,230.15

18,908.77

General Support Staff

13,226.56

12,909.81

12,899.83

12,630.55

12,118.97

Total

101,978.13

106,272.71

111,504.88

111,025.30

110,489.53

Student nurses are included in the 2007 and 2008 employment ceiling on the basis of 3.5 students equating to 1 wholetime equivalent.The employment levels adjusted for student nurses on the above basis are 110,664 WTE (Dec '07) and 111,001 WTE (Dec '08).

Departmental Staff.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
558 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff and their grade employed in her Department for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34170/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The total number of staff (whole time equivalents) employed in my Department in the years requested by the Deputy is listed below in the following table.

Year

Non Industrial Employees

2005

635.64

2006

621.59

2007

592.52

2008

526.51

31st August 2009

500.55

The following table details the breakdown of staff (whole time equivalents) by grade in respect of 2008 and 2009.

Grade

31st December 2008

31st August 2009

Secretary General

1.00

1.00

Assistant Secretary

8.00

8.00

Principal Officer

36.80

37.80

Assistant Principal Officer

93.40

87.50

Administrative Officer

13.50

13.50

Higher Executive Officer

91.6634

88.2317

Executive Officer

90.60

85.30

Staff Officer

10.40

9.70

Clerical Officer

97.4617

96.03

Services Officer

10.80

9.80

Ministerial Staff

21.00

13.00

Other Miscellaneous Grades

24.2817

22.2817

Seconded in staff

27.60

28.40

Total

526.51

500.5434

A breakdown of staff in the format requested by the Deputy is not readily available in respect of the 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
559 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a speech therapy assessment will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34181/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

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.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
560 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 can be expect to be called for a procedure; and if she will arrange for this appointment to be scheduled at the earliest possible date. [34225/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
561 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to a query (details supplied). [34317/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

Vodafone Ltd. has the contract for the supply of mobile phones to my Department, including all Ministers. The contract was awarded following a competitive tendering process based on a framework agreement negotiated by the Department of Finance.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
562 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of occasions on which her Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34344/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

Arising from the establishment of the HSE and following an agreement with IMPACT, the Department of Finance sanctioned the application on an administrative basis of the standard public service superannuation "abolition of office" terms to certain former senior health board personnel who did not obtain posts in the new HSE structure where this was recommended by an independent mediator. This arrangement was subject to the following conditions: it applied only to relevant posts at or above Director function; and the posts in question would be abolished with a corresponding reduction in the HSE's employment ceiling. A total of 20 people have exited the system under this arrangement in the three year period from June 2006 to date (a number of others left prior to June 2006).

In addition, following a recommendation by an independent mediator, special exit arrangements were sanctioned by the Department of Finance for former health board Chief Executive Officers who had been appointed to their posts on fixed term contracts to reflect the fact that their posts no longer existed under the new structure. Only one individual, who had a linkage to this group, has exited on this basis in the three year period from June 2006 to date (others left prior to June 2006).

My Department is also aware of a chief executive officer who retired from a health service provider on grounds of redundancy and of one person who left another organisation as a result of rationalisation/restructuring in accordance with normal public sector arrangements.

While individual benefits constitute personal data, I am making the following information available (based on the information available to me).

Position

Year

Additional lump sum payment

Addition to Pension

1

2006

17,269

5,756

2

2006

22,629

7,543

3

2006

37,206

12,402

4

2007

25,888

3,650

5

2007

14,277

4,759

6

2007

17,500

5,834

7

2007

21,236

7,079

8

2007

27,476

9,159

9

2007

36,926

12,308

10

2007

41,686

13,896

11

2007

43,518

14,506

12

2007

43,562

14,521

13

2008

17,370

649

14

2008

37,707

12,569

15

2008

39,541

12,761

16

2008

43,595

14,532

17

2008

47,925

15,976

18

2009

3,772

1,257

19

2009

27,512

9,171

20

2009

79,332*

—

21

2009

42,193

14,065

22

2009

44,673

14,891

23

2009

51,513

17,171

*On the basis of their contract, this individual was also entitled to added years and six months severance.

The calculation of pension benefits for retired officers of my Department is a matter for the Department of Finance in accordance with regulations governing these arrangements. My Department has not sanctioned, or applied for sanction for, payment of any pension top-ups or discretionary payments in relation to any officer outside the terms of these regulations.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
563 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34359/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

No staff were dismissed from my Department for misconduct, poor performance or for failing to fulfil the terms of their contract in the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. One staff member was dismissed for misconduct in 2009.

National Drugs Strategy.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
564 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is appropriate that the State should accept money from an international charity (details supplied) whose funds might more properly be directed to the developing world; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34364/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I am supportive of the partnership approach between the HSE, the Irish Pharmacy Union and the Elton John AIDS Foundation in the provision of needle exchange services in 65 new locations across the country. The Foundation is providing funding over a 3-year period which is being matched by the HSE. The HSE is committed to continuing the programme thereafter. The HSE is committed under action 34 of the National Drug Strategy 2009-2016 to providing needle exchange services where they are required.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation is a leading world wide organisation dedicated to preventing the transmission of the HIV virus. I understand that it supports projects in 55 countries (including the UK and the United States) across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Given that the Foundation funds projects on a wide geographic basis, I do not see anything inappropriate in the Irish health service having accepted its generous offer of support.

Medical Cards.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
565 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given in having a medical card approved on renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [34427/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Ambulance Services.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
566 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to implement the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2008 report in relation to the Dublin ambulance service; if so, when these recommendations will be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34450/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

Emergency ambulance services in Dublin have been provided by Dublin Fire Brigade for many years on behalf of the Health Service Executive. It is important to ensure that all of our pre-hospital emergency services, including the service provided by the Dublin Fire Brigade, function as a high quality, integrated health service. The advice of the Health Information and Quality Authority on pre-hospital care issues will be a significant factor in determining how services should be organised so that they operate efficiently and that clinical governance, patient safety and quality standards are met.

The HSE and Dublin City Council are in discussion regarding a number of practical issues, including the nature and terms on which Dublin Fire Brigade provides emergency ambulance services in Dublin. The views of the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to ambulance services in Dublin will be considered in this context.

Medical Aids and Appliances.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
567 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in reducing the cost of medicines and medical devices here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, for example, an inhaler tube costs nearly four times as much in the Republic of Ireland compared to Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34451/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

My Department and the HSE have implemented a number of reforms to reduce the cost of medicines to both the State and individual patients. Under the terms of the current agreements between the HSE and pharmaceutical manufacturers, price cuts of 35% have been applied to all off-patent proprietary products for which generic alternatives are available on the Irish market. A report published by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics in May 2009 estimated that approximately €250 million will be saved due to off-patent price cuts, up to August 2010, when the agreements come up for renewal.

Since 2006 a larger basket of reference countries has been used for determining the prices of new products accepted for reimbursement under the State drugs schemes. The current agreements also permit price adjustments to reflect price changes in the reference countries.

I recently reduced the wholesale mark-up payable on medicines from 17.66% to 10% and reduced the retail mark-up payable under certain schemes from 50% to 20%. Savings from the measures have been estimated at €55 million for 2009 and €133 million on a full year basis.

Historically, the reimbursement prices of non-drug items in Ireland were determined by the currency-adjusted UK prices. The prices of non-drug items have been frozen since 2003. The HSE has established a group to review the non-drug area and to consider procurement options for non-drug items which will deliver increased value for money. My Department and the HSE are continuing to examine all options for containing pharmaceutical expenditure, including the introduction of a system of reference pricing.

Health Services.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
568 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the new child and adolescent psychiatric beds which will be in place by end of 2009; the new child and adolescent psychiatric teams which will be in place by the end of 2009; the location of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34452/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Capital Programme.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
569 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the capital projects that are underway or are in the design or planning process under her Department; if attempts have been made to achieve cost reductions on these projects in view of changing economic circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34453/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Health Service Executive is currently progressing a large number of projects under its ongoing capital programme. The HSE continues to pursue all available options to ensure that best value for money is obtained for capital projects, including competitive tendering and the application of reductions in professional fees under Government policy. In line with recent general trends for capital investments, significant cost reductions are being achieved by the HSE, particularly in relation to the construction phase of all newly-contracted capital projects. The question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the details of the projects being progressed.

The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs provides capital funding support for the development and refurbishment of childcare facilities under the National Childcare Investment Programme. Approximately one thousand such projects have or are being supported under this programme and a 25% reduction has been sought on the projected construction costs of projects that have not yet reached an advanced stage of development. The replacement Cork centre for the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is currently in the design process.

Health Services.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
570 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has given policy direction to the Health Service Executive on the areas in which it should focus on budget cuts for 2010; if she will protect the primary community and continuing care budgets in accordance with the stated policy of providing more care for patients outside of acute hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34454/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

The Government will be considering the Estimates for 2010 over the next few months, in the context of its target to reduce the general government deficit to 3% of GDP by 2013 as part of its strategy for economic recovery. As part of the Estimates process, my Department and the Health Service Executive are examining options which might provide expenditure savings next year, while to the greatest extent possible meeting the objective of maintaining population health and access to services. This process is being informed by the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes and other relevant considerations.

All of these issues are being examined in the context of the Estimates process. Deliberations by Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time. The very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure.

Departmental Statistics.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
571 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a system in place to record the length of time patients are waiting for outpatient appointments after having been referred by their general practitioner to a hospital consultant; the statistics available in this regard in relation to each of the acute hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34455/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 572 answered with Question No. 440.

Hospital Accommodation.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
573 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a public bed will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite the matter. [34476/09]

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
583 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a public bed will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite the matter. [34535/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 583 together.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
574 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if a full medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34489/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Community Care.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
575 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when home help or community service assistance will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34490/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
576 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if travel costs can be recouped in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34491/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
577 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34492/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
578 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the grounds on which persons with autism or Asperger’s syndrome are not included in the national intellectual disabilities database; the measures taken to compile data on this intellectual disability; the action she has taken to improve service provision and future service requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34501/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

The Department of Health and Children does not collect information on children identified with Autism and Asperger's on a national basis. Information pertaining to diagnosis is specifically excluded from the National Intellectual Disability Database as the database is not designed as a medical epidemiological tool. Accordingly the database does not record the incidence of Autism or any other disability.

With regard to the remaining matters raised by the Deputy, these relate to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Fergus O'Dowd
Share
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
579 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34505/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
Share

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 580 answered with Question No. 430.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
581 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intercede with the Health Service Executive on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34521/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

Fergus O'Dowd
Share
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
582 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Louth in view of their medical condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34525/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 583 answered with Question No. 573.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Deirdre Clune
Share
Deirdre Clune
Question:
584 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to reports that waiting times for cardiac procedures at Crumlin children’s hospital are increasing due to the lack of intensive care beds; her plans to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34538/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
585 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she plans to discontinue the nursing home subvention scheme, to change the eligibility criteria for receiving nursing home subvention or change the scheme in any way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34555/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
Share

The Minister announced yesterday that the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme will be replaced by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, on the 27th October 2009. From this date onwards, no new applications for nursing home subvention will be processed. However, it is important to note that anyone currently in receipt of subvention can choose to retain their current arrangements or can opt to transfer to the new scheme.

Given that the subvention scheme will be replaced (for new applicants) by the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, there are no plans to alter the terms or criteria of the subvention scheme for existing residents in any way. The new Nursing Homes Support Scheme is a scheme of financial support for anyone in need of nursing home care. The application form and information booklet for the scheme are now available to the public and may be obtained from the HSE.

Hospital Services.

Willie Penrose
Share
Willie Penrose
Question:
586 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Longford is admitted for an operation at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34559/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
587 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding provided by her or the HSE, on a yearly basis in a tabular format, since a facility (details supplied) in County Mayo was set up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34591/09]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
Share

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Rural Transport Services.

Jim O'Keeffe
Share
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
588 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a recent CSO survey shows that 50% of rural households reported difficulty in accessing public transport and were consistently more likely to experience difficulties accessing basic services such as banking, groceries, post office and GP services; if the rural transport scheme operation under his Department at a relatively small cost to the taxpayer will continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34016/09]

John Deasy
Share
John Deasy
Question:
594 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the rural transport scheme is not abolished in view of the social and economic value this scheme has for people living in rural areas without public transport; his views on restructuring the scheme and introducing a fee for people who avail of the scheme to make it more sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33044/09]

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
596 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport his proposals on the rural transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33125/09]

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
602 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend a programme (details supplied); if the programme will be expanded; and the projected budget for this programme for 2010. [33364/09]

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
603 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the funding provided for a programme (details supplied) on a county basis, for each of the past five years and to date in 2009. [33365/09]

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
604 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the estimated number of service users, on a county basis of a programme (details supplied) to date in 2009. [33366/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 588, 594, 596 and 602 to 604, inclusive, together.

There are commitments to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) in the National Development Plan, Towards 2016 and the Department of Transport's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005. The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended the abolition of the RTP. The Government will consider the Group's recommendations as part of its preparations for Budget 2010. The Government has also referred the Group's report to the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and General Affairs for consideration prior to the Budget.

Separate to and before receipt of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, my Department had already decided that a Value for Money Review would be undertaken on the RTP in 2010. Subject to the outcome of the deliberations and decisions referred to earlier, it is the intention to proceed with the review next year and all relevant matters relating to the operation of the Programme will be examined. This will include, as suggested by the Deputy, consideration of increased passenger revenue as, in appropriate circumstances, it is already the practice for passengers to make a personal contribution towards the cost of services.

It is important that all the State resources devoted to rural transport generally are utilised as cost-effectively as possible and in that context a number of initiatives are currently under way to explore the potential for improved synergies between existing transport providers (namely, the Health Service Executive for health transport, Department of Education and Science for school transport, Bus Éireann for conventional public transport and Pobal for RTP services). These initiatives involve pilot transport projects in the North East and North West, an exercise to map all transport services in County Louth and a cross-border pilot rural community transport project under the auspices of the British-Irish Council. The outcome of these initiatives will feed into the continuing development of rural transport.

It is not possible to give a breakdown of the number of service users or funding provided under the RTP on a county by county basis as some of the community transport groups funded under the Programme operate across county boundaries. However, the following table provides data on a global basis for the Programme for the years since it was launched in February 2007:

Year

Funding

Number of Services

Number of Passenger Journeys

€

2007

9,000,000

120,753

998,350

2008

10,000,000

140,000

1,200,000

2009

11,000,000

(Estimated outcome) In excess of 140,000

(Estimated outcome) In excess of 1,200,000

Public Transport.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
589 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average subsidy per DART passenger for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32932/09]

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
590 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average subsidy per passenger on all CIÉ mainline rail journeys in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32933/09]

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
591 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average subsidy per passenger for all Dublin Bus journeys in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32934/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 to 591, inclusive, together.

The information sought by the Deputy is set out as follows:

Year

Bus Atha Cliath

Iarnród Éireann

Subvention (€m)

Passenger numbers

Subsidy per passenger

Subvention (€m)

Passenger Numbers

Subsidy per passenger

2008

85.629

143.5m

€0.60

181.152

43.3m

€4.18

The allocation of the Irish Rail subvention across DART, Suburban, other commuter and InterCity services is a matter for the company.

Road Safety.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
592 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce legislation to ensure that all heavy goods vehicles are required to retrofit cyclops mirrors in view of the recent death of another cyclist ; if he will introduce a tax rebate on retrofitting these mirrors in order to incentivise this life saving mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33008/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

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

Flood Relief.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
593 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the meetings which took place with his Department’s officials and a local authority following an incident (details supplied) in County Donegal; if funding has been or will be provided to assist in view of the infrastructural damage caused. [33019/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

In September, 2004 the Government confirmed the Office of Public Works (OPW) as the State's lead agency in flooding, to be tasked with delivering an integrated, multifaceted programme aimed at mitigating future flood risk and impact. As regards flooding of roads, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993, to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection of works to be funded from these grants is also a matter for the local authority.

When road grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation at central level to deal with weather contingencies. Such an arrangement would mean a reduction across all local authorities in the road grant allocations to them at the beginning of each year. Instead, the allocation made to local authorities is inclusive of the weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works.

Donegal County Council submitted a report to my Department in June this year in relation to damage to roads caused by flooding. An official from the Department's Roads Inspectorate visited the site of the flooding to evaluate the extent of the damage. In the course of that visit he met with local authority engineers. As an exceptional measure, and in view of the particular circumstances of the Donegal flooding, funding of €130,000 has been provided to Donegal County Council, for works approved by the Roads Inspectorate. Consideration of any applications for financial assistance from local authorities has, of course, to take account of the current budgetary situation, the resources already allocated to the authority and the authority's ability to fund works from its own resources.

Question No. 594 answered with Question No. 588.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
595 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33089/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be provided to him as soon as it is available.

Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 588.

Rail Services.

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
597 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Transport the reason Donegal is not being included in the strategic rail review which would link Derry to Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33180/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The Strategic Rail Review (SRR), which was completed in 2003, set out priorities for future rail investment which fed into the development of Transport 21, my Department's ten-year investment framework, which runs from 2006 to 2015. While the SRR considered possible developments in Donegal, in particular a proposed Derry-Letterkenny rail link which could, potentially be extended to Sligo, the SRR did not include this as a priority in its recommendations. As a consequence, no capital provision for rail developments in County Donegal was included in Transport 21.

Airport Development Projects.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
598 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33269/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The Irish Aviation Authority recently lodged a planning application in respect of the proposed new Visual Control Tower at Dublin Airport. However, the building of the proposed Tower will only be required if the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) proceeds with the construction of a second runway at Dublin airport. The current decline in the aviation market has affected traffic at the airport and the DAA has therefore deferred this element of its proposed capital programme for the airport, until such time as demand dictates.

Rail Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
599 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if a matter (details supplied) will be supported. [33272/09]

Pádraic McCormack
Share
Pádraic McCormack
Question:
607 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Transport his plans for proceeding with phase two of the western rail corridor which is an essential part of the infrastructure in the west of Ireland to open opportunities for job creation and development of the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33679/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 599 and 607 together.

Work is continuing on the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor, from Ennis to Athenry, and the line is on target to be completed by the end of the year. The Government has previously decided to reopen phases 2 (Athenry-Tuam) and 3 (Tuam-Claremorris) of the corridor under Transport 21, my Department's investment framework for the years 2006-2015.

The immediate next step, following completion of phase 1, will be for Iarnród Éireann to undertake a detailed evaluation of phases 2 and 3 with a view to arriving at precise costs to undertake the works. I am committed to progress planning on the Western Rail Corridor. The current funding environment is very difficult and it will not be possible to progress all the projects in Transport 21 in accordance with the ambitious timescale envisioned at its launch. Nevertheless, I am seeking to progress planning of projects such as the Western Rail Corridor phases 2 and 3, to ensure that we are in a position to move speedily to construction when financial circumstances permit.

In its report, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, under the chairmanship of Mr. Colm Mc Carthy, and established by the Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D., recommended that there should be no further development of the Western Rail corridor. The Government will be reflecting on the Report's recommendations over the months ahead. Decisions on implementation will rest with the Government and Dáil Éireann, including in the context of preparing the Budget for 2010 and later years. The Government has referred the Report for analysis and comment by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and General Affairs prior to the Budget in December.

Public Transport.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
600 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a specific route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33299/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The initiation or alteration of a bus service by Bus Eireann is subject to compliance with a requirement to give advance notice to my Department and to compliance with the provisions of Section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 concerning competition with licensed private operators. Where proposed services by the Company are deemed to be in competition with services that are the subject of a licence held by a private bus operator issued under the Road Transport Act, 1932, Bus Eireann is required to obtain my consent under section 25 of the Transport Act 1958 before the Company can introduce such services.

My Department received a proposal from Bus Eireann in June 2007 for changes to its Route 133 service from Wicklow to Dublin Airport to include a pick up and set down point in Bray. Following an initial examination, which included consultation with Bus Eireann, my Department concluded that the proposal would give rise to competition with an existing licensed service. Accordingly, my Department advised Bus Eireann on 10th November, 2007 that an application in accordance with Section 25 of the Transport Act, 1958 was required. No application has since been received by my Department.

Road Network.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
601 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to improve access to primary road routes for motorists from Tay Lane, Newcastle, County Dublin and Tandy’s Lane, Lucan, County Dublin. [33310/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

Regional and Local Road Grant allocations were announced in April this year. In the case of South Dublin County Council, the total grant allocation from the Department in 2009 is €8,250,000. In August my Department sought applications for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants scheme in 2010. It is open to South Dublin County Council to include these projects among its applications when they are submitted in due course. The 2010 road grant allocations will be decided early in the New Year.

Local authorities may also use their Discretionary Improvement grant allocations from the Department to fund eligible improvement schemes. The 2009 Discretionary Improvement grant allocation to South Dublin County Council is €167,000. The selection of works to be funded from this allocation is entirely a matter for the local authority.

Questions Nos. 602 to 604, inclusive, answered with Question No. 588.

Taxi Regulations.

Charlie O'Connor
Share
Charlie O'Connor
Question:
605 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to deal with the concerns of persons involved in the taxi industry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is a serious issue in Tallaght, Dublin 24 and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33532/09]

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
617 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reform the Taxi Regulation Act 2003; and if a time frame has been set for such reform. [34051/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 617 together.

The regulation of the small pubic service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including dealing with concerns of persons involved in the industry, is a matter for the Commission on Taxi Regulation in accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. The CTR is currently finalising its proposals for the future development and regulation of the industry, in follow-up to the economic review published earlier this year. The Commission is also working closely with the Gardaí, Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners. Apart from the amendments to the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 provided for in the Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009, which, inter alia, relate to the amalgamation and strengthening of the functions of the CTR within the proposed National Transport Authority, I have no further proposals for the amendment of the 2003 Act.

Traffic Calming Measures.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
606 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of a recent accident, he will instruct the relevant authorities to provide for traffic calming measures without further delay on the Diswellstown Road in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33609/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. Regional and Local Road Grant allocations were announced in April this year. In the case of Fingal County Council, the total grant allocation from the Department in 2009 is €5,788,866.

In May this year, my Department invited applications from road authorities for funding in 2010 under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Works scheme of grants. The applications for funding under this scheme submitted by Fingal County Council did not include proposals for works on the Diswellstown Road in Dublin 15. Local authorities may also use their Discretionary Improvement grant allocations from the Department to fund traffic calming works. The 2009 Discretionary Improvement grant allocation to Fingal County Council is €215,000. The selection of works to be funded from this allocation is entirely a matter for the local authority.

Question No. 607 answered with Question No. 599.

Road Network.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
608 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport if he has received confirmation of the successful tender for the Ballinagar Bridge in County Kerry from Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33743/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

My Department recently received a tender recommendation for the Ballinagar Bridge project in County Kerry, from Kerry County Council. My Department has issued a letter to the Council approving the appointment of the proposed contractor.

School Transport.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
609 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Transport if he will arrange financial assistance for the transport of a child (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33765/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The issue raised is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Science.

Road Network.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
610 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding an application by a local authority (details supplied) for an improvement grant. [33826/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. In August my Department sought applications for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants scheme in 2010. Cork County Council has included the R611 Belgooly to Carrigaline Road among its applications for funding. The 2010 road grant allocations will be decided early in the New Year.

Traffic Management.

George Lee
Share
George Lee
Question:
611 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Transport the reason he has no plans to regulate the clamping industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33830/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The provisions of the Road Traffic Acts relating to parking apply only to the parking of vehicles on public roads or in local authority car parks. The practice of clamping or the removal of vehicles on private property does not come within the scope of Road Traffic legislation and, accordingly, I have no plans to regulate in this area.

Light Rail Project.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
612 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport if he will re-affirm his commitment to provide the line F — Luas for Lucan; if he will commit to provide this project by the scheduled date of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33846/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

I want to assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to the delivery of Luas Line F to Lucan. The implementation of this project will be determined as appropriate by the outcome of public consultation, the statutory planning approval process, the public procurement process and the funding available to my Department during the current difficult economic climate. I understand that the planning and design of this line is at an advanced stage and the Railway Procurement Agency intend submitting a Railway Order application to An Bórd Pleanála in 2010 in respect of this line.

Public Transport.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
613 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve an application for grant aid submitted by a group (details supplied) under the smarter travel project scheme to facilitate the transport of cancer patients in County Kerry to the centre of excellence in Cork. [33884/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

Action 47 of the Governments Smarter Travel Policy states that a fund would be set up to support innovative sustainable travel projects. Such a fund, the Smarter Travel Project Fund was set up in June 2009. It is envisaged that the total value of the fund will be €15 million, with €3 million per annum being made available over a five-year period. The closing date for applications was September 9th 2009, and there were over 120 applications to the fund. I can confirm that my Department has received the application from the Kerry Cancer Support Group. This application is currently being examined as part of the assessment process, in line with the criteria set out in the application form.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
614 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33907/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

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

Commissioned Reports for 2008

Nature/Objective of Report

Cost of Report

€

1. Review of the Travel Trade legislation

No cost to Department

2. Article 4 verification checks on EU co-financed public transport projects under the ESIOP 2000-2006

48,400

3. Value for Money review of the second Railway Safety Programme

109,846

4. Feasibility study on migration of SafeSeas Application from Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to Department of Transport

19,360

5. Print Management/Efficiency for the Department

4,250

6. Accommodation and technical advice for Irish Coast Guard Co-ordination centres

22,675

7. To access the accessibility of a representative selection of domestic passenger ship and the harbour/ports

36,633

8. Report of the Maritime Passenger Transport Forum

5,666

9. Report and advice relating to procuring facility management operator for Terminal Two at Dublin Airport

236,925

10. Consultancy relating to the Cork Airport debt

30,250

11. Cost & Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus & Bus Eireann

306,959

12. Standardisation Review of the System Dossier on Internal Financial Controls

23,326

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
615 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department of early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33958/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
616 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33973/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 615 and 616 together.

The information requested pertaining to my Department is in the table. This excludes contract terminations and/or resignations arising from Cabinet changes. Costs arising from early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations of staff in my Department is borne by the Exchequer through the Department of Finance. The information requested pertaining to the agencies is a matter for each agency itself.

Department of Transport

2006

2007

2008

2009

Early Retirements

1

2

1

12

Contract Terminations

N/A

1

N/A

N/A

Resignations

4

N/A

3

N/A

Question No. 617 answered with Question No. 605.

Traffic Management.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
618 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34091/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The levels of fixed charge penalties payable in respect of contravention of traffic and parking regulations were set in 2006. I have no plans to reduce the level of fixed charge penalties payable.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
619 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34321/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The Department of Transport has contracts with O2 and Vodafone under the National Mobile Voice and Data Framework, which was negotiated by the Department of Finance.

Road Safety.

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
620 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to change the regulations in regard to motorcycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34322/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 sets out a range of measures to be undertaken in relation to motorcycle safety, including the development of a national motorcycling safety strategy and the introduction of compulsory basic training for motorcyclists. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has undertaken consultation processes on both a national motorcycling safety strategy and the introduction of compulsory basic training for motorcyclists. The RSA will bring forward in due course proposals for my consideration.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
621 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under its remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34348/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

My Department has neither sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of my Department or any agency under the remit of my Department in the past three years.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
622 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff who have been dismissed from his Department for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34363/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

One member of staff from my Department has been dismissed in the period from 2004 to date in 2009.

Air Services.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
623 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with the management of Aer Lingus regarding the conditions which have been placed on customers who form part of group bookings via overseas tour operators and raise the detrimental effect this is having on previously loyal operators with the tradition of bringing tourists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34365/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

While I have no role in commercial or operational matters of Aer Lingus, I would be concerned if conditions were being imposed by any airline serving the Irish market that were having a detrimental effect on inbound tourism. I recently received representations on the matter, which I intend to bring to the attention of the Aer Lingus management.

Departmental Agencies.

Thomas P. Broughan
Share
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
624 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if each company under his remit has a policy on whistle-blowing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34459/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

This is a matter for the agencies concerned and I have no function in the matter.

Public Transport.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
625 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is being asked to cease operating a school bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34478/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The Road Transport Act, 1932 provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of passenger road services by private bus operators. Any private operator providing a passenger road service is required to hold an annual passenger licence for that service. My Department was made aware that the operator in question commenced a passenger road service without obtaining a passenger licence in breach of section 7 of the Road Transport Act, 1932. The service is also in direct competition with an existing licensed service. My Department requested the operator to immediately cease the operation of the illegal service. As the operator chose to ignore my Department's request the case has been referred to the Garda Síochána for appropriate attention.

Michael Mulcahy
Share
Michael Mulcahy
Question:
626 Deputy Michael Mulcahy asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet that can accommodate wheelchair passengers; the number of these that can accommodate more than one wheelchair passenger at a time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34534/09]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
Share

The percentage of Dublin Bus vehicles which are currently wheelchair accessible is 88%, all of which can accommodate one wheelchair passenger at a time.

Residency Permits.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
627 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for residency for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am advised by the Immigration Division of my Department that the application for residence in the State based on their marriage to an EU national made by the person in question is currently the subject of High Court proceedings and is therefore sub judice.

Road Traffic Offences.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
628 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of section 49 prosecutions here for 2007 and 2008 which were detected at checkpoints and so on; the number which were detected as a result of road traffic accidents; the number of deaths which occurred as a result of excess speed and where there was no detection of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33121/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics in relation to prosecutions under section 49 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 sought by the Deputy directly to him. In accordance with the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006, the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for carrying out research into the causes of road accidents and developing measures and practices to improve safety on our roads. This includes publication of an annual report, Road Collision Facts.

Commercial Leases.

Joe Behan
Share
Joe Behan
Question:
629 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in the introduction of the ban on upward only commercial rent reviews as provided for in the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33513/09]

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
633 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the provision relating to the prohibition of so-called upward only rent review clauses in commercial leases, as contained in the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, will become legally operable. [32950/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 633 together.

When Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 was brought forward in July, I made it clear that an appropriate period of time would be needed to allow the market to factor in the very significant changes which were being introduced. That remains the position. While I have taken no final decision on a commencement date, I would note that the section will not be commenced before 1 December at the earliest as that is the date which has been chosen for other sections in the Act.

Prevention of Corruption.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
630 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has been placed at number 16 on the Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33820/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Transparency International is a non-governmental organisation that publishes a report each year giving an overview of corruption around the globe. This report also contains the Corruptions Perceptions Index (CPI) which charts levels of corruption in countries worldwide. The CPI has a rating scale of between 10 and 0, with a score close to 10 indicating an extremely low level of corruption, and a score close to 0 indicating a very high level of corruption.

In the 2009 Report, Ireland is ranked jointly with the United Kingdom at 16th place with a CPI score of 7.7. This is in comparison to the 2008 report which ranked Ireland in 17th place with a CPI score of 7.5. The 2009 assessment means that Transparency International has assessed that Ireland is the 16th least corrupt country out of the 180 countries analysed. While there is no room for complacency, Ireland's ranking in relation to global corruption has improved. It is my intention to enact the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008 at the earliest opportunity. Enactment of this Bill will allow for the ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption and will help ensure that Ireland's rating will continue to improve.

Road Safety.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
631 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to date of rolling out the national speed cameras programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34172/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

An Garda Síochána is engaged in a procurement process, in accordance with EU Directives, national public procurement procedures and relevant legislation, for the provision and operation of safety cameras by a service provider. A preferred bidder has been selected, and contract discussions are currently underway. Until these discussions are concluded and a contract concluded, no additional expenditure will be incurred on the roll out of the safety cameras programme.

Proposed Legislation.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
632 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce legislation to protect good Samaritans and volunteers from being sued following the report by the Law Reform Commission in June 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34099/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in its June 2009 Report on the Civil Liability of Good Samaritans and Volunteers are currently being examined in my Department with a view to putting legislative proposals to the Government.

Question No. 633 answered with Question No. 629.

Crime Levels.

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
634 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of goods vehicle checkpoints or individual officer interventions at the roadside mounted by the Garda Síochána within the Dublin city heavy goods vehicle permit zone during 2008 and to date in 2009; the number of 5-/6-axle HGV permit infractions detected by the Garda Síochána within the permit zone for 2008 and to date in 2009; the outcome in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32951/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Appointments to State Boards.

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
635 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he plans to appoint a legal services ombudsman as provided for under the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32952/09]

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
650 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the appointment of a legal services ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33066/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 and 650 together.

Arrangements are being made to facilitate the appointment by the Government of a Legal Services Ombudsman in the coming months.

Data Protection.

Ciaran Lynch
Share
Ciaran Lynch
Question:
636 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to amend the Data Protection Act 1988 to enable the publication of specific house sale prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32953/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The compilation and publication of house price data is primarily a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and his Department. I am keeping the operation of data protection law in this area under review.

Irish Prison Service.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
637 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason requested information in regard to health issues has not been supplied to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that they need same to have their social welfare payments agreed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32957/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

It is Irish Prison Service healthcare policy to seek to facilitate any application by a prisoner for access to information regarding their personal medical treatment. This is in line with recommended practice by the relevant professional bodies.

The person referred to by the Deputy contacted the Irish Prison Service by telephone requesting medical certificates for the purpose of obtaining disability payments. As this prisoner has been on temporary release for a number of months and has not been under the care of the prison medical services, he was advised that he should contact his own GP in respect of the required medical certificates. He was also advised that his own GP could make contact with the prison surgery if any further information was required. The Irish Prison Service has received no subsequent communication from the person concerned or their GP.

Residency Permits.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
638 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of non-European Economic Area students with stamp two permission who had been attending English language schools for more than two, three, four, five and six years as of March 2009. [32978/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

As of March 2009 this year there were a total of 10,379 non-EEA English language students registered with the immigration authorities. The table provides information on such students by reference to their year of first registration. While it cannot be said with absolute certainty that each student has remained in the language sector all of this time (in theory they could have attempted a different course before resuming their language studies) it is nevertheless a good indicator of the numbers who have maintained their residence in the State on the basis of their English language studies.

English Language by Year of first Registration (March 2009)

Year

Number

2001

147

2002

533

2003

622

2004

1,012

2005

481

2006

706

2007

1,441

2008

4,390

2009

1,047

Total

10,379

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
639 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of students with stamp two permission who originally registered as English language students but have since progressed to courses at national framework of qualification level five or above, in the three previous academic years. [32979/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
640 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of non-European Economic Area students registered on a stamp two who downgraded the level of course they attended or moved from at least a level five at national framework of qualification to an English language course in the academic year 2008/2009. [32980/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 639 and 640 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. Statistical data in relation to the movement of Non-EEA students between the qualification levels of the National Framework of Qualifications is not currently maintained by the immigration authorities. However, as the Deputy may be aware, the need for a greater focus on progression through the system has been highlighted in a consultation paper on the Immigration Regime for non-EEA students published by my Department at the beginning of September.

Citizenship Applications.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
641 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people refused naturalisation in the previous two years based on the fact that they accessed social welfare. [32981/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Each application for a certificate of naturalisation is examined on its own merits and the Minister decides, at his discretion, whether to grant or refuse the application based on all the information provided. As a result, statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to provide data on the reasons for refusal of applications for certificates of naturalisation. However, I can advise the Deputy that the main reasons for refusal of naturalisation applications are failure to meet residency and/or good character requirements and/or a failure to be self-supporting.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
642 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether, in the context of a process as important as naturalisation, applicants should be made aware prior to applying that they can be refused based on having accessed social welfare in the three years prior to the application; and the steps he will take to make sure this information is more widely available. [32982/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Deputy will appreciate that a certificate of naturalisation is an exceptional and important document that facilitates a non-national becoming a citizen of Ireland. The granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour and not an entitlement. Therefore, 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. The procedures involved have been developed and refined over a number of years and I am satisfied that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalisation process.

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation. In accordance with the legislation I make decisions on naturalisation applications based on all of the information available to me. I have adopted a general policy that I will normally require an applicant for naturalisation, unless he/she is a refugee, programme refugee or Stateless person, to show that he/she has supported him or herself (and his or her family if appropriate) while residing in the State and, as far as can be determined, is in a position to continue that support into the future. I am, generally speaking, satisfied to accept that an applicant is self supporting if he or she has not availed of State support in the 3 year period prior to the date of application or subsequently has satisfied officials that they have supported themselves independently for that period.

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service's website www.inis.gov.ie carries information relating to the main reasons why an application for a certificate of naturalisation might be refused. It also outlines how the financial status of an applicant is assessed in respect of their ability to support themselves in the State, and that enquiries with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs may be necessary in this regard.

Asylum Applications.

Ciaran Lynch
Share
Ciaran Lynch
Question:
643 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a determination will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has resided here since 2004 and has applied for asylum and refugee status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32988/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 26 April 2004. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 28 November 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. The case of the person concerned will be processed to finality as soon as possible.

Road Traffic Offences.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
644 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of motorists who have been prosecuted for dangerous overtaking of cyclists by the Garda in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33009/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to her.

Garda Deployment.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
645 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 7 July 2009, if he will instruct the Garda to provide an answer which has not yet been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33013/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Cars are placed at the disposal of former Taoisigh pursuant to long standing arrangements. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the information in the format requested by the Deputy in respect of the years prior to 2008. Prior to 2008, manual records were maintained in such a way that the extraction of detailed figures specifically for former Taoisigh would be very difficult and would place an inordinate burden on Garda resources. I have asked the Garda authorities to compile the information sought in respect of 2008 and this year, based on the available data, and I will communicate direct with the Deputy when that is to hand.

Citizenship Applications.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
646 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [33022/09]

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
724 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) will be supported. [33981/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 646 and 724 together.

Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question. The basic requirement for obtaining Irish citizenship by descent, through Foreign Births Registration is that an applicant's parent was an Irish citizen at the time of the applicants birth.

A person born outside of Ireland with a parent who was born in Ireland is automatically an Irish citizen by descent. A person born outside of Ireland with parents who were born outside Ireland and a grandparent who was born in Ireland may become an Irish citizen by Foreign Births Registration. If a person wishes to apply for Irish citizenship through a great grandparent born in Ireland, the position is more complex. Eligibility depends on one of the applicant parents, i.e. the grandchild of the person born in Ireland, being already entered in the Foreign Births Register, the date of that registration and the applicants date of birth.

Under the 1956 Act, an applicant who was entered in the Foreign Births Register between 17 July 1956 and 30 June 1986 acquired Irish citizenship from the date that the Act came into force (17 July 1956) or the applicants date of birth, whichever was later. Under the 1986 Act, a person is accorded Irish citizenship from the actual date of entry in the Foreign Births Register.

Asylum Applications.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
647 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application under humanitarian grounds for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33025/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 15 December 2003. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 18 July 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. The case of the person concerned will be processed to finality as soon as possible.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard Allen
Share
Bernard Allen
Question:
648 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that their application was submitted in October 2007. [33034/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 October 2007.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that further supporting documentation was requested from the person concerned on 14 April, 2009 and to date this documentation has not been received. On receipt of the documentation requested further processing of the application will continue.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
649 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when he expects this application to be decided on. [33064/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 March 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is in the final stages and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Question No. 650 answered with Question No. 635.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
651 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33086/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The annual cost of expenses paid directly to Ministers and Ministers of State in relation to foreign travel for each of the last ten years was €2,176 in 1999, €8,213 in 2000, €6,008 in 2001, €5,805 in 2002, €537 in 2003, €4,637 in 2004, €4,664 in 2005, €5,481in 2006, €7,778 in 2007 and €10,403 in 2008. The expenses were incurred while abroad, on official Departmental and Government duties.

Garda Investigations.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
652 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 must renew their Garda National Immigration Bureau card every month; if this matter could be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33142/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Deputy will be aware from my replies to PQs Nos. 31590/08, 42262/08 and my subsequent letter dated 29/9/08 that the person concerned is the subject of an investigation into immigration issues. Accordingly, he is required to renew his GNIB Card on a monthly basis for operational reasons. It is not intended to review this arrangement until the GNIB enquiries are completed and considered.

However, if this arrangement is causing difficulties, the person concerned should write to the Ministerial Decisions Unit of my Department at 13/14, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 giving details of the difficulties being experienced and the matter will be given further consideration.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
653 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if a review will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33143/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 15 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 was informed, by letter dated 18 August 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given three options in accordance with Section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), to be exercised within 15 working days. Namely, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a Deportation Order or to make representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State i.e. why he should not be deported.

By correspondence dated 28 February 2007, an application for Subsidiary Protection was made on behalf of the person concerned by his legal representative. Following consideration of the information submitted, the application was refused. The person concerned and his legal representative were notified of this decision by letter dated 23 July 2009.

His case was then examined under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, (as amended), and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended), on the Prohibition of Refoulement. Consideration was given to representations submitted on his behalf by his legal representative for permission to remain in the State. On 20 August 2009, I refused permission to remain temporarily in the State and instead signed a Deportation Order in respect of him. Notice of this order was served by registered post requiring the person concerned to leave the State by 25 September 2009 or failing that, present himself at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 on Thursday 1 October 2009 in order to make travel arrangements for his removal from the State. He failed to present and was classified as evading his deportation. Should he come to the notice of the Gardaí, he would be liable to arrest and detention. He should, therefore, present himself to the GNIB without any further delay.

I am satisfied that the applications made by the person concerned for asylum, for temporary leave to remain in the State and for Subsidiary Protection, together with all refoulement issues, were fairly and comprehensively examined and, as such, the decision to deport him is justified. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the GNIB.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
654 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33144/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

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 in detail on individual asylum applications.

Visa Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
655 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33145/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made an application for Family Reunification in October 2008. 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. My Department has recently contacted the legal representative of the person in question requesting further documentation.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
656 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33146/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of Thursday, 28 May, 2009 and the written Reply to that Question.

The person concerned applied for asylum on 16 July 2003. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. 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.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 18 May 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations were submitted by the person concerned at that time.

On 26 July, 2005, the Minister signed a Deportation Order in respect of the person concerned. Notice of this Order was served by registered post. This communication advised the person concerned of the legal requirement that she ‘present' herself at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) on 18 August, 2005 in order to make arrangements for her deportation from the State. The person concerned ‘presented' on this occasion but failed to ‘present' on a subsequent occasion and was therefore classified as a person evading deportation.

This position continued to obtain until May 2008 when the legal representative of the person concerned enquired into the possible entitlement of the person concerned to make an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State. Arising from this enquiry, and in accordance with the Minister's discretion under Regulation 4(2) of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006, the person concerned was allowed to submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State which she duly did. 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.

The person concerned remains the subject of a valid Deportation Order. However, the Deputy may be assured that this Order will not be enforced pending the determination of the Subsidiary Protection application.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
657 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33147/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 January 2009.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks.

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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
658 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/09]

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
687 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a work permit is required in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33178/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 658 and 687 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 685 on 16 September 2009. The position remains as stated. In general a non national requires a work permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in order to be employed in the State. There are circumstances whereby a non national, by virtue of the immigration status granted him or her, is exempted from this requirement.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
659 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33149/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 September 2006.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is in the final stages and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Visa Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
660 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33150/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a letter issued from Family Reunification Section to the person in question on 27 August 2009 requesting further documentation. The application of the person in question will be considered further on receipt of the requested documentation.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
661 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33151/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

There is no record of an application for family reunification in connection with this Applicant.

The Applicant referred to has permission to remain in the State until the 13 February 2011. Her husband, whom she married on the 17 July 2008, claimed asylum on the 25 April 2005. His application was refused and a Deportation Order was signed in respect of him on the 23 November 2005. An application for revocation of the Deportation Order pursuant to section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999 was submitted on behalf of the Applicant's husband on the 29 September 2008. On the 29 April 2009 I considered all representations on file before determining that the Deportation Order be affirmed. The Applicant's husband was deported on the 29 April 2009.

Judicial Review proceedings were instigated on the 11 June 2009 challenging this decision to affirm the Deportation Order. Accordingly, as this matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
662 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33152/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 28 October 2004. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. 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.

On 9 August 2007 the person concerned made an application for residency in the State on the basis of being the spouse of an EU National. However, following consideration of this application, under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations, a decision was made to refuse the application. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 30 September 2008. This decision was upheld on appeal.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 16 July 2009, 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against her. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
663 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33153/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of Thursday, 21 May, 2009 and the written Reply to that Question. The person concerned applied for asylum on 15 April 2004. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. 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.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 11 November 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The person concerned was subsequently notified of her entitlement to submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). She was also invited to update her earlier representations to the Minister. The person concerned did not submit an application for Subsidiary Protection, however, updated representations were submitted on her behalf.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
664 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33154/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 19 January 2006. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 12 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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). Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
665 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33155/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 5 February 2003. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 9 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Refugee Status.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
666 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consent to a new refugee application to be submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was previously refused in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33156/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned was refused refugee status in the State following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. He made subsequent applications for both Subsidiary Protection and Leave To Remain which were unsuccessful, having taken into account all representations received on his behalf. On 7 November, 2008 a Deportation Order was made in respect of the applicant. As the Deputy is aware, the applicant has exhausted the asylum process. However, the applicant may apply in writing to my Department's Ministerial Decisions Unit, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, to be re admitted to the asylum process under Section 17(7) of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended), setting out the reasons as to why he should be re- admitted to the asylum process. However, such applications are not suspensive of a Deportation Order.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
667 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33157/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 686 of Wednesday, 16 September, 2009. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that reply.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
668 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33158/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 7 April 2005. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 31 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
669 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33160/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am advised by the Immigration Division of my Department that the application for residence in the State based on their marriage to an EU national made by the person in question is currently the subject of High Court proceedings and is therefore sub judice.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
670 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33161/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of Wednesday, 16 September, 2009 and the written Reply to that Question. The person concerned applied for asylum on 2 February 2006. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the individual concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 31 August 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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). No representations have been received on his behalf to date.

The case file of the person concerned now falls to 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 before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
671 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding documentation submitted by persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33162/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I wish to inform the Deputy that both persons referred to are illegally in the State. They were invited, by letters dated 18 August, 2009, to submit representations to my Department outlining the reasons as to why Deportation Orders should not be made in respect of them. Correspondence from the applicants' legal representatives was received in my Department on 10 September, 2009 and will be assessed by the relevant officials in the context of Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999. The persons concerned will be contacted direct and notified of any decision made regarding their status in the State in due course.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
672 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33163/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 11 February 2003. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 30 May 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
673 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33164/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

An application for long term residency from the person concerned was received in my Department on 22 September 2008. Officials in the long term residency section of my Department inform me that files received in February 2008 are currently being processed. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application will commence in the coming months. The person in question will be contacted as soon as a decision is reached on the application.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
674 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33165/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 6 October 2006. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. 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.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 11 July 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against her. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
675 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33166/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of Thursday, 9 April, 2009 and the written reply to that Question. The person concerned applied for asylum on 13 August 2002. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 29 August 2003, 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

The Deputy might wish to note that my Department wrote to the person concerned on 5 May 2009 seeking certain clarifications. This letter was sent to the last recorded address of the person concerned. The person concerned has not, to date, responded to my Department's letter. It is noted, however, that the address supplied in the Deputy's Question does not match the address currently on record in my Department. If, as it appears, the person concerned has changed address, he is legally obliged to communicate such an address change to my Department without delay. In any event, the position in the State of the person concerned will be considered further upon receipt of a response to my Department's letter dated 5 May 2009.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
676 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33167/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 13 May 1997. The person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the then Asylum Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and, on appeal, by the then Asylum Appeals Unit of the Department. The person concerned was notified of this latter decision by letter dated 28 July 1999.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, the person concerned was given the options of making a written application to the Minister in support of his case to be allowed to remain in the State or of making arrangements to leave the State within fourteen days of the date of that letter. An application to be allowed to remain in the State was submitted on behalf of the person concerned at that time.

Also arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was further notified, by letter dated 21 March 2001, 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. No further representations were received from, or on behalf of, the person concerned at that time.

On 10 October 2006, Regulations known as the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006) came into force. The person concerned was notified, by letter dated 1 June 2007, that he could, if he so wished, submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State. He was also invited to update his earlier representations to the Minister. He was requested to respond within 15 working days. Updated representations were received on behalf of the person concerned as was an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State. Following consideration of this application, it was determined that the person concerned was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection in the State. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 10 June 2008.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Visa Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
677 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship and family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33168/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid application for certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in June 2007. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that further processing of the application is ongoing the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. In the absence of more specific information, the Visa Office is not in a position to address the matter of Family Reunification as raised by the Deputy.

It is however, open to all persons resident outside the State, and who are visa required to apply through their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate for the appropriate visa. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why a visa should be granted. Comprehensive information when making a visa application is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
678 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33169/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

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 in detail on individual asylum applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
679 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the decision to deport in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 in view of the fact that circumstances have changed since the original decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33170/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to the Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of Thursday, 3 April 2008. The status of the person concerned remains as set out in that Reply. The person concerned continues to meet the presentation requirements of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (G.N.I.B.) in accordance with Section 8(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). He is due to present again on 15 October 2009. I am satisfied that the applications made by the person concerned for asylum and for temporary leave to remain in the State, together with all refoulement issues, were fairly and comprehensively examined and, as such, the decision to deport him is justified. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is, and remains, an operational matter for the GNIB.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
680 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33171/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum in the State on 3 February 1997. He subsequently withdrew his asylum claim on the basis that he was the parent of an Irish born child. He was granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of his parentage of an Irish born child in September 1997. This permission to remain has subsequently been renewed and was most recently valid up until 18 August 2009. It is not clear from my Department's file as to what difficulties the person concerned is experiencing regarding his position in the State. This being the case, it is recommended that the person concerned would write to my Department's Repatriation Division outlining any outstanding issues he may have and upon receipt of such a communication, officials in my Department will investigate any issues raised.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
681 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33172/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on his marriage to a French national on 17 June 2009. The legal representative for the person concerned was informed of the decision to refuse this application on 20 August 2009. The decision to refuse this application is currently under review.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
682 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for residency and citizenship will be concluded in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33173/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 392 of Tuesday, 9 June, 2009. As indicated in my earlier Reply, the position in the State of the person concerned falls to be considered in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). Work has commenced on this consideration and I expect a final decision to be made in the case of the person concerned within the next few weeks. When a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
683 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33174/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned arrived in the State on 26 January 2003 and applied for asylum on 27 January 2003. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person concerned was informed, by letter dated 30 December 2003, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given three options in accordance with Section 3(3)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999, (as amended), to be exercised within 15 working days, namely, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a Deportation Order or to make representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State i.e. why she should not be deported.

Her case was then examined under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, (as amended), and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996, (as amended), on the Prohibition of Refoulement. Consideration was given to representations submitted on her behalf by her legal representative for permission to remain in the State. On 23 September 2009, I refused permission to remain temporarily in the State and instead signed a Deportation Order in respect of her. Notice of this order was served by registered post requiring the person to leave the State by 17 October 2009. I am satisfied that the applications made by the person concerned for asylum and for temporary leave to remain in the State, together with all refoulement issues, were fairly and comprehensively examined and, as such, the decision to deport her is justified. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the GNIB.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
684 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and subsidiary protection in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33175/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of Tuesday, 9 June, 2009 and the written Reply to that Question. The person concerned applied for asylum on 15 February 2005. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 21 November 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in his case. On the 18 December 2008 the High Court refused the Judicial Review Leave application with the consequence that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Minister stood. The person concerned has now 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
685 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33176/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned arrived in the State on 13 August 2003 and applied for asylum. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court challenging the determination of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner in his case. The resolution of these Proceedings resulted in the case of the person concerned being returned to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for a fresh investigation in his case.

The asylum claims of the person concerned were again considered by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner who determined that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. This refusal determination was upheld following an appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27 May 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
686 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33177/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 30 January 2006. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. 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.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 30 June 2009, 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against her. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Question No. 687 answered with Question No. 658.

Visa Applications.

Mary O'Rourke
Share
Mary O'Rourke
Question:
688 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [33259/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo on the 13 April 2009. Following consideration by a Visa Officer, it was refused for the following reasons:

1. The evidence of finances provided was deemed insufficient;

2. There was no evidence shown of a relationship having been in existence prior to the visa application/marriage.

The applicant submitted an appeal on the 10 June 2009. While the evidence of finances was addressed to the satisfaction of the Appeals Officer, evidence to support the existence of a prior relationship was not. As a result, the decision of the Visa Officer was upheld by the Visa Appeals Officer on 29 June 2009. Only one appeal per application is allowed. The only option available to the applicant is to make a fresh visa application. Where doing so the applicant should be in a position to address the refusal reason upheld at appeal stage.

Prison Building Programme.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
689 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 22 September 2009, the breakdown of the maintenance costs including landscaping maintenance; the income generated from lettings of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33273/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The site for the new prison development at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, County Dublin was acquired in October 2005. Subsequently the Council voted that the house known as "Thornton Hall" should be added to the record of protected structures in its administrative area. In the intervening period essential repair work has been undertaken, when necessary, in order to maintain and to protect the property. The cost of this work amounts to approximately €27,000. The work was undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 in relation to protected structures and was carried out under the supervision of a conservation architect.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Irish Prison Service undertook a major boundary planting scheme at Thornton which involved planting over 25,000 trees and shrubs along the boundary of the 150 acre site to a depth of 10 metres. The cost of boundary planting scheme and the maintenance of the planted zone including weed control is approximately €440,000. Approximately €30,000 of this sum relates to maintenance of the planted zone.

It should also be noted in this context that when granting development consent for the prison project at Thornton, the Oireachtas decided that the planted zone should be widened at certain areas across the site as part of a number of measures to mitigate the visual and aural impact of the development. I expect that the additional planting work will get underway later this year. The property is not leased and, therefore, no income is generated from it.

Citizenship Applications.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Share
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:
690 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [33293/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 April 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Garda Strength.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
691 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who retired from the Longford division since the commencement of this Government’s term; if they have been fully replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Deputy will be aware that County Longford and County Westmeath formed the Longford/Westmeath Division until 1 January 2009 when, as part of the boundary realignment project, County Longford and County Roscommon became the Longford/Roscommon Division. County Longford never formed a Garda Division in its own right and accordingly the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. As at 31 August 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, 298 members were attached to the Roscommon/Longford Division.

Legal Aid Service.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
692 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath was refused free legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33356/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I can inform the Deputy that under section 7(3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which the Legal Aid Board is or may be concerned. Furthermore, in respect of any queries regarding the provision of legal services to any person, please note that the solicitor/client relationship is protected by privilege in accordance with the terms of Section 32 of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. The Legal Aid Board does not provide information to third parties regarding a person who may or may not be a client of the Board.

It should be noted that the Legal Aid Board is required to consider and make decisions on all applications received in its Law Centres for legal aid. I have had enquiries made in the Legal Aid Board and I have been informed that when deciding to grant legal aid, the Board issues a Legal Aid Certificate to the applicant setting out the services to be rendered on that particular matter. In the event that the Board decides not to grant a Legal Aid Certificate, the applicant would be directly informed of the decision and the reasons supporting the decision. In addition, the applicant would be advised as to their rights to have the decision reviewed and, if required, heard by the Appeals Committee of the Board. In that context, a decision arrived at by the Appeals Committee would be final.

Asylum Applications.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
693 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to correspondence in regard to a person (details supplied); if he will give favourable consideration to this person’s request for leave to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33426/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 21 June 2004. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 22 January 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. The Deputy might wish to note that the correspondence included with his Question represents communications sent to rather than received from the person concerned.

Garda Stations.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
694 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are any plans to open a Garda station in Palmerstown, Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33504/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the annual policing plan, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the opening of a new Garda Station would be incompatible with contemporary policing policy and would result in valuable Garda resources being diverted from outdoor, operational policing to indoor administration duties. In that context, I am informed that there are no plans to open a Garda Station at Palmerstown, Dublin 20.

Proposed Legislation.

Joe Behan
Share
Joe Behan
Question:
695 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the provision in Civil Partnership Bill 2009 for the rights of the children of parents who would have a registered civil partnership to be free from discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33514/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The law contained in the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (as amended) will apply to decisions affecting the welfare of a child of a civil partner and will not be affected by the Civil Partnership Bill 2009. The Deputy may wish to note that section 44(3) of the Bill provides that where a civil partner applies for maintenance from his or her civil partner, the court shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case including the financial and other responsibilities of each civil partner as a parent towards any dependent children, and the needs of any dependent children, including the need for care and attention. Section 127(2)(l) of the Bill provides that in making ancillary orders in civil partnership dissolution proceedings, the court must have regard to the rights of any child to whom either of the civil partners owes an obligation of support.

Citizenship Applications.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
696 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33518/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that it has received an application for residency from the person mentioned by the Deputy. The service will contact the named person's legal representatives shortly.

Legal Services Ombudsman.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
697 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consideration given to the need to introduce an independent, statutorily appointed regulator of the legal profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33552/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Government's policy on the need for changes in the regulation of the legal profession is reflected in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 and the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009. The 2008 Act amended the Solicitors Acts to strengthen the Law Society's regulatory functions by providing, among other matters, for a lay majority on the regulatory committees of the society and for better enforcement of orders of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.The 2009 Act provides for the establishment of a Legal Services Ombudsman. When it is established, the Ombudsman will provide a form of review for clients of solicitors and barristers who are dissatisfied with the outcome of a complaint made to the Law Society or Bar Council; oversee the complaints procedures of the Law Society and Bar Council by examining a selection of complaints files each year; and oversee admission to the legal profession, particularly with regard to the adequacy of numbers admitted. A Legal Costs Bill is included in the Government’s legislation programme, which was published on 16 September 2009. Work is under way in my Department on the development of the details of the proposals.

Travel Documentation.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
698 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will arrange for the issue of temporary travel documentation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33580/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A person who has been granted full refugee status is entitled to apply for a travel document to enable him/her to travel outside the State. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service advises me that while the person in question was refused refugee status following appeal, permission to remain in the State was granted in 2007. An alternative travel document may sometimes be issued in exceptional circumstances to a person who has been granted leave to remain in the State and does not have a passport. In such cases, the person concerned has to show that they have made reasonable and formal efforts to obtain a national passport and that it has been formally and unreasonably refused. Provision of original correspondence from the relevant consular authorities is an essential component when considering any temporary travel document application. A temporary travel document was issued to the person in question in May 2008 to help them obtain their national passport. In January 2009, a further request for a travel document was received, again with a view to procuring their national passport. The original travel document was renewed for a further nine months from 20 January 2009 to 19 October 2009. It remains open to the person in question to submit an application for a renewal of their temporary travel document accompanied with the relevant supporting documentation which should include original correspondence from the relevant consular authority outlining the steps necessary to be followed by the person to facilitate the procurement of a national passport if their presence is required outside the State. Any such application should be forwarded to the Travel Document Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Visa Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
699 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33581/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 634 of 27 January 2009, in which the position with regard to family reunification was set out in the case of the son of the person concerned. The position with regard to applying for a visa to enter the State remains unchanged from that stated in previous replies.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
700 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33582/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my answer to his previous Parliamentary Question. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that the person in question made a Family Reunification Application in March 2007. A decision was made on the applicant's Family Reunification application and issued to the applicant's legal representative on 2 September 2008. A letter issued from the Family Reunification Section to the person in question on 21 July 2009 but to date no response has been received.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
701 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33583/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 14 June 2004. In accordance with section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 12 March 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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). Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned. The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. When a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
702 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33584/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 28 October 2005. In accordance with section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25 July 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
703 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the application for residency or family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33585/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous Parliamentary Questions. I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question was granted refugee status and made a Family Reunification application in respect of his wife in September 2008. This application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue in due course.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
704 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the application for residency or leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33586/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 11 October 2007. In accordance with section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. Her asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. The person concerned was advised of her entitlement to appeal this determination to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal but did not do so within the specified time period. Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 28 January 2008, 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 a deportation order should not be made against her. 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 did not submit an application for subsidiary protection in the State in accordance with these regulations. However, representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned. The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
705 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when all documents submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare when they made their application through his Department will be returned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33587/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Repatriation Unit file in relation to the person concerned contains no original documents received from him. I should add that the Citizenship Division of my Department, which is processing an application for naturalisation from the person in question, has advised me that there is no record of any original documentation being received from the applicant in this case.

Road Safety.

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
706 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of road traffic collisions which have taken place in the Dublin city area between cyclists and heavy goods vehicles in which cyclist fatalities have occurred during the period 2005 to date in 2009; the status of the Garda investigation in each case; if proceedings against the driver of the HGV have been instituted; the judicial outcome of each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33591/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 11 fatal road traffic collisions involving pedal cycles and heavy goods vehicles are recorded as having occurred in the Dublin Metropolitan Region between 2005 and to date in 2009. With respect to the seven collisions which occurred between 2005 and 2007, investigations were completed and investigation files submitted to the Law Officers. No prosecutions were directed. With respect to the two collisions which occurred in 2008, investigation files were submitted to the Law Officers. No prosecution was directed in one incident. A prosecution was directed in the other incident, and the driver was convicted of having no insurance, contrary to the Road Traffic Acts, as amended. Two incidents have occurred to date in 2009. Following the submission of an investigation file to the Law Officers in one of the incidents, a direction was issued to charge the driver with careless driving. The matter is before the courts. The other incident remains under investigation.

Residency Permits.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
707 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in having a passport stamped in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if, in view of the fact that documents were mislaid by his Department which has delayed the consideration of the application, he will ensure that a decision is taken in this case as soon as possible. [33606/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that an application by the person concerned for residence in the State based on EU treaty rights was received on 30 October 2008. The person concerned provided a Liberian passport in support of this application. The application was approved on 30 April 2009. The legal representative for the person concerned subsequently informed the Immigration Division that their client holds both Liberian and Nigerian citizenship and wished to be registered in his Nigerian passport. The legal representative for the person was asked to provide further original documentation regarding the identity of their client. This documentation is being authenticated by the Garda authorities. A decision will be taken on this case when the examination by the Garda authorities is completed.

Firearms Licensing Laws.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
708 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33616/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

As the Deputy may be aware, with the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the remaining firearms related sections of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 have been commenced. As a result, a wide range of measures in relation to firearms licensing have been introduced such as the requirement that applicants will provide secure accommodation for their firearms, prove their identity, provide the names of two referees and give consent to medical enquiries being made where necessary. With the introduction of the new three-year licence comes a new, more detailed, application form which is available on the Garda website and from Garda stations. I understand that the form itself is nine pages long, although the last three of these pages are for Garda use, making it six pages to be completed by the applicant. The Garda Commissioner has published "Guidelines as to the Practical Application and Operation of the Firearms Acts, 1925-2009" on the Garda website. That document, along with advice on how to complete the form, should prove invaluable in assisting members of the public in understanding the new licensing arrangements.

Departmental Staff.

Olwyn Enright
Share
Olwyn Enright
Question:
709 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is on the transfer list for his Department; their position on the list; the vacancies within his Department of this grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33649/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The individual concerned, who is a Clerical Officer in my Department in Dublin, is not on my Department's Central Transfer List. However, I understand that she has applied on the Central Applications Facility to decentralise to the Department of Education and Science in Tullamore and that she is currently placed ninth on that list.

Citizenship Applications.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
710 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33660/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must be of full age; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; and have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State. In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded, including periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State; periods granted for the purposes of study; and periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996. It is open to the person concerned to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

Garda Recruitment.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
711 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the next intake of trainee Garda will take place at Templemore college, County Tipperary; the number of trainees who will be taken in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33721/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

As the Minister for Finance has made clear, the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service applies to the Garda Síochána, both sworn members and civilian support staff. By its nature, it does not apply to the Garda Reserve, whose members are unpaid volunteers who do not occupy public service posts. I intend to review the position during the course of 2010 in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and my colleague, the Minister for Finance.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
712 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33753/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his recent Question No. 235 of Tuesday, 22 September 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that reply.

Citizenship Applications.

Brendan Howlin
Share
Brendan Howlin
Question:
713 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if the application will be processed to completion in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33762/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 2007. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straightforward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship division inform me that processing of the application is at an advanced stage and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Controlled Substances.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
714 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure in place to issue licences to hold narcotics for the purpose of training sniffer dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33810/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children that Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, 1988, as amended, provides for the issuing of licenses to persons for the purposes of production, supply, import, export and cultivation. Section 11 of the same regulation provides that certain categories of person, including members of the Garda Síochána, the Prison Service and Revenue officials may have possession of controlled substances when acting in the course of duty.

Refugee Status.

Seán Power
Share
Seán Power
Question:
715 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide temporary travel documents for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33862/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service informs me that the person in question was refused Refugee Status in 1999 and is therefore not entitled to be issued with an Irish Travel Document. The person concerned was granted leave to remain in 2005 and was renewed in 2007 for a further three years until 12 May 2010. In exceptional cases an application for Irish temporary travel document may be considered. In all such cases, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to the applicant before an Irish temporary travel document will issue. An application for an Irish temporary travel document will only be considered by the Immigration Services Section in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on receipt of a fully completed application form. Supporting documentation accompanying any such application should include original correspondence from the relevant consular authority outlining the steps necessary to be followed by the person to facilitate the procurement of a national passport if their presence is required outside the State. I am informed by the Immigration Services Section of the service that an application for a temporary travel document was refused on 16 September 2009 and again on 23 September 2009 in respect of the person in question as the application received was not accompanied by the requisite original correspondence from his own consular authorities. As well as the refusal letter, an email was sent on 23 September with an explanation for the refusal and advice regarding how to proceed. It remains open to the person in question to submit a new application for a temporary travel document accompanied with the relevant supporting documentation to the Travel Document Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Citizenship Applications.

Ciaran Lynch
Share
Ciaran Lynch
Question:
716 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been living here for ten years and who applied for naturalisation in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33863/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 April 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. 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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
717 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33875/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must be of full age; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; and have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State. In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State; periods granted for the purposes of study; and periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996. It is open to the person concerned to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
718 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33904/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I can inform the Deputy that research and reports which informed public policy proposals and development in areas such as Forensic Science, Youth Justice, Integration of Immigrants, Victims of Crime, European Arrest Warrants and so forth were commissioned by my Department in 2008. Nine such reports were commissioned in 2008 at costs varying from approximately €3,600 to €47,000.

Garda Recruitment.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
719 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Further Education and Training Awards Council qualifications equivalent to the leaving certificate are not recognised for garda and prison officer recruitment competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33920/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that admission to the Garda Síochána is governed by the Admissions and Appointments Regulations 2004, which set out the educational qualifications and alternatives, for admission as a Garda trainee. Entrance to the Irish Prison Service is governed by administrative rules. Further Education and Training Awards Council qualifications equivalent to the leaving certificate may be acceptable to the Public Appointments Service, in relation to Garda and Prison Service recruitment, provided that they are of a standard not lower than those already specified. The National Qualification Authority of Ireland is the sole authority in the area of validating alternative qualifications. It advises the Public Appointments Service, which acts as agents for the Commissioner and the Irish Prison Service in the recruitment process.

Residency Permits.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
720 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason an application for residency was refused in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33938/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that the person mentioned by the Deputy was granted a short term visa for the purpose of a short term visit to the State. He was allowed to enter the State on 22 February 2009 and was granted permission to remain until 19 May 2009. In accordance with the immigration laws of the State the person mentioned was required to leave the State on expiry of his C visit visa. However, once outside the State there was nothing to prevent him from applying for a further visit visa for the purposes of re-entering the State. The person in question has now re entered the State on 10 September 2009 on foot of a further C visit visa . As a visitor to the State he is allowed to remain for 90 days. An application was received on 24 September 2009 for an extension of his leave to remain. This application is currently receiving attention.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
721 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33955/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
722 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33970/09]

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
740 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34345/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 721,722 and 740 together.

No costs, in the nature of additional remuneration or compensation, were incurred by my Department in the period in question as a result of early retirements, termination of contracts or resignations. In relation to the question of pension top-up or discretionary payment, I assume the Deputy is referring to cases where inducements are offered to encourage/facilitate the retirement of an individual. No such arrangements have been made by my Department in the period in question.

International Agreements.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
723 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [33980/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

During my time as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I was the first EU Minister to call for the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility. The Government has consistently called for its closure since then and has welcomed President Obama's decision to close Guantanamo. In response to US requests for assistance in resettling some of these detainees, EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers adopted a framework at the June Ministerial Council in relation to resettlement of former detainees. The resettlement in Ireland of the two individuals referred to in the Deputy's question is a humanitarian measure and a practical step towards the ultimate closure of Guantanamo Bay. The primary reason for agreeing to resettle them here is because, although they were cleared for release by the US authorities and were not to be prosecuted by the US, it was considered that, they could not, for compelling reasons, be returned to their home countries. I hope they will now be given the time and space to rebuild their lives here in Ireland.

Question No. 724 answered with Question No. 646.

Crime Levels.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
725 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases in which there have been arrests and charges proffered in respect of drug related crimes in the Athy Garda district in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34009/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Garda Deployment.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
726 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the resources being deployed to combat drug related crime in County Kildare in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34010/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Garda authorities that at present the Kildare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit has a staff complement of one Garda Sergeant and seven Gardaí.

The unit targets those suspected of possession of illicit substances for personal use, sale and supply and is assisted in this regard by all Garda personnel based in the Garda Division and, in particular, members of the district detective units.

In addition all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with drug law enforcement.

Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána, and are kept under review.

The resource situation in Kildare will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the area will be fully considered by the Garda Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
727 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a section within the Garda has been specifically proposed to deal with the use of illicit substances and those that seek to sell such substances in areas within the Kildare division (details supplied) but to date in 2009 has not been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34020/09]

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
728 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in each station within the Kildare division who are assigned to the drug task force within their area; if there is specific training for such gardaí; if so, the number of gardaí within each station in the division who have or are in the process of receiving such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34033/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 728 together.

All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the criminal law, including the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977/1984, as amended and the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Currently the Garda Divisional Drugs Unit comprises one (1) Garda Sergeant and seven (7) Gardaí and is based across the Division in the Naas, Kildare (which covers the Athy area) and Leixlip Garda Districts. The unit targets those suspected of possession of illicit substances for personal use, sale and supply throughout the Division. The Unit is assisted in this task by all Garda personnel in the Division, in particular members of the District Detective Units.

All Gardaí receive drug training under the Student /Probationer training programme and where required further drug training is provided through the medium of the Continuous Professional Development process. All members of An Garda Síochána receive training in respect of the enforcement of the Misuse of Drugs Acts and the applicable law, procedures and presentation of Investigation Files, when enforcing same. Ongoing training, including updates on recently-enacted legislation, is also provided to all members of An Garda Síochána through the Continuous Professional Development School. Members of An Garda Síochána appointed as members of the Detective Branch also complete specialist detective training.

The Sergeant in charge of the Divisional Drug Unit represents An Garda Síochána on the local Drugs Task Force in Co. Kildare.

Crime Levels.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
729 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offences recorded in each Garda station within the Kildare division in regard to the use of illicit substances; the type and quantity of substance that was determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34034/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

In relation to the first part of the Deputy's question, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) as the national statistical agency. The CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the crime statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, it has not been possible to compile the detailed statistics requested in the time available. I will communicate further with the Deputy when the information sought is to hand.

Criminal Prosecutions.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
730 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of court convictions for the use of illicit substances recorded in the Kildare division in respect of each station area in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34035/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Residency Permits.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
731 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the further documentation required for an application in respect of a residence card by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [34048/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the further documentation required for the application for residency of the person referred to by the Deputy is evidence of her financial dependency on her EU citizen father, a receipt for college fees in her father's name and a letter from the educational institution concerned giving the start date of her course as well as the expected completion date.

Garda Deployment.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
732 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda Reserve who are working in areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34061/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

At 31 August 2009 a total of 19 Reserve members were assigned to Garda Stations which serve the areas concerned. Details of the assignments are as follows:

Number

Lucan Station

8

Ronanstown Station

1

Clondalkin

6

Ballyfermot

4

Palmerstown is served by Clondalkin and Ballyfermot Garda Stations.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
733 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in areas (details supplied); the number stationed in 2006, 2007 and 2008. [34062/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the Garda stations referred to by the Deputy as at 31 December 2006-2008 and 31 August 2009 was as set out in the table.

Station

31/12/06

31/12/07

31/12/08

31/08/09

Clondalkin

92

104

91

97

Ballyfermot

88

87

95

90

Rathcoole

23

24

27

26

Lucan

70

84

89

86

Ronanstown

92

87

85

91

Road Traffic Offences.

Thomas P. Broughan
Share
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
734 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of learner drivers who have been detected and charged for driving without a qualified accompanying driver and L plates in each Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34071/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Complaints Procedures.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
735 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legal and other associated costs incurred to date in 2009 by the commission in relation to Complaint no. EE/2008/034 lodged with the Equality Tribunal in the context of his Department’s corporate governance responsibility for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Equality Tribunal; if he has been informed by the Tribunal of any change in its long-standing practice to publish on its website details of all case decisions following determination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34083/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I understand that the complaint referred to by the Deputy is still before the Equality Tribunal and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.

There has been no change to the practice of the Equality Tribunal to publish all decisions on its website.

Criminal Prosecutions.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
736 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people, since 2005 to date in 2009, who have been convicted of drug offences and have re-offended in each court area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34171/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Garda Operations.

Dan Neville
Share
Dan Neville
Question:
737 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a Garda vetting certificate will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [34178/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations in Ireland, registered with the Unit, which employ personnel to work in a full-time, part time, voluntary or student capacity with children and / or vulnerable adults.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the organisation referred to is not at present registered with the Unit for Garda vetting. Therefore, no vetting application can be processed nor has been received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit in respect of the person referred to.

Asylum Applications.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
738 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 under the subsidiary protection under the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations Statutory Instrument No. 518 of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34226/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 1 June 2005. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 8 January 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 a Deportation Order should not be made against him. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
739 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34318/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The mobile services for my Department are provided by Vodafone Ireland. The Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform currently has a contract with Vodafone Ireland for the provision of mobile voice and data services including hardware.

Question No. 740 answered with Question No. 721.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
741 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34360/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The number of staff in my Department who have been dismissed or had their contracts terminated in each of the last five years is as follows:

Year

Number

2004

4

2005

2

2006

2

2007

3

2008

1

2009 to date

5

Firearms Licences.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
742 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if antique guns with no pin will be exempt from the gun licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34373/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Section 26 of the Firearms Act 1925 provides that ‘Nothing in this Act relating to firearms shall apply to any antique firearm which is sold, bought, carried, or possessed as a curiosity or ornament'.

I understand, generally speaking, that firearms manufactured before the mid 19th Century which do not utilise modern type ammunition would be classed as antique firearms. Furthermore, deactivated or defective firearms, not capable of being fired, may be kept on the written authorisation of the local Garda Superintendent under Section 6 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, as amended.

The Superintendent must be satisfied that the firearm is actually permanently deactivated and may request certification of same from a recognised proof house and may have the firearm examined by a suitably qualified member of the Garda Síochána.

Visa Applications.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
743 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the visa figures from the Moscow office in terms of English language teaching students, university students and junior students for 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34467/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The following is a breakdown of the Visa figures for the categories requested. In order to ensure that there is an understanding of the categories involved, the following definitions shall apply.

English Language Students — This is taken to mean persons over 18 coming to Ireland for the expressed purpose of studying the English language in a recognised institution, whether it is a course of relatively short duration, (less than 3 months) or a longer term course (more than 3 months).

University Students — This is taken to mean somebody over 18 years who is studying a course (not English language), generally to at least a primary degree level in a recognised 3rd level institution in the state as recognised under the University Acts or Higher Education Acts. It includes the Universities, Institutes of Technology, and also recognised private 3rd level colleges.

Junior Students — This is taken to refer to persons under 18 years old, who may come to Ireland for the purpose of studying English and require parental consent in order to do so. It almost exclusively refers to “English Summer Camp” type arrangements. This category also refers to Juniors enrolled in private fee paying secondary or preparatory schools in the State.

Categories

2007

2008

English Language Students (>18)

287 (35%)

405 (24%)

Junior Language Students

444 (53%)

1,153 (69%)

Junior Secondary/Preparatory Students

36 (4%)

34 (2%)

University Students (>18)

68 (8%)

87 (5%)

Total

835

1,679

In the year to date (1 October 2009), 956 (97%) of study visa applications decided upon by the Visa Office, Moscow were approved.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
744 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when travel documents will be renewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34484/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a travel document for the person in question was renewed on 19 August 2009 and was issued to the address on the travel document. It was returned to the office on 3 September 2009 by the Returned Letter Branch of An Post stating that the person was unknown at the address. The person in question should contact the Travel Document Unit of INIS which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 to inform them of the new address and to arrange for delivery of their travel document.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
745 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date in the case of an application for residency or leave to remain by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34485/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned applied for asylum on 30 July 2004. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. 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.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 29 December 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
746 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when certification of naturalisation will be forwarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34486/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the Minister must be satisfied that the applicant is of good character. In pursuance of this condition, the Citizenship Division of my Department routinely receive reports from an Garda Síochána on each applicant.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division in June 2005 and the Minister decided to refuse the application on 8 October, 2008. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 9 October, 2008. A copy of the letter was re-issued to the person concerned on 2 September, 2009.

There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when she is in a position to meet the statutory requirements. However, in doing so she should bear in mind the reasons for refusal of her previous application.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
747 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected position in relation to the application for leave to remain or stamp four in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34487/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 384 of Wednesday, 6 May, 2009, in this matter.

The person concerned applied for asylum on 4 March 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 16 January 2009, 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 not have a Deportation Order made against her. 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 application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of 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. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Garda Recruitment.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
748 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a matter (details supplied) will be supported. [34511/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is a matter in the first instance for the Public Appointments Service and then for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that there is no scheme and there are no plans to introduce a scheme as referred to by the Deputy.

I have no role or function in the recruitment or training in Customs or Airport Services.

Proposed Legislation.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
749 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposal in the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 to fine and jail registrars who object to civil partnerships is incompatible with the principles of religious freedom; if the Bill protects registrars’ right of conscience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34531/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides that it is an offence for a registrar to fail or refuse, without reasonable cause, to register a birth, stillbirth, marriage or death. It is also an offence under that Act to fail or refuse, without reasonable cause, to issue a marriage registration form to one of the parties to an intended marriage, or to purport to solemnise or to be a party to a marriage in respect of which the appropriate notice and advance formalities have not been completed. The Civil Partnership Bill amends the 2004 Act to replicate these provisions where appropriate with respect to civil partnership registration. The Bill does not contain a "right of conscience" provision for registrars.

Crime Prevention.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
750 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures in place for the protection of citizens from sex offenders who enter the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34545/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons and makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements. These provisions extend to any offenders convicted abroad of the same range of sexual offences who enter the State.

An Garda Síochána has a system in place for the monitoring of all persons subject to these requirements. Its Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit monitors and manages the notification provisions, and maintains all information relating to persons who have obligations under the Act. There is a nominated Garda inspector in each Garda Division who has responsibility for the monitoring in their Division of persons subject to the requirements of the Act.

In November, 2006 the Government and the British Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sharing between An Garda Síochána and British police forces, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland, of information on sex offenders. The MoU relates to information about persons travelling between this jurisdiction and the UK (including Northern Ireland) and who are subject to sex offender notification requirements in their own jurisdiction. Its purpose is the sharing of such information for the purposes of the protection of the public from the risks presented by sex offenders and the investigation of serious sexual offences and covers any information necessary to achieve these purposes. Such information sharing had been taking place informally at police level for some time.

In September, 2008 An Garda Síochána and the PSNI signed an agreement on the sharing of personal data in relation to the investigation of sexual offences and the monitoring of sex offenders. Under the Agreement, the information to be shared relates to persons who are subject to the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Act and the equivalent UK legislation.

Information exchanged under the agreement is used for the prevention and detection of crime of a sexual nature and the prosecution of offenders. It has improved communication channels between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI and enhanced child protection on the island of Ireland. The agreement formalises the exchange of information which has always taken place and sets out procedures under which this will now take place. The information is exchanged in accordance with data protection legislation in force in both parts of Ireland.

An Garda Síochána is notified by the PSNI when it becomes aware that a convicted sex offender is travelling or has travelled from Northern Ireland to this jurisdiction. Likewise, An Garda Síochána notifies the PSNI when it becomes aware that a convicted sex offender is travelling or has travelled from this jurisdiction to Northern Ireland.

Citizenship Applications.

Willie Penrose
Share
Willie Penrose
Question:
751 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34558/09]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

A valid 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 2007.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is at an advanced stage and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks.

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 it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

International Agreements.

Willie Penrose
Share
Willie Penrose
Question:
752 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is his intention to sign the optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; if not, the reason for not signing; his plans for the signing of the optional protocol in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33562/09]

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
753 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will sign the optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which opened for signature on 24 September 2009; if not, the reason for same; if there are plans for signing the optional protocol in the future; if the Government signs the optional protocol, if it will also ratify it on the same day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34542/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 753 together.

As I have already indicated in response to a number of Parliamentary Questions answered on 16 and 23 September, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was ratified by Ireland on 8 December 1989.

The Optional Protocol to this International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR) will, when it comes into force, set up a mechanism that will make it possible for individuals or groups of individuals to submit a complaint to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in regard to violations of their economic, social and cultural rights by a State Party to that Protocol. It does not create any new substantive rights.

Discussions on the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR took place in a Working Group which held its first session in 2004. In June 2006, the UN Human Rights Council mandated the Working Group to negotiate the text of an Optional Protocol, and requested the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group to prepare a draft to serve as the basis for negotiations.

Following consideration by the UN Human Rights Council, the text of the Optional Protocol was presented last year to the UN General Assembly, which adopted the text by consensus on 10 December 2008, the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Officials of this Department were actively engaged at all stages of negotiation on the Optional Protocol, in consultation with other relevant Government Departments, our EU partners and other UN member States.

Inter-Departmental consultations on the possibility of Ireland's signature and ratification of the Optional Protocol are continuing, with this Department playing a co-ordination role. As this process has not yet been completed, Ireland was not in a position to sign the Optional Protocol when it opened for signature in New York on 24 September.

Seven States parties signed the Optional Protocol at the opening ceremony. Since then, a further 22 States have signed. I arranged for Ireland to be represented at the opening ceremony, even though we were not in a position to sign. No State has yet ratified the Optional Protocol. The Optional Protocol can only come into force three months after the deposit with the UN Secretary-General of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession.

I can assure the Deputy that I will make every effort to ensure that the consideration of Ireland's signature and ratification by relevant Government Departments is completed as quickly as possible.

Visa Applications.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
754 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of people who have applied for the intern work and travel programme which provides for a 12 month visa for Irish citizens to work in the USA; and the number of same who have been successful since its inception. [32983/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

The working holiday agreement which was concluded between the Irish and US governments in September last year became operational in January of this year. This agreement allows those enrolled in or recently graduated from, post secondary education to apply for a visa to work and live in the United States for a period of one year.

This reciprocal programme is also open to US citizens wishing to spend a year in Ireland. The agreement represents the successful completion of one strand of the government's three pronged strategy to address migration flows between Ireland and the USA. We continue to work with the US Administration to agree a reciprocal long term working visa and to find a solution for the undocumented Irish in America.

For Irish citizens the working holiday agreement is administered in two stages. In the first instance an application must be made to an authorised sponsoring organisation who take the decision to issue a DC-2019 form which applicants must then present to the American Embassy in Dublin who take the final decision to issue the visa. The largest sponsoring organisations are currently USIT Travel and the Boston Irish Immigration Centre (BIIC). These organisations have received 231 applications. While precise details of approvals are not available, I understand that the vast majority have been approved.

For American citizens, applications must be lodged through the embassy in Washington or one of our Consulates General throughout the USA. To date 102 visas have been issued, 15 applications have been approved but not yet issued and a further 5 are currently pending approval, subject to further documentation. There have been 10 refusals issued to American citizens who were not eligible for the programme.

The working holiday agreement has proved positive to date and the government will continue to work with the US authorities and other organisations to ensure its continuation.

Middle East Peace Process.

Michael D. Higgins
Share
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
755 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether it is consistent policy for Ireland to oppose the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank while at the same time allowing goods originating from those illegal settlements to be sold in the market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33061/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

Ireland's position on settlements is very clear, and has been consistently stated on many occasions in the Oireachtas, most recently in reply to Question 784 of the 16th September. Israeli settlement building, whether in East Jerusalem or in the West Bank, is illegal under international law and represents a primary obstacle to the two-State solution. Continued expansion of these settlements undermines the viability of a Palestinian State and makes the realisation of that goal harder to achieve.

The daily and cumulative injustices and humiliations which the whole settlement process entails for the Palestinian population serve to increase the risk of another large scale descent into violence. Within the EU, Ireland has worked hard to keep a sharp focus on this issue, and to ensure that the EU's concerns about settlement expansion are made known to the Israeli Government at every opportunity. I have also personally raised my deep concerns about the issue directly with Israeli leaders and officials, both here and in Israel.

Trade relations with Israel are governed by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides for preferential rates of duty on imports, in the same way as with many other countries. It is clear, however, that goods originating in settlements outside Israel proper are not entitled to avail of these preferential rates or exemptions, and full customs duties should be paid on them. This has been a subject of discussion between the EU Commission and Israel, and various measures have been established to make it possible to distinguish between Israeli and settlement goods. There are obvious difficulties in ensuring that this is 100% effective, and there is ongoing consideration of how this might be improved.

Control of imports into Ireland, including the identification of point of origin, are matters in the first instance for the Irish Customs Service.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
756 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33084/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

I have detailed as follows in tabular form the annual cost of Ministerial travel, which includes accommodation, commercial flights and travel subsistence incurred for each year from January 2004 to August 2009. The electronic accounting system currently in operation at my Department has only been in place since 2004 and it therefore has only been possible in the time available to obtain comprehensive figures since this date. As the Deputy will appreciate, the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs includes an obligation to undertake a significant amount of official travel overseas.

My Department is fully compliant with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. My Department also operates its own detailed internal travel guidelines and practises which ensure cost effective travel practises, both in Headquarters and throughout our network of 75 diplomatic missions abroad. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy, which embraces both Ministers and officials, is to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.

Annual Ministerial Travel Costs

2004*

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009 (January– August)

€

€

€

€

€

€

Minister Cowen

34,250

Minister Ahern

4,767

36,461

20,132

8,092

18,738

Minister Martin

4,875

2,896

Total:

39,017

36,461

20,132

8,092

23,614

2,896

Accommodation

Minister Cowen

21,580

Minister Ahern

980

16,064

16,447

9,517

5,271

Minister Martin

8,010

4,358

Total:

22,560

16,064

16,447

9,517

13,280

4,358

Subsistence

Minister Cowen

3,126

1,340

Minister Ahern

1,119

11,041

5,619

4,975

1,942

Minister Martin

3,928

1,802

Total:

4,246

12,381

5,619

4,975

5,870

1,802

Overall Total:

65,822

64,906

42,198

22,584

42,764

9,056

*2004 figures include all travel taken as a result of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union.

Human Rights Issues.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
757 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his policy on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33615/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

The Government is very concerned about the recent reports of violent incidents in Camp Ashraf, the situation of those detained and also the more general predicament of its residents.

Camp Ashraf is home to over three thousand members of the People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI), an Iranian opposition group that established itself in Iraq in 1986 at the invitation of Saddam Hussein. However, following the war in 2003 and the collapse of the previous regime, Iraq's new Government have made clear their unhappiness at the continued presence in Iraq of the PMOI. This is due both to the importance of improving relations with Iran, and to the past actions of the PMOI in support of Saddam Hussein's regime, including its involvement in attacks on Iraqi civilians.

Camp Ashraf and its inhabitants were afforded protection by the US military when the US occupied Iraq in 2003. Earlier this year the Iraqi Government resumed full control of responsibility for security in Iraq from the US military. It is therefore incumbent upon the Iraqi authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of those still living in the Camp and to prevent the recurrence of violence such as that which took place recently (after residents had clashed with Iraqi police following an attempt to establish a police station in the Camp).

The determination of the Iraqi authorities to establish sovereign control throughout their territory and to resist the establishment of any "no-go" areas is understandable. The critical point, however, is that there must be no question of a forcible return to Iran of the residents of the Camp. The Iraqi authorities have so far stated that they have no intention of doing this.

This year the Government, through Irish Aid, provided €200,000 in support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its programming in Iraq. This includes emergency assistance to those affected by the conflict as well as the promotion of international humanitarian law and protection activities, such as visits to detainees. The ICRC regularly visits Camp Ashraf in fulfilment of its protection mandate, and has regularly reminded the authorities of their obligation to ensure that those living in the Camp have access to such basic necessities as food, water and medical care.

I can assure you that the Government will continue to follow developments closely, both regarding the future of the Camp and the wider security situation in Iraq itself.

Overseas Development Aid.

Charlie O'Connor
Share
Charlie O'Connor
Question:
758 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to increase Ireland’s policy coherence for development following the critical remarks about our performance in this regard in the recent OECD-DAC review of Ireland; his further plans to address this issue by increasing the regularity of meetings of the Interdepartmental Committee on Development which he chairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33730/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
Share

The report of the review of Ireland's aid programme by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD was published in May. It provided a strong, independent endorsement of the programme and of the Government's development policies. The OECD praised Ireland's focus on the fight against global poverty and hunger, and the strong focus of the aid programme on the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It described Ireland as a champion in making aid more effective.

The OECD also noted the Government's commitment to an integrated policy approach to development across Departments, in line with the broad political consensus in Ireland that the fight against poverty is not merely a matter of providing overseas development assistance. It welcomed the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Development and recommended that it address inconsistencies and potential policy conflicts among key Government Departments.

The Government established the Inter-Departmental Committee on Development in April 2007, with the objective of strengthening coherence in our approach to development and making best use of the expertise and skills available across the public service. As the current Chair of the Committee, I am pleased that it has become the key forum for the sharing of knowledge and views on development issues across Departments, and that it has intensified the work of ensuring that a strong development perspective is integrated into Government decision-making in all relevant areas.

At the ninth meeting of the Committee, in July, we reviewed the findings and recommendations of the OECD peer review. I also welcomed the publication of a scoping report commissioned by Irish Aid which makes a series of recommendations, across Departments, on possible areas in which the coherence of development policy might be improved. This report, and the statements being prepared by a number of Departments on their contribution to the improvement of policy coherence on development issues, will be further considered at the next meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee later this month. As Chair of the Committee, I am committed to ensuring that Government Departments work together more closely so that the full range of our policies in areas including trade, the environment and agriculture support the long term objective of eradicating poverty and hunger among the world's poorest people.

International Co-operation.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
759 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to encourage further co-operation with Argentina following the recent conference at Farmleigh House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33878/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

I am pleased to report that two participants from Argentina attended the Global Irish Economic Forum. The Government is determined to build on the positive momentum generated at the Forum and to take forward the wide range of ideas suggested during the discussions.

I will shortly bring a comprehensive report of the Forum discussions and suggested outcomes to Government. This will include details of how the Government can continue to develop a more strategic relationship with the global Irish, including those living in Argentina.

The Government values its long-standing bilateral relationship with Argentina. It remains an important trading partner for Ireland and several major Irish companies have significant operations there. Earlier this year, I met with representatives of the State Agencies and the private sector to assess how the Government can provide increased support to advance the State's economic interests in Latin America, including in Argentina.

Since 2006, the Government has, through the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), been able to provide almost €140,000 in financial support to Irish-Argentine community associations to strengthen the links between these communities and Ireland. Further grant applications from Argentina are being considered as part of the current round of ESP funding and will be decided on over the coming weeks.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
760 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33902/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following table sets out, for both Votes, the details of experts and consultants commissioned to produce reports by the Department in 2008 and the costs in each case.

My Department, through Irish Aid (Ireland's official development assistance programme), occasionally commissions outside expertise where the specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and where the effective management and evaluation of the programme necessitates the presence of such skills. During the course of their engagements these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation. However, as they would not have been commissioned specifically to furnish a report, these details have not been included in the table.

Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2008.

Matter Reported On

Cost

€

Millward Brown

Research Project to establish reasons underlying the result of the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

138,061

Communications Clinic

The preparation of a detailed Communication Action Plan to be used to direct spending under the Department’s Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) in 2009.

48,000

Richard Sinnott, Johan A Elkink, Kevin O’Rourke and James McBride

Report on Attitudes and Behaviour in the Referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon

11,800

Mr Jim O’Leary

Assessment of Value for Money Review of the Passport Service.

7,260

Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2008

Matter Reported On

Cost

€

Copenhagen Development Consulting A/S.

Evaluation of Irish Aid Support to Primary Education in the Rwenzori Region, Uganda

96,665

Desam International Consultants — Uganda

Evaluation of Irish Aid Civil Society Programme — Uganda

19,500

Debebe — Ethiopia

Civil Society Fund Audit

3,000

Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd

Develop Irish Aid Tanzania Private Sector Support Strategy

36,414

National Forestry Authority Uganda

Environmental impact assessment of the construction improvement component of the post primary education and training programme (PPET) in Karamoja.

21,666

J Fitzpatrick Assoc

External Review of Irish Aid Support to Kimmage Development Studies Centre

66,550

Paud Murphy

Evaluation of Global e-Schools & Communities Initiative (GeSCI )

33,200

FSG Social Impact Advisors

Evaluation of International Partnership for Microbicides

139,000¹

Helen O’Neill

Assessment of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as potential partner for Irish Aid

4,000

Dr.Larry Adupa — Uganda

Documenting the process of establishing the civil society fund for HIV/AIDS response in Uganda

11,257

Prof Amon Z Mattee — Tanzania

Assessment of the performance of extension services delivery under ASDP in Tanzania

19,235

ITAD Ltd

Evaluation of Ireland’s Timor Leste Country Strategy 2004-2008

130,000

The IDL Group — Mozambique

Analysis of Opportunities to Support Rural Livelihood Security and Pro-poor Growth through the Public Sector

£30,851

Alicia da Silva Calane — Mozambique

Analytic Study on process and indicators to address gender related obstacles to achieving PROAGRI goals

10,000

Dr Barry Ryan

Review of the role of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the Partnership Programme for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PPECA)

15,000

Economics for the Environment Consultancy Ltd (eftec)

Review of Irish Aid’s Strategic Partnership’s Environment Programme 2006-2008:

30,000

Development Research Training (DRT) — Uganda

The Status of Chronic Poverty and Vulnerability in Karamoja

2,857

J Fitzpatrick Associates

Evaluation of Traidlinks

30,250

FRR/ IDL Group

Review of Irish Aid Programme in Zimbabwe

18,351

Dr. Joseph Oonyu — Uganda

Mid Term Review of Irish Aid Support to Human Resources Development for Increased Access to Primary Health Care.

$9640

Ishmaels K. B. Kabanukye and others

Mapping exercise of Gender Based Violence ( GBV) Programme in Uganda

20,000

Mary Jennings

Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation

15,770

Albert Malama

Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation

$10,800

Dr. Henk J.W Mustsaers

Review Operational Research for Food Security and Capacity Building and Evaluate Joint Mekelle and Cork Universities MSc Degree in Rural Development

30,600

John O’ Regan

Financial Assessment Component of an organisational Assessment on partner NGOs for Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS), Civil Society Fund, Block Grants & other Civil Society Funding Schemes

22,400

Declan O Neill

Foreign Currency Transaction Review for Embassy in Tanzania

15,000

Elim Serviços Lda-

Evaluation of Irish support to Technoserve

19,369

Health Tech Consulting — Mozambique

Evaluation of the Provincial Investment Plan 2004-2008 (PIPS) in Niassa Province (Mozambique)

25,000

John O’ Regan

Audit of Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) Partnership grants awarded to Self Help Development International

22,500

ITAD Ltd

Evaluation of the Uganda Country Strategy Paper 2007 -2009

88,760

Catherine Butcher

Review of HIV/AIDS programme in Northern Province (Zambia)

18,600

AGEMA — Mozambique

Vulnerability & Agriculture Extension Study

42,000

Jane Salvage

Feedback on evaluation of Irish Aids support to Health Rehabilitation Project for Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq

1,650

Integra Economic Development Consultants Ltd

Report to Inter-Departmental Committee on Development (IDCD) on development of skill sets

18,300

Petrus Consulting Ltd

Quality review of draft HIV and AIDS Value for Money Report

3.400

Prof. Ronan Conroy

Independent assessment of issues arising from review of a local HIV and AIDS Programme in Tanzania.

5,000

1The Department of Foreign Affairs paid 139,000 towards the cost of this report. The remainder of the total cost of 342,000 was borne by other donors.

In addition, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid (ABIA) commissioned two research programmes in 2008. These were Policy Coherence for Development and Agriculture which cost €199,608 and Policy Indicators Project which cost €69,840. Both contracts were awarded to the Institute for International Integration Studies (IIIS) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
761 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33953/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
762 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33968/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 761 and 762 together.

The following tables set out the numbers of staff in my Department who have availed of early retirement, whose contracts have been terminated or who have resigned since 2006, as well as the associated costs.

There are no Government agencies under the remit of the Department of ForeignAffairs.

Early Retirement

Year

Number of staff

Scheme

2006

1

Cost Neutral Early Retirement

2007

0

Not applicable

2008

0

Not applicable

2009 to date

16

Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement

The calculation of the pension benefits payable to retired members of my Department, including the appropriate lump sum due, is a matter for the Department of Finance. Accordingly, my Department is not in a position to provide information on the costs arising as a result of pension payments to individual officers who have availed of early retirement.

Contract Terminations

Year

Number of staff

Associated costs

€

2006

189

0

2007

140

73,262

2008

104

0

2009 to date

82

1,890

In 2007, payments were made to four individuals whose contracts were terminated. These payments were in accordance with contractual and legal obligations and comprised:

statutory redundancy;

a severance payment, based on a package sanctioned by the Department of Finance in 1994; and

pay in lieu of notice, as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973-2001.

In 2009, statutory redundancy payments were made to three officers upon termination of their contracts.

Resignations

Year

Number of staff

2006

14

2007

14

2008

8

2009 to date

6

Apart from the appropriate statutory pension entitlements that might arise, there were no costs associated with any of the resignations listed above.

Passport Applications.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
763 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) will be supported. [33982/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

The person concerned applied for citizenship, through the foreign births registration process, which allows the grandchildren of Irish born citizens to obtain citizenship. The application was made at the Office of the Consul General in New York. Her certificate of citizenship was provided to her on September 30 and a passport application was then submitted on October 1. The passport application is being processed and arrangements have been made for the person to collect her passport at the passport office in Dublin on October 7.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
764 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34316/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

My Department avails of the Department of Finance Central Framework for mobile telephony services. Under this procurement framework, my Department has contracts with both O2 and Vodafone, in place since October 2008, for the provision of all mobile telephony requirements, including for Ministers.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
765 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under its remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34343/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

The calculation of the pension benefits payable to retired members of my Department, including the appropriate lump sum due, is a matter for the Department of Finance, in accordance with the regulations governing these arrangements.

During the past three years, my Department has not sanctioned or applied for payment of any pension top-ups or discretionary pension-related payments outside the terms of those regulations.

There are no Government agencies under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
766 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34358/09]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
Share

No civil servants were dismissed from my Department during the period in question.

However, the Deputy may wish to note that, during this period, the Department initiated disciplinary proceedings in a very small number of cases where serious misconduct was alleged. In the cases concerned, the relevant officers resigned from the Civil Service before the disciplinary process was completed.

In light of legal and data protection considerations and the small number of officers involved, it is not possible to provide any further information about the cases in question, as to do so might identify the individuals concerned.

Overseas Development Aid.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
767 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will observe the commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid by 2012; if he will commit to maintaining the current level of expenditure on overseas aid between 2009 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
Share

In 2008, Ireland spent €920 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This represented approximately 0.59 % of our Gross National Product (GNP).

For 2009 the total budget for ODA is expected to reach €696 million. Based on current projections this will represent at least 0.48% of GNP. This means that Ireland will remain one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis.

The Government has established a target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2012. Achieving this target will be a challenge in the current economic circumstances. The Government will make a full assessment of our capacity to achieve it in the context of the preparation of the 2010 Budget.

The estimates process for 2010 is now underway leading to the Budget in December. As the Deputy is aware there are many competing demands for scarce resources. Our aim is to protect the aid programme to the maximum extent achievable within the context of the current difficult fiscal environment.

As the Deputy will appreciate I cannot give an undertaking in relation to the exact figure for development assistance for 2010 in advance of the Budget. This is ultimately a matter for the Minister for Finance. However, I can state that both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I will make the best possible case in support of the aid budget.

Decentralisation Programme.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
768 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost associated with temporary accommodation that was required to facilitate the decentralisation of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33486/09]

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
769 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of the new building acquired to accommodate the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism’s relocation to Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33487/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 769 together.

The breakdown of the property expenditure for the Department's relocation to Killarney under the Decentralisation Programme is a matter for the OPW. However, I understand that the total expenditure to date in this respect is €20.96m.

The total non-property expenditure to date for the Decentralisation Programme for the Department is €1.16m.

Arts Council.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
770 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number employed in the Arts Council in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

Details of the numbers employed in the Arts Council are shown in the following table.

Year

Number employed in whole time equivalents

2009

58.5

2008

61.0

2007

49.0

2006

45.0

2005

45.0

Arts Funding.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
771 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total amount expended in the per cent for art scheme in each year since 2000; the amount of funding from the scheme that went towards the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and not into public art; if the figures supplied are the total final costs and not the initial estimate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

The per cent for art scheme does not operate on the basis of a fund from which monies are drawn to undertake works of an artistic nature. Such works are instead factored into, and funded from, the budgets of the capital project in question by the relevant organisation undertaking the project and each department and agency may retain details of such expenditure. No funding is received by Department of Arts Sport and Tourism from the Per Cent for Arts Scheme.

In respect of my own Department, a total of €64,000 was spent on the scheme in 2008. All of this amount was expended on the commissioning of art in relation to the Department's new headquarters in Killarney. There was no expenditure by the Department under the scheme in the other years.

Sports Capital Programme.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
772 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will reopen the sports capital programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that building tender costs are down 40% in most cases and developments should go ahead at a greatly reduced cost, which would help to provide construction employment; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that many facilities are required to provide somewhere for young and unemployed people to exercise or socialise to prevent anti-social behaviour and to combat potential health problems of a physical and mental nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country.

Since 1998, through the Sports Capital Programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from basic sports facilities and new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional integrated multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence.

This investment is evidence of the importance that this Government places on sport. Sports facilities that are well-planned, built and managed have the ability to act as focal points for a community and allow more people to get involved in healthy activities. Participation in sport is important for many reasons. For individuals, participation has health benefits, builds confidence and gives people a sense of their worth. For society as a whole, sport can reduce anti-social behaviour while sporting success has the ability to lift the spirits of whole counties and even the whole country.

€56 million has been provided in my Department's Vote in 2009 out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation facilities. I expect that all of this funding will be drawn down by grantees by the end of year. It can be expected that many of the grantees drawing down this funding are benefiting from the reduction in construction costs this year.

No decision has been taken on the next round of the Programme.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
773 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33076/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

I am presuming that the Deputy is referring to expenses paid to Ministers in accordance with the Department of Finance travel and subsistence regulations. In this context the annual cost to the Department of expenses paid to Ministers related to overseas travel engagements from 2002, the date of establishment of the Department, to date is as follows:

Number

€

2002

1,336.33

2003

3,596.72

2004

2,977.47

2005

3,141.60

2006

3,603.97

2007

1,216.46

2008

5,241.83

2009

2,762.71

These amounts relate to expenses incurred by Ministers while overseas in the course of their official duties.

Sports Capital Programme.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
774 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if it is planned to have a new capital sports programme in 2010; the level of funding in the programme that is committed to projects but not drawn from previous announcements; the length of time available to a club to draw down funds once approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/09]

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
779 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his budgetary plans in relation to the national lottery funded sports capital development programme for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33867/09]

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
785 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the sports capital funding for community groups; if funding will be made available for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34180/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 774, 779 and 785 together.

The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country.

No decision has been made of the timing on the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.

The total level of outstanding commitments on hand at the end of 2008 was just over €175m. It is anticipated that outstanding commitments on hand at the end of 2009 will be below €120m.

When provisional allocations are made under the Sports Capital Programme grantees must comply with all the terms and conditions of the Programme and have completed a substantial amount of progress on their project to facilitate the draw down of the grant within 15-18 months. However, the Department adopts a flexible approach and tries to give clubs every opportunity to draw down grants. Where delays are excessive, or the project has ceased, the Department seeks to withdraw allocations.

Tourism Industry.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
775 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 25 March 2009, his plans to increase funding for regional marketing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33593/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

Operational responsibility for tourism marketing rests with the tourism agencies. In terms of the future funding for such campaigns, this will be considered as part of the normal discussions on the forthcoming Budget and the Departmental Estimates for 2010.

There is no doubt that the period to date in 2009 has been very difficult for tourism globally with all major international tourism destinations showing decreased numbers of visitors. Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show a reduction of 10.4% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first seven months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. While any reduction in the number of overseas visitors is disappointing, it must be seen in context. Ireland enjoyed several years of successive growth in visitor numbers, reaching a record of just over 8 million in 2007. In terms of the 2009 figures, Ireland is actually maintaining its position, or performing better than some other competitor destinations.

In terms of marketing campaigns, Tourism Ireland is keeping its programmes under constant review, to ensure necessary flexibility and responsiveness. It front-loaded its campaigns across all markets to secure as much business as possible for the peak and shoulder season and has now intensified its tactical and cooperative marketing activity for the second half of the year with an €18 million autumn campaign. An intensive marketing campaign is currently underway in the North American market. The campaign focuses mainly on the 8 gateways which offer direct services to the island, including those to Shannon. The “Ireland’s Wonderful West Awaits You” campaign is continuing and throughout September and October, Tourism Ireland is carrying out a five-week “Ireland’s Wonderful West Awaits You” online advertising campaign.

On the domestic front, Fáilte Ireland committed to its largest ever campaign to promote home holidays in 2009, with in excess of €3 million being invested in a year-round marketing programme promoting awareness of, and interest in, taking a home break. The Autumn Initiative, co-ordinated and implemented by Fáilte Ireland with additional funding from members of the tourism industry, was launched last month and is intended to boost business in September and October 2009.

While I know that our businesses and tourism agencies are responding positively to current challenges, it is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. Accordingly, I established the Tourism Renewal Group, which has been tasked with reviewing and, where appropriate, renewing the current tourism strategy to ensure that it is focused for the short term and, looking further ahead, that the tourist industry is well placed to benefit from the upturn when it comes. The Group has finalised its report, which contains recommendations in the form of a Framework for Action for the period to 2013 and it will be published very shortly.

Sports Capital Programme.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
776 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33817/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country.

No decision has been made of the timing of the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.

Since 1998, through the Sports Capital Programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. Included in this figure is over €120m in funding to soccer clubs.

This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from basic sports facilities and new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional integrated multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
777 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 24 September 2009, the timeframe on the progress of the review of the sports capital programme; when he expects the review to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33852/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

Work on the National Sports Facilities Strategy, which will provide an improved policy platform for any future rounds of the Programme, is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. It is my intention to publish the strategy once it has been completed and considered by the Government.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
778 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 24 September 2009, the projected direct Exchequer funding for the horse and greyhound fund; the progress made on the review of the funding structure of the horse and greyhound fund; when he expects to publish this financial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33853/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

As outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 24 September 2009, a review of the Horse & Greyhound Fund has been completed and is currently being considered in the context of deciding on the future funding options for these industries.

The level of funding to the horse and greyhound racing industries in 2010 will be dependent on overall budgetary conditions taking into account the significant contributions that these industries make to the economy in general and the rural economy in particular.

Question No. 779 answered with Question No. 774.

International Co-operation.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
780 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to encourage sport co-operation with Argentina; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33880/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

I recently met with the Ambassador of Argentina to discuss the possibility of sport cooperation between the two countries. It was an informative and interesting exchange. Officials in my Department are currently examining ways of maintaining and enhancing the sporting links that currently exist between the two countries.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
781 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33894/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

During 2008, the Department commissioned four reports from experts and/or consultants. The cost of each report is as set out in tabular form as follows.

Title/Purpose of Commissioned Report

Cost

€

Review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund

19,465

Church Records Microfilm and Records Numbers Survey (to identify and provide estimates of the record numbers of non-digitised Church registers)

5,808

Evaluation of Irish Sports Council Value for Money and Policy Review

3,267

Update of the Cost-Benefit Analysis for the National Museum at Collins Barracks

3,146

Sports Capital Programme.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
782 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the payment of a sports capital grant to a club (details supplied) in County Cork. [33941/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

The organisation in question was provisionally allocated a grant of €200,000 for the development of an all-weather training pitch under the Programme in 2006. A provisional grant allocation is 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 Department has been advised by the CSSO that, at the close of business yesterday, there are a number of legal matters outstanding in this regard and further documentation is awaited from the grantee's solicitors.

This documentation relates both to a Deed of Covenant and Charge for a portion of the site and to a Priority Agreement. Priority agreements are used to ensure that, where the club or organisation has debts to lending institutions, the Minister's investment and any other debts are listed in order of rank or priority.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
783 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33945/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
784 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33960/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together.

There were no persons who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in the Department in the years in question.

The information as requested by the Deputy in respect of the agencies under the aegis of the Department where early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations occurred is set out in the following tables.

Details for Tourism Ireland Ltd have not been included since they are a North / South body whose terms and conditions of employment are subject to agreement by the North South Ministerial Council.

Organisation: National Gallery of Ireland

Early Retirement

Termination of Contracts

Resignations

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

€

€

€

2006

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2007

nil

nil

nil

nil

1

**10,000

2008

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2009 (to date)

nil

nil

1

*20,000

nil

nil

Total

nil

nil

1

20,000

1

10,000

*The above cost represents a settlement in the context of an EAT appeal against a dismissal. Additional costs in this case covering legal and stenographer fees amounted to €25,000 approx. The year reflects that year where the payments were incurred.

**This was an ex-gratia payment made, with the approval of the Department of Finance, to a staff member who was on a rolling contract which was not renewed.

Organisation: National Concert Hall

Early Retirement

Termination of Contracts

Resignations

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

€

€

€

2006

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2007

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2008

nil

nil

1

11,604

nil

nil

2009 (to date)

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

Total

nil

nil

1

11,604

nil

nil

This was a net redundancy payment.

Organisation: National Sports Campus Development Authority

Early Retirement

Termination of Contracts

Resignations

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

€

€

€

2006

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2007

nil

nil

nil

nil

1

nil

2008

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2009 (to date)

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

Total

nil

nil

nil

nil

1

nil

Organisation: Fáilte Ireland

Early Retirement ( VER/VR)

Termination of Contracts

Resignations

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

No. Staff

Cost

€m

€

€

2006

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

2007

20

1.560

nil

nil

nil

nil

2008

4

0.525

nil

nil

nil

nil

2009 (to date)

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

nil

Total

24

2.085

nil

nil

nil

nil

The Department, with the sanction of the Department of Finance, authorised a targeted voluntary early retirement scheme in Fáilte Ireland in July 2007. The scheme provided for 24 departures from the organisation. It also provided for the creation of 8 new posts. The initial up-front cost of the scheme was estimated at €2.5m but with the reduction in numbers the scheme will be cost neutral over the period 2007 to 2012.

Question No. 785 answered with Question No. 774.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
786 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34309/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

The Minister's current mobile phone contract is with O2 Communications (Ireland) Limited. The pricing plan currently in effect is the O2 CORPORAT5 Plan. This pricing plan is subject to regular review to ensure the most cost-effective service is achieved.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
787 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under its remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34335/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

There have been no occasions on which the Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or of any agency under its ambit in the years 2006 to 2008, inclusive.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
788 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34350/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Martin Cullen)
Share

Over the past five years no civil servants in my Department have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract.

Departmental Programmes.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
789 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and location of volunteering centres here under active citizenship; the number of volunteers participating in each of the centres; and the amount of funding available to each of the centres in 2009. [33188/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)
Share

My Department provides annual funding to twenty one volunteer centres across the country. A list of the Volunteer Centres and the funding allocated by my Department in 2009 is set out below.

To date in 2009 over 7,600 individuals have registered to volunteer across the network of Volunteer Centres. This represents an increase in registrations on last year of more than 115%. In excess of 2,000 individuals have already been placed in volunteering opportunities that will generate more than 190,000 hours of volunteering this year.

In addition, the Volunteer Centres provide a wide range of services in supporting community & voluntary organisations and in promoting active citizenship events such as ‘Give it a Swirl Day', the national day of volunteering, which this year took place on 25 September.

Name of Volunteer Centre

Funding 2009

€

Carlow

135,907.20

Cork

106,015.68

Drogheda

135,599.04

Donegal

118,406.40

Dublin City North

210,240.00

Dublin City South

189,745.92

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

80,643.84

Fingal

134,287.68

Galway

118,275.00

Kerry

124,800.00

Kildare

125,270.40

Limerick City

41,273.28

Mayo

60,768.00

Meath

116,923.88

Monaghan

70,204.80

Sligo

122,789.09

South Dublin County

196,032.00

South Tipperary

129,312.00

West Limerick

108,617.28

Westmeath

123,782.40

Wicklow

113,354.88

Total

2,562,248.77

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
790 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the net effect of his proposed integration of the local development social inclusion programme and the community development programme with regard to counties Monaghan and Cavan; when the review of the community development programme will conclude; his plans for publishing the report arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33048/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)
Share

The LDSIP and the CDP are my Department's two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are delivered through separate local delivery structures.

I have already indicated that my strong view is that a single focused programme with a single integrated delivery structure is now needed in order to maximise the impact of these two programmes which serve disadvantaged communities. The Centre for Effective Services is currently preparing proposals for me in this regard, which will draw on good international practice and independent advice. I hope to receive this in the near future with a view to rolling out a new programme early next year.

In advance of proceeding to establish a single programme across CDPs and Partnerships, my Department has initiated an evaluation of individual Community Development Projects. Many of these projects span across two decades with quite diverse activities. Again, I hope to have proposals from my Department in the near future.

While I cannot be specific at this stage about the impact on specific bodies in the Cavan Monaghan area, disadvantaged communities will benefit from a more focused programme with clear objectives and simplified and streamlined delivery structures.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
791 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the events and their expense for each of the past ten years. [33078/09]

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

The annual cost, including relevant flights, subsistence and other expenses paid, of overseas travel in my official capacity as Minister for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 to date is set out in the table below. The primary purpose of each trip is also indicated.

It has not been possible within the time available to collate all of the information sought by the Deputy back to June 2002 when my Department was established. Relevant details for the period from June 2002 to end-2006 are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Table: 2007-2009 (to date)

Year

Destination

Purpose

Amount

€

2009

London

Attended Waterways Ireland (WI) exhibition at the London Boat Show with John Martin, CEO WI

473

Cardiff

Attended British Irish Council Summit Meeting

171

Australia

State Representative at St. Patrick’s Day events; meeting with Australian Premier Kevin Rudd; meetings with NSW Minister Tony Kelly; meetings with IDA clients; attended Enterprise Ireland events; visits to Irish Australian Welfare Bureaus

9,364

Canada

State Representative at the National Famine Commemoration events in Toronto and Quebec (also attended by Federal Minister Jim Prentice); visited Celtic Studies Department and delivered lecture on Great Famine in University of Toronto

3,788

Total

13,796

2008

London

Attended Waterways Ireland (WI) exhibition at the London Boat Show with Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, and John Martin, CEO WI

2,101

Brussels

Meeting with EU Commissioner for Rural Development; attended Conference on Multilingualism

1,652

Boston, USA

Meetings with Department of Celtic Studies and Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University; delivered lecture on membership of European Union; attended event for Irish community in Boston; meetings with faculty and students in Boston College; visited Irish Centre in Canton.

6,008

India

State Representative at St. Patrick’s day events. 400+ guests in Delhi and 850+ guests in Mumbai comprising Irish community, business and diplomatic guests. Undertook range of interviews supporting all-island agencies (e.g. Tourism Ireland, IDA and Enterprise Ireland); visited projects funded by Irish Aid in slum areas.

6,802

New York, USA

Delivered Barra Ó Donnabháin lecture in New York University; launch of Fulbright Irish Language Programme 2008-11 in Lehman College; visited NY Irish Arts Centre

6,822

Brussels

Meeting with EU Commissioner Fischer Boel

628

Milwaukee, USA

Meetings with Chancellor of University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and members of Faculty of Celtic Studies; speaker at Irish Fest Milwaukee attended range of Irish promotional events; meeting with Mayor of Milwaukee and Chamber of Commerce; attended commemoration of Omagh bombing.

7,603

Scotland

Meeting Scottish Government representatives, including Rt. Hon Mr. Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland, Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture, Richard Lochhead, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, John Swinney, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth; meetings with Rural Development Council, Inverness, Norman Gillies of Sabhal Mor Ostaig; Scottish National Access Forum/NGOs in relation to Rural Recreation and Walkways

2,559

Isle of Man

Meeting with Hon Allan Bell MHK, Treasury Minister; visit to Tynwald; meeting regarding rural development issues chaired by Hon Phil Gawne, MHK; visit to Bunscoil (Manx language primary school); tour of Cregneash, including meeting with native Manx speakers

467

Boston/New York/Portland, USA

Guest of honour at 100 year celebration of the Mayo County Association; unveiling of plaque in honour of Éamon de Valera; visit to exhibition by Irish artist Joseph Walsh, attend Inter-county football match in Gaelic Park; visit Catholic Memorial High school to meet students in Irish language programme; official opening of Maine Irish Heritage centre; presentation with key to City by Mayor of Portland

7,097

Total

41,739

2007

London

Attended Waterways Ireland (WI) exhibition at the London Boat Show with CEO WI; launched new WI publication “Ireland: Waterways Map & Directory”

1,047

Phoenix, USA

State Representative at St. Patrick’s Day events in Phoenix; meeting with Bob Walkup, Mayor of Tucsan; meeting with Office of Economic Development in University of Arizona; meeting with Irish Business Network; meeting with Mayor of Phoenix, Phil Gordon; tour of Irish Art Collection in Phoenix Art Museum; visit to Irish Cultural Centre

15,528

Bonn, Germany

Attended and gave lecture at the International Congress on Celtic Studies

722

Cleveland, USA

Guest of Honour at Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland; meeting with Mayo people living in Cleveland; radio interviews

7,396

Total

24,693

Security of the Elderly.

Richard Bruton
Share
Richard Bruton
Question:
792 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the high risk to older people living alone, he has reconsidered the interruption to the elderly reassurance community scheme formerly operated by him in conjunction with voluntary groups. [33116/09]

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
793 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will ensure that funding is released for the community support for older people scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33119/09]

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
797 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the suspension of the scheme of community support for older people; if his Department officials have concluded their review of the scheme’s operation, which began in May 2009; if a report will be made available outlining his Department’s findings; and when the scheme is expected to recommence. [33300/09]

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
803 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects to re-establish the scheme of community support for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33669/09]

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
809 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are plans to re-introduce the personal alarm security pendants for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33750/09]

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
820 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects that the personal alarm scheme will be re-introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34457/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 792, 793, 797, 803, 809 and 820 together.

I refer the Deputies to my answer to Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 from earlier today.

Departmental Funding.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
794 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the lack of funding for youth and community groups to engage in media training, in view of the fact that such funding is available in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33239/09]

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

I am not aware of any significant demand in this area. If the Deputy has a specific instance in mind, I am happy to consider whether there is any appropriate action that I can take.

National Drugs Strategy.

Maureen O'Sullivan
Share
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
795 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he will take in relation to the selling of a substance called snow, a legal substance being sold as bath salts but which is being compared to cocaine. [33262/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)
Share

While I have responsibility for the co-ordination of the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, my colleague, Mary Harney T.D., Minister for Health and Children, has responsibility for the implementation of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984. Regulations made under these Acts control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the schedules to the Acts. Substances are scheduled under the Acts in accordance with Ireland's obligations under international conventions and/or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland.

As the Deputy points out "snow" is not currently scheduled under Misuse of Drugs legislation and I understand that it is being sold in so-called headshops and through the internet.

As part of its work, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs looks at information exchange and risk assessment in regard to new synthetic drugs within EU Member States. The NACD is aware of the substance in question and I understand that it will be considered at the next meeting of its Early Warning and Emerging Trends Sub-committee.

Meanwhile, through an action under the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, led by the Department of Health & Children, it is proposed to monitor the activities of headshops, and all businesses involved in the sale of psychoactive substances, with the objective of ensuring that no illegal activity is undertaken.

Harbours and Piers.

Pádraic McCormack
Share
Pádraic McCormack
Question:
796 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the harbour dues owed from late 2003 and early 2004 to date in 2009; the grant moneys paid for the same period; if there have been prosecutions for non–payment of dues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33284/09]

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

Responsibility for matters relating to harbour dues rests with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

I can confirm that my Department has paid subsidies in respect of passenger and cargo ferry services on the route referred to by the Deputy in his "details supplied" and I am arranging to have the relevant information forwarded directly to him.

Question No. 797 answered with Question No. 792.

Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge.

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
798 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil moladh an Ghrúpa Speisialta ar Uimhreacha na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Cláir Chaiteachais maidir le scéimeanna tacaíochta d’áiseanna spóirt, pobail agus cultúrtha á mheas ina Roinn faoi láthair agus an bhfuil sé ar intinn aige iad a choinneáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [33626/09]

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
799 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad é an tionchar a bheidh ag an mholadh ón nGrúpa Speisialta ar Uimhreacha na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Cláir Chaiteachais laghdú de €1 mhilliún a dhéanamh ar chiste na Gaeilge agus cén tionchar a bheidh ag laghdú dá leithéid ar na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge. [33627/09]

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
800 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil na moltaí ón nGrúpa Speisialta ar Uimhreacha na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Cláir Chaiteachais maidir le deireadh a chur le scéimeanna bóthair, céanna, oileán agus soláthair uisce á mheas ag a Roinn; an bhfuil sé ar intinn na scéimeanna a choinneáil nó cuid acu a chur ar ceal; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [33628/09]

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
801 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil an moladh ón nGrúpa Speisialta ar Uimhreacha na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Cláir Chaiteachais maidir le scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, agus scéim dheontais na mná tí, á scrúdú ag a Roinn faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [33629/09]

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
802 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad é an ceangal idir Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Fiontar Éireann chomh fada is a bhaineann le fostaíocht Ghaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [33630/09]

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
819 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an féidir leis gealltanas a thabhairt nach gcuirfear scéimeanna Labhairt na Gaeilge agus na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar ceal (sonraí iniata); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34366/09]

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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 798 go dtí 802, agus 819 le chéile.

Beidh na hábhair atá luaite ag na Teachtaí le breithniú ag leibhéil an Rialtais, ní hamháin i gcomhthéacs na Cáinaisnéise 2010, ach freisin i gcomhthéacs na hoibre atá idir lámha ag an gCoiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht i ndáil leis an Straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge.

Question No. 803 answered with Question No. 792.

Community Workers.

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
804 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people who are employed as community workers, family resource centre workers, community action network staff, partnership staff, outreach workers, community project workers, child care staff and local employment scheme workers in the Dublin 6W area whose wages are paid with funds from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33710/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
805 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people who are employed as community workers, family resource centre workers, community action network staff, partnership staff, outreach workers, community project workers, child care staff and local employment scheme workers in the Dublin 8 area whose wages are paid with funds from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
806 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people who are employed as community workers, family resource centre workers, community action network staff, partnership staff, outreach workers, community project workers, child care staff and local employment scheme workers in the Dublin 10 area whose wages are paid with funds from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33712/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
807 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people who are employed as community workers, family resource centre workers, community action network staff, partnership staff, outreach workers, community project workers, child care staff and local employment scheme workers in the Dublin 12 area whose wages are paid with funds from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
808 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people who are employed as community workers, family resource centre workers, community action network staff, partnership staff, outreach workers, community project workers, child care staff and local employment scheme workers in the Dublin 20 area whose wages are paid with funds from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33714/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 804 to 808, inclusive. together.

As the Department is not the employer in any of the instances above (and indeed in some cases may not provide any funding to sponsoring groups) all issues relating to those employees are matters for the individual organisations and should be addressed directly to them.

Question No. 809 answered with Question No. 792.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
810 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33896/09]

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

My Department commissioned 10 reports from consultants during 2008, details of which are set out in the table below.

I should add that my Department has made available on its website details regarding consultancies (excepting those of minor value, i.e., less than €5,000, excluding VAT) relating to the period since its establishment in June 2002 up to the end of August 2009.

Consultancies (excepting those of a value less than €5,000, excluding VAT) commissioned by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2008

Consultancy Description

Consultant

Start Date

End Date

Estimated Cost

Paid to 31 August 2009

€

€

Audit of assessment process for Funding Scheme for National Community & Voluntary Organisations

Goodbody Economic Consultants

01-Apr-08

22-Oct-08

9,619

9,620

Quantifying economic value of non-profit sector in Ireland

Centre for Non-profit Management, TCD

01-Apr-08

14-Nov-08

17,000

17,000

Professional assistance relating to PEACE II and INTERREG IV Programmes

Robert Browne

25-Feb-08

11-Apr-08

14,376

14,376

Advice on formulation of 20 year Strategic Plan for Irish

Fiontar DCU

08-Feb-08

08-Feb-09

299,281

299,280

Provision of HR services to Local Development Companies — Cohesion Process

Mazars

01-Jun-08

30-May-09

85,818

85,818

Technical advice in relation to procurement process

Achilles Procurement Services Ltd

01-May-08

Contract cancelled 12 Jan 09 as tender competition no longer proceeding

9,287

3,999

Assistance with tender process for provision of management services to airstrips on or serving offshore islands

Air Transport Group, Cranfield University

01-Oct-08

28-Feb-09

33,880

25,152

Support to Steering Group for new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016

PA Consulting

07-Apr-08

08-Aug-08

183,582

189,939 (incl expenses)

Report on employment needs and development potential of islands

FGS Consulting

19-Nov-08

31-Mar-09

50,787

39,243

Audit of contracts awarded for passenger ferry services to Aran Islands

Goodbody Economic Consultants

03-Oct-08

14-Apr-09

6,094

6,094

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
811 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department of early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33947/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
812 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33962/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 812 together.

I enclose the information requested by the Deputy in the table below.

In cases of retirement from my Department, there is no direct cost as the cost of retirement benefit for retired civil servants is met from the Superannuation Vote 7.

Additional costs as they relate to early retirement lump sums are indicated in the attached.

2006

Number of Early Retirements

Additional Lump sum costs of Early Retirements

Number of Terminations of Contracts

Cost of Termination of Contracts

Number of Resignations

Cost of Resignations

€

€

€

Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

4

24,000

0

0

3

0

Office of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Choimisinéir Teanga

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterways Ireland

0

0

0

0

7

0

Western Development Commission

0

0

1

0

1

0

Údarás na Gaeltachta

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster Scots Agency

0

0

0

0

0

0

Foras na Gaeilge

0

0

0

0

2

0

2007

Number of Early Retirements

Additional Lump sum costs of Early Retirements

Number of Terminations of Contracts

Cost of Termination of Contracts

Number of Resignations

Cost of Resignations

€

€

€

Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

0

0

2

90,792

4

0

Office of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Choimisinéir Teanga

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterways Ireland

0

0

1

15,000

6

0

Western Development Commission

0

0

1

0

3

0

Údarás na Gaeltachta

1

26,663

0

0

0

0

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster Scots Agency

0

0

0

0

1

0

Foras na Gaeilge

1

0

0

0

5

0

2008

Number of Early Retirements

Additional Lump sum costs of Early Retirements

Number of Terminations of Contracts

Cost of Termination of Contracts

Number of Resignations

Cost of Resignations

€

€

€

Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

1

0

3

0

2

0

Office of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Choimisinéir Teanga

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterways Ireland

1

11,747

0

0

6

0

Western Development Commission

0

0

0

0

1

0

Údarás na Gaeltachta

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster Scots Agency

0

0

0

0

2

0

Foras na Gaeilge

0

0

1

4,240

0

0

2009 — Date

Number of Early Retirements

Additional Lump sum costs of Early Retirements

Number of Terminations of Contracts

Cost of Termination of Contracts

Number of Resignations

Cost of Resignations

€

€

€

Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

1

0

7

62,632

1

0

Office of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Choimisinéir Teanga

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterways Ireland

0

0

0

0

2

0

Western Development Commission

1

0

1

0

0

0

Údarás na Gaeltachta

0

0

0

0

0

0

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster Scots Agency

0

0

0

0

1

0

Foras na Gaeilge

1

0

0

0

3

0

National Drugs Strategy.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
813 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the resources committed by him in each of the past three years in combatting drugs in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34011/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)
Share

Funding for Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas in 2009 will be approximately €32m. Of this amount, over €22m is being allocated to the Local Drugs Task Forces while over €10m is being earmarked for the Regionals.

In relation to Co. Kildare, which is part of the South West RDTF area, the following allocations have been made:

Project Details

2007

2008

2009

€

€

€

*Drug Prevention Education Initiative

105,106

146,634

104,954

Raising Capacity

50,000

*Community Addiction Team — Kildare West Wicklow

203,000

340,112

175,000

The Abbey Project

66,301

35,223

*ARAS (Abbey and KWWCAT )

250,000

Counselling Pool — Kildare focused areas

15,000

110,750

*Under 18’s Service — Kildare, West Wicklow

20,000

58,221

104,459

Innovation Fund — Kildare areas funded

50,000

40,850

41,080

Harm Reduction Study

40,000

Project Information Management System (PIMS)

40,000

Once-off Initiatives

Dial 2 stop drug dealing

20,000

Cocaine Drug Awareness Campaign

20,000

Newbridge Family Resource Centre

22,354

Family Support Funding

63,700

625,460

876,118

981,182

*The Drugs Prevention Education Initiative, ARAS and the Under 18's are projects that cover the region.

In addition, some of the other funding provided to the South West RDTF provides broader benefits across its region of operation, including Co. Kildare. Approx. €170,000 has also been made available to Teen Challenge, a rehabilitation project at Shechem House, Richardstown, Co. Kildare, arising from applications through the South Inner City LDTF in Dublin.

Finally, as the Deputy is aware, the National Drugs Strategy is based on a co-ordinated effort across many Government Departments and Agencies and my Department's allocation is only part of a much bigger investment programme in drugs services by these other bodies. In 2008, it was estimated that expenditure on drugs programmes across all the bodies was in the region of €275m and initial indications are that this level will be broadly maintained in 2009.

Departmental Programmes.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
814 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of rural development funding paid out here in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008; the proportion of this money which went to County Mayo; the bodies administering these funds; and the proportion of the funding administered by each body. [34049/09]

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

Within my Department, the main programmes delivering rural development funding include the CLÁR Programme, the Rural Social Scheme and the LEADER Programmes (now part of the Rural Development Programme 2009-2013).

The funding provided under these programmes, both nationally and for County Mayo for the years in question, is set out in the following tables:

CLÁR Programme

Year

Total CLÁR funding

CLÁR funding in Co. Mayo

€

€

2006

23,015,541.33

3,478,687.64

2007

21,329,361.58

5,434,527.33

2008

24,178,471.46

4,297,180.68

Total

68,523,374.37

13,210,395

Rural Social Scheme

Groups covering Mayo

2006

2007

2008

South West Mayo Development Ltd.

2,743,129.00

3,385,251.00

3,474,941

Western Rural Development Ltd

3,687,910.00

4,479,785.00

4,654,117.00

Comhar Iorrais LEADER Teo

313,890.00

428,151.00

408,982.00

Meitheal Forbatha NA Gaeltachta Teo (MFG)

3,076,364.00

3,804,270.00

3,942,854.00

*Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann

286,300

319,473.00

334,317.00

*Údarás na Gaeltachta

2,970,464.00

3,427,883.00

3,570,523.00

Total funding for groups covering Co. Mayo

13,078,057.00

15,844,813.00

16,385,734.00

Total National Funding

38,604,429.00

46,955,606.00

48,576,974.00

LEADER Programmes

2006

2007

2008

LEADER +

NRDP

LEADER +

NRDP

LEADER+

NRDP

South West Mayo Development Company Ltd.

N/A

487,979

N/A

325,577

N/A

117,384

**Western Rural Development Ltd.

808,612

263,018

401,014

94,838

39,879

46,794

Comhar Iorrais Leader Teo.

N/A

379,835

N/A

347,246

N/A

449,747

**MFG

N/A

56,492

N/A

53,360

N/A

5,043

**Comhdhail Oileáin na hEireann

N/A

141,054

N/A

51,872

N/A

0

Total for Mayo

808,612

1,328,378

401,014

872,893

39,879

618,968

National Programme Total

17,120,696

15,952,742

10,024,280

6,818,114

2,902,834

3,047,894

N/A= Not applicable. LEADER+ was only delivered by Western Rural Development in Co Mayo. NRDP = National Rural Development Programme.

*Údarás na Gaeltachta, MFG and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann cover areas both inside and outside of Mayo; the funding indicated for these Groups is the full funding provided, covering both Co. Mayo and other areas.

**Under the LEADER Programmes, the amounts in respect of Western Rural Development Ltd, MFG & Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann relate to Mayo only.

Departmental Schemes.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
815 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of people currently working on rural social schemes on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34222/09]

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

There are 2,600 participant places available under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and 130 supervisor positions (Full-time equivalent).

As the number of participants on the Scheme varies from week to week, the attached table sets out the number of participants and supervisors on the Scheme for week ending 2nd October 2009.

At present, there are vacancies for 8 participants and 1 supervisor.

Participant and Supervisor Breakdown at end of week 39 of 2009 (W/E 2/10/09)

County

Participant

Supervisor

Total

Co. Carlow

18

1

19

Co. Cavan

84

5

89

Co. Clare

115

6

121

Co. Cork

165

9

174

Co. Donegal

227

12

239

Co. Galway

282

13

295

Co. Kerry

283

16

299

Co. Kildare

23

1

24

Co. Kilkenny

18

1

19

Co. Laois

23

1

24

Co. Leitrim

98

4

102

Co. Limerick

77

4

81

Co. Longford

54

3

57

Co. Louth

11

0

11

Co. Mayo

561

29

590

Co. Meath

14

0

14

Co. Monaghan

40

2

42

Co. Offaly

47

2

49

Co. Roscommon

148

7

155

Co. Sligo

130

5

135

Co. Tipperary

66

5

71

Co. Waterford

13

0

13

Co. Westmeath

36

2

38

Co. Wexford

41

2

43

Co. Wicklow

18

1

19

2,592

131

2,723

Note: there are 129 full-time equivalent supervisor positions filled under the RSS as two of the posts are being filled on a job-sharing basis (2 positions = 4 people).

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
816 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34311/09]

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

I can confirm that following a tender competition for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy, my Department awarded a three-year contract to a company in December 2008. All of the services in question to my Department, including those supplied to me as Minister and to the Minister of State, are provided for under that contract.

The Deputy will appreciate the difficulty in being more specific in my reply, given the ‘details supplied' format adopted by him. However, if he requires any further information, I will be glad to provide it to him.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
817 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under its remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34337/09]

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

I can confirm to the Deputy that no such occasions have arisen in 2007, 2008 or 2009 to date.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
818 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34352/09]

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

One civil servant in my Department was dismissed earlier this year due to the person's failure to fulfil the terms of their probationary contract. There were no cases of the nature referred to by the Deputy during the period 2005-08.

Question No. 819 answered with Question No. 798.

Question No. 820 answered with Question No. 792.

National Drugs Strategy.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
821 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to increase or improve funding to community based groups involved in the fight against drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34563/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware, the majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces.

The current allocation for the Drugs Task Forces for this year is in the order of €32m.

Capital funding of around €4.5m was also allocated in 2009. This allocation will fund existing and some new initiatives under the Premises Initiative Fund and it will also complete the outstanding commitments under the once-off 2008 Regional Youth Initiative Fund.

Overall, I am satisfied that the funding being provided in 2009 by my Department will continue to facilitate the delivery of valuable community-based initiatives to help address problem drug use.

The Deputy will be aware that the Drugs Strategy is based on a co-ordinated approach across many Government Departments and Agencies and my Department's allocation is part of a much bigger investment programme in drugs services by these other bodies. In 2008, it was estimated that total expenditure on drugs programmes was over €275m and initial indications are that this level will be broadly maintained in 2009.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
822 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding accruing to his Department on a monthly basis in each of the past five years to date from the dormant accounts fund; if this represents the total receipts to Government from the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34564/09]

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

The Dormant Accounts Fund Acts provides for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in accounts determined to be dormant into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). Section 12 of the Dormant Accounts Act 2001 provides that financial institutions transfer the moneys in account determined as dormant before the 30th April each year. In general, all transfers to the Dormant Accounts Fund occur in the months of March and April each year. Reclaims by account holders may be made at any time during the year.

Since its establishment in May 2003, the net transfers to the Dormant Accounts Fund have been just over €334.1m. Net transfers to the end of August 2009 totalled some €41.3m. The comparable figures for previous years are set out below:

Year

€m

2003

196.2

2004

56.0

2005

40.8

2006

80.1

2007

66.3

2008

33.0

The value of the Fund at the end of August 2009, net of liabilities, was some €49.1m. This figure excludes around €48.5m maintained in a Reserve Account to meet future reclaims by account holders and to cover expenses associated with the operation of the Fund.

Community Development.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
823 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of the RAPID programme in each year since its inception; the extent to which the various activities under the programme are expected to be affected by budgetary cutbacks on a county and regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34565/09]

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

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within 51 designated RAPID areas nationally. As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding, the progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas and associated costs involved in support and delivery of the Programme.

My Department, supported by Pobal, co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID Programme and funds the cost of this support.

I initiated the RAPID leverage schemes in 2004 in order to support small-scale projects identified locally by the Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by the relevant agencies and fund projects that focus on estate enhancement, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities, and the provision of playgrounds and multi-use games areas.

The following table shows the expenditure under these headings since 2004.

Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009*

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Co-ordination

1.3

0.993

1.333

1.557

1.494

1.4

Leverage

1.978

4.516

4.545

5.316

8.083

7.09

Total

3.278

5.509

5.878

6.873

9.577

8.49

*Estimated 2009 outturn.

My Department continues to fund the co-ordination of the Programme and to process claims lodged under the different Leverage Schemes under the 2009 voted allocation.

In effect although funding for some programmes operated by my Department has been reduced, I still expect that a sufficient spend will be made in order to ensure continued positive impact across RAPID areas.

Question No. 824 answered with Question No. 136.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
825 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent of the effect of budgetary cutbacks on the CLÁR programme on a county and regional basis here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34567/09]

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

The CLÁR Programme continues to provide valuable support for infrastructural investment in disadvantaged rural areas. Under the Programme, expenditure of €15.86m has been provided for in 2009 and as a result, a high number of projects will continue to be implemented throughout the country.

CLÁR is demand driven and is operated as a single national Programme for areas that have suffered significant depopulation, rather than by way of allocations on a county or regional basis. Accordingly, expenditure will always vary year-on-year under the Programme between counties and regions, depending on the projects identified by those Government Departments/Agencies and Local Authorities with which the CLÁR Programme co-funds.

Questions Nos. 826 to 830, inclusive, answered with Question No. 136.

National Carers Strategy.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
831 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason she will not publish the national carers’ strategy; the total cost of same; the reason for not publishing the strategy even if it cannot be implemented; if her attention has been drawn to the money saved in the health system by carers looking after dependants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33000/09]

Pat Rabbitte
Share
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
852 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the national carers’ strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33056/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 831 and 852 together.

The Government is acutely aware and appreciative of the contribution made by carers to people needing ongoing care and support. In recognition of this, considerable improvements have been made in recent years in services and supports for carers.

Over the past decade, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit, half-rate carer's allowance and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.

In Budget 2009, the rate of carer's allowance for those aged 66 or over increased by €7 to €239 per week and for those aged under 66 by €6.50 to €220.50 per week. These increases took effect from January 2009. Recipients of carer's allowance are also eligible for household benefits and free travel and the respite care grant.

It is estimated that the combined expenditure on carer's allowance, carer's benefit, the respite care grant and half-rate carer's allowance will be €650 million in 2009.

During 2008 an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, with secretariat support provided by my Department, undertook work, including a public consultation process to develop a National Carers' Strategy. However, because of the prevailing economic situation, it was not possible to set targets or time lines which could be achieved. In that context, rather than publishing a document which did not include any significant plans for the future, the Government decided not to publish a strategy. This position remains unchanged.

All work on the development of the strategy including research, the management of the public consultation process and the preparation of draft material was carried out by officials in my Department in conjunction with the members of the interdepartmental working group. The public consultation process undertaken between February and April 2008 was advertised in all regional and national newspapers at a cost of €128,000. The work carried out by the interdepartmental group and the submissions made to it have been useful and will of course contribute to the development of carers policy in the future.

Equal Opportunities Employment.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
832 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will apply the disability criteria on employment to the new decentralised public offices that will open at a location (details supplied) in County Donegal in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33091/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The disability criteria will apply to the new decentralised public office in County Donegal as one of many locations in the Department to which the employment criteria on staff with disabilities applies.

The target of 3% for the employment of people with a disability under Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 is an overall target for the Department. It is not a requirement for individual offices. Within this Department the target is currently exceeded. Recruitment to the Department is through the Public Appointments Service, which adheres to a Code of Practice for the Appointment of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
833 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for exceptional needs payment will be awarded in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33140/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.

The Dublin/Mid Leinster area of the HSE has advised that it made an exceptional needs payment to the persons concerned on 26 August 2009. There is no record of a more recent claim for an exceptional needs payment. If the people concerned wish to claim such a payment, they should contact their local community welfare officer.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
834 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was deemed not to qualify for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33297/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that they require care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. This care and attention must be provided by another person, effectively full time, so as to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received from the person in question on 21st July 2009. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child did not satisfy the medical criteria pertaining to the scheme.

A letter issued to the person in question on 21st September 2009 advising of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance on the basis that the medical criteria had not been satisfied. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or request that the case be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor.

Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer, they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
835 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will ensure the retention of the dental treatment benefit scheme on behalf of the dental profession, their staff and the two million people here who are eligible for treatment benefits that they have paid for in good faith through PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33358/09]

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
842 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to abolish the dental treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33888/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 842 together.

The proposal to discontinue the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme will be considered as part of the Estimates and Budget process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
836 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in receipt of social welfare payments will receive their Christmas bonus in 2009. [33529/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Christmas Bonus payment was introduced in December, 1980, for social welfare pensioners and people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. There have been a number of developments in this scheme since its inception, including upward and downward adjustments in the level of the bonus payment.

Each year the Government makes a decision on the payment of the Christmas Bonus having regard to the prevailing economic circumstances. This year it has been necessary for the Government to take steps to reduce overall public expenditure so as to restore order and stability to the public finances.

In this context, the decision was made that the Christmas Bonus would not be paid in 2009. The decision was announced in the April 2009 Supplementary Budget.

Tax and Social Welfare Codes.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
837 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of tax revenue which would be raised on a 2010 and full year basis by abolishing the employee PRSI ceiling in view of the relevant recommendation set out in the Commission on Taxation report 2009. [33767/09]

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
843 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount that would be raised by abolishing the ceiling on PRSI. [34434/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 843 together.

Current estimates indicate that the abolition of the PRSI ceiling would yield some €119.5 million additional contribution income in a full year.

Under the PRSI system, social insurance contributions are compulsorily payable by employers and employed and self-employed workers. In relation to employee's contributions, the amount payable is determined by reference to reckonable earnings in a weekly period, and is subject to a range of thresholds and an annual ceiling. The PRSI exemption on low earnings stands at €352 per week. People with incomes at that level or below are exempt from PRSI. Once a person earns above this level their total income, up to the annual ceiling, is chargeable to PRSI but they are entitled to a PRSI-Free Allowance of €127 per week.

The employee PRSI ceiling is reviewed annually in accordance with the legislative stipulations of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 and is currently €75,036. Any future changes to the PRSI ceiling would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
838 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of tax revenue which would be raised on a 2010 and full year basis by subjecting employees’ unearned income, such as investment income and rental income, to PRSI in view of the relevant recommendation set out in the Commission on Taxation report 2009. [33768/09]

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
839 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of tax revenue which would be raised on a 2010 and full year basis by subjecting share-based remuneration, including share options, to PRSI in view of the relevant recommendation set out in the Commission on Taxation report 2009. [33769/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 838 and 839 together.

Pay related social insurance is not a tax. Therefore additional revenue raised from any change to the PRSI system goes directly to the social insurance fund rather than the Exchequer.

The payment of PRSI primarily relates to income derived from reckonable earnings from employment or self-employment. The Commission on Taxation has recommended a further widening of the PRSI base so that both unearned income such as investment income and rental income and share-based remuneration should be subject to PRSI.

In regard to unearned income at present, self-employed contributors pay PRSI on rental income. In addition while employed contributors are not generally subject to PRSI on investment income and rental income there is a liability where the individual concerned also has trade, professional or partnership income in which case they are chargeable to PRSI as a self employed contributor on rental income. Therefore, a significant amount of rental income is already subject to PRSI.

Share based remuneration is currently not included in the PRSI base as it is not considered as reckonable earnings, reckonable emoluments or reckonable income under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.

It is not possible therefore, to estimate of the potential yield for rental income and share based remuneration which is currently not subject to PRSI.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
840 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when persons (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their application for rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33825/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

The Executive has advised that the persons concerned made an application for rent supplement but no decision has been made on the application to date. An industrial dispute involving some of the Community Welfare Officers in the Cork/Kerry region, which had disrupted processing of rent supplement applications, has recently been resolved and the Executive has advised that the application of the persons concerned is now being processed.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
841 Deputy Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an application for rent allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33837/09]

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
859 Deputy Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an application for rent allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33109/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 841 and 859 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

The Executive has advised that the person concerned was in receipt of rent supplement until 1 August 2009. She has made a new application for rent supplement but no decision has been made on the application to date. An industrial dispute involving some of the Community Welfare Officers in the Cork/Kerry region which had disrupted processing of rent supplement applicants has recently been resolved and the Executive has advised that this persons application is now being processed.

Question No. 842 answered with Question No. 835.

Question No. 843 answered with Question No. 837.

Departmental Expenditure.

Richard Bruton
Share
Richard Bruton
Question:
844 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of the social welfare bill in each month since January 2008 to September 2009. [34580/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Monthly gross expenditure under the Department's Vote 38 and the Social Insurance Fund from January 2008 to July 2009 is set out in the table at Appendix 1. Expenditure figures for August and September 2009 have not yet been finalised.

Appendix 1

Month

Gross expenditure under Vote 38

Gross expenditure under Social Insurance Fund

Total

€

€

€

2008

Jan

758,849,445

620,300,407

1,379,149,852

Feb

739,951,824

726,043,372

1,465,995,196

Mar

707,259,897

648,438,672

1,355,698,569

Apr

745,486,811

641,513,897

1,387,000,708

May

798,546,841

725,798,954

1,524,345,795

Jun

821,398,105

638,076,715

1,459,474,820

Jul

802,999,359

670,136,312

1,473,135,671

Aug

754,835,508

718,509,481

1,473,344,989

Sep

763,939,426

685,052,899

1,448,992,325

Oct

857,674,226

770,745,020

1,628,419,246

Nov

782,934,332

699,442,242

1,482,376,574

Dec

984,215,074

855,688,963

1,839,904,037

Total

9,518,090,848

8,399,746,934

17,917,837,782

2009

Jan

804,557,487

770,762,488

1,575,319,975

Feb

830,836,609

732,042,993

1,562,879,602

Mar

841,730,736

796,890,905

1,638,621,641

Apr

888,001,083

780,586,095

1,668,587,178

May

847,751,115

785,207,572

1,632,958,687

Jun

1,017,015,367

887,356,954

1,904,372,321

Jul

940,550,388

883,261,550

1,823,811,938

Note:Vote 38 figures for 2009 and Social Insurance Fund figures for 2008 and 2009 are provisional pending completion of audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
845 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded her jobseeker’s allowance. [32938/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned has been awarded jobseeker's benefit from 1 September, 2009. She is a short-time worker and qualifies for a weekly rate of €81.70. Her first payment issued to her on 18 September, 2009.

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.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
846 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24) who recently lodged an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32948/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered by that Office on 22 September 2009 and in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
847 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for the non-contributory State pension will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32962/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
848 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of an application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32966/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs ( Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
849 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be arranged in respect of an old age pension application for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that he is waiting since 15 April 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32969/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

An application for state pension (non contributory), by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 05 January 2009 on the grounds that he did not satisfy the statutory means assessment.

An appeal was opened on 03 March 2009 and, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that this case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

As regards waiting times, I am advised that the average time taken in 2008 to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those average processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.

There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Code.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
850 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of Irish citizens refused welfare payments in the first six months of 2009 based on failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition. [32984/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. All applicants — regardless of nationality — for the following payments are required to be habitually resident in the State:

Jobseeker's Allowance

State Pension (Non-Contributory for persons aged over 66)

Blind Pension

Widow's, Widower's and Orphan's Non-Contributory Pensions

One-parent Family Payment

Carer's Allowance

Disability Allowance

Supplementary Welfare Allowance (including Rent Supplement)

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Child Benefit

In the first six months of 2009, the number of Irish citizens disallowed welfare payments, based on failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition was 215.

The following table sets out the breakdown by social assistance scheme.

Scheme

1st January to 30th June 2009

Jobseeker’s Allowance

158

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

2

Blind Pension

0

Widow’s, Widower’s and Orphan’s Non-Contributory Pensions

0

One-parent Family Payment

6

Carer’s Allowance

10

Disability Allowance

20

Domiciliary Care Allowance

0

Child Benefit

19

Total

215

Statistics on the number of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) claims that do not satisfy the habitual residence condition are not maintained by the various HSE areas. However, it is estimated that approximately 1.5% of all SWA claims are disallowed for HRC reasons. It is open to any customer who is not satisfied with the decision on their claim to appeal that decision.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
851 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if Irish nationals are entitled to social welfare payments in other EU jurisdictions; the conditions that apply to such payments; the way these payments compare to those of Irish nationals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33011/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The social security rights of people living and working in the EU are governed by EU Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72. The Regulations co-ordinate social security systems and are designed to ensure that people are not disadvantaged by moving within the EU to take up work.

The Regulations are also intended to guarantee equality of treatment, under various national legislation, to workers living in the Member States and their dependants and survivors. Accordingly, persons residing in a Member State to whom the Regulation applies are subject to the same obligations and enjoy the same benefits as the nationals of that State. Therefore, Irish nationals may indeed be entitled to social welfare payments in other EU jurisdictions, providing they satisfy the qualifying criteria adopted by that Member State, in exactly the same way as nationals of that State are required to do. In meeting these qualifying conditions, under EU Regulations, a person can generally aggregate their Irish contributions with those made in other EEA states.

The basis on which payments are made, the qualifying conditions which must be satisfied and the rates of social welfare payments vary greatly from State to State and reflect the income replacement requirements and the manner in which the different States address social needs in their jurisdiction As you will appreciate, due to the large number of countries affected by these Regulations, i.e. the twenty seven Member States, three EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland, it is not possible to include a comprehensive comparison of the schemes of each State here. However, such a comparative list exists on the MISSOC (Mutual Information System on Social Protection)

websitehttp://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/missoc_tables_en.htm

Question No. 852 answered with Question No. 831.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
853 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of an appeal application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33062/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, an Appeals Officer, having considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, disallowed the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned.

Following the submission of additional medical evidence the case has been forwarded to the Chief Medical Advisor for his opinion. On receipt of his response the case will be referred back to the Appeals Officer for further consideration. The Deputy will be notified of the result of the Appeals Officer's review.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
854 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will withdraw the directive to community welfare officers that they must wait until after a local authority has fully assessed an applicant’s housing application before they will grant rent supplement to deserving applicants. [33068/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible persons living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.

The 2009 Supplementary Budget introduced new arrangements for applications for rent supplement. In order to qualify for rent supplement, from the 27th July 2009, a person must have been residing in private rented accommodation or accommodation for homeless persons (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement. A person may also qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and the person is deemed by the relevant local authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.

In all other cases, a person who wishes to apply for rent supplement is referred, in the first instance, for an assessment of eligibility for social housing support by the local housing authority in the area where claim to rent supplement is made (and the person intends to reside). Only when the person has been assessed as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, does the person become eligible for consideration for rent supplement.

The aim of this restriction on entitlement to rent supplement and the new working arrangements is to ensure that housing authorities remain the principal agents both for assessing housing need and for meeting the long-term housing needs of people.

Detailed guidelines on the operation of the restrictions on access to rent supplement were issued simultaneously by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to community welfare staff and local housing authority staff respectively. The guidelines which issued to the local housing authorities advised that they should deal with those presenting with an immediate housing need, by way of social housing accommodation or, where none is available, emergency accommodation until such time as a housing needs assessment is completed. Where emergency accommodation is deemed not appropriate by the relevant local authority, the authority can prioritise the housing needs assessment for this household so that rent support can be provided sooner, where applicable.

These procedures, where operated by local housing authorities, should ensure that those with an urgent housing need have their needs met in the most appropriate manner.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
855 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in having applicants’ appeals in the cases of refusal of applications for various allowances administered by her Department dealt with in a timely fashion, including being examined or heard in the first instance and the time afterwards to inform the applicants of the decision; and the steps being taken to reduce the waiting time. [33069/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that during 2008 the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance was made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact that there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008. I am advised that there has been a further increase of 39% in the number of appeals received for the first nine months of this year over the corresponding period in 2008 and, while average processing times for 2009 are not yet available, it is anticipated that they will have deteriorated on the 2008 position.

I should say that the processing time for appeals covers all phases of the appeal process including the submission by the Department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further examination by the Department's Medical Assessors in certain illness related cases and further investigation by Social Welfare Inspectors where required. Circumstances may also arise, normally outside of the control of the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which have the effect of unduly prolonging the time taken to process appeals. For example, delays can occur where the appellant submits new information or evidence, often at an advanced stage in the appeal proceedings. In addition, adjournments may be sought by the appellant or his/her representative which would have the effect of prolonging the appeal process.

In the vast majority of cases, decisions are made by Appeals Officers within four weeks of an oral hearing. However, a longer period may be required in more complex cases where further submissions may be awaited or complex issues of law may need to be researched.

I am anxious there should be no further deterioration in appeals processing times especially in the light of the 39% increase in the number of appeals received so far this year. In that connection, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in January. Since then, however, four Appeals Officers have retired and I am advised that every effort is being made to have these vacancies filled as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that he is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the social welfare appeals process, progress in that regard must be achieved in a manner which is not in conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
856 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the length of time it is taking to process applications for allowances and benefits administered by her Department; the reason for the delay; and the steps being taken to reduce it to ensure applicants receive their entitlements in a timely fashion. [33070/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The current average processing times for the schemes referred to by the Deputy are as follows:

Scheme

Processing time

Bereavement Grant

3 weeks

Disability Allowance

17 weeks

Disability Benefit

1 week

Domiciliary Care Allowance

8 weeks

Family Income Supplement

8 weeks

Jobseeker’s Allowance

4 weeks

Jobseekers Benefit

8 weeks

One-Parent Family Payment

13 weeks

Widows Pension Contributory

4 weeks

Widows Pension Non Contributory

7 weeks

More than 95% of Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance applications are decided on and paid within the week.

In regard to the Guardian's (Contributory and Non Contributory) Payment Scheme, a specific processing target is not set. This is because factors outside of the Department's control can impinge on claim processing times. These factors include the need to liaise with outside bodies to obtain the required information to determine entitlement.

In compiling statistics to determine average processing times for the various schemes in the Department, the parameter dates are the date the claim was made by the customer (i.e. the registration date) and the date the decision was given by the deciding officer.

The Department is committed to processing claims as expeditiously as possible having regard to the eligibility conditions which apply. These conditions vary from scheme to scheme. In some cases there is an unavoidable time lag involved in making the necessary enquiries to enable decisions to be made. Time can also elapse where the applicants do not supply all the necessary information in support of their claim. The processing of claims may involve, among other things, the need to establish the customer's social insurance record, verify medical conditions, establish a customer's identity or their place of habitual residence and assess means where appropriate.

Additional information or indeed information originally sought but not provided may also have to be requested from the customer. The figures for pension schemes include claims where a person's date of entitlement has not yet been reached.

The Department aims to process claims quickly and efficiently. In this regard there is a continued emphasis on providing staff with the necessary training and development to ensure they have the requisite knowledge and skills to carry out their work. Operational procedures, the organisation of work, and the allocation of staff resources continue to be reviewed and restructured to maximise the processing capability of the scheme areas. All aspects of claim processing are kept under constant review and improvements are implemented on a continuous basis.

Social Welfare Offices.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
857 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps being taken to ensure that persons seeking to access social welfare offices here can have shelter while queuing; since it is a public office, that there is a toilet available for use by the public in the building; and the reason there is no external post box in some offices which would allow sick certificates to be hand delivered outside the limited office hours by working siblings of people confined to bed who have a claim to be processed. [33071/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Live Register has increased to unprecedented levels as a result of the economic downturn that the country is currently experiencing. This in turn has led to large numbers attending at our offices and the consequent delays that claimants are experiencing.

While it is not feasible in most cases to provide shelter for customers queuing outside our offices, a number of initiatives have been introduced to address the extensive queuing problem. An appointment system for taking claims has been introduced in a number of offices with high volumes. Under this initiative, when a person first attends at a local office to claim, they are given details of the supporting documents required together with an appointment to make their claims. The appointment system has been introduced in 16 local offices to date and will be extended to a number of other offices over the coming months having regard to the volume of new claims at particular offices.

The signing arrangements for people who are already on the live register have been reviewed at a number of offices and additional signing days have been introduced where necessary. In addition, at some offices specific signing times have been allocated to claimants to reduce queuing times.

The Department has instituted a number of process improvement measures in order to improve the claim taking process. In addition, it is reviewing the processes involved in administering claims for those who are working reduced hours i.e. part-time, casual and systematic short time. The existing arrangements are very labour intensive and it is envisaged that more streamlined arrangements which will benefit both customers and the Department will be introduced in the near future.

The provision of public toilets is now a standard feature in specifications for new local offices however there are many offices which do not have public toilets. Where this is the case, staff toilets can be made available to customers such as pregnant women, on request.

External post boxes are a standard feature in local offices. However in some cases these may be inaccessible after hours due to shutters which close over the main entrance door and the letter box. This issue is currently being examined with a view to resolving it without delay.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
858 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the annual cost to her Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33087/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Details of overseas travel costs incurred by my predecessors and me from 1999 to September 2009 are set out in the following table:

Year

Total

€

1999

44,375

2000

30,149

2001

19,802

2002

33,141

2003

22,957

2004

19,902

2005

30,114

2006

38,922

2007

9,312

2008

24,280

1/1/2009 – 1/9/2009

11,318

Total:

284,272

These expenses related to a number of events such as EU Presidency engagements, attendance at British-Irish Council and EU Council of Ministers meetings, bilateral discussions with Ministerial counterparts in other countries, attendance at the OECD and the UN, meetings with Irish emigrant groups in the US and the UK and other similar engagements. The totals shown include the cost of flights paid directly to the relevant travel company and the cost of accommodation paid directly to hotels.

Question No. 859 answered with Question No. 841.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
860 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33123/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

I am further advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the back to education allowance is not a statutory scheme and decisions on applications for the allowance cannot be appealed to that office.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 861 withdrawn.

Pension Provisions.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
862 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her view on the possibility for inclusion of the pension scheme of a company (details supplied) under the pensions insolvency payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33192/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Pensions Insolvency Payments Scheme (PIPS) is being established by the Minister for Finance on a pilot basis for a three year period.

This scheme is intended as an option of last resort and a social protection measure to assist pension schemes where the sponsoring employer is insolvent and the pension scheme is being wound up in deficit. The PIPS is intended to make it cheaper to pay for the pensions of retired pension scheme members, so that more money is available for the pension benefits of those who have not yet retired.

This scheme uses the definition of insolvency which applies to the insolvency payments scheme administered by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and as set out in the Protection of Employees (Employers Insolvency) Act 1984.

The company mentioned by the Deputy will not qualify for the scheme as it is not an insolvent company as defined in the 1984 Act.

As the Deputy knows, some 90% of defined benefit schemes are currently in deficit. Under the Pensions Act, trustees of these schemes must submit a funding proposal to the Pensions Board to ensure that the financial position of the scheme recovers over time. The vast majority of underfunded schemes are working with the Pensions Board to comply with the pensions legislation in this regard. I have no plans, therefore, to extend the qualification criteria for PIPS to cover companies which do not meet the definition of insolvency.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
863 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the justification for the €53.20 difference between the amount that is awarded to the spouse of a pensioner depending on whether he or she is under or over 66 years of age. [33240/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The increase for a qualified adult (under 66 years) on a full rate state pension contributory is €153.50 per week, compared to €206.30 for a qualified adult aged 66 and over, which is a difference of €52.80 per week.

Traditionally, an additional increase has been paid for qualified adults who have reached state pension age, in recognition of the fact that these persons are no longer of working age. The difference between the level of under-66 and over-66 increases for qualified adults has grown in recent years on foot of a Government commitment to raise the increase for a qualified adult for spouses and partners (age 66 and over) of contributory pensioners to the level of the state pension (non-contributory). A number of special increases were given over several Budgets in pursuit of this aim. The increase for a qualified adult now stands at over 94% of the target.

Family Support Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
864 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a centre (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be supported. [33270/09]

Pat Rabbitte
Share
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
867 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the work carried out by family resource centres (details supplied) in Dublin 24 and the concerns that their modest budgets may be cut back; if she will provide an undertaking that there will be no reduction in the financial provision for these centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33305/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 864 and 867 together.

The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made a range of recommendations relating to the Department of Social and Family Affairs including recommendations relating to the Family Support Agency and its programmes. The Department will consider, as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010, the Report's recommendations and decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Social Welfare Payments.

Jim O'Keeffe
Share
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
865 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applicants awaiting jobseeker’s benefit for more than five weeks, more than ten weeks and more then 15 weeks in the local social welfare offices in Bantry, Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Bandon and Kinsale, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33288/09]

Jim O'Keeffe
Share
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
866 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applicants awaiting jobseeker’s allowance for more than five weeks, more than ten weeks, more then 15 weeks and more than 20 weeks in the local social welfare offices in Bantry, Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Bandon and Kinsale, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33289/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 866 together.

The numbers of persons awaiting Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit in some Branch Offices in County Cork are set out hereunder as requested.

JA Claims

Awaiting weeks 20+

15-20 weeks

10-15 weeks

5-10 weeks

Bandon

30

23

63

46

Bantry

0

3

11

33

Bantry Co

0

1

2

10

Clonakilty

35

22

49

51

Kinsale

15

20

32

30

Skibbereen

1

1

14

34

JB Claims

15+ weeks

10-15 weeks

5-10 weeks

Bandon

28

17

12

Bantry

1

1

2

Bantry Co

0

0

1

Clonakilty

10

56

45

Kinsale

15

26

48

Skibbereen

0

2

2

Question No. 867 answered with Question No. 864.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
868 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the proposals contained in the special group on public service numbers and expenditure report to reduce or means test child benefit; her views on these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33317/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

As Deputy will be aware, the rates of child benefit have increased significantly since 2001 having trebled for the first two children and increased by over 185% for the third and subsequent children. Partly as a result of this and partly as a result of an increase in the number of eligible children, overall expenditure on child benefit grew from just €965 million in 2001 to nearly €2.5 billion in 2008. The Government is proud to have been able to direct such substantial increases in financial support to all Irish families in recent years. However, given the scale of the current economic crisis, it is necessary to address all aspects of the public finances so as to ensure that they are sustainable and to ensure that fairness exists in the allocation of resources.

It is in this context that the Minister for Finance announced at the time of the Supplementary Budget in April that the Government's intention to either subject child benefit to income tax or means-test it from 2010. In this regard, the Commission of Taxation was requested to examine the implications of taxing child benefit.

The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, was appointed with a mandate to examine all current Exchequer spending across all Departments and agencies, to see where savings might be made. The reports of the special Group and the Commission on Taxation contain a wide range of proposals relating to my Department's schemes and services, including the child benefit scheme and decisions in relation to these will be made in the context of the forthcoming Budget and subsequent Budgets. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual proposals at this stage.

The Government will be mindful of the needs of families, particularly those on lower incomes when deciding on the various options in the forthcoming Budget.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
869 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a claim for disability allowance by a person (details provided) in County Tipperary. [33318/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

An application for disability allowance, by the person concerned, was refused following an assessment by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. In addition to her grounds of appeal the person concerned has submitted additional medical evidence which has been forwarded to the Chief Medical Assessor for his opinion.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Pension Provisions.

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
870 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her proposals to introduce a pension protection fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33319/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The pension rights of scheme members are protected through trust law and by provision in the Pensions Act 1990 as amended.

As supplementary pension schemes are usually established under irrevocable trust, the assets of the scheme are legally separate from the assets of the employer and are not available to any other creditors where the employer becomes insolvent. Under trust law, trustees of occupational pension schemes have the principal responsibility for ensuring that the entitlements of the members are adequately protected and that they receive the pensions due to them.

In addition to the safeguards provided by trust law, the Pensions Act 1990 also provides for the regulation of pensions schemes in Ireland. Under the Pensions Act, defined benefit pension schemes must meet a minimum funding standard which requires that schemes maintain sufficient assets to enable them discharge accrued liabilities in the event of the scheme winding up.

Where schemes do not satisfy the Funding Standard, the trustees must submit a funding proposal to the Pensions Board to restore full funding, normally within three years. However, the Pensions Board can now allow a scheme more than ten years to meet the standard in certain circumstances.

Should a scheme be wound up by its trustees, the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended) specifies how scheme assets are prioritised. Proposals to address the overall security of pensions are being considered as part of the long-term framework for pensions which the Government will announce shortly.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
871 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a date and time for an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33331/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 15 October 2009 at 11.15 am. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Payments.

Olwyn Enright
Share
Olwyn Enright
Question:
872 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a mortgage interest supplement application for persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33335/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes mortgage interest supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

Under Article 10 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Allowance) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 412 of 2007), a supplement towards mortgage interest may be payable where the residence in respect of which the loan is payable is not offered for sale, the Executive is satisfied that the amount of mortgage interest payable by the claimant does not exceed such amount as it considers reasonable to meet his or her residential and other needs and where the Executive considers it is reasonable to award a supplement having regard to the amount of any arrears outstanding on the loan.

The Executive has advised that mortgage interest supplement has been refused to the people concerned as the qualifying conditions, as outlined above, are not satisfied. Notification of this decision issued on 29 September 2009. It is open to the people concerned to appeal against this decision to an appeals officer of the HSE and thereafter to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, if necessary.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
873 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer’s allowance appeal will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33437/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Willie Penrose
Share
Willie Penrose
Question:
874 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will take steps to expedite an application for an appeal hearing by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33446/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out on 12 October 2009.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Payments.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
875 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to widows pension; if so, if this entitlement arises from social welfare contributions paid; the reason she is unwilling to pay her the pension at the address she has provided her with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33458/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned was in receipt of a Widow's Contributory Pension from 6 January 1995 to 3 April 2003. Payment of pension ceased on 4 April 2003 as the Department was unable to establish the whereabouts and continuing eligibility of the customer. The Department has now received communications from agents on behalf of the customer and is in the process of making enquiries to establish her entitlement.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
876 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision on an invalidity pension appeal will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [33482/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered by that Office on 15 September 2009 and in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Payments.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
877 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if payments will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the benefit owed to him or her will be awarded; if she will expedite the matter. [33492/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive, as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source.

The Executive has advised that payment of rent supplement was suspended when it came to the attention of the Executive that the person concerned has undeclared income. An appeal against the decision to suspend payment of rent supplement was made by the person concerned to an Appeals Officer of the Executive. No decision has been made on the appeal to date.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
878 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in considering an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will ensure that the appeal is heard and processed as soon as possible. [33515/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

As regards waiting times, I am advised that the average time taken in 2008 to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those average processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.

There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
879 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in considering an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will ensure that the appeal is heard and processed as soon as possible. [33516/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

As regards waiting times, I am advised that the average time taken in 2008 to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those average processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.

There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Paul Connaughton
Share
Paul Connaughton
Question:
880 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of a carer’s allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33571/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered by that Office on 26 September 2009 and in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought in this case. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
881 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare first became resident in the State; when he or she will be deemed resident in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33574/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned applied for Disability Allowance on 27 November 2008. His claim was disallowed on 30 January 2009 on the grounds that he was not habitually resident in the State. He was notified of this decision in writing and of his right to appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. He subsequently appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 2 September 2009, a Social Welfare Appeals Officer found the person concerned to be not habitually resident in the State for the purpose of qualifying for Disability Allowance.

Habitual Residency is a condition which a person must satisfy in order to qualify for certain social welfare assistance payments including disability allowance. This condition took effect from 1 May 2004 and affects all applicants regardless of nationality. Satisfying the Habitual Residency condition is just one of the conditions for receiving certain social welfare assistance payments. A person must also satisfy the other conditions that apply in order to get a payment. The legislation underpinning Habitual Residence is Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended by Section 30 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007.

The 2007 amendment to Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, incorporates into Irish law 5 factors that have been set down in judgements given by the European Court of Justice as relevant to determining whether a person is habitually resident. These 5 factors are; a person's main centre of interest; the length and continuity of their presence in the Common Travel Area; the length and reason for any absence from the Common Travel Area; the nature and pattern of their employment, if any, in the Common Travel Area and their future intentions to live in the Republic of Ireland as it appears from their particular situation.

The list is not exhaustive, no single factor is conclusive and some factors may have more influence than others, depending on a person's particular circumstances. It is necessary to weigh up all the information and balance the evidence for and against an applicant satisfying the Habitual residence condition and reach a decision based on the law.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
882 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when unemployment assistance or benefit will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33576/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned submitted an application for jobseeker's allowance on 1 May 2008. He failed to attend for interview with an inspector on 28 May 2008 and as there was no further contact from him his claim was closed on 11 June 2008. The person concerned submitted a further application on 27 June 2008. An interview with an inspector was arranged for 1 August 2008 and he again failed to attend. A further interview was arranged for 24 September 2008, which he attended. He failed to furnish documentation requested by the inspector at the interview and as a result his claim could not be processed. He last signed on 18 November 2008. It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for jobseeker's allowance and to furnish the necessary documentation.

Social Welfare Appeals.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
883 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an appeal against a decision not to grant mortgage interest relief in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be granted. [33594/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes mortgage interest supplement, is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). As previously advised, payment of a mortgage interest supplement was refused in this case on the grounds that the household income is sufficient to meet the mortgage interest repayment when account is taken of the minimum contribution payable by the person concerned and the non-dependent household member, towards the mortgage repayment. The Executive has confirmed that it has received the appeal and has advised that a decision on the matter will be made in due course by an Appeals Officer of the HSE.

Deirdre Clune
Share
Deirdre Clune
Question:
884 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will review the application of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for mortgage interest supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33619/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes mortgage interest supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

Article 10(2) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007, provides that it shall be a condition of a person's entitlement to mortgage interest supplement that the Executive is satisfied that the amount of mortgage interest payable by the person does not exceed such amount as the Executive considers reasonable to meet his/her residential and other needs. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement on the basis that the amount of mortgage interest payable by him exceeded such amount as was considered reasonable by the Executive to meet his residential and other needs.

The person concerned appealed the decision to refuse mortgage interest supplement to an Appeals Officer of the Executive. The Appeals Officer upheld the decision of the Executive to refuse mortgage interest supplement. A further appeal has been made to the Social Welfare Appeals Office but no decision has been made on this appeal to date.

Fergus O'Dowd
Share
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
885 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth was refused domiciliary care allowance and child benefit; if the decision can be appealed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33722/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

In order to qualify for a range of Social Welfare payments, including Child Benefit (CB) and Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), applicants are required to satisfy the Habitual Residence condition (HRC), which was introduced on 1st May 2004.

The HRC requires the applicant to satisfy the deciding officer that they meet certain conditions. These include proving that their centre of interest is now in Ireland and their future intentions, as demonstrated, are to remain in Ireland. Their residency status and their eligibility to work in Ireland and be self-supporting are also factors which are considered. The person referred to applied for both CB and DCA in April 2009. The Deciding Officers dealing with the relevant applications were not satisfied that the person referred to satisfied the Habitual Residency condition. As a result her application for both payments was refused.

Decision letters outlining the refusals and the reason for same issued to the person concerned in July and she was given the right of appeal. To date, no appeal has been received in either case.

Social Welfare Benefits.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
886 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who has been in rented accommodation for the past three years and is seeking assistance; and if the matter will be expedited. [33748/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement in May 2009 as the local housing authority deemed that he had "not demonstrated a long-term housing need." The person concerned did not provide evidence to the community welfare office that he has been in private rented accommodation for three years prior to the date of claim. The person concerned appealed the decision to refuse rent supplement to an Appeals Officer of the Executive who has upheld the decision of the Executive. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE Appeals Officer, it is open to him to appeal further to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and to provide documentary evidence that he has been renting in the private sector.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
887 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent support will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33755/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The Executive has advised that the person concerned has made an application for rent supplement and she has been asked to provide further documentary evidence regarding her financial position.

Rent supplement is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable the different types of eligible household to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the State. The objective is to ensure that rent supplement is not paid in respect of overly expensive accommodation having regard to the size of the household. The person concerned has been advised to seek accommodation within the relevant prescribed maximum rent limits.

Pension Provisions.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
888 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reconsider her decision not to allow a company (details supplied) to be included in the pension insolvency payment scheme in view of the fact that it would be cost neutral to the State; if not, her reason for not including this company in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33850/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Pensions Insolvency Payments Scheme (PIPS) is being established by the Minister for Finance on a pilot basis for a three year period.

This scheme is intended as an option of last resort and a social protection measure to assist pension schemes where the sponsoring employer is insolvent and the pension scheme is being wound up in deficit. The PIPS is intended to make it cheaper to pay for the pensions of retired pension scheme members, so that more money is available for the pension benefits of those who have not yet retired.

This scheme uses the definition of insolvency which applies to the insolvency payments scheme administered by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and as set out in the Protection of Employees (Employers Insolvency) Act 1984. A change to eligibility criteria for PIPS to include an employer that is not insolvent could have an adverse influence on other employers' decisions with regard to the future sustainability of their DB pension schemes. It is also likely that such a change would have implications in terms of EU competition rules.

I have no plans therefore to extend the qualification criteria for PIPS to cover companies which do not meet the definition of insolvency.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Joe Costello
Share
Joe Costello
Question:
889 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who applied for disability benefit in August 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33874/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Disability Allowance is a weekly Allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.

The person concerned applied for Disability Allowance on 28 July 2008. His claim was assessed by a Medical Assessor and he was deemed not medically suitable for Disability Allowance. He was refused Disability Allowance on 26 August 2008 and he was formally notified of this decision by letter and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned appealed the decision on 2nd September 2008. A second medical assessment was then undertaken and again he was deemed not medically suitable for disability allowance.

Papers were returned to the appeals office on 23rd September 2008. The person concerned was then afforded the opportunity of setting out his detailed grounds for appeals and he replied on 10th November 2008. The case was listed for oral hearing which was heard on 24th April 2009. Normally, a decision is issued within 4-6 weeks, however in this case this is not the situation. The appeals officers report was received in disability allowance section on 28th September 2009. The delay involved is being investigated by the chief appeals officer and will write to the Deputy when this investigation is complete.

The person concerned has been awarded a Disability Allowance with effect from 30 July 2008 at the maximum personal rate, which is currently €204.30, plus an increase for a qualified child of €26.00 and a Fuel Allowance of €23.90 which gives a weekly total of €254.20. His first payment will be available to be collected at his Post Office on 28 October 2009. The person concerned is currently in receipt of One Parent Family Payment at exactly the same rates as mentioned above in respect of Disability Allowance. As he is only entitled to receive one of these payments arrears will not arise.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
890 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33890/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
891 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports her Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33905/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Details of experts' and consultants' reports commissioned by the Department during 2008 are set out in the following table.

Reports commissioned during 2008

Name of Reports

Date Finalised (or state ongoing if not yet complete)

Cost/Estimated Cost

€

Internal Penetration and Social Engineering Project

May 2008

23,500

Strategic Review of the Client Eligibility Services (CES) of the Department of Social and Family Affairs

September 2008

368,573

Strategic Review of Customer Facing Services

December 2008

183,781

Review of the Activation and Family Support Programme

March 2009

96,751

Review of IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes in IS Services

December 2008

19,965

Report of the Expert Medical Group on Domiciliary Care Allowance

December 2008

8,517

Report on Green Paper Consultation Process

September 2008

13,552

Impact of Pension Reform Options

October 2008

3,448

Quality Assessment on VFM Review of Information Services

May 2009

8,334

Report on Indoor Air Quality in Government Building in Dundalk

July 2008

5,445

Air Quality in Goldsmith House

July 2008

6,159

Family Income Supplement Uptake Research

November 2008

65,606

National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) Evaluation

On going

*104,000

Measurement of Consistent Poverty

On-going

*240,933

*Expected Costs — Reports to be finalised.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Jim O'Keeffe
Share
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
892 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if changes have been introduced to the habitual residence clause whereby persons claiming social welfare payments and child benefit are required to satisfy habitual residence even though they previously resided in the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland; and if so, the reason her Department’s website in relation to family benefits sates that the habitual residence clause does not apply in such circumstances. [33943/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The habitual residence condition applies to all claimants for certain social welfare payments, regardless of nationality. Any person who makes a claim for jobseeker's allowance, child benefit, one parent family payment, disability allowance, State pension non-contributory, carer's allowance, widow's non-contributory, guardian's non-contributory payment, blind pension or supplementary welfare allowance must be habitually resident in the State. People who previously resided in the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland are not exempt from being subject to the habitual residence condition except in certain specific circumstances in which the EU Regulations apply. Nevertheless, a person who has been residing in Northern Ireland and moves residence to this State may find it easier to satisfy this residence condition than people coming from other countries, because of the freedom of movement within the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the United Kingdom, and the relative ease of transferring one's centre of interest across the Border.

The EU Regulations, which provide for the protection of the social security rights of migrant workers exercising their right to freedom of movement between EU countries, include provisions which can override national legislation. The Regulations provide that family benefits (including child benefit) are payable by the State in which the claimant is employed, or by the State which is paying certain benefits, including jobseeker's benefit, following a period of employment in that State. This applies even where the children are resident in another State. A person who is currently employed in the Republic of Ireland by an Irish employer is therefore entitled to child benefit even if that person and/or his/her children are residing in Northern Ireland. A person who was last employed in the Republic and, for example, is entitled to Irish jobseeker's benefit (which can be exported for up to 3 months) will be similarly entitled to child benefit for that 3 months period. Similar EU provisions apply to supplementary welfare allowance which may also be paid in certain circumstances to a person who was last employed in Ireland. These arrangements do not apply to other payments like jobseeker's allowance or disability allowance which remain subject to the habitual residence condition.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
893 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost to her Department and each agency under the aegis of her Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33956/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
894 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in her Department and each agency under the aegis of her Department who took early retirement, had their contracts terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33971/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 and 894 together.

Officers who retire from my Department before the minimum retirement age of 60 can only do so either on grounds of ill health, which is subject to the approval of the Chief Medical Officer, under the terms of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme, which was introduced in 2004 or under the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) introduced in 2009.

The total cost of the early retirement pensions from 2006 to 2 October 2009 is €2,215,306.90 and the total cost of the early retirement lump sums is €5,295,179.30 (as set out in Table A).

The details of the numbers of retirements, termination of contracts and resignations in respect of my Department are set out in the Table B.

The Agencies that operate under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board, the Family Support Agency and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman.

With effect from 1st July 2009 the Combat Poverty Agency has been subsumed into the Department.

In respect of these agencies, the total cost of the early retirement pensions from 2006 to 2 October 2009 is €78,373.91 and the total cost of the early retirement lump sums is €258,600.07 (as set out in Table C).

The details of the numbers of retirements, termination of contracts and resignations in the Agencies are set out in the Table D.

Table A

Year

Cost Neutral Early Retirement

Ill Health/Retirement

Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement

Pension

Lump Sum

Pension

Lump Sum

Pension

Lump Sum

€

€

€

€

€

€

2006

100,094.97

367,716.33

196,116.54

564,462.34

2007

101,533.13

345,233.31

285,666.75

794,894.61

2008

66,509.86

213,119.33

485,991.42

1,449,803.99

2009

280,970.36

943,131.62

147,518.53

450,546.27

550,905.34

166,271.50

Table B

Year

Early Retirement

Termination

Resignation

2006

22

2

32

2007

23

5

49

2008

26

4

21

2009

44

2

12

Table C

Year

Cost Neutral Early Retirement

Ill Health/Retirement

Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement

Pension

Lump Sum

Pension

Lump Sum

Pension

Lump Sum

€

€

€

€

€

€

2006

Nil

Nil

42,255.56

145,219.77

2007

Nil

Nil

12,034

34,362

2008

24,084.35

79,018.30

Nil

Nil

2009

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Table D

Year

Early Retirement

Termination

Resignation

2006

2

Nil

20

2007

1

Nil

26

2008

2

Nil

29

2009

Nil

Nil

8

Social Welfare Appeals.

Dan Neville
Share
Dan Neville
Question:
895 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an oral hearing for a jobseeker’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be provided as soon as possible. [33993/09]

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
898 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an oral hearing will be heard in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34023/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
907 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an appeal of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34227/09]

Paul Kehoe
Share
Paul Kehoe
Question:
913 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of the jobseeker’s allowance appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34479/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 895, 898, 907 and 913 together.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that each of the appeals from the persons concerned have been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in each case. The persons concerned will be notified when the necessary arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
896 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the farm profit figures submitted to and accepted by the Revenue Commissioners were not acceptable to her when assessing persons (details supplied) in County Mayo for farm assist; the reason they were calculated as earning a notional income from a property which has a mortgage on it but earns no rental income; if the gift of €10,000 towards the purchase of a house will be taken into consideration; if this case will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34008/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

All claims for social welfare benefit and assistance payments are decided by statutory deciding officers under the relevant legislation. I have no function in these decisions. The person concerned has been in receipt of a reduced rate farm assist with effect from 2 June 2009. Farm income is assessed in accordance with statutory provisions for the assessment of means as provided for under the Social Welfare Act. Under these provisions, capital (including savings and investments) and the value of property owned but not personally used and enjoyed are assessed as means. The farm means of the person concerned were assessed by the social welfare inspector using receipts supplied with the exception of some items which were estimated, that is, farm electricity/ phone/ car and depreciation. The value of property assessed was based on a letter of valuation provided. Outstanding mortgage was deducted from the overall property valuation figure.

At present, a revised means review is being carried out in this case and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome. The question of whether the gift of €10,000 should be taken into account will be considered as part of this review.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
897 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Clare against the decision to refuse her application for illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34018/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was discontinued following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 898 answered with Question No. 895.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
899 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the length of time it takes to process an application for jobseekers allowance and jobseekers benefit in areas (details supplied); the length of time claimants wait for their first payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34058/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The maintenance and upgrade of Social Welfare offices is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The Department has been actively working with OPW regarding the renovation and upgrading of the Social Welfare office in Clondalkin. This work is due to commence in December next and is expected to be completed within 2 months of commencement.

Departmental Offices.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
900 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when renovation and upgrade works will take place at a social welfare office (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34059/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The maintenance and upgrade of Social Welfare offices is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The Department has been actively working with OPW regarding the renovation and upgrading of the Social Welfare office in Clondalkin. This work is due to commence in December next and is expected to be completed within 2 months of commencement.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
901 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider opening a social welfare office in an area (details supplied) in County Dublin to facilitate the people in that community who need to sign on for unemployment benefit and other assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34060/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the acquisition and maintenance of office accommodation for the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The Department is currently in discussions with the OPW with regard to seeking accommodation to serve the Lucan area.

Jobseeker claims for people living in the Lucan area are administered by the Social Welfare Local Office in Clondalkin. The majority of jobseekers are required to sign the Live Register once in any 4-week period. However, to avoid the necessity for people in Lucan to travel to Clondalkin, they may sign-on at a signing centre in Lucan village. The signing centre in Lucan is now open 4 days per month an increase on the two days which previously applied. The Department is keeping this arrangement under review. The Department is giving priority to the provision of a local office in Lucan and efforts are ongoing to secure suitable accommodation there as soon as possible.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
902 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [34077/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Since its introduction, the underlying objective of the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme has been to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. It is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on certain social welfare payments who wish to participate in full time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so. Qualifying payments include the Department's jobseeker payments, disability allowance and lone parent allowance. There are two study options available under the back to education allowance scheme; second level option (SLO) and third level option (TLO). Under the second level option, a person may attend a second level course of education at any publicly funded Community, Comprehensive, Secondary, Vocational school or Institute of Technology. The course being pursued must be a full-time day course of study and lead to a qualification that is recognised by the Department of Education & Science and awarded by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) or the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC). Under the third level option, a person may attend an approved full-time third level course of education at any university or third level college or institution. Third level courses up to and including those conferring a Higher Diploma in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary & Secondary Teaching) are covered by the scheme.

In general, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. However, lone parents and recipients of jobseekers' payments who are out of formal education for at least 2 years can qualify at 18 years of age. Changes to facilitate earlier access to the scheme came into effect from 1st May, 2009. In order to qualify for participation, an applicant must now be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 3 months if pursuing a second level course or 12 months if pursuing a third level course. The qualifying period for access to third level courses is reduced to 9 months for those who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan process or engaging with the Department's facilitator programme. People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.

The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
903 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the documentation not received by her Department during the processing of a jobseeker’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they sent in the requested information twice. [34174/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 20 October, 2008 while he was living in Cork. Documents in relation to proof of address were requested on 24 October 2008. He was again written to on 9 December 2008 regarding proof of address and the need for further documentation relating to casual employment. This included a form UP14b to be completed and returned by his employer. This form provides information on the hours worked for the purpose of determining entitlement to jobseekers payments. His claim was closed on 23 January 2009 because he failed to provide the documents requested.

The person concerned later provided some of the required documents. Documentation in respect of proof of address was received on 16 April 2009. Requested weekly dockets signed by his employer were received on 28 April 2009. However, a completed form UP14b was not provided. The person concerned has since relocated and applied for jobseeker's benefit in Claremorris employment office. He qualified for and was awarded jobseekers benefit and has been in receipt of this payment since 6 July 2009.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
904 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a one-parent family allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34182/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned reapplied for One Parent Family Allowance on 17 September 2009. Applications for One Parent Family Allowance are means tested and require an investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector. The investigation in this case has now been completed and a report has been forwarded to the Local Office in Newbridge today Monday 5 October 2009. A decision on this application will be made shortly and the person concerned will be advised immediately thereafter.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
905 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress in approving an illness benefit claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the claim will be expedited and a response issued. [34218/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was discontinued following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
906 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to previous parliamentary questions, the progress in approving carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the new medical evidence with help to expedite a decision. [34220/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

An application for carer's allowance, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care. The issue in the appeal relates to whether the person concerned provides full time care and attention as provided for in the Social Welfare Acts and the medical condition of the care recipient is not at issue.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that her appeal has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be notified when the necessary arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 907 answered with Question No. 895.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
908 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will respond to a query (details supplied). [34319/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Department avails of the central framework negotiated by the Department of Finance for mobile phone services. Contracts under this framework are currently in place with O2 and Vodafone.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Bernard Allen
Share
Bernard Allen
Question:
909 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the one-parent family payment appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be heard in view of the fact that they have been waiting since February 2009. [34323/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be notified when the necessary arrangements have been made.

As regards waiting times, I am advised that the average time taken in 2008 to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those average processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.

There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
910 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of occasions on which her Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under its remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34346/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

An officer who retires or is removed from the civil service due to the abolition of his/her office or to Departmental reorganisation may, at the discretion of the Minister for Finance, be awarded a special severance gratuity in addition to pension and retirement lump sum, within statutory limits. A gratuity is also payable in certain circumstances to Secretaries-General of Government Departments and Offices who, pursuant to their conditions of appointment, are obliged to retire before maximum retiring age on the expiration of their fixed-term appointments. Under the latter provision, one officer was awarded a standard severance gratuity amounting in this case to €114,959.00 under Section 7 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963, during the past three years. This is the only instance in which a gratuity was paid.

With regard to agencies under the aegis of the Department, the Chief Executive of the Pensions Board was awarded added years on retirement as provided for in their contract. The additional amounts paid as a result were €17,990.94 in respect of the lump sum, and €3,042.22 in respect of the annual pension.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
911 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from her Department in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34361/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Thirteen staff have been dismissed from my Department in the period 1st January 2004 to 31 December 2008.

Seven of the above officers were on probationary contracts.

Social Welfare Appeals.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
912 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo had his illness benefit removed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34368/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was discontinued following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, his case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford him an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of his appeal. On receipt of his response the relevant departmental papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The person concerned has also submitted an Invalidity Pension appeal which is being similarly processed.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 913 answered with Question No. 895.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
914 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34494/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person; effectively full-time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 10th September 2009. This application was referred to one of the Departments Medical Assessors who found that the child in question was not medically eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance.

A letter issued to the person in question on 2nd October 2009 where she was advised of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor specially designated for this task.

Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer, he or she may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
915 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who receive the single parent allowance here; the number of children per recipient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34517/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The number of people in receipt of one-parent family payment at 30 September 2009 is 89,404. A breakdown showing the number of children per customer is set out in the table below:

Number of Children

Number of Recipients

1

49,913

2

24,872

3

9,639

4

3,343

5

1,085

6

350

7

130

8

44

9

19

10

8

11

1

89,404

Family Support Services.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
916 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide this Deputy with copies of the minutes of the board meetings of the Family Support Agency that took place in the years 2006 to 2009 inclusive; the core funding and all other grants to each family resource centre, from the Family Support Agency from 2006 to 2009 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34524/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I have asked the Family Support Agency to supply the requested information to the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
917 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare against the decision to refuse his or her application for jobseekers allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34532/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the relevant Departmental papers and comments on the grounds of appeal in the case of the person concerned have been sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
918 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the termination of one-parent family allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34573/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The person concerned claimed one parent family payment from 3 July 2008. She has been paid in respect of herself and 3 children. Means of E77.50 per week have been assessed on her claim.

In June 2009 she requested a review of her means as her ex husband became unemployed. She was requested to submit evidence of maintenance payments being made to her.

A form was sent to her on 5 August as a final notice indicating that she had 21 days to send in the required information. A deciding officer was in contact with her and explained to her that she should be aware that the details requested were required urgently.

To date the person concerned has not supplied the information requested. However, the deciding officer has given her additional time to submit the details and her one parent family payment will continue at the current rate in the meantime.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
919 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she proposes to reform the back to education allowance in order that all jobseekers can avail of the scheme within three months of the start of their claim. [34420/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Since its introduction, the underlying objective of the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme has been to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. It is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so.

Improvements to the scheme were announced in the supplementary budget and came into effect from 1st May 2009. In order to qualify for participation, an applicant must now be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 3 months if pursuing a second level course or 12 months if pursuing a third level course. The qualifying period for access to third level courses is reduced to 9 months for those who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan process or engaging with the Department's facilitator programme. People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.

In general, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. However, lone parents and recipients of jobseekers' payments who are out of formal education for at least 2 years can qualify at 18 years of age.

The requirement to be in receipt of a social welfare payment for a minimum period has always been a feature of the scheme. A waiting period is considered essential to confer entitlement to income support for an indefinite period and is considered necessary in the context of targeting scarce resources at those who need it most.

The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
920 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she proposes to reform the back to work enterprise allowance in order that all jobseekers can avail of this scheme within three months of starting their claim. [34421/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

In order to respond effectively to the growing numbers on the Live Register and the current employment situation, it was decided in the context of the recent supplementary budget to refocus resources on the enterprise strand of the back to work allowance which supports people into self employment. These changes significantly strengthen the supports for jobseekers wishing to move to self employment.

Claimants who qualify for jobseeker's benefit are being afforded immediate access to a new short term enterprise allowance, provided they have 104 contributions paid or have established entitlement to statutory redundancy from their latest period of employment. It is payable at the same rate and for the same duration as jobseeker's benefit.

For jobseekers on the live register, the qualifying period required for access to the back to work enterprise allowance scheme has been reduced from 2 years to 12 months provided an entitlement to jobseeker's allowance is established. Those who do not have an underlying entitlement to jobseeker's allowance can access the scheme, as before, subject to the 2 year qualifying period.

These changes to improve access to the scheme were made in conjunction with a reduction in the period for which the allowance is payable from 4 years to 2 years at 100% of existing social welfare entitlement in the first year and 75% in the second year. Furthermore, people who previously participated in the back to work enterprise allowance scheme may apply a second time after a period of at least 5 years has elapsed.

The qualifying conditions will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changing economic circumstances.

Róisín Shortall
Share
Róisín Shortall
Question:
921 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she has taken to ensure that her Department is notified when a person in receipt of a payment from her Department enters full-time permanent nursing home care. [34422/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

There is an obligation, under Social Welfare legislation, on customers to notify the Department of any change in their circumstances which may affect their entitlement to payment. Customers are informed of this requirement when notified of the decision on their claim and at subsequent reviews.

When a person in receipt of a social welfare payment enters full-time permanent nursing home care they continue to be entitled to their payment, and if aged 70 years and over also remain eligible for the telephone allowance.

The only area where a change in entitlements can arise is where the person is in receipt of Household Benefits — electricity or gas and free television licence. Where a person fails to notify the Department of their change of address, there is a range of control measures in place to address such circumstances. For example:

The various utility companies notify the Department where there is a change of address on a customer's account or where supply is terminated. Payment is immediately suspended in all such cases.

When notification of a change of address is received on any payment scheme where household benefit is also in payment, the household benefit claim is automatically stopped.

Only one household benefits claim is payable per household and controls are in place to prevent payment of more than one entitlement at the same address.

Special projects are undertaken to review customer's ongoing entitlement having regard to specific review criteria.

In addition, regular reviews are undertaken to determine a person's ongoing entitlement to household benefits. Customers are issued with continuing eligibility certificates for completion and return within a specified time.

The Department is committed to ensuring that social welfare payments are available to those who are entitled to them and to ensuring that abuse of the system is prevented and dealt with effectively when detected.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Noel Coonan
Share
Noel Coonan
Question:
922 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she expects an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34596/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Noel Coonan
Share
Noel Coonan
Question:
923 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she expects an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34597/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Noel Coonan
Share
Noel Coonan
Question:
924 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she expects an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34598/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Pension Provisions.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
925 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the extent of underfunded company pension schemes in the private sector; if she proposes State intervention to support such pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27980/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Under the Pensions Act 1990, defined benefit pension (DB) schemes must meet a minimum funding standard which requires that schemes maintain sufficient assets to enable them discharge accrued liabilities in the event of the scheme winding up.

The Pensions Act, and associated regulations, prescribe that defined benefit schemes are required to assess once every year whether they meet the funding standard. Not all schemes have the same reporting date, but the Pensions Board in its Annual Report for 2008 estimated that approximately 90% of defined benefit schemes did not meet the funding standard.

Where schemes do not satisfy the Funding Standard, the sponsors/trustees must submit a funding proposal to the Pensions Board to restore full funding, normally within three years.

However, as a result of the economic difficulties, the Government introduced a number of temporary measures aimed at easing the pressures being experienced by schemes.

Those measures include:

The granting of extra time for schemes to formulate funding proposals;

Granting flexibility to the Pensions Board to allow longer periods (over 10 years) for recovery plans in appropriate circumstances;

Enabling the Board to allow the term of a replacement recovery plan to extend beyond the end date of the original plan in certain circumstances; and

Enabling the Board to take into account voluntary employer guarantees in approving recovery plans.

It is likely that, as a result of recent improvements in investment markets, the solvency of most schemes has improved. However, the situation is still a cause for concern, and I encourage scheme trustees and sponsoring employers to continue to work with the Pensions Board to address funding issues as a matter of urgency.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
926 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on increasing the standard retirement age in order to enhance long-term fiscal sustainability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27966/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

The average exit age from the labour force in Ireland was 64.1 years in 2006, compared to the EU25 average of 61 years. Notwithstanding this, the Green Paper on Pensions, published in October 2007, discussed the issue of raising state pension age as a measure to assist with the sustainability of the public pension system and to strengthen inter-generational solidarity. As was pointed out in the Green Paper, people are now living longer and healthier lives, with the time spent in retirement now much longer than was previously the case. This creates sustainability pressures for both occupational pension schemes as well as state pensions. Other countries have already announced increases in state pension age.

While Ireland currently has a relatively younger population than other countries, it is expected that, by mid century, we will have only two people of working age to every pensioner compared to six people of working age at present. The Green Paper projected that population ageing would give rise to a substantial increase in age-related expenditure, of which pension provision is expected to be the single largest component. Increasing state pension age is one option to help address these spending pressures.

The Government is currently finalising a national pensions framework which will be published before the end of the year. Any decisions on amending state pension age will be made in that context.

Social Insurance.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
927 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions she has had with the Department of Finance regarding the situation whereby artists may get a large sum of money from a show once every couple of years, but have no discernible income for many other years and hence do not pay PRSI contributions so they may not be eligible for unemployment assistance or old age pensions; her plans to solve this tax issue which not only affects artists but other self-employed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32325/09]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
Share

Self-employed people including artists are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 3% and are consequently eligible for a narrower range of benefits than general employees who, together with their employers, pay a total social insurance contribution of 14.05%, excluding levies, under the full-rate PRSI Class A.

Self-employed workers are not insured against short-term benefits such as illness and jobseeker's payments — these are only available to persons covered by PRSI Classes A, E, H and P. This reflects the need for coverage for various contingencies, the rate of contributions that self-employed people pay, the practicalities of administering and controlling access to short-term payments and the annualised system of contributions that these same people enjoy. A system of separate arrangements for employed and self-employed workers within a social insurance context is common in other European social protection systems.

There are no immediate plans to extend cover for short-term benefits to this group of insured workers. Any such measure would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered within a budgetary context. Consideration would also have to be given to an appropriate increase in the rate of the PRSI Class S contribution.

Self-employed workers who do not qualify for an insurance-based benefit may establish entitlement to assistance-based payments such as Jobseekers Allowance. They can apply for the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. In general their earnings level in the last twelve months is the basis for determining their expected income for the following year. However, in the current climate account is taken of the downward trend in the economy and it is accepted that future earnings may be lower than those of previous years. This is factored in projecting future earnings, with account being taken of the potential for significant upward or downward variations in income from one year to the next.

Similarly, any person who does not satisfy the social insurance contribution criteria for the State Pension (Contributory) may apply for the State Pension (Non-Contributory), the award of which is, inter alia, subject to a means test.

In addition, self-employed persons who are no longer covered by compulsory PRSI can opt to pay Voluntary Contributions if they meet the necessary requirements. Payment of Voluntary Contributions can help to maintain or improve an individual's contributory pension entitlement. Self-employed persons pay a special rate of Voluntary Contributions and the current amount payable is €253 per year.

Physical Education Facilities.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
928 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if all available Defence Forces physical education sports facilities and equipment could potentially support the delivery of physical education in secondary schools here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

A wide range of educational, voluntary and community groups currently avail of facilities including those for the provision of sports and physical education. These facilities are provided subject to terms and conditions laid down by my Department and to the exigencies of the requirements of the Defence Forces.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
929 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an audit of all available Defence Force personnel with expertise in the area of physical education and sport, such as physical education teachers, personal and training or National Council for Exercise and Fitness instructors and coaches who hold recognised coaching or leadership qualifications from the governing bodies or sport here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

The Defence Force has a total of 292 personnel who are qualified in one of these areas. In addition, a further 16 are presently undergoing a course of study. These qualified personnel are stationed throughout the Defence Forces including the Air Corps and Naval Service.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that this figure is proving adequate at present to meet the needs of the Defence Forces at home and overseas.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
930 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33079/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

The information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Army Barracks.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
931 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence the cost of security and maintenance of Longford Army Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33354/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

The Government decision of 14 October 2008 approved a programme for consolidation of Defence Forces formations that included the closure of Connolly Barracks, Longford. The cost incurred since the closure is €16,516.37.

Defence Forces Equipment.

Chris Andrews
Share
Chris Andrews
Question:
932 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Defence the way he justifies awarding lucrative contracts to Israeli companies when the country has been accused of war crimes in a recently released United Nations report; if he will exclude Israeli companies from future tender competitions until such time as meaningful negotiations commence with Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33448/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

Earlier this year, my Department initiated a tender competition for the supply of Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) equipment for four from twenty-seven Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles that are being supplied by BAE Systems in South Africa. Following a detailed evaluation of tenders, the contract for the award of the Surveillance and Target acquisition equipment, with a value of €2.37m inclusive of VAT, was awarded to Elbit Systems Limited in Israel. The four Surveillance and Target Acquisition Suites ordered for use with four of the Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles are required to enhance the capability of the Irish Defence Forces to carry out surveillance and target acquisition for overseas Peace Support Operations. They will be used as an information-gathering asset and will provide a means to enhance force protection and the safety of Irish troops whilst on such missions.

My Department conducts tender competitions in accordance with EU procurement guidelines. For procurements of defensive equipment in excess of €1million, the Code of Conduct on Defence Procurement is observed and competitions are advertised by the European Defence Agency as was the case with the tender competition for the Surveillance and Target Acquisition suite. Tender competitions are held in accordance with the EU Code of Conduct on Export Controls. The tender competitions are open to companies in individual countries in accordance with the terms of all United Nations, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and European Union arms embargos or restrictions. Neither Elbit Systems Limited nor Israel have had embargos or restrictions imposed on them under the terms of these organisations. The Department of Defence is obliged to deal impartially with all companies that are entitled to enter its procurement competitions and must evaluate tenders on the basis of objective criteria set out in the tender documentation.

The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used for the acquisition of defensive equipment for the Defence Forces. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders. The acquisition of the four Surveillance and Target Acquisition Suites followed on from such a tender competition.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
933 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the storage of military equipment from Lifford and Rockhill Army Barracks, County Donegal; the location at which he will facilitate these materials in the long term; if this will involve the construction of a new building; the costs that will accrue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33545/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

The Government decision of 14 October 2008 approved a programme for consolidation of Defence Forces formations that included the closure of Lifford and Rockhill barracks. Prior to the closure of these posts all equipment and materials were removed to Finner Camp. The equipment transferred from Lifford and Rockhill was accommodated within the existing facilities and infrastructure in Finner Camp and did not require the building of any new buildings.

Naval Service Vessels.

Ciaran Lynch
Share
Ciaran Lynch
Question:
934 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the funding which has been allocated for the building of new offshore patrol vessels; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33856/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

My Department's Vote for 2009 includes an amount of €5m which has been allocated towards the purchase of new Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service.

This funding has been ear-marked as a down-payment to be made upon the signing of a contract with the preferred bidder who emerged following a recent tender competition organised by my Department.

The Naval Vessel Replacement Programme will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. A contract cannot be signed until Government approval has been granted.

Subject to a Government decision on the matter, I would anticipate that the construction of the new vessels would commence a number of months after a contract is signed.

Defence Forces Co-operation.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
935 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence his plans to encourage cooperation between the Defence Forces with Argentina; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33879/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

Insofar as opportunities arise in the discharge of their duties, the Defence Forces have my support for the development of international contacts and friendly relations with the armed services of other States.

Such contact with the Argentinean services is particularly welcome and is entirely consistent with the historic links between our nations. The Defence Forces have a very good relationship with the Argentinean Military primarily through the Admiral Brown Naval connection. The achievements of Admiral William Brown, originally from Foxford, Co. Mayo, as founder of the Argentine Navy and a key contributor to national independence, has led to a number of mutual naval service visits in recent years.

The Argentine Naval Sail Training Vessel the ARA Libertad visited Dublin in June this year, and 100 Argentine Naval Cadets, along with the Acting Argentine Ambassador to Ireland, visited Foxford, Co Mayo in connection with Admiral Brown on 18 June. Lt Gen Earley visited Argentina as part of an Irish delegation in 2007.

The Defence Forces and the Argentinean Armed Forces are developing an exchange training programme. An Irish officer attended a course in Argentina in September 2008. Opportunities for return visits by Argentinean Officers are being explored.

The Argentine Armed Forces have served in various peace keeping / enforcing missions around the world including United Nations Truce Supervision Organization where they served with members of the Defence Forces. The Argentine Armed Forces also served with United Nations Peace keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) and as observers with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
936 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Defence the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33897/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

My Department commissioned a total of four reports during 2008:

The Independent Monitoring Group, which was set up to give effect to the recommendations of the Doyle Report (2002) concerning Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in the Defence Forces, was re-constituted in February 2008. The objective was to review progress and report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2004 and 2002 Reports. The cost of the Group's report was €37,109.

PA Consultant Group was commissioned by my Department to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The consultancy focused on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces. The contract was awarded in June 2008 and the cost was €95,000.

Entograph was commissioned by my Department to evaluate options for bracken control in the Glen of Imaal and identify a plan for its control. The cost was €30,129.

Mott Mac Donald Ltd was commissioned by my Department to carry out a review of the Safety Policy at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. The cost of this review was €50,000.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
937 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33948/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
938 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33963/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 937 and 938 together.

I have set out in the tables below the number of persons in my Department and in the agencies under the aegis of my Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

Department of Defence

Year

Early Retirement

Termination

Resignation

2006

1

2007

1

2008

2009 (to 1/9/09)

3

1

Civilian Employees

Year

Early Retirement

Termination

Resignation

2006

1

5

2007

1

4

2008

3

6

2009 (to 1/9/09)

12

1

1

Coiste an Asgard

Year

Early Retirement

Termination

Resignation

2006

Nil

Nil

Nil

2007

Nil

Nil

Nil

2008

Nil

Nil

1

2009 (to 1/9/09)

Nil

Nil

Nil

The Department of Defence staff and civilian employees referred to above were paid the appropriate retirement benefits payable to civil service personnel generally or to state industrial employees. There was no cost to my Department as the costs were borne by the Vote for Superannuation and Retired Allowances. Certain costs have arisen in respect of civilian employees of my Department who availed of voluntary early retirement schemes following the closure or rationalisation of military facilities. The total costs involved are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. No cost arose in respect of the resignation from Coiste an Asgard.

Standard retirement payments were made to members of the Defence Forces who took early retirement or resigned during the years in question. The cost is paid from the Vote for Army Pensions.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
939 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34312/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

The Department of Defence has entered an 18 month contract with Vodafone effective from 1st October 2009. This contract covers the provision of mobile voice and data services for the Department of Defence. The devices issued to the Minister for Defence are included in this contract.

The contract was awarded in accordance with the Mobile Framework Agreement established by the Department of Finance.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
940 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34338/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

My Department has not sanctioned or applied for the payment of a top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under the remit of the department in any of the last three years.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
941 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34353/09]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)
Share

One member of staff of my Department was dismissed in 2004. One Civilian employed with the Defence Forces was dismissed in 2007 and another in 2009.

Housing Grants.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
942 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [33283/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability is administered by the local authorities and all matters relating to compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme, the processing and approval of applications and the payment of grants to individual applicants are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Tax Yield.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
943 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the return to the Exchequer if the tax on second homes were raised to €1,000. [34432/09]

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

The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing this charge on all non-principal private residences, including private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence. The charge has been set at €200 per annum.

When the Bill was at Second Stage in the Houses, it was indicated that the charge could be expected to raise about €40 million a year, based on collection from approximately 200,000 properties. However, census and other data suggest that there may be 400,000 properties in the State liable for the charge and the annual potential yield could therefore be significantly higher than estimated at present.

Departmental Expenditure.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
944 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount it has cost to set up and operate a project (details supplied) in County Mayo since it commencement in tabular format on a yearly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34589/09]

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
1015 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding provided by him to a project (details supplied) in County Mayo since it commenced in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34590/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 944 and 1015 together.

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Tax Code.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
945 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider a circular letter to local authorities to allow the introduction of a waiver scheme for persons who have lost their job in respect of the €200 charge for non-principal private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34713/09]

Seymour Crawford
Share
Seymour Crawford
Question:
946 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the €200 charge on an a house (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/09]

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
947 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person who is resident in the UK but who has a holiday home here, is liable to the second home property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34704/09]

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
952 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person will be liable for property tax when a house is owned by a child of parents to release funds for medical expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33067/09]

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
954 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) is expected to pay the non-principal private residence charge, when in fact they only own one property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33135/09]

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
956 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the non-principal private residence charge will be liable on vacant houses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33190/09]

Máire Hoctor
Share
Máire Hoctor
Question:
969 Deputy Máire Hoctor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the €200 second house levy applies in the case of a person (details supplied). [33427/09]

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
973 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person who is not living here, but owns a home here, has to pay the €200 charge under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 second home tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33544/09]

Joe Costello
Share
Joe Costello
Question:
999 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the terms of the tax on second homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 945 to 947, inclusive, 952, 954, 956, 969, 973 and 999 together.

The Government has decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence.

While detailed guidance has been provided to local authorities for the purpose of applying the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, covering, inter alia, the terms and definitions used in the Act and their broad application, interpretation and implementation of the legislation is a matter for the local authorities in the first instance.

Given the modest nature of this charge, I do not propose to introduce a waiver scheme at the present time.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
948 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be awarded their payment; the reason for the delay in issuing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32956/09]

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

I understand that payment has been issued in this case in recent days, following the receipt of a tax clearance certificate.

Local Authority Funding.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
949 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered implementing a rate subsidy scheme to allow local authorities to reduce rates in particular areas (details supplied) to allow these businesses to remain active and employing persons whilst not causing the local authority to further erode its rate base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33004/09]

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

Rates are local property taxes that are levied by local authorities on commercial properties rateable under the Valuation Act 2001. The determination of the annual rate on valuation which is applied to property valuation to calculate rates is a decision taken locally by the elected members of a local authority in their annual budget.

I have no plans to introduce a rates subsidy scheme that would favour one commercial sector over another. However, to support economic activity and employment, both nationally and locally, and to protect the interests of communities, I specifically requested that local authorities exercise restraint in setting any increases in commercial rates in their 2009 Budgets. Local authorities recognise the challenging environment in which business operates and have responded positively to this request.

I am cognizant of the importance of rates income as a contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities. These services are of considerable benefit to all, including ratepayers and business generally. I will continue to keep the approach to rates by local authorities under review.

Planning Issues.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
950 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the drying of clothes on balconies in apartment complexes; if appropriate facilities for drying clothes outdoors in apartment blocks will become part of the planning process in the drive to reduce carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33012/09]

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

I am aware that many apartment management companies do not permit the drying of clothes on balconies in the lease/letting agreement.

The Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Design Standards for Apartments (2007) state that communal facilities for drying clothes may be provided in well-ventilated areas in some larger schemes. Where such communal facilities are not provided, the Guidelines say that consideration needs to be given to the provision of drying facilities within each unit, such as the use of screened balconies. A copy of the Guidelines is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Incorporating appropriate outdoor drying facilities into the design of apartment developments may have environmental merit and, taking into account practical implementation issues such as space, privacy and security, my Department will consider the proposal further in the context of any future review of the Guidelines.

Designated Areas.

Richard Bruton
Share
Richard Bruton
Question:
951 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a decision on the implementation of a special protection order on Dublin Bay will be made in view of the fact that he has a copy of the report from the Designated Areas Appeal Advisory Group in his possession; the reason for the delay in making his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33043/09]

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

Following the notification of my intention to designate South Dublin Bay & River Tolka Estuary Special Protection Area in May 2008, one appeal, from the Dublin Port Company, was made to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board for its consideration. The Board heard the appeal on 2 July 2009. Having considered the scientific evidence presented by my Department and by the appellant, the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board advised me that there is sufficient scientific evidence to support the retention of the area subject to the appeal within the SPA. The Board recommended that the appeal be refused.

I have accepted the recommendation of the Board in this regard, and have rejected the appeal. My decision was notified to Dublin Port Company in July 2009.

I expect shortly to sign a Statutory Instrument, which will complete the designation process for this site.

Question No. 952 answered with Question No. 945.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
953 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the annual cost to his Department of Ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33082/09]

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

A summary of the information requested, where available, is set out in the tables below for the period from 1999 — 2003 and for the period from 2004 to the end of September 2009. Detailed information on the cost of attending engagements overseas is currently being compiled in respect of my own travel since June 2007 and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. However, collation of the costs of every individual event attended by Ministers and Ministers of State for each of the past ten years would involve an inordinate amount of time and resources.

This applies particularly to expenses paid prior to the introduction of the current financial accounting system on 01 January 2004. However, the cost of overseas travel and subsistence claims made by Ministers and Ministers of State at the Department prior to that date is available and is set out in the following table.

Overseas Travel & Subsistence claims by Ministers and Ministers of State 1999 to 2003

Year

Claim

€

1999

6,873.77

2000

8,614.55

2001

9,010.39

2002

3,598.58

2003

4,975.54

The current financial accounting system facilitates more detailed retrieval of information on different claims and expenses. The table below sets out the expenses paid in connection with overseas travel engagements by Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department from 01 January 2004 to the end of September 2009 including air fares, accommodation, transport costs and travel and subsistence claims made by the Ministers.

However, some costs incurred on behalf of Ministers during Ireland's presidency of the EU in the first half of 2004 have been recorded under a general EU presidency account. Many of the costs directly attributed to Ministers cannot readily be extracted from this account.

Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Jan-Sept 2009

Total Expenses

€64,130.81

€80,976.95

€103,485.12

€43,505.18

€55,474.01

€30,082.74

Question No. 954 answered with Question No. 945.

Departmental Audits.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
955 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the audit of community facilities being conducted under active citizenship has been completed in respect of every county; if such audits have been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33189/09]

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

In keeping with the recommendation in the Task Force Report on Active Citizenship, an audit of community, sports and arts facilities at local level was commenced in the second half of 2008 by each County and City Council, under the auspices of the relevant County/City Development Board and in line with guidelines issued by my Department. These guidelines were developed in consultation with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Department of the Taoiseach and local authorities. Thirty two local authorities have carried out audits of community facilities and two audits are in progress at this time. On completion of the audits, appropriate arrangements will be made for the local authorities to make them available.

Question No. 956 answered with Question No. 945.

National Biodiversity Plan.

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
957 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the new National Biodiversity Plan to cover the period 2008 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33193/09]

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

A public consultation process on a new National Biodiversity Plan took place last year in association with other Government Departments and the Biodiversity Stakeholders Forum, which operates as a Standing Committee of Comhar (the National Sustainable Development Council). All of the submissions received have been examined. Detailed consideration with Government Departments on the Plan is now commencing following which a draft Plan is expected to be available by the end of this year.

Urban Renewal Schemes.

Kieran O'Donnell
Share
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:
958 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the €1 million required for the planning and design stage of Limerick regeneration will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33210/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1037 and 1044 of 16 September 2009 regarding the Limerick Regeneration Programme, and my subsequent statement to the House as part of the adjournment debate on 23 September 2009. A Project Team, led by the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, was established in 2009 to deliver detailed plans for two new sheltered housing projects in Moyross and Ballinacurra Weston. Some €1.5 million is set aside in 2009 to meet these design costs and it is intended that priority projects in the Southill and St. Mary's Park areas will be added to the Project Team's remit.

The broader economic and employment situation in Limerick and the Mid-West region is under consideration in light of the Interim Report of the Mid-West Task Force. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment published the Task Force's Interim Report on 28 July 2009 and the Government is now engaging in a cross-Departmental consultation process to evaluate and consider the implementation of the report's recommendations. The Report's recommendation that the implementation of the Limerick Regeneration Plan should be accelerated, and that expenditure of €1 million should be provided initially in order to accelerate the detailed planning and design process, will be considered in the context of that consultation process.

Proposed Legislation.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
959 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to introduce regulations to implement the recommendations of the Working Group to Review the Management of Dog Breeding Establishments; and if the kennels of non-commercial clubs registered with an organisation (details supplied) will be fully exempt from such regulations. [33222/09]

Andrew Doyle
Share
Andrew Doyle
Question:
964 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that his previous commitment to exclude registered hunt kennels from the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Bill remains; the procedures in place to ensure adequate input from people who might be impacted by the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33253/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 959 and 964 together.

Work is under way in drafting an amendment to the Control of Dogs Acts and I hope to publish proposed new legislation in the near future. The process has included discussions with a number of organisations, bodies, public agencies and interests active in the area. The draft Bill is being designed to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that had been established to review the management of dog breeding establishments. The Working Group recommended that a dog breeding establishment be defined as ‘a premises containing more than 5 female dogs, aged over 4 months, with breeding potential'.

The draft Bill will propose that dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they pay a registration fee and that they meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards, together with some associated requirements.

The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) made submissions to me in relation to their activities and the nature of these. As a consequence and in recognition of the "not for profit" basis of these, and as communicated to the HAI directly and in response to representations on their behalf, I decided to provide exemption in the legislation in respect of the payment of registration fees. The HAI has made clear that their premises operate comprehensive and appropriate standards. Accordingly, I do not consider that this aspect of the legislative regime should cause difficulty.

EU Directives.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
960 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm the status of the principal directive at issue, and the general subject matter of any proceedings by the European Commission against the Government in the environmental sector under Articles 226 and 228 of the EC Treaty. [33248/09]

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

In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 29 cases relating to transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation. The cases are at various stages of proceedings as listed in the attached table. As indicated in the table nearly all cases are of national application. Some are also site specific and the principal locations are provided.

Stage in Proceedings

Locations: Site/County

EU Instrument Number and General Reference

Article 226 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 226 Reasoned Opinion

Being Referred to the European Court of Justice

Before the European Court of Justice for a hearing or awaiting judgement

European Court of Justice Decision to be Implemented

Article 228 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 228 Reasoned Opinion

75/442/EEC the waste directive

1

Of national application

1

Of national application and site specific (Ferrybank, Co Waterford and Drogheda Co Louth)

1

Of national application

1

A case of national application and also related to certain sites (see note 1 below setting out locations)

76/464/EEC on dangerous substances in water

1

Of national application

79/409/EEC on wild birds

1

Of national application

79/923/EEC on the quality required of shellfish waters

1

Of national application and site specific (Cork Harbour)

80/68/EEC on groundwater

1

Ballymurtagh, Co Wicklow

80/778/EEC on the quality of drinking water for human consumption

1

Of national application

85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment

1

Of national application

1

Of national application but also site specific (Duleek and M3 Co. Meath)

1

Of national application

1

Of national application but also site specific (Derrybrien, Co Galway)

91/271/EEC on urban waste water treatment

1

Of national application

1

Site specific (see note 2 below setting out locations)

92/43/EEC on habitats

1

Of national application also site specific (Clara Bog, Co Offaly, and River Lickey Co Waterford)

1

Of national application

Stage in Proceedings

Locations: Site/County

EU Instrument Number and General Reference

Article 226 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 226 Reasoned Opinion

Being Referred to the European Court of Justice

Before the European Court of Justice for a hearing or awaiting judgement

European Court of Justice Decision to be Implemented

Article 228 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 228 Reasoned Opinion

96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control

1

Of national application

98/81/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms

1

Of national application

99/31/EC on landfill

1

Of national application

2000/53/EC on end of life vehicles

1

Of national application

2000/60/EC the water framework directive

1

Of national application

2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment

1

Of national application

2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment

1

Of national application

2003/35/EC on public participation in certain plans and programmes relating to the environment

1

Of national application

2006/21/EC on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC

1

Of national application

2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration

1

Of national application

2007/2/EC establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the EU

1

Of national application

Decision 2005/166/EC & Decision 280/2004/EC: Rules concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol

1

Of national application

Note 1: Poolbeg, Dublin City; Powerstown, Co. Carlow; Cullinagh and Ballard, Fermoy Co. Cork; Drumnaboden Co. Donegal; Lea Rd. and Ballymorris, Portarlington Co. Laois; Limerick City wetlands, Co. Limerick; Greenore, Co. Louth; Various wetlands at Ballynatin, Pickardstown, Ballygunner Bog and Castletown, as well as Tramore and Killbarry, Co. Waterford; Pembrokestown, White Rock Hill Co. Wexford; Bray Co. Wicklow.

Note 2: Bray, Co. Wicklow, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Howth and Shangannagh, Co. Dublin and Sligo.

Waste Management.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
961 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all local authorities have completed the register of contaminated sites; if any local authorities have not done so, the action he will take to ensure compliance. [33249/09]

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

A ministerial policy direction issued on 3 May 2005 in regard to compliance by local authorities with the requirements of section 22 of the Waste Management Acts to prepare an inventory and risk assessment of all non-licensed closed landfills where disposal or recovery activities have taken place. To assist local authorities in this process, the EPA has developed a dedicated web site. However the web site is not, and is not intended to be, a register of contaminated sites.

Under the Waste Management (Certification of Historic Unlicensed Waste Disposal and Recovery Activity) Regulations 2008 local authorities are obliged to identify and register by 30 June 2009 all closed unlicensed landfills which were operated by them during the period 15 July 1977 to 27 March 1997, i.e. in the period between the adoption of relevant EU requirements and their having full effect in Ireland through the waste licensing system now the statutory responsibility of the EPA. My Department understands from the EPA that all local authorities have complied with this registration requirement.

Local authorities are also required, under section 26(2) of the Acts, to identify and assess sites at which waste disposal activities were carried out that to a significant extent involved hazardous waste. The EPA in 2007 published a Code of Practice for Environmental Risk Assessment for Unregulated Waste Disposal Sites. The code provides the framework for local authorities to establish any environmental risk posed by such sites.

Urban Renewal Schemes.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
962 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in relation to the Cork Docklands project; the funding available for this project; the timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33250/09]

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

I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 477, 478, and 499 of 7 July 2009 and Questions Nos. 757 and 767 of 9 July 2009.

My Department, in conjunction with the Inter-Departmental Senior Officials Group established to consider the analysis and recommendations in the Cork Docklands Development Forum Report, is urgently considering what enabling measures can be put in place to further progress the development of Cork Docklands.

Waste Disposal.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
963 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to Haulbowline Island, County Cork; his plans to deal with the toxic waste at the site; the way the site will be managed; and when he will undertake the health survey of the Cork Harbour area as promised. [33251/09]

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

I refer to the reply to Question No. 500 of 7 July 2009. The position is unchanged.

Question No. 964 answered with Question No. 959.

Departmental Correspondence.

George Lee
Share
George Lee
Question:
965 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on suspending Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007, in view of the effect it is having on experienced architects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33256/09]

Alan Shatter
Share
Alan Shatter
Question:
1007 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will meet an organisation (details supplied) to discuss with them their concerns about Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007; the consideration given by him to date to their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34372/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 965 and 1007 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 998, 1024, 1057 and 968 of 16 September 2009. I have no plans to suspend Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007.

Planning Issues.

George Lee
Share
George Lee
Question:
966 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if planning permission is required to convert a car park into a commercial car park. [33303/09]

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

Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2009 and the associated regulations, all development commenced on or after 1 October 1964 requires planning permission unless specifically exempted. While certain developments are exempted under section 4 of the Act and Part 2 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, there is no specific exemption for car parks. A change in the use of land is development for the purpose of the legislation, but planning permission is not required for a change of use within any one of the classes of use specified in Part 4 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations.

The interpretation and application of the legislation is a matter the planning authorities in the first instance.

Private Rented Accommodation.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
967 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will examine the manner in which the rental accommodation scheme is being operated in County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the relatively few new participants, which have been allowed into the scheme in recent months; his views on the manner in which Kildare County Council are dealing with applicants who are in part-time employment and who are being advised by the council that inclusion in the scheme would be too expensive for the Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33311/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

Since the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) commenced in 2005 to the end of August 2009, Kildare County Council has transferred a total of 692 households from rent supplement to RAS or other social housing. Of that total, 60 households have been accommodated to date in 2009. The Council have advised my Department that they will meet their 2009 target of transferring 200 rent supplement households to RAS (150) and social housing (50).

It is a matter for each individual authority to manage the transfer of rent supplement households to RAS and my Department has no function in the transfer of individual cases. The qualifying criteria for RAS are that a household must be in receipt of rent supplement, usually for 18 months or more and have a long term housing need. Households in part-time employment are not precluded from the scheme.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Paul Connaughton
Share
Paul Connaughton
Question:
968 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has received a file from Galway County Council concerning the Loughrea/Kilrickle water scheme; the position regarding same; if he will confirm that the Kilrickle water scheme is still part of the Loughrea town augmentation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33339/09]

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

The Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme, which includes a proposed connection to serve Kilrickle, is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009.

My Department awaits the submission of a revised Design Review Report for the scheme from Galway County Council.

Question No. 969 answered with Question No. 945.

Register of Electors.

John Cregan
Share
John Cregan
Question:
970 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to include a post code for each electoral area on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33429/09]

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

Electoral law provides that 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.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission. It states that the Commission's responsibilities will include taking charge of the compilation of a new national rolling electoral register. The question of the use of postcodes for electoral registration purposes would appropriately arise for consideration in this context.

Housing Grants.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
971 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are guidelines or legislation in place to ensure that a grant scheme approved by a local authority is honoured when the work is completed; the safeguard in place for grant applicants who are approved funding but are told there is no funding available on completion of the works; his views on introducing such guidelines to ensure that local authority budgets are fully transparent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33511/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are administered by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability) Regulations, S.I. No. 670 of 2007. Matters such as the assessment and approval of individual applications and the payment of grants to householders, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

The combined allocation to Mayo County Council, incorporating the Exchequer contribution and the co funding provided by Council, for 2009, was €2,775,834, an increase of 14% on the 2008 allocation.

The annual allocations to local authorities under the schemes are calculated on foot of detailed discussion between my Department and the local authorities and on the basis of a number of criteria, including the level of applications on hand that have been assessed as eligible, applications yet to be assessed and projections for new applications to be received during the year. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed towards each of the individual schemes, from within the combined allocation notified to them by my Department, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their allocation. There are no undue delays in recouping grant expenditure to the local authorities and, nationally, some 75% of the overall Exchequer contribution has been recouped to local authorities to date.

At my Department's request, the Centre for Housing Research is currently carrying out an evaluation of the grant schemes in consultation with stakeholders, including the local authorities, representative organisations for older people and persons with a disability, and with a cross-section of grant applicants. The need for revised guidelines with regard to the payment of grants by local authorities to approved applicants will be considered in the light of the evaluation report.

Election Management System.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
972 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason people who are successful in local election are given an extra seven days to make their disclosures under the Local Election (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33535/09]

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

I refer to the reply to Question No. 320 of 22 September 2009. The Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999, as amended, requires that all candidates, both successful and unsuccessful, furnish a statement of election expenses and statutory declaration to the local authority concerned within 90 days following polling day.

Section 20(1) of the Act provides that where an unsuccessful candidate fails to furnish the relevant statement within the specified period, the person shall be disqualified for membership of any local authority for the remainder of the term of office of the members of the local authority concerned.

Section 20(2) of the Act provides that where a member of a local authority elected at the election fails to furnish to the local authority concerned, within the period specified for this purpose, the relevant statement, the member shall be suspended from membership of the authority for the period of 7 days commencing on the expiry of the time specified for this purpose, or a lesser period ending on the compliance by the member with the requirements of section 13, and if at the end of that period the member has not complied with the requirements of section 13, the member shall be disqualified for membership of any local authority.

In the case of an unsuccessful candidate who failed to furnish a statement to the local authority concerned, there is no scope to provide for a suspension from membership of that local authority.

The requirement to submit a statement of election expenses and statutory declaration, and the disqualification provisions that apply for non-submission, have been in effect for the local elections held in 1999, 2004 and 2009. I consider that 90 days is more than adequate to make a return, and would be reluctant to relax the provisions currently contained in the legislation.

However, if practical issues emerge with the implementation of legislation, then I will, of course, consider them to determine any action that may be required.

Question No. 973 answered with Question No. 945.

Local Authority Housing.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
974 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in agreeing the scheme of letting submitted by Dublin City Council a number of years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33558/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

I approved the Dublin City Council revised scheme of letting priorities on 16 April, 2009 and a letter conveying this approval issued to the Council on 20 April, 2009.

Special Areas of Conservation.

Share
Question:
975 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is EU or Exchequer funding available for developing designated bog areas; the amount of such funding each year for the past 10 years; the amount to be spent in 2009; the breakdown of this funding; the areas involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33559/09]

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

Ireland is required to protect habitats of European importance under the Habitats Directive 1992, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. In accordance with the Directive, Ireland has nominated certain raised and blanket bogs, which are priority natural habitats under the Directive, as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs). In addition, Ireland has also designated other raised and blanket bogs as natural heritage areas (NHAs) under the 2000 Wildlife Act. All raised and blanket bog, SACs and NHAs are listed in the table below.

My Department provides funding for compensation of turf cutters who cease cutting and for the purchase of freehold or turbary rights on these designated sites with a view to their protection and, where appropriate, restoration. The following sums have been expended on this in the last 10 years:

Year

Amount

€million

1999

2.25

2000

1.60

2001

0.40

2002

0.40

2003

0.50

2004

0.36

2005

4.69

2006

4.10

2007

5.00

2008

6.30

In 2009, having regard to available resources, expenditure is expected to be just under €4.7m. The breakdown is expected to be about €3.7m to be paid to commercial cutters and €1m for purchase of turbary rights or freehold of domestic turf cutters. A list of the bogs concerned is attached, including the counties in which they are located. Purchases of freehold or turbary rights of domestic cutters are mainly confined to raised bogs, and especially to those 32 raised bogs designated before 1999, on which cutting is due to end this year. These bogs are listed as the first 32 in the table.

Special Areas of Conservation

#

Site Code

Site Name

County

1

000006

Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally)

Cavan and Meath

2

000231

Barroughter Bog

Galway

3

000248

Cloonmoylan Bog

Galway

4

000285

Kilsallagh Bog

Galway

5

000296

Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack Turlough

Galway

6

000297

Lough Corrib

Galway and Mayo

7

000301

Lough Lurgeen Bog/Glenamaddy Turlough

Galway

8

000326

Shankill West Bog

Galway

9

000382

Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog

Kerry

10

000391

Ballynafagh Bog

Kildare

11

000440

Lough Ree

Ros/LD/WM

12

000457

Derrynabrock Bog

Mayo and Roscommon

13

000497

Flughany Bog

Mayo and Sligo

14

000547

Tawnaghbeg Bog

Mayo

15

000566

All Saints Bog and Esker

Offaly

16

000572

Clara Bog

Offaly

17

000575

Ferbane Bog

Offaly

18

000580

Mongan Bog

Offaly

19

000581

Moyclare Bog

Offaly

20

000582

Raheenmore Bog

Offaly

21

000585

Sharavogue Bog

Offaly

22

000592

Bellanagare Bog

Roscommon

23

000597

Carrowbehy/Caher Bog

Roscommon

24

000600

Cloonchambers Bog

Roscommon

25

000604

Derrinea Bog

Roscommon

26

000614

Cloonshanville Bog

Roscommon

27

000641

Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog

Tipperary

28

000647

Kilcarren-Firville Bog

Tipperary

29

000679

Garriskil Bog

Westmeath

30

001242

Carrownagappul Bog

Galway

31

001818

Lough Forbes Complex

Longford and Roscommon

32

002110

Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog

Galway and Roscommon

33

000595

Callow Bog

Roscommon

34

002298

River Moy

Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo

35

002331

Mouds Bog

Kildare

36

002332

Coolrain Bog

Laois

37

002333

Knockacoller Bog

Laois

38

002336

Carn Park Bog

Westmeath

39

002337

Crosswood Bog

Westmeath

40

002338

Drumalough Bog

Roscommon

41

002339

Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough

Roscommon

42

002340

Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs

Meath and Westmeath

43

002341

Ardagullion Bog

Longford

44

002342

Mount Hevey Bog

Meath and Westmeath

45

002343

Tullaher Lough and Bog

Clare

46

002346

Brown Bog

Longford

47

002347

Camderry Bog

Galway

48

002348

Clooneen Bog

Longford

49

002349

Corbo Bog

Roscommon

50

002350

Curraghlehanagh Bog

Galway

51

002351

Moanveanlagh Bog

Kerry

52

002352

Monivea Bog

Galway

53

002353

Redwood Bog

Tipperary

54

002354

Tullaghanrock Bog

Roscommon

55

002356

Ardgraigue Bog

Galway

Natural Heritage Areas

#

Site Code

Site Name

County

1

000220

Lough Namucka Bog NHA

Galway and Roscommon

2

000221

Moorfield Bog/Farm Cottage NHA

Galway and Roscommon

3

000222

Suck River Callows NHA

Galway and Roscommon

4

000229

Ballygar Bog NHA

Galway

5

000235

Bracklagh Bog NHA

Galway

6

000245

Clooncullaun Bog NHA

Galway

7

000247

Slieve Bog NHA

Galway

8

000249

Cloonoolish Bog NHA

Galway

9

000254

Crit Island West NHA

Galway

10

000267

Funshin Bog NHA

Galway

11

000280

Castle Ffrench West Bog NHA

Galway

12

000281

Keeloges Bog NHA

Galway

13

000283

Kilmore Bog NHA

Galway

14

000284

Kilnaborris Bog NHA

Galway

15

000292

Leaha Bog NHA

Galway

16

000307

Lough Tee Bog NHA

Galway

17

000310

Meneen Bog NHA

Galway

18

000321

Raford River Bog NHA

Galway

19

000333

Anna More Bog NHA

Kerry

20

000337

Doon Lough NHA

Clare

21

000422

Aghnamona Bog NHA

Leitrim and Longford

22

000564

River Little Brosna Callows NHA

Offaly and Tipperary

23

000565

Clonydonnin Bog NHA

Offaly and Westmeath

24

000570

Black Castle Bog NHA

Offaly

25

000591

Bella Bridge Bog NHA

Roscommon

26

000603

Cornaveagh Bog NHA

Roscommon

27

000605

Derrycanan Bog NHA

Roscommon

28

000640

Arragh More Bog NHA

Tipperary

29

000642

Ballymacegan Bog NHA

Tipperary

30

000648

Killeen Bog NHA

Tipperary

31

000652

Monaincha Bog/Ballaghmore Bog NHA

Laois

32

000674

Ballynagrenia and Ballinderry Bog NHA

Westmeath

33

000677

Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) NHA

Westmeath

34

000684

Lough Derravaragh NHA

Westmeath

35

000691

Rinn River NHA

Leitrim and Longford

36

000694

Wooddown Bog NHA

Westmeath

37

000890

Cangort Bog NHA

Offaly and Tipperary

38

000921

Screggan Bog NHA

Offaly

39

000937

Scohaboy Bog NHA

Tipperary

40

000985

Lough Kinale and Derragh Lough NHA

Cavan, Longford and Westmeath

41

000993

Ayle Lower Bog NHA

Clare

42

001020

Loughanilloon Bog NHA

Clare

43

001227

Aughrim Bog NHA

Galway

44

001240

Capira/Derrew Bog NHA

Galway

45

001244

Castle Ffrench East Bog NHA

Galway

46

001254

Derrinlough Bog NHA

Galway

47

001255

Derrynagran Bog and Esker NHA

Galway

48

001264

Eskerboy Bog NHA

Galway

49

001280

Killaclogher Bog NHA

Galway

50

001283

Killure Bog NHA

Galway

51

001303

Moorfield Bog NHA

Galway

52

001324

Jamestown Bog NHA

Meath

53

001352

Bunnaruddee Bog NHA

Kerry

54

001388

Carbury Bog NHA

Kildare

55

001393

Hodgestown Bog NHA

Kildare

56

001405

Cashel Bog (Leitrim) NHA

Leitrim

57

001420

Corracramph Bog NHA

Leitrim

58

001423

Cloonageeher Bog NHA

Leitrim and Longford

59

001448

Forthill Bog NHA

Longford

60

001450

Mount Jessop Bog NHA

Longford

61

001580

Girley Bog NHA

Meath

62

001582

Molerick Bog NHA

Meath

63

001623

Carrickynaghtan Bog NHA

Roscommon

64

001652

Tullaghan Bog (Roscommon) NHA

Roscommon

65

001684

Lorrha Bog NHA

Tipperary

66

001725

Nure Bog NHA

Westmeath

67

001812

Lough Garr NHA

Westmeath

68

001853

Nore Valley Bogs NHA

Tipperary

69

002033

Daingean Bog NHA

Offaly

70

002072

Lisnanarriagh Bog NHA

Roscommon

71

002307

Cloonloum More Bog NHA

Clare

72

002323

Milltownpass Bog NHA

Westmeath

73

002344

Annaghbeg Bog NHA

Galway

74

002355

Hawkswood Bog NHA

Offaly

75

002357

Clonreher Bog NHA

Laois

Housing Grants.

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
976 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to provide adequate funding to the local authorities in the Waterford constituency for housing grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33566/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities on 7 May 2009 under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes.

The 2009 allocations to both Waterford County Council and Waterford City Council amount to €2,220,005, compared to an initial allocation of €1,951,230 in 2008, an increase of almost 14%. The scope for making further allocations under the schemes is being reviewed at present and will take account of any under-spend by local authorities of their allocations under the schemes or other allocations under the wider range of housing programmes.

Water Charges.

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
977 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if properties such as churches and attached church halls that are registered as charitable organisations are obliged to pay non-domestic water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33613/09]

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

The Government's Water Pricing Policy, in consistency with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, requires local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from all non-domestic users of these services by means of a volumetric charge based on actual metered consumption. Accordingly, under the Pricing Policy, all non-domestic users are obliged to pay water charges.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
978 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he will accept an appropriate assessment linked to an application for a waste water treatment plant carried out by a local authority to discharge urban sewage directly into a marine special area of conservation for which there is no baseline data, no conservation objectives and no management plan, yet he refuses to accept an appropriate assessment linked to applications for aquaculture licences in SACs or special protection areas citing the absence of the same baseline data, conservation objectives or management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33624/09]

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

It is a matter for the appropriate consent authority to ensure that any development or activity that could have a significant impact on a Natura 2000 site is granted such consent in compliance with the provisions of the Habitats and Birds Directives, as transposed into Irish law in the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations. Waste water treatment plants are generally subject to planning consent and to licence from the EPA. Aquaculture licences are issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

I am a statutory consultee in such applications and provide scientific advice to the relevant consent authority in such matters. It is for the consent authority to make the appropriate assessment, based on the information made available to it in support of the application, as to whether consent can be given to the proposed development or activity.

Local Authority Housing.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
979 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations or legislation in place to assist local authorities in the taking over of housing developments when the initial contractor is insolvent or is no longer trading; and if he will introduce legislation to assist homeowners in this regard to ensure that local authorities take control of these developments. [33625/09]

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

Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that, where an estate is completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the planning permission, the planning authority must initiate taking in charge procedures as soon as possible following a request to do so by the developer or by the majority of the owners or occupiers. Similarly, where an estate has not been completed to the standard outlined in the planning permission and the planning authority has not taken enforcement action within the appropriate period, the planning authority must also initiate taking in charge procedures if requested to do so by the owners/occupiers. The decision as whether any particular estates should be taken in charge is ultimately one for the elected members of the planning authority.

Sections 34(4)(g) and 180(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provide respectively that a planning authority may attach conditions to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of a proposed development and, if a development is not subsequently completed satisfactorily, may apply the security given for the satisfactory completion of that development.

My Department's Development Management Guidelines (June 2007) and policy guidance on the Taking in Charge of Residential Developments (February 2008) advise that it is essential that planning permissions for residential developments are subject to conditions under which an acceptable security is provided by way of bond, cash deposit or otherwise so as to secure the satisfactory completion of those developments. The guidance states that the security given should be adequate to ensure the proper completion of roads, footpaths, water mains, sewers, lighting and open space and the lodgment of the security should be coupled with an agreement that would empower the authority to realise the amount of the security at an appropriate time.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
980 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the local authorities that have been authorised to switch houses which were previously identified as affordable homes for resale to social housing to let; the way this decision interfaces with the planning acts in terms of consultation with residents or opportunities to make representations; the legal implication for home owners who bought their homes on the basis of planning permissions for private and affordable housing only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33751/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

Where a local authority has a stock of unsold affordable housing units on hand and has exhausted all options for the sale of those units as affordable housing, the Planning and Development Acts 2000 — 2008 provide that such units may be used for another purpose connected with the functions of the authority, including social housing. In terms of funding, this is subject to prioritisation within the authority's social housing programme and the approval of my Department.

Local authorities have been advised by my Department on options for bringing unsold affordable homes into use, including the options of the temporary transfer of affordable homes for use under the Rental Accommodation Scheme or under the new social leasing arrangements, or in certain limited cases, for transfer to the permanent social housing stock. Insofar as the latter approach is concerned, approvals have issued to the following local authorities:- Athy Town Council; Cobh Town Council; Dublin City Council; Fermoy Town Council; Kilkenny County Council; Kinsale Town Council; Laois County Council; Limerick City Council; Midleton Town Council; Sligo County Council; Templemore Town Council and Wexford County Council.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
981 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if extra funding will be provided to Cork County Council for the number of idle local authority houses that require maintenance in view of the large housing waiting lists in north Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33822/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

In April 2009, my Department notified Cork County Council of an allocation of €550,000 to support its efforts to bring vacant housing stock back into viable use and to improve the energy efficiency of these dwellings. A programme of works proposed by the Council was approved by my Department in June 2009. No request has been made by the Council for additional funding to expand this programme. In addition, the Council received approval under its 2009 Improvement Works Programme to use €395,000 of its own resources to improve a number of void properties throughout the County.

Local Authority Charges.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
982 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is discretion on the part of local authorities to grant rates exemptions to non for profit organisations including those that provide full day care services for children, specifically when those child care facilities are funded through the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33823/09]

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

Rates are local property taxes that are levied by local authorities on commercial properties rateable under the Valuation Act 2001. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation. The determination of the annual rate on valuation which is applied to property valuations to calculate rates is a decision taken locally by the elected members of a local authority in their annual budget.

With regard to the application of rates charges to child-minding facilities, local authorities only levy rates on commercial establishments. Where childcare provision is within a community facility, operating in a non-profit capacity, commercial rates do not generally apply.

Planning Issues.

George Lee
Share
George Lee
Question:
983 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the outcome to the bonds lodged with local authorities if developers do not adhere to the planning permission conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33831/09]

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

Sections 34(4)(g) and 180(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provide respectively that a planning authority may attach conditions to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of a proposed development and, if a development is not subsequently completed satisfactorily, apply a security given under section 34 for the satisfactory completion of that development.

My Department's Development Management Guidelines (June 2007) and policy guidance on the Taking in Charge of Residential Developments (February 2008) advise that it is essential that planning permissions for residential developments are subject to conditions under which an acceptable security is provided by way of bond, cash deposit or otherwise so as to secure the satisfactory completion of those developments. The guidance also states that the security given should be adequate to ensure the proper completion of roads, footpaths, water mains, sewers, lighting and open space and the lodgement of the security should be coupled with an agreement that would empower the authority to realise the amount of the security at an appropriate time.

The enforcement of planning conditions, including conditions in relation to bonds, and the application of a bond for the completion of a development are matters for the relevant planning authority.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
984 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when work will commence on the provision of the Freshford wastewater scheme in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33833/09]

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

The Freshford/Johnstown/Goresbridge Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €7.9 million. Following my approval of the Preliminary Report for the scheme last November, Kilkenny County Council have been progressing the preparation of contract documents.

Local authorities were asked in July to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is anticipated will be published in early 2010. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.

Environmental Policy.

Paul Kehoe
Share
Paul Kehoe
Question:
985 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to the proposed increase in the charge for plastic bags, when he will increase this charge; will it be for a further 22 cent therefore a total of 44 cents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33841/09]

Paul Kehoe
Share
Paul Kehoe
Question:
986 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to the proposed increase in the charge for plastic bags, if he has engaged with retailers and suppliers and producers to this price increase; his views on whether the possible negative business consequences for packaging suppliers of a short lead time for the introduction of a 100% increase on the retail price of plastic bags, when suppliers already have considerable stocks of branded bags on site and will face difficulties for their businesses in absorbing the very devaluation of this stock;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33842/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 985 and 986 together.

The primary purpose of the levy on plastic bags is not to generate revenue but to change consumer behaviour and achieve a significant reduction in the consumption of plastic bags dispensed at retail outlets. The introduction of the levy at the rate of 15 cent per bag in 2002 led to a dramatic reduction in the number of disposable plastic bags provided to consumers, from an estimated 328 bags per person per year prior to the introduction of the levy to 21 bags per person by the end of 2002, with a consequent positive environmental benefit.

However, there followed a gradual increase in plastic bag usage which, by the period January to June 2007, had risen to an estimated 33 bags per person. In order to counteract this trend the levy was increased to 22 cent with effect from July 2007. Plastic bag consumption subsequently dropped to 26 bags per person for the period July 2007 to December 2007 but has climbed back to 27 bags per person for 2008.

Under Section 72(7) and (8) of the Waste Management Act 1996, as inserted by Section 9 of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001, it is only possible to increase the plastic levy in line with changes in the consumer price index. The increase in the levy to 22 cent per bag in July 2007 was in accordance with this legislation and, while it did reduce plastic bag usage somewhat, it was not successful in bringing plastic bag usage back to the level achieved when the levy was first introduced in 2002.

This demonstrates that greater flexibility is required, both in setting the plastic bag levy rate and in amending the level of charge as circumstances require. I will bring forward legislation to provide for this required flexibility and a Regulatory Impact Analysis has been carried out in respect of this proposed legislation. While the provisions of the proposed legislation would allow for an increase to 44 cent, any amendment to the level of charge will have regard to both the level of plastic bag usage and changes in the consumer price index.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
987 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33900/09]

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

The information requested in the question is set out in the following table.

Name of the Report

Cost

€

Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Anne’s Grove House, Garden and Home Farm, Castletownroche, Mallow, Co Cork.

14,520

Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of 14 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1

14,000¹

Consultancy to develop a plan for the development of ENFO’s Library and Information Service

13,500

To provide a Communications Strategy for ENFO

32,812

To review some of Ireland potential World Heritage sites and provide a report on the viability of nominating such sites

9,573

Limiting Thermal Bridging & Air Infiltration

19,011

DEHLG review and Spot checks of Capital Projects & Associated Training

130,548

Quarterly construction Industry Indicators

26,620

Construction Industry Review and Outlook report

117,954

Gateway Innovation Fund Proposal Evaluation

73,689

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System

101,203

Assessment of Need for “Living over the Shop” Tax Incentives to Support Urban Regeneration in NSS Gateways

32,186

Knocknarea, Carrowmore and Carns Hill Conservation Study

69,816

Study on Meeting the Requirements of European Regulation 842 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-gases).

84,658

Irish Battlefields Project

290,542

Monasterboice Conservation Study

39,160

Geotechnical Consultancy — Rath Lugh

4,734

Preliminary Study on the Establishment of an Electoral Commission in Ireland

8,400

Regulatory Impact Assessment Report (Waste Facilities & Plastic Bags)

72,341

Strategic Review of the Capital Funding Scheme for Voluntary & Cooperative Housing

160,000²

Development of implementation plan for Homeless Strategy

4,981

Waterford Youth Service — Research Project

15,000

Screening Regulatory Analysis Report on the draft European Communities Environmental Objectives (Freshwater Pearl Mussel) Regulations 2009

32,613

Preparation report on the nomination of Clonmacnoise as World Heritage Site

50,232

National Archaeological Archive and Archaeological Object Resource Facility — scoping report

54,407³

Former Irish Steel Plant Environmental Report (2008)

394,949

Peer Review of White Young Green Irish Steel Plant Environmental Report 2008

27,779

International Review of Waste Management Policy

195,110

Regulatory Impact Analysis of a proposed Section 60 on a Ministerial Direction in relation to Volumetric Contractual Commitments

22,216

Strategic Review of the Capital Funding Schemes for Voluntary and Co-operative Housing.

160,000

1No payment made to date

280,000 paid in 2008

350% of costs to be met by the National Museum. 9,000 paid to date.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
988 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33911/09]

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
989 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government position regarding the upgrade of a treatment plant (details supplied) in County Mayo; if funding will be allocated for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33912/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 988 and 989 together.

A scheme to extend the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme from Shrah to Westport and to upgrade the water treatment plant in Tourmakeady is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department received proposals in July 2009 from Mayo County Council for progressing the scheme to construction on the basis of the tenders received by the Council. The Department, following discussions with the Council, is now awaiting additional information on these proposals from the Council.

Local authorities were asked in July to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is anticipated will be published in early 2010. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
990 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be provided to allow sewerage schemes (details supplied) to proceed in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33925/09]

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

Lixnaw is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as part of the NSS Hub Cluster Sewerage Scheme which will serve a number of towns and villages in Co. Kerry. Further information is awaited from Kerry County Council to enable my Department to examine the Preliminary Report for Lixnaw.

I understand that Kerry County Council is undertaking a strategic study with a view to optimising the delivery of wastewater infrastructure in up to 90 towns and villages in the county, including Tarbert. My Department will consider the Preliminary Report for the Tarbert Sewerage Scheme in the light of the study recommendations.

Local authorities were asked in July to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. These assessments will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme, which it is anticipated will be published in early 2010. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
991 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33951/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
992 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33966/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 991 and 992 together.

The information requested in relation to my Department is set out below:

DOEHLG

2006

2007

2008

2009

Total

Early Retirement

5

6

3

23

37

Resigned

10

8

3

4

25

Contract Terminated

1

0

0

0

1

Total

16

14

6

27

63

There is no cost to this Department in relation to staff who retire — lump sums are paid by this Department but subsequently recouped from the Department of Finance while all other pension payments are made from the Department of Finance Vote.

Day to day staffing operational matters, including cost neutral early retirements, resignations and contract terminations, are matters for the individual agencies concerned and information would not be readily available in my Department, unless specific sanction was required. One retirement was sanctioned in 2006 by my Department and the Department of Finance under the terms of Department of Finance Circular of 26 May 1998 on Severance and Early Retirement for Chief Executives of Semi State Bodies. The retiring CEO received 3.1 added years under the terms of the circular at a lump sum cost of approximately €11,000 and an annual pension cost of approximately €4,000.

My Department is required to report to the Department of Finance on the numbers availing of the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) in agencies under the aegis of my Department. Information received in September in relation to this is that 3 applications under the ISER have been approved.

Legislative Programme.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
993 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress on implementing a noise legislation Bill; if it is proposed that this bill will give neighbours the right to complain about excessive noise; the expected powers the gardaí will have when a noise complaint is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33995/09]

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

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce comprehensive legislation on noise pollution within the lifetime of this Government. Earlier this year, following an extensive consultation process, the General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was prepared in my Department and approved by the Government. The Noise Nuisance Bill is included in Section A of the Government Legislation Programme published on 16 September, 2009.

While there are already a wide range of measures in place to deal with noise from a variety of sources, it is my aim that the new legislation will take a more integrated approach to noise pollution, including through codes of practice for construction, commercial and domestic situations. There will, in addition, be measures to increase awareness of how noise nuisance can be addressed and to strengthen existing local authority powers including through a system of fixed payment notices in relation to noise nuisance offences. The Bill will also extend to An Garda Síochána some of the more appropriate improved powers of the local authority authorised officers.

Private Rented Accommodation.

Bobby Aylward
Share
Bobby Aylward
Question:
994 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the late fee clause under the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 and provide for an exemption from this requirement to landlords who through no fault of their own are being penalised by the Private Residential Tenancies Board in cases when registration forms were submitted in ample time by landlords but the delay rested with the Board in processing the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34017/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

Under the provisions of sections 134 and 135 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended, a landlord has one month from the tenancy commencement date to apply to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to register a tenancy. If the application form submitted is incomplete it will be returned by the PRTB and the late fee will apply unless it is resubmitted within the month. I understand that currently some 30% of tenancy registration applications submitted to the PRTB by landlords are incomplete, placing a heavy additional administrative burden on the PRTB.

The registration fee for a single tenancy is €70; a tenancy registration submitted outside of the one month period is required to pay an additional fee of €70. In no instance where a tenancy registration form has been properly completed and submitted within the one month period is any additional fee charged.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
995 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the mechanisms which have been put in place by him or in conjunction with other Departments to establish an independent supervisory or appeal system for tenants of approved housing bodies which present claims of harassment, intimidation or elder abuse by staff and other tenants. [34052/09]

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
996 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will verify that there is no independent appeal or monitoring systems for complaints of poor service standards, bad or derogatory treatment, arbitrary possession proceedings or other adverse situation from tenants of approved housing bodies, and his proposals to improve this situation. [34053/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 995 and 996 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions No's 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 and 512 of 7 July, 2009. The consultancy report on the strategic review of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, referred to in that reply, has now been completed and was published in September 2009 for consultation progress.

National Parks.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
997 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date to designate the Liffey Valley area, in County Dublin as a National Park; the contact his Department has had with South Dublin County Council in this regard; the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34063/09]

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

In September 2008, I requested South Dublin County Council to arrange for an evaluation of lands between Palmerstown and Lucan Bridge, the existing area of special amenity and the N4/old Lucan Road/Old Hill Road, in order to assess the suitability of some or all of these lands for designation as a new area of special amenity, having regard to the provisions of section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

In February 2009, South Dublin County Council submitted a report on the matter. This has been considered in my Department, and it is intended to request the Council to give further consideration to the extent of lands that might be included in such an area. Also in February 2009, my Department requested Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Kildare County Council to carry out evaluations of lands in the Liffey valley which fall within their functional areas, in order to assess the suitability of some or all of these lands being designated as part of an extended area of special amenity. Responses have been received from each of these planning authorities and are under consideration.

My Department is finalising its consideration of the relevant information and I will shortly decide whether to give a direction under section 202(2) of the Act regarding the making of a further special amenity area order or orders.

Local Authority Housing.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
998 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a housing policy issue (details supplied) in County Cork. [34066/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

A preliminary proposal was received by my Department in relation to the project in question this week. This proposal is under assessment and further information will be required prior to my Department making a formal determination of the project's suitability for inclusion in the leasing programme. All leasing proposals submitted to my Department are assessed in accordance with the terms set out in circular N3/09 and the accompanying guidance document, which my Department issued in February 2009. The leasing initiative is designed to widen further the sources of supply for social housing and thereby help create a flexible range of delivery mechanisms for local authorities to meet the demand for housing.

The initiative will also maximise the level of social housing need that can be met from available public resources, responding to a much greater level of housing needs than could be delivered by relying solely on construction and acquisition programmes. It will also bring into active use some of the vacant housing stock throughout the country. However it is essential that all State investment in housing support, including use of the new leasing arrangements, complies fully with the "sustainable communities" philosophy at the heart of the Government's housing policy, as outlined in Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities . In this regard, authorities must have regard to the concentration of social housing in a particular development or in the general area where property leasing is proposed.

Question No. 999 answered with Question No. 945.

Christy O'Sullivan
Share
Christy O'Sullivan
Question:
1000 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedure applied when a local authority tenant wishes to buy the accommodation they currently rent; is the procedure applicable to all local authorities; the criterion used to make such a decision; if there is a minimum time that a person needs to be a tenant of a local authority before they may seek to buy their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34082/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

The procedure for processing individual applications under the existing tenant purchase scheme is a matter for each housing authority, within the terms and conditions of the scheme set down in primary legislation and regulations made thereunder. Section 14 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 empowers a housing authority to refuse to sell a dwelling to a tenant where the authority considers that the tenant is or has been engaged in anti-social behaviour or that a sale to that tenant would not be in the interest of good estate management. The scheme provides for a discount of 3% of the market value of the house being purchased for each year of reckonable tenancy, up to a maximum of 30%. In addition to this, a further discount of €3,809 is provided. Article 7 of the Housing (Sale of Houses) Regulations 1995 (as substituted by article 2 of the Housing (Sale of Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 1999) specifies the meaning of the expression "reckonable tenancy" for discount purposes, while article 12 of the 1995 regulations provides that a housing authority shall not sell a dwelling to a tenant with reckonable tenancy of less than 1 year.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1001 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding funding which has been approved for three regeneration projects in the Cranmore area of Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34084/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

I refer to the reply to Question No. 321 of 22 September 2009. The position is unchanged.

Election Management System.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
1002 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation regarding the registration for postal voting for the referendum of 2 October 2009 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34175/09]

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

Postal voting is provided for in respect of certain categories of person as specified in electoral law. Electors who are eligible for, but not already included on, the postal voters list may apply for entry on the supplement to this list and they can do this at any time. Under section 15A(4) of the Electoral Act 1992, as inserted by section 7 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, an application by an elector to have his or her name entered in the supplement to the postal voters list, which is received by the registration authority on or after the third day after the date of the making of the order appointing polling day at a referendum shall not have effect in relation to that referendum.

As the polling day order fixes the polling day, it is not possible to advertise the definitive closing date for the postal voters' supplement in advance of the order being made. The polling day order for the 2009 Lisbon Treaty Referendum was made on 13 July and, accordingly, the closing date for the supplement to the postal voters list was 15 July. My Department notified advertisements to the print media immediately on the making of the polling day order and these were widely published on the 14 and 15 July.

Library Projects.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
1003 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will instruct Sligo County Council to reopen the library facilities in Ballymote in view of the fact that it will be closed for the next six months until the new library facilities open. [34217/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

My Department provides funding towards the capital costs of approved new libraries and the refurbishment of existing libraries along with funding for mobile libraries and delivery vans. The 2009-2010 Capital Programme amounting to €8.5 million in 2009 included assistance of €300,000 for 2009 in regard to refurbishment of Ballymote Library.

Day to day operations, including staffing levels, in the public library service are a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under Section 78 of the Local Government Act, 2001. It is a matter for the local authority in its capacity as the library authority to make arrangements for public library services during redevelopment works.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
1004 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34315/09]

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

My Department's contract for the provision of mobile phones is with Vodafone. The contract is in place from June 2008 to date.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1005 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under its remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34341/09]

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

My Department has not sanctioned or applied for the payment of a top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to any staff member of my Department in the last three years.

In relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department, within the last three years one retirement was sanctioned in 2006 by my Department and the Department of Finance under the terms of Department of Finance Circular of 26 May 1998 on Severance and Early Retirement for Chief Executives of Semi State Bodies. The retiring CEO received 3.1 added years under the terms of the circular at a lump sum cost of approximately €11,000 and an annual pension cost of approximately €4,000.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1006 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34356/09]

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

One member of staff in my Department was dismissed in 2006 for failing to fulfil the terms of their contract. No other members of staff were dismissed in the past 5 years.

Question No. 1007 taken with Question No. 965.

Proposed Legislation.

Bobby Aylward
Share
Bobby Aylward
Question:
1008 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will publish the proposed planning legislation which will define exceptional circumstances as stated in Directive 85/337 EEC exempting an application for retention planning permission from having an environmental impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34429/09]

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

In a judgment in July 2008, the European Court of Justice ruled that the retention permission system as it applies in Irish law with regard to projects that require or may require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) under the EIA Directives does not comply with the Directives and needs to be amended. The response to the judgment, including any provisions for exceptional cases, will be addressed by way of committee stage amendments in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2009.

Special Areas of Conservation.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
1009 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will intervene and allow the purchase by the State, of a small portion of raised bog, designated as a special area of conservation, from a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34502/09]

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

Having regard to available budgetary resources, priority is being given under the bog purchase scheme this year to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. For these sites, the derogation given by the Government, which allowed the continuation of turf cutting for personal domestic use, expires in 2009.

The persons in question in this case own land within Corracramph Bog, a Natural Heritage Area designated in 2004, and the 10 year derogation period will not expire until 2014. Land transactions within this area, accordingly, will not qualify for priority attention this year.

Local Authority Housing.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1010 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average cost to his Department, of standard three bedroom homes delivered in County Kildare by Kildare County Council and by the voluntary sector under the CLSS, in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34506/09]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1011 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social housing units provided by Kildare County Council and by the voluntary housing sector in County Kildare in each of the past three years; the annual cost of providing these units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34507/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1010 and 1011 together.

Data in relation to social housing starts and completions are published in my Department's Quarterly Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. The following table sets out my Department's recoupment to the housing authorities in County Kildare in respect of the main supply programme, the programme delivered by the Voluntary and Co-operative sector under the Capital Assistance Scheme and the funding drawn down from the Housing Finance Agency under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), for the years 2006 to 2008.

Housing Authority

Local Authority Housing Supply

Voluntary & Co-operative Housing Capital Assistance Scheme

Voluntary & Co-operative Housing Capital Loan & Subsidy Scheme

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Kildare Co. Co.

32.2

40.6

45.0

6.3

1.3

4.2

2.3

0.069

11.4

Naas Town Council

0.45

0.0

2.2

Athy Town Council

1.80

1.8

3.7

These programmes include a variety of supply options and expenditure on individual projects may extend beyond a single year, depending on the type, size and complexity of the projects and the duration of the contract period.

The accommodation provided by Kildare County Council and the voluntary sector under the CLSS can include a range of accommodation types. In some instances a single contract can include a range of accommodation types and it is not possible to disaggregate the data to show unit costs for any one type. In the case of accommodation provided by approved housing bodies under the CLSS in County Kildare, my Department's records show that the unit cost was €185,123 in 2006 and €183,979 in 2008. There are no comparable figures available for 2007.

In the case of accommodation provided by housing authorities, the information available in my Department shows that, based on tender prices submitted in 2006 and 2007, the average all-in cost of the accommodation provided was €172,490 in 2006 and €180,919 in 2007. There are no comparable figures available for 2008.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1012 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the plans for the future funding or provision of a social or old age housing complex at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34514/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

I refer to the reply to Question No. 351 of 3rd February 2009. The position is unchanged.

Waste Management.

Ciarán Cuffe
Share
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:
1013 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures in place to ensure that waste is correctly labelled when exported; the inspections that take place of waste which is exported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34526/09]

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

Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 14 June 2006, sets out the controls applicable to shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community. Exports of waste are classified as either amber waste, applicable to waste going for disposal, or green waste, for non-hazardous waste going for recovery. Amber listed waste is subject to prior written notification and the consent of both the competent authority of origin and destination. Green listed waste is subject to prior notification and an accompanying information document to track the shipment.

Dublin City Council is the designated national competent authority for the implementation of the Regulation and they are responsible for the control of all exports of waste. The inspection of consignments of waste to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements is an inherent part of the competent authority's functions, with the level of such inspections an operational issue for the authority.

Planning Issues.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1014 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans in place to extend the granting of planning permission period, in view of applicants finding themselves in difficulty in accessing finance from banks to secure mortgage applications; the action he will take to ensure banks help applicants to secure mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34539/09]

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

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, published in June 2009, provides an amendment to section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts, which currently provides that the duration of a planning permission must be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission. The proposed amendment provides for the extension of permission (for a period of up to 5 years) in circumstances where substantial works have not been carried out, but there are commercial, economic or technical considerations, beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works.

While the Government has been careful to ensure that the process of correction in the housing market is not artificially interfered with, a number of steps have been taken to ensure that in so far as possible mortgage finance is available to households who want to buy or build houses at this time. In this regard, the Government announced the introduction of a new mortgage scheme in the context of Budget 2009. The Home Choice Loan has been introduced through the local government system, backed by loan finance raised by the Housing Finance Agency. Home Choice Loan is now available to first time buyers of new houses or self-builds, subject to a maximum loan of €285,000 or maximum Loan To Value (LTV) of 92% (whichever is the lesser) and income thresholds. The scheme commenced on 1 January 2009.

In addition, the Government's recapitalisation of Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland included a Credit Package under which the banks committed to, amongst other things, providing an additional 30% capacity for lending to first time buyers in 2009. The banks also committed to actively promote mortgage lending at competitive rates with increased transparency on the criteria to be met.

Question No. 1015 answered with Question No. 944.

Telecommunications Services.

Share
Question:
1016 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the village of Kiltormer, County Galway, needs a second provider of broadband in view of the fact that Eircom broadband is in the area and that there is a 24 m telecommunications mast 2.5 km outside the village. [32931/09]

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

The village of Kiltormer in County Galway is located in Kiltormer Electoral District (ED) and has been designated as being part of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). In advance of the roll-out of the NBS an extensive mapping exercise was carried out to identify those areas throughout the country where broadband services were not available. Kiltormer ED was included in the NBS as it was not considered served at the time this exercise was carried out.

Under the contractual arrangements entered into with my Department, 3 are obliged to provide broadband in each of the NBS-designated Electoral Districts. The location and erection of masts is a matter for the relevant planning authorities.

Fishing Industry Development.

Liz McManus
Share
Liz McManus
Question:
1017 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the recipients of the salmon hardship scheme; the persons who have been paid to date in 2009, excluding those who are availing of the three-year option; the amounts paid out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33054/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
Share

I set out in my reply to Question No. 1067 of 16 September 2009 details of the total number of applicants that availed of the Salmon Hardship Scheme. I am advised by BIM and the Loughs Agency, who administered the Salmon Hardship Scheme on behalf of the Department, that 42 beneficiaries of the scheme were paid €702,037 during 2009 to date, i.e. other than those availing of payment spread over three years. It is not appropriate to reveal details of individual participants having regard to protections afforded to personal data but aggregated information on the operation of the scheme will be provided when final 2009 figures become available.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1018 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33077/09]

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

In the time available it has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy. The information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Broadcasting Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
1019 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [33229/09]

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

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland was responsible for the licensing of commercial broadcasters up until 30 September 2009. This responsibility rests with the newly established Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with effect from 1 October 2009. The Commission was, and the Authority is, an independent statutory body and I have no function in this matter. With regard to the industrial relations and employment rights issues raised, these are matters for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Industrial Development.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1020 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to attract inward investment into a digital content centre, in view of the fact that the education system here does not offer students subjects that encourage a career in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33238/09]

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

The International Content Services Centre (ICSC), one of the proposed actions of the recently published ‘Technology Actions to Support the Smart Economy' report , is intended to be a global content management facility that streamlines the storage, localisation, delivery and distribution of content, the associated rights management, clearance and collection, to provide a global service for national and international clients. The ICSC will focus on digital creative arts, including film, games and animation. Ireland has a highly educated workforce, a world-renowned legal system for the arbitration of disputes, favourable taxation policies and an internationally recognised and acclaimed brand related to creativity and innovation.

Current provisions of the Finance Act attract multinationals and high potential start-up foreign enterprises through measures such as Tax Relief on Intellectual Property and corporation tax concessions for start-up enterprises. Potential customers for the ICSC include music rights organisations, large traditional media content holders and on-line games providers/vendors. The Centre will also support the ongoing development of the 1,000 or so digital content companies currently located in Ireland. The majority of these companies are small (1-10 persons) and highly creative with high potential for growth.

Postal Services.

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
1021 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the new postal code will be based on Irish language abbreviations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33285/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1025 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the system which will be used for the introduction of new postcodes; the consultation which will take place with local communities with regard to their introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33657/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1025 together.

The Government recently approved the implementation of a postcode as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB). In arriving at the recommended model the consultants assisting the NPPB, both technical and economic, engaged in a series of stakeholder consultations. Additionally the project has benefited from other consultations all of which have been consistent in revealing widespread support for the introduction of postcodes. There are no plans to engage in further consultations.

The NPPB was established to recommend the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland and to look at the costs and benefits and implementation of postcodes and recommended an alpha-numeric post code model taking the form of ABC 123. The precise postcode nomenclature and the allocation of individual postcodes will not be finalised until the body that will be charged with implementing postcodes is appointed.

There is nothing in the proposal to prevent a person from using a form of address in either of the official languages of the State. Additionally, in the case of towns located in the Gaeltacht there is nothing in the recommendation that would prevent the postcode utilising letters from the official Irish language version of the place name.

Energy Conservation.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
1022 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason an entire house must be refurbished in order to qualify for the Sustainable Energy Ireland grant and that the grant is not sufficient in comparison to the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33498/09]

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1036 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the green loan home energy scheme on a county basis; the amount of the €100 million budget which has been spent; the number of households that have availed of the scheme by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34544/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1022 and 1036 together.

The Government's Home Energy Saving Scheme, which is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), provides grant assistance to homeowners for retrofit energy efficiency measures such as attic and wall insulation, very high- efficiency boilers, heating controls and Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments.

While a householder is free to choose which measures to install in his or her home, for a first application the householder must undertake works attracting grant payments of at least €500, not including the BER grant. A householder installing only an efficient boiler with heating controls is eligible for a grant of €700, and so will exceed the threshold and be eligible for the Scheme. Likewise, a householder installing just internal or external wall insulation will qualify. For the lower cost measures such as roof or cavity wall insulation, the householder can qualify by combining just two measures, for example roof insulation and heating controls together attract a grant of €750.

To be eligible for the grant for wall insulation, the householder must insulate all external walls. Likewise, roof insulation must cover the full roof space. Partial solutions are not supported under the Scheme, as SEI's position is that they are not an optimal solution and they offer poor value for money to the householder and the Exchequer. The cost of installing the various qualifying measures is market driven. In the current competitive environment, householders can get best value for money by shopping around and comparing costs between contractors. The grants available under the Scheme represent a very generous contribution of around 30% of installation costs for the average home.

Cross-Border Projects.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
1023 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will readdress the issues outlined in Parliamentary Question Nos. 1062 and 1063 of 16 September 2009 with regard to wild fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33554/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
Share

In accordance with the Foyle Fisheries Act 1952 and the Foyle Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Act 1952, as amended by the Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries Act 2007 Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, the Loughs Agency is empowered to regulate certain species of wild fish in the areas under its jurisdiction. These species include freshwater fish of any kind, salmon, sea bass, tope, eels, mussels and oysters. The process of securing foreshore licences as referred in Parliamentary Questions 1062 and 1063 of 16 September 2009 does not affect fishing as this does not involve usage of the foreshore as in the case of aquaculture.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
1024 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position with regard to the renewable energy feed in tariff scheme in place to promote offshore wind energy projects in order to provide some certainty to existing offshore wind farm developers and potential new entrants into the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33618/09]

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

In 2008 I announced that new tariff bands would be introduced to the existing REFIT feed in tariff scheme as follows:

AD and high efficiency CHP: A price of €120 per megawatt hour of energy produced.

Offshore wind: A price of €140 per megawatt hour of energy produced.

(Wave and tidal) A price of €220 per megawatt hour of energy produced.

My Department has been subsequently engaged with the industry representative associations around the terms and conditions of these rates, particularly around the area of offshore planning and permitting conditions.

On 9th September 2009 I announced full terms and conditions for these new categories which are subject to State Aid clearance from the EU. My Department is currently in discussion with the European Commission with a view to successfully progressing the State Aid clearance over the coming months. In order to be eligible for REFIT, developers will require planning permission, foreshore permits, signed grid connection offers and an offer of a power purchase agreement from a registered supply company.

The next grouping of renewable electricity grid connection offers, which includes around 800 MW of offshore wind projects, referred to as the Gate 3 process, is currently under way and the new tariffs will facilitate some of these developers involved in this process to progress their projects through the financial planning stages. There are no offshore wind projects currently eligible to apply for the REFIT scheme until the connection offer process has been completed.

Question No. 1025 answered with Question No. 1021.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
1026 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of reports by experts and consultants commissioned by his Department during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33895/09]

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

My Department commissioned 10 reports in 2008 at a cost of €884,618.65. Details of the reports are shown in the following table.

Report Compiled

Cost of Report inclusive of VAT

€

Study of Oil and Gas Industry Support Services

27,188.00

Review of Corrib EIS

47,204.00

Strategic Environmental Assessment for Oil and Gas Activity in Ireland’s Offshore Atlantic Waters: Rockall Basin

267,953.00

Technical Assistance on Corrib Gas Safety Matters — Review of Documents

22,870.00

Comparative study of GSI/GSNI

8,602.79

Cost/benefit study of INFOMAR project

66,086.00

Make IT Secure evaluation report

14,520.00

Study on the Relative merits of Overhead Electricity Transmission Lines Versus Underground Cables.

148,437.96

Review of the Security of Ireland’s Access to Commercial Oil Supplies

271,756.90

2008 Media Literacy Directory

10,000.00

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
1027 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33946/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
1028 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33961/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1027 and 1028 together.

The agencies under the remit of my Department are responsible for day-to-day staffing matters within their own organisations including retirements. Decisions in respect of entitlements on retirement are subject to the specific statutory entitlements applicable under the superannuation schemes of their organisations.

Since the formation of my Department in June 2007 the following is the information in respect of the Department as requested, in tabular form.

Reason

2007

Cost

2008

Cost

2009

Cost

Early Retirement

*2

€165,329.84 Lump Sum Payments Only

Nil

Nil

**4

€137,721.79Lump Sum Payments Only

Contract Terminated

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

***3

€13,005.60 Statutory Redundancy Payments

Resignation

3

Nil

5

Nil

1

Nil

*2 officers retired from the Department in June and December, 2007. One of whom was on the grounds of ill-health (as approved by the Chief Medical Officer) and the other officer availed of the Cost Neutral Actuarially Reduced Scheme.

**3 of these officers retired on grounds of ill-health (as approved by the Chief Medical Officer), the remaining officer availed of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (i.e. immediate payment of 10% of actual Lump Sum entitlement), the remaining 90% will fall due for payment upon the respective officer attaining age 60.

***As a result of the departure of Minister of State, Mr. Sean Power, T.D., the contracts of these 3 officers, who were employed in the Minister's Private Office, were terminated. The Lump Sum payment total, as indicated, is in respect of their statutory entitlements in accordance with the Redundancy Payments Act.

Telecommunications Services.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
1029 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made in deciding whether the European economic recovery package can be used to address problems of access to broadband in unserved rural areas; and if there is a time frame within which such a decision will be made. [34050/09]

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

The widespread acceptance of the benefits of broadband has motivated the EU Commission to set aside a portion of European Economic Recovery Package (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. While the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which will be implemented by the end of 2010, will ensure broadband is available to almost all parts of the country, a small number of premises in areas not covered by the NBS will still not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical difficulties and other reasons (distance from nearest DSL enabled telephone exchange, no line of sight etc).

My Department is currently examining options around the design of a scheme under the EERP to make service available to such premises in rural areas. It is hoped to commence this Scheme in 2010 and conclude it by 2011. A critical first step is to apply for and secure State Aid clearance from the European Commission. This dialogue has already begun.

Mobile Telephony.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
1030 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34310/09]

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

In 2008, following a competitive tendering process, my Department, entered into a fixed price contract with Vodafone for mobile phone service. The mobile phone assigned to me is included in the Vodafone contract as it covers all departmental mobile phone requirements. As the Deputy will appreciate value for money is a high priority issue and in that regard the contract referred to has resulted in significant savings across all Departmental users over previous years.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1031 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34336/09]

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

My Department was established in June 2007 and has not sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on the retirement of any staff member in this Department. The agencies under the remit of my Department are responsible for day-to-day staffing matters within their own organisations including retirements. Decisions in respect of entitlements on retirement are subject to the specific statutory entitlements applicable under the superannuation schemes of their organisations.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1032 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34351/09]

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

Since the formation of my Department in June 2007 the appointment of one civil servant was terminated. This termination occurred during the probationary period of the officer involved.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
1033 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a proposal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of energy generation; and the position regarding his policy on the matter. [34504/09]

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

I have no particular views on the proposal mentioned by the Deputy. The development of renewable energy is however, a priority for myself and the Government. In 2008, renewable electricity was at 12.2% of all electricity generated, up from 5% in 2004. Ireland is on target to meet its target of 15% by 2010.

The "All Island Grid Study" published early last year, examines the ability of the electricity systems on an All-Island basis to absorb power from renewable energy powered projects. Its finding shows that a target of 42% is feasible without any major increase in pumped storage. The Study is not prescriptive on the alternative technologies, including pumped storage, which a liberalised electricity market may bring forward to balance customer demand and supply as the renewable energy powered capacity increases. I understand that several private developers are understood to be currently examining proposals which may lead to additional pumped storage projects being developed. In the context of the continued development of renewable energy, and wind in particular, on the Irish electricity system, Sustainable Energy Ireland, EirGrid and ESB, together with the energy sector, will continue to keep developments and proposals in relation to pumped storage hydro facilities under close review.

Inland Fisheries.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1034 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of the ongoing State case regarding Gweebarra, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34530/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
Share

The Department is not involved in any case relating to the River Gweebarra. I have been advised however, by the Northern Regional Fisheries Board (NRFB) that the Board is currently involved in a number of legal actions concerning the Gweebarra fishery. While Interlocutory (Temporary) Orders have been granted by the courts against a number of individuals concerning obstructing lawful fishing on the River Gweebarra, the Court recommended that the parties consider mediation. The NRFB has indicated it welcomes this initiative and the matter is currently being discussed by the legal representatives of both parties. As the matter is sub judice it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Electricity Generation.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1035 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the regulatory processes for the construction of 250 kW generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34543/09]

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

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for the licensing and authorisation of power generation plants under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I have no direct function in the matter. I am aware that different regulatory regimes may apply depending upon the size of the generator and the technology used. I have asked the CER to respond directly to the Deputy outlining the situation with regard to 250 KW generators of any type.

Question No. 1036 answered with Question No. 1022.

Food Industry.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1037 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the initiatives he has taken to promote indigenous agrifood products domestically; the initiatives he has taken to promote indigenous agrifood products abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33324/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

As Ireland's largest indigenous, manufacturing sector the agrifood sector is crucial to sustaining and reinvigorating the economy. Strategies for the development of a consumer focused, competitive and sustainable agrifood sector at home and abroad are set out in the Agri-vision 2015 report and the Cawley Report. These strategies identify the delivery of safe, high quality, nutritious food, produced in a sustainable manner in high value markets as the optimum road for the future of the Irish food industry in the light of the changes which have already taken place or are anticipated over the next number of years and span the entire food chain from primary production through processing to market access which is key to developing export potential.

Bord Bia, under the aegis of my Department, is the state agency responsible for market development of food, seafood, drink and horticulture at home and abroad and closely monitors food exports. It has published a Strategy to boost food exports for the period 2009-2011. The strategy's six key priorities include enhancing the industry's position on its home market and export expansion with a particular emphasis on Eurozone markets.

Bord Bia has a comprehensive set of marketing and promotional programmes in place, which have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders in the food industry. The schedule of marketing activities for 2009 has regard to the impact of the sterling differential on competitiveness and include:

Food Ingredients/Nutraceuticals (Europe), which will provide industry with detailed market requirements particularly for dairy ingredients.

Participation in Trade Fairs in Paris, Madrid, Portugal and Amsterdam, mentoring on supplying Continental supermarket groups and provision of market insights.

Private Label seminar (Scandinavia, Germany & Holland) with company specific mentoring and Private Label Manufacturers Association trade fair in Amsterdam.

On the home market, Bord Bia's Quality Assurance schemes for various products are well known. This year Bord Bia has also introduced a ‘Best in Season' promotional campaign for locally grown produce in season promotes seasonal local produce. This highlights to consumers which fruit and vegetables are available in Ireland and when they are in season. The key messages include freshness, taste and health benefits. Press and digital media and a best in season website (www.bestinseason.ie) have focused on strawberries in June, new season potatoes in July and seasonally available vegetables and potatoes in a "back to school" theme for September on emphasising the important role play in a healthy balanced diet for children, particularly as the winter months approach.

The Good Practice Standard and Flag for Farmers' Markets which was launched at the Bloom 2009 Festival encourages farmers markets to provide market access to locally produced in-season produce.

Food Labelling.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1038 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the criteria in place in order that an agrifood company can label and market its products as Irish; the percentage of Irish raw materials to be used so that agrifood companies can market and label their products as Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33325/09]

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1039 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the procedures he has in place in order that consumers are not misled by products claiming to be Irish; the procedures in place to ensure that raw agrifood materials being imported are not being labelled or marketed as Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33326/09]

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1040 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost to indigenous agrifood enterprises of loopholes in labelling that allow raw materials produced outside of Ireland and subsequently processed here to label and market themselves as Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33327/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1038 to 1040, inclusive, together.

The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.).

Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this context the Commission has prepared draft revised labelling regulations and these are being discussed at Council Working Party level in Brussels. These draft regulations will be submitted to the EU Council of Health ministers during 2009.

Notwithstanding the outcome of the current review on origin labelling, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, my Department had taken steps to try to introduce origin labelling for meats other than beef, which is already subject to specific labelling legislation since September 2000.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, drafted regulations that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat. This was notified to the EU Commission in December 2007 as required by legislation. The Commission was not prepared to adopt the draft regulations in their present format on the grounds that the proposed legislation is not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. The Commission's main contention is that only harmonised rules with EU-wide applicability may be applied to food labelling other than in exceptional circumstances. In March, the EU Commission delivered a negative opinion on the regulations but afforded Ireland an opportunity to provide further information in support of them. In the meantime, the Department provided additional details including evidence of consumers' desire for country of origin labelling. However the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health formally adopted the negative opinion in December 2008.

There is no statutory requirement in place to define the percentage of Irish raw materials to be used for agrifood in order to allow companies to market and label their products as Irish. There is also the issue where a primary product can enter Ireland and be processed in some way thereby allowing it to be branded, as an Irish product, this is known as "substantial transformation". This terminology originates in WTO, CODEX and EU Legislation governing the EU Custom Code and therefore can only be amended at EU level. I have been concerned that this arrangement could, in certain circumstances, be used to mislead the consumers as to the origin of the raw materials used in certain products. This was one of the principal points made to the European Commission in the context of our request for their approval of our proposed national arrangements.

The issue of more informative and clear labelling will continue to be pursued by the Department of Health and Children at EU level in the context of the current review. We are pressing for the inclusion of a requirement to indicate the origin of primary ingredients in finished products.

In the meantime products carrying the Bord Bia quality assurance label provide consumers with assurance on product origin. There is also an industry lead campaign that allows products carry "The Love Irish Food" logo providing 80% of the product's manufacturing process took place in this state and if ingredients were sourced locally where possible.

Food Industry.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1041 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the numbers in employment in the food processing sector in 2009; the numbers in employment in the food processing sector in each of the past ten years; the numbers in employment in overall industry in 2009; the numbers in employment in overall industry in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33419/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

CSO data (Quarterly National Household Survey) for Quarter 2, 2009 shows there were approximately 47,500 people employed in the food and beverages sector out of a total of over 258,000 employed in overall industry (defined as NACE sectors B to E inclusive). The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes data on employment in the agrifood sector based on two sources, primarily the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) and also the CSO Census of Industrial Production (CIP). This data is published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie

Methodological differences between the QNHS and CIP mean that these datasets will not be identical. The tables below give detailed breakdowns of published data for both these datasets in relation to the most recent 10-year periods available under the given survey/census. Both sets of data indicate that food and beverage production accounts for approaching one-fifth of employment in the manufacturing industry sector.

Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) Data

Employment Level (000’s)

Sector/Year

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

All Industry

311.0

313.2

321.0

307.1

306.4

Manufacturing Industry

299.2

301.9

309.0

294.9

293.1

Food and Beverages Sector

52.4

53.9

53.8

51.8

52.7

Sector/Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

All Industry

299.9

289.6

291.5

297.5

287.0

Manufacturing Industry

286.4

276.7

280.2

284.2

272.9

Food and Beverages Sector

54.1

53.5

58.1

52.6

51.5

Source: CSO Special Request based on annual Q2 data.

Census of Industrial Production (CIP) Data

Persons Engaged in Industry (000’s)

Sector/Year

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

All Industries

257.9

260.4

266.1

272.6

268.2

Manufacturing Industries

240.5

242.8

249.0

255.0

250.2

Food Products, Beverages & Tobacco Products

46.3

46.3

47.5

48.1

50.4

Sector/Year

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

All Industries

258.4

247.6

239.5

235.7

237.9

Manufacturing Industries

240.3

230.0

221.3

218.2

219.8

Food Products, Beverages & Tobacco Products

50.1

49.7

45.7

44.1

42.0*

*Includes Manufacture of Food Products and Beverages only.

Source: CSO Census of Industrial Production (Local Units).

Grant Payments.

John Cregan
Share
John Cregan
Question:
1042 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a forestry payment cannot be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick on foot of their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32930/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

I understand that there are no outstanding forestry payments due to the person in question.

Dairy Sector.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
1043 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average age of a dairy farmer here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32937/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

My Department does not compile data that would allow the average age of a dairy farmer to be calculated, and I note that the CSO, similarly, does not derive this information from its census returns.

Grant Payments.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1044 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32967/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An official of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named, following which a full review of the case is being undertaken. The person named will be advised of the outcome of this review, in writing, immediately it is concluded.

Aquaculture Development.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1045 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 30 June 2009, the progress made regarding the processing of aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32974/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

In the case of aquaculture sites located outside the Natura 2000 area 85 applications are currently being examined by my Department's Engineering Division as a matter of priority.

In the case of aquaculture sites located within the Natura 2000 area my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, is gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas.

Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding cases having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all relevant national and EU legislation.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
1046 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding persons who availed of the farm retirement scheme, implying the surrendering of their herd number; if these herd numbers will be reactivated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32992/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

A person who is admitted to the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming has undertaken to cease farming definitively and cannot be given a herd number at any time after that.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
1047 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive his forestry premium payment. [33020/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application for payment of a forestry road grant is currently being processed by my Department. I have asked that the matter be finalised as quickly as possible.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1048 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33075/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The information requested is being assembled and a detailed written response will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
1049 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33281/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Payment under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme of one animal was issued on 14th November 2008. One other animal will not qualify for this Scheme as its birth was registered outside the statutory requirement of 27 days from the date of birth.

Information on meal feeding and weaning is required in respect of the remaining nine animals. They will be considered for payment when this information is submitted. An officer from my Department has been in contact with the person named.

Paul Connaughton
Share
Paul Connaughton
Question:
1050 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been awarded the full cow suckler welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33342/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Payment under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme has issued to the person named in respect of one animal. Applications for payment in respect of a further thirty-two animals have been validated for payment.

However, weaning information is required in respect of the remaining five animals. When this information is submitted and found to be in order, payment will then issue in respect of all eligible animals. An officer from my Department has been in contact with the person named.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
1051 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the outstanding farm waste management grants; the number of persons awaiting such grants in Counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33350/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

To date in 2009, 264 applicants have received payment under the Farm Waste Management Scheme in Co. Longford whilst the equivalent figure for Co. Westmeath is 287. Five applicants remain to be approved for payment in Co. Longford and four in Co. Westmeath. These files cannot be further processed until the outstanding issues are resolved.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1052 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a REP scheme four application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been approved; when he will receive his first payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33474/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

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, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue.

Processing of applications, including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Michael Ahern
Share
Michael Ahern
Question:
1053 Deputy Michael Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in processing payment of retirement pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33596/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The person named has been approved for payment. The first payment will issue on 30 October 2009.

Grant Payments.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1054 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details provided) in County Cork will be awarded their installation aid grant.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33652/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. Because of Budgetary pressures, entry to this scheme was suspended on 14th October 2008.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1055 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be awarded his disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33654/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as outstanding issues are resolved. The application of the person named was fully processed and the applicant has been paid his Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment.

Bovine Diseases.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
1056 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make arrangements to have work undertaken in an area (details provided) in County Cork to eradicate a problem. [33663/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

A badger survey and capture programme was undertaken on the lands of this herdowner in December 2008 following the disclosure of seven TB reactors in the herd and nine badgers were removed. In line with my Department's policy, these lands were again surveyed for badgers in March 2009 and this resulted in the capture of a further nine badgers. In June 2009, this herd was de-restricted following two clear TB tests. The position is that the local District Veterinary Office (DVO) intends to survey these lands again for badger activity in the coming months, having regard to the incidence of the disease in other areas and also the prioritisation of TB breakdowns in these areas.

Organic Farming.

Dan Neville
Share
Dan Neville
Question:
1057 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied ) in County Limerick. [33667/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

REPS 3 was a measure introduced under the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2000-2006. Under Supplementary Measure 6 of REPS 3, it was possible for a farmer to receive an organic payment in addition to his basic REPS payment. A new stand alone Organic Farming Scheme was introduced under the Organic Farming Measure of the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013. Under this programme, the EU ruled that in order for a farmer to avail of the Organic Farming Scheme if they were in either REPS 2 or REPS 3, they had to transform to REPS 4. The EU decided that a situation was not allowed whereby a farmer could be in REPS 3 under one rural development programme and in the Organic Farming Scheme under another. It is therefore not possible for the person named to join the Organic Farming Scheme while still holding REPS 3 commitments. The person named ceases his commitments in REPS 3 on 30th November 2010 and would be allowed join the Organic Farming Scheme at that stage if the Scheme is still in operation.

The Organic Farming Scheme is currently suspended. My colleague, Mr. Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture, Fisheries and Food recently announced the outcome of the review of the Scheme, under which support is paid to farmers in the sector. It is the Department's intention, subject to the outcome of the estimates process, to re-open the Organic Farming Scheme from 1 January, 2010 with revised scheme conditions. The amount of funding available for the Organic Farming Scheme will be determined later in the year when the Government are preparing the estimates for 2010.

Grant Payments.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
1058 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive their disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33671/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as outstanding issues are resolved. The application of the person named was fully processed and the applicant has been paid his Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1059 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment in respect of his installation aid application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33690/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The person concerned is an applicant under the Installation Aid Scheme. Because of Budgetary pressures, entry to this scheme was suspended on 14th October 2008.

Aquaculture Development.

Fergus O'Dowd
Share
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
1060 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will permit an association (details supplied) in County Louth who have proof of ownership of a vessel, to participate in cockle fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33720/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The Dundalk Cockle fishery was reopened on 30 September 2009. As the fishery operates in a conservation area designated under the Habitats and Birds Directives, access to the fishery is strictly limited as required under the published Fisheries Natura Plan. The access rules were put in place taking into account the scientific advice on the outtake of the fishery. Access to the fishery was restricted to those applicants with licensed and registered vessels that could show track record of having targeted cockles in Dundalk Bay in any of the years from 2004-2007, inclusive. In addition, persons could apply for a permit to hand gather cockles. The application forms for the fishery were publicly advertised on 22 September 2009. Vessel owners who applied and met these conditions were granted Permits to fish and all hand gatherers who applied were granted Permits. The application period is now closed.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
1061 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applicants due to be issued with their 75% REP scheme four payment later in 2009; the total value of payments to be made; the date on which payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33729/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

There are approximately 29,000 REPS 4 participants, including 16,380 new applications received in 2009, eligible for payment in 2009. In accordance with the requirements of EU regulations, a comprehensive administrative check must be carried out on new applications received in 2009 before the first instalment of 75% of the 2009 payment can be released to these and to those already in the scheme. The administrative checking process is currently under way with a view to commencing payments as soon as possible. If all new applicants prove eligible for payment, the 75% payment would amount to approximately €105 million.

Seymour Crawford
Share
Seymour Crawford
Question:
1062 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be awarded his disadvantaged payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33761/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 30 April 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as outstanding issues are resolved. The application of the person named was fully processed and the applicant has been paid his Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
1063 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the financial and grant assistance paid from EU and national sources in respect of a factory (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33815/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

No grant assistance has been paid to the Company in question by my Department in recent years.

An amount of €81,870 was paid in 2005 to a sister plant in respect of purchase, installation, calibration and maintenance of carcass classification equipment, which is still operational at the plant.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1064 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase the option for farmers under the REP scheme three who are currently on a 170 kg limit to 250 kg limit similar to REP scheme four due to the fact that many of these farmers financial plans were based on the continuation of the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33816/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Farmers who obtain a derogation from the Nitrates Regulations, allowing them to operate at a level up to 250 kg organic nitrogen per hectare, are eligible to join REPS 4. This provision was approved by the European Commission as part of the current Rural Development Programme. However the 170 kg limit was a condition of the Commission's approval for REPS 3 under the previous Rural Development Plan and forms part of the basis for the level of payment under that scheme. It is therefore binding on all participants.

Grant Payments.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1065 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33840/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2009.

The Terms and Conditions governing the Scheme require, inter alia, that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared, for at least three consecutive months, during the calendar year of application. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as not meeting this minimum requirement, the person in question is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports or details of a REPS or Commonage Framework Plan, which provides for a lower stocking level.

The person named was written to on 21 September 2009 and invited to submit appropriate evidence of the numbers of livestock maintained on his farm, as Department records currently do not show the person named as having yet achieved the minimum stocking density. On receipt of a satisfactory response from the person named, the application will be further processed with a view to payment at an early date.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1066 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be awarded their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33873/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as outstanding issues are resolved. The application of the person named was fully processed and the applicant has been paid his Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
1067 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Details of experts' and consultants' reports commissioned by my Department during 2008 are as follows.

Subject Matter

Cost

€

Work on 2008-2011 IT Strategy.

950

Quarterly IT Security Review as required for EU accreditation purpose.

15,730

Ex Post Evaluation of the Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 (EU Regulatory Requirement).

74,084

Review of work carried out at my Department’s high security Veterinary Laboratories, Backweston.

22,992

BSE Risk Analysis.

4,595

Factors Affecting Afforestation in Ireland in Recent Years.

22,875

Harbours and Piers.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1068 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 1091 of 16 September 2009 when a foreshore licence will issue in respect of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33922/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application for a foreshore lease to facilitate construction of a pier at Doonbeg, Co Clare was received on 9th October 2007. The application was circulated to my departments consultees in the normal way.

Issues have been raised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding potential impacts of the proposed development on underwater archaeology. Observations submitted by the applicant have been responded to by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and these responses are currently with the local authority for consideration.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Dinny McGinley
Share
Dinny McGinley
Question:
1069 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme four payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [33935/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

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, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue.

Processing of applications,including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.

Animal By-Products.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1070 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has assessed the impact which exclusive control of the rendering material from cattle processing plants can potentially have on the price of cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33937/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Eight plants have been approved in this country to render animal by-products (ABP) in accordance with the terms of Regulation (EC) 1774 of 2002. All of these plants operate under the supervision of my Department. Four of the plants are approved as Category 1 plants and can deal with all types of ABP, including specified risk material. The other four are Category 3 plants dealing with lower risk material. Meat plants also have the option, subject to authorization in accordance with regulatory requirements, of sending material for disposal outside this jurisdiction. During 2008 the eight rendering plants in this country took in 509,383 tonnes of raw ABP from meat plants and this was converted to 142,365 tonnes of meat and bonemeal (MBM) and 72,544 tonnes of tallow. It is my policy to encourage alternative disposal options for ABP, including MBM and tallow, with a view to maximizing added value.

The consequence of the ban on the use of MBM in animal feed, due to its association with the spread of BSE, was that MBM for some years had to be exported for incineration at significant cost. In recent years however increasing amounts of MBM have been put to beneficial use. For instance between 2006 and 2008 the proportion of MBM exported for incineration declined from 61% to 45%. During the same period export for technical use increased from 21% to 39%. MBM is also now being used as a co-fuel in the cement industry and Category 3 MBM is increasingly being used as an ingredient in fertiliser and in petfood. I am also aware of a number of proposals to use MBM as a fuel to generate electricity.

Tallow has a number of uses. Category 3 tallow can be used in animal feed and is also used by the pharmaceutical industry. Both Category 1 and Category 3 tallow can be used as boiler fuel and it is a valuable substitute for imported heavy-duty oil. The price charged for the disposal of material arising from the cattle processing industry is a matter for the market to decide but it is my belief that the beneficial uses of MBM and tallow which I have outlined above will help to keep down the cost of rendering for the cattle processing industry.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Pádraic McCormack
Share
Pádraic McCormack
Question:
1071 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to restore the REP scheme to its original form in view of the situation with many farmers in disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33942/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to the Department and the increase, over the past year, from just under 47,000 to some 63,000 in the number of REPS participants. A record 17,000 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009, and further applications which were received up to the time of closure will be processed as applications for 2010. Payments due to REPS farmers for 2009 will be the highest ever and all participants already in REPS will continue to receive annual payments until their current contracts run their course.

I plan to introduce a new agri-environment scheme in 2010 which will reduce compliance costs to participants and which will provide a menu of targeted actions from which farmers may choose. Funding for the new scheme will include the additional modulation funds which I ensured will be retained for the benefit of Irish farmers in the negotiations on the CAP "Health Check". It will also include additional matching Exchequer funding. The details of the scheme are in the process of being finalised and will require the approval of the European Commission, which has already received an outline of our proposals.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
1072 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33944/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

In the case of staff in my Department who availed of early retirement, there was no cost to my Department as the cost of Civil Service pensions and lump sums is borne by the Department of Finance. No costs arose in relation to termination of contracts or resignations in respect of staff employed by my Department. The corresponding information requested by the Deputy in relation to each agency under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves as part of their day to day activities.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
1073 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33959/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of staff in my Department is set out in tabular form:

Year

Early Retirement

Contracts Terminated

Resigned

2006

12

2

17

2007

10

Nil

35

2008

13

Nil

18

2009 to date

41

1

9

The corresponding information requested by the Deputy in relation to each agency under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves as part of their day to day activities.

Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
1074 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the payment of a farm grant to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33997/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
1075 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount was paid out in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in single farm payments; and the proportion of this money was paid to farmers in County Mayo. [34054/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Details of payments requested are as follows. The payments to Mayo applicants represent 4.82% in 2006, 4.83% in 2007 and 4.82% in 2008.

2006 SPS Payments

County

Number

€

Carlow

1,676

25,043,180.69

Cavan

4,884

36,330,845.51

Clare

6,142

48,947,118.66

Cork

13,197

172,718,714.26

Donegal

7,946

46,984,377.25

Dublin

661

9,472,619.91

Galway

12,238

81,817,027.56

Kerry

7,683

59,346,549.23

Kildare

2,105

33,135,327.67

Kilkenny

3,517

58,026,301.94

Laois

2,999

42,317,173.79

Leitrim

3,419

17,366,275.30

Limerick

5,253

54,109,514.18

Longford

2,416

20,388,424.85

Louth

1,562

20,621,681.05

Mayo

11,566

60,198,400.97

Meath

3,844

57,400,864.23

Monaghan

4,083

31,910,551.94

Offaly

3,096

37,921,125.53

Roscommon

5,799

41,196,073.17

Sligo

4,004

23,049,469.08

Tipperary

7,075

104,953,087.17

Waterford

2,462

40,841,789.89

Westmeath

2,979

34,651,692.72

Wexford

4,100

62,229,037.73

Wicklow

2,127

28,655,160.73

Total

1,249,632,385.01

2007 SPS Payments

County

Number

€

Carlow

1,674

25,252,685.15

Cavan

4,849

36,148,966.70

Clare

6,114

48,484,487.38

Cork

13,042

172,057,158.62

Donegal

7,924

47,710,314.98

Dublin

652

9,296,562.36

Galway

12,116

81,586,453.45

Kerry

7,642

59,271,730.43

Kildare

2,095

33,084,920.24

Kilkenny

3,486

57,616,317.09

Laois

2,982

42,263,989.07

Leitrim

3,394

17,522,534.38

Limerick

5,215

53,693,016.16

Longford

2,393

20,213,685.62

Louth

1,534

20,389,294.31

Mayo

11,463

60,162,225.74

Meath

3,782

56,974,169.28

Monaghan

4,033

31,558,750.86

Offaly

3,069

37,612,945.08

Roscommon

5,766

41,088,595.49

Sligo

3,981

22,956,021.91

Tipperary

6,979

104,064,359.05

Waterford

2,450

40,438,961.55

Westmeath

2,949

34,328,624.79

Wexford

4,073

62,115,527.45

Wicklow

2,090

28,636,367.75

Total

1,244,528,664.89

2008 SPS Payments

County

Number

€

Carlow

1,640

25,530,227.69

Cavan

4,766

35,960,624.43

Clare

6,063

48,285,970.25

Cork

12,890

172,565,315.36

Donegal

7,888

48,118,847.02

Dublin

641

9,348,773.40

Galway

11,946

81,224,065.11

Kerry

7,577

59,223,518.90

Kildare

2,039

32,883,441.92

Kilkenny

3,471

57,898,985.97

Laois

2,935

42,481,112.10

Leitrim

3,369

17,492,539.91

Limerick

5,136

53,506,136.40

Longford

2,363

20,159,785.01

Louth

1,497

20,497,090.03

Mayo

11,365

60,030,025.39

Meath

3,700

57,021,181.44

Monaghan

3,989

31,505,352.60

Offaly

3,026

37,574,526.36

Roscommon

5,696

41,022,424.46

Sligo

3,930

22,945,938.08

Tipperary

6,924

104,533,427.54

Waterford

2,430

40,625,627.94

Westmeath

2,905

34,414,910.47

Wexford

3,999

62,914,527.22

Wicklow

2,069

28,705,081.62

Total

1,246,469,456.62

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Jim O'Keeffe
Share
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
1076 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a REP Scheme four application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will confirm that the 2008 payment will issue. [34064/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

My officials are currently processing the application of the person named. It is expected that payment will issue within the next 14 days.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1077 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an application by person (details supplied) in County Cork under REP scheme four has been approved; if so, when the person will be awarded payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34076/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

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, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue.

Processing of applications,including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
1078 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 22 September 2009, if he will review the situation regarding REP scheme four payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [34177/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Applications to join REPS 4, which must comprise an application form and a full agri-environmental plan, were accepted up to close of business on 9 July 2009. The person named lodged a one page document, which did not represent a valid agri-environmental plan, with his application by the closing date and the application is, therefore, ineligible under the terms of the scheme.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
1079 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34308/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Following an EU procurement exercise conducted by the Department of Finance, a mobile phone framework agreement was established to provide non-commercial public sector bodies with a simple way to procure mobile voice and data services at competitive rates from a list of qualified vendors. This framework commenced in February 2008. The framework agreement is intended to maximise volume discounts and provide for reductions in administrative and transaction costs for providers and public sector purchasers. My Department has run a number of competitions under the framework for its mobile voice and data services during 2008 and 2009. Both O2 and Vodafone have been successful in separate competitions, in each case the successful vendor was the most economically advantageous response. My own mobile phone service is included in one of these contracts, currently held with Vodafone, which will be tendered again during 2010.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1080 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of occasions on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34334/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

In the three years 2007-2009 my Department has discussed with the Department of Finance the pension arrangements of one member of staff of a body under the aegis of my Department. Discussions have not concluded and the staff member has not retired.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1081 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34349/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows.

Year

Staff Dismissed

2005

2

2006

0

2007

0

2008

0

2009

1

Departmental Properties.

Joe Carey
Share
Joe Carey
Question:
1082 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the costs associated with the provision of his Department’s offices in Ennis, County Clare and in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34465/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The lease costs for all of my Departments' offices are a matter for the Office of Public Works. Costs of staff, light, heat and telecommunications are being prepared and will be communicated directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Seymour Crawford
Share
Seymour Crawford
Question:
1083 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan can expect to receive a REP scheme four payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

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, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.

Grant Payments.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
1084 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo was issued with a demand letter for an overpayment of €2337.69 due in 2005 under the single payment scheme in spite of the fact that all overpayments due were cleared on 19 April 2007; if he will further confirm that this notice was issued in error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34482/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Following direct contact between an official of my Department and the person named, it has been agreed that this case will be fully reviewed, on receipt of the further documentation, which the person named has been requested to provide.

Beef Exports.

Denis Naughten
Share
Denis Naughten
Question:
1085 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 451 of 23 June 2009, if he will review the decision to exclude this premises from the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/09]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

As set out in my previous reply, the service provided by my Department for the export of cattle involves a considerable amount of checking on the transport vehicle(s), documentation, identification of the cattle, fitness for transport, and health status, as well as preparing the health certificate to accompany the consignment and sending a notification of the details of the export to the Member State of destination via the TRACES system.

In order to make best use of resources, requests to my Department for export services have to be prioritised in line with limitations on staff resources, budgets and having regard to the volume of exports to be covered by each request. On occasions it is not possible to provide all the requested services, especially at weekends or outside of normal working hours. My Department continues to work with exporters and export points to facilitate the important export trade to the greatest extent possible. I have reviewed this case and I have established that it is not possible to provide the requested services

School Staffing.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Share
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1086 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of people employed in the English language school industry. [32977/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The most recent statistics for direct employment in the English language sector come from a survey carried out from late 2008 to early 2009 on behalf of Fáilte Ireland, the body responsible for promotion and development of the sector.

The survey's results estimated that there are approximately 1,200 people who are directly employed on a full-time, all year round basis, and that there are an additional 2,800 people employed on a seasonal basis.

There is also a wider economic benefit from the expenditure of English language students in Ireland, including for families who host international students in their homes. The same survey identified an average weekly expenditure of around €440 per student, leading to an estimated direct impact of €270 million from English language students on the Irish economy.

School Transport.

Andrew Doyle
Share
Andrew Doyle
Question:
1087 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the rules regarding the school transport scheme whereby children of the same family are not allowed onto the bus at the same stop; and if he will make a commitment to resolving this anomaly as soon as possible. [33129/09]

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

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils are eligible for transport if they reside 4.8 kilometres or more from and are attending their nearest Gael Choláiste.

The situation referred to by the Deputy arose following the establishment of a new second Gael Choláiste in 2007 located south of the town referred to in the details supplied.

Eligible pupils who, prior to the establishment of the new Gael Choláiste had transport from the town in question to the original Coláiste referred to in the details continue to avail of such transport, subject to the terms of the scheme, until they complete their second level education.

All new applicants for transport from the town, including children in the same family, have their applications assessed on the basis of distance from home to the nearest Gael Choláiste. Therefore, those pupils including siblings, who reside 4.8 kilometres or more from their nearest Gael Choláiste and who choose to attend a Gael Choláiste other than their nearest may only avail of transport from the catchment boundary.

I should add that the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme, including catchment boundaries, is due to be completed by the end of 2009.

Inquiry into Child Abuse.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1088 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of the recent Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which reported a number of months ago. [33449/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Expenditure for the Commission to Inquire into child Abuse from inception, to the end of 2008 was € 59.36 Million. At this point it is estimated that a further €30-€40 million may be required to meet the remaining costs of the Commission. This is a tentative provision, given that the Commission has yet to negotiate on a large volume of third party legal costs.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Ned O'Keeffe
Share
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
1089 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if persons (details supplied) in County Cork will be assisted. [34426/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The student to which the Deputy refers has been provided with one print copy of brailled books from the National Braille Production Centre (NBPC). The NBPC's current policy is to make one set of books available in hard copy format to the client and provide an alternative electronic copy that schools/parents can arrange to braille. In exceptional circumstances, the NBPC will provide a second copy of the braille books. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that given the circumstances of this case, the NBPC is now making arrangements to provide a second set of books to the student concerned, which should be available within two weeks.

School Enrolments.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
1090 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position of an application by persons (details supplied) in County Kildare for a placement for primary education for their son; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34533/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General may direct a school to enrol a pupil.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The responsibility also includes identifying appropriate educational placements for individual children with special educational needs.

My Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education. It is open to the parents concerned to raise any queries they may have relating to their child's special educational needs directly with the school authorities or with the local SENO. The parent may contact the SENO using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

The Deputy will be further aware that the home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that home tuition has recently been approved for the child in question.

Institutes of Technology.

John Cregan
Share
John Cregan
Question:
1091 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who was unsuccessful in securing a placement on a course with Limerick Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32928/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Institutes of Technology are statutory bodies established under the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs or in relation to applications from individual prospective students. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene on behalf of any particular student.

Adult Education.

Michael Ring
Share
Michael Ring
Question:
1092 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide the funding for a course (details supplied) in view of the fact that funding for same has been withdrawn. [32936/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I understand, following consultation between the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and FÁS, that the funding referred to by the Deputy is the funding for grant assistance that was targeted by FÁS at persons in employment towards the cost of participation on a particular course in the higher education institution also referred to by the Deputy. This funding was awarded on a year by year basis by FÁS, under its Training of People in Employment programmes, subject to available funding being available. I further understand that while FÁS did fund students on this particular course, the numbers being funded have declined over recent years. Responsibility for funding decisions in relation to such programmes are a matter for FÁS and I have no role in the matter.

Regarding the provision of funding support by my Department towards fees and maintenance support for this course, as referred to by the Deputy, the position is that under the terms of my Department's free fees schemes the exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible full-time students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved institution. Students eligibility for free tuition fees is determined by each individual institution.

Currently my Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarships Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses. The Higher Education Grant Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department; the other three maintenance grant schemes are administered on a similar basis by the VECs. Students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the local authority or VEC. Candidates wishing to apply for the means-tested maintenance grant should apply, if they have not already done so, to their local VEC to establish eligibility.

Physical Education Facilities.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1093 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are shortfalls as per his Departments guidelines in relation to the delivery of physical education in secondary schools at junior or senior cycle here; if so, if he will identify where such shortfalls exist, that is, if they are more pronounced in particular parts of the country, in particular schools, senior versus junior cycle and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32939/09]

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1095 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide an assurance that physical education as a non-examinable subject will not become marginalised on the school curriculum pending implementation of some or all of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1093 and 1095 together.

At post-primary level, in accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools physical education should form part of the curriculum in all schools. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on the Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable.

It should be noted that teacher allocations for all second level schools are approved by my Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules based on recognised pupil enrolments on the 30th of September of the preceding school year. Each school management authority is required to organise its curriculum, teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limits of its approved teacher allocation. The appointment of teachers to posts within the approved quota is a matter for the authorities of the schools concerned.

Physical education will continue to play an important role in providing a broad and balanced education programme for students. The evidence available to date would not suggest there has been a significant diminution or marginalisation of the subject recently in schools. An evaluation of inspection reports undertaken by my Department in 2008 indicates that the vast majority of schools are timetabling PE. However, the reports showed that 22% of schools did not provide the subject for the all students in senior cycle. In such cases, the provision was either not provided for final year students (13%), not provided at all for senior cycle (4%) or provided for only part of the year (4%). If issues emerge during a school inspection which indicate that a programme is not being implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Department, these matters are brought to the attention of the school board of management for attention.

School Staffing.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1094 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide an assurance that schools competitions across different sports will not be adversely affected due to non-replacement of school teachers who traditionally accompanied school teams pending the implementation of some or all of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme recommendations. [32940/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The substitution cover arrangements introduced in January 2009 will continue for the 2009/2010 school year. Each post-primary school has been provided with a defined number of hours of substitution cover outside of the supervision and substitution scheme to provide cover for teacher absences arising from uncertified sick leave and official school business. This was calculated on the basis of the number of pupils in a school with a minimum number of available hours for all schools with less than 100 pupils. Thus for the 2009/2010 school year 0.31 hours substitution cover was allocated for each pupil in a school as per the school's recognised pupil enrolment on the 30th September 2008. Examples are an allocation of 62 hours for a 200 pupil school and 124 hours for a 400 pupil school.

It is a matter for the managerial authority of each school to decide on the use of the hours provided. The supervision/ substitution scheme also continues to operate and teachers who undertake the duties in accordance with the terms of the scheme continue to receive the annual payment.

Question No. 1095 answered with Question No. 1093.

Schools Building Projects.

Mary Wallace
Share
Mary Wallace
Question:
1096 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science the 43 locations here that have been identified in the recent study for additional primary school provision for 2010, 2011 and 2012 as having significant demographic changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32944/09]

Mary Wallace
Share
Mary Wallace
Question:
1097 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science the time frame for the completion of the detailed analysis and report to identify school accommodation requirements for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 in an area (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32945/09]

Mary Wallace
Share
Mary Wallace
Question:
1098 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science the time frame for the completion of the detailed analysis and report to identify school accommodation requirements for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 in an area (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32946/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1096 to 1098, inclusive, together.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social & Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.

The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 selected locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. This information has been circulated to all existing school Patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school, should it be required. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.

The Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out an analysis of each of these locations, including the two areas referred to by the Deputy, in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015.

When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country. I will arrange to have a list of the initial areas identified for analysis forwarded to the Deputy for her information.

Schools Recognition.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
1099 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the registration of Educate Together as a second level patron; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32947/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

My Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools. The application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level will be fully examined within the context of legal, financial and other factors that I must consider.

School Transport.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
1100 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will intervene in the case of a child (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has been refused transport to a special school which is best equipped to meet the child’s needs. [32970/09]

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

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, a pupil with special needs is eligible for transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under the Department's criteria.

In this case, my Department has been advised that the pupil in question is not attending the nearest such facility and is therefore, not eligible for school transport.

This case has been the subject of an appeal to the School Transport Appeals Board which has made a determination in the matter. The parents have been notified of this decision.

Special Educational Needs.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
1101 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the guarantees available for parents of pupils with serious special educational needs in post primary schools that their child will be taught by a teacher qualified in special needs. [32971/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill vacancies in an individual school is a matter for the Board of Management of the school concerned. It is the policy of my Department that unqualified personnel should only be employed in exceptional circumstances and when all avenues for recruiting qualified personnel have been exhausted. Unqualified personnel should therefore only be employed for short periods pending the recruitment of a fully qualified teacher. I have indicated my intention to commence Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act in the near future. I have also indicated that the commencement of the section will also provide for it to be regulated that a school may employ unregistered personnel on a time limited basis in extreme circumstances.

My Department has put in place a training programme for teachers in autism-specific interventions including TEACCH, PECS and ABA through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). The SESS facilitates a partnership approach involving support teams of practising teachers, Education Centres, the Inspectorate, the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the National Council for Special Education, Third Level Colleges, Health Board Personnel, Teacher Unions and other relevant bodies and services.

Parents of children with autism now have three distinct choices available to them depending on the needs of the child; their child can either attend a mainstream class in their local school with additional supports as required, they can attend a special class in a mainstream school or they can attend a special school. While some children with autism can thrive in a mainstream class, special classes in both mainstream and special schools have been specifically designed to meet the needs of those who require more intensive support.

My Department's Inspectorate carried out an Evaluation of Educational Provision for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) which was published in 2006. The report looked at the education that is provided for children with autism in a variety of settings nationwide, including mainstream classes supporting children with autism.

I am satisfied with the current policy of providing schools who have special classes for children with autism with qualified teachers, low pupil teacher ratios, a minimum of 2 special needs assistants per class, access to professional development as well as training courses in autism specific interventions, enhanced capitation and grants for specialist equipment and furniture, if required, together with special school transport arrangements.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
1102 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if the resource hours allocated to pupils with special needs are being used specifically for these pupils or if in some cases they are being used in the general body of the school. [32972/09]

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
1103 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the way resource hours for children with special educational needs are being used in post primary schools. [32973/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1102 and 1103 together.

Resource teaching is allocated to schools to support pupils with special educational needs who qualify for such support under the criteria outlined in various Department circulars.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department implemented a general allocation system of learning support/resource teachers to mainstream primary schools in September 2005. The system provides teaching resources to schools to enable them to cater for children with high-incidence special education needs. The system allows schools to respond quickly and effectively to the individual needs of children with special educational needs. The system facilitates flexibility in the delivery of interventions by schools in allowing for individualised tuition, group work, in-class support or a combination of these interventions, whichever is considered the most appropriate for the child in question. It is a matter for the individual school to use its professional judgement to identify pupils that will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils. My Department issued a comprehensive circular, SP ED 02/05, to schools to provide guidelines and advice on the manner in which they should use the resources that have been allocated to them to best effect.

In circumstances where a child has low incidence needs, this automatically attracts an individual resource teaching allocation through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Circular SP ED 02/05 advises school management that the additional teaching resources that are allocated to schools under the terms of the general allocation model cannot be used for mainstream class teaching or to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in mainstream classes. Reference is also made in the circular to the deployment of additional teaching resources that are allocated to schools by the NCSE for the support of individual pupils with low incidence disabilities.

In the case of post primary schools, circular PPT 01/05 outlines the Department's policy in relation to the allocation of teaching resources. Group teaching approaches are prioritised in catering for pupils with special educational needs at post primary level. Apart from the obvious benefit of being part of a group, this joint provision offers a level of support which meets and often exceeds the recommended individualised provision as per the relevant circulars.

Post-Leaving Certificate Courses.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
1104 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [32987/09]

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

I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy made an application to a local PLC college for a place on a particular course. Places on this particular course are limited under an agreement with a third level institution and the college operates a competitive selection process. I understand that following the selection process this person was not successful in obtaining a place. It is open to learners to make application to any PLC College in the country for a place on a course of their choice.

Higher Education Grants.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1105 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on correspondence (details supplied) in relation to reforming the residency requirements for the student grants system; if he will allow the use of affidavits when otherwise legitimate applications for a student grant cannot proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32990/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

In order to establish a candidate's status as an independent mature student, documentary evidence is required as proof of a candidate's ordinary/permanent address from 1st October of the year preceding entry to college.

Awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof has been submitted by the grant applicant. While an affidavit if accompanied by other supporting documentation can be considered as evidence of independent living, an affidavit in isolation cannot be accepted as sole proof of residency. The Deputy's correspondence in this matter is being considered and a response will issue shortly.

Special Educational Needs.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1106 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application from a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary for a special needs assistant in respect of a child; if he will grant a special needs assistant in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33018/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

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 to schools to support children with special needs. 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. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Teaching Qualifications.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
1107 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [33023/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The postgraduate diploma in primary education is currently provided by four state-funded Colleges of Education.

The issue of providing such courses in the coming year is currently being considered in the context of likely demands in the system and the resources available. A decision on the matter will be communicated to the relevant colleges as soon as possible.

Grant Payments.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1108 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the grant for a secretary and caretaker come at the end of March when the school year is almost over; his views, in view of the fact that he has by the end of October all of the relevant information required to provide for this grant, or providing for prompt payment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33046/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The Deputy is referring to funding arrangements for primary schools. The way in which primary schools are funded takes account of the fact that the State's accounting period is based on a calendar year, while schools traditionally operate on the academic year commencing in September. Thus, primary schools receive capitation funding in January and June, and the ancillary services grant in March.

I have consistently said that it is my intention to streamline and rationalise the different grant schemes that provide funding to primary schools, both for ease of administration and to ensure that school management has greater autonomy over the funding provided.

Therefore, capitation funding provided for general running costs, and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. In due course, both grant schemes will be merged. In the interim, both grants will continue to be paid according to existing timelines and calculated separately as heretofore.

With regard to the availability of enrolment data, I wish to advise the Deputy that the primary census has up to now been a paper-based process; my Department would receive a set of paper forms from over 3200 primary and special schools every year. Each form must be manually logged and checked and corrected with input from the school where necessary and then entered manually into my Department's database. This process takes a number of months due to the number of schools involved. For this reason, data for all schools at primary level does not normally become available until close to the end of the academic year.

In order to reduce the processing time involved, a spreadsheet form has been introduced for the 2009/2010 census which can be returned to my Department by email. This reduces the workload involved in processing the forms, as totals and checks are automatic, and the data can be loaded automatically to the database.

It should be noted also that it has been the case in previous years that approximately 25-30% of returns for primary schools are still outstanding by the end of October deadline, which can add a further delay to the processing time for those schools that make a late return.

Special Educational Needs.

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
1109 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a full time special needs assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33049/09]

Phil Hogan
Share
Phil Hogan
Question:
1110 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a laptop will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33050/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1109 and 1110 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. My Department has no record of receiving a recommendation for a laptop for the child in question.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Michael Fitzpatrick
Share
Michael Fitzpatrick
Question:
1111 Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science the national and second level schools in Kildare north which have allocated disabled parking bays. [33052/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

My Department's Technical Guidance Documents require that all new school buildings and extensions are designed to cater for persons with varying ranges of physical ability and to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by design limitations. These guidance documents state that at least one car-parking space near the main entrance should be provided for disabled users and the number of reserved spaces should be in accordance with the Building Regulations and the National Disability Authority guidelines. Parking provision should be as stated in the guidance documents, subject to the planning requirements of the relevant Local Authority.

In the case of older schools where the school authority is not in a position to provide the required amount of parking spaces for disabled users, application under the Emergency Works Scheme may be made to my Department for funding to provide same.

School Hygiene.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1112 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the finance of some primary schools is so precarious that they can no longer afford paper towels in the children’s toilets or hand cleaning dispensers and are requesting parents to send hand towels in with their children; and the steps he is taking to help primary schools in particular to combat the spread of swine flu through the school population. [33074/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The Deputy may be referring to advice which my Department sent to schools in Circular 47/09, sent to all primary and post-primary schools in August, which advised schools on how they could source information on and respond to the pandemic flu.

My Department has been communicating public health advice from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health and Children to the education sector. My officials are engaging with the management bodies of schools so that they can provide the most relevant information to schools that address any sector specific issues. This public health information is guiding schools to update their plans to encourage and facilitate everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of this pandemic flu, and be able to respond to symptoms and cases of this flu.

Specifically in relation to hand hygiene, the advice available to my Department is that students/staff should wash their hands with soap and water. Hand-drying facilities must not be shared between people. Therefore, the type of hand drying facilities that can be used include paper towels, which are disposed of into waste bins, hot air hand dryers, roller towels, or students and staff members could be asked to bring in and use their own individual towels.

On the general issue of funding for schools, I wish to assure the Deputy that the education budget for 2009 provided for improvements to the overall level of day-to-day funding for primary schools, which has seen funding increase from €167 million in 2008 to almost €190 million in 2009.

This builds on the progress made in recent years that has seen the primary school capitation grant increased from €81.26 per pupil in 2000 to its current rate of €200, representing an increase of 146% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 2000.

The primary capitation grant has been improved by more than €21 to bring the rate to €200 per pupil, while the ancillary services grant for primary schools has increased by €3.50 to €155 per pupil.

Taken together, these increases mean that primary schools eligible for the full ancillary services grant will get €355 per pupil — or almost €25 extra — in this school year to cover their day to day running costs, with a primary school of 300 pupils getting €7,475 more. In 2000, a primary school with 300 pupils was in receipt of less than €40,000 to meet its day to day running costs. Under these new rates, that primary school will receive €106,500. This excludes the salary of teachers and Special Needs Assistants, which are paid by my Department.

Furthermore enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €512 to €986 per pupil — an increase of 59% from the rate in 2006.

By any standards, these have been very significant improvements within a relatively short period of time, and the Government is committed to further increasing funding for schools as resources permit. However, while increasing resources is important, we must also focus on measures to enhance the quality of education in our schools to ensure that increased resources lead to the best possible outcomes for our children.

Ministerial Travel.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Share
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1113 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the annual cost to his Department of ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagement; and the event and the expense for same for each of the past ten years. [33080/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The information requested by Deputy is currently being collated by my officials, but unfortunately it has not been possible to fully gather all the relevant data in the time available.

I will reply directly to the Deputy as soon as the information has been fully collated.

School Funding.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
1114 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a commitment in future education decisions that the Protestant faith schools will return to a situation where they are regarded as non-fee paying schools in line with commitments and practices of the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33099/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I wish to reassure the Deputy that I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos.

The Deputy will be aware that I have met with representatives of both the Church of Ireland Board of Education and the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland to discuss the funding position of Protestant schools and the background to the decision in the October budget to remove certain grants from fee-charging Protestant schools.

I have emphasised that no changes have been made to the block grant, which is expected to be €6.5 million in this school year. It covers capitation, tuition and boarding costs and is distributed through the Secondary Education Committee established by the churches concerned. This fund ensures that necessitous Protestant children can attend a school of their choice.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have met representatives from the Secondary Education Committee to discuss future funding arrangements for Protestant schools.

In this context, I have expressed my willingness to consider any proposals that might be made to my Department that would enable the available funding to be focused and adjusted to more effectively meet the twin objectives of access for individuals and sustaining the schools that they wish to attend, particularly those in rural areas.

The October Budget implemented changes in how all fee-charging schools are treated in relation to the number of publicly funded teaching posts they are allocated. With effect from 1 January 2009, teachers in fee-charging schools are allocated at a pupil teacher ratio of 20:1, which is a point higher than allocations in non-fee-charging post-primary schools.

In view of the challenging economic circumstances that we are facing, I am not in a position to reverse this decision.

This decision is justified on the basis that schools which have access to fees as an income source are in a better position to maintain services at a time when the public finances are under such severe pressure. Fee-charging schools can continue to employ additional teachers that they fund from their fee income.

I will continue to work with representatives of the Protestant educational sector to ensure that State funding made available to the Protestant community is targeted in the fairest way possible to meet the needs of their children and their schools.

School Curriculum.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1115 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools here which offer a modern language, normally in fifth or sixth class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33120/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

In the 2008/2009 year, Modern European languages were taught in 505, or 15%, of our primary schools as part of an initiative that was introduced by my Department in September, 1998. The aims of this initiative include the development of communication skills in a modern European language, the fostering of positive attitudes to language learning and the diversification of the languages taught in our schools. In the participating schools, the pupils in 5th and 6th classes are taught one of four languages — French, German, Italian and Spanish. A dedicated support structure for the teachers in the schools concerned has been in place since the initiative was implemented.

Schools Building Projects.

Michael Creed
Share
Michael Creed
Question:
1116 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the condition of the roadway leading to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if he has awarded all moneys due to the contractor in this case; if the approach road was included in his estimate for the works for the school; the steps, in view of the health and safety concerns raised, he will take to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33134/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The new site for the school referred to by the Deputy was acquired by the school Patron from a local developer as a result of a land swap. My Department has funded the construction of the new school. However, the project scope was predicated on the assurance that certain site development works and appropriate site access from the main road were to be carried out by the developer such as access road/path as part of the overall deal with the school Patron.

It has been brought to my attention that the developer has not, as yet, completed this work. I understand that the Board of Management of the school is engaging with the developer to progress the terms of their agreement. My officials are monitoring the situation.

School Staffing.

John Cregan
Share
John Cregan
Question:
1117 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of retired teachers substituting at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33136/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be sent to him as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects.

John Cregan
Share
John Cregan
Question:
1118 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress being made regarding the approval for a new second level college at Croom, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33137/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I can confirm that an application for large scale capital funding for a new second level college at Croom, County Limerick has been made to my Department. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

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. Furthermore, my Department is now in the process of identifying school projects eligible for consideration for inclusion in the 4th bundle of Public Private Partnership projects and the school in question is being considered in that context. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Departmental Projects.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
1119 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the pilot project which has been developed with regard to the use of schools after hours under active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33187/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The pilot programme recommended by the Task Force on Active Citizenship in its March 2007 Report is operated by the National Assessment Committee of the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) from a fund administered by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA). Through its Regional Office Service, my Department has encouraged schools to make their premises available for the use of community and other groups. Advice on the issues and implications for schools were covered in a circular letter issued to all schools in April, 2005.

In May 2008 I announced details of a scheme under the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage) Fund to enable DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick city to enable schools to open after school hours, including weekends and holiday periods, provide after school programmes and to maximise community use of school premises and facilities.

Schools Building Projects.

Simon Coveney
Share
Simon Coveney
Question:
1120 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made by him in relation to school (details supplied) in County Cork since August 2009; if construction work is on course to begin before the end of 2009; the time scale of the construction work plans for this project over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33196/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress to tender and construction and is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

An application has been made for planning permission and the Design Team are currently working on providing further information which was requested by the local authority. An application for a fire safety certificate has also been made.

Following receipt of Planning Permission, the Design Team will make a Stage 2(b) submission to my Department. When my Department has examined the stage 2(b) submission it will revert to the school regarding next steps in the tendering and construction of the new school. However, at this stage of the process, it is not possible to be definitive regarding a time scale for the commencement of construction work.

Institutes of Technology.

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
1121 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if in view of recent developments (details supplied), he will make a decision in regard to the application of Waterford Institute of Technology for upgrading to university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33201/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The position is that applications have been received from three higher education institutions for designation as Universities; Waterford Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology.

The issue of university designation does not just affect the institutions and the regions from which applications have been received; it also impacts on the future structure of the higher education system throughout the country. The Government wants to build on our strengths and to provide an environment where all our higher education institutions can develop in a way that best serves the country as a whole as well as the regions where they are based.

I have asked the strategy group on higher education to report to me with a vision and roadmap for the development of Ireland's system of higher education for the next two decades.

That group is now critically examining the roles and relationships of higher education institutions so that the system can deliver the levels of efficiency, performance, innovation and growth that will optimise Ireland's ‘smart' economic recovery and social development.

There are no plans to advance any of the current applications for university status before the strategy group completes its work.

Higher Education Grants.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1122 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the decision taken by County Louth Vocational Education Committee to award a full adjacent third level trainee maintenance grant to the value of €1,370 to a person (details supplied) in County Louth, rather than a non-adjacent grant of €3,420; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33206/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Under the student support schemes, maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or the non-adjacent rate. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable where the grant holder's normal residence is 24 Km or less from the college which he/she is registered. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases, including all eligible mature students.

The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the Local Authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required.

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the assessing authority, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.

Schools Building Projects.

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1123 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the status with regard to the proposed construction of a new school at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33215/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I wish to advise the Deputy that in view of the current budgetary constraints I am not in a position to provide a definite date for the acquisition of a suitable site for the school referred to by the Deputy. On foot of my Department acquiring a suitable site, the proposed building project for the school will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1124 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the proposed new extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work to commence on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33216/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I can confirm that an application for large scale capital funding for an extension has been made to my Department by the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. A Schedule of Overall Accommodation has been agreed with the Board of Management to cater for a long term enrolment of 850 pupils.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

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 progression of the project at this time.

Joanna Tuffy
Share
Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1125 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 if 12 February 2009, the progress in relation to the proposed new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work to commence on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Final tenders for the second bundle of Primary/Post Primary schools consisting of six schools including the school referred to by the Deputy were received by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on the 1st July 2009.

The tender evaluation process is nearing completion and it is expected that the preferred bidder will be announced shortly. Subject to the planning process it is envisaged that construction work on all six schools will commence in Spring 2010 and that the schools should be ready for occupation in September 2011.

School Transport.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1126 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 21 October 2008 and correspondence (details supplied), if he will clarify if the LUAS system is included within the remit of the school transport scheme and operates discounted fares for students between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years along similar lines to Dublin Bus and the DART; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/09]

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

I can confirm that, following consultations between Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department and officials of the Railway Procurement Agency, children who are eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme may, following the approval of an application for transport to their local Bus Éireann School Transport Office, be facilitated with a school transport ticket to use the LUAS Public Transport System.

It is a matter for the operating company to determine the cost of tickets. However, the Deputy should understand that children who are eligible for school transport at primary level and availing of a transport service, travel free. Children who are eligible for transport at post-primary level and availing of a service, including students between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, are required to pay an annual charge, currently €300, unless the family is in possession of a valid medical card. The level of fares applicable for travel on the LUAS is, therefore, not an issue for individual students availing of transport under the School Transport Scheme.

Higher Education Authority Funding.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1127 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the budget of the Higher Education Authority recurrent funding for 2009; the budget for HEA recurrent funding in each year for the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33224/09]

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1130 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Higher Education Authority funding will be reduced as a result of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes proposal to merge the HEA and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33227/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1127 and 1130 together.

The recurrent provision for the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for 2009 is some €6.236 million. Recurrent funding allocated by my Department to the HEA in each of the past ten years is set out in the attached table. These funds are used to meet the general running expenses of the Authority.

Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising, including that referred to by the Deputy, will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Higher Education Authority Recurrent Funding 1999-2008

Year

Recurrent Funding

€m

2008

6.101

2007

5.936

2006

5.732

2005

5.210

2004

5.219

2003

4.801

2002

4.013

2001

4.595

2000

2.376

1999

2.206

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1128 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the budget for the Higher Education Authority access funding for 2009; the budget for HEA access funding in each year for the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/09]

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1129 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the envisioned budget for the Higher Education Authority access funding for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33226/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1128 and 1129 together.

The Third Level Access Measure provides support for disadvantaged students through three sub-priorities: the Students Assistance Fund, the Fund for Students with Disabilities and the Millennium Partnership Fund.

The Higher Education Authority also provides institutions with recurrent funding to develop the necessary infrastructure and programmes of action which support wider access for people with a disability, mature students and young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The table attached outlines the access allocations for the last decade. The provision for 2010 will be a matter to be decided within the Estimates process which is ongoing at this point.

HEA Access Funding (€000's)

1999-00

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

Recurrent Funding for Access

3,465

4,296

5,172

6,145

7,415

7,235

7,736

8,347

8,770

9,035

9,035

Third Level Access Measure

2,651

3,319

9,053

14,758

13,486

14,043

13,882

14,975

17,319

17,984

17,984

Total

6,116

7,615

14,225

20,903

20,901

21,278

21,618

23,322

26,089

27,019

27,019

Question No. 1130 answered with Question No. 1127.

Higher Education Funding.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1131 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives that are in place to support international students in higher education; the funding that is in place to support international students in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33228/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The Government is committed to promoting Ireland as a centre for international education and a high quality educational experience for international students must be at the core of our offering. I recently announced my intention to establish a high level group on international education, which will initially focus on developing a national strategy for the promotion of international education. This body through collaboration with relevant stakeholders will aim to achieve economies and efficiencies of scale in the marketing and delivery of education and services to international students. The development of a statutory quality mark, to be awarded by the amalgamated qualifications body, will be a key plank of this strategy.

The quality mark regime will encompass wider dimensions of the individual's learning experience, including recruitment, orientation, accommodation, support services and fees issues. The development of this quality mark will build on the Irish Higher Education Quality Network's recently published code of practice and guidelines for provision of education to international students.

These guidelines outline agreed sector wide benchmarks in relation to recruitment, reception, education, pastoral care and welfare of international students and will provide institutions with a framework for setting their own education provision arrangements for international students.

School Curriculum.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1132 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he is taking to support media training for young people in view of the fact that this is an area that offers potential for employment growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33237/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Media education is a specific strand unit within the social, personal and health education programme for all primary school pupils. By sixth class pupils develop an understanding of how information is conveyed, what may be deliberately excluded, the role of bias and the different messages promoted in advertising. The curriculum is designed to promote an increasingly critical and discerning attitude to advertising and media, their purposes and the messages they promote. This goes hand in hand with the strand unit on making decisions, so that children learn to examine critically the influences on their decision making and the consequences and processes involved.

While media studies is not a specific subject at second level, the skills of interpretation and analysis, the use of language in different contexts and genres and the influences on decision making are covered within the existing curricula and allow scope for exploring issues related to the media. For example, in junior certificate English students are required to think, respond and communicate in everyday contexts, including a diary, a journal, a radio programme, video film, drama, poem, essay etc. Through exposure to a range of literary and media genres, they develop a critical consciousness with regard to all language use and learn to focus on the choice of words and the reasons for and effects of these particular choices of words. The skills acquired in junior cycle are built on in senior cycle English where the term "language" includes verbal and visual forms of communication, including the role of media, film and theatre. Engaging with fiction, drama, essay, poetry and film in an imaginative, responsive and critical manner forms part of the approach.

These skills are also developed in history, through the critical examination of source documents. The emphasis is on the development of historical investigation skills and historical thinking, using evidence, and the need to look at history from different perspectives and as a dynamic process. The development of these critical and investigative skills can be transferred into many other areas of the curriculum and beyond. The skills of information processing, analysis and critical evaluation are also developed through the action project within Civic, Social and Political Education, and through the specific module on influences and decisions within Social Personal and Health Education, both of which are mandatory subjects in junior cycle. This is designed to help students understand the role of the media and the impact of social mores in the wider community on their decisions.

In the Transition Year Programme media studies is among the range of flexible options which can be taken by students. Overall, within our second level curricula, there is a key emphasis on the development of skills in research, data gathering, analysis, valuation and critical reflection which are important elements of effective learning.

These skills are further strengthened through provision in the further and higher education sectors, where an extensive range of post leaving certificate courses and degree programmes are available in media production, journalism, animation, radio, TV and film, performing arts, graphic design, digital media, photography, computing and art and design.

Third Level Fees.

Seán Ardagh
Share
Seán Ardagh
Question:
1133 Deputy Seán Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who has completed their first year at university, and wishes to take a break from the course for one year, will be subject to fees when they return in a years time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33263/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware I presented the technical report in relation to the introduction of a form of student contribution to my Cabinet colleagues recently. This report sets out the various options available which looks at available models and draws on experience with other systems that operate internationally. The report is intended to allow for an informed examination of the issue — including existing international experience, the revenue impact of potential approaches, costs, affordability, value for money for the taxpayer, associated implementation issues and policy issues that arise in the Irish context.

The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on various scenarios that might or might not emerge in advance of Government consideration of the report.

Higher Education Grants.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
1134 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding to students who are continuing Further Education and Training Award Council courses in tourism and business in institutes of technology here to enable them to complete their course. [33275/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The courses referred to by the Deputy are not eligible courses under my Department's student maintenance grant schemes, which provide for grants only on a means-tested basis.

I understand that discussions are currently ongoing between Fáilte Ireland, Institutes of Technology Ireland and the Higher Education Authority in relation to the future management and administration of these courses and the levels of award to be made to graduating students.

Schools Building Projects.

Pádraic McCormack
Share
Pádraic McCormack
Question:
1135 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if it will be included in the next available public private partnership bundle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's PPP school building programme. A site has been purchased for the provision of a new school building.

My Department is now in the process of identifying what school projects are eligible for consideration for inclusion in the 4th bundle of PPP schools which I intend announcing as quickly as possible and the school in question is being considered in that context.

The nature of procurement via Public Private Partnership is that a Bundle of school projects is offered to the market together. The other issues which have to be considered in the timing and bundling of schools include outline planning permission being secured, geographical spread and the total committed cost of the proposed bundle.

The indicative timeframe for the delivery of a Bundle of Public Private Partnership schools currently stands at approximately 4 years for the date the Bundle is announced.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.

Tom Kitt
Share
Tom Kitt
Question:
1136 Deputy Tom Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Science if in view of correspondence (details supplied), he will establish a distinct redress scheme for the survivors of the Magdalene laundries. [33307/09]

Willie Penrose
Share
Willie Penrose
Question:
1281 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take steps to establish a distinct redress scheme for survivors of the Magdalene laundries along the lines suggested by a group (details supplied); if this matter will be reconsidered in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34560/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1136 and 1281 together.

I am aware of the case being made by Justice for Magdalene. The position of the women who resided in the Magdalen laundries is one of the issues that has also been raised by groups representing survivors, following publication of the Ryan Report.

The position in relation to the Magdalen laundries under the existing redress arrangements, is that section 1(3) of the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 provides that children who were sent to Magdalen laundries from institutions specified in the Schedule to the Act can be considered for financial redress if, as children, they were victims of abuse while resident in the laundries. This provision was included on the basis that the State was still responsible for the welfare and protection of children who were transferred to a Magdalen laundry from a State regulated institution.

As the Deputies will be aware, the Magdalen laundries were privately owned and operated establishments which did not come within the responsibility of the State and were not subject to State regulation or supervision. I would like to re-iterate my sincere apology for any offence caused by my inadvertent use of the term "employees" when referring to the women who worked in the laundries.

Special Educational Needs.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
1137 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he will take in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33312/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I assume the Deputy is referring to the discontinuation of the Special Class for pupils with a Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) in the school in question.

The Deputy will be aware that teacher 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 permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. This minimum was not fulfilled in the school referred to by the Deputy and therefore the school no longer qualifies to retain the class concerned.

The special class which has closed predates the 2005 General Allocation Model of allocating additional teacher support to schools to enable them to meet the needs of pupils with mild general learning disabilities as well as a number of other high incidence disabilities. All primary schools now have additional teaching support in place for this purpose.

All children with MGLD who were in the class that has been suppressed will be able to receive teaching support through the teaching resources allocated to primary schools under the General Allocation Model. Schools decide themselves how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils and how to adjust their support in line with the changing needs of pupils as they mature. My Department provided a circular SP ED 02/05 to schools to assist them in deploying the General Allocation Model resources.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department's policy is to support the inclusive education of students with special educational needs across the schools system. In this context, a range of supports are provided to schools to enable them cater for pupils with special educational needs. The supports available include additional teaching support, special needs assistant support, school transport and grants for the purchase of teaching materials and specialised equipment.

The Deputy will also be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

School Transport.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1138 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when persons (details supplied) will be provided with school transport which was applied for in July 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33313/09]

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

My Department has sanctioned a transport service for the pupils referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department, has advised that the service will commence shortly.

School Staffing.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
1139 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers in temporary positions in counties Longford and Westmeath during the period 1 September 2008 to 23 September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Teachers are appointed in a temporary capacity to primary schools for various reasons. Examples are the replacement of teachers taking career breaks from teaching or replacing teachers on secondment arrangements. Temporary teachers may also be employed to fill short term vacancies pending the appointment of permanent replacements where teachers retire or resign from employment during the school year.

Data extracted from my Department's payroll systems indicate that during the period 1st September 2008 to 23rd September 2009, 29 temporary appointments were made in County Longford and 55 in County Westmeath.

School Accommodation.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
1140 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of prefab classrooms throughout the counties of Longford and Westmeath; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33345/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

There are a total of 45 prefab units, (ranging from 16m2 to 473m2) being rented by schools in the Longford and Westmeath area. The total annual rental cost for all units is €824,215. It is anticipated that there will be a saving of at least €14m in expenditure on rental of temporary accommodation in 2009, compared to 2008. This clearly demonstrates the efforts being made by my Department to reduce spending in this area. The saving arises mainly from a reduction in the number of new rental contracts being entered into as a result of recent policy measures. The downward trend in expenditure on rented accommodation is expected to continue into 2010 and onwards.

Higher Education Grants.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
1141 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria that a person (details supplied) in County Longford must meet to qualify for a third level maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The candidate referred to by the Deputy is seeking funding under the maintenance grants schemes for a repeat period of study. Clause 7.2 of the Higher Education Maintenance Grant Scheme States; "A Grant is tenable for the normal duration of the approved course and is renewable annually subject to satisfactory attainment and the approval of the Local Authority, subject to the terms of Clause 7.6. Grants may not be paid in respect of a repeat year of study on the same course. A Local Authority shall have discretion to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness."

Where funding in respect of a repeat period of study at the same level is awarded on the basis of exceptional circumstances, such as serious certified illness, it would be where the student himself/herself has suffered from a serious illness that has directly impacted on their ability to successfully complete the period concerned.

Officials of my Department received an appeal from the candidate referred to by the Deputy and upheld the decision of Longford County Council.

Schools Building Projects.

James Bannon
Share
James Bannon
Question:
1142 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a school building project (details supplied) in Co Longford; if approval and funding will be given as a mater of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that plans are well in train to re-locate the school to which he refers to alternative and more suitable accommodation. The planning and Building Unit of my Department is working closely with the school authority to ensure that the transfer to this accommodation is as smooth as possible.

With regard to the school's application for a new building, this, in common with all such applications, has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project in question, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

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 progression of the project at this time.

Departmental Staff.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1143 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the staffing details of the inspectorate at both primary and post-primary level including the number of inspectors at each grade in each business area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33368/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The Inspectorate is a Division within the Department of Education and Science. While inspectors are generally recruited to work in either the primary or post-primary sector, the work of the Inspectorate is managed as a unified service headed by the Chief Inspector. The Inspectorate is divided into two sub-divisions, each headed by a Deputy Chief Inspector. The Regional Subdivision is responsible for the delivery and management of section/evaluation services and related advisory activities in schools and centres for education. The Policy Support Subdivision is responsible for contributing to the development of Departmental policy across a range of areas, for supporting inspection/evaluation activity generally, and for operational services for the Inspectorate. Inspectors from the Policy Support Subdivision also contribute to the work of the Regional Subdivision by conducting inspection activity throughout the year.

The staffing of each subdivision is listed below.

Regional Subdivision

1 Deputy Chief Inspector

5 Assistant Chief Inspectors

18 Divisional Primary Inspectors

32 Primary Inspectors

17 Senior Post-Primary Inspectors

28.5 Post-Primary Inspectors

Policy Support Subdivision

1 Deputy Chief Inspector

4 Assistant Chief inspectors

12 Divisional Primary Inspectors

1 Primary Inspector

10 Senior Post-Primary Inspectors

2.5 Post-Primary Inspectors

One Assistant Chief Inspector and nine Divisional/Senior Inspectors are also assigned to the Directorate of Regional Services. They provide support and advice of a regional nature, liaise with educational bodies and educational providers within the regional catchment areas, conduct evaluations of centres for education and manage visiting teacher services.

A number of inspectors are assigned to work within other sections of the Department as follows:

Planning and Building Unit (2 Senior Post-Primary Inspectors)

Special Education Section (1 Divisional Primary Inspector)

Teacher Education Section (1 Senior Post-Primary Inspector and 1 Divisional Primary Inspector).

In addition to the above, a small number of inspectors are currently on secondment or career break.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1144 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary inspectors who have retired since the imposition of the embargo on promotion in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33369/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1145 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of post primary inspectors who have retired since the imposition of the embargo on promotion in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33370/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 and 1145 together.

Since the implementation of the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Public Sector there has been a total of six retirements from the Inspectorate of my Department. Of these retirements, five were primary inspectors and one a post primary inspector.

Proposed Legislation.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1146 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will commence section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I have indicated my intention to commence Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act in the near future. I have also indicated that the commencement of the section will provide for it to be regulated that a school may employ unregistered personnel on a time limited basis in exceptional circumstances.

I believe that the above proposed legislative arrangement reflects the situation facing schools today where it is not always possible, for a variety of reasons, to engage a registered teacher for substitution duty.

I intend that this proposed amendment will be facilitated under the Education (Patronage) Bill which is due to be published during the Autumn term of the Oireachtas.

Teaching Qualifications.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1147 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who began probation during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33372/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1148 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school teachers who successfully completed the probationary process during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1149 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of years teaching experience of each teacher who successfully completed the probationary process during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1150 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who had their probationary process deferred during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33375/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1151 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who have to date applied to undertake the probationary process in the 2009/2010 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33376/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1147 to 1151, inclusive, together.

With regard to the 2008/2009 academic year, 2,469 applications were accepted for probation. Of that number, 2,324 have successfully completed the required professional element and my Department is currently in the process of checking that the service requirement has been fulfilled. 58 teachers deferred their probation for reasons such as maternity leave, sick leave or change of employment.

Schools were advised in June of the arrangements for probation in the current school year. A series of dates were nominated for submission of applications. The closing date for Round 1 applications was 30th June 2009. Round 2 closed on 11th September. Applications for Round 3 are to be submitted by 23rd October, and 21st December for Round 4. To date, 1,359 applications have been accepted for 2009/2010, from the first two rounds.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of years service of each teacher who completed the probationary process during the 2008/2009 academic year would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile as it is not readily available within my Department.

Departmental Records.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1152 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding his plans to introduce a database of primary school pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33377/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1161 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the work being progressed by him to improve systems in order to facilitate access to accurate and up-to-date information on individual schools, both to ensure more efficient use of official time and to reduce the administrative burden on schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33386/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1162 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the work being progressed by him to improve his information technology infrastructure and upgrade IT systems in order to enhance the capacity for ready retrieval of information including specific progress on a unified data model designed to rationalise, standardise and unify his Department’s main data holdings, in order to provide a solid foundation on which to build new systems including details of available financial, human and IT resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33387/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1163 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the work being progressed to improve his information technology infrastructure and upgrade IT systems in order to enhance the capacity for ready retrieval of information including the provision for the electronic return and management of data from schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33388/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1152 and 1161 to 1163, inclusive, together.

My Department is progressing work to improve systems within the Department to facilitate access to accurate and up-to-date information both to ensure more efficient use of official time and to reduce the administrative burden on schools. My Department began the process of rationalising internal databases a number of years ago. The Department's unified data model (UDM) is based on 3 core entities, namely Educational Organisation, Pupil and Staff Member. The Educational Organisation aspect of the model was implemented in February, 2007. Essentially, the implementation facilitates the recording and maintenance of school details, such as address, in a central location. Work is under way on the development of the post primary element of the pupil entity and, subject to adequate resources, is scheduled to go live in October 2010.

My Department continues to seek to reduce the administrative overhead for schools through the use of information technology most notably in providing on-line facilities to streamline the collection of data and reduce the number of manual tasks. The esinet portal through which these on-line services are delivered already provides an On-Line Claims System (OLCS) which allows each primary school and Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive school record absences and submit claims to the Department for the payment of casual and non casual teachers and Special Needs Assistants. This system has significantly reduced the process of manual form filling at school level and manual data input at Department level.

In 2008 a Returns service was provided via esinet to enable post primary schools upload pupil and timetable data. Statistics section has dispensed with paper forms for the Annual Census of Primary Schools this year and has instead provided a form in spreadsheet version which schools can email back to the Department. This new system allows for more efficient completion of the census form by the school, as certain parts of the data such as totals for each category of pupil can be automatically calculated and cross checked. It will also allow for quicker provision of data to other areas of the Department for allocations purposes, thus negating the requirement for these areas to send a duplicate request to the schools.

Later this year a facility will be available to all schools, again via esinet to electronically transmit details of their school building stock to enable the Department compile an Inventory of School Accommodation. Other developments include the introduction of Geographic Information technology which has greatly improved the capacity of the Department to identify the location and quantity of new school accommodation needed to cater for population increases.

The development of a database for individual pupils at primary level remains an important goal for my Department, however it has not been possible to progress it as yet. Like any organisation, the level of progress will depend on available financial, human and IT resources and how they will need to be deployed given emerging priorities and wider public finance constraints.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1153 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when the database containing details of the pilot project to create an inventory of school accommodation was last accessed prior to 2009 at which time data from this inventory was sought for audit review by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33378/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1154 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the software and licensing issues in relation to accessing the information database containing details of the pilot project to create an inventory of school accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33379/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1153 and 1154 together.

The inventory to which the Deputy refers was a pilot project carried out in schools in County Kildare. It was intended that the results of this pilot project would be used by the Department to determine the merits, or otherwise, of expanding the inventory on a nationwide basis.

The project commenced in 2001 and was completed in 2002. Having evaluated the pilot project results, it was decided not to proceed with its expansion in view of the high costs associated this at a time when there were more pressing priorities in terms of the available finance. It is important to point out that one of the findings of the pilot exercise showed that the data gathered in relation to the condition of the school buildings has relevance for a relatively short number of years. However, the information in the database was utilised and accessed within the Planning and Building Unit for so long as it was useful and relevant. In this regard it was last accessed two years ago. The floor layout plans and other drawing data gathered during the course of the pilot inventory is still largely relevant and can be used by the Department's Technical staff as appropriate.

My Department's licence for parts of the inventory software has lapsed and it does not intend renewing this given, as I have already said, that the information gathered in relation to the condition of the school buildings has limited relevance.

I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that arrangements are being made to conduct a survey of accommodation at primary and post-primary level which will establish the position relating to the extent of all accommodation. The specifications for this inventory are being finalised with a view to commencing the work at an early date.

School Accommodation.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1155 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the rented school accommodation at primary level including the date of installation, annual rent and supplier name and details for each school here on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33380/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1156 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the rented school accommodation at post-primary level including the date of installation, annual rent and supplier name and details for each school here on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33381/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1155 and 1156 together.

I will arrange to forward the information requested by the Deputy shortly. It is anticipated that there will be a saving of at least €14m in expenditure on rental of temporary accommodation in 2009, compared to 2008. This clearly demonstrates the efforts being made by my Department to reduce spending in this area. The saving arises mainly from a reduction in the number of new rental contracts being entered into. The downward trend in expenditure on rented accommodation is expected to continue into 2010 and onwards.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1157 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the prefabricated accommodation in primary schools where grant aid has been sanctioned for the purchase of a unit or units since January 2008 to date in 2009 including the name of every school grant aided, the date of purchase of each unit and the supplier name and details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33382/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1158 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the prefabricated accommodation in post-primary schools where grant aid has been sanctioned for the purchase of a unit or units since January 2008 to date in 2009 including the name of every school grant aided, the date of purchase of each unit and the supplier name and details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33383/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1157 and 1158 together.

Details of the schools approved for a devolved capital grant to provide temporary accommodation (with the option to provide permanent accommodation instead for the same funding) are given in the following tabular statement. The list of approvals covers the period 2008 and 2009 to-date and indicate the options being pursued by the schools. It is a matter for school authorities to decide which option best suits their needs. The Deputy will note that a number of schools have not yet indicated to my Department which option they intend to pursue.

The funding is provided on a devolved basis which empowers school authorities to manage these works with guidance from my Department. Devolving funding to school management authorities allows them to have control of their projects, assists in moving projects more quickly to tender and construction and can also deliver better value for money. 70% of approved funding may be drawn down when a project goes to construction and the balance when a project is completed, subject to the necessary certification being supplied to my Department. My Department does not collect information from the schools regarding supplier details for units which have been purchased.

2008 — Prefab / Permanent Option Approvals — Primary & Post-Primary 01-10-2009

County

Roll No

School

Classrooms

Permanent Build or Pre-fab

Carlow

01415K

Scoil Phadraig, Rathoe

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Carlow

04077I

St. Brigid’s NS, Tullow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Carlow

13507I

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, Tullow

1 × 80m² ASD Unit

Carlow

13607M

St Columba’s NS, Tullow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Carlow

17501Q

Scoil Binn an Choire

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Carlow

18424G

St. Joseph’s NS,

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cavan

08453H

Crubany NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cavan

08490N

St. Clare’s School, Ardmhuire

3 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Cavan

14073G

St Patricks NS, Castletara

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cavan

14399N

Kilgarry NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Cavan

16083T

St Mary’s NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cavan

16316Q

St. Mary’s NS, Arva

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Cavan

18059J

St. Anne’s NS, Bailieborough

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cavan

19363R

Mullahoran NS, Kilcogy

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cavan

19608V

St. Kilian’s NS, Mullagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cavan

20172R

St. Joseph’s NS, Kingscourt

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

04548V

Scoil Seanain Naofa, Clonlara

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

14757N

Scoil na Mainistreach, Quin

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

15042A

Ennis N.S

1 × classroom (relocated from Kilraine NS, Wexford)

prefab

Clare

16908S

Sixmile Bridge NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Clare

16946D

Parteen NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

17517I

Doolin Mixed NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Clare

17801F

Scoil na Maighdine Muire, Broadford

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

prefab

Clare

18032M

Clonmoney NS, Ennis

1 × 50m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

18555V

Lissycasey NS, Ennis

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Clare

19233E

St. Clare’s

Refurb for 2 special needs rooms

Clare

19274S

St Conaires School

Relocation of 1 × 80m² Classroom

Clare

19414I

St. Anne’s NS, Ennis

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Clare

19442N

Ruan Central National School

1x80m² classroom

permanent

Clare

19698C

St. Aidan’s NS, Shannon

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

19838P

Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosog

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 2 × 25m² Resource

Permanent

Clare

20075T

St. Mochulla’s NS, Ennis Rd.,Tulla

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

prefab

Cork

01867W

Castlelyons NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

02278I

Presentation NS, Millstreet

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Cork

04152T

Scoil Mhaoiliosa, Knockavilla, Upton

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

08972I

Castlelack NS

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

Permanent

Cork

09537S

Ballinadee NS

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

permanent

Cork

11249C

Burnfort NS, Mallow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

12004A

Mallow No. 1 School

1 × 80m² Classroom

Cork

12015F

Liscarroll NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

12395S

Rusheen NS

1 × 100m² Unit

Cork

12447L

Baltydaniel NS

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom for Autistic Unit

permanent

Cork

12456M

St. Molaga’s NS

1 × 80m² classroom

Cork

13450F

Rushbrooke NS

2 × 80m² mainstream classrooms

prefab

Cork

13543M

Derrinacahara

1 × 80m²

permanent

Cork

13728B

Castletownshend NS, Skibbereen

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

13980L

Togher BNS

2 × 25 m² Resource Rooms

Cork

14014N

Ballydesmond NS, Mallow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

14726C

St. Multose NS, Kinsale

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

14839P

Clondrohid NS, Macroom

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cork

15484J

SN An Chroi Naofa, Glounthanne

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Cork

15594Q

Grange NS, Fermoy

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

16246V

Dromclough NS, Bantry

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cork

16900C

St. Patrick’s SNS, Skibbereen

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cork

16901E

St. Patrick’s BNS, Skibbereen

1 × 100m² Special Needs Unit

prefab

Cork

17103E

Scoil Chlochair Mhuire

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

prefab

Cork

17251T

Ovens National School

1 × Resource room relocation

prefab

Cork

17360B

SN Mhuire, Bothar Mala

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

17667E

St. Patrick’s NS, Whitechurch

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

17868O

Scoil Freastogail Muire

1 × 80sqm C/R

permanent

Cork

17876O

Presentation PS, Fermoy

1 × 100m² Autistic Unit

Cork

17950W

Holy Family NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

18377A

Scoil Iosaif Naofa, Fermoy

1 × 80m² Autistic Unit

prefab

Cork

18497K

Scoil Inse Ratha, Little Island

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

18567F

St. Patrick’s NS, Inch, Killeagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

18883P

Scoil Íosagain Infants’ NS, Mallow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

19224D

Kilmeen NS

1 × 25m² Resource Room

permanent

Cork

19256Q

Scoil Ghobnatan, Mallow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cork

19351K

Kilcredan NS, Ladysbridge

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cork

19410A

St Killians Special School

2 × Resource Rooms

Cork

19415K

Scoil An Athar Tadhg, Carraig na bhFear

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

Cork

19672H

Scoil Mhuire na nGrast, Belgooly

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Cork

19761G

St. Peter’s NS, Dungourney

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Donegal

10062E

Creeslough NS, Letterkenny

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Donegal

12077E

Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Letterkenny

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Donegal

13563S

SN Chill Choinnigh, Glenties

1 × 16m² Resource Room

permanent

Donegal

16242N

Scoil Phadraig Noafa

1 × 80m² ASD Unit

prefab

Donegal

16820E

Scoil Cholmcille, Newtowncunningham

1 × 100m² Classroom

prefab

Donegal

16880W

Scoil Naomh Colmcille, Carndonagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Donegal

17607J

SN Seiseadh Ui Neill

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Donegal

18172F

Gleneely NS, Killygordon

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Donegal

18241V

Scoil Cholmcille, Drumman

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Donegal

18520C

Scoil Phadraig, Clonmany

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Donegal

18611F

Carrick NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Donegal

19685Q

St. Cartha’s NS, Kilcar

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Donegal

19724A

Little Angels Special School, Letterkenny

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

17559B

St. Mary’s NS, Garristown

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

03359N

Ballyroan BNS

3 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Dublin

13217W

Holy Family NS

1 × 80sqm C/R

prefab

Dublin

13217W

Holy Family NS, Rathcoole

2 × 80 m² Mainstream Classrooms

Dublin

15569R

Scoil Moibhi, Skerries

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

16567S

St Brigids Convent NS

Pre Fab

Dublin

17263D

SN Muire an Seanbhaile, Oldtown

3 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Dublin

17472M

Baile Falbach, Lusk

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

17595F

Cill Coscain NS

1 × 80m² Classroom

prefab

Dublin

17978V

Naiscoil Ide, Raheny

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

18412W

St Patricks Girls NS — Donabate

1 × 80m² Mainstream

Dublin

19114T

Scoil Naomh Padraig, Rathfarnham

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Dublin

19374W

Jesus & Mary PS, Goatstown Road

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

19435Q

St Francis Xavier JNS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

19456B

St. Cronan’s Junior NS, Swords

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Dublin

19505L

SN Oilibheir, Coolmine

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Dublin

19542R

St. Thomas JNS, Esker, Lucan

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Dublin

19566I

Our Lady Queen of the Apostles NS, Clondalkin

4 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Dublin

19590F

Scoil Mochua, Clondalkin

3 × 25 m² Resource Rooms

prefab

Dublin

19707A

St Ronans NS

2 × 80m² Classroom

Dublin

19721R

Holy Family JNS, Swords

6 × 25m² Resource Rooms

prefab

Dublin

19782O

St. Brigid’s JNS, Tallaght

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

19837N

Drimnagh Castle PS, Long Mile Road

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Dublin

19850F

Scoil an Cheathair Alainn, Ladyswell

3 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Dublin

19878E

Holy Rosary PS, Tallaght

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Dublin

19924I

Harold’s Cross NS, Clareville Road

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Dublin

20012S

Griffith Barracks Multi-denominational School,

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Dublin

20095C

Gaelscoil Bhrian Boroimhe

2 × 80m² mainstream classroom

prefab

Dublin

20130B

St. Patrick’s NS, Diswellstown Rd., Castleknock

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Dublin

20141G

The Harold National School

2 × 80m² C/R

prefab

Dublin

20145O

Swords Educate Together

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

09069L

Bawnmore NS, Claregalway

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Galway

12095G

SN Antoine, Clifden

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

12954F

Scoil Bhride Lackagh, Turloughmore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

15523Q

St. Joseph’s NS, Kinvara

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Galway

16943U

Nicholas NS,

Issued by Mairead Sheehey for ASD Unit

Galway

16943U

St. Nicholas’NS, Claddagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

17118R

SN Naomh Fursa, Headford

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

17280D

Athenry Boys’ NS, Knockaunglas

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

17282H

Scoil na mBraithre

ASD unit

Galway

17444H

St Josephs NS, Carrabane, Athenry

1 ASD Unit

prefab

Galway

17668G

Scoil na bhForbacha

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

18021H

SN an Chroi Ro Naofa, Belclare, Tuam

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

permanent

Galway

18042P

Presentation Primary School, Tuam

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Galway

18460K

Milltown NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Galway

18746F

Scoil Mhuire, Athenry

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

permanent

Galway

19388K

Clonberne NS, Ballinasloe

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Galway

19449E

St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Athenry

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Galway

19965W

Scoil Mhuire, Clarinbridge

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

19994G

Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh,

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

19997M

Scoil Bhrige agus Bhreandain Naofa, Corandulla

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Kerry

02418V

Knockaderry NS, Farranfore

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Kerry

15945T

Firies NS, Church Road, Firies

1 × 80m² Mainstream & 1 × 25m² Resource

permanent

Kerry

16217O

Scoil Bhreac Chluain, Annascaul

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kerry

17710C

Scoil an Chuileannaigh

1 ASD Unit

Kerry

18832V

Castlemaine NS

1 × 80m² Autistic Unit

Kerry

19487M

Holy Cross Mercy School, Killarney

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

Kerry

19512I

St. Oliver’s NS

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 50 m² Resource

permanent

Kerry

19512I

St. Oliver’s NS

1 × 100m² Classroom

permanent

Kerry

19957A

Dromclough NS,

Re-location of Prefab

prefab

Kerry

20013U

Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

Kerry

20158A

Tralee ETNS

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

Kildare

15769C

Scoil Eimhin Naofa

1 × 80m² Classroom

prefab

Kildare

16566Q

Scoil Naomh Brid

1 × 25 m² Room

Kildare

16706G

St. Joseph’s BNS

2 × 80m² Classrooms

prefab

KIldare

17064U

Scoil Padriag

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kildare

17341U

Maynooth BNS

1 × 80m² & 1 × 36m² Classroom

Kildare

17674B

St. Anne’s NS, Straffan

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Kildare

17968S

Two Mile House NS, Naas

1 × 50m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

18288B

Scoil Mhicil Naofa, Athy

Temporary Accommodation

Kildare

18449W

St Conleths NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

18650P

Newtown NS, Enfield

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kildare

18650P

Newtown NS, Enfield

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kildare

19675N

St. Brigid’s NS, Kilcullen

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kildare

19797E

Scoil Bhride — Clane

1 × 80m² Mainstream

Kilkenny

16116I

St Colmans NS, Clara

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Kilkenny

16827S

St. Leonard’s NS, Dunamaggin

1 × 25m² Resource Room

permanent

Kilkenny

16875G

St. Patrick’s NS, Kilmacow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kilkenny

17108O

St. John’s Junior School, Michael Street

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kilkenny

17357M

Piltown NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kilkenny

17589K

Scoil Naisiunta Chiarain Naofa

1 × 25m² Resource Room

prefab

Kilkenny

18660S

St Nicholas NS, Windgap

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom for Autistic Unit

permanent

Kilkenny

19626A

St. Canice’s Co-ED NS, Granges Road

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Kilkenny

19856R

Gaelscoil Osraí

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

07183W

Mountmellick Convent,St Joseph’s

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

16070K

Scoil Phadraig Naofa BNS, Mountmellick

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

17493U

Rosenallis NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Laois

17617M

Killeshin National School

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

18150S

Scoil an Fhraoich Mhoir, Portlaoise

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

19286C

Scoil Mhuire Portlaoise

4 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Laois

19750B

Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix

2 × 80m² Classroom, double ASD Unit

permanent

Leitrim

15194A

Scoil Naomh Caillin, Carrick-on Shannon

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Limerick

06516S

Kildimo NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Limerick

09401Q

Monagea NS, Newcastle West

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Limerick

13459A

Galbally NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Limerick

14305B

Ballylanders NS

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

Limerick

15226K

Caherline NS

Refurb for 1 classroom

permanent

Limerick

16444C

St. Patrick’s Girls’ NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Limerick

18612H

Ahalin NS, Ballingarry

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Limerick

19800N

Milford NS, Grange, Castletroy

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Longford

20124G

St. Mary’s NS, Edgeworthstown

3 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Louth

01434O

St Colmcille’s NS, Tullydonnell

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Louth

17862C

Realt Na Mara — Dundalk

2 × 80m² Mainstream & 1 × 25m² Resource

prefab

Louth

18107R

Realt Na Mara — Dundalk

1 × 80m² ASD

prefab

Louth

18148I

Scoil Bhride, Dunleer

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Louth

18312S

Monksland NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Louth

19214A

St Marys Special School

3 × 80m² Mainstream

prefab

Louth

19214A

St. Mary’s Special School

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Louth

20163Q

Scoil Eoin Baiste

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Mayo

07054L

Cullen’s NS, Mayo

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Mayo

12350T

SN na h-Aille, Ballinrobe

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Mayo

13145A

St. Colmcilles NS, Westport

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Mayo

13389F

St. Joseph’s NS, Swinford

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Mayo

14205U

Mayo Abbey NS

Small Portocabin

prefab

Mayo

15257V

Quignamanger NS, Ballina

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Mayo

18070U

Muire gan Smal, Claremorris

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Mayo

18561Q

St Joseph’s NS, Rehins, Ballina, Mayo

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Mayo

18712L

Knockrooskey NS, Westport

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Mayo

18754E

SN Naomh Seosamh, Achill

1 × 80m² Autistic Unit

prefab

Mayo

18848N

St. Peter & Paul NS, Foxford

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Mayo

18922W

Cloonliffen NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream & 1 × 25m² Resource

permanent

Mayo

19812U

Foxford NS,

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

permanent

Meath

01309L

St. Patrick’s NS, Slane

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

16100Q

St. Joseph’s Mercy Primary School, Navan

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Meath

17839H

Duleek Boys’ NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Meath

17840P

Duleek Girls’ NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Meath

17856H

Donore NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Meath

17947K

St Brigid’s NS, Boardsmill, Trim

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Meath

17969U

Scoil Mhuire — Navan

2 × 25m² Mainstream

Meath

17986U

St Joseph’s NS, Boyerstown

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Meath

18040L

St. Patrick’s NS, Slane

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Meath

18130M

St Patricks NS, Johnstownbridge

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Meath

18132Q

Scoil Mhuire, Kells

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Meath

18358T

St. Fiach’s NS, Ballinacree

1 × 25m² Resource Room

permanent

Meath

18453U

St Michaels National School, Rathmolyn

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Meath

19486K

St Declan’s NS, Ashbourne

4 × 80sqm Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Meath

19813W

St. Dympna’s NS, Kildalkey

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

20032B

Dunboyne Jnr School

2 × 80m² Mainstream rooms & 3 × 25 m² Resource

Meath

20033D

Dunboyne Snr School

3 × 80sqm Mainstream Classrooms

Meath

20258E

Gael Scoil an Bhraidain Feasa

837 m² Classrooms & ancillary

prefab

Monaghan

18256L

Scoil Bhride, Silverstream

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Offaly

15325M

St. Patrick’s NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Offaly

17508H

Scoil Colmcille, Durrow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Offaly

17746A

St. Colman’s NS, Mucklagh, Tullamore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Offaly

18057F

Scoil Mhuire, Kilcruttin Tullamore

2 × 80m² mainstream classrooms

prefab

Offaly

18057F

Scoil Mhuire, Kilcruttin Tullamore

1 Portacabin

prefab

Offaly

18364O

Scoil Muire Banríon, Edenderry

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Offaly

19713S

Scoil Eoin Phoil, Tullamore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Roscommon

14966W

Kilteevan NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Roscommon

15413J

Brideswell NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Roscommon

15557K

Scoil Muire gan Smal, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Roscommon

18395C

Cloonakilla NS, Athlone

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Roscommon

18626S

Glanduff NS, Athlone

1 x100m² Classroom

prefab

Sligo

18053U

Sooey NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Sligo

18543O

Cloghogue NS, Castlebaldwin

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Sligo

18575E

Scoil Naomh Molaise, Grange

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Sligo

19964U

Scoil Mhuire gan Smal PS, Ballymote

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Tipperary

18345K

SN Iosef Naofa, Roscrea

1 × 80m² mainstream classrooms

permanent

Tipperary

18379E

Barnane NS, Templemore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Tipperary NR

04005G

Scoil Naomh Peadar, Horse & Jockey, Thurles

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

permanent

Tipperary NR

15560W

Bishop Harty NS, Nenagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Tipperary NR

16344V

St. Mary’s Junior Boys’ School, Nenagh

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Tipperary NR

17296S

Ballinahinch NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Tipperary NR

18775M

St. Michael’s NS, Holy Cross, Thurles

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Tipperary SR

11605V

St. Thomas the Apostle NS, Cashel

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Tipperary SR

15299O

Gaile NS, Thurles

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Tipperary SR

17694H

Cloneen NS, Clonmel

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 1 × 25 m² Resource

permanent

Tipperary SR

17779P

Powerstown NS, Clonmel

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Tipperary SR

19305D

Tankerstown NS, Bansha

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Waterford

14989L

Passage East NS

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

Waterford

18235D

St Marys BNS

1 × 25m²

Waterford

19955T

Presentation Primary School, Slievekeale

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Westmeath

08100U

St. Patrick’s NS, Killucan

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Westmeath

17102C

Clonbonney NS, Athlone

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Westmeath

17167H

St Oliver Plunkett BNS

1 × 80m² Mainstream classroom

Westmeath

18036U

Scoil Dhiarmada, Castlepollard

1 × Resource Room

prefab

Westmeath

18640M

St. Joseph’s NS, Killucan

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Westmeath

18744B

All Saints N.S. Mullingar

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Westmeath

19205W

St. Tola’s NS, Delvin

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Westmeath

20063M

Scoil an Chlochair, Kilbeggan

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Wexford

08221J

St. Seanan’s Primary school

2 × 74Sqm Units

prefab

Wexford

13335F

Court NS, Gorey

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Wexford

15367F

Riverchapel NS, Gorey

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Wexford

15407O

Ballythomas NS, Gorey

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

permanent

Wexford

16605A

Kilrane National School

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom for Autistic Unit

permanent

Wexford

16673R

Cushinstown NS, Foulksmills

1 × 81m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Wexford

16673R

Cushinstown NS, Foulksmills

1 × 81m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Wexford

17005E

Glynn NS , Glynn.

1 × 80m² Mainstream

Wexford

17858L

Kilanerin NS, Gorey

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Wexford

19352M

Scoil Realt na Mara, Kilmore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Wicklow

10131U

St Josephs NS

2 × 65m² Classrooms

Wicklow

11372B

Scoil Mhuire, Réalt na Mara

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Wicklow

16634H

St. Laurence O’Toole’s NS, Roundwood

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Wicklow

17304O

St Brigid’s NS, Annacurra

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Wicklow

18242A

Scoil Aodán Naofa, Carnew

1 × 80 m² Mainstream & 2 × 25 m² Resource

permanent

Wicklow

18470N

Scoil Naomh Brid

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Wicklow

19339U

Stratford Lodge NS, Baltinglass

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Wicklow

19754J

Bray School Project, Killarney Road, Bray

1 × 80m² ASD Unit

Wicklow

20243O

Gaelscoil na Lochanna, Blessington

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

19671F

St Pauls NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Cavan

61051L

St. Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff

4 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Cork

62360G

CBS Midletown

2 × 49m² Classrooms

prefab

Cork

62421A

Presentation Secondary Mitchelstown

2 × 49m² mainstream classrooms

Permanent

Cork

62460K

St. Francis’ College, Rochestown

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Cork

62730N

St. Patrick’s College

1 × 49m² classroom

prefab

Cork

91499E

Kinsale Community School

3 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Donegal

62830R

St. Eunan’s College

3 x49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Donegal

71140Q

Crana College, Buncrana

2 × 49m² Classrooms

prefab

Donegal

71230R

Deele College, Raphoe

4 × 49m² Classrooms

prefab

Donegal

71240U

Finn Valley College

1 × 80m² ASD Unit

prefab

Dublin

70010V

Balbriggan Community College

3 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Dublin 13

76085N

Gaelcholaiste Reachrann, Tallaght

2 × 49m² Classrooms

prefab

Galway

62880J

St. Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe

1 × 80m² ASD Unit & 1 × Domestic Science Room

Galway

63040Q

Presentation College, Headford

6 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Galway

63050T

Seamount College

2 Mainstream

prefab

Galway

71250A

Colaiste Naomh Eoin

1 × 49m² classroom

Galway

76102K

Colaiste an Eachreidh, Athenry

2 x49m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Kerry

61220I

St. Joseph’s Secondary, Ballybunion

1 × 49m² Classroom

prefab

Kerry

61450C

Presentation Secondary, Tralee

2 × 49m² mainstream classrooms

permanent

Kildare

70730J

Árdscoil Rath Iomgháin, Naas

3 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Kildare

91372D

Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Limerick

64040V

St. Fintan’s CBS, Doon

1 × 49m² Classroom

prefab

Limerick

71850B

Drumcollogher Community College

2 Classrooms

Louth

63870L

Drogheda Grammar School

1 × 49m² classroom

Mayo

64710R

Sacred Heart SS, Westport

1 × 49m² classroom

Mayo

72100J

St. Tiernan’s College, Crossmolina

3 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Meath

71980O

O’Carolan College, Nobber

3 × 49m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

71990R

St. Oliver’s Post Primary School

4x 49m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Monaghan

72180K

Inver College

2 × 49m² Prefab

prefab

Offaly

65610S

Colaiste Choilm

2 × 80 m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Sligo

72310U

Coola Post Primary, Sligo

2 × 49m² Classrooms

Sligo

72350J

Nt Connaught College, Tubbercurry

2 pre-fabs

Tipperary

65450W

CBS Thurles

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Tipperary

72400V

Comeragh College

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Tipperary

72470T

St. Sheelan’s College

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Tipperary

72490C

Gairmscoil Muire

3 × 49m² mainstream — approved in 2006

permanent

Tipperary

76069P

Coláiste Pobal Roscrea

1 × 49m² Classroom

Permanent

Tipperary

65470F

Ursuline Secondary

3 × 100m²

Waterford

64922J

Stella Maris — Tramore

2 × 49m² Mainstream

Waterford

64923L

Tramore CBS

6 × 49m² Portacabins

prefab

Waterford

72241E

St. Paul’s Community College, Brown’s Rd

1 × 80m² Special Needs Unit

prefab

Westmeath

63221U

Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan

4 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Westmeath

63310T

St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge

2 x49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Westmeath

91501L

Moate Community School

1 × 49m² Classroom

Wicklow

70770V

St. Thomas’ Community College, Bray

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

permanent

Cork

62380M

St. Mary’s High School, Midleton

2x0 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

2009 — Prefab / Permanent Option Approval — Primary & Post-Primary 01-10-2009

County

Roll No.

School

Classrooms

Permanent Build or Pre-fab

Carlow

18609

Scoil Fiontan Naofa, Rathmore, Tullow

2 × 60m² Classrooms

Carlow

01215C

Newtown/Dunleekney NS, Muinebheag

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Carlow

16938E

Fr. Cullen’s NS, Tinryland

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Cavan

11205F

Killeshandra NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Cavan

17625L

Knocktemple NS

2 × 80m² Classroom

Permanent

Cavan

17625L

Knocktemple NS, Knocktemple, Virginia

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms & 1 × 80m² ASD Unit

prefab

Cavan

18393V

Crossreagh NS, Crossreagh, Mullagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cavan

19608V

St. Killian’s NS, Mullagh, Kells

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Clare

14757N

Scoil na Mainistreach

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Clare

18624O

Killaloe Girls’ Convent Primary School,

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Permanent

Cork

04953H

Ballyhass NS, Cecilstown, Mallow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

08828B

Kilcorney NS

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Permanent

Cork

11262R

Dromina NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Cork

12041G

St. John the Baptist NS, Midleton

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom (Existing)

prefab

Cork

12281D

Walterstown NS, Walterstown, Cobh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

13450F

Rushbrooke NS, Cobh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

13662U

Scoil Mhuire Naionain

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Cork

13779S

Dromahane NS, Mallow

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

13976U

St. Matthias NS, Ballydehob

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Cork

14116V

Kilbrittan NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cork

14839P

Clondrohid NS, Clondrohid, Macroom

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Cork

15550I

Ballyheada NS

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Cork

17024I

Scoil na Croise Naofa, Mahon

2 × 80m² Second Hand Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Cork

17363H

Scoil Cros tSeain

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Cork

17600S

Scartleigh NS, Saleen, Cloyne

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom & 1 × 25m² Resource

prefab

Cork

18100D

Lisgriffin NS, Goleen, Skibbereen

1 × Resource Room

Cork

18713N

Scoil Naomh Fionan, Nohoval, Belgooly

Replacement of 2 × Pre-fabs & 1 × Resource Room

Cork

19672H

Scoil Mhuire na nGrast

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Cork

19989N

Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire, Castle Orchard, Buttevant

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Cork

20024C

Bun Scoil Mhuire, Youghal

4 × Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Cork

04118T

Bishop Ahern NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Donegal

16672P

St Patricks NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Donegal

18076J

Scoil Mhuire Gan Small

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Donegal

18605K

St. Patrick’s BNS, Carndonagh

1 × 25m² HSCL/ Principal’s Office + 1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom For GCEB (Giving Children an Even Break)

Donegal

19724A

Little Angels Special School, Knocknamona, Letterkenny

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Donegal

19971R

Gaelscoil Adhamhain

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Donegal

12077E

Scoil Naomh Fiachra

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Donegal

16138S

Raphoe Central NS

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Dublin

19617

St Martins De Porres

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

02872U

St Mary NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

17263D

St. Mary’s NS, Oldtown

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Semi-Permanent

Dublin

17507F

St Patricks NS

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

prefab

Dublin

17936F

St John the Baptist SBNS

2 × Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

19006Q

Belgrove BNS

4 × 80m² Classroom (replacement)

prefab

Dublin

19474D

St. Colmcille’s JNS, Knocklyon, Templeogue

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

19503H

Scoil Chronain

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Dublin

19503H

Scoil Chronain

1 × 80m² mainstream classroom

Dublin

19549I

St Fintians NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

19742C

St. Colmcille’s SNS, Knocklyon, Templeogue

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Dublin

19991A

GS na Camoige, Clondalkin

6 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms & Ancilliary Accommodation

prefab

Dublin

20223I

GS Eiscir Riada, Bothar an Ghrifin, Leamhcan

Refurb of old Science Lab and Home Economics Room

Galway

05754G

Craughwell NS, Galway

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Galway

12954F

Scoil Bhride

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

13365O

Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

13416F

SN Leitir Meallain, Leitir Meallain

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

13914V

Scoil Naomh Seosaimh, Buaile Beag, Bearna

3 × 80m² Classrooms, Learning Support Room & Resource

Galway

14383V

SN Padriah Naofa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Galway

15027E

Eglish NS, Eglish, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe

1 × 16m² Learning Support Unit & 1 × 12m² Changing/Wash

prefab

Galway

16071M

Scoil Chroi Naofa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

16936A

Scoil Padriag Naofa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

16943U

Scoil Nioclais Naofa, An Cladach

1 × 16m² Learning Support Room

Galway

17221K

SN Cholmcille Naofa, Castlegar

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom & 1 × 25m² Resource Room

Galway

17506D

St. Brendans N.S., Duniry, Kylebrack, Loughrea

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

17547R

St. Brendan’s NS, Woodford, Loughrea

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

17668G

Scoil na bhForbacha

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Galway

18268S

Killeeneen NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

19380R

Kilkerrin NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Galway

19401W

Scoil Chaitriona, Renmore

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Galway

19803T

Scoil Sheamais Naofa, Bearna

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Galway

19965W

Scoil Mhuire — Clarinbridge

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kerry

10049M

Loughguitane NS

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Permanent

Kerry

13615L

Scoil Eoin

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Kerry

17012B

SN an Fhossa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kerry

17710C

Cullina NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

06209J

Athy Model School, Dublin Road, Athy

1 × 25m² Resource Room (May be changed to rental, if cheaper)

prefab

Kildare

09414C

St. Laurences NS, Ballitore

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

13328I

St. Patrick’s NS, Morristown, Newbridge

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Kildare

17341U

Maynooth BNS

3 × 80m² Classrooms

Kildare

17567A

Allen NS, Kilmeague, Naas

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

17873H

St. Conleth’s Infant PS, Newbridge

Replacement of 2 × 80m Mainstream Classrooms

Kildare

17931S

St Brigids NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

18092H

Cadamstown NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Kildare

18430B

Robertstown NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Kildare

18445O

SN Scoil Treasa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Kilkenny

16485Q

St. Brendans NS, Newmarket, Hugginstown

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Permanent

Kilkenny

19856R

Gaelscoil Osrai, Loch Bui

1 × 25m² Resource Room

prefab

Laois

13741Q

Rath NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

13741Q

Rath NS, Ballybrittas, Portlaoise

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Laois

15933M

Camross NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Laois

18150S

Scoil an Fhraoich Mhoir, The Heath, Portlaoise

Re-location of 2 Classroom Pre-fabs

prefab

Laois

18206T

The Rock NS

2 × 80m² Classroom

Laois

19286C

Scoil Mhuire, Portlaoise

2 Storey Unit

prefab

Laois

19747M

Scoil Bhride, Knockmay, Portlaoise

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

prefab

Laois

20071L

Scoil Bhride

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Laois

20100P

Kolbe Special School

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Laois

20169F

Castletown NS

1 × 80m² Classroom

Leitrim

01125B

St Josephs

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Leitrim

19423J

St. Patrick’s NS, Drumshanbo

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Limerick

09927I

St. Joseph’s NS, Granagh

1 × Resource Room

prefab

Limerick

11955C

Coolcappa NS, Coolcappa, Ardagh

1 × 50m² Mainstream Classroom

Limerick

16946D

Parteen NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Limerick

20181S

GS an Raithin

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Limerick

20233L

Scoil Chaitriona, Cappamore

Remove & replace 25m² Pre-fab

prefab

Longford

17561L

SN Samhthann,Ballinalee

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Longford

19467G

St. Mel’s NS, Ardagh

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Longford

19987J

Scoil Mhuire, Newtownforbes

Buy-out of existing Rented Temporary Accommodation — Double Classroom Building

prefab

Longford

20124G

St Marys, Edgeworthstown

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Louth

14578N

Collon National School, School Lane, Collon, Co. Louth

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Louth

17726R

Tullyallen NS, Tullyallen, Drogheda

Retention of pre-fabs

prefab

Louth

18148I

Scoil Bhride, Dunleer

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Mayo

07075T

St Feichins NS

1 × 35m² Resource Room

Permanent

Mayo

13667H

St. Josephs NS, Bonniconlon, Ballina

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Mayo

14671D

Creevagh NS, Carrowmore, Lackin, Ballina

1 × 25m² Resource Room

prefab

Mayo

19387I

St Dympna’s

removal & storage of 1 × 32m² Prefab

n/a

Mayo

16904K

Lankill NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

01421F

Kilskyre NS, Kells

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Meath

17175G

St. Ultan’s NS, Bohermeen, Navan

Retention of pre-fab

prefab

Meath

17480L

Kentstown NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

17520U

Robinstown NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

17520U

Scoil Mhuire, Robinstown PS, Robinstown, Navan

1 × 25m² Mainstream Classroom

Meath

18413B

Scoil Naomh Treasa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Meath

19867W

Gael Scoil na Rithe

2 × Mainstream Classroom (buy-out of rented c/r)

prefab

Meath

20082Q

Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg, Br. Ruisc, Dun Buinne

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom & 1 × 25m² Resource Room

prefab

Monaghan

00359V

St. Louis Girls’ National School, Park Road, Monaghan

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom & 1 × 25m² Resource Room

prefab

Monaghan

10429W

Scoil Mhuire, Rockcorry

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Monaghan

13632L

Annalitten NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Monaghan

19469K

St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Loughmourne, Castleblayney

ASD Unit

Permanent

Monaghan

19736H

Scoil Phadraig, Corduff, Carrickmacross

1 × 25m² Resource Room

prefab

Offaly

17637S

St Josephs, Ballingar

1 × 80m² Mainsteam Classroom

Offaly

20267F

Scoil Bhride

3 × 80m² Classrooms

Roscommon

18454P

Corrigeenroe NS, Boyle

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Sligo

15337T

Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Castlegal

1 × 25m² Resource Room

Sligo

19495L

Carbury NS, The Mall

1 × 16m² Resource Room

Tipperary

15008A

Shronell NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Tipperary

16111V

Killusty NS, Fethard

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Tipperary

18326G

SN Naomh Padraig, Kilcash, Clonmel

1 × 50m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Tipperary

18345K

SN Iosaf Naofa

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Tipperary

19422H

Cloughjordan NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Tipperary

20085W

GS Charraig na Siuire, Carrick-on-Suir

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Waterford

01711O

Kilrossanty NS, Kilmacthomas

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Waterford

16748W

Kill NS, Kill

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Waterford

18235D

St. Mary’s BNS, Ferrybank, Waterford

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom & 1 × 25m² Learning Support/Resource Room

Waterford

18380M

Faithlegg NS, Faithlegg

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Waterford

18488J

Scoil Naomh Gobnait

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Waterford

19885B

Gaelscoil Philib Barun, Tramore

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

prefab

Waterford

19970P

Portlaw NS

1 × 100m² Mainstream/Resource

Westmeath

17182D

St. Michael’s NS, Castletown-Geoghegan, Mullingar

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Westmeath

18212O

Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire

1 × 185 sqm ASD Unit + play area

Permanent

Westmeath

18640M

St. Josephs NS, Rath Ghuaire, Killucan

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Westmeath

19205W

St Tolas NS

2 × 80m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Wexford

12841P

St Patricks NS

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Wexford

12841P

St. Patrick’s NS, Ballyroebuck

1 × Resource Room

Permanent

Wexford

18387D

St. Catherine’s NS, Ballyhack, Arthurstown, New Ross

1 × 25m² Classroom

Wexford

18687P

Ballyduff NS, Ballyduff, Camolin

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classsroom & Purchase of existing pre-fab

Wexford

18707S

Castlebridge NS, Castlebridge

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Permanent

Wexford

19317K

St. Anne’s NS, Rathangan, Duncormick

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Wexford

19419S

Gorey Central School, Charoltte Row, Gorey

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Wicklow

17826V

SN Coroine Muire

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Wicklow

18489L

Tinahely NS, Tinahely

1 × 80m² Mainstream Classroom

Cavan

61051L

St. Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff

4 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms, Toilet Facilities and Relocation of Rented Pre-fabs

Cavan

70350W

St. Bricin’s College, Belturbet

1 × 49m² Classroom

Cork

62140P

St Aloysius College

2 × 49m² Classroom

Cork

62360G

Christian Brothers SS, Midleton

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Cork

62370J

Midleton College, Midleton

2 × 49m² Classroom

prefab

Cork

62540I

Deerpark CBS

Refurbishment of ASD Unit

Cork

62730N

St Patricks, Gardiner Hill

6 × 49m² classrooms

prefab

Cork

70990M

Colaiste an Chraoibhin, Fermoy

2 × 49m² Classrooms & 1 × 90m² Autistic Unit

Cork

71101G

St Aidans CC

2 × 49m² Classrooms

Cork

719090E

Rossa College

1 × 100m² ASD Unit

Cork

70931T

Scoil Mhuire

1 × 49m² Classroom

Donegal

62861F

Columba College

4 × 49m² classrooms

prefab

Donegal

91408V

Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola, An Fálcarrach

Replacement of Pre-fabs

Permanent

Dublin

60050E

Oatlands College, Mount Merrion

5 × Mainstream Classrooms & 2 × Science Labs

Dublin

60070K

Dominican College, Sion Hill, Blackrock

10 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Dublin

70020B

Grange Community School

1 × 100m² ASD Unit

Galway

62880J

St Josephs Secondary, Garbally

7 × 49m² Classrooms

prefab

Kerry

61410N

Presentation Secondary School, Miltown

1 × Double Unit

Kerry

70560K

Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai, Tra Li

1 × 49m² Classroom

prefab

Kildare

70730J

Ardscoil Rath Iomghain, Rathangan

3 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Kilkenny

70600T

Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown

3 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Kilkenny

70641K

Colaiste Pobail Osrai, Bothar Urmhumhan

Replacement of Temporary Accommodation

prefab

Limerick

71790

Desmond College, Newcastle West

2 × 49m² Classrooms

Limerick

71810M

St. Michael’s College, Cappamore

Replacement of Woodwork Room

Limerick

71850B

Drumcollogher CC

1 technology room

Longford

71710I

Ardscoil Phadraig

1 × ASD / SNU

Louth

71760A

Drogheda College of Further Ed

4 × 49m² classrooms + ancillaey

Mayo

64640W

St Josephs Secondary

1 × 49m² Classroom

Meath

71980O

O’Carolans College

2 × 49m², 1 × 49m² Special Needs Room & 1 × 98m² Lab

Monaghan

76091I

Colaiste Oiriall, Ard Fea, Muineachan

4 × 49m² Classrooms

prefab

Offaly

65582Q

St Marys, Edenderry

4 × 49m² classrooms

Offaly

91491L

St. Brendan’s Community School, Birr

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Sligo

65140H

Scoil Mhuire

1 × 49m² Classroom

prefab

Sligo

72360M

Ballinode College

Buy-out of 4 existing rented classrooms

prefab

Waterford

91509E

Blackwater Community School

4 × 49m² classrooms

Westmeath

63221U

Mean Scoil an Clochair

1 × 90m² ASD Unit

prefab

Wexford

63640R

Christian Brothers SS, Thomas Street

2 × 49m² Mainstream Classrooms

Permanent

Wexford

71610E

Bridgetown VS, Bridgetown

Buy-out of Existing Pre-fab

prefab

School Enrolments.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1159 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of the 7,000 additional pupil places in September 2008 in 26 new schools using off-site construction including the name and address of the schools concerned, enrolment in 2008, enrolment in 2009, the schools which were built on permanent sites and the schools which were located on temporary sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33384/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The following table provides the details requested by the Deputy with the exception of enrolments for 2009/2010 which are not yet available as the returns have not yet been received from schools. The list includes 27 schools as there was a further 8 classroom school delivered late in 2008 in Saggart, under the rapid delivery programme.

This was delayed from making the initial programme owing to the necessity to carry out archaeological testing in response to a Condition imposed in the Grant of Planning Permission issued by South Dublin County Council.

County

Roll No.

School

Enrolments 2008/2009 school year

Permanent Sites

1

Dublin

20241K

Scoil Choilm, Porterstown Rd, Dublin 15

154

2

Dublin Fingal

20247W

Scoil Grainne Community NS, Phibblestown, Dublin 15

74

3

Dublin

20252P

Gaelscoil Baile Brigin, Castlelands, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

113

4

Dublin

20282B

Bracken Educate Together National School, Castlelands, Co. Dublin

169

5

Dublin

20302E

Thornleigh Educate Together National School, Thornleigh Green, Swords, Co. Dublin

27

6

Dublin

20303G

Lucan East Educate Together National School, Kishogue Cross, Lucan, Co. Dublin

88

7

Dublin

20307O

Skerries Educate Together National School, Skerries, Co. Dublin

34

8

Kildare

20159C

Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh, Naas, Co. Kildare

164

9

Louth

20294I

Aston Village Educate Together National School, Aston Village, Drogheda, Co. Louth

61

10

Offaly

20189L

Tullamore Educate Together National School, Collins Lane, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

87

11

Westmeath

19848S

St. Etchen’s National School, Kinnegad, Mullingar Road, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath

423

12

Westmeath

20188J

Mullingar Educate Together National School, Rathgowan, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

210

13

Kildare

16705E

Scoil Phadraig Naofa, St. John’s Lane, Athy

287

14

Wexford

20165U

Gaelscoil Mhoshíológ, An Chraobhach, Bóthar Charn an Bhua, Guaire, Co. Loch Garman

164

15

Wexford

20214H

Gorey Educate Together NS, Kilnahue Lane, Gorey

183

16

Wicklow

20300A

Greystones Educate Together National School, Blacklion, Greystones

41

17

Wicklow

20301C

Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Black Lion, Greystones

24

Temporary Sites

18

Carlow

20295K

Carlow Educate Together NS, Unit 5, Shamrock Business Park, Graiguecullen

25

19

Dublin

15315J

St. Georges National School, Balbriggan, Dublin 15

194

20

Dublin Fingal

16675V

Mulhuddart NS, Tyrellstown, Dublin 15

199

21

Dublin

20176C

Rush & Lusk Educate Together National School, Hanna’s Avenue, Blakes Cross, Corduff, Lusk, Co. Dublin

163

22

Dublin City

20304I

St. Francis of Assisi, Belmayne, Dublin 13

22

23

Dublin City

20308Q

Belmayne Educate Together National School, Balgriffin Park, Belmayne, Dublin 13

15

24

Laois

20081O

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, Bóthar Maighéan Rátha, Portlaoise, Co. Laoise

207

25

Kildare

20292E

Maynooth Educate Together, Celbridge Road, Maynooth,

22

26

Kildare

20257C

Scoil Naomh Padraig, Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge

138

27

Dublin

17055T

Scoil Mhuire, Saggart, Co. Dublin

242

Schools Building Projects.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1160 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of the eight new primary schools and one new post-primary school planned for September 2009 as reported in the Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33385/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The first phase of a new post-primary school building with accommodation for up to 350 pupils has been completed and is in operation. The building's flexible design allowed for the opportunity to provide sufficient accommodation for a new start-up primary school as part of the first phase. This accommodation is available for use as a new primary school in 2010 if the demand is there. The design allows for the accommodation to revert for post-primary use in the future, as required.

With regard to the remaining seven primary schools I can confirm the following: four schools have been completed and handed over to the relevant school authorities; one school has been partially handed over with the remaining accommodation to be handed over at the end of the month; one school is due to be handed over in the next week and the final school is currently out to tender and is expected to be on site in the fourth quarter of 2009. I understand that the delay in the provision of the latter school was due to planning issues arising.

Details of the schools are provided in the following table.

County

Roll No.

School

Accommodation

Status

Primary

Cork

00512D

Midleton Convent NS

16 classroom school

Complete

Cork

20335T

Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown

8 classroom school

Complete

Dublin City

20131D

Dublin 7 Educate Together, Grangegorman

16 classroom school + Special Needs Facilities

Complete

Kildare

20192A

Scoil Atha Í, Athy

8 classroom school

Complete in October

Kildare

20271T

Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge

16 classroom school — due to go on site end of 2009

At tender stage

Louth

20146Q

Le Cheile ET, Mornington, Drogheda

16 classroom school + General Purpose Room

Complete

Wexford

20214H

Gorey ET

8 classroom extension + General Purpose Room + Special Needs Facilities

Partially handed over with the remaining accommodation to be handed over end October

Post-primary

Fingal

76129H

Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan

New post-primary school providing 350 places plus provision for primary use.

Complete

Questions Nos. 1161 to 1163, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1152.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1164 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including name and address, assigned a band rating of 1.1 indicating a new school or extension in a developing area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33389/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1165 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including name and address, assigned a band rating of 1.2 indicating accommodation for special needs students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33390/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1166 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including name and address, assigned a band rating of 1.3 indicating a school that is structurally unsound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33391/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1167 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he has taken to ensure that in schools assigned a band rating of 1.3, indicating a school that is structurally unsound, the health and safety of pupils and teachers is not compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33392/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1168 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that in all schools assigned a band rating of 1.3, indicating a school that is structurally unsound, the health and safety of pupils and teachers is not compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33393/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1169 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects assigned a band rating of 1.4, indicating a rationalisation project, including the names, addresses and enrolment of schools in each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33394/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1170 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 2.1, indicating a major extension of existing school and extensive refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33395/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1171 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 2.2, indicating a major extension of existing school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1172 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 2.3, indicating extensive refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33397/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1173 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 2.4, indicating an extension of existing school and moderate refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33398/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1174 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 2.5, indicating an extension of existing school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33399/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1175 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 2.6, indicating moderate refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33400/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1176 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 3.1, indicating ancillary accommodation for special education and some improvements only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33401/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1177 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 3.2, indicating ancillary for special education only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33402/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1178 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 3.3, indicating deficit or ancillary and some improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33403/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1179 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 3.4, indicating deficit or ancillary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33404/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1180 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects, including names and addresses, assigned a band rating of 3.5, indicating improvement works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33405/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1181 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects assigned a band rating of 4, including the name and address of each school and when the application was made for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33406/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1182 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed school building projects not yet assigned a band rating, including the name and address of each school and when the application was made for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33407/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1164 to 1182, inclusive, together.

Information on the current school building programme and on applications on hand for major capital works is available on my Department's web-site at www.education.ie. The following tabular statements (Table 1 and Table 2 respectively) provides the additional information requested by the Deputy.

Every application for major capital works is initially given a provisional priority band rating. A definitive band rating is assigned to a project when it is being considered for commencement of architectural planning.

With regard to projects banded as 1.3, indicating that a building is structurally unsound, I can inform the Deputy that there are currently two projects with such a band rating which are at an advanced stage of architectural planning. There are a further two schools at application stage which are listed as being provisionally in band 1 on my Departments web-site by virtue of being described in their applications as structurally unsound. The names and addresses of these schools are included in the following tabular statement. In relation to schools which may have buildings which are structurally unsound, it is open to those schools to apply to the Planning and Building Unit of my Department for emergency works funding for capital works of an urgent nature. Grants from this fund are available for very urgent works, primarily of a major health and safety nature, to schools that require them. Two of the schools concerned have availed of funding in this manner to address immediate issues relating to their buildings.

Applications are received by my Department on an ongoing basis and as part of the initial assessment process are assigned a provisional band rating. The attached tabular statement (Table 3) contains details of a small number of applications which have been received this year and for which the assessments have not yet been completed.

Major projects in Architectural Planning and Construction by priority band rating.

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Carlow

70420R

Carlow Vocational School

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Clare

15042A

Ennis National School, Ennis, Co Clare

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Cork

16746S

Ballygarvan NS , Ballygarvan, Co Cork

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Cork

18279A

St Mary’s Church of Ireland NS (formerly Carrigaline N. S. Carrigaline, Co. Cork)

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Cork

19415K

Scoil an Athar Tadhg, Carraig na Bhfear, Co Chorcaí

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Cork

62460K

St Francis Capuchin College, Rochestown, Co Cork

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Cork

91388S

Carrigaline Community School, Carrigaline, Co Cork

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Donegal

16672P

St. Patricks Primary School, Lurgybrack, Co. Donegal.

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Donegal

18052S

Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Donegal

19971R

Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Donegal

62830R

St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Belgard)

19817H

St. Mary’s NS, Woodview, Esker, Lucan, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Belgard)

60263V

St Josephs College, Lucan, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

00697S

St Brigid’s NS, Castleknock

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

17961E

Scoil Náisiúnta Lusca, Lusk, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

18046A

Scoil Bhride Boys NS Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

18047C

Scoil Bhride Girls NS Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

18778S

SN Naomh Mochta National School, Clonsilla

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

19535U

St Cronin’s Senior NS, Brackenstown, Swords, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

19545A & 19636D

St Patrick’s Junior and Senior Schools, Corduff, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

19624T

Scoil Caitríona NS, Kenure, Rush, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

19660A

Rush NS, Rush, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

20095C

Gaelscoil Bhrian Boroimhe, Swords, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

20145O

Swords Educate Together NS, Applewood, Swords, Co Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

20161M

Donabate Educate Together, Ballisk Common, Donabate, Co. Dublin

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

20240I

Hansfield NS

Detailed Design

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

76062B

Castleknock Community College, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dulbin 15

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Belgard)

13447Q

Scoil Mhuire, Lucan, Co. Dublin

Detailed Design

1.1

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

20190T

Holy Trinity National School, Sandyford, Dublin 18

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Galway

16937C

SN Fursa, Fursa, Co na Gaillimhe

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Galway

19795A

Tirellan Heights NS, Headford Road, Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Galway

19994G

Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Cnoc Na Cathrach,

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Galway

62960H

St Joseph’s College

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

09414C

St Laurence’s NS, Crookstown

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

18988G

St Raphael’s Special Sch, Celbridge, Co Kidare

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

20271T

Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge, Co Kildare

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Laois

17064U

Scoil Padraig, Ballylinan, Athy, Co. Laois

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Laois

19747M

Scoil Bhríde NS, Knockmay, Portlaoise

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

18762D

Scoil Réalt na Mara Boys, Mornington Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

18767N

Scoil Réalt na Mara Girls, Mornington Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

19215C

Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Mhuire C, Ballsgrove, Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

19479N

Rathmullen Junior National School, Rathmullen, Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

19673J

St Joseph’s National School, Avenue Road, Dundalk, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

19678T

St Paul’s Senior National School, Rathmullen, Drogheda, Co Louth

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Meath

16100Q

Mercy Convent NS, Navan, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Meath

19671F

St Paul’s NS, Abbeylands, Navan, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Meath

20215J

St Paul’s National School, Tankardstown, Ratoath, Co Meath

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Westmeath

17903N

Cornamaddy NS, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

In early Architectural Planning

1.1

Westmeath

18864L

Scoil Náisiúnta an Cusán, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Westmeath

19848S

St. Etchin’s NS, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Westmeath

63290Q

Loreto College, Mullingar

Detailed Design

1.1

Cork

20106E

Scoil Nioclais, Frankfield, Grange

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

60010P

Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Galway

62970K

Coláiste Iognáid SJ Bothar na Mara

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

17674B

SN Aine Naofa, Ard Cloc, Straffan

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

20114D

Scoil Brid, Naas

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

63870L

Drogheda Grammar School

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Meath

17821L

Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa, Enfield, Co Meath

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Offaly

65610S

Colaiste Choilm, O’Moore Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Carlow

18363M

SN Muire gan Smal, Green Lane

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

19898K

Gaelscoil an Duinnigh, Feltrim, Swords

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

11976K

Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock, Co. Kildare

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Kildare

20058T

Sc Uí Fhiach, Maynooth

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

18069M

Naomh Seosamh, Mell, Drogheda

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Louth

20205G

St Marys Parish School,Drogheda

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Mayo

20046M

Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche, Cathair na Mart, Co. Mayo

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Meath

20180Q

Scoil Eoin National School, Navan

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Waterford

20050D

Gaelscoil na Deise, Grace Dieu Road, Waterford

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Waterford

20160K

Waterford Educate Together NS

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

20202A

Balbriggan ET

At Tender Stage

1.1

Dublin (Fingal)

76104O

Donabate Community College

At Tender Stage

1.1

Kildare

13350A

Scoil Bhride, Athgarvan

At Tender Stage

1.1

Kildare

18654A

Caragh NS, Naas

At Tender Stage

1.1

Kildare

20271T

Scoil na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge

At Tender Stage

1.1

Louth

19598V

Muire na nGael NS, Bay Estate, Dundalk

At Tender Stage

1.1

Meath

00885T 20200T

Ratoath Jnr NS, Ratoath Ratoath Snr NS, Ratoath

At Tender Stage

1.1

Waterford

19629G

Holy Cross School, Ballycarnane, Tramore

At Tender Stage

1.1

Wexford

71630K

Vocational College, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

At Tender Stage

1.1

Clare

13418J

Ballyea Mixed NS, Sn Baile Aodha

Construction 2009

1.1

Cork

20335T

Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Rochestown

Construction 2009

1.1

Dublin

20231H

St. Benedicts Ongar NS, Littlepace

Construction 2009

1.1

Dublin

20247W

Scoil Ghráinne Community National School , Phibblestown

Construction 2009

1.1

Dublin

76098W

Pobail Scoil Setanta, Phibblestown

Construction 2009

1.1

Kildare

00779U

Presentation Convent, Maynooth

Construction 2009

1.1

Kildare

17662R

Scoil Bhride Kill NS

Construction 2009

1.1

Kildare

20192A ( 16705E)

Scoil Atha Í, Athy

Construction 2009

1.1

Kildare

61710C

Meánscoil Iognáid Ris, Naas

Construction 2009

1.1

Meath

16646O

St Marys Convent NS Trim

Construction 2009

1.1

Meath

20216L

Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Laytown

Construction 2009

1.1

Wexford

20214H

Gorey ET

Construction 2009

1.1

Cavan

19439B

Holy Family S S, Cootehill, Co Cavan

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Cork

13828F

St Columba’s Boys National School, Douglas, Co Cork

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Dublin (City)

19373U

St Michaels Hse Sp Sch, Raheny Rd, Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Dublin (City)

19819L

St. Laurence O’Toole Special School, Aldborough Parade, North Strand, Dublin 1

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.2

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

19355S & 20028K

Ballyowen Meadows, C/O Mary Immac Sch For Hearing Impaired Boys and Setanta Special School, Beech Park, Stillorgan, Co Dublin

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Galway

19401W & 19468

Scoil Caitriona Jnr & Snr, Renmore, Galway

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Galway

20042E

Scoil an Chroi Naofa, Ballinasloe, Co Galway

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Longford

19429V

St Christopher’s SS, Battery Road, Longford

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Meath

91508C

Boyne Community College, Trim, Co Meath

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.2

Wexford

19240B

St Patrick’s Special School, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

Commencing Architectural Planning

1.2

Wexford

20003R

St Aidans Parish School, Enniscorthy

In early Architectural Planning

1.2

Wicklow

19522L

St. Catherines SS, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.2

Donegal

19333I

Dooish NS, Ballybofey

Construction 2009

1.2

Mayo

19387I/ 19773N

St. Dympnas and St Nicholas Special Schools

Construction 2009

1.2

Dublin (City)

09932B

Stanhope St Convent, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.3

Galway

63070C

St Raphael’s College, Loughrea, Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.3

Kildare

70650L

Athy Community College (St. Bridgets Post Primary School)

Construction 2009

1.3

Limerick

16237U

Dromtrasna NS Abbeyfeale

Construction 2009

1.3

Carlow

11135K

St. Mary’s NS, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Carlow

17501Q

Bennykerry NS, Bennykerry, Co. Carlow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Cavan

18857O

S N Carraig A Bruis, Virginia, Co Cavan

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Cork

62640M

St. Angela’s College, St. Patrick’s Hill, Cork

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Cork

81008W

Ashton School, Blackrock Road, Cork.

Detailed Design

2.1

Donegal

18219F

SN Chonaill, Machaire Chlochair, Bun Beag, Co Dhun na nGall

Detailed Design

2.1

Dublin (Belgard)

19474D

St. Colmcille’s Junior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Dublin (Belgard)

19742C

St. Colmcille’s Senior NS, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin 16

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Dublin (Belgard)

19878E

Ballycragh NS, Ballycragh, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin 24

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Dublin (City)

19727G

St Mary’s Central NS, Belmont Ave, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Galway

17668G

SN Na BhForbacha, An Spideal, Co na Gaillimhe

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Kerry

61410N

Presentation Secondary School Miltown (Kerry)

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Kildare

16705E

Scoil Pádraig Naofa, St John’s Lane, Athy, Co Kildare

Commencing Architectural Planning

2.1

Kildare

18018S

Bunscoil Bhride NS Rathangan

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Laois

17617M

Scoil Chomhgain Naofa, Killeshin, Co.Laois

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Louth

18635T

St Buite’s NS, Tenure, Dunleer, Co. Louth

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Louth

63920A

Dundalk Grammar School, Dundalk, Co Louth

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Meath

02905J

SN Naomh Padraig, Baile Bacuin, Enfield, Co Meath

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Meath

71960I

Community College, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Tipperary

72370P

Borrisokane Community College, Borrisokane, Co Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Tipperary

72440K

Nenagh Vocational School, Dromin Road, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Waterford

64970U

Presentation Secondary School, Waterford

Detailed Design

2.1

Westmeath

17025K

SN na nDun, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Westmeath

17932U

Odhran Naofa, Sonna, Co. Westmeath

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Westmeath

18505G

Naomh Clar, Tobberclair, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Wexford

17450C

S N Mhaodhoig, Poll Fothair, Fiodh Ard

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Wexford

17913Q

SN Mhuire Baile Bearna

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Wexford

71600B

Coláiste Abbain, Adamstown, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

In early Architectural Planning

2.1

Wicklow

20016D

Gaelscoil Ui Cheadaigh. Bray, Co. Wicklow.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Wicklow

61790D

St Brendan’s College, Woodbrook, Bray, Co Wicklow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Laois

07442U

Convent of Mercy NS, Borris in Ossory

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Tipperary

15696B

Silvermines National School

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Clare

14830U

Barefield N.S., Ennis

At Tender Stage

2.1

Dublin (City)

18646B

Springdale NS, Lough Derg Rd., Raheny

At Tender Stage

2.1

Westmeath

17089N

Cluain Maolain NS, Cluain Maolain, An Uaimh

At Tender Stage

2.1

Wicklow

10111O

Lacken National School, Lacken, Blessington, Co Wicklow

At Tender Stage

2.1

Donegal

16642G

Clonmany Mixed NS

Construction 2009

2.1

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

70030E

Senior College, Dun Laoghaire

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.1

Cork

17609N

Rathcormac NS, Rathcormac

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Cork

19993E

Gaelscoil An Ghoirt Alainn, Aibhinne Murmont, Cork City

Detailed Design

2.2

Dublin (City)

60660I

St Patricks Cathedral G.S, St Patricks Close, Dublin 8

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Dublin (City)

70020B

Grange CC (Linked to 76085N)

In early Architectural Planning

2.2

Dublin (City)

76085N

Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Bóthar Mhainistir Na Gráinsí, Domhnach Míde

In early Architectural Planning

2.2

Dublin (Fingal)

17914S

St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide, Dublin.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

18451J

Scoil Lorcain, Eaton Square, Monkstown, Co. Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

19374W

Garran Mhuire, Goatstown, Dublin 14

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

60180R

Christian Brothers College, Monkstown Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Galway

08512U

Iomair NS, Killimor, Galway.

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Galway

63090I

Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, Co Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Kilkenny

61580P

Loreto Secondary School, Granges Road, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Laois

14260F

Abbeyleix Sth NS, Abbeyleix, Co Laois

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Mayo

13667H

St. Josephs NS, Bonniconlon, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Detailed Design

2.2

Mayo

64570E

Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet, Co Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Meath

17213L

SN Mhuire, Ma Nealta, Ceannanus Mor, Co Meath

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Offaly

17637S

S N Sheosaimh Naofa, Beal Atha Na Gcarr, Tullamore

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Sligo

19495L

Carbury NS, The Mall, Sligo

Detailed Design

2.2

Sligo

65170Q

Summerhill College, Sligo, Co Sligo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Wicklow

09760V

Powerscourt NS, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

81001L

Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Cavan

06998Q

SN Tulach a Mhile, Corlough

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Donegal

71240U

Stranorlar Vocational School (Finn Valley College)

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.2

Kildare

16345A

Scoil Bhride, Nurney, Co. Kildare

At Tender Stage

2.2

Limerick

13026P

Kilfinane National School

At Tender Stage

2.2

Roscommon

01607T

SN Cor Na Fola

At Tender Stage

2.2

Westmeath

18812P

Loch an Ghair NS Mullingar

At Tender Stage

2.2

Wicklow

61800D

Presentation College, Bray

At Tender Stage

2.2

Mayo

72050U

St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet

Construction 2009

2.2

Carlow

17127S

St. Joseph’s NS, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Cork

62690E

Scoil Mhuire, 2 Sydney Place, Wellington Road, Cork

Detailed Design

2.3

Dublin (Belgard)

19782O & 19834

St Brigid’s NS and St Aidan’s NS, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Galway

91412M

Scoil Phobail, Clifden, Co Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Kerry

17646T

SN Uaimh Bhreanainn, Traighlí, Co Chiarraí

Detailed Design

2.3

Kerry

61320M

Coláiste Bhréanainn, Cill Airne, Co Chiarraí

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Longford

91436D

Moyne Community School, Moyne, Co Longford

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Louth

91441T

Ardee Community School, Ardee, Co Louth

In early Architectural Planning

2.3

Cavan

61060M

St Patrick’s College, Cavan, Co. Cavan

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Longford

71690F

Ballymahon Vocational School

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Meath

19253K

Wilkinstown NS, Wilkinstown

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.3

Donegal

17268N

SN An Br M O Cleirigh, Creevy, Ballyshannon

At Tender Stage

2.3

Dublin (Belgard)

18324C

Scoil Bride C, Palmerstown

At Tender Stage

2.3

Cavan

81005Q

St Aidans Comprehensive School, Cootehill, Co Cavan

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Cork

13450F

Rushbrook NS, Cobh, Co. Cork

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Cork

17667E

Patrick’s National School, Whitechurch, Co Cork

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Cork

19351K

Kilcreadan NS, Ladysbridge, Castlemartyr, Co.Cork

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Cork

62310O

De La Salle College, Macroom, Co Cork

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Dublin (Belgard)

60341P

Sancta Maria College, Ballyroan, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Dublin (Belgard)

60860Q

Our Lady’s School, Templeogue Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W

Detailed Design

2.4

Dublin (City)

13815T

Howth Rd Mxd NS, Howth Rd, Clontarf, Dublin 3

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Dublin (City)

17976R & 17977T & 17978V

Scoil Assaim, Scoil Aine & Scoil Ide Raheny

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Dublin (City)

19006Q & 17936F

Eoin Baisde NS, Seafield Road, Clontarf, Dublin.

Detailed Design

2.4

Dublin (Fingal)

60370W

St. Fintan’s High School, Dublin Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Dublin (Fingal)

81002K

Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Dublin 3

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

60650F

St Andrews College, Booterstown, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Galway

12706J

SN Sailearna, Indreabhan, Co na Gaillimhe

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Galway

15071H

SN Cillini Dioma, Loughrea, Co Galway

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Galway

19506N

Cappatagle Central School, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

Detailed Design

2.4

Kerry

61440W

C.B.S. Secondary School, The Green, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Detailed Design

2.4

Limerick

17445J

Scoil Lile Naofa, Kileely, Limerick

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Limerick

18991S

J F K Memorial School, Ennis Rd, Limerick

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Limerick

64240G

St Munchin’s College, Corbally, Limerick

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Mayo

64660F

Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh, Co Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Mayo

91461C

Ballyhaunis Community School, Knock Road, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Monaghan

64820B

St Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Co Monaghan

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Offaly

18267Q

Croinchoill NS, Birr, Co. Offaly

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Tipperary

17779P

Powerstown NS, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Tipperary

65240L

Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Tipperary

65440T

Our Ladys Secondary School, Templemore, Co. Tipperary

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Tipperary

65470F

Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Wexford

17017L

SN Phadraig, Crossabeg, Co Wexford

Detailed Design

2.4

Wexford

63660A

Loreto Secondary School, Spawell Road, Wexford, Co Wexford

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Wicklow

70740M

Arklow Community College

In early Architectural Planning

2.4

Cork

18786R

Sc Iosagain, Farranree

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Kilkenny

15160G

Marymount N.S., The Rower, Inistioge

At Tender Stage

2.4

Monaghan

18028V

Corr a Chrainn NS, Corr a Chrainn

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Roscommon

65100S

Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Co Roscommon

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Waterford

20076V

Bunscoil Bhothar na Naomh, Lismore

In Advanced Architectural Planning

2.4

Limerick

64201T

Ardscoil Ris, Nrth Circular Rd, Limerick

At Tender Stage

2.4

Offaly

17523D

SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan

At Tender Stage

2.4

Meath

17964K

SN Mhuire Naofa, Rathfeigh

Construction 2009

2.4

Monaghan

72190N

Castleblaney College, Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan

In early Architectural Planning

2.5

Dublin (City)

16964F

Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1, Loreto College, Crumlin Rd, Dublin 12

At Tender Stage

2.5

Monaghan

07751K

Monaghan Model School, Monaghan, Co Monaghan

In advanced Architectural Planning

2.6

Offaly

72530L

Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa, Frederick St., Clara, Co Offaly

In early Architectural Planning

2.6

Donegal

91409A

Pobail Scoil, Gweedore, Co. Donegal

In advanced Architectural Planning

4.1

Tipperary

72430H

Scoil Ruaine, Killenaule, Co. Tipperaray

In advanced Architectural Planning

4.1

Mayo

76060U

Davitt College, Castlebar

Construction 2009

4.1

Major project in Architectural Planning and Construction with a band rating of 1.4 (including enrolments).

County

Roll No.

School

Current Status

Band Rating

Enrol-ment

Donegal

20150H

Holy Family NS, Ballyshannon, Donegal

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

144

Dublin (City)

20228S

St.Laurence O’Toole Girls School, 49 Seville Place, North Wall, Dublin 1

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

105

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

60092U

Clonkeen College, Blackrock, Co Dublin

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

516

Galway

20199O

Oughterard NS, Oughterard, Co. Galway

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

223

Kerry

20197K

Kenmare NS, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

315

Laois

20071L

Scoil Bhride, Rathdowney, Co Laois

Detailed Design

1.4

240

Limerick

20193C

Scoil Mocheallog, Kilmallock, Co Limerick

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

316

Longford

20124G

St Mary’s NS, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

372

Longford

20128O

St. Matthews Mixed NS, Ballymahon, Longford.

Detailed Design

1.4

210

Mayo

20142I

Scoil Iosa, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo

In advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

266

Waterford

20170N

Scoil Choill Mhic Thomaisin, Kilmacthomas, Co.Waterford

In early Architectural Planning

1.4

147

Cork

20105C

Star of the Sea Primary School, Passage West

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

343

Dublin (City)

20139T

Inchicore NS, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

215

Kerry

20196I

Ballybunion NS

In Advanced Architectural Planning

1.4

152

Donegal

20054L

Scoil Eoghan, Moville

Construction 2009

1.4

211

Laois

91550B

Mountrath Community School

Construction 2009

1.4

726

County

Roll Number

School

Application for

Band

Carlow

01415K

Rathoe Ns Rathoe (Carlow)

New School

1.1

Cavan

08453H

S N Cruabanai Cruabanai (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cavan

08490N

St Clares Primary School Cavan (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cavan

16083T

Virginia Mixed NS, Virginia

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cavan

19608V

St. Killians National School, Mullagh

New School

1.1

Cavan

61051L

St Clare’s College Ballyjamesduff (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cavan

70390L

Virginia College Virginia (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cork

00512D

Midleton Convent N S Midleton (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cork

15484J

Glounthaune Mixed N.S. Glounthaune (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cork

15781P

Ballintemple N S Ballintemple N S (Cork City)

New School

1.1

Cork

16684W

Scoil Na Mbraithre Midleton (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cork

17600S

S N Na Scairte Leithe Saleen Cloyne (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cork

20107G

Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann, Midleton, (Cork County)

New School

1.1

Cork

62360G

Christian Brothers Secondary School Castleredmond (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Cork

62460K

St Francis Capuchin College Rochestown (Cork County)

New School

1.1

Cork

91388S

Carrigaline Community School Waterpark Road (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Donegal

12077E

Scoil Naomh Fiachra Letterkenny (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Donegal

18625Q

Scoil Colmcille, Convent Road, Letterkenny

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Donegal

19313C

Glenswilly National School, Newmills, Letterkenny

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Donegal

19927O

Scoil Mhuire B & C, Stranorlar

New School

1.1

Dublin

19515O

St Teresa’s National School, Balbriggan

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin

19542R & 19676P

St Thomas National School & Scoil Aine Naofa, Esker, Lucan

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin

19660A

Rush NS. Rush, Co Dublin

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin

19702N

St Thomas’s JNS, Jobstown , Tallaght

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin

19865S

Archbishop Ryan Junior National School, Balgaddy, Lucan

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin

70080T

Lucan Community College, Esker Drive, Lucan

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin

91301D

Holy Family CS, Rathcoole

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Belgard

13217W

Holy Family National School Rathcoole (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Belgard

16461C

Caisleain Nua Liamhna Newcastle Lyons (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Belgard

17055T

S N Naomh Mhuire Saggart (Dublin Belgard)

New School

1.1

Dublin Belgard

20187H

Archbishop Ryan Senior N S Balgaddy (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Belgard

20223I

Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada Bóthar An Ghrifín (Dublin Belgard)

New School

1.1

Dublin Belgard

20274C

Esker Educate Together Ns (Dublin Belgard)

New School

1.1

Dublin Belgard

91301D

Holy Family Community School Kilteel Road (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Fingal

15315J

St Georges N S St Georges N S (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

16970A

St Molaga Senior Ns Bremore (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Fingal

16972E

S N Peadar Agus Pol N Balbriggan (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

19435Q

St Francis Xavier J N S Roselawn Road (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Fingal

20095C

Gaelscoil Brian Boroimhe Coill Na Núll (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

20145O

Swords Educate Together Ns Applewood (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

20161M

Donabate/Portrane Educate Together Ballisk Common (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

20201V

Tyrrelstown Educate Together Powerstown Road (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

20240I

Hansfield National School Hansfield (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

20252P

Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigin Sunshine House (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

70120F

St Finians Community College (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Fingal

76062B

Castleknock Community College Carpenterstown Road (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Dublin Fingal

76128F

Hansfield Community College Hansfield (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

76129H

Ardgillan Community College Castlelands (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dublin Fingal

76130P

Luttrellstown Community College (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.1

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

02872U

Sandyford Mixed National School, Woodside, Sandyford

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Galway

04506F

Scoil Iósaif Naofa, Oranmore

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Galway

05754G

Sn Creachmhaoil Craughwell

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Galway

12954F

SN Bhride, Lackagh, Turloughmore

New School

1.1

Galway

13365O

Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore

New School

1.1

Galway

17613E

S N Caitriona Naofa Eachdruim (Galway County)

New School

1.1

Galway

17759J

Menlo National School, Menlo, Castlegar

New School

1.1

Galway

18089S

Scoil Naomh Mhuire/Maree NS, An Gharran, Oranmore

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Galway

19858V

Gaelscoil Dara, Brothers of Charity, Galway City

New School

1.1

Galway

19998O

Gaelscoil De Hide, Oran Mor

New School

1.1

Galway

20211B

Claregalway Educate Together N S Cloonbiggen Road (Galway County)

New School

1.1

Galway

63001G

Jesus & Mary Secondary School Salerno Secondary School, Salthill

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Galway

91498C

Gort Community School Gort (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kerry

18247K

S N Mhuire Na Mbraithre Tralee (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

06209J

Athy Model School

New School

1.1

Kildare

15040T

Mercy Convent Primary School Naas (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

15040T

Mercy Convent NS, Naas

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

17254C

Scoil Chorbain Naas (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

17254C

St Corban’s Primary School, Naas

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

17341U

Maynooth B N S Maynooth (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

17341U

Maynooth Boys’ NS

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

18644U

Straffan N S Straffan (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

18666H

Tiremohan National School, Donadea, Naas, (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

19794V

Scoil Mochua, Aghards, Celbridge, (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

19796C

St Patricks BNS, Clane

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

19797E

Scoil Naisiunta Bhride Prosperous Road (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

20114D

Scoil Bríd Oldtown (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

20192A

Gaelscoil Átha Í A.F.C. Bhaile Átha Í (Kildare)

New School

1.1

Kildare

20257C

Sc Naomh Padraig, Celbridge

New School

1.1

Kildare

70680U

St. Conleths Vocational School, Newbridge

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Kildare

70700A

Maynooth Post Primary School Moyglare Rd (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Laois

13386W & 18828H &19286C

Scoil An Chroi Naofa, St Paul’s NS & SN Mhuire, Portlaoise

New School

1.1

Limerick

19336O

Scoil Phoil Naofa, Dooradoyle, Limerick

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Limerick

20181S

Gaelscoil An Raithin Dooradoyle Road (Limerick City)

New School

1.1

Louth

16208N

Termonfeckin Mixed NS, Termonfeckin

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Louth

71760A

Drogheda Inst. Of Further Education The Twenties (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Meath

17705J

Scoil Cros Ban, Whitecross, Julianstown

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Meath

17839H

S N Bheinn Naofa B Duleek (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Meath

17840P

S N Bheinin Naofa C Duleek (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Meath

18106P

SN Na Trionoide Naofa Lios Muilinn

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Meath

20017F

Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown, Co Meath

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Meath

20164S

Navan Educate Together Ns Commons Road (Meath)

New School

1.1

Meath

20179I

St Stephens Ns C/O St Marthas College (Meath)

New School

1.1

Meath

76103M

Colaiste Na Hinse Laytown (Meath)

New School

1.1

Offaly

18057F

Scoil Mhuire Tullamore

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Offaly

72560U

Tullamore College, Riverside, Tullamore

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Westmeath

20002P

Gaelscoil An Mhuilinn An Muileann Cearr (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Westmeath

71410T

Athlone Community College, Retreat Road, Athlone

New School

1.1

Wexford

16605A

Kilrane N S Kilrane (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Wexford

20214H

Gorey Educate Together Ns St Walerans (Wexford)

New School

1.1

Wicklow

17091A

S N Muire Blessington (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Wicklow

17223O

S N Muire Is Gearard Enniskerry (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

1.1

Carlow

17514C

S N Cluain Na Gall Clonegal (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cavan

17326B

S N Naomh Feidhlim Cavan (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cavan

17625L

Cnoc An Teampaill Virginia (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Clare

17563P

Ballybrohan N S Ogonnelloe (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Clare

20041C

St. Senan’s Primary School,Convent of Mercy, Kilrush

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cork

09161W

Our Lady Of Mercy N S Bantry (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cork

12015F

Liscarrol N S Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cork

18217B

Padre Pio National School, Churchfield, Cork City

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cork

18458A

St Bernadettes Spec Sch Bonnington (Cork City)

New School

1.2

Cork

18483W

School Of The Divine Child Ballintemple (Cork City)

New School

1.2

Cork

19203S

Nmh Pol Special School Montenotte (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Cork

19410A

St Killians Spec Sch Adj To: Bishopstown Comm Sch (Cork City)

New School

1.2

Cork

19788D

St Kevins School The Rectory (Cork City)

New School

1.2

Cork

20162O

Sonas Special Primaryjunior School Carrigaline (Cork County)

New School

1.2

Donegal

11843O

S N Neill Mor Killybegs (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Donegal

19967D

Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Donegal

71140Q

Crana College Crana Road (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Dublin

18671A

St Michaels Hse Special School, 17 Grosvener Road, Rathgar

New School

1.2

Dublin

19032R

Stewarts Hospital Special Sch, Palmerstown, Dublin 20

New School

1.2

Dublin

20053J

Cheeverstown Special School, Templeogue, Dublin 6W

New School

1.2

Dublin Belgard

19590F

Physically Disabled Children Deansrath (Dublin Belgard)

New School

1.2

Dublin Belgard

20010O

St Roses Special School C/O Scoil Aengusa Sns (Dublin Belgard)

New School

1.2

Dublin City

17944E

St Marys School For Deaf Girls Dominican Convent (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Dublin City

18317F

Central Remedial Clinic Vernon Avenue (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Dublin City

19039I

St Vincents Home Ns Navan Rd (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Dublin City

19594N

Youth Encounter Project 41 Main St (Dublin City)

New School

1.2

Dublin Fingal

18210K

St Michaels House Special School Baldoyle (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.2

Dublin Fingal

19757P

St Michaels Spec Sch Hacketstown (Dublin Fingal)

New School

1.2

Dun Laoighre/Rathdown

18815V

Our Lady Of Lourdes School Rochestown Ave (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

New School

1.2

Dun Laoighre/Rathdown

20121A

St John Of God Special School Glenageary (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

New School

1.2

Galway

19201O

Holy Family School Renmore (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Galway

19567K

Scoil Aine St Anne S Special Sch (Galway City)

New School

1.2

Galway

20000L

Galway Educate Together N.S. Thomas Hynes Rd (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Galway

20070J

Rosedale School Woodlands Centre (Galway City)

New School

1.2

Kerry

19512I

St Olivers Ns Ballycasheen (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Kildare

18093J

S N Cloch Rinnce Cloch Rinnce (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Kildare

19277B

St Annes Special School The Curragh (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Kildare

19675N

St Brigids N S Kilcullen (Kildare)

Special Needs

1.2

Kildare

91371B

Leixlip Community School Celbridge Road (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Kilkenny

00788V

Lisdowney N S Ballyragget (Kilkenny)

Special Needs

1.2

Kilkenny

19210P

Mother Of Fair Love Spec School James Street (Kilkenny)

New School

1.2

Kilkenny

19626A

St Canices Central N S Kilkenny (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Kilkenny

20132F

The High Support Special School C/O Seville Lodge (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Laois

19750B

Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Limerick

19587Q

St Augustines Spec Sch Augustinian Priory (Limerick City)

New School

1.2

Limerick

19603L

St Gabriels School Springfield Drive (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Limerick

19719H

Mid West School H Imp Rosbrien (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Longford

14386E

Stonepark NS, Longford

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Longford

18178R

St Josephs Convent Longford (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Longford

19987J

Scoil Mhuire N S Newtownforbes (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Louth

19214A

St Marys Special Sch Drumcar (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Mayo

19248R

St Anthonys Special Sc Humbert Way (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Mayo

19375B

St Brids Special Sch Pavilion Road (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Mayo

19451O

Newport Central Baile Ui Bhfiachain (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Mayo

19812U

Foxford Central Ns Foxford (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Meath

05630L

Scoil Mhichil Na Buachailli Scoil Na Mbrathar (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Meath

19560T

St Marys Special School Johnstown (Meath)

New School

1.2

Meath

20032B

Dunboyne Junior N S Dunboyne (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Meath

20033D

Dunboyne Senior N S Dunboyne (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Meath

71980O

O’Carolan College Nobber,

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Meath

91508C

Boyne Community School Trim (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Offaly

20099K

Offaly School Of Special Education Tullamore(Offaly)

New School

1.2

Sligo

19206B

Sch Of Immaculate Conc Cregg House (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Tipperary

06658P

Kildangan N S Cill An Daingin Pocon (Tipperary N.R.)

Special Needs

1.2

Tipperary

09190G

Boher National School, Ballina

Extension & SNU

1.2

Tipperary

15299O

Gaile N S Holycross (Tipperary S.R.)

Special Needs

1.2

Tipperary

19230V

Cormaic Special School Cashel (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Tipperary

19370O

St Annes Special Sch Roscrea (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Tipperary

19615S

Scoil Aonghusa Cashel (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Waterford

19108B

St Martins Special Sch Ballytruckle (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Waterford

19244J

St Josephs Special Sch Parnell Street (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Waterford

19282R

St Johns Special Sch Dungarvan (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Waterford

19970P

Portlaw N.S., Co. Waterford

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Wexford

63640R

CBS, Thomas Street, Wexford Town

Extension & SNU

1.2

Wicklow

19573F

St Laurences N S St Laurences N S (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

1.2

Kilkenny

61520U

St. Brigid’s College, Callan

Extension/Refurb

1.3

Waterford

18681D

Christ Church National School, Lower Newtown, Waterford

Extension/Refurb

1.3

Please see separate table for Applications which have been provisionally assigned a band 1.4 priority rating (with enrolments).

Carlow

02124E

Scoil Nais Molaise Old Leighlin (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Carlow

04077I

Scoil Nais Bhride Grange (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Carlow

18424G

Scoil Nais Iosef Naofa Carlow (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Carlow

61130H

St. Mary’s College, Knockbeg

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Carlow

PPC1002

Traveller Training Centre Carlow (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cavan

18833A

S N Lathrach Lathrach (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Clare

04919H

Cratloe National School

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Clare

16677C

Bunscoil Na Mbraithre Ennis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Clare

16908S

Sixmilebridge National School

New School

2.1

Clare

18225A

S N Mhuire Miliuc Luimneach (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Clare

18227E

Scoil Mhuire Naisiunta Cora Finne (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Clare

18846J

An Daingin (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

01867W

Castlelyons B N S Fermoy (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

09872J

Cloghoola Mixed N S (Cork)

New School

2.1

Cork

12456M

Timoleague N S Bandon (Cork County)

New School

2.1

Cork

13375R

Scoil Bhride Cros Mhathuna (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

13512B

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes 13512B Carrigaline (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

14839P

Clondrohid N S Clondrohid (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

16271U

Watergrasshill National School

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

16876I

S N Caipin Iniscein (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

17363H

Sn Cros Tseain Bun An Tabhairne (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

17527L

Scoil Bhrugh Thuinne Churchtown (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

17639W

Scoil Na Mbraithre Mitchelstown (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

17848I

SN Mhuire National School, Gleann An Phreachain, Glenville

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

18428O

S N Baile Nora Baile Nora (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

18497K

Little Island Ns Little Island (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

18535P

St. Johns Girls N S Ballea Rd (Cork County)

New School

2.1

Cork

18713N

S N Fionan Na Reanna Nohoval (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

19730S

St Oliver’s National School, Ballincollig Road, Ballyvolane

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

62130M

Coláiste An Chroí Naofa Carraig Na Bhfear (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

62170B

Sacred Heart Secondary School Convent Of Mercy (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

62301N

Colaiste An Phiarsaigh Gleann Maghair (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

62421A

Presentation Secondary School Mitchelstown (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

71050P

St Colman’s Community College Youghal Road (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Cork

91499E

Kinsale Community School Kinsale

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Donegal

17945G

Scoil Naomh Chaitriona, Ballyshannon

New School

2.1

Donegal

91408V

Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola An Fálcarrach (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dublin

17472M

Baile Falbach, Lusk

New School

2.1

Dublin City

18282M

Sn Paroiste Maitiu Nfa (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dublin City

18632N

S N Eoin Bosco Nai Buac Navan Rd (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dublin City

20012S

Griffith Barracks Multi D School The Old Guardhouse (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dublin City

70170U

Crumlin College Of Further Education Crumlin Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dublin Fingal

12358M

Swords Borough N S Swords Borough N S (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dublin Fingal

15569R

Scoil Moibhi Milverton (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

19949B

Muslim NS, Clonskeagh

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

60030V

Blackrock College Blackrock (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Galway

12095G

S N Naomh Antoine Baile Chonraoi (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Galway

18125T

Scoil Naomh Mhuire An Creagan (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Galway

71340B

Galway Technical Institute Father Griffin Road (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Galway

81012N

Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin An Cheathrú Rua (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kerry

13615L

Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh, Tralee, Co Kerry

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kerry

18702I

Spa National School, Tralee

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kildare

15957D

St Patrick’s Boys NS, Rathangan

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kildare

18445O

S N Scoil Treasa Kilshanroe (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

16445E

St Patricks NS, Boneyarrow

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

16875G

S N Naomh Padraigh Strangmills (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

17253A

S N Caislean An Cumair Castlecomer (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

17589K

S N Chiaran Naofa Stoneyford (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

18078N

Scoil Bhride B&C Paulstown

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

19856R

Gaelscoil Osrai Loch Bui (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Kilkenny

76082H

Abbey Community College Abbey Rd (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Laois

17692D

Sraid Bhaile Boys N S Sraid Bhaile (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Laois

18150S

Fraoch Mor NS Fraoch Mor

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Leitrim

71560P

Lough Allen College, Drumkeerin

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Limerick

16444C

Scoil Padraig Naofa C Dublin Road (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Limerick

19966B

St Josephs Drumcollogher (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Limerick

64300V

Scoil Carmel O’Connell Avenue (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Longford

07518E

Scoil Cnoc An Mharcaigh, Longford

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Louth

01554B

Baile an Phusta NS, Smarmore

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Louth

14069P

Dun Dealgan N S Jocelyn Street (Louth)

New School

2.1

Louth

17965M

S N Bhride Ard Achaidh (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Louth

19223B

S N Padraig Baile Ui Ir (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Mayo

11725I

Beheymore N S Ballina (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Mayo

13389F

Sn An Trian Lair Beal Atha Na Muiche (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Mayo

16832L

Muirisc Ns Muirisc (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Mayo

16904K

S N Lainn Cille Cathair Na Mart (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Meath

01309L

Stackallen NS, Stackallen

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Meath

17623H

Scoil Nais Ui Gramhna Athboy (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Meath

17856H

Scoil Naomh Mhuire Donore

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Meath

19813W

Kildalkey Central NS, Kildalkey

New School

2.1

Monaghan

09186P

Scoil Mhuire Machaire Airne (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Monaghan

18401R

Scoil Mhuire Glasloch (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Offaly

15923J

Cloneyhurke N S Cloneyhurke (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Offaly

17508H

S N Naomh Cholumchille Durrow (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Offaly

18364O

S N Muire Bainrion Edenderry (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Offaly

18795S

S N Mhuire Cul An Airne (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Roscommon

18395C

S N Cluain Na Cille Athlone (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Sligo

18053U

Sooey N S Sughaidh (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Sligo

18979F

S N Ursula Strandhill Road (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Sligo

72310U

Coola Post Primary School Riverstown (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Tipperary

16276H

Carrig National School, Ballycommon, Nenagh

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Tipperary

18345K

S N Iosef Naofa Cor An Bhile (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Tipperary

18435L

Sacred Heart Primary School, Newline, Roscrea, Co Tipperary

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Tipperary

18486F

S N Cill Siolain Cill Siolain (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Tipperary

18538V

Scoil Mhuire Caislean Nua (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

01711O

S N Cill Rosanta Cill Mhic Thomais (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

07737Q

Villierstown N S Cappoquin (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

16748W

S N Na Cille Cill Mhic Thomais Fhinn (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

17159I

S N An Garrain Bhain Dungarbhain (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

17570M

S N Na Bhfiodh Cill Mhic Thomais (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

18167M

S N Aine Nfa Seafield Bonmahon (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

19953P

St Marys Ns Dungarvan (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

64990D

St. Angela’s Ursline Convent

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Waterford

72240C

Central Technical Institute Parnell Street (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Westmeath

17102C

Cluain Buinne N S Cluain Buinne (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Westmeath

17708P

Sc Ciarain (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Westmeath

18640M

Naomh Iosef N S Rath Ghuaire (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Westmeath

63300Q

Wilson’s Hospital School Multyfarnham

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

05070W

S N Baile Muirne Ballymurn (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

15940J

Tombrack N S Tombrack (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

17005E

S N An Gleanna Glynn (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

18010C

S N Mhuire Baile Daithi (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

18387D

S N Catriona Nfa Ballyhack (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

18687P

Ballyduff N S (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

18707S

Castlebridge N S Castlebridge (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

63570W

Coláiste Bride Enniscorthy (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

63600F

Christian Brothers Secondary School Mountgarrett (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wexford

71620H

Vocational College Bunclody Bunclody (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wicklow

14045B

Carysfort Mixed National School, Arklow

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wicklow

18054W

Hollywood N S Hollywood (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Wicklow

18470N

Naomh Brid N S Cnoc An Eanaigh (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.1

Carlow

01116A

Baile An Chuilinn N S Muinebeag (Carlow)

New School

2.2

Cavan

20026G

Gaelscoil An Cabhain Scouts Den (Cavan)

New School

2.2

Cavan

70350W

St Bricin’s Vocational School Belturbet (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cavan

70380I

Breifne College Cootehill Rd (Cavan)

New School

2.2

Cavan

76087R

Cavan Institute Main St (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Clare

14757N

S N Mhainistir Chuinche Quin (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Clare

16186G

Inch N S Ennis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Clare

17583V

S N Cnoc An Ein Inis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Clare

19559L

Chriost Ri Cloughleigh (Clare)

New School

2.2

Clare

19849U

Gaelscoil Donncha Rua Sionna (Clare)

New School

2.2

Clare

19999Q

Gaelscoil Ui Choimin An T-Ionad Oige (Clare)

New School

2.2

Clare

20086B

Ennis Educate Together Ns Gort Road (Clare)

New School

2.2

Clare

62000W

Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

01692N

Firmount Mixed N S Donoughmore (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

06342L

Vicarstown Mixed N S Vicarstown (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

10724B

South Abbey Ns Youghal (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

12004A

Mallow No 1 N S Shortcastle (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

12041G

St John The Baptist N S Midleton (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

12147W

S N An Aird Clonakilty (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

12473M

Greenmount Monastery Ns Scoil Muire Na Ngras (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

12505W

Kilbarry N S Macroom (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

13234W

Cloughduv N S Cloughduv (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

13663W

Lower Glanmire N S Glanmire (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

13889C

Shanbally N S Rinn Scide (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

15165Q

Ballintotas N S Castlemartyr (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

15594Q

Grange Fermoy N S Fermoy (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

16648S

Ath Treasna G N S Ath Treasna (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

17156C

Scoil Naomh Aine (Cork)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

17505B

S N Cill Ruadhain Glanmire (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

17950W

Shanagarry N S Shanagarry (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

18829J

S N Chobh Chionn Tsaile Cionn Tsaile (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

19404F

Sn Mhuire Ballyhooley (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

19526T

Sn Cill Dairbhre (Cork)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

19833F

Gaelscoil Chorain (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

19839R

Gael Scoil Ui Riordain Cul Rua (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

19851H

Gaelscoil De Hide Mainistir Fhearmai (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

19881Q

Gaelscoil Carrig Ui Leighinn, Carrig Ui Leighinn, Co Chorcai

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

19909M

Gaelscoil Peig Sayers Unit 42 North Point Business Park (Cork City)

New School

2.2

Cork

20006A

GS Chloich na Coillte, Sraid na Scoile

New School

2.2

Cork

20009G

Gaelscoil Dr M Ui Shuilleabhain An Sciobairin (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

20025E

Gaelscoil Droichead Na Bandan C/O G.A.A. Pavilion (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

20049S

Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour N S Ringaskiddy (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

62260C

Coláiste Cholmáin Mainistir Fhearmuí (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

62470N

Mount St Michael Rosscarbery (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

70990M

Coláiste An Chraoibhin Duntaheen Road (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Cork

71124S

Coláiste Daibhéid An T-Ardán Theas (Cork City)

New School

2.2

Cork

76067L

Colaiste Pobail Naomh Mhuire Cill Na Mullach (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Cork

ED40245

Dunmanway Education Centre Dunmanway (Cork County)

New School

2.2

Donegal

07143K

Monreagh N S Monreagh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Donegal

16819T

S N Gort An Choirce Leitir Ceanainn (Donegal)

New School

2.2

Donegal

18371L

Scoil Mhuire An Craosloch (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Donegal

18737E

Scoil Bhride, Conmhagh, Lifford, (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Donegal

20096E

Gaelscoil Na Gceithre Maistri Baile Dun Na Ngall (Donegal)

New School

2.2

Donegal

20097G

Gaelscoil Bhun Crannach Bun Crannach (Donegal)

New School

2.2

Donegal

71244F

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Donegal

ED40023

Donegal Education Centre Donegal (Donegal)

New School

2.2

Dublin

03359N

Ballyroan B N S, Ballyroan, Rathfarnham

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin

11583O

St Andrews NS, Malahide, Co Dublin

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin

19430G

Scoil an Tsearchtar Laoch, Ballymun Road, Dublin 11

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin

20015B

Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna, 187 Bothar Choultrai, Baile Munna

New School

2.2

Dublin

20052H

GS Cholmcille

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin Belgard

12014D

St Andrews N S Lucan (Dublin Belgard)

New School

2.2

Dublin Belgard

19872P

Scoil Chaitlin Maude Cnoc Mhuire (Dublin Belgard)

New School

2.2

Dublin Belgard

20043G

Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna Halla Na Ngasoga (Dublin Belgard)

New School

2.2

Dublin City

17279S

Scoil Muire Haddington Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin City

19907I

Gaelscoil Mologa Bothar Chlareville (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin City

19926M

Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire 4 Cearnog Pharnell (Dublin City)

New School

2.2

Dublin City

20047O

Gaelscoil Bharra Naomh Fionnbarra C.L.G. (Dublin City)

New School

2.2

Dublin City

20131D

Educate Together Ns (Dublin City)

New School

2.2

Dublin City

20152L

North Dublin Muslim Ns Project (Dublin City)

New School

2.2

Dublin City

20168D

Glasnevin Educate Together Ns Church Avenue (Dublin City)

New School

2.2

Dublin City

60450U

Coláiste Mhuire Bothar Rath Tó (Dublin City)

New School

2.2

Dublin Fingal

16675V

Mulhuddart Ns Mulhuddart Village (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dublin Fingal

20176C

Rush And Lusk Educate Together Ns Hanna’s Avenue (Dublin Fingal)

New School

2.2

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

16352U

St Brigids Boys N S Foxrock (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

New School

2.2

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

16353W

Sr Brigid’s Girls National School, The Park, Cabinteely

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

18647D

S N San Treasa The Rise (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

20056P

Gaelscoil Phadraig Ascaill Shileann (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

New School

2.2

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

60891E

Our Ladys Grove Goatstown Road (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

04515G

Scoil An Linbh Iosa St Francis St (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

11675T

S N An Eanaigh B Ballyglunin (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

15027E

S N Na Heaglaise Atha Eascrach (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

16804G

Sn Chlair Na Gaillimhe Baile Clar Na Gaillimhe (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

17807R

Sn Cathair Geal, Cathair Geal, Tuam, Co Galway

New School

2.2

Galway

18112K

Scoil Naomh Eanna Bullan (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

18746F

Sn Muine Mhea Athenry (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

19449E

St Oliver Plunketts Ns Newcastle (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Galway

19965W

Scoil Mhuire Clarinbridge Co Galway

New School

2.2

Galway

20061I

Gaelscoil Iarfhlatha Community Centre (Galway County)

New School

2.2

Galway

20123E

Gaelscoil Riabhach Baile Locha Riach (Galway County)

New School

2.2

Galway

63050T

Seamount College Kinvara (Galway County)

New School

2.2

Kerry

09260B

S N Lios Teilic Traili (Kerry)

New School

2.2

Kerry

15945T

Firies Mxd N S Killarney (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Kerry

16217O

An Bhreac Chluain B Annascaul (Kerry)

New School

2.2

Kerry

16898S

SN Breandan Noafa, Cathair Ui Mhodhrain, Traighli, Co Chiarrai

New School

2.2

Kerry

17710C

S N An Chuilleanaig Killarney (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Kerry

18247K

S N Mhuire Na Mbraithre (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Kerry

19957A

Dromclough N S Listowel (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Kerry

20013U

Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail Lios Tuathail (Kerry)

New School

2.2

Kerry

20158A

Tralee Educate Together Ns Collis Sandes House (Kerry)

New School

2.2

Kildare

11893G

St Davids Ns Dublin Road (Kildare)

New School

2.2

Kildare

16707I

Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Pheadar Monasterevan (Kildare)

New School

2.2

Kildare

16817P

Brannoxtown N S Brannockstown (Kildare)

New School

2.2

Kildare

17968S

Ursaille Naofa Teach An Da Mhile (Kildare)

New School

2.2

Kildare

70660O

Curragh Post-Primary School Mcswiney Road (Kildare)

New School

2.2

Kilkenny

17566V

S N Bhridhe Kells (Kilkenny)

New School

2.2

Kilkenny

70641K

Colaiste Pobail Osrai (Kilkenny)

New School

2.2

Laois

15446B

Trummera N S Trummera (Laois)

New School

2.2

Laois

20081O

Gaelscoil Phort Laoise Gort Bhfraoch (Laois)

New School

2.2

Leitrim

71540J

Carrigallen Vocational School Carrigallen (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Limerick

16712B

Scoil Naomh Iosaf Adare (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Limerick

17212J

Scoil Nais Cnoc Aine (Limerick County)

New School

2.2

Limerick

18600A

S N Ma Rua Ma Rua (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Limerick

19931F

Gaelscoil Sheoirse Clancy (Limerick City)

New School

2.2

Limerick

19956V

Gaelscoil Sairseal Sraid An Droichid (Limerick City)

New School

2.2

Limerick

20148U

Gaelscoil Chaladh An Treoigh Chaladh An Treoigh (Limerick County)

New School

2.2

Limerick

20234N

Childrens Ark, Midwest Regional Hospital, (Limerick County)

New School

2.2

Limerick

42650D

Rathkeale Senior Travelling Centre Rathkeale (Limerick County)

New School

2.2

Limerick

71840V

Colaiste Chiarain Croom (Limerick County)

New School

2.2

Limerick

ED40101

Limerick Education Centre Limerick (Limerick City)

New School

2.2

Longford

00860D

Forgney National School, Moyvore

New School

2.2

Longford

17561L

Samhthann N S Ballinalee (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Longford

20083S

Gaelscoil An Longfoirt Fearann Uí Dhuagáin (Longford)

New School

2.2

Longford

63760E

Meán Scoil Muire Convent Road (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Louth

11072M

S N Naomh Peadar Bolton Street (Louth)

New School

2.2

Mayo

04796R

Brackloon N S Westport (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Mayo

07054L

Cullens National School, Knockduff, Beal Atha An Fheadha

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Mayo

12568A

Sn Inbhear Barr Na Tra (Mayo)

New School

2.2

Mayo

19972T

S N Uileog De Burca Clar Chlainne Mhuiris (Mayo)

New School

2.2

Mayo

20084U

Gaelscoil Bheal An Atha Corrai Mhuireann (Mayo)

New School

2.2

Mayo

20256A

Scoil Náisiúnta Thuar Mhic Éadaigh Trianláir (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Mayo

64520M

St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina

New school

2.2

Mayo

76060U

Davitt College Springfield (Mayo)

New School

2.2

Meath

17930Q

S N Seachnaill Naofa Dunshaughlin (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Meath

20051F

Gaelscoil Na Boinne Dublin Road (Meath)

New School

2.2

Meath

20082Q

GS Tulach na nÓg, Dunboyne

New School

2.2

Meath

20258E

Gaelscoil An Bhraidain Feasa (Meath)

New School

2.2

Meath

71970L

St. Fintinas Post Primary School Longwood (Meath)

New School

2.2

Monaghan

10429W

Scoil Mhuire Rockcorry (Monaghan)

New School

2.2

Monaghan

17099Q

S N Naomh Iosef Carraig Mhachaire Rois (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Monaghan

19936P

Gaelscoil Ultain An Cnoc (Monaghan)

New School

2.2

Monaghan

64760J

St Louis Secondary School Carrickmacross (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Monaghan

76095Q

Monaghan Institute Of Further Education (Monaghan)

New School

2.2

Offaly

17746A

Scoil Colmain Naofa Muclach (Offaly)

New School

2.2

Offaly

17827A

Scoil Phadraig Portarlington (Offaly)

New School

2.2

Offaly

18537T

S N Ros Com Rua (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Roscommon

17094G

S N Rath Cruachan Beal Atha Na Gcearr (Roscommon)

New School

2.2

Roscommon

18626S

An Gleann Duibh NS, Kiltoom, Athlone

New School

2.2

Roscommon

20126K

Gaelscoil De Hide Cnoc Na Cruibe (Roscommon)

New School

2.2

Sligo

14636B

Carraroe N S An Ceathru Rua (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Sligo

17725P

S N Bhride Carn (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Sligo

18575E

S N Molaoise Grainseach (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Sligo

20044I

Gaelscoil Chnoc Na Re Bothar Baile Ui Dhugain (Sligo)

New School

2.2

Sligo

65130E

St Marys College Ballysadare (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Tipperary

07048Q

Mohober N S Mohober (Tipperary S.R.)

New School

2.2

Tipperary

12540B

Clonmore N S Templemore (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Tipperary

17296S

S N Baile Na Hinse Birdhill (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Tipperary

18322V

S N An Droma Thurles (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Tipperary

20007C

Gaelscoil Chluain Meala Baile Gaelach (Tipperary S.R.)

New School

2.2

Tipperary

20085W

Gaelscoil Charraig Na Siuire (Tipperary S.R.)

New School

2.2

Waterford

17535B

Fionnabhair NS, Fenor, Co. Waterford

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Waterford

19885B

Gealscoil Philib Barun Teach Realt Na Mara (Waterford County)

New School

2.2

Waterford

64930I

C.B.S. Mount Sion (Waterford City)

New School

2.2

Westmeath

01731U

Ballynacargy Mixed N S Ballynacargy (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Westmeath

10857U

Castlepollard Paroc.N S Castlepollard (Westmeath)

New School

2.2

Westmeath

16092U

Athlone N S Unit 5 (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Westmeath

17327D

Curraghmore N S Curraghmore (Westmeath)

New School

2.2

Westmeath

18036U

Diarmada N S Castlepollard (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Westmeath

63221U

Meán Scoil An Chlochair Kilbeggan (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Westmeath

63310T

St Joseph’s Secondary School Rochfortbridge (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

15177A

Carrigduff Nat School Carrigduff (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

16673R

S N Baile Cuisin Cushinstown Ns (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

17768K

S N Baile An Caisleain Castletown (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

17800D

S N Seosamh Nfa Bree (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

17841R

Sn Mhuire Ballyhogue (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

18684J

S N Bhaile Mhuirne Murrintown (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.2

Wexford

20057R

Gaelscoil Inis Corthaidh Inis Corthaidh (Wexford)

New School

2.2

Wexford

20165U

Gaelscoil Mhoshiolog Clonattin (Wexford)

New School

2.2

Wicklow

01782O

S N Naomh Padraig Bearna Chle (Wicklow)

New School

2.2

Wicklow

16027J

S N Muire Stratford On Slaney (Wicklow)

New School

2.2

Wicklow

20045K

Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin An Casadh Meidhreach (Wicklow)

New School

2.2

Wicklow

20080M

Gaelscoil An Inbhir Mhoir Fernbank Park (Wicklow)

New School

2.2

Wicklow

20178G

Wicklow Educate Together Ns Marine House (Wicklow)

New School

2.2

Carlow

91356F

Tullow Community School The Mullawn (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Cork

62440E

Scoil Na Mbráithre Chríostaí Bakers Road (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Donegal

17828C

Scoil Adhamhnain Rathbhoth (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Donegal

91406R

Carndonagh Community School Carndonagh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Dublin Belgard

70130I

Greenhills College Limekiln Avenue (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Dublin City

60700R

Scoil Chaitriona Bóthar Mobhí (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Dublin Fingal

60100Q

Castleknock College Castleknock (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Galway

63130R

Colaiste Chroi Mhuire An Spideal (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Kildare

15870O

Scoil Chonnla Phadraig Newbridge (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Limerick

64200R

Colaiste Mhichil Sexton Street (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Limerick

64260M

Laurel Hill Secondary School Fcj Laurel Hill (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Louth

19246N

S N An Tslanaitheora B Ard Easmuinn (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Louth

19247P

S N An Tslanaitheora C Ard Easmuinn (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Louth

91441T

Ardee Community School Ardee (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Mayo

64510J

St Muredachs College Sligo Road (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Mayo

64590K

Naomh Iosaef Clochar Na Trócaire (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Offaly

07949I

S N Osmann Birr (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Offaly

91491L

St.Brendan’s Community School Birr (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Sligo

65150K

Jesus & Mary Secondary School Enniscrone (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Tipperary

72470T

St. Sheelan’s College Templemore (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Tipperary

72480W

St. Ailbe’s School Rosanna Road (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Wexford

63620L

St. Mary’s Secondary School Irishtown (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.3

Carlow

19784S

St Laserians Mxd Ns Leighlinbridge (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Carlow

61120E

St Mary’s Academy Cbs Station Rd (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Carlow

61140K

St. Leo’s College Convent Of Mercy (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cavan

91351S

Bailieborough Community School Bailieborough (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

14468G

Kilmaley N S Ennis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

18555V

Lissycasey N S Ennis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

20075T

St Mochullas N.S. Ennis Road (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

62010C

St. Joseph’s Secondary School Spanish Point (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

62020F

St. Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

70860W

St Michael’s Community College Kilmihill (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Clare

70901K

St Anne’s Community College (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

04118T

Bishop Ahern National School, Leamlara, (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

10047I

Macroom Convent N S Macroom (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

11496T

Seandroma B N S Rathluirc (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

13976U

St Matthias N S Church Road (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

14198D

Naomh Eoin Easpal Mayfield (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

15346U

S N Baile An Mhuirne Carrig An Adhmaid (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

17152R

S N Cnoc Sceach Clanna Caoilte (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

17168J

S N Inis Eoghanain Inis Eoghanan (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

17251T

Ovens N S Ovens (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

17804L

S N Cnoc Na Manach Minane Bridge (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

19256Q

Scoil Ghobnatan Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

19557H

Caheragh Ns Caheragh (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

19595P

St Marys Central School Enniskeane (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

19714U

Mhuire Ar Chnoc Haoine Knocknaheeny (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

20024C

Bun Scoil Mhuire, O’Brien’s Place,Youghal, (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62060R

Bandon Grammar School Bandon (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62090D

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Blarney (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62270F

Loreto Secondary School Fermoy (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62370J

Midleton College Midleton (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62380M

St Mary’s High School Midleton (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62530F

North Monastery Secondary School Our Lady’s Mount (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62692I

Christ King Girls’ Secondary School Half Moon Lane (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

62730N

St Patricks College Gardiner’s Hill (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

70920O

Colaiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhic Ire, Co Chorcaí

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

70931T

Scoil Mhuire Béal Atha An Ghaorthaidh (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

70950A

Clonakilty Community College Clonakilty

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Cork

91391H

St Peter’s Community School Passage West (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

16821G

Clochar Padraig Naofa Carndonagh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

17241Q

S N Domhnach Mor Castlefin (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

17260U

Scoil An Leinbh Iosa Killymard (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

18131O

S N Muire Gan Smal Ard Aratha (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

19310T

Scoil Naomh Earnan (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

19959E

Scoil Naomh Fionan Whitecastle (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

62770C

Scoil Mhuire Secondary School St. Oran’s Road (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

71230R

Deele College Raphoe (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Donegal

91409A

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair Doirí Beaga (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Belgard

00729F

Clochar Loreto N S Grange Road (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Belgard

19574H

Marley Grange Ns Divine Word Ns (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Belgard

60121B

Moyle Park College Clondalkin (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Belgard

60272W

The Kings Hospital Palmerstown (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Belgard

60630W

St Kilian’s Deutsche Schule Roebuck Road (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin City

19589U

Gaelscoil Inse Chor 700-701 An Cuarbhothar Theas (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin City

60770P

St Mary’s Secondary School Holy Faith Convent (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin City

60800V

Loreto College Crumlin Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin City

70290H

Ballsbridge College Of Further Education (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Fingal

17569E

Blessed Oliver N S Baile An Ridire (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Fingal

17928G

Sn N Sailbheastar Nfa Malahide (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Fingal

19549I

St Fintans Ns St Fintan N S (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Fingal

19660A

Rush Ns Rush (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Fingal

60343T

St Joseph’s Secondary School Convent Lane (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dublin Fingal

91315O

Scoil Phobail Chuil Mhin Cluain Saileach (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

06200O

Booterstown Boys

New School

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

18863J

Dominican Convent Special School, Blackrock, (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

20141G

The Harold School Eden Road (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

60050E

Oatlands College Mount Merrion

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

60070K

Dominican College, Sion Hill

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

60090Q

Rathdown School Glenageary (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

61010U

Wesley College Ballinteer (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

70050K

Dun Laoghaire College Of Further Education (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

03607G

Sn Aindreis Noafa, Baile Locha Riach, (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

14394D

Sn Cill Fheicin, Gort (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

15523Q

S N Naomh Iosef Bothar An Chlochair (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

16071M

Scoil Chroi Naofa Athenry (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

17574U

Sn Naomh Ciarain, Connamara, (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

17782E

S N Bride Naofa Sean Tallamh (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

19241D

Dominican Convent Taylor Hill (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

19996K

St Brendans Ns Portumna (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

63040Q

Presentation College Headford (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

63101K

St Pauls Oughterard (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

63171I

Mercy College Woodford (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

71280J

St Brigids Vocational School Loughrea (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Galway

91411K

Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara Carna (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

02418V

Knockaderry N S Farranfore (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

03132I

S N Sliabh A Mhadra Ballyduff (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

11746Q

Castlegregory Mxd N S Castlegregory (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

61220I

St. Joseph’s Secondary School Doon Road (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

61301I

Coláiste Íde Baile An Ghóilín (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

61360B

The Intermediate School Iveragh Road (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kerry

91504R

Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra Rathmore (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

13328I

Newbridge 2 N S (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

13902O

Hewetsons N S Clane (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

16302F

St Brigids N S Ballysax (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

16706G

St Josephs Bns Kilcock (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

17872F

St Conleths And Marys N S Newbridge (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

18288B

Scoil Mhichil Naofa Athy (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

61690W

Cross And Passion College Kilcullen (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kildare

70670R

Colaiste Lorcain Castledermot (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kilkenny

16827S

Scoil San Lionard Dunnamaggin (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kilkenny

17108O

St Johns Infants N S Kilkenny (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kilkenny

61560J

St Kieran’s College Secondary School (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kilkenny

70600T

Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Kilkenny

70610W

City Vocational School New Street (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Laois

07183W

St Josephs Girls N.S. Davitt Road (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Laois

16070K

Mountmellick Boys N S Mountmellick (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Laois

71470O

Clonaslee Vocational School Clonaslee (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Laois

91426A

Community School Mountmellick (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Leitrim

19423J

St. Patrick’s Ns (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Leitrim

71570S

Vocational School Drumshanbo (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Leitrim

81013P

St. Clare’s Comprehensive School Manorhamilton (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Leitrim

91496V

Community School Carrick-On-Shannon (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

09306W

Croom National School Croom (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

11422N

Mahoonagh N S Castlemahon (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

16443A

Scoil Padraig Naofa B Dublin Road (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

16913L

Scoil Na Naoinean Eas Geiphtine (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

19667O

Our Lady Of Lourdes N S Rosbrien (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

19894C

An Mhodh Scoil Ascail Ui Chonaill (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

64280S

Salesian Secondary School Fernbank (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Limerick

64310B

Villiers Secondary School North Circular Road (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Longford

14650S

Cloontagh Mixed N S Cloontagh (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Longford

71710I

Ardscoil Phadraig Granard (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

17862C

Realt Na Mara Sois. Mill Street (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63841E

St Mary’s Diocesan School Beamore Road (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63850F

Our Ladys College Greenhills (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63860I

Sacred Heart Secondary School Sunnyside (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63880O

Colaiste Rís Sraid An Tséipéil (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63890R

St Mary’s College Dundalk (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63900R

St Vincent’s Secondary School Seatown Place (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

63910U

St Louis Secondary School Dun Lughaidh (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

71761C

St Oliver’s Community College Drogheda (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Louth

71770D

Ó Fiaich College Dublin Road (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

13145A

S N Naomh Colm Cille Westport (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

13174H

St Columbas N.S. Inishturk (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

14205U

S N Mainistir Muigheo Claremorris (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

18070U

Convent Of Mercy N.S. Claremorris (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

18561Q

S N Naomh Ioseph Raithini (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

64500G

Balla Secondary School Balla (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

64640W

St Joseph’s Secondary School Foxford (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

64690O

Scoil Muire Agus Padraig Swinford (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

64691Q

Coláiste Mhuire Tuar Mhic Éadaigh (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Mayo

72160E

Carrowbeg College Westport (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Meath

15104T

Bride Naofa N S Cannistown (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Meath

17480L

S N Baile Cheant Baile Cheant (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Meath

18132Q

S N Muire Carlanstown (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Meath

19018A

Dangan Mixed N S Dangan (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Meath

19476H

St Oliver Plunkett Ns Navan (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Meath

19867W

Scoil Na Rithe Dun Seachlainn (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Monaghan

00359V

St. Louis Girls National School Park Road (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Monaghan

64770M

Our Lady’s Secondary School Castleblayney (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Monaghan

72180K

Inver College Carrickmacross (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Offaly

16013V

Edenderry Convent N S St Marys Road (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Roscommon

14966W

Kilteevan N S Roscommon (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Roscommon

15083O

St Marys Convent N S Roscommon (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Roscommon

15557K

Cloonfad N S Ballyhaunis (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Sligo

15217J

Ardkeerin N S Riverstown (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

01594N

St Johns Roscrea (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

04005G

S N Naomh Peadar Horse And Jockey (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

16810B

Eochaille Ara N S Newtown (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

16835R

S N Naomh Treasa Borrisoleigh (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

18379E

Barnane N S Templemore (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

18775M

S N Micheal Naofa (Tipperary)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

65380E

St Mary’s Secondary School Nenagh (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

65460C

Presentation Secondary School Thurles (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

72400V

Comeragh College Greenside (Tipperary S.R.)

New School

2.4

Tipperary

72450N

St Joseph’s College Newport (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

72490C

Vocational School Castlemeadows (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Tipperary

76069P

Colaiste Phobáil Ros Cré Corville Rd (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Waterford

15046I

St Stephens N S Waterford (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Waterford

18380M

S N Faiche Liag Portlairge (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Waterford

18793O

Sc Naomh Eoin Le Dia Passage Road (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Waterford

76066J

Meánscoil San Nioclás Rinn O Gcuanach (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Westmeath

05916G

Tyrellspass Mixed National School

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Westmeath

17189R

Rath Eoghan N S Rath Eoghan (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Westmeath

19008U

Scoil Phadraig Baile An Mhuileann (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Westmeath

63190M

Marist College Retreat Road (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Westmeath

63280N

St Finian’s College Mullingar (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wexford

17858L

S N Coill An Iarainn Kilanerin (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wexford

18558E

S N Baile An Phiarsaigh Drinagh (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

11372B

Brittas Bay Mxd N S Brittas Bay (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

12529N

St Saviours N S Rathdrum (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

14398L

The Glebe N S Wicklow (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

17500O

S N Muire Mxd Barndarrig (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

17826V

Na Coroine Muire Mxd Ashford (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

18118W

Coolfancy N S Cul Fhasaigh (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

19734D

St Francis N S Newcastle (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

20039P

Scoil Naomh Iosaf Baltinglass (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

61820J

Loreto Secondary School Vevay Rd (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

70760S

Blessington Community College Naas Rd (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Wicklow

81016V

East Glendalough School Station Road (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.4

Carlow

17053P

Bishop Foley Memorial School Carlow (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cavan

14336M

Searcog I N S Shercock (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cavan

16316Q

St Marys N S Arva (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cavan

19679V

S N Aodhain Naofa An Babhun Bui (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cavan

70360C

St. Mogue’s College Bawnboy (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Clare

16946D

Sn An Phairtin Mixed Parteen (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

04230N

Scoil Naomh Eoin Ballincurrig (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

09537S

Ballinadee N S Bandon (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

12447L

Baltydaniel N S Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

12967O

Inchigeela N S Inchigeela (Cork County)

New School

2.5

Cork

13779S

S N Dhrom Athain Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

14116V

Kilbrittain Mixed N S Kilbrittain (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

14816D

Scoil Lachtain Naofa (Cork)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

15701O

Bartlemy National School, Rathcormac, Fermoy, (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

15903D

Killavullen Ns, Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

16259H

Kilcolman N S Enniskean (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

17313P

Our Lady Of Lourdes Ballinlough (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

19224D

S N Cillmin Cillmin (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

19637F

Scoil Fionnbarra Beal Atha Ghaorthaidh (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

62560O

Coláiste Chríost Rí Capwell Road (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

62580U

Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh Bishopstown (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

62661U

Mount Mercy College Model Farm Road (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Cork

76064F

Glanmire Community College Glanmire (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

04809A

Scoil An Aingil Choimheadai An Cheididh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

18129E

Scoil Naomh Peadar (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

18251B

Ayr Hill N S Ramelton Ramelton (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

18520C

Scoil Phadraig Rath Seinche (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

18605K

Scoil Naomh Padraig Boys Carndonagh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

19518U

S N Naomh Baoithin Sc Naomh Baoithin (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

62861F

St Columbas College Stranorlar (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

76084L

Moville Community College Carrownaff (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

81011L

The Royal And Prior School Raphoe (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Donegal

91407T

Rosses Community School Dungloe (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Belgard

60561G

St Michaels College Ailesbury Road (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Belgard

91510M

St. Colmcille’s Community School Scholarstown Rd (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

04992R

Scoil An Croi Naofa Glasnevin (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

11894I

Scoil Mhuire 15 Gilford Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

16577V

St Brigids Convent Glasnevin (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

16860Q

Corpus Christi N S Home Farm Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

17367P

Scoil Mhuire Gns Navan Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

17912O

S N Eoin Bosco Buach Navan Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

18342E

S N Louise De Marillac Ballyfermot (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

18817C

S N Brighde Cullenswood House (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

60500J

Marian College Ballsbridge (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

60910F

Alexandra College Milltown (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin City

60991I

Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

09492W

Balscadden N S Balscadden (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

16267G

St Patricks Boys National School Portrane Road (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

16332O

St Patricks Snr Mixed Skerries (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

18412W

S N C Naomh Padraig Donabate (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

18976W

S N Cholmille B Swords (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

18977B

S N Cholmcille C Swords (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

19601H

St Philip The Apostle Junior N S Mountview (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

19643A

St Philips Senior N S Mountview (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

60120W

Mount Sackville Secondary School Chapelizod (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dublin Fingal

70010V

Balbriggan Community College Pine Ridge (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

19723V

Queen Of Angels Primary School Wedgewood (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

13914V

Scoil Naomh Iosef Rathun (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

14377D

S N Cill Conaill Cill Conaill (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

14420B

S N Naomh Padraig Tully (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

15331H

S N Baile Nua Maigh Chuilinn (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

16293H

S N Cill Richill Baile Locha Riabhach (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

16982H

S N Ath Eascrach Chuain Beal Atha Na Sluagh (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

17444H

S N Seosamh Naofa An Ceathru Bhan (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

17789S

S N Cill Tartain Gort Inse Guaire (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

18332B

Scoil Naomh Padraig Magh Locha (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

18636V

S N Bheanain Tuam (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

19529C

Scoil Mhuire Maigh Cuilinn (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

19803T

S N Seamus Naofa Bearna (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

62870G

Presentation College Athenry (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

63100I

Calasanctius College Oranmore (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

71270G

Gairmscoil Mhuire Athenry (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

71300M

Gairmscoil Éinne Oileain Arann Cill Rónain (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

71310P

Gairm Scoil Chilleáin Naofa Cnoc Breac (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

71320S

Gairmscoil Fheichin Naofa Corr Na Mona (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Galway

71370K

Coláiste Ghobnait Inis Oírr (Galway County)

New School

2.5

Galway

71380N

Gairmscoil Na Bpiarsach Ros Muc (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

04062S

Listowel Presentation Primary Listowel (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

12832O

Scoil Mhuire B Killorglin (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

17012B

S N An Fhossa Killarney (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

19384C

Ardfert Central N S Ard Fhearta (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

19631Q

Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Rath Ronain (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

19941I

Gaelscoil Faithleann Cill Airne (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

61250R

Meánscoil Phadraig Naofa Castleisland (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

68070E

Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kerry

68075O

Meánscoil Nua An Leith Triuigh Caislean Ghriaire (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kildare

16845U

Rathcoffey N S Rathcoffey (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kildare

17873H

S N Connlaodh Naofa N Newbridge (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kildare

17931S

S N Brighde Ticknevin (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kildare

18130M

St Patricks Ns Johnstownbridge (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kildare

18430B

S N Baile Roibeaird (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kildare

18650P

Newtown Ns Enfield (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kilkenny

16116I

S N Naomh Colmain Clarach Higginstown (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kilkenny

16485Q

St Brendans Mixed N S Hugginstown (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kilkenny

61510R

Coláiste Éamann Rís Callan (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kilkenny

61590S

Presentation Secondary School Loughboy (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Kilkenny

91360T

Community School Castlecomer (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Laois

63420D

Scoil Iosaif Cbs Portarlington (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Leitrim

15194A

Naomh Caillin Fiodhnach Foxfield (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Leitrim

17233R

Manorhamilton B N S Scoil San Clar (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

06516S

Kildimo National School Kildimo (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

16264A

Abbeyfeale B N S 1 Abbeyfeale (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

17076E

Scoil Mhuire Gleann Ruadh (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

18367U

S N Toinn An Tairbh Cappamore (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

19475F

St Brigids Ns Singland (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

64250J

Presentation Secondary School Sexton Street (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Limerick

71930W

Limerick Senior College Mulgrave Street (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Longford

19467G

Saint Mels Saint Mels (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Louth

63840C

St. Joseph’s C.B.S. Newfoundwell Rd (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Louth

71750U

Bush Post Primary School Riverstown (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

13797U

Lecanvey N S Westport (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

14671D

S N Na Craobhaighe Carrowmore-Lacken (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

15257V

Quignamanger N S Ballina (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

18175L

S N Beannchair Carrowmore (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

18542M

S N Naomh Padraig Castlebar (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

19832D

Scoil Raifteiri Faiche An Aonaigh (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

19903A

Kiltimagh Central Kiltimagh (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

20037L

S N Padraig Naofa Louisburgh (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

64700O

Rice College Castlebar Road (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

64710R

Sacred Heart School Westport (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

72100J

St. Tiernan’s College Crossmolina (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Mayo

91494R

St Louis Community School Kiltimagh (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Meath

10801Q

Drumbarragh N S Drumbarragh (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Meath

17203I

S N Ultain Naofa Domhnach Padraig (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Meath

19768U

Scoil Mhuire Ashbourne (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Monaghan

16923O

Urbleshanny N S Urbleshanny (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Monaghan

18494E

St Louis Infant School Park Road (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Offaly

10353P

Charleville N S (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Offaly

18406E

S N Proinsias Naofa Clarach (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Offaly

19638H

Coolderry Central Ns Brosna (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Roscommon

65080P

C.B.S. Roscommon Abbeytown (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Sligo

02013S

Ballintogher N S Ballintogher (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Sligo

15004P

Scoil Asicus Lar Easa (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Sligo

15571E

Kilglass N S Enniscrone (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Sligo

19408N

Rathcormack N S Rathcormack (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Sligo

19964U

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Ballymote (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Sligo

72320A

Coláiste Iascaigh Easkey (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Tipperary

15560W

Bishop Harty Ns Ballinree (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Tipperary

16344V

St Marys Jnr B N S Nenagh (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Tipperary

18135W

Scoil Angela Ursuline Convent (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Tipperary

18213Q

S N Leamhach Thurles (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Tipperary

19645E

St Oliver Plunketts Ns Heywood Rd (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Waterford

16976M

S N Deaglan Portlairge (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Westmeath

14603J

Rochfortbridge Convent Rochfortbridge (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Westmeath

19205W

Naomh Tola N S Coill Uailleach (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Westmeath

63191O

St Aloysius College The Park (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wexford

06959G

Clonroche N S Clonroche (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wexford

13335F

Court N S Court (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wexford

15407O

S N Baile Thomais Baile Thomais (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wexford

18280I

Scoil Naomh Ioseph Gorey (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wexford

18824W

St Iberius N S Davitt Road (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wexford

91492N

Gorey Community School Esmonde Street (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

17181B

St Josephs N S Templerainey (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

18242A

Carnew N S Carnew (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

18489L

Tinahely N S (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

19339U

Stratford Lodge Ns Baltinglass (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

70770V

St Thomas’ Community College Novara Avenue (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

70790E

Coláiste Bhríde Carnew Carnew (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Wicklow

91376L

St. Killian’s Community School Ballywaltrim (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

2.5

Carlow

61150N

Presentation / De La Salle College Royal Oak Road (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Cork

16159D

Mallow Con N S Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Cork

16377N

St Marys National School Orilia Terrace (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Cork

62180E

Coliste Mhuire, Cobh (Cork)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Cork

81009B

Boherbue Comprehensive School Boherbue (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Dublin Belgard

19465C

St Kevins Boys Kilnamanagh (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Dublin Belgard

19466E

St Kevins Girls Kilnamanagh (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Dublin City

09750S

St Josephs Boys N S Terenure (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Dublin Fingal

60021U

St Marys Secondary School Baldoyle (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Dublin Fingal

91316Q

Blakestown Community School Blanchardstown (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Kerry

70560K

Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Tobar Mhaigh Dor (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Mayo

05215W

S N Croi Iosa Ballina (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Offaly

72530L

Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa Frederick St. (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Tipperary

17332T

St Marys Parochial School Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

2.6

Cavan

11205F

Killeshandra 2 N S (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Cavan

14320U

Corlea N S Kingscourt (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Cavan

19418Q

Castlerahan Central Ns Castlerahan (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Cavan

19527V

Cabra Central N S Cabra (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Clare

10568N

S N Cuibhreann Cill Chaoi (Clare)

New School

3.1

Clare

13870E

Kilkishen N S Sn Muire Na D Chomhairl (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Cork

02114B

S N Baile Ui Ghiblin Mitchelstown (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

15770K

S N Naomh Naille Na Caologa (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

16138S

Raphoe Central N S Raphoe (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

16608G

Killybegs Common N S The Commons (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

16837V

S N Duchoraidh Duchoraidh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

16850N

St Garvan’s N.S. Drum Halla (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

17040G

S N Naomh Samhthann Drumdoit (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

17057A

Dromcaoin Bealach Fheid Dromcaoin (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

18058H

Scoil Naomh Seosamh Rathdomhnaill (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

18286U

S N Na Hacrai Ailt An Chorrain (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

19009W

Craanford N S Craanford (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Donegal

19228L

S N Naomh Brid Na Dunaibh (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin Belgard

20166W

Griffeen Valley Educate Together Ns (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin Belgard

60902G

St Pauls Secondary School Greenhills (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin City

18205R

S N An Pharoiste Finglas (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin City

19668Q

St Francis Senior N S Priorswood (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin City

60520P

Belvedere College S.J 6 Great Denmark Street (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin City

91344V

Rosmini Community School Grace Park Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Dublin Fingal

60383I

Coláiste Choilm Dublin Road (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Galway

08958O

S N An Eanaigh Cailini Ballyglunin (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Galway

10095T

S N Naomh Treasa Killure (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Galway

12946G

S N Coilm Cille Ros-A-Mhil (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Galway

13528Q

S Nn Oilean Droim Leitir Mor (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Galway

15835M

St Brendans N S Loughrea (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Galway

19973V

Scoil Mhuire Clifden (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Kerry

08530W

Lauragh National School Killarney (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Kerry

19536W

Holy Family (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Kildare

15599D

St Brigids Primary School Kildare Town (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Kildare

15769C

Monasterevan Convent Monasterevan (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Leitrim

08673V

The Hunt N S Castle Street (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Leitrim

18181G

St. Hugh’s N.S. Dowra (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Limerick

18872K

Scoil Ide Corbally (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Louth

01434O

S N Columcille Tullydonnell (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Louth

01553W

Louth Mixed N S Louth (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Mayo

13659I

Beacan Mixed N S Bekan (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Mayo

14808E

Irishtown N S Claremorris (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Mayo

16021U

Lisaniska N S S N Lios An Uisce (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Mayo

16122D

Knock N S Claremorris (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Mayo

16173U

Kinaffe N S Swinford (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Mayo

16283E

S N Pol A Tsomais Beal An Atha (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Meath

11039O

Kilbeg N S Kilbeg (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Meath

11978O

Scoil Mhuire Ns Moylagh (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Meath

16143L

S N Pheadair Agus Phoil Drumconrath (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Meath

17560J

S N Seosamh Naomtha Dun Doire (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Meath

18037W

S N Mhuire Baile Ui Earain (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Offaly

02413L

S N Naomh Eoin An Rath (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Roscommon

16427C

Clonown N S Athlone (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Roscommon

16816N

Attyrory N S Ballinasloe (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Sligo

15342M

S N Naomh Mhuire Ceis Chorainn (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Tipperary

00590A

Borrisoleigh B N S Borrisoleigh (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Tipperary

15008A

Shronell N S Lattin (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Tipperary

17244W

S N Naomh Ruadhain Lorrha (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Waterford

15540Q

Ballyduff B 2 N S Ballyduff (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Westmeath

08100U

S N Phadraig Baile Eamainn (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Westmeath

17182D

Mhichil Naofa N S Castletown-Geoghegan (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Westmeath

19650U

Scoil Cholmain Naofa Bellview (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Wexford

03633H

Scoil Náisiúnta Bhantiarna Lourdes Bunclody (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Wexford

16833N

Kiltealy N S Kiltealy (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Wicklow

00973Q

Grange Con N S Grange (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Wicklow

10131U

Moin An Bhealaigh N S Moin An Bhealaigh (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

3.1

Cavan

16767D

Coronea N S Arva (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cavan

16959M

S N Corrabha Glangevlin N S (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cavan

17440W

S N Naomh Maodhog Cill Na Bheart (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

08241P

Scropul N S Mullagh (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

15981A

Lakyle N S Whitegate Via Limerick (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

16870T

Scoil Na Mbraithre Ennistymon (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

16930L

Scoil An Sraith S N Tulach Brach (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

18109V

S N Inis Cealtrach Mountshannon (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

19043W

New Quay Ns Burren (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

19551S

Inchicronan Central Ns Crusheen (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

19838P

Gael Sc Mhichil Chiosog Inis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

01272O

S N Chuan Doir Chuan Doir (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

03993O

S N Breac Maigh Castlelyons (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

11931L

S N Ioseph Drinagh (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

12382J

Curriglass Ns Curriglass (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

13728B

Castletownsend Mxd N S Skibbereen (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

14813U

Roscarbery Con N S Roscarbery (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

15646J

Coomhola N S Bantry (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

17794L

S N An Phairc Youghal (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Cork

18468D

Scoil Mhuire Caislean Ui Dhonnabhain (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Donegal

01733B

Ardara Mixed N S Ardara (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Donegal

17721H

Scoil Treasa Naofa Malainn (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Donegal

19686S

St Macartans Central Bundoran (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Dublin Belgard

19221U

Scoil Naomh Aine Clondalkin (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Dublin City

18968A

St Malachys B N S Edenmore (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Dublin City

19895E

Scoil Mhuir S Iosaf St Marys Place (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Dublin City

19928Q

Ranelagh Multi Denom Ns Ranelagh Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

07551C

Ballinderreen Mxd N S Ballinderreen (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

09833W

S N Leitirgeis Leitirgeis N S (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

11261P

Scoil Mhuire An Tuairin (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

15228O

S N Padraig Naofa Corr Gharra (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

16091S

Gort Inse Guaire B N S Gort Inse Guaire (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

16750J

Parochial N S Cearnog Ti Na Cuairte (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

17689O

S N Tir An Fhiaidh Leitir Mor (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

17770U

S N Naomh Colmain Carna (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

17919F

Aibhistin Naofa Cluain Tuaiscirt (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

19283T

Ballymacward Central Sc Ballymacward Central Sc (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Galway

19544V

Kilchreest Central Sch Kilchreest (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kerry

09837H

Black Valley National School Beaufort (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kerry

14366V

Loughfouder N S Knocknagoshel (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kerry

15592M

S N Ceann Tra Meascaithe Ceanntra (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kerry

15978L

Curraheen Mxd N S Glenbeigh (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kerry

16014A

St Finians An Corain (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kerry

19448C

S N Realt Na Mara Tuath O Siosta (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kildare

18449W

St Conleths N S Derrinturn (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kilkenny

16230G

S N Lisnafunchin Castlecomer (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Kilkenny

70620C

Coláiste Cois Siúire Mooncoin (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Laois

12231L

Rush Hall Mixed N S Portlaoise (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Laois

13937K

Stradbally Convent Stradbally (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Leitrim

16474L

Carrigallen N S Carrigallen (Leitrim)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

07222G

Banogue National School Croom (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

11809O

S N Cnoch A Deaga Ballylanders (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

14305B

Ballylanders N S Kilmallock (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

14516O

Feale View N S Abbeyfeale (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

17487C

Scoil Nais Cathaircinnlis (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

17593B

Scoil Naomh Mhuire Cnoc Ui Coileain (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

18530F

Askeaton Senior Ns Askeaton (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

18612H

Scoil Mhuire Achadh Lin (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Limerick

64150F

Glenstal Abbey School Murroe (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Mayo

18002D

Drumgallagh N S Ballycroy (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Mayo

19808G

Tavrane Central Ns Kilkelly (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Meath

17652O

Scoil Oilibheir Naofa Coillcluana (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Meath

18195R

St Finian N S Clonalvy (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Offaly

15325M

Clonbullogue N S Clonbullogue (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Offaly

16435B

St Ciarans Mixed N S Ballycumber (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Offaly

18115Q

S N Mhuire Cluain Na Ngamhain (Offaly)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Roscommon

19368E

S N Naomh Ciaran Scoil Naomh Ciaran (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Sligo

18543O

S N Clochog Castlebaldwin (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Sligo

19340F

St Josephs Special Sch Ballytivan (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Tipperary

07245S

Cullen N S Cullen (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Tipperary

13210I

St Josephs National School Ballingarry (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Tipperary

14460N

Killea N S Templemore (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Tipperary

19937R

Gaelscoil Aonach Bothar Naomh Chonlain (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Wexford

01840C

St Canice S Convent Rosbercon (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Wexford

14777T

Kilmyshall N S Kilmyshall (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Wexford

14900P

Gusserane N S Gusserane (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Wicklow

17265H

Rathdrum Boys N S Rathdrum (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

3.2

Clare

19700J

Lisdoonvarna N S Lisdoonvarna (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Clare

70830N

Ennis Community College Ennis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Cork

04054T

Ballindangan Mixed N S Mitchelstown (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Cork

11992I

Whitegate Mixed N S Midleton (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Cork

12263B

Gogginshill N S Ballinhassig (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Cork

13662U

Dunmanway Convent Inf Dunmanway (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Cork

17888U

S N Na Trionoide Bealad Rossmore (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Cork

18237H

Maria Assumpta G N S Ballyphehane (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Donegal

03294L

S N Caiseal Na Gcorr Gort A Choirce (Donegal)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Dublin City

60550B

Chanel College Coolock Village (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Dublin City

61020A

Stratford College 1 Zion Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Dublin City

70240P

Kylemore College Kylemore Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Dublin Fingal

60810B

Loreto College Swords (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

19901T

Booterstown N S Cross Ave (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Kildare

18063A

S N Naomh Lorcain Levitstown (Kildare)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Kilkenny

17758H

Scoil Mhichil Naofa Crosspatrick (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Limerick

20094A

Scoil Chriost An Slanaitheoir Baile An Gharrai (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Limerick

64290V

Ardscoil Mhuire Corbally (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Louth

18126V

S N San Nioclas Tigh Banan (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Louth

18312S

S N Talamh Na Manach Talamh Na Manach (Louth)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Monaghan

10718G

Billis National School Billis (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Monaghan

17686I

Scoil Mhuire Bns Castleblaney (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Monaghan

19434O

Latton Latton Ns (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Sligo

14051T

Stokane Ns Enniscrone (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Sligo

17641J

S N Realt Na Mara Rosses Point (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Tipperary

02237R

Dualla N S Dualla (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Tipperary

07358I

S N Sceichin A Rince An Chuirt Doite (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Tipperary

17783G

S N Chuirt Doighte Cahir (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Tipperary

19294B

Lisvernane N S Galbally (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Waterford

17525H

Dunmore East Convent Ns Dunmore East (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Waterford

19955T

S N Na Toirbhirte Clocar Na Toirbhirte (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Westmeath

19350I

S N Chruimin Naofa Muilte Farannain (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Wexford

12841P

St Patricks N S Ballyroebuck Ns (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Wexford

16841M

S N Nmh Brighde Blackwater (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Wexford

19352M

Sc Nais Realta Na Mara An Chill Mhor (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Wicklow

15676S

Padraig Naofa B N S St Patricks Road (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Wicklow

18502A

S N Naomh Brid Talbotstown (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

3.3

Carlow

17462J

Scoil Nais Mhichil Baile Nua (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cavan

08948L

Milltown N S Belturbet (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cavan

19378H

Ballynarry N S Ballyheelan (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cavan

19871N

St Patricks N S Killinagh (Cavan)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Clare

18339P

Sn Iosef Naofa An Mhaigh (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Clare

18639E

S N Baile Na Cailli Ennis (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Clare

19338S

Flagmount Central Ns Flagmount Central Ns (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

02278I

Millstreet Convent N S Millstreet (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

10523O

Fermoy Adair N S Fermoy (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

17079K

S N Carraig An Ime Macroom (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

17281F

Togher N S Dunmanway (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

17754W

S N Naomh Eoin B Ballincollig (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

17755B

Scoil Naomh Mhuire C Ballincollig (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

17761T

S N Mhuire Araglinn (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

18100D

Lisgriffin N S Goleen (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

18246I

S N Baile Muine Ballineen (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

18734V

Realt Na Maidine Ballyphehane (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

19906G

Cork N School Project Grattan Street (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Cork

19978I

Maulatrahane Central Ns Leap (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin City

16759E

S N Mhuire Na Mbrathar Marino (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin City

19583I

St Josephs Senior N S St Josephs Senior Ns (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin City

19766Q

Scoil Iosagain/Mhuire Mount La Salle (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin City

19767S

Scoil Mhuire/Seosamh Mount La Salle (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin City

19954R

North Bay Educate Together Ns Greendale Avenue (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin City

60420L

Árdscoil Rís Griffith Avenue (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Dublin Fingal

01170G

S N Na H-Aille The Naul (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Galway

15958F

St. Josephs N.S. Woodford (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

01396J

Tulloha National School Kenmare (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

10755M

Scoil An Fhirtearaigh Tra Li (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

11363A

Scoil Atha Na Mblath Killarney (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

18832V

Castlemaine N S Castlemaine (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

19917L

Gaelscoil Naomh Aogain Bothar Luimnigh (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

19986H

S N Eoin Baiste Garrai Na Dtor (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

61450C

Presentation Secondary School Tralee (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kerry

70540E

Causeway Comprehensive School Causeway (Kerry)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kilkenny

16028L

Thomastown Convent Ns Thomastown (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Kilkenny

17093E

S N Bhreandain Naofa Nagh Coillidhe (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Laois

18513F

Naomh Padraig N S Doire Liaim Oig (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Limerick

20184B

Galvone Ns Kennedy Park (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Mayo

14195U

An Gleanna Mhoir S N Crossmolina (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Monaghan

14071C

Drumgossett N S Drumgossett (Monaghan)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

11470B

Slieveardagh N S The Commons (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

13678M

Killurney N S Ballypatrick (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

14181J

Poulicapple N S Callan (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

17703F

S N Ard Croine Nenagh (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

18443K

S N Iosef Naofa Eaglais (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

20062K

Scoil Mhuire Borrisokane (Tipperary N.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Tipperary

72390V

Vocational School Cappawhite (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Waterford

14568K

Killea Boys N S Dunmore East (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Waterford

19814B

Scoil Gearbhain Straid Emmett (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Westmeath

17236A

Boher N S Boher (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Wexford

11986N

Convent Of Mercy Pairc An Chinneideach (Wexford)

Extension/Refurb

3.4

Limerick

16715H

St John The Baptist Boys N S Downey Street (Limerick City)

Extension/Refurb

3.5

Please see separate table with Applications provisionally assigned a band rating in Band 4 (with date of application received).

Applications which attract Band 1.4 provisional band rating due to Rationalisation.

Roll No.

School Name and Address

Enrolments

14052V

Kanturk B N S Kanturk (Cork County)

117

17087J

S N An Chlochair Kanturk (Cork County)

187

18000W

Naomh Mhuire B Carrigtwohill (Cork County)

257

19855P

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain Bothar Nangor (Dublin Belgard)

273

19991A

Gaelscoil Na Camoige Aras Chronain (Dublin Belgard)

228

70100W

Coláiste Chilliain Bóthar Nangor (Dublin Belgard)

399

07546J

Goldenbridge Convent Goldenbridge (Dublin City)

251

68073K

New Girls Secondary School Tuam (Galway County)

765

68074M

New Boys Secondary School Tuam (Galway County)

581

18821Q

Milltown Monastery Milltown (Kerry)

45

20112W

Caherciveen N S Caherciveen (Kerry)

173

20255V

Bunscoil McAuley Rice

286

18547W

Faolan Naofa N S Baile Ui Ruain (Laois)

39

13386W

SN an Chroi Naofa, Portlaoise (Laois)

345

19286C

SN Naomh Mhuire, Portlaoise (Laois)

367

18828H

St. Pauls N.S., Portlaoise (Laois)

397

91519H

Ballinamore Community School Ballinamore (Leitrim)

293

20233L

Scoil Catriona, Cappaghmore

94

18259R

Lanesborough Primary School Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál (Longford)

71

20230F

Scoil Phadraic Westport (Mayo)

306

20289P

St. Cynoc’s National School Ferbane (Offaly)

195

20122C

Scoil Mhuire & Iosaf National School, Colloney, Sligo.

106

08903M & 13014I

Fethard Convent NS & Naomh Padraig NS, Fethard

204

10120P & 18716T

Cahir BNS & Cahir GNS, Cahir

481

20198M

Templemore Ns Templemore (Tipperary N.R.)

244

12007G & 18235D

Ferrybank Convent NS & Scoil Mhuire An Port Mor NS, Ferrybank

398

20116H

Glor Na Mara NS, Tramore

478

12372G & 16741I & 17457Q

Michael St NS & CBS NS & Naomh Iosaf NS, New Ross

718

20208M

St Josephs And St Ernans Wicklow Town (Wicklow).

222

Applications for major capital works in Band 4

County

Roll No.

School

Application for

Provisional Band rating

Date of Application

Tipperary

04620D

Thomastown N S Thomastown (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

09/02/2000

Kilkenny

05437R

Presentation Convent G.N.S. Mooncoin (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

26/04/2007

Tipperary

11453B

Lisnamrock N S Coalbrook (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

09/02/2000

Tipperary

12180U

Presentation Primary School Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

15/02/2000

Carlow

13607M

St Columbas N S Tullow (Carlow)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

08/05/2007

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

14586M

Carysfort Ns Convent Road (Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

18/04/2006

Kilkenny

16204F

S N An Moinin Rua Caislean An Chumair (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

15/06/2001

Kilkenny

16865D

Clontubrid Mixed N S Freshford (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

13/10/2005

Tipperary

17486A

S N Cleireachain Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

07/07/2005

Cork

18587L

Scoil Mhuire Banrion Mayfield (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

23/05/2000

Limerick

19323F

S N Beal Atha Grean Kilmallock (Limerick County)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

19/12/2005

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

60081P

Rockford Manor School Stradbrook Rd (Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

27/11/1998

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

60130C

Loreto Abbey Secondary School Dalkey (Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

27/01/2000

Dublin City

60290B

St Pauls College Sybil Hill (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

01/03/2002

Dublin Fingal

60380C

St Dominic’s High School Santa Sabina (Dublin Fingal)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

21/08/2000

Dublin City

60510M

St Johns College De La Salle Le Fanu Rd (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

28/07/2004

Dublin Belgard

60640C

Sandford Park School Ltd Sandford Road (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

19/12/2000

Dublin City

60791A

St Marys Secondary School St Brigids Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

22/04/1998

Dublin City

60890C

St Louis High School Charleville Road (Dublin City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

28/03/2000

Kilkenny

61550G

Meánscoil Na Mbráithre Criostaí Sráid Shéamais (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

29/06/1998

Wicklow

61860V

Dominican College Wicklow (Wicklow)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

08/02/1999

Cork

62210K

Nagle Rice Secondary School Doneraile (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

04/03/2003

Cork

62330U

Patrician Academy Mallow (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

09/11/2000

Cork

62691G

Regina Mundi College Douglas Road (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

15/04/1999

Galway

62900M

Coláiste Mhuire Ballygar (Galway County)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

27/11/2000

Galway

62981P

Coláiste Einde Threadneedle Road (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

01/05/2008

Galway

63000E

Presentation Secondary School Presentation Rd (Galway City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

24/09/2004

Meath

64360Q

St. Joseph’s Secondary School (Meath)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

08/03/2000

Waterford

64950O

De La Salle College Newtown (Waterford City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

10/11/1999

Tipperary

65490L

The Abbey School Station Road (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

30/04/2007

Kilkenny

70640I

Grennan College Ladywell St (Kilkenny)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

09/03/2001

Clare

70880F

St Joseph’s Community College Carrigholt Rd. (Clare)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

22/11/2001

Cork

71030J

Mcegan College Macroom (Cork County)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

03/05/2001

Cork

71122O

Colaiste Stiofán Naofa Tramore Road (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

01/11/1997

Westmeath

71430C

Columba College Killucan (Westmeath)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

06/12/2005

Laois

71520D

St Fergal’s College Dun Laoighre/ Rathdowney (Laois)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

30/03/2007

Longford

71720L

Lanesboro Community College Lanesboro (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

24/11/2006

Longford

71730O

Templemichael College Templemichael (Longford)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

01/08/2006

Mayo

72070D

McHale College Achill Sound (Mayo)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

20/04/2000

Waterford

72230W

St Declan’s Community College Kilmacthomas (Waterford County)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

10/04/2006

Sligo

72360M

Ballinode College Ballinode (Sligo)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

29/04/1998

Tipperary

72420E

Central Technical Institute Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

26/05/2000

Dublin Belgard

91335U

Tallaght Community School Balrothery (Dublin Belgard)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

10/12/2001

Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

91343T

St. Tiernan’s Community School Parkvale Dun Laoighre/ Rathdown

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

10/05/2000

Cork

91400F

Mayfield Community School Old Youghal Road (Cork City)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

10/09/2004

Roscommon

91493P

Castlerea Community School Castlerea (Roscommon)

Extension/Refurb

Band 4

07/01/2002

Applications on Hand 5th October 2009 — currently being assessed.

Roll No.

School Name & Address

Date Received

Description

17230L

S N Cnoc Rua, Cavan

07/04/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

09750S

St. Joseph’s Boys N S, Terenure, Dublin 6.

20/04/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

16936A

S N Naomh Padraig, Cregmor, Claregalway, Co Galway

29/05/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

17968S

Ursaille Naofa, Naas, Co Kildare

26/03/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

17650K

S N Ide, Athy Co Kildare

04/06/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

18494E

Clochar Lughaidh NAI, Monaghan Town

05/02/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

20267F

Scoil Bhríde Primary School, Edenderry, Co Offaly

16/02/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

16291D

Clooncagh N S., Roscommon

12/02/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

08100U

S N Phadraig, Killucan, Co Westmeath

04/02/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

17500O

S N Muire Mxd, Kilbride, Co Wicklow.

22/04/2009

Application for Major Capital Works

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1183 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the new circumstances including name and address being experienced throughout the construction industry; the challenges arising for the primary buildings unit and external design consultants in terms of the operation and management of large public tender competitions and the management of projects on-site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33408/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

As the Deputy will be aware, the construction industry has experienced a change in trading conditions in the last year. This has resulted in certain changes for the operation and management of large public tender competitions and the management of projects for my Department.

The reduction in demand generally in the construction industry has resulted in welcome reductions in prices being quoted in tenders for large scale projects. In addition, the number of contractors seeking to pre-qualify for inclusion in tender lists has increased.

The larger number of applications being received requires a greater amount of time and resources to be allocated to the assessment of such pre-qualification submissions.

In addition, the more difficult trading conditions mean that the Department has to be aware of the risk of successful tenderers not being able to secure the necessary bonds etc. required before the contract can be awarded.

My Department is also aware of an increased risk of contractor insolvency arising mid-contract due to constrained credit availability and generally difficult trading conditions.

The introduction of the new public works contracts and associated documentation has, as anticipated by my Department, proved to be a major change for the public sector construction industry. Consultancy firms, already affected by large scale redundancies, have taken time to adjust to the implications of the changes, notwithstanding the efforts of my Department to ease the transition, through briefing sessions and guidance documentation.

Contractors, in order to secure projects in the current market conditions, appear to be taking an extremely competitive approach to the risk elements transferred to the contractor under the new form of contract. External design consultants will have the increased challenge of ensuring that building quality is maintained, notwithstanding this competitive approach.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1184 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he made decisions on project progression in the school building programme that did not accord with recommendations made to him by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33409/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The progression of school building projects, whether to commence architectural planning or to proceed to tender and construction, is undertaken with regard to a range of factors including the availability of funding and the priority attaching to projects.

During the process to make a final selection of projects for the purposes of developing a school building programme, I consult with, and am advised by, officials in my Department.

Consistent with this, I will be liaising with my officials over the coming months to formulate a school building programme for 2010.

Teaching Qualifications.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1185 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers who qualified as primary teachers in Northern Ireland who were appointed to temporary positions in primary schools in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33410/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1186 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers who qualified as primary teachers in Northern Ireland who were appointed to permanent positions in primary schools in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33411/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1185 and 1186 together.

Information relating to appointments in temporary or permanent positions by teachers who qualified in Northern Ireland is not available on my Department's systems.

However, I will arrange for information in relation to the number of appointments of EU qualified teachers to permanent and temporary posts in primary schools to be forwarded to the Deputy.

School Staffing.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1187 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he will take to ensure that all teaching positions in primary schools whether temporary, permanent or substitute will be filled by a fully qualified teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33412/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The recruitment and appointment of personnel to fill teaching posts is a matter for the authority of each individual school, subject to agreed procedures.

It is the policy of my Department that only qualified personnel should be employed. Unqualified personnel should not be appointed except in exceptional circumstances and then only when all avenues for recruiting qualified personnel have been exhausted.

Teaching Qualifications.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1188 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who trained in another jurisdiction who undertook the Scrudú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33413/09]

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1189 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who trained in another jurisdiction who passed the Scrudú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge during the 2008/2009 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33414/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1188 and 1189 together. My Department has made enquiries with Marino Institute of Education and the number of primary teachers who trained in another jurisdiction and who undertook all or part of the Scrudú Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge (SCG) during the 2008/2009 academic year was 589. The SCG consists of 4 modules and candidates may take different modules in different years. The number who passed the SCG in this period was 413.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1190 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers who trained in another jurisdiction who have opted for an adaptation period under the terms of Directive 2005/36/EC.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33415/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

In accordance with the terms of Directive 2005/36/EC the Teaching Council is the designated authority in Ireland for assessing applications for registration from persons recognised as teachers in other EU/EEA countries.

Where shortfalls are identified in the courses of study undertaken leading to the academic and professional qualifications held by such applicants, the applicant must be given the choice of addressing theses shortfalls by means of an aptitude test or by way of an adaptation period.

In relation to the primary sector, while shortfalls may arise in a variety of fields, such as curricular areas, the foundation disciplines, or age range, the most common shortfall to be addressed is in relation to the Irish language requirement.

I have made inquiries with the Teaching Council and from the 28th March 2006 to date, the number of primary teachers who trained in another jurisdiction who have indicated the Adaptation option as their preferred method of meeting the Irish Language requirement is 315.

Educational Disadvantage.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1191 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science his views, in view of the hardship caused to families by his decision to discontinue the free books scheme for necessitous pupils in primary schools, on the reintroduction of the scheme in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33416/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect, education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be totally spared. The changes made in relation to book grants were one aspect of these measures.

The key change is that aid for school books is being restricted to schools that have been included within the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme. By limiting the funding to schools within the DEIS scheme, savings of €7.5m will be achieved.

As the Deputy will be aware, DEIS is the action plan for educational inclusion and focuses on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities. Approximately €7 million was made available in 2008 to DEIS schools at primary and post-primary level for the school book grant scheme; the same level of provision has been made available for distribution to schools in the DEIS programme in 2009. At primary level, 673 schools will receive enhanced funding, while at second level, 203 schools will benefit.

The continuation of this provision to these schools is testament to the Government's determination to prioritise social inclusion and protect the most vulnerable in our society. There is a need to focus targeted resources on the schools in most need. This is in line with the broad thrust of the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2006 report on primary disadvantage.

My Department has encouraged schools to implement book rental schemes as a measure to minimise the cost of school books to all parents. As far back as 1993, a report commissioned by my Department dealt with the factors which contribute to the cost of school text books. The report included useful suggestions for schools, including a code of good practice for successful operation of book rental schemes. I know that many schools have developed such rental schemes.

It is open to schools to utilise general capitation funding to fund book rental schemes.

My Department has issued a circular to schools and vocational education committees, outlining that funding provided to meet day-to-day running costs can be used to provide school books where this is a priority for the school or the VEC. My Department has sought to ensure that schools are fully aware that using any funds provided by my Department for such purposes is not only legitimate but desirable.

Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

School Discipline.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1192 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the section 29 appeals undertaken in each of the past five years including the outcome of these appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the board, expels, suspends for a period greater than 20 days, or refuses to enrol a student. In these circumstances, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision. Where the school is established or maintained by a VEC an appeal shall lie in the first instance to the VEC and thereafter to the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol or re-instate a pupil.

The information requested by the Deputy is included in the attached table, which details the total number of appeals admitted by the Department for each of the last five full years, the total which proceeded to full Section 29 hearing, and the outcome of these appeals. Section 29 appeals statistics

Year

Total Appeals

Appeals to Full Hearing

Upheld

Not Upheld

2004

253

135

72

63

2005

300

173

73

100

2006

266

164

74

90

2007

383

218

88

130

2008

385

235

91

144

School Transport.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
1193 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if the school bus routes in an area (details supplied) will proceed to tender; if so, the timeframe involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33423/09]

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

I wish to advise the Deputy that the planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.

My Department sought clarification from Bus Éireann on the tendering arrangements for the area referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied. Bus Éireann has now advised that the tendering exercise for the 2009/10 school year has been completed.

Schools Building Projects.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
1194 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the planned development of a new school (details supplied) in County Cork; and when he expects construction to commence. [33430/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project to which the Deputy refers was one of 25 projects I announced in February 2009 to commence architectural planning. Designs have been prepared and planning permission lodged for the project. The progression of the project is contingent on the receipt of the necessary statutory approvals and the acquisition of two strips of land by the Patron.

It is not possible at this juncture to give an indication as to when this project will commence construction pending the satisfactory resolution of these issues.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
1195 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a planned extension to a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; and the time line for the completion of the project. [33431/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress to tender and construction and is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

The design team is currently working on a stage 2(b) submission which, when completed, will then be submitted to my Department. Following receipt and approval of the stage 2(b) submission my Department will revert to the school regarding next steps in the progression of the project towards tender and construction. However, at this stage of the process, it is not possible to be definitive regarding a time scale for the commencement or completion of construction work.

Michael McGrath
Share
Michael McGrath
Question:
1196 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a planned extension and refurbishment works at a second level school (details supplied) in County Cork. [33432/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress to architectural planning and the project is currently awaiting the appointment of a design team.

Seán Barrett
Share
Seán Barrett
Question:
1197 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 408 of 3 February 2009, and 440 of 31 March 2009, if approval has been given for the construction of a replacement second level school (details supplied) in County Dublin to proceed to tender and construction stages in 2009; if the project architect’s sketch design, regarding which he replied to departmental queries in June 2009, has been approved by his Department; the reason for the delay in progressing the tender process and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33440/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress to tender and construction and is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.

In late April, the Department issued detailed comments on the stage 2a submission (developed sketch design) and requested additional information from the design team relating to the project. This was received in June and reviewed by the Department's technical staff and further detailed comments issued in September. The design team was requested to consider and respond to each of the comments listed.

Following receipt and approval of the design team's response my Department will revert to the school regarding the next steps in the progression of the project towards tender and construction.

Mary O'Rourke
Share
Mary O'Rourke
Question:
1198 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the building project for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [33454/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including 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 delivery of the project at this time.

Teachers’ Remuneration.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1199 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the tasks, duties or activities the standard teaching contract for teachers stipulates; the breakdown as to the amount of hours expected to be spent on each of these tasks, duties or activities within the standard contract; the renumeration for each of these tasks, duties or activities; if he will provide a copy of the standard contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33479/09]

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1200 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if the standard teaching contract includes renumeration for non teaching tasks; the arrangements that exist between his Department and teachers for the payment of school planning, parent teacher meetings, inservice training, supervision of students and other miscellaneous management duties; the cost of these arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33480/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1199 and 1200 together.

As the Deputy will be aware the employment relationship for teachers in Ireland is with individual school authorities rather than with my Department.

While that is the case the actual contract offered by schools and duties required of a teacher must take account of, inter alia, employment legislation, the rules applying in the sector and the outcome of determinations and agreements reached in an industrial relations context over time.

As a general statement it is fair to say that teaching/class contact time is the dominant feature in the contractual arrangements for teachers in Ireland in contrast to the arrangements in some other jurisdictions. This has meant that many of the duties referred to by the Deputy are not comprehended within the contractual arrangements except where changes have been secured through the modernisation element of recent national agreements. For example changes in relation to parent teacher meetings and staff meetings were secured under Sustaining Progress. Additional payments for substitution and supervision were agreed in 2002 to cover a range of duties in those categories.

It is also worth noting that many teachers engage voluntarily in school activities over and above what is required in contractual terms and in doing so add to the holistic development of their pupils.

My Department's submission to the last benchmarking exercise identified in broad terms the differences in the contractual arrangements for teachers in Ireland compared to other jurisdictions and this material was also provided to the Special Group on Expenditure. I will arrange to have the Deputy provided with a copy of this material.

I can also arrange to have Department officials brief the Deputy on the detail of the different contractual arrangements or provide copies of particular relevant circulars if he so wishes.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1201 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the way money is spent by his Department on the payment of every individual allowance paid to teachers which fall under management allowances; the number of teachers who avail of each of these allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33481/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Teachers employed in primary, secondary and community/comprehensive schools and paid on the payrolls operated by my Department are paid on a fortnightly basis. The management allowances payable to these teachers are included as part of the salary paid each fortnight.

The details of the numbers of teachers currently in receipt of management allowances on these payrolls are outlined in the attached tables. The managerial authorities of the schools are continuing to submit details of appointments to management posts to my Department for the 2009/2010 school year and the details are being recorded on the databases.

Information on the numbers of teachers holding management allowances in vocational schools is held by the individual vocational education committees.

PRIMARY

Type of P.O.R.

Numbers Sept. ’09

Principal

*3,380

Deputy-Principal

2,535

Vice-Principal

2

Assistant-Principal

1,421

Grade A Post

5

Special Duties Teacher

7,930

Grade B Post

16

*Inclusive of allowances held on a personal basis.

POST PRIMARY

Type of P.O.R.

Nos. Sept. ’09 Voluntary Sec

Nos. Sept. ’09 C&C

Principal

*399

*99

Deputy-Principal

*384

*108

Vice-Principal

Nil

Nil

Assistant-Principal

*2,251

*749

Grade A Post

1

2

Special Duties Teacher

3,842

1,199

Grade B Post

1

2

Director — Adult Education

10

41

Principal — Adult Education

11

41

Programme Co-Ordinator/AP Post

105

38

Programme Co-Ordinator/Special Duties Post

48

4

PO Sports Complex Manager

Nil

4

*Inclusive of allowances held on a personal basis.

Schools Building Projects.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1202 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school building project (details supplied) in County Mayo will commence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that he turned the sod at this site in advance of the local elections in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33485/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress to tender and construction and is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

A stage 2B submission has been received by my Department and is currently being considered. A contract notice seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors has been published on the State's e-tenders website and short-listing of contractors has commenced.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this project is progressing towards tender and construction.

Vocational Education Committees.

Fergus O'Dowd
Share
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
1203 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the returns in tabular form from each individual vocational educational committee regarding the number of applications received for the special incentive career break, indicating the number awarded or refused and the saving that could have been made on the salary for same; if he is monitoring the number of awards and refusals by each VEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33500/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The information requested by the Deputy is set out below. My Department is processing the details returned by the VECs on the applications they have received under the special incentive career break scheme. My Department will continue to monitor the implementation of this and the other incentivised schemes by the VECs.

VEC

Numberof Applications Received

Number awarded

Number Refused

2009 Estimated Savings for approved applications (part year)

2010 Estimated Savings for approved applications (full year)

2009 Estimated Savings not accruing for refused applications (part year)

2010 Estimated Savings not accruing for refused applications (full year)

€

€

€

€

City of Cork

1

1

0

33,173.00

26,824.76

City of Dublin

2

2

0

12,341.18

66,180.17

City of Limerick

0

City of Waterford

0

Dun Laoghaire

0

City of Galway

1

1

0

3,765.20

20,905.52

Co Carlow

2

2

0

14,267.85

60,072.94

Co Cavan

0

Co Clare

0

Co Cork

0

Co Donegal

0

Co Dublin

1

1

0

2,067.18

6,348.83

Co Galway

2

2

0

10,724.00

60,322.55

Co Kerry

2

2

0

33,016.69

Co Kildare

0

Co Kilkenny

0

Co Laois

0

Co Leitrim

1

1

0

11,185.00

43,426.00

Co Limerick

0

Co Longford

0

Co Louth

1

0

1

15,769.00

47,754.00

Co Mayo

2

0

2

830.73

15,874.87

Co Meath

0

Co Monaghan

0

Co Offaly

0

Co Roscommon

0

Co Sligo

0

Co Tipperary (NR)

0

Co Tipperary (SR)

0

Co Waterford

0

Co Westmeath

0

Co Wexford

0

Co Wicklow

2

0

2

8,702.00

73,332.62

Totals

17

12

5

87,523.41

317,097.46

25,301.73

136,961.49

School Transport.

Brian O'Shea
Share
Brian O'Shea
Question:
1204 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to provide a 45-seater school bus from the Dunmore East area of County Waterford to enable 10 children to attend secondary schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33555/09]

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

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

A service may be established where a sufficient number of eligible pupils, within an area, apply for transport to the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they live.

In a case where there are not enough eligible pupils residing in an area to warrant the establishment of a service, a transport grant may be paid by the Department to the parent/guardian of the eligible pupils concerned.

The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who choose to send their children to a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their local post-primary centre have been catered for and no additional state cost is incurred. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.

In general, catchment boundary tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis.

The transport liaison officer for Waterford has advised that the pupils in question reside in the Tramore catchment area and therefore may only apply for catchment boundary school transport to Waterford City post-primary centre subject to terms of the scheme. As the present services are operating to capacity, it would not be appropriate to provide additional seats to accommodate catchment boundary pupils.

School Placement.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1205 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a second level place will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33588/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school refuses enrolment to a student. A section 29 appeal recently took place in respect of a refusal to enrol this child to a school in Leixlip. This appeal was not upheld. Only where an appeal under section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB will try to help parents to find an alternative school placement if their child has been unable to secure a placement to date. I understand that in this instance that the NEWB are actively assisting the family in pursuing applications to other schools.

Home Tuition support may also be provided, on application, as a temporary interim measure, for pupils who do not have a school placement or are unable to secure a school place.

School Transport.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1206 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the pick up point for children will be relocated by approximately 500 metres in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33589/09]

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

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

Bus Éireann, which is responsible for the operation of the school transport scheme, on behalf of my Department, has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, reside 1.05 kilometres from the existing pick up point.

Bus Éireann has also advised that the pick up point is considered to be as safe as other pick-up points being used by pupils travelling under the school transport scheme throughout the country.

Planning Issues.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1207 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has made available his area based analysis and forecasts for future school place demand as identified through his new geographic information system in order to allow the elected members of all local authorities to properly consider school planning needs as part of the planning system and particularly when a local authority is preparing a new development plan or a local area plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33597/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The forward planning section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.

The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 selected locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. This information has been circulated to all existing school patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as patron for any new primary school, should it be required. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.

The forward planning section is in the process of carrying out an analysis of each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015.

When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the forward planning section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.

As a matter of course, there is ongoing close liaison between my Department and local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of any proposed major housing developments and their possible implications for school provision.

Schools Building Projects.

Eamon Gilmore
Share
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
1208 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the sketch design for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin has not been approved, in view of the fact that this was one of the schools listed in March 2009 to proceed to tender; when the sketch design will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33599/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to progress to tender and construction and is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.

In late April, the Department issued detailed comments on the stage 2a submission (developed sketch design) and requested additional information from the design team relating to the project. This was received in June and reviewed by the Department's Technical staff and further detailed comments issued in September. The Design Team have been requested to consider and respond to each of the comments listed.

Following receipt and approval of the Design Team's response my Department will revert to the school regarding the next steps in the progression of the project towards stage 2(b) of architectural planning.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

Mary Upton
Share
Mary Upton
Question:
1209 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the entitlements of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33608/09]

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

The person referred to by the Deputy is participating in a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) course. VTOS participants are entitled to a training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit, plus a payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. VTOS students also retain their social welfare secondary benefits and are eligible for meal and travel allowances. In addition, a training bonus is paid to participants who have been in receipt of their social welfare payment for at least 12 months (312 days) directly before their course commencement date.

I understand from the relevant VEC that the person referred to by the Deputy did not have the required amount of days in receipt of their social welfare payment before their course commencement date to qualify for receipt of the training bonus.

School Staffing.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
1210 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers, language assistants, special needs assistants and other school staff which have been let go, or who have not had their contracts renewed, for both the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 school years for each primary and post-primary school in Dublin 15; the staffing level under each category for these school years for each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33610/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The recruitment, selection and appointment of staff whether for teaching or other positions in a school rests with Boards of Management as employer.

The Statistics section of my Department's website now contains data at individual primary school level, including the number of teachers in each school for the 2008\2009 school year. However it does not contain information on the number of Special Needs Assistants or other school staff in each school.

If the Deputy has an enquiry about a particular school my officials will be happy to provide the information directly to her.

The Primary Census for the 2009/2010 school year will be carried out in the Autumn and the final outcome will be made available when this process is completed.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has published provisional information on the Department's website about teacher allocations for 2009/10 school year. This was done as a first step at improving the level of information in the public domain about changes to the staffing allocations at both primary and post-primary level. The allocation process will not reach finality until later this year and I remain committed to publishing updated information.

School Management.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1211 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 32 of 2 July 2009, if concerns expressed in the whole school evaluation at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 have been addressed; the steps he has taken to address the problems in this school since July 2009; his views on whether the closure of this school is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33612/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I have already expressed my very great concern regarding the serious weaknesses that were identified in the WSE report in relation to the school in question.

Officials in my Department have held further meetings with the management of the school over the summer period. At the last meeting the chairperson of the school reported that the board had appointed a fully qualified teacher to serve as principal of the school. The local inspector has visited the school since the commencement of the new school year and has provided advice and support for the principal.

I can assure the Deputy that my officials will continue to engage closely with the patron and the Board and that the quality of the school's work will be monitored through further inspection visits during the coming school year.

The Patron of this school has indicated to the Department that he wishes the school to continue while fully acknowledging that the difficulties at the school have to be resolved. My Department's focus at this time is to support the school in bringing about the required improvements.

Site Acquisitions.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1212 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science if progress has been made towards the acquisition of a site for a post primary school at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; his views on the delays that have arisen in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33672/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I wish to advise the Deputy that the acquisition of the site in question will be considered in the context of the Department's Multi- Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Schools Building Projects.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1213 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when construction of a new school will commence at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33673/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project to which the Deputy refers was recently tendered. The school's Design Team is currently preparing the Tender Report. When this report is completed and submitted to my Department, the project will be considered for progression to the next stage i.e. the award stage.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1214 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of plans to realign and rationalise primary school provision at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33674/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I can confirm that it is my Department's intention to facilitate the rationalisation of primary school provision in the area to which the Deputy refers.

Applications for building projects from the schools to enable this have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the projects in question, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including these projects, 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at this time.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1215 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of plans to realign and rationalise primary school provision at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33675/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I can confirm that it is my Department's intention to facilitate the rationalisation of primary school provision in the area to which the Deputy refers. Two building projects are needed to facilitate this, one of which is currently in the early stages of architectural planning.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the projects in question, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including these projects, 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 Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at this time.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Share
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
1216 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science when an announcement will be made in respect of a bundle of schools proposed for delivery under the public private partnership process, tenders for which are currently under consideration by the National Development Finance Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33676/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Final tenders for the second bundle of Primary/Post Primary schools consisting of six schools were received by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on the 1st July 2009.

The tender evaluation process is nearing completion and it is expected that the preferred bidder will be announced shortly. Subject to the planning process it is envisaged that construction work on all six schools will commence in Spring 2010 and that the schools should be ready for occupation in September 2011.

Pat Breen
Share
Pat Breen
Question:
1217 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33678/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project to which the Deputy refers has been tendered and a preferred bidder identified. Officials in my Department recently authorised the Board of Management to commence the award process. The first stage of this process is to request the preferred bidder to submit various documents such as his insurances, bond, tax clearance etc. If\when the preferred bidder submits these documents and they are found to be in order, the project will be considered for the next stage which is the award of the contract.

School Accommodation.

Seán Power
Share
Seán Power
Question:
1218 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the provision of innovative modular buildings is an efficient and effective way of providing classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33689/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

As you may be aware, a wide-ranging review of the provision of temporary school accommodation is underway in my Department. Part of that review is the development of standardised designs and specifications and associated documentation for the procurement of temporary accommodation. In progressing this element of the review, the firm of specialists engaged to assist with this review has engaged with a number of firms who specialise in the provision of modular accommodation that is capable of being constructed off-site and delivered and erected on school sites within a short time-frame. Issues such as cost, quality, durability, maintenance and demountability will be examined and assessed and decisions will be made based on this assessment.

The firm of specialists are working in close co-operation with my Department on all elements of the review. My officials hold regular meetings with the firm to review and discuss developments. Recommendations arising from the work being undertaken will be implemented as soon as practicable with a view to achieving better value for money and improved quality of school accommodation.

Furthermore, in preparing the brief for new school building projects that are approved to proceed to architectural planning, consideration is now being given by my Department to the provision of additional accommodation through the use of modular designs where the schedule of accommodation, site constraints, extent of intervention in existing buildings, planning/statutory approval issues, timescale for delivery etc. are favourable to that approach.

Elements of modular design were incorporated in the rapid delivery programmes for developing areas that were delivered for the 08/09 and 09/10 school years.

I am satisfied that these programmes were successful and effective in terms of quality of accommodation provided and speed of delivery.

Special Educational Needs.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
1219 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 17 September 2009, the areas of expertise in which third level primary degrees of all 84 special educational needs organisers are held; if it is a requirement that Special Educational Needs Organisers hold a professional qualification in psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy education or a related expertise, if this is not the field of their primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33691/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Educational Needs Organisers are employed by the National Council for Special Education which prescribes the following qualifications and experience required for appointment to these positions: a third level qualification, preferably at degree level, or a professional qualification relevant to the provision of services to children with disabilities; and at least two years' experience in the education of children or the delivery of other services to children with disabilities.

My Department does not hold information on the qualifications of individual SENOs.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
1220 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 17 September 2009, the kind of additional information required to be provided by parents, guardians or the school to secure a review by the National Council of Special Education of a decision by a special educational needs organiser; the other avenues available to parents who are unhappy with a SENO decision but do not have additional information to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33692/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

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 to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

While the NCSE recognises that the outcome of such applications may not always be to the satisfaction of the applicant, SENOs are available to discuss the basis for their decisions with schools, parents/guardians. The NCSE will undertake to review a decision taken by a SENO on foot of a request from a school or parents/guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information such as professional reports which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. This process is outlined in the NCSE's Circular 01/05.

Appointments to State Boards.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
1221 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Special Education Appeals Board as provided for in Section 26 of the Education for People with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 has been established and is operational; the persons who are on the board; the functions of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33693/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The Special Education Appeals Board was established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to hear and determine appeals under the Act.

The Appeals Board comprises a Chairperson, Ms Fionnuala Kilfeather, and two ordinary members, Mr Páid McGee and Mr Patrick O'Keeffe, all of whom have a special interest in, or knowledge of, education and in particular the education of persons with special educational needs. Appointments were made to this inaugural board in April 2007 for an initial three year term.

Board members are working to ensure that appropriate structures and processes will be in place once the relevant sections of the act, which would allow appeals to be undertaken, are commenced.

School Staffing.

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1222 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each primary school in Dublin 6W at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33694/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1223 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each primary school in Dublin 8 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33695/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1224 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each primary school in Dublin 10 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33696/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1225 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each primary school in Dublin 12 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33697/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1226 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each primary school in Dublin 20 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1222 to 1226, inclusive, together.

The Statistics section of my Department's website now contains data at individual primary school level, including the number of teachers in each school for the 2008/2009 school year. The Primary Census for the 2009/2010 school year will be carried out in the Autumn and the final outcome will be made available when this process is completed.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has published provisional information on the Department's website about teacher allocations for 2009/10 school year. This was done as a first step at improving the level of information in the public domain about changes to the staffing allocations at both primary and post-primary level.

The allocation process will not reach finality until later this year and I remain committed to publishing updated information.

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1227 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each post-primary school in Dublin 6W at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33699/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1228 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each post-primary school in Dublin 8 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33700/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1229 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each post-primary school in Dublin 10 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33701/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1230 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each post-primary school in Dublin 12 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33702/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1231 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching staff in each post-primary school in Dublin 20 at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009; the corresponding figures for the 2009/2010 academic year; the reason for the change in staffing levels;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33703/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1227 to 1231, inclusive, together.

Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. At the level of individual schools, the budget changes in relation to the allocation of teaching posts will impact in different ways, depending on whether enrolment is rising or declining and the degree to which any one school has more teachers than it is entitled to under the allocation processes.

Provisional information on teacher allocations to second level schools, whether enrolment related or otherwise, was published on my Department's website. The information represents the position at the time of publication and is not the final position. At this point the allocations process for special needs, language support etc. is still underway. The information on the Department's website will be further updated later in the year when the allocation process is fully completed. At that stage a comparison can be made between the level of resources allocated to schools this year compared to last year.

School Curriculum.

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1232 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the future of the Social Personal and Health Education programme at post primary level; if he is committed to ensuring this subject is given due recognition in schools and is taught by fully trained staff;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33704/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) forms a mandatory part of curriculum provision in primary schools and in junior cycle. The overall aim is to help develop students' confidence and self esteem, and promote the skills for living, for responsible decision making, and for mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

The implementation of these programmes in schools is supported by support services at primary and second level which provide professional development for teachers and advice and support to schools. At second level, a full time support service is operated jointly with the Health Sector. A range of resources and manuals are available to support teachers in implementing the programme. While evaluations of the second level programme have indicated many positive features and have viewed the training provided by the support services as of high quality, the lack of a pre-service qualification for teachers in this area, allied with continued changes of staff deployed within schools to teach SPHE, may dilute the impact of inservice training. My Department is examining how this issue can best be addressed in the context of overall priorities and resources across the system.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1233 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of class sizes for each primary school in Dublin 6W for the current 2009/2010 academic year; the number of schools with classes of more than 30 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33705/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1234 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of class sizes for each primary school in Dublin 8 for the current 2009/2010 academic year; the number of schools with classes of more than 30 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33706/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1235 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of class sizes for each primary school in Dublin 10 for the 2009/2010 academic year; the number of schools with classes of more than 30 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33707/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1236 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of class sizes for each primary school in Dublin 12 for the current 2009/2010 academic year; the number of schools with classes of more than 30 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33708/09]

Catherine Byrne
Share
Catherine Byrne
Question:
1237 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of class sizes for each primary school in Dublin 20 for the current 2009/2010 academic year; the number of schools with classes of more than 30 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33709/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1233 to 1237, inclusive, together.

Class size data for primary schools for 2009/2010 is not yet available. The source of this data is the Annual Census of Primary Schools which is carried out in the Autumn. Data will become available when returns for all schools have been processed.

Departmental Correspondence.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1238 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) which was sent to him on 23 September 2009 concerning issues pertaining to the Muslim National School in Clonskeagh in Dublin 14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33726/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The correspondence to which the Deputy refers was received in my Department last week. The issues raised in this correspondence will be referred to the patron of the school concerned.

Teachers’ Pensions.

John McGuinness
Share
John McGuinness
Question:
1239 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is entitled to opt out of payment of widows and orphans contribution made through their salary to his Department; if they are entitled to reclaim the contributions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33739/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The Revised Spouses and Children's Pension Scheme was introduced in 2005 following a Government decision. Teachers who were members of the main pension scheme at any time between 31 March 2004 and 31 August 2005 were given the option of joining the revised scheme or of retaining their present status, either as members of the Original Spouses' and Children's Scheme or remaining outside such schemes.

The person to whom the Deputy refers was provided with details of the revised scheme and a personalised option form. She returned the option form within the option period in which she opted for membership of the revised scheme. In signing the option form the person confirmed that she had read the circular and was opting for the revised scheme. Accordingly, she exercised a valid option to join the revised Spouses' and Children's Pension Scheme for Secondary Teachers and it is not possible to revoke it.

Schools Building Projects.

Olivia Mitchell
Share
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
1240 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if progress has been made on the provision of funding for a school (details supplied) at a new site in Ballinteer, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33760/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme, along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

In order to determine the long term accommodation needs of the school in question, my Department have been in contact with its Special Needs Organiser (SENO). My Department will be in contact with the school authorities when the SENO's report has been received. Thereafter, the progression of any project for the school will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project at this time.

Schools Refurbishment.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1241 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 4 is placed on the list of schools awaiting approval for refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33847/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction 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 delivery of the project at this time.

School Curriculum.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1242 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the recent statistics published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, regarding the learning of foreign languages in secondary schools (details supplied); his views on the poor showing of Ireland, in which 18.8% of students here do not study any foreign language compared to an EU average of 6.4%, when only 8.2% of students here study two foreign languages compared to an EU average of 60.1%; his strategy to ensure Ireland reach the European average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33851/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

81.2% of second level pupils study three languages, Irish, English and a continental language, to completion of upper second level, and over 70% of schools offer two foreign languages or more. The languages available as part of the post primary curriculum in schools include French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Arabic. The post primary language initiative provides supports to encourage a diversification of language provision in schools and to encourage the take up of languages other than French.

It is important that students experience a broad and balanced education which prepares them for economic and social participation, for democratic citizenship and lifelong learning. Of necessity this requires that students have to juggle priorities in making decisions on subject choice. Curricular choice is important in ensuring that young people are offered a balanced range of subjects in keeping with their interests and abilities, and that they are motivated to achieve success in learning and remain in school to completion of upper second level education.

The study shows that English is the most widely studied language in upper second level education across the EU other than their mother tongue. The fact that all Irish people speak English, often referred to as the new lingua franca, can be a disincentive to the learning of other languages, just as in other European Member States it is often difficult to promote the learning of languages other than English.

Schools Building Projects.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1243 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a technical team from the school planning section of his Department will visit a school (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that the school is waiting since January 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme, along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

In order to determine how best to provide for the school's accommodation needs, it will be necessary to have a technical assessment of the existing buildings carried out. This would normally be carried out when the project is being progressed.

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.

Jimmy Deenihan
Share
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1244 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33882/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression 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 delivery of the project at this time.

State Examinations.

Sean Sherlock
Share
Sean Sherlock
Question:
1245 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if the grant for schools starting the leaving certificate applied programme will be re-instated; if assurances will be given that the leaving certificate applied programme will not be subject to further reductions in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33889/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

In 2008, my Department provided grants of €1.23 million to schools for the Leaving Certificate Applied programme. Schools also benefited from an equipment grant, amounting to €5,079 for each school offering the programme.

As a result of the need to make savings in Budget 2009, this grant was abolished with effect from 1 January 2009. The budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect, the education sector, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be totally spared. Even with the budget measures in place there will still be a significantly increased borrowing requirement in 2009.

While certain grants were abolished, such as that available for the Leaving Certificate Applied, I would like to emphasise that the capitation grant for post-primary schools has been increased by 4.3%, representing an increase of €14 per pupil, to bring it to €345 per pupil from January 2009. Voluntary secondary schools also received an increase in the school services support grant by €8 per pupil from January 2009. This will mean, for example, that a secondary school with an enrolment of 500 pupils will receive an additional €11,000 in funding in 2009. A more favourable teacher allocation ratio applies to the Leaving Certificate Applied programme.

Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Third Level Fees.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
1246 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to a refund or a continuation of fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33891/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The position is that under my Department free tuition fees schemes the exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students. Third level institutions are autonomous bodies and, as such, may determine the level of fees to be charged in any case where the free fees schemes do not apply. The issue of a refund of tuition fees is also a matter for each institution and I have no role in this matter.

Departmental Reports.

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
1247 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of experts’ and consultants’ reports his Department commissioned during 2008; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33898/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The information sought is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1248 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to the needs of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin that is seeking a permanent building since 2005. [33919/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

My Department previously met with County Dublin Vocational Committee to discuss the matter of a site for the school and County Dublin VEC have agreed to dispose of the site adjacent to the existing school site to the Department under the terms of a 99 year lease.

The Department has recently received the legal documents in question from the VEC and has instructed the CSSO to progress the matter. In light of current and competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Tom Hayes
Share
Tom Hayes
Question:
1249 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for schools buildings projects from South Tipperary which are open with his Department; the value of each application; the number of years each application has been open; the priority level of each project; if he will provide this information in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33921/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Information on the current school building programme and on applications on hand for major capital works is available on my Department's web-site at www.education.ie. The following tabular statement provides the additional information for schools in South Tipperary requested by the Deputy.

Every application for major capital works is initially given a provisional priority band rating. A definitive band rating is assigned to a project when it is being considered for commencement of architectural planning. The value of each application will only be known on receipt of tenders for the specific project.

Roll No.

School

Date of Application

Project

Provisional Band Rating

10120P & 18716T

Cahir BNS & Cahir GNS, Cahir

Feb-00

New School

1.4

08903M & 13014I

Fethard Convent NS & Naomh Padraig NS, Fethard

Mar-08

New school

1.4

15299O

Gaile N S Holycross (Tipperary S.R.)

Nov-07

Special Needs

1.2

19230V

Cormaic Special School Cashel (Tipperary S.R.)

Nov-04

Extension/Refurb

1.2

19615S

Scoil Aonghusa Cashel (Tipperary S.R.)

Feb-00

Extension/Refurb

1.2

18486F

S N Cill Siolain Cill Siolain (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

2.1

18538V

Scoil Mhuire Caislean Nua (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

2.1

07048Q

Mohober N S Mohober (Tipperary S.R.)

Oct-07

New School

2.2

20007C

Gaelscoil Chluain Meala Baile Gaelach (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

New School

2.2

20085W

Gaelscoil Charraig Na Siuire (Tipperary S.R.)

Jan-03

New School

2.2

72480W

St. Ailbe’S School Rosanna Road (Tipperary S.R.)

Jun-01

Extension/Refurb

2.3

72400V

Comeragh College Greenside (Tipperary S.R.)

Mar-08

New School

2.4

19645E

St Oliver Plunketts Ns Heywood Rd (Tipperary S.R.)

Jan-00

Extension/Refurb

2.5

17332T

St Marys Parochial School Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

May-01

Extension/Refurb

2.6

15008A

Shronell N S Lattin (Tipperary S.R.)

Oct-06

Extension/Refurb

3.1

07245S

Cullen N S Cullen (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

3.2

13210I

St Josephs National School Ballingarry (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

3.2

02237R

Dualla N S Dualla (Tipperary S.R.)

Jan-00

Extension/Refurb

3.3

07358I

S N Sceichin A Rince An Chuirt Doite (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

3.3

17783G

S N Chuirt Doighte Cahir (Tipperary S.R.)

Dec-00

Extension/Refurb

3.3

19294B

Lisvernane N S Galbally (Tipperary S.R.)

Feb-00

Extension/Refurb

3.3

11470B

Slieveardagh N S The Commons (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

3.4

13678M

Killurney N S Ballypatrick (Tipperary S.R.)

Jun-01

Extension/Refurb

3.4

14181J

Poulicapple N S Callan (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

3.4

72390V

Vocational School Cappawhite (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-00

Extension/Refurb

3.4

04620D

Thomastown N S Thomastown (Tipperary S.R.)

Feb-01

Extension/Refurb

4.1

11453B

Lisnamrock N S Coalbrook (Tipperary S.R.)

Feb-00

Extension/Refurb

4.1

12180U

Presentation Primary School Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Feb-00

Extension/Refurb

4.1

17486A

S N Cleireachain Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Jun-00

Extension/Refurb

4.1

65490L

The Abbey School Station Road (Tipperary S.R.)

Aug-02

Extension/Refurb

4.1

72420E

Central Technical Institute Clonmel (Tipperary S.R.)

Nov-06

Extension/Refurb

4.1

17779p

Powerstown NS clonmel Co Tipperary

Aug-99

Extension/Refurb

2.4

72430H

Scoil Ruaine, Killenaule Co. Tipperary

Aug-97

Extension/Refurb

4.1

Special Educational Needs.

Arthur Morgan
Share
Arthur Morgan
Question:
1250 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied) whereby a pupil with Asperger’s syndrome is not being facilitated in the school with the prescribed hours as set down by his Department. [33924/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Department Circular 11/95 states that a full school day at primary level comprises a period of not less than five hours and forty minutes.

Circular 11/95 and the Rules for National Schools also provide that pupils in infant classes may have a school day that is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day, (i.e. 5 hours and forty minutes). It is a matter for the Board of Management of a particular school to decide whether this concession should be applied in the case of its school. If pupils in infant classes are being given a shorter day, their parents should be notified accordingly and invited to collect them at time of dismissal.

It is acknowledged that particular circumstances may arise whereby the implementation of the shorter day for pupils in infant classes may cause issues for some parents. Where this arises, my Department would encourage school authorities to engage with parents locally with a view to arriving at a mutually acceptable resolution.

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

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

Higher Education Grants.

Richard Bruton
Share
Richard Bruton
Question:
1251 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the rule that disbars Irish citizens from the higher education grant if they have been over one year out of the country, as it bears very heavily on young people’s options when employment opportunities are scarce. [33926/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The residency clause of the scheme requires, in the case of a candidate under 23, that the candidate's parents or guardians to have been resident in the administrative area of a Local Authority from 1st October of the previous year. In the case of an independent mature candidate the candidate himself/herself must have been resident in the administrative area of a Local Authority from 1st October of the previous year. The Local Authority has discretion to waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances. I would, however, point out that the type of situation where residency is waived is, for example, where an independent mature candidate him/herself has missed the residency requirement by a relatively short period of time. In cases where a candidate returns to the State following a period abroad and where the awarding body decides, at its discretion, to waive the residency requirement the candidate may be assessed for the grant without meeting the prescribed residency requirement from 1st October of the previous year.

One of the main considerations in this type of case is the period of time a candidate has resided outside of the State. The Department suggests that in such cases, the residency requirement may be waived at the discretion of the awarding body only where the period of time abroad does not exceed one year.

On this basis, and on condition that the students submits satisfactory evidence of independent residence prior to going abroad and for the period after their return, the Department has no objection to a candidate being assessed as an independent mature candidate for the purpose of the grant application.

In cases where a candidate has been out of the country for a period of time of more than one year before commencing his/her course, irrespective of whether or not he/she can produce evidence of independent living prior to going abroad, he/she would not be eligible to be considered under the residency clause of the scheme.

In publishing the student grant schemes for 2009/10 earlier this year, I gave notice that it is intended to introduce a revised residency requirement of three out of the last five years with effect from 2010/11, in line with the provisions in the Student Support Bill. This will allow for greater flexibility in meeting the residency requirement.

Departmental Staff.

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
1252 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost to his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department for early retirements, termination of contracts and resignations for 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33949/09]

Damien English
Share
Damien English
Question:
1253 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons in his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department who took early retirement, had their contract terminated or resigned in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular readable form. [33964/09]

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1268 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of times on which his Department has sanctioned or applied for the payment of a pension top-up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department or any agency under their remit in each of the past three years; the amount paid in each case; the position vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34339/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1252, 1253 and 1268 together.

There are a number of circumstances in which it is possible for teachers and other education sector staff to retire on pension before preserved pension age. This is 60 years of age or, in the case of new entrants appointed on or after 1 April 2004 for the first time or following at least a 6 month break in service, 65 years of age.

Firstly, under the 55/35 year rule a teacher, other than a new entrant, who has reached the age of 55 years and has at least 35 years of actual pensionable service, may retire voluntarily. There is no actuarial reduction in benefits and credit for certain pre-service training is given in order to assist teachers to reach the 35-year threshold for retirement.

Secondly, under cost-neutral early retirement, a public servant aged 50 years or over (55 years in the case of new entrants) has the option of an immediate cost-neutral early retirement pension and lump sum on resignation. The cost-neutral early retirement benefits are actuarially reduced to take account of the early payment of the lump sum and the longer period over which pension would be paid.

Thirdly, a public servant with more than 5 years pensionable service may be awarded a disability pension which may include the award of added years. A person with less than 5 years service who has to retire on medical grounds has the option of taking a once-off lump sum payment.

Finally, under the pilot Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers, a pension could be granted 3 strands. Strand 1 related to teachers who were consistently experiencing professional difficulties in their teaching duties and an award of up to 5 added years was permitted. Strand 2 related to teachers whose retirement would provide their school with an opportunity to enhance the education service provided through facilitating change and up to 2 added years could be awarded. Strand 3 related to permanent teachers who were in posts which were surplus to requirements, from which they could not be redeployed readily and which would not be filled should they leave the posts. Up to 7 added years could be awarded. The Government decided to suspend the pilot early retirement scheme for teachers in all sectors until further notice as part of the Budget and Estimates decision for 2009.

Details of the numbers of teachers who retired under each of these headings in the years 2006 to 2008 and up to 31 August 2009 is set out in a table. The figures for post-primary teachers do not include VEC teachers where the retirements and pension benefit awards are made by the relevant VEC. Other than the award of added years for ill-health and the, now suspended, Early Retirement Scheme, there are no discretionary payments made to teachers.

A teacher who resigns or whose contract is terminated and who has at least two years pensionable service may apply for a pension and lump sum from age 60 (age 65 in the case of new entrants) based on actual service. Each year the Department pays a number of preserved pensions under this category.

Details of the number of Department staff who have taken early retirement and those whose contracts have terminated in the years 2006 to 2009 are included in a separate table. The Department has not sanctioned or applied a pension top- up or discretionary payment on retirement to a staff member of the Department in this period.

My Department does not record the full actuarial costs related to pensions granted by it.

My Department will seek to obtain information in relation to early retirement, resignation and termination of staff contracts, and discretionary payments for staff employed by agencies under its aegis.

Departmental Staff

Retirement Category

2006

2007

2008

2009 as at 31 August 2009

Voluntary Age 60 but under Age 65

5

8

10

4

Ill-health

4

2

8

4

Cost-Neutral Early Retirement

3

3

4

2

Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement

—

—

—

2

Resignations, End of Contracts, Dismissals

2006

2007

2008

2009 as at 31 August 2009

Resigned

9

13

9

7

End of Contract

2

—

—

—

Dismissal

2

2

—

—

National School Teachers Pension Scheme

Retirement Category

2006

2007

2008

2009 as at 31 August 2009

Voluntary Age 55 but under Age 60

202

196

230

447

Disability

59

43

35

19

Cost-Neutral Early Retirement

22

15

22

21

Early Retirement Strand 1

27

42

33

—

Early Retirement Strand 2

12

13

13

—

Early Retirement Strand 3

11

5

1

—

Secondary School Teachers Pension Scheme

Retirement Category

2006

2007

2008

2009 as at 31 August 2009

Voluntary Age 55 but under Age 60

89

129

138

274

Disability

43

50

38

34

Cost-Neutral Early Retirement

14

18

12

25

Early Retirement Strand 1

45

48

54

—

Early Retirement Strand 2

37

37

30

—

Early Retirement Strand 3

52

83

31

—

School Transport.

John Perry
Share
John Perry
Question:
1254 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim is facilitated with transport to their school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33991/09]

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

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport scheme, a pupil with special needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Science criteria.

My Department has been advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not attending the nearest such facility and is, therefore, not eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme.

This case was also the subject of an appeal to the School Transport Appeals Board which has made a determination in the matter. The parents have been notified of this decision.

School Accommodation.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1255 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in providing a new general purpose room for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34030/09]

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1256 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has been requested to provide funds to repair the sewerage and drainage system at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34031/09]

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1257 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has been requested to provide funds to repair the leaking roofs in a school in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34032/09]

Joan Burton
Share
Joan Burton
Question:
1274 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 is so dilapidated that parents are concerned that there are health and safety risks to their children; the status of the funding application in respect of refurbishment of the school; when a decision will be made in respect of this funding application; if he will commit to making the necessary investment in this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34474/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1255 to 1257, inclusive, and 1274 together.

The project to which the Deputies refer is at an early stage of Architectural Planning. A stage 2A submission (Developed Sketch Scheme) has recently been received in my Department and is currently under consideration. The major project, which includes the provision of an enhanced community facility in conjunction with Fingal County Council, will address each of the issues raised by the Deputies.

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 progression of the project at this time.

Third Level Fees.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1258 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of capital he estimates would be required to set up the proposed Australian model of third level fees, in which students take out a loan from the State to pay the cost of their education and then pay it back when they begin working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34036/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

As the Deputy is aware I presented the technical report in relation to the introduction of a form of student contribution to my Cabinet colleagues recently. The report is intended to allow for an informed examination of the issue and sets out broad policy options in an Irish context which draws on experience from other systems that operate internationally. The report also sets out a range of variables and approaches in respect of such policy options, which will also need to be taken into account in its consideration. As the Deputy will appreciate I am not in a position to comment on specific aspects of this report in advance of its full consideration by Government.

Home-School Liaison Schemes.

David Stanton
Share
David Stanton
Question:
1259 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the rate per hour under the home tuition scheme paid to qualified primary teachers and qualified secondary teachers and to other tutors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34039/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The current hourly rate of payment is €44.33 for a qualified primary teacher and €49.60 for a qualified post primary teacher.

Tutors who are not qualified teachers are paid at a rate of €30.49 per hour.

Higher Education Grants.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
1260 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount allocated to the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009. [34044/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The funding of the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme is a reflection of the Government's gratitude for the significant contribution made by Senator Mitchell to the promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The Government provided an endowment of IR£2million for the programme in 1999.

In 2007, a decision was taken to secure the long term viability of this programme by increasing Ireland's contribution to the Fund for the programme by €20 million to be paid over a number of years conditional on matching funding being raised by the US-Ireland Alliance.

Following Government approval of the general scheme of the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund (Amendment) Bill 2009, I sent the Bill to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for formal drafting. The Bill is scheduled to be published in the current session.

While a financial provision was included in my Department's Estimates for 2007 and 2008 in respect of the Fund for the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme, no payments have been made to date in that regard pending the finalisation of the necessary amending legislation to the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act, 1998.

John O'Mahony
Share
John O'Mahony
Question:
1261 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students brought to Ireland to study under the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34045/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The George Mitchell Scholarship Programme is run on an academic year basis.

Details of the numbers of students participating in this programme in the 2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 academic years are set out in a table.

Institution

2007/2008

2008/2009

2009/2010

Dublin City University (DCU)

1

2

0

National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)

1

1

1.5*

National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM)

1

1

1

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)

2

2

2.5*

Trinity College, Dublin (TCD)

2

2

2

University College Cork (UCC)

2

1

2

University College Dublin (UCD)

3

2

2

University of Limerick (UL)

0

0

1

University of Ulster (UU)

0

1

0

Total

12

12

12

*One student is undertaking a course which is being jointly delivered by NUI Galway and Queen's University Belfast.

School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1262 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 will receive funding for essential renovation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34055/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The school to which the Deputy refers was one of ten projects announced in January 2009 to be re-tendered. In order to prepare for tender and to comply with the new form of Government contract, the project was required to submit a new Stage 2b (detailed design).

Following the receipt and clearance of the Stage 2b (detailed design) submission, the project was authorised to go tender in June and a tender report was received by the Department in late August. The Department wrote to the school in early September with its comments on the Tender Report and requested that a revised Tender Report be submitted.

This revised Tender Report has been received, and is currently being assessed. When this assessment is complete, the project will be considered for progression to the next stage i.e. the award stage.

Site Acquisitions.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1263 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions his Department has had with officials in South Dublin County Council regarding the need for a new site for a school in an area (details supplied) in County Dublin. [34056/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has made a written offer to the school authorities for a site for the school in question. A response is awaited.

Higher Education Grants.

Thomas Byrne
Share
Thomas Byrne
Question:
1264 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science if a student who has previously dropped out of a third level college course can enter a new third level course and apply for grant aid from the State for fees and maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34086/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The decision on eligibility for student grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the relevant local authority or Vocational Education Committee.

The student referred to by the Deputy should seek clarification directly from the relevant assessing authority as the individual circumstances will have a bearing on the eligibility of the candidate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required.

School Enrolments.

Maureen O'Sullivan
Share
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1265 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide the number of students in the second level education system in the 2009-10 school year; the number of students enrolled in the second level education (details supplied) system during the 2008/2009 school year. [34184/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The number for post-primary enrolments are based on the returns from schools of students enrolled as at 30th September each year.

The number of students enrolled in the mainstream Junior and Leaving Certificate programmes during 2008/2009 was 307,944. If PLC and Core VTOS students enrolled in post-primary schools are included this figure is 342,324.

The processing of 2009/2010 enrolments as at 30th September has just commenced therefore final figures are not available at this time.

Maureen O'Sullivan
Share
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1266 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the projected enrolments for the second level education system in respect of the years (details supplied). [34185/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The following link to the Department of Education and Science's website provides data on projections of full-time enrolment in all teaching institutions aided by this Department at First, Second and Third level (including information on various underlying assumptions with regard to demography and retention): http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_proj_fte_2008_2030.doc?language=EN

Projections of enrolment for all schools at Second Level can be found in table 2. It should be noted that since these data were published by my Department last December the figure for total enrolment at Second Level, in September 2008, has been confirmed as 341,312. The projected figures for 2009 onwards will be updated soon.

Departmental Contracts.

Terence Flanagan
Share
Terence Flanagan
Question:
1267 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [34313/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

My Department has a contract with Vodafone for the supply of mobile voice and data services. These services were procured by means of the national framework for the supply of mobile voice and data services, plus associated products and services, to public bodies. My official mobile phone services are provided as part of the contract with Vodafone.

Question No. 1268 answered with Question No. 1252.

Departmental Staff.

Leo Varadkar
Share
Leo Varadkar
Question:
1269 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34354/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The number of staff who have been dismissed for misconduct, poor performance or failing to fulfil the terms of their contract from my Department in each of the past five years is as follows:

1 Officer of my Department was dismissed for underperformance in 2004

2 Officers of my Department were dismissed for misconduct in 2006

2 Officers of my Department were dismissed for underperformance in 2007.

Higher Education Grants.

Jan O'Sullivan
Share
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
1270 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Fáilte Ireland has advised that it will no longer grant aid students on the advanced certificate in tourism hospitality studies course at Limerick Institute of Technology; if he will, in the circumstances, allow students who are commencing this course in 2009 to be considered for higher education grants; if there has been consultation between his Department and Fáilte Ireland on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34374/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The courses referred to by the Deputy are not eligible courses under my Department's student maintenance grant schemes, which provide for grants only on a means-tested basis.

I understand that discussions are currently ongoing between Fáilte Ireland, Institutes of Technology Ireland and the Higher Education Authority in relation to the future management and administration of these courses and the levels of award to be made to graduating students.

Bullying in Schools.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1271 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the information available to him since the second report on homophobic bullying in schools was published on the number of whole school evaluations conducted in second level schools, Youthreach centres, Traveller training centres and in special schools in which inspectors have explicitly identified problems with homophobic bullying; the number of schools in which adequate and effective policies and practices are in place to deal with homophobic bullying; the number of schools in which inspectors recommended the school should make improvements or introduce effective policies to tackle homophobic bullying. [34428/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

As the Deputy is aware the board of management of each school is required to prepare a code of behaviour in accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. My Department further requires each school to have in place a policy which includes specific measures to deal with bullying behaviour, within the framework of an overall school code of behaviour and discipline. Such a code, developed through consultation with the whole school community and properly implemented, can be the most influential measure in countering bullying behaviour in schools.

My Department has issued guidelines as an aid to schools in devising measures to prevent and deal with instances of bullying behaviour and to increase awareness among school management authorities of their responsibilities in this regard. These guidelines were drawn up following consultation with representatives of school management, teachers and parents, and are sufficiently flexible to allow each school authority to adapt them to suit the particular needs of their school. My Department has also been working with the Gay Lesbian and Equality Network (GLEN) on the development of guidance material for school leaders in supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual students in second-level school. "Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students in Post-Primary Schools: Guidance for Principals and School Leaders" produced in association with the education partners and published jointly by GLEN and my Department, will be launched next week [by Minister of State Sean Haughey TD] and circulated to schools.

As part of a whole-school evaluation each school's code of behaviour is requested and reviewed by the inspection team, along with other key school policy documents. The extent to which the policy is in line with the Department's published Guidelines on Countering Bullying is considered. If a school does not have a legally required policy, inspectors will recommend that the school's management address this as a matter of priority. In addition, where policies are found not to be in line with Department guidelines a policy review is recommended. This advice is given orally to the staff of the school and the board of management, as appropriate, and included in the published report of the inspection.

The review of anti-bullying policy during a WSE does not focus explicitly on any single category of bullying or harassment such as homophobic bullying. The WSE reports published by my Department in 2008, and 2009 to date, have not explicitly identified problems with homophobic bullying, nor have school policies and practices to deal with such behaviour in individual schools been identified by inspectors as causes for concern. The reports for the period, therefore, do not make specific recommendations to schools regarding improving approaches to tackling homophobic bullying.

Departmental Programmes.

Ciaran Lynch
Share
Ciaran Lynch
Question:
1272 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in regard to the on-line claim system for teachers, there has been a breach, or any allegation of breach, of security on the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34471/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

There is no indication that there was any breach or attempted breach of the Esinet system.

School Transport.

Jack Wall
Share
Jack Wall
Question:
1273 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34472/09]

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

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

The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who choose to send their children to a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their local post-primary centre have been catered for and no additional state cost is incurred. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area. In general, catchment boundary tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis.

The pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied, are not attending the school in the catchment area in which they reside, may only avail of concessionary transport from the catchment boundary and under the terms of the school transport scheme they must make their own way to that boundary.

Question No. 1274 answered with Question No. 1255.

Higher Education Grants.

Bernard J. Durkan
Share
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1275 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a higher education grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34488/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

The decision on eligibility for student maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, either the local authority or VEC, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances.

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of maintenance grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.

School Services Staff.

Billy Timmins
Share
Billy Timmins
Question:
1276 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding was allocated for additional support staff for personal assistant services to Carlow Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34498/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Personal Assistants are utilised within third level colleges for certain classes of students with disabilities, mainly those with physical or mobility difficulties. The main source of funding for personal assistants is the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Colleges of further and higher education can apply to the Fund on behalf of students who require a personal assistant in order to participate equitably in their education.

The manner in which the personal assistants are employed is a matter for each institution. The terms and conditions of employment for employees who provide support for students with disabilities in third level is a matter for the individual colleges concerned.

Some €174,000 was made available to Carlow Institute of Technology under the Fund for Students with Disabilities in the 2008/09 academic year.

Departmental Expenditure.

Finian McGrath
Share
Finian McGrath
Question:
1277 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that primary education is put on a protected status during this economic climate. [34512/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect, education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be totally spared.

Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Site Acquisitions.

Brian Hayes
Share
Brian Hayes
Question:
1278 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34513/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Officials from my Department have met officials from the City Council and representatives of Naomh Fionnbarra GAA club to discuss the possibility of entering into a lease arrangement with the City Council. Such an arrangement would, in time, require the GAA club to surrender its interest in some of the lands required for the building project. My Department has written to the GAA club summarising the views of the local authority on a proposed design solution while outlining the Departments position on same. A response is awaited from the GAA club.

School Services Staff.

Joe McHugh
Share
Joe McHugh
Question:
1279 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish an interim standard national rate of pay for school secretaries that would apply until such time as negotiations with the School Secretaries Forum conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34541/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

In the context of the Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement in 2008, it was agreed that the relevant parties would enter into discussions regarding the terms and conditions of both school secretaries and caretakers.

Following ratification of the Transitional Agreement by the Unions in November 2008, a forum was set up in December 2008 under whose auspices these discussions could be furthered. The forum is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Finance, and also comprises of the relevant School Management Bodies, and the relevant Unions (IMPACT and SIPTU).

As a first step, the forum decided to establish the factual position regarding the terms and conditions of employment of school secretaries and caretakers by conducting a comprehensive survey of schools. This survey was then developed by my Department, in consultation with the other members of the forum. As there are established terms and conditions for secretaries and caretakers employed in the Community & Comprehensive sector and the VEC sector, it was decided that the survey should only cover the primary and voluntary post-primary sectors.

This survey was then issued to all relevant schools on Monday, 20 April 2009. The results of the survey, once available, will inform the deliberations of the forum.

As the discussions of the forum are currently in progress it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time.

School Accommodation.

Willie Penrose
Share
Willie Penrose
Question:
1280 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take steps to put in place appropriate safety measures at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34556/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

My Department has no record of an application being received for capital funding to provide car parking and safety facilities at this school.

Should an application be received for funding for such works, it will be assessed and the school authorities notified of the outcome without delay.

Question No. 1281 answered with Question No. 1136.

Departmental Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn
Share
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1282 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the report or data he cited, other than the OECD report mentioned, in regard to his claims in a section of his submission to the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes (details supplied); if he will provide a copy of the relevant sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34588/09]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
Share

Data quoted in the relevant section of my submission to the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes as referred to by the Deputy are contained in a report titled "Review and Prioritisation of Capital Projects in the Higher Education Sector" published by the HEA in 2004. The report sets out a strategy to meet the future capital needs of the higher education sector. The information supplied was taken from Section 6 of the Report, which examines current building stock and was updated as appropriate to allow for the time lapse since its publication.

I will arrange for a copy of the report to be forwarded to the Deputy.

Adjournment Debate.

Back to table of contents

Year	Referrals for day-case & in-patient surgery	Referrals for first time out-patient appointment	Referrals for Radiology (MRI)	Number of cases undertaken for NTPF in Tallaght Hospital & cost of same
2007	613	705	—	5 / €81,770
2008	1,101	240	102	44 / €67,800
2009	732	813	73	47 / €67,600

Year	Amount Paid
	€
1999	6,802
2000	5,851
2001	6,977
2002	3,884
2003	1,694
2004	4,754
2005	1,815
2006	5,409
2007	1,657
2008	5,240

Month of travel	Destination	Type of meeting attended	Amount claimed
			€
November 2004	USA: New York	Visiting health facilities	618.51
March 2005	Ljubljana, Zagreb & Sarajevo	St Patrick’s Day Programme	267.37
April 2005	Italy: Rome as Tánaiste	Attending Pope’s funeral	103.50
May 2005	Switzerland: Geneva	WHO: World Health Assembly	186.15
May 2005	Isle of Man as Tánaiste	Speaker at British/Irish Council meeting	20.64
May 2005	Switzerland: Geneva as Tánaiste	Speaker at Economic forum — Davos	440.49
June 2005	Luxembourg	EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting	178.67
October 2005	UK: Hertfordshire	EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting	84.89
November 2005	UK: London	EU Presidency -Patient Safety summit	151.36
December 2005	Brussels	EU: Council of Ministers	140.67
February 2006	Canada: Toronto and Vancouver	Analysis of Cancer Control Governance Models	486.53
February 2006	Austria: Vienna	EU: Council of Minsters meeting	112.67
March 2006	Bahrain and South Africa	St Patrick’s Day Programme	1,351.44
April 2006	Austria: Vienna	EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting	56.33
May 2006	USA: Philadelphia and Washington DC	Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics conference, National Cancer Institute & health facilities	835.70
October 2006	USA: Chicago	Visit to Children’s Memorial Hospital	402.88
November 2006	Brussels	EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting	356.22
February 2007	Italy: Milan as Tánaiste	Speaker at “Observatory on Europe” meeting	377.72
March 2007	Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen	St Patrick’s Day Programme	922.77
February 2008	USA: Arizona, Texas and Washington DC	Visiting health facilities	772.92
March 2008	Czech Republic: Prague	St Patrick’s Day Programme	618.32
April 2008	Slovenia	EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting	112.00
June 2008	Luxembourg	EU: Council of Health Ministers meeting	142.50
June 2008	Estonia: Tallinn	WHO ministerial conference	126.32

Name of Report	Cost
	€
National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — End of Term Report 2005-2008	Nil
Report of the Independent Pharmacy Pricing Body	41,597
Strategic Plan for the St. Ultan’s Children’s Project	14,702
Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2008	18,137
A Directory of Health Research Undertaken on Children (0-17 years)	60,148
Evaluation Report on the Inclusion Programme: Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs	15,727
National Men’s Health Policy 2008-2013	20,604
Phase III of a Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Homeless Youth in Dublin	22,000
Report on the Irish Medicines Board assuming the role of Competent Authority for Cosmetics Products	Nil
Research on Young Carers in the Irish Population	108,476
Review of Protecting our Future: Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse 2002	65,181
Third Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on ‘ A Vision for Change’ — the Report of the Expert Group on MentalHealth Policy	16,154
Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services	Final cost not yet available.
Report of the Commission established to provide an independent assessment of how a 35 hour week can be achieved for nurses	397,540
Review of the circumstances surrounding the elapse of time in bringing to completion the Western Health Board inquiry into allegations of abuse in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway	21,015
Study of certain Accounting Issues within the Health Service Executive	54,450

Dublin/Mid-Leinster	Dublin/North-East	National	South	West	Total
29,965.27	22,963.77	559.08	22,976.98	25,513.03	101,978.13

Year	Non Industrial Employees
2005	635.64
2006	621.59
2007	592.52
2008	526.51
31st August 2009	500.55

Grade	31st December 2008	31st August 2009
Secretary General	1.00	1.00
Assistant Secretary	8.00	8.00
Principal Officer	36.80	37.80
Assistant Principal Officer	93.40	87.50
Administrative Officer	13.50	13.50
Higher Executive Officer	91.6634	88.2317
Executive Officer	90.60	85.30
Staff Officer	10.40	9.70
Clerical Officer	97.4617	96.03
Services Officer	10.80	9.80
Ministerial Staff	21.00	13.00
Other Miscellaneous Grades	24.2817	22.2817
Seconded in staff	27.60	28.40
Total	526.51	500.5434

Position	Year	Additional lump sum payment	Addition to Pension
1	2006	17,269	5,756
2	2006	22,629	7,543
3	2006	37,206	12,402

4	2007	25,888	3,650
5	2007	14,277	4,759
6	2007	17,500	5,834
7	2007	21,236	7,079
8	2007	27,476	9,159
9	2007	36,926	12,308
10	2007	41,686	13,896
11	2007	43,518	14,506
12	2007	43,562	14,521

13	2008	17,370	649
14	2008	37,707	12,569
15	2008	39,541	12,761
16	2008	43,595	14,532
17	2008	47,925	15,976

18	2009	3,772	1,257
19	2009	27,512	9,171
20	2009	79,332*	—
21	2009	42,193	14,065
22	2009	44,673	14,891
23	2009	51,513	17,171

Year	Funding	Number of Services	Number of Passenger Journeys
	€
2007	9,000,000	120,753	998,350
2008	10,000,000	140,000	1,200,000
2009	11,000,000	(Estimated outcome) In excess of 140,000	(Estimated outcome) In excess of 1,200,000

Year	Bus Atha Cliath	Iarnród Éireann
	Subvention (€m)	Passenger numbers	Subsidy per passenger	Subvention (€m)	Passenger Numbers	Subsidy per passenger
2008	85.629	143.5m	€0.60	181.152	43.3m	€4.18

Nature/Objective of Report	Cost of Report
	€
1. Review of the Travel Trade legislation	No cost to Department
2. Article 4 verification checks on EU co-financed public transport projects under the ESIOP 2000-2006	48,400
3. Value for Money review of the second Railway Safety Programme	109,846
4. Feasibility study on migration of SafeSeas Application from Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to Department of Transport	19,360
5. Print Management/Efficiency for the Department	4,250
6. Accommodation and technical advice for Irish Coast Guard Co-ordination centres	22,675
7. To access the accessibility of a representative selection of domestic passenger ship and the harbour/ports	36,633
8. Report of the Maritime Passenger Transport Forum	5,666
9. Report and advice relating to procuring facility management operator for Terminal Two at Dublin Airport	236,925
10. Consultancy relating to the Cork Airport debt	30,250
11. Cost & Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus & Bus Eireann	306,959
12. Standardisation Review of the System Dossier on Internal Financial Controls	23,326

	Number
Lucan Station	8
Ronanstown Station	1
Clondalkin	6
Ballyfermot	4

Station	31/12/06	31/12/07	31/12/08	31/08/09
Clondalkin	92	104	91	97
Ballyfermot	88	87	95	90
Rathcoole	23	24	27	26
Lucan	70	84	89	86
Ronanstown	92	87	85	91

Categories	2007	2008
English Language Students (>18)	287 (35%)	405 (24%)
Junior Language Students	444 (53%)	1,153 (69%)
Junior Secondary/Preparatory Students	36 (4%)	34 (2%)
University Students (>18)	68 (8%)	87 (5%)
Total	835	1,679

	2004*	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009 (January– August)
	€	€	€	€	€	€
Minister Cowen	34,250
Minister Ahern	4,767	36,461	20,132	8,092	18,738
Minister Martin					4,875	2,896
Total:	39,017	36,461	20,132	8,092	23,614	2,896
Accommodation
Minister Cowen	21,580
Minister Ahern	980	16,064	16,447	9,517	5,271
Minister Martin					8,010	4,358
Total:	22,560	16,064	16,447	9,517	13,280	4,358
Subsistence
Minister Cowen	3,126	1,340
Minister Ahern	1,119	11,041	5,619	4,975	1,942
Minister Martin					3,928	1,802
Total:	4,246	12,381	5,619	4,975	5,870	1,802
Overall Total:	65,822	64,906	42,198	22,584	42,764	9,056

Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2008.	Matter Reported On	Cost
		€
Millward Brown	Research Project to establish reasons underlying the result of the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.	138,061
Communications Clinic	The preparation of a detailed Communication Action Plan to be used to direct spending under the Department’s Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) in 2009.	48,000
Richard Sinnott, Johan A Elkink, Kevin O’Rourke and James McBride	Report on Attitudes and Behaviour in the Referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon	11,800
Mr Jim O’Leary	Assessment of Value for Money Review of the Passport Service.	7,260

Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2008	Matter Reported On	Cost
		€
Copenhagen Development Consulting A/S.	Evaluation of Irish Aid Support to Primary Education in the Rwenzori Region, Uganda	96,665
Desam International Consultants — Uganda	Evaluation of Irish Aid Civil Society Programme — Uganda	19,500
Debebe — Ethiopia	Civil Society Fund Audit	3,000
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd	Develop Irish Aid Tanzania Private Sector Support Strategy	36,414
National Forestry Authority Uganda	Environmental impact assessment of the construction improvement component of the post primary education and training programme (PPET) in Karamoja.	21,666
J Fitzpatrick Assoc	External Review of Irish Aid Support to Kimmage Development Studies Centre	66,550
Paud Murphy	Evaluation of Global e-Schools & Communities Initiative (GeSCI )	33,200
FSG Social Impact Advisors	Evaluation of International Partnership for Microbicides	139,000¹
Helen O’Neill	Assessment of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as potential partner for Irish Aid	4,000
Dr.Larry Adupa — Uganda	Documenting the process of establishing the civil society fund for HIV/AIDS response in Uganda	11,257
Prof Amon Z Mattee — Tanzania	Assessment of the performance of extension services delivery under ASDP in Tanzania	19,235
ITAD Ltd	Evaluation of Ireland’s Timor Leste Country Strategy 2004-2008	130,000
The IDL Group — Mozambique	Analysis of Opportunities to Support Rural Livelihood Security and Pro-poor Growth through the Public Sector	£30,851
Alicia da Silva Calane — Mozambique	Analytic Study on process and indicators to address gender related obstacles to achieving PROAGRI goals	10,000
Dr Barry Ryan	Review of the role of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the Partnership Programme for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PPECA)	15,000
Economics for the Environment Consultancy Ltd (eftec)	Review of Irish Aid’s Strategic Partnership’s Environment Programme 2006-2008:	30,000
Development Research Training (DRT) — Uganda	The Status of Chronic Poverty and Vulnerability in Karamoja	2,857
J Fitzpatrick Associates	Evaluation of Traidlinks	30,250
FRR/ IDL Group	Review of Irish Aid Programme in Zimbabwe	18,351
Dr. Joseph Oonyu — Uganda	Mid Term Review of Irish Aid Support to Human Resources Development for Increased Access to Primary Health Care.	$9640
Ishmaels K. B. Kabanukye and others	Mapping exercise of Gender Based Violence ( GBV) Programme in Uganda	20,000
Mary Jennings	Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation	15,770
Albert Malama	Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation	$10,800
Dr. Henk J.W Mustsaers	Review Operational Research for Food Security and Capacity Building and Evaluate Joint Mekelle and Cork Universities MSc Degree in Rural Development	30,600
John O’ Regan	Financial Assessment Component of an organisational Assessment on partner NGOs for Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS), Civil Society Fund, Block Grants & other Civil Society Funding Schemes	22,400
Declan O Neill	Foreign Currency Transaction Review for Embassy in Tanzania	15,000
Elim Serviços Lda-	Evaluation of Irish support to Technoserve	19,369
Health Tech Consulting — Mozambique	Evaluation of the Provincial Investment Plan 2004-2008 (PIPS) in Niassa Province (Mozambique)	25,000
John O’ Regan	Audit of Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) Partnership grants awarded to Self Help Development International	22,500
ITAD Ltd	Evaluation of the Uganda Country Strategy Paper 2007 -2009	88,760
Catherine Butcher	Review of HIV/AIDS programme in Northern Province (Zambia)	18,600
AGEMA — Mozambique	Vulnerability & Agriculture Extension Study	42,000
Jane Salvage	Feedback on evaluation of Irish Aids support to Health Rehabilitation Project for Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq	1,650
Integra Economic Development Consultants Ltd	Report to Inter-Departmental Committee on Development (IDCD) on development of skill sets	18,300
Petrus Consulting Ltd	Quality review of draft HIV and AIDS Value for Money Report	3.400
Prof. Ronan Conroy	Independent assessment of issues arising from review of a local HIV and AIDS Programme in Tanzania.	5,000

Year	Number of staff	Scheme
2006	1	Cost Neutral Early Retirement
2007	0	Not applicable
2008	0	Not applicable
2009 to date	16	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement

Year	Number of staff	Associated costs
		€
2006	189	0
2007	140	73,262
2008	104	0
2009 to date	82	1,890

Year	Number employed in whole time equivalents
2009	58.5
2008	61.0
2007	49.0
2006	45.0
2005	45.0

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 6 Oct 2009

Written Answers.

National Drugs Strategy.

Richard Bruton

Rural Development.

Olivia Mitchell

Security of the Elderly.

Tom Sheahan

Willie Penrose

Jim O'Keeffe

Substance Misuse.

Sean Sherlock

Catherine Byrne

Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge.

Brian O'Shea

Michael D. Higgins

Michael D. Higgins

Brian O'Shea

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Willie Penrose

Job Losses.

Arthur Morgan

Decentralisation Programme.

Paul Connaughton

Departmental Expenditure.

Joe McHugh

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Small and Medium Enterprises.

Ruairí Quinn

Emmet Stagg

Stráitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge.

Dinny McGinley

Inland Waterways.

Kathleen Lynch

Denis Naughten

Housing Grants.

Jan O'Sullivan

Foilseacháin sa Ghaeilge.

Dinny McGinley

Community Development.

Emmet Stagg

National Drugs Strategy.

Catherine Byrne

Pat Rabbitte

Community Development.

Sean Sherlock

National Drugs Strategy.

Joan Burton

Community Development.

Joan Burton

Irish Language.

Eamon Gilmore

Substance Misuse.

Pat Rabbitte

Departmental Expenditure.

Jan O'Sullivan

Immigrant Integration Services.

Denis Naughten

National Drugs Strategy.

Thomas P. Broughan

Departmental Funding.

Jack Wall

National Drugs Strategy.

Jack Wall

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Employment Statistics.

Richard Bruton

Ministerial Travel.

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 2009

Number	€
2002	1,336.33
2003	3,596.72
2004	2,977.47
2005	3,141.60
2006	3,603.97
2007	1,216.46
2008	5,241.83
2009	2,762.71

Title/Purpose of Commissioned Report	Cost
	€
Review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund	19,465
Church Records Microfilm and Records Numbers Survey (to identify and provide estimates of the record numbers of non-digitised Church registers)	5,808
Evaluation of Irish Sports Council Value for Money and Policy Review	3,267
Update of the Cost-Benefit Analysis for the National Museum at Collins Barracks	3,146

	Early Retirement	Termination of Contracts	Resignations
	No. Staff	Cost	No. Staff	Cost	No. Staff	Cost
		€		€		€
2006	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
2007	nil	nil	nil	nil	1	**10,000
2008	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
2009 (to date)	nil	nil	1	*20,000	nil	nil
Total	nil	nil	1	20,000	1	10,000

	Early Retirement ( VER/VR)	Termination of Contracts	Resignations
	No. Staff	Cost	No. Staff	Cost	No. Staff	Cost
		€m		€		€
2006	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
2007	20	1.560	nil	nil	nil	nil
2008	4	0.525	nil	nil	nil	nil
2009 (to date)	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
Total	24	2.085	nil	nil	nil	nil

Name of Volunteer Centre	Funding 2009
	€
Carlow	135,907.20
Cork	106,015.68
Drogheda	135,599.04
Donegal	118,406.40
Dublin City North	210,240.00
Dublin City South	189,745.92
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown	80,643.84
Fingal	134,287.68
Galway	118,275.00
Kerry	124,800.00
Kildare	125,270.40
Limerick City	41,273.28
Mayo	60,768.00
Meath	116,923.88
Monaghan	70,204.80
Sligo	122,789.09
South Dublin County	196,032.00
South Tipperary	129,312.00
West Limerick	108,617.28
Westmeath	123,782.40
Wicklow	113,354.88
Total	2,562,248.77

Year	Destination	Purpose	Amount
			€
2009	London	Attended Waterways Ireland (WI) exhibition at the London Boat Show with John Martin, CEO WI	473
	Cardiff	Attended British Irish Council Summit Meeting	171
	Australia	State Representative at St. Patrick’s Day events; meeting with Australian Premier Kevin Rudd; meetings with NSW Minister Tony Kelly; meetings with IDA clients; attended Enterprise Ireland events; visits to Irish Australian Welfare Bureaus	9,364
	Canada	State Representative at the National Famine Commemoration events in Toronto and Quebec (also attended by Federal Minister Jim Prentice); visited Celtic Studies Department and delivered lecture on Great Famine in University of Toronto	3,788
Total			13,796
2008	London	Attended Waterways Ireland (WI) exhibition at the London Boat Show with Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, and John Martin, CEO WI	2,101
	Brussels	Meeting with EU Commissioner for Rural Development; attended Conference on Multilingualism	1,652
	Boston, USA	Meetings with Department of Celtic Studies and Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University; delivered lecture on membership of European Union; attended event for Irish community in Boston; meetings with faculty and students in Boston College; visited Irish Centre in Canton.	6,008
	India	State Representative at St. Patrick’s day events. 400+ guests in Delhi and 850+ guests in Mumbai comprising Irish community, business and diplomatic guests. Undertook range of interviews supporting all-island agencies (e.g. Tourism Ireland, IDA and Enterprise Ireland); visited projects funded by Irish Aid in slum areas.	6,802
	New York, USA	Delivered Barra Ó Donnabháin lecture in New York University; launch of Fulbright Irish Language Programme 2008-11 in Lehman College; visited NY Irish Arts Centre	6,822
	Brussels	Meeting with EU Commissioner Fischer Boel	628
	Milwaukee, USA	Meetings with Chancellor of University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and members of Faculty of Celtic Studies; speaker at Irish Fest Milwaukee attended range of Irish promotional events; meeting with Mayor of Milwaukee and Chamber of Commerce; attended commemoration of Omagh bombing.	7,603
	Scotland	Meeting Scottish Government representatives, including Rt. Hon Mr. Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland, Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture, Richard Lochhead, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, John Swinney, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth; meetings with Rural Development Council, Inverness, Norman Gillies of Sabhal Mor Ostaig; Scottish National Access Forum/NGOs in relation to Rural Recreation and Walkways	2,559
	Isle of Man	Meeting with Hon Allan Bell MHK, Treasury Minister; visit to Tynwald; meeting regarding rural development issues chaired by Hon Phil Gawne, MHK; visit to Bunscoil (Manx language primary school); tour of Cregneash, including meeting with native Manx speakers	467
	Boston/New York/Portland, USA	Guest of honour at 100 year celebration of the Mayo County Association; unveiling of plaque in honour of Éamon de Valera; visit to exhibition by Irish artist Joseph Walsh, attend Inter-county football match in Gaelic Park; visit Catholic Memorial High school to meet students in Irish language programme; official opening of Maine Irish Heritage centre; presentation with key to City by Mayor of Portland	7,097
Total			41,739
2007	London	Attended Waterways Ireland (WI) exhibition at the London Boat Show with CEO WI; launched new WI publication “Ireland: Waterways Map & Directory”	1,047
	Phoenix, USA	State Representative at St. Patrick’s Day events in Phoenix; meeting with Bob Walkup, Mayor of Tucsan; meeting with Office of Economic Development in University of Arizona; meeting with Irish Business Network; meeting with Mayor of Phoenix, Phil Gordon; tour of Irish Art Collection in Phoenix Art Museum; visit to Irish Cultural Centre	15,528
	Bonn, Germany	Attended and gave lecture at the International Congress on Celtic Studies	722
	Cleveland, USA	Guest of Honour at Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland; meeting with Mayo people living in Cleveland; radio interviews	7,396
Total			24,693

Consultancy Description	Consultant	Start Date	End Date	Estimated Cost	Paid to 31 August 2009
				€	€
Audit of assessment process for Funding Scheme for National Community & Voluntary Organisations	Goodbody Economic Consultants	01-Apr-08	22-Oct-08	9,619	9,620
Quantifying economic value of non-profit sector in Ireland	Centre for Non-profit Management, TCD	01-Apr-08	14-Nov-08	17,000	17,000
Professional assistance relating to PEACE II and INTERREG IV Programmes	Robert Browne	25-Feb-08	11-Apr-08	14,376	14,376
Advice on formulation of 20 year Strategic Plan for Irish	Fiontar DCU	08-Feb-08	08-Feb-09	299,281	299,280
Provision of HR services to Local Development Companies — Cohesion Process	Mazars	01-Jun-08	30-May-09	85,818	85,818
Technical advice in relation to procurement process	Achilles Procurement Services Ltd	01-May-08	Contract cancelled 12 Jan 09 as tender competition no longer proceeding	9,287	3,999
Assistance with tender process for provision of management services to airstrips on or serving offshore islands	Air Transport Group, Cranfield University	01-Oct-08	28-Feb-09	33,880	25,152
Support to Steering Group for new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016	PA Consulting	07-Apr-08	08-Aug-08	183,582	189,939 (incl expenses)
Report on employment needs and development potential of islands	FGS Consulting	19-Nov-08	31-Mar-09	50,787	39,243
Audit of contracts awarded for passenger ferry services to Aran Islands	Goodbody Economic Consultants	03-Oct-08	14-Apr-09	6,094	6,094

	Number of Early Retirements	Additional Lump sum costs of Early Retirements	Number of Terminations of Contracts	Cost of Termination of Contracts	Number of Resignations	Cost of Resignations
		€		€		€
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs	4	24,000	0	0	3	0
Office of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests	0	0	0	0	0	0
An Choimisinéir Teanga	0	0	0	0	0	0
Waterways Ireland	0	0	0	0	7	0
Western Development Commission	0	0	1	0	1	0
Údarás na Gaeltachta	0	0	0	0	0	0
An Foras Teanga, comprising:
Ulster Scots Agency	0	0	0	0	0	0
Foras na Gaeilge	0	0	0	0	2	0

Project Details	2007	2008	2009
	€	€	€
*Drug Prevention Education Initiative	105,106	146,634	104,954
Raising Capacity	50,000
*Community Addiction Team — Kildare West Wicklow	203,000	340,112	175,000
The Abbey Project		66,301	35,223
*ARAS (Abbey and KWWCAT )			250,000
Counselling Pool — Kildare focused areas	15,000		110,750
*Under 18’s Service — Kildare, West Wicklow	20,000	58,221	104,459
Innovation Fund — Kildare areas funded	50,000	40,850	41,080
Harm Reduction Study		40,000
Project Information Management System (PIMS)		40,000
Once-off Initiatives
Dial 2 stop drug dealing		20,000
Cocaine Drug Awareness Campaign		20,000
Newbridge Family Resource Centre	22,354
Family Support Funding			63,700
	625,460	876,118	981,182

Year	Total CLÁR funding	CLÁR funding in Co. Mayo
	€	€
2006	23,015,541.33	3,478,687.64
2007	21,329,361.58	5,434,527.33
2008	24,178,471.46	4,297,180.68
Total	68,523,374.37	13,210,395