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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 2009

Vol. 694 No. 4

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 8, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 9 to 54, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 55 to 61, inclusive, answered orally.

Irish Language.

Dan Neville

Question:

62 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when an Irish language newspaper will be available again; if the matter has been brought before the board of Foras na Gaeilge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41587/09]

As I outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 122 on 6 October 2009, firstly, funding for the publication of a weekly Irish language newspaper is provided by Foras na Gaeilge and, secondly, a new competition for the provision of such a newspaper was underway. I understand from Foras that the interview assessment process has since been completed and that a recommendation will be presented for the consideration of the Board of Foras na Gaeilge at its meeting on Friday next. As this is a public procurement process, it would be improper for me to involve myself in it or make any further public comment.

Departmental Expenditure.

Joan Burton

Question:

63 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has assessed his budget submission; the cost of printing by his Department of reports and all other materials in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41617/09]

As the Deputy is aware, Government's preparations for the Budget are ongoing and I am not in a position to discuss these matters until after the Budget is announced. The details requested with regard to the cost of printing by my Department of reports and all other materials in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 are in the table.

Cost of Printing

2007

2008

2009

Reports

33,414

47,024

21,730

All other materials

96,016

42,999*

8,635

*For completeness, an additional amount of €98,948 was provided in 2008 in respect of drugs awareness initiative information supplements in National newspapers.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 60.

Caiteachais Ranna.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

65 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na moltaí maidir le ciorruithe a d’fhéadfaí a chur i bhfeidhm sa Roinn a cuireadh ar aghaidh chuig údair na tuarascála ón nGasra Speisialta um Líon Foirne agus Cláir Chaiteachais sa tSeirbhís Phoiblí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41653/09]

Mar atá ráite agam sa Teach roinnt uaireanta, is léargas iad na moltaí atá déanta i dTuarascáil an Ghrúpa Speisialta um Líon Foirne agus Cláir Chaiteachais na Seirbhíse Poiblí ar shraith roghanna atá á mbreithniú ag an Rialtas i gcomhthéacs Cháinaisnéis 2010. Tá sé fógartha go maith go gcaithfidh muid cúngú dáiríre a dhéanamh ar an mbearna idir ioncam agus caiteachas sna cistí poiblí. Chuir an Tuarascáil ón nGrúpa Speisialta réimse leathan bearta ar fáil le go bhféadfaidh an Rialtas breithniú a dhéanamh orthu. Mar is eol don Teachta, molann an tuarascáil réimse coigiltis i dtaca le feidhmeanna éagsúla de chuid mo Roinnse. Chuige sin, molann sí fáil réidh le roinnt scéimeanna nó iad a laghdú agus déanann sí moltaí sonracha freisin i dtaca le gníomhaireachtaí a thagann faoi choimirce mo Roinnse agus, go deimhin, i dtaca leis an Roinn féin. É sin ráite, ní chreidim go mbeadh sé oiriúnach domsa plé a dhéanamh líne ar líne faoi na moltaí éagsúla atá sa Tuarascáil ón nGrúpa Speisialta, go háirithe mar gheall ar an obair atá ar bun ag an Rialtas faoi láthair chun an Cháinaisnéis a chur le chéile.

Rural Transport.

Pat Breen

Question:

66 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the future of the pilot rural transport night time scheme; if he has completed a report on the viability of this scheme; if funding will continue for existing projects in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41597/09]

Willie Penrose

Question:

67 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the pilot schemes for the rural night link have finished; his plans to extend or change the rural night scheme; if same will continue to receive funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41634/09]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

98 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the rural transport project funded by his Department; if he has made a decision on continued funding of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41624/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67 and 98 together.

The Rural Transport Evening/Night Scheme was implemented in 2007 as a pilot project in seven selected areas, with funding from my Department. This pilot scheme was in addition to of the rural transport services already provided in these seven areas under the Department of Transport's ‘Rural Transport Programme'. The pilot arrangement was designed to operate for a limited period only and will cease at end-2009. It was intended to give the rural transport groups involved an opportunity to pilot certain evening/night-time services that, ultimately, could be considered for inclusion in their main transport services.

Having had the experience of piloting such services, the seven groups concerned are now assessing their overall services with a view to the possible inclusion of more evening/night-time transport services. To assist with this, I have arranged for Pobal, which manages both the main Rural Transport Programme and the pilot scheme, to work with the Groups in assessing their services and their experience of the pilot scheme. This work is ongoing and includes making all possible efforts to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the transport service. This will involve prioritising routes, increasing load capacity, re-tendering to operators to seek cheaper quotes where appropriate and focussing more on generating income from passengers. I would like to see the seven groups, and indeed, all other service providers, assess their services to identify how best to meet the transport needs of the rural communities they serve, with the inclusion as necessary of more evening/night-time services in their main rosters.

I understand that some of the rural transport service groups already provide a level of these services and, based on the experiences of the pilot scheme, evening/night-time services can now be further considered. Decisions in this regard are within the remit of the service providers, in their implementation locally of the Rural Transport Programme. Delivery of a quality service to rural communities and, at the same time, ensuring value for money is core to the work of the Rural Transport Programme in the current economic climate.

Departmental Programmes.

Joe Costello

Question:

68 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the Pobal programme; the number of groups availing of funding; the funding allocated; if he has received an evaluation of the different allocations; if so, if he is satisfied with the progress made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41621/09]

Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages the implementation of Exchequer and EU Funded programmes on behalf of Government Departments, including my own. The following is a breakdown of the number of groups availing of funding provided by my Department and the funding allocated to date in 2009.

Scheme/Programme of Funding

Number of Groups Availing of Funding

Funding Allocated

€m

Programme of Grants for Community and Voluntary Organisations

251

4.400

Community Service Programme

454

53.900

Local Development Social Inclusion Programme — Partnerships/ Integrated Companies/Employment Pacts

56

51.000

RAPID Community Support Budget

45

0.417

RAPID CCTV

27

2.026

Rural Social Scheme (RSS)

36*

37.421

Rural Development Fund

7

0.216

*Currently 36 groups operate the RSS on behalf of the Department.

For the sake of completeness, I would like to inform the Deputy that the number of project approvals in the period 2006 to 2009 under the Dormant Accounts Fund was 1,158 with funding allocated of €33.2m. It is expected that programme expenditure on these project approvals will be of the order of €10m in 2009.

In regard to the matter of evaluating its various schemes and programmes, my Department has put in place a range of financial monitoring, performance measurement and systems review mechanisms. These include the carrying out of regular independent audits, VFM reviews, programme evaluations and the measurement of programme and scheme outputs against targets set in the Annual Output Statement. The findings arising from each of these review and evaluation systems are monitored by my Department and acted upon. I should also advise the Deputy that a programme of direct project verification and evaluation is carried out by my Department's dedicated Inspection Services and where concerns arise, these are followed up.

Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to meeting on a regular basis the many people, groups and communities across the country that my Department serves. Where issues or concerns are raised with me in relation to schemes and programmes delivered by my Department, or in the context of bodies funded from its Vote, I can assure the Deputy that any such issue or concern is followed up assiduously.

Departmental Agencies.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

69 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to merge the development functions of Údarás na Gaeilge with a new enterprise agency comprising Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41648/09]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

100 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will confirm that there will not be staff reductions of approximately 40 positions in Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41649/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 100 together.

As I stated in my reply to today's Priority Question No 56, the recommendations in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes represent a set of options that are being considered by Government in the context of the 2010 Budget. It has been well flagged that we need to make serious inroads in the gap in the public finances between income and expenditure. The Report from the Special Group has provided a broad range of measures for consideration by Government in that regard. As the Deputy will be aware, it proposes a range of savings relating to various functions of my Department.Towards that end, it proposes that a number of schemes be abolished or reduced and it also makes specific recommendations regarding agencies under the aegis of my Department and, indeed, the Department itself.

However, I believe that it would not be appropriate for me to engage in a line by line discussion of the recommendations of the Report from the Special Group, not least because of the work that is in train by Government to frame the Budget. That said, I can confirm that legislative proposals in regard to the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta are being considered in the general context of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht and the work of the Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht. I can assure the Deputy that any proposals arising from those deliberations will have due regard to the optimal appropriate structure for Údarás na Gaeltachta in the future.

Volunteer Centres.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

70 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to encourage and develop volunteering at this time in view of the fact that the need for community support and development was never more vital than at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41639/09]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

103 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding provided by his Department to volunteering centres over the past three years; if the number of such centres has increased; if he has plans to develop these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41638/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 103 together.

My Department funds a network of 21 volunteer centres across the country. The Volunteer Centres are based in the following locations: Carlow, Cork, Drogheda, Donegal, Dublin City North, Dublin City South, Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick City, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, South Dublin County, South Tipperary, West Limerick, Westmeath, and Wicklow. In 2007 15 volunteer centres were funded by my Department, this increased to 20 in 2008 and 21 in 2009. Over the period 2007-2009, funding of €6.351m has been provided to volunteer centres. My Department also provides core funding for Volunteer Centres Ireland, which acts as a national representative organisation and plays a proactive central role in facilitating and supporting the development of the network of local volunteer centres. I am informed that the numbers of volunteers using these centres has increased dramatically this year. To date in 2009 over 11,813 individuals have registered to volunteer across the network of Volunteer Centres. Of these, in excess of 3,671 individuals have already been placed in volunteering opportunities that will generate more than 308,518 hours of volunteering this year.

Other volunteer activities directly supported by my Department include initiatives such as Young Social Innovators, which provides social awareness education for 15-18 year olds in Ireland, Focus Ireland To support the placement of social science graduates who wish to gain experience and to develop skills in working with people who are marginalized and Boardmatch, an organisation which aims to support the development of the voluntary and community sector in Ireland by strengthening boards of management and management committees of non-profit organisations. Community and voluntary groups can find support from my Department across a range of programmes covering social inclusion, community and rural development, the Irish Language and Gaeltacht. If the Deputy wishes specific further information on these I will be happy to oblige.

Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 61.

Departmental Schemes.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

72 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there will be changes in regard to the operation of scéim labhairt na gaeilge and scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí gaeilge proposed for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/09]

As the Deputy is aware, both these schemes are the subject of recommendations made in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. Any changes with regard to the operation of these schemes will be considered in the context of the work of the Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht, as well as in the context of the 2010 Budget.

Departmental Expenditure.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

73 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes report recommendation that community and voluntary groups should have core funding cut by €10 million in view of the fact that due to the economic downturn voluntary contributions and sponsorships have dropped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41629/09]

Mary Upton

Question:

75 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main proposals he has made for savings in the submission made to the Special Group on Public Services Numbers and Expenditure Programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41647/09]

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

86 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes report which determines that the dormant accounts funds should be returned to the Exchequer thus depriving communities of the value of such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/09]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

89 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concern among those working in local and community development programmes arising from the recommendation contained in the report of the Special Group on Public Services Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that the allocation for such programmes should be cut by €44 million; when a decision will be made on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41646/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

92 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has studied the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes and its implications for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41668/09]

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

97 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes report recommendation that the RAPID programme should be discontinued and thus deprive 51 of the most disadvantaged areas of core funding to address problems within their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41628/09]

Joan Burton

Question:

105 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has assessed the funding needs of his Department for the budget 2010 submissions; if areas have been identified as not having completed their programmes or not using the total funding allocated under their financial headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41616/09]

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

106 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has concluded an overview on the recommendations made in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes report; if so, the discussions that he has had as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41626/09]

Liz McManus

Question:

107 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes report recommendation that adult education courses, local enterprise initiatives and information provision for target groups should be merged with county child care committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41630/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 75, 86, 89, 92, 97 and 105 to 107, inclusive, together.

As I stated in my reply to today's Priority Question No. 56, the recommendations in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes represent a set of options that are being considered by Government in the context of the 2010 Budget. It has been well flagged that we need to make serious inroads in the gap in the public finances between income and expenditure. The Report from the Special Group has provided a broad range of measures for consideration by Government in that regard. As the Deputies will be aware, it proposes a range of savings relating to various functions of my Department.Towards that end, it proposes that a number of schemes be abolished or reduced and it also makes specific recommendations regarding agencies under the aegis of my Department and, indeed, the Department itself.

However, I believe that it would not be appropriate for me to engage in a line by line discussion of the various recommendations of the Report from the Special Group, not least because of the work that is in train by Government to frame the Budget. It should be noted that certain areas referred to in the Deputies' Questions are the responsibility of other Ministers.

National Drugs Strategy.

Jack Wall

Question:

74 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41615/09]

I am confident that the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 will provide a comprehensive response to problem drug use in Ireland. The Strategy seeks to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. This pillar approach is being retained as it has proved effective to date, it was widely supported during the consultation process on a new Strategy and it dovetails with the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2009-2012. The Actions set out in the Strategy will facilitate a planned and monitored approach to achieving the overall strategic objective.

A number of the Actions of the Strategy focus on co-ordination arrangements to facilitate implementation. The changes made in institutional structures, including the establishment of an Office of the Minister for Drugs, facilitate that role. These changes will also streamline administration and facilitate more effective co-ordination and partnership. Under the Strategy, I will be meeting twice a year with a number of Ministers and various senior officials who are directly involved in the work to address the drugs problem. I am currently undertaking the first round of such meetings and I am stressing the need for Departments and agencies to ensure that high priority is given achieving the objectives of Strategy. These meetings facilitate a good exchange of views, and they also focus on the importance of the continued effective implementation of other programmes that impact on the factors underpinning problem drug use.

An Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, has been established and the first meeting of the Forum was held last month. The primary role of the Oversight Forum on Drugs is the on-going high level examination of progress across the Strategy and to address any operational difficulties and blockages that may arise. A Drugs Advisory Group has also been set up with membership from across the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. This Group, which meets regularly, advises the Minister on operational and policy matters relating to the National Drugs Strategy, and oversees and supports the work of the Drugs Task Forces.

The implementation of the Strategy will have to be achieved in a situation of limited funding and so the optimum use of the available resources is essential. However, these resources are considerable, with the estimated expenditure on the drugs problem across Departments and agencies in 2009 being in excess of €275m. The difficulties facing our society as a consequence of problem drug use are significant, and addressing all the factors involved will not be easy. However, I am determined that real progress will be made across the period of the Strategy, with all sectors working in a co-ordinated and targeted way, to achieve the implementation of the agreed Actions.

Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 73.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

76 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fear in many drugs projects that they will not be able to deliver their services if he implements cuts in their budgets, including closure of services. [41673/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, the majority of expenditure allocated through my Department to community groups involved in drugs initiatives is channelled though the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. Of the total drugs funding in my Department's Vote in 2009, over 92% is targeted at Task Force-related activities. The revised allocation, following the Supplementary Budget in April, for community-based initiatives in the Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas is €32.5m which will support in the region of 530 projects. I also recently approved over €550k towards small-scale capital premises funding in both Local and Regional Task Force areas which is part of €4.5m being spent on all drugs related capital expenditure. No area is immune to cost cutting measures in the current economic environment. It is in this context that all Drugs Task Forces must live within the budgets allocated for their areas of responsibility and I fully appreciate this involves some difficult choices having to be made.

Sustained incremental funding over recent years has facilitated, among others, the strengthening of existing projects in the LDTF areas, the rolling out of a range of projects and initiatives in the RDTF areas, introducing new initiatives and responses to address cocaine usage and supporting rehabilitation and ongoing investment in capital projects. These are recognised by Government as key areas to support communities to address the harm caused by problem drugs use and to deliver meaningful solutions. I can assure the Deputy that my primary concern has been — and continues to be — the protection of front-line community-based services delivering vital programmes and initiatives in areas worst affected by problem drug use.

I am, of course, acutely aware of the challenges reduced budget allocations pose. I know that other Departments and Agencies are also very aware of this in the context of their engagement in the Drugs Strategy and the available funding to them for mainstreamed drugs projects and services. However, we have to take account of the current economic reality and of the pressure on the public finances. This, inevitably, means that some schemes will be affected but properly managed, this may also lead to improved efficiencies in services and foster better interagency working to the benefit of all.

The Deputy should also note that Drugs Task Forces have benefitted from funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). In addition to supporting the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaigns in Task Force areas, 80 projects in 23 of the Task Force areas were recently approved funding from the DAF for initiatives aimed at improving services for families of drug misusers. The Deputy will be aware that, across Government, we are taking a number of difficult decisions, but our approach is to do this in as balanced a way as possible. There is a critical need to ensure that resources are directed in a targeted and effective manner and that the maximum benefit is achieved.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

77 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction which found that Ireland has the fourth highest use of cocaine among 15 to 24 year olds in Europe; the steps that are being taken to increase awareness among this group of the dangers of cocaine and to reduce demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41643/09]

Jack Wall

Question:

326 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction which found that Ireland has the fourth highest use of cocaine among 15 to 24 year olds in Europe; the interventions or proposals within the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 which will address this matter; if progress has been made to date in 2009 under the plan to address the report’s concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41719/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 326 together.

I am aware of the 2009 Annual Report of the European Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction which was published earlier this month. The drug prevalence figures contained in the report are compiled from the latest figures available for individual countries. In the case of Ireland the figures reflect the outcome of the all-island Drug Prevalence Survey 2006/07, which provides the best estimate of the drug prevalence in this country. One of the findings of the 2006/07 survey was the emergence of cocaine as a threat, particularly among younger adults. Accordingly, the report of the EMCDDA does not contain any surprises in relation to the figures for cocaine use here.

Direct international comparisons of the use of cocaine are difficult in the light of the differences in the time period to which figures for the various countries apply. This is also reflected by the greater use of cocaine in western Europe compared to central Europe where amphetamines are a bigger problem and the fact that many drug users are now engaged in polydrug use, another issue brought out in the EMCDDA publication. At the same time, the levels of cocaine use documented by the EMCDDA raise some concerns. Arising from the outcomes of the Drug Prevalence Survey 2006/07, and a subsequent report from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, a national drugs awareness campaign focusing on cocaine was implemented in 2008, led by the HSE. Local cocaine campaigns, dovetailing with the national campaign, were organised through Drugs Task Forces at the same time.

The recently launched National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 includes a number of Actions under the Prevention Pillar that will increase awareness of the dangers of cocaine among 15 to 24 years olds. These include both in-school and out-of school initiatives, measures aimed at the general population and others targeted at those who are deemed to be most at risk, as well as family focused interventions. Structures have been put in place to facilitate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 and to manage performance under the various Actions of the Strategy. I am satisfied that the implementation of these Actions will address significantly on the levels of cocaine use among young adults.

Departmental Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which it is expected or intended to enhance the scope and scale of activities under the RAPID and CLÁR programmes in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41667/09]

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the designated RAPID areas nationally. Following an independent evaluation of the RAPID programme commissioned in 2006, it was recommended that, in order to further develop and enhance the programme through the lifetime of the 2007-2013 NDP, it should be focussed on seven Strategic Themes: Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour, Family Support, Youth Support, Physical Environment, Education, Health and Employment/Training. This recommendation has been pursued and the strategic themes have been established across RAPID areas.

Separately, in order to ensure the continued relevance of the Programme and the designated RAPID areas, I commissioned, through POBAL, a study to develop/update small area deprivation indices based on an analysis of the most recent census data. I initiated this review last year because from my experience of visiting communities around the country, I felt that some areas that were not in the Programme might be eligible now. Based on the study, I proposed the designation of five provincial towns as new RAPID areas; this was accepted by Cabinet in May 2009. The study also indicated that minor adjustments to the boundaries of a number of existing RAPID areas would be justified and this process is still ongoing. I hope to have the whole process completed early in 2010.

The Government decision of May 2009 included Ballina, Co. Mayo, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Rathkeale, Co. Limerick in the RAPID Programme. The Revised Programme of Government of October 2009 sets out the Governments commitment to ‘Continue to develop the RAPID Programme that is giving local communities in the most disadvantaged urban areas a real voice for change for the better in their own communities. We will continue to prioritise initiatives like the RAPID programme, that make a very real and tangible improvement to people's everyday lives.

The CLÁR Programme was set up as an innovative programme to deal with infrastructural deficits in the most peripheral communities in Ireland that had suffered significant population loss. As the Deputy will be aware, measures for roads, water, sewerage, schools, and health services are among the many initiatives run under the CLÁR Programme. For the future, the Renewed Programme for Government has identified the need to continue to invest in disadvantaged rural communities through CLÁR, and will do this by focussing the programme on priority local needs in targeted CLÁR areas. The CLÁR Programme has constantly sought to address the new challenges faced by small rural communities and has been continuously refocused to deal with the most urgent infrastructural deficits. This approach will continue to inform my delivery of the CLÁR Programme. In this regard, I will examine options to deliver on this programme for Government commitment in the context of the resources available to me in 2010 and beyond.

Drug Seizures.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

79 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the size of recent drug seizures; and the steps he will take to deal with this issue under the new national drugs strategy. [41671/09]

An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service have achieved significant success in relation to the number of drug seizures, and the amount and value of the drugs involved. I congratulate both organisations in this regard. The ongoing co-operation between the two agencies, and their international counterparts, and their focus on an intelligence-led approach, has proven particularly effective.

Numbers in the Garda National Drugs Unit, the primary unit within An Garda Síochána charged with responsibility for law enforcement in relation to drug supply, have increased and additional Divisional Drugs Units have also been established. The work of these Units is supported by the Organised Crime Unit, now established on a full-time basis, and by the Criminal Assets Bureau, among others. At the same time, Gardaí generally deal with drug-related issues as they arise on an on-going basis. Drug seizures by the Customs Service have also significantly increased. Their Coastal Watch Programme has been in place since 2001, a new Customs patrol vessel has been commissioned, mobile X-ray scanning technology has been acquired and the number of drug detector dog teams has also been increased.

The objectives of the Supply Reduction Pillar of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 are:

to significantly reduce the volume of illicit drugs;

to prevent the emergence of new markets for illicit drugs;

to disrupt the activities of organised criminal networks;

to target the income generated through illicit drug trafficking; and

to reduce community drug problems.

The actions of the Strategy also envisage an increased emphasis on community policing, including through the continued roll-out of Local Policing Fora and the inclusion of drugs issues in a more central way in the work of Joint Policing Committees. Also, I recently announced the extension of the "Dial to Stop Drug Dealing" campaign that has proven effective. At the same time the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 will continue its focus on demand reduction measures, across prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, in combination with these supply reduction measures to achieve a comprehensive response to the overall drugs problem.

Irish Language.

James Bannon

Question:

80 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the dates that the Cabinet committee established to consider recommendations arising out of the linguistic study of the usage of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht has met since it was established. [41580/09]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

94 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a progress report on his 20 year strategic plan for the growth of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41614/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 94 together.

The Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht has met on five occasions to date — 10 April 2008, 23 July 2008, 18 February 2009, 21 May 2009 and 11 November 2009. The Deputies will, of course, appreciate that the work of the Committee is also advanced by way of bilateral meetings between Departments and the work of the Senior Officials Group that supports the Committee.

With regard to the 20 year Strategy for Irish, the position is that the draft Strategy has been under consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht. It is proposed that the draft Strategy will be presented to the Oireachtas Committee on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for a final round of consultation before sign-off and formal publication. I hope that this will take place shortly.

Telecommunications Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

81 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of meetings he has had with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the national broadband strategy in view of its importance to rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41631/09]

I can confirm for the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, regarding the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) because of its importance to rural communities. I am happy to note that all electoral divisions in the NBS Coverage Area are due to be covered by the end of September 2010. As Minister with responsibility for Rural Development, I see progress in broadband availability for rural areas as an important step forward in creating the opportunities for rural communities to develop on several fronts, including facilitating social and community development and enterprise opportunities.

National Drugs Strategy.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

82 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding allocated to the south-western regional task force in the past three years; the amount of this funding allocated to south-west Dublin; the amount allocated to Kildare North; the amount allocated to Kildare South; and the amount allocated to west Wicklow. [41642/09]

Sean Sherlock

Question:

101 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects carried out by the regional task forces in the various towns in Kildare South in the past three years; the amount of finance allocated to this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41641/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 101 together.

Funding for community groups from my Department for drugs initiatives in Co. Kildare is channelled through the South Western Area Regional Drugs Task Force (SWRDTF). The amount of funding allocated to SWRDTF in the past three years is as follows:

Year

2007

465,106

2008

1,061,013

2009

1,181,150

The SWRDTF covers South Dublin City, South Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow. The projects that cover these areas and their funding are as follows:

Project

2007

2008

2009

Drug Prevention Education Initiative

105,106

146,634

104,954

Innovation Fund

62,847

50,740

51,048

Counselling Support Fund

Nil

60,000

65,000

Abbey Regional Addiction Service

203,000

406,000

523,700

HALO Under 18s Treatment Response

20,000

58,221

104,459

The Drug Prevention Education Initiative project consists of salary and administration costs and the service is provided throughout the SWRDTF region. The Abbey Regional Addiction Service and the HALO Under 18s Treatment Response projects also consist of salary and administration costs providing services in North and South Kildare and West Wicklow. As these projects consist of salary and administration costs the funding is not amenable to further geographical breakdown.

With regard to the Innovation Fund and Counselling Support Fund the breakdown is as follows:

Innovation Fund

2007

2008

2009

S/W Dublin

12,748

7,000

8,600

West Wicklow

5,000

6,000

6,000

North Kildare

30,009

16,040

25,850

South Kildare

15,090

21,700

10,598

Counselling Support Fund

2008

2009

S/W Dublin

48,000

13,000

West Wicklow

Nil

15,000

North Kildare

12,000

40,250

South Kildare

Nil

25,750

Regional Training

Nil

21,620

The SWRDTF also received funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund substance misuse measure as follows:

Year

2008

Cocaine Awareness & Dial To Stop Drug Dealing (SWRDTF region)

40,000

2009

Family Support (SWRDTF region)

63,700

The SWRDTF has also been allocated Capital Premises Funding over the last three years as follows:

Year

2007

22,354 (North Kildare)

2008

120,000 (West Wicklow)

2009

25,000 (South Kildare)

€80,000 was also awarded to the SWRDTF in 2008 to carry out research in the SWRDTF region.

Some of the funding provided by Local Drugs Task Forces also provides benefit broadly across their region of operation, including Co. Kildare. In addition, a sum in the region of €170,000 has been made available in 2008 to Teen Challenge, a rehabilitation project at Shechem House, Richardstown, Co. Kildare, arising from applications through the South Inner City LDTF in Dublin.

Community Development.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

83 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of community services programme funded day care centres in 2009; if this shows a reduction over the past three years; the reason for such a reduction; if discussions have taken place with any other Department or agency in regard to the funding of such centres; if so, the result of such consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41619/09]

The Community Service Programme provides a contribution towards the costs of engaging staff to provide specific services delivered by community and voluntary organisations. In general, the Programme will only contribute to the delivery of a service where other sources or non-public revenue are earned by the organisation by way of sales of goods, service charges or fees. Of the 454 organisations approved for inclusion in the Programme, my Department has identified 18 that provide a range of day and respite care services for older people. This number has remained constant over the past three years as has the level of funding provided. In the circumstance my Department has not had reason to discuss the funding of these organisations with other Departments or agencies.

Decentralisation Programme.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

84 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost to date of the proposed decentralisation programme for his Department; the position regarding staffing levels that have decentralised; the efficiency of these changes to the workings of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41625/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's headquarters are decentralising to Charlestown, Co, Mayo and 100 staff have now relocated to an interim location in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. At the end of September 2009, my Department had incurred expenditure of €1,534,583 on non-property costs arising from the move to the Tubbercurry offices. I should point out that this amount relates only to my Department and does not cover costs incurred by the Office of Public Works. The Deputy will also be aware that, under the decentralisation programme, 10 staff were due to decentralise to Na Forbacha, Co Galway. This process is now complete and has not resulted in any material additional costs to my Department. In relation to the staff and areas of operation of my Department that have decentralised to Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo and Na Forbacha, Co. Galway, I can confirm that these are now operating well in both decentralised locations.

National Drugs Strategy.

David Stanton

Question:

85 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 29 April 2009, the effectiveness of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign, particularly in County Cork; if phase two and phase three have been completed; if he plans to run anything similar in the Cork region in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41669/09]

As the Deputy is aware, I launched the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing initiative in September 2008 and the campaigns have been rolled out very successfully in three phases through 15 of the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. The campaigns ran from October 2008 to July 2009 and Cork City LDTF and the Southern RDTF both launched their campaigns on 23rd March 2008 under the second phase.

All three phases of the campaigns have been completed and, to date, nearly 5,500 calls have been made to the confidential number. The Deputy should note that calls are spread right across the country including areas that have not directly run a campaign. This highlights the fact that the confidential number used in the campaign is open to all to use regardless of the area one comes from. The Gardaí have confirmed that there have been 138 reports received to date in relation to Co. Cork. The campaign was originally due to cease operation in September of this year, but due to the positive outcomes being achieved, I decided to continue it with further funding from my Department.

Question No. 86 answered with Question No. 73.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

87 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the dormant accounts fund; the number of applications received to date in 2009; the funding allocated on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41622/09]

The Dormant Accounts Acts provide for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in accounts determined to be dormant into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). Since its establishment in April 2003 to the end of September 2009, the transfers to the DAF have totalled some €513.90m. Funds reclaimed since April 2003 total some €181.27m. The value of the DAF at the end of September 2009, net of liabilities, was some €49.76m. This figure excludes €46.47m maintained in a Reserve Account to meet future reclaims by account holders and to cover expenses associated with the operation of the DAF.

My Department has received applications in 2009 in respect of two DAF measures, namely, Substance Misuse and the RAPID Additionality Round 4. Under the Substance Misuse measure, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign sought applications for funding from the 21 Drugs Task Forces. Ten applications valued at €0.30m in total were approved for funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2009. A further 83 applications were received for funding for Family Support Projects under this measure. The Government approved €1.56m in respect of 80 of these projects. Under the RAPID Additionality measure, 561 applications were received in 2009. To date, 404 projects have been approved by the Government for funds totalling €5.55m. The remaining projects are due to be considered by the Government in the coming weeks. Details of financial position of the DAF and of the individual grants and organisations that have been approved for support and their geographical location are available on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Security of the Elderly.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

88 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to develop security information and practical advice for the older population here in view of the recent high profile criminal targeting of this group in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41637/09]

Primary responsibility for the matters raised rest with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner. Both the Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert Programmes operate under the aegis of that Department and the Garda Síochána with the aim supporting community responses to crime prevention. My Department provides funding to community groups to supply monitored personal alert devices and other practical security equipment for their home under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The Deputy will be aware that a review of the Scheme was undertaken in recent months and revised arrangements will be forthcoming in early 2010. My Department will be happy to work with the other agencies involved with a view to providing improved practical advice on the home security needs of older people.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 73.

Inland Waterways.

Denis Naughten

Question:

90 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he will next meet with Waterways Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41550/09]

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 in 2009. In my reply to the Deputy's Question No 158 of 6 Deireadh Fómhair 2009, I outlined the considerable progress made by Waterways Ireland during 2008, as well as its principal achievements in 2009 to date. I also referred to the preliminary discussions I had 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. I look forward to meeting the Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland again in Belfast on 2 December at the next North/South Ministerial Council meeting in Inland Waterways sectoral format.

Departmental Reports.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

91 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of reports published by his Department or any agency under the remit of his Department in each of the past three years; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41618/09]

I enclose the details requested by the Deputy both in relation to my Department and the information provided to me by the agencies under the aegis of my Department, in the APPENDIX below.

2006

Number of reports published

Cost of reports

Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

2

8,426*

An Choimisinéir Teanga*

1

8,028

Waterways Ireland

Nil

Údarás na Gaeltachta

1

20,461

Commissioners of Charitable Donations & Bequests

1

5,097

Western Development Commission

3

17,596

An Foras Teanga comprising:

Foras na Gaeilge

1

15,119

Ulster Scots Agency**

*The cost of printing reports.

**An Choimisinéir Teanga is an independent statutory office.

***The Ulster-Scots Agency sends information to Foras na Gaeilge who consolidate the data and then produce the An Foras Teanga annual report. There is no cost to the Ulster-Scots Agency.

2007

Number of reports published

Cost of reports

Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

7

33,414*

An Choimisinéir Teanga

1

9,612

Waterways Ireland

2

33,740

Údarás na Gaeltachta

1

13,853

Commissioners of Charitable Donations & Bequests

1

5,715

Western Development Commission

3

16,623

An Foras Teanga comprising:

Foras na Gaeilge

2

9,903

Ulster Scots Agency

*The cost of printing reports.

2008

Number of reports published

Cost of reports

Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

3

47,024*

An Choimisinéir Teanga

1

14,665

Waterways Ireland

1

9,574

Údarás na Gaeltachta

1

9,671

Commissioners of Charitable Donations & Bequests

1

1,592

Western Development Commission

10

22,599

An Foras Teanga comprising:

Foras na Gaeilge

Nil

Ulster Scots Agency

*The cost of printing reports.

Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 73.

National Drugs Strategy.

David Stanton

Question:

93 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding allocated to each of the drugs task forces in 2009; the amount each task force received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41670/09]

The table provides details of funding allocated to the Drugs Task Forces (DTFs) to support projects in their respective areas in 2009 and expenditure to date in 2009. The Deputy should note that, with regard to 2009, the original current funding sum allocated to the DTFs following the April 2009 Budget was €32.5m. When carryover from 2008 is taken into account, the net amount required in 2009 is estimated to be €31.6m.

Local Drugs Task Force

2009 Allocation at April

Revised 2009 Allocation

Paid to Date

€m

€m

€m

Ballyfermot

1.62

1.57

1.57

Ballymun

1.32

1.26

1.26

Blanchardstown

1.25

1.29

1.29

Bray

1.77

1.77

1.72

Canal Comm.

1.74

1.72

1.71

Clondalkin

1.58

1.58

1.58

Cork

1.76

1.76

1.76

Dublin 12

1.25

1.23

1.23

Dublin NE

1.37

1.27

1.17

DLR

1.03

1.03

1.00

Finglas Cabra

1.04

0.91

0.84

Cross Task Force

0.10

0.04

0.00

NIC

2.65

2.62

2.52

SIC

2.43

2.43

2.42

Tallaght

1.39

1.28

1.28

Total LDTF

22.30

21.76

21.35

Regional Drugs Task Force

Original 2009 Allocation

Revised 2009 Allocation

Paid to Date

€m

€m

€m

East Coast

0.90

0.84

0.84

Mid-West inc LCSG

1.58

1.50

1.50

Midlands

0.89

0.82

0.80

North East

1.11

1.11

1.11

North West

0.75

0.72

0.72

North Dublin City & County

0.73

0.73

0.69

South East

1.32

1.30

1.30

South West

0.92

0.92

0.92

Southern

1.17

1.16

1.16

Western

0.78

0.78

0.78

Total RDTF

10.15

9.88

9.82

In addition an amount of €25,000 has been allocated to each Drugs Task Force for small-scale capital expenditure in 2009.

Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 80.

Íocaíochtaí Deontas.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

95 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhféadfadh sé cuntas a thabhairt ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta go dtí seo ag a Roinn faoi na tuilte i nGaoth Dobhair i mí an Mheithimh seo caite, ar an líon iarratais a fuarthas sa Roinn, ar an líon deontais atá ceadaithe go dtí seo, ar chostais na ndeontas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41652/09]

Dírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh 120 ar 6 Deireadh Fómhair 2009. Mar a chuir mé in iúl sa bhfreagra sin, tá €87,000 ceadaithe ag mo Roinn do Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall chun 15 bóthar áise a dheisiú sa chás seo. Tá measúnú déanta ag oifigigh mo Roinne anois ar na hiarratais ar fad a bhain leis an damáiste tuile agus beidh meastacháin á gcur ar fáil ó Chomhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall i leith na n-iarratas atá cáilithe. Déanfar cinneadh maidir le deontais a cheadú sna cásanna sin ach na meastacháin a bheith faighte agus soláthar airgid a bheith ar fáil do mo Roinnse chun na críche seo.

Departmental Agencies.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

96 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of agencies or State bodies under his remit; if, due to recent budget decisions any consolidation or changes have been made to such bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41623/09]

The agencies and bodies under the remit of my Department are as follows:

1. Dormant Accounts Board

2. Pobal

3. National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD)

4. Office of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland (CCDB)

5. An Coimisinéir Teanga

6. Waterways Ireland

7. Western Development Commission

8. Údarás na Gaeltachta

9. Foras na Gaeilge (part of An Foras Teanga)

10. Ulster Scots Agency (part of An Foras Teanga)

There have been no consolidation or changes to any of these agencies or bodies stemming from the most recent supplementary budget of April 7th, at this juncture.

Question No. 97 answered with Question No. 73.
Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 66.

Inland Waterways.

Joe Costello

Question:

99 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on funding or grant assistance being awarded for the provision of marinas on rivers or canals within the control of Waterways Ireland to develop such facilities as tourist attractions and to develop boat ownership here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41620/09]

Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigational waterways primarily for recreational purposes. In line with its remit, Waterways Ireland has, since its establishment, developed both waterway and waterside facilities, increased mooring capacity, enhanced existing facilities and opened new waterway destinations. Waterways Ireland carries out a capital development programme to provide moorings and harbours for public use and other services along the waterways to open up the navigations and facilitate access to the waterways.

The provision of funding for Waterways Ireland is considered in the context of the business plan and corporate plan priorities approved periodically by the North/South Ministerial Council, having regard to the financial resources available to the two sponsor Departments concerned — my own Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. The precise scale of works to be carried out in 2010 to improve services and facilities 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. It should be noted that Waterways Ireland is not a grant-aiding organisation and, as such, cannot financially assist the development of private marinas.

Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 69.
Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 82.

National Drugs Strategy.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

102 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to expand the local drugs tasks forces from the current number; if there is a need to look at a country wide local drugs tasks force in view of the size of some of the areas served by the local drugs task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41640/09]

A total of 14 Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) are currently in operation, of which 12 are located in Dublin while the others are in Bray and Cork. The rest of the country is covered by 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs). I have no proposals at present to change the number of Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. Action 62 of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 provides for a review of Drugs Task Force boundaries. I intend to examine this matter in conjunction with the Drugs Advisory Group of the Office of the Minister for Drugs which includes representatives of relevant Departments and agencies and representatives of the community and voluntary sector.

Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 70.

Community Development.

Willie Penrose

Question:

104 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on recent media reports on the possible consequences of finishing or changing the various community development projects here; his further views on the sentiment expressed in the reports that changes to the CDP would have consequences for the communities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41635/09]

The Deputy will appreciate that there are a number of initiatives in hand which have direct import for the Community Development Programme.

Programme Redesign and Structural reform

For some time now my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion and Community Development Programmes, drawing on best international practice, and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes. The LDSIP and the CDP are the Department's two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are currently delivered through separate local delivery structures.

In 2008, my Department engaged the services of the Centre for Effective Services to prepare proposals for a redesigned programme. The Centre has very recently presented a new Programme outline to the Department which I propose to accept. The aim of the new programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and people in disadvantaged communities. This will be underpinned by four high level goals:

To promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.

To increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources.

To increase peoples' work readiness and employment prospects.

To promote engagement with policy, practice and decision making processes on matters affecting local communities.

The new Programme will preserve elements of good practice from the existing CDP/LDSIP programmes and will enhance monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Further work by the Centre, on more detailed aspects of the Programme, is ongoing in the light of consultations and feedback with various community sector groups. As previously signalled, it is my intention that CDPs and partnership/Integrated company structures should align so as to minimise structures and provide a single integrated delivery structure for all areas. An implementation strategy, involving the stakeholders, is underway in preparation for programme roll-out in 2010. This will be discussed with groups at a seminar to be held on Wednesday 25th November.

Review

Earlier this year the Department commenced a review of the performance of Community Development Projects funded under the Community Development Programme. This work is nearing completion. The objective of the review is to identify those projects that produce tangible appropriate benefits for the communities that they serve. Initial indications are that the vast majority of projects fall into this category and funding will be available — subject to budgetary constraints — through the new programme in 2010. For those projects that do not come into this category, continued funding from the Department will not be available. However, an appeals mechanism will be put in place.

Conclusion

I acknowledge that the past while has been a time of uncertainty for CDPs. It is my wish that over the next few weeks CDPs will have clarity on the shape of the new programme, the outcome of the Departmental review and funding arrangements for 2010.

Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, answered with Question No. 73.

Corrib Gas Project.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

108 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the efforts by his Department to resolve the Corrib gas dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41645/09]

My Department's role in this issue largely focuses on the work of the North West Mayo Forum which, as the Deputy will be aware, was established in November 2008, with the dual purpose of facilitating dialogue on local issues relating to the Corrib Gas Project and also offering the opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the North West region and, in particular, Kilcommon Parish. The Forum has provided an opportunity for a range of local groups with an interest in the Corrib Gas Project to engage in a structured dialogue with each other, with the developer, Government Ministers, local representatives and with relevant Government Departments and public agencies.

Arising from the deliberations of the Forum and a community consultation process, an investment programme to improve the social and physical infrastructure of the area was drawn up by Mayo County Council whereby a number of projects, both long and short term, were identified. A number of priority projects involving investment of €750,000 were identified for delivery in 2009. Considerable progress had been made in the implementation of this programme. In addition to the above, a major revamp of Coláiste Chomáin in Ros Dumhach (Rossport) is to be undertaken, to the value of €340,000. My own Department has committed funding of €260,000 towards investment projects in the area, as follows:

€100,000 towards village enhancement projects in the area. These community projects will commence shortly and will be finished for the most part in 2009;

In the area of Rural Recreation / Tourism, €160,000 has been committed for the proposed extension of the of the existing north coast walk from Céide Fields to Belmullet, and other associated developments.

These projects are phase one of the implementation of a range of transport, education, enterprise, recreation and village enhancement measures identified as part of the work of the North West Mayo Community Forum. I am pleased to support the socio-economic development of this area through these initiatives and am confident that they will show tangible benefits for the people of this area.

Departmental Programmes.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

109 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied with the progress of the various LEADER programmes here; the amount these programmes have allocated to their communities; if he has plans to change the qualifying criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41633/09]

In answering this question I take it that the Deputy refers to the ‘various LEADER Programmes' she is referring to the various Local Action Groups delivering the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013. The RDP 2007 — 2013 has funding of €425m available to be allocated to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. Expenditure under the programme may continue up to the end of 2015.

There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the LEADER elements of the RDP which commenced in February 2009. Each group has been given an overall programme allocation over the life of the programme. To date each group has been given an allocation to cover administration and animation costs for 2009. Project funding has been made available to cover 2009 and a partial project allocation has been made for 2010 and 2011. Further allocations will be made on a regular basis over the life of the programme subject to resource availability. Since the commencement of the programme in February 2009, €2.7m has been paid out on completed projects. It is estimated that up to a further €3million will be paid out on completed projects by the end of 2009 bringing the total spend in relation to project activity to €5.7million for the year. There is a total of €35.5 million in project activity on hand and more than €18million of that is in respect of fully approved projects. For a breakdown of the current position regarding each individual group's programme allocations, project commitments and project expenditure please refer to the table below.

In line with the bottom-up nature of the LEADER approach, the Local Action Group is the principle decision-maker in the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the Groups Local Development Strategy and in line with Department Operating rules and EU Regulations. Currently there are no plans to change the qualifying criteria for project funding. Given the level of progress to date and that the programme only got underway in February of this year I am satisfied that the programme is performing well and will achieve its overall targets.

Local Action Group

Overall Programme Allocation

Approved Project Commitments to date

Project Expenditure to date

Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership

9,057,810

583,851.63

130,320.04

Ballyhoura Development Ltd

11,673,519

1,018,317.65

173,138.08

Carlow Co Development Partnership Ltd

8,878,177

275,855.37

57,794.46

Cavan and Monaghan LEADER

12,035,118

45,613.58

0.00

Comhar na nOileán Teo

4,642,415

88,166.85

8,846.00

Clare Local Development Co. Ltd

14,028,529

959,101.00

239,575.00

Donegal Local Development Co. Ltd.

12,831,901

527,496.45

0.00

FORUM Connemara

9,668,965

126,694.75

3,303.00

Fingal LEADER Partnership

7,766,780

118,410.87

0.00

Galway Rural Development Co.Ltd.

15,257,985

683,312.65

12,823.51

Inishowen Development Partnership

8,286,143

274,279.89

155,848.70

IRD Duhallow

10,315,943

836,636.00

285,176.00

Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo

12,282,448

144,231.79

0.00

Co Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Ltd

11,523,729

590,615.28

31,292.26

Laois Community and Enterprise Development Co. Ltd

10,993,608

265,538.00

5,436.00

Leitrim Integrated Development Co

10,845,497

447,880.46

0.00

Longford Community Resource Ltd

8,714,110

742,949.00

2,500.00

Louth LEADER Partnership

8,839,815

402,536.73

92,817.01

Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Co. Teo

10,751,894

673,304.67

212,728.02

Meath Partnership

12,748,771

851,958.01

196,576.46

Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo

17,278,809

544,105.89

743.58

North & East Kerry LEADER Partnership Teo

10,558,882

496,251.72

0.00

North Tipperary LEADER Partnership Co

9,708,008

454,478.24

0.00

Offaly Integrated Local Development Co

11,520,489

676,255.94

17,676.28

Roscommon Integrated Development Co

12,838,021

280,058.29

0.00

Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership Co

10,888,673

392,297.47

259,125.97

South East Cork Area Development Ltd

10,641,494

952,864.28

181,603.93

South Tipperary Local Development Co. Ltd

11,106,187

504,838.58

3,379.46

South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd

12,370,667

516,480.23

84,356.73

South West Mayo Development Co. Ltd

12,150,007

959,530.24

259,550.42

Waterford LEADER Partnership Ltd

10,558,519

364,099.82

71,974.99

West Cork Development Partnership

14,601,149

629,199.00

52,390.00

West Limerick Resources

9,997,751

465,752.75

54,551.87

Westmeath Community Development

10,987,060

350,080.33

48,216.33

Wexford Local Development

12,515,565

978,695.86

28,138.87

Co. Wicklow Partnership

11,135,560

377,679.00

108,055.00

Total

399,999,998*

18,599,418.27

2,777,938

Balance of overall programme funding of €25million remains to be allocated.

Innovation Fund Ireland.

Richard Bruton

Question:

110 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the progress made to date in establishing innovation fund Ireland; the timeframe in place for funds to be made available for research and development; the criteria which will be used to determine eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41691/09]

Introduction of ‘Innovation Fund Ireland' is a commitment of Building Ireland’s Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal and the Renewed Programme for Government. It aims to ensure greater availability of venture capital to help achieve our vision for transforming Ireland into theinnovation and commercialisation hub of Europe by supporting innovative SMEs and help scale indigenous companies. It is also an objective to use the Fund to help attract leading Venture Capital companies to locate their European operations here.

Detailed arrangements are currently being finalised by relevant Departments and Agencies for implementation of the proposal, taking account of market developments in the past year. The opportunity is also being taken, in line with the Renewed Programme for Government, to avail of the expertise of members of the Innovation Taskforce which is currently advising on measures to promote innovation and commercialisation of research. It remains the objective that the Fund will be established in early 2010. In the meantime, Enterprise Ireland continues to provide venture capital through its Seed and Venture Capital Programmes.

Departmental Reports.

Joe McHugh

Question:

111 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Taoiseach the number of National Economic and Social Forum reports that have been commissioned and published from 2000 to date in 2009; the cost of each of these reports; the cost of producing all reports; the extent to which these reports’ recommendations have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41729/09]

The NESF has commissioned and published 34 Reports from 2000 to-date in 2009 and they are listed in the table below. Copies of reports are available in the Oireachtas Library as each NESF Report is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and further details are also available from the NESF website (www.nesf.ie). My function in respect of the NESF Reports is to present them to Government and not to monitor the implementation of their recommendations. Any questions in relation to the implementation of recommendations contained in NESF Reports should be put down to the relevant Minister. In the time available, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the full costs of these reports. However, the relevant information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

NESF Reports, 2000-2009

Report

Date

Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Local Employment Service

Mar-00

Opinion — The National Anti-Poverty Strategy

Aug-00

Social and Affordable Housing and Accommodation: Building the Future

Sep-00

Alleviating Labour Shortages

Nov-00

Lone Parents

Jul-01

Third Periodic Report on the Work of the NESF

Nov-01

Re-integration of Prisoners

Jan-02

A Strategic Policy Framework for Equality Issues

Mar-02

Early School Leavers

Mar-02

Equity of Access to Hospital Care

Jul-02

Labour Market Issues for Older Workers

Feb-03

Equality Policies for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People: Implementation Issues, AND

Apr-03

Inaugural Meeting on 30th January 2003

Jan-03

The Policy Implications of Social Capital

Oct-03

Equality Policies for Older People: Implementation Issues

Jul-03

Fourth Periodic Report on the work of the Forum

Nov-04

Second Meeting of the NAPS Social Inclusion Forum

Jan-05

Early Childhood Care and Education

Jul-05

Care for Older People

Nov-05

Creating a More Inclusive Labour Market

Mar-06

Third Meeting of the Social Inclusion Forum

Apr-06

Improving the Delivery of Quality Public Services

Feb-07

Fourth Meeting of the Social Inclusion Forum

Feb-07

Evidence-based Policy Making: Getting the Evidence, using the Evidence & Evaluating the Outcomes

Feb-07

Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion

Mar-07

Mental Health and Social Inclusion

Nov-07

Mental Health in the Workplace

Nov-07

In the Frame out of the Picture? A Statistical Analysis of Public Involvement in the Arts

Feb-08

In the Frame or Out of the Picture? Seminar Report

Jun-08

Fifth Meeting of the Social Inclusion Forum

Nov-08

Fifth Periodic Report on the Work of the NESF

Dec-08

Implementation of the Home Care Package Scheme

Nov-09

Child Literacy and Social Inclusion

Nov-09

Child Literacy and Social Inclusion Supplementary Report

Nov-09

Population Statistics.

George Lee

Question:

112 Deputy George Lee asked the Taoiseach the details from the 1996, 2002 and 2006 census of the demographic breakdown of the Glencullen electoral division, County Dublin, by age category; the number of persons in each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41269/09]

The following table provides data from the 1996, 2002 and 2006 Census of Population.

Persons, usually resident, in the Electoral Division of 057 Glencullen, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown by age group for the years of 1996, 2002 and 2006.

Age Group

1996

2002

2006

00-04

897

1,247

1,429

05-09

679

952

1,341

10-14

596

871

1,033

15-19

455

594

756

20-24

437

516

708

25-29

1,104

724

1,334

30-34

1,309

1,206

1,747

35-39

716

1,449

1,631

40-44

374

831

1,288

45-49

330

431

796

50-54

265

367

454

55-59

216

246

388

60-64

163

227

255

65-69

155

177

229

70-74

120

143

154

75-79

104

97

130

80-84

74

107

112

85+

69

81

140

Total

8,063

10,266

13,925

Census of Population.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

113 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Taoiseach his views regarding the inclusion of a question on autism in the next census. [41373/09]

As part of the preparatory work for the 2011 census the CSO conducted a public consultation by inviting members of the public and various interest groups to make submissions on the topics to be covered, and on the outputs to be produced. A notice to this effect was published in the national press in September 2008 seeking submissions, and all government departments were contacted for their input. This phase of the process has now concluded. A Census Advisory Group was set up in Autumn 2008 to consider the submissions received and advise on the questions to be tested in a pilot survey planned to be carried in April 2009. The Census Advisory Group is representative of central and local government, the social partners, universities, research bodies and other users of census data along with the relevant CSO personnel.

Over 90 submissions covering 31 topics were received in total, among them submissions on the subject of disability, and in particular on the subject of autism. A specific sub-group was convened to consider the disability questions on the census form. This sub-group was composed of representatives from the National Disability Authority, the Equality Authority, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies. The proposal to list specific disabilities within the disability question, namely to make specific reference to autistic spectrum disorder, or downs syndrome, in the category ‘A learning or intellectual disability' was considered at the second meeting of the group.

The group concluded that it would not be appropriate, nor would there be enough room on the census form, to list all individual disabilities. However, in order to go some way towards accommodating this request the existing (2006) category ‘ A learning or intellectual disability’ was split into two categories ‘An intellectual disability’ and separately ‘A difficulty with learning, remembering or concentrating’ for testing in the pilot survey. The group felt that this approach narrowed the categories and thus helped address the issue of autism, while allowing the question to remain as inclusive as possible. The new wording of the disability questions which were tested in the Census Pilot Survey in April 2009 were as follows:

Census Pilot Survey 2009 — wording of Disability questions (Form B)

14 Do you have any of the following long-lasting conditions or difficulties?

(a)

Blindness or a serious vision impairment

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

(b)

Deafness or a serious hearing impairment

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

(c)

A difficulty with basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting or carrying

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

(d)

An intellectual disability

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

(e)

A difficulty with learning, remembering or concentrating

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

(f)

A psychological or emotional condition

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

(g)

A difficulty with pain, breathing, or any other chronic illness or condition

Yes[ ]

No[ ]

15 If ‘Yes’ to any of the categories specified in Question 14, do you have any difficulty in doing any of the following ?

(a)

Dressing, bathing or getting around inside the home

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

(b)

Going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor’s surgery

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

(c)

Working at a job or business or attending school or college

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

(d)

Participating in other activities, for example leisure or using transport

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

The CSO, in consultation with the Census Advisory Group, has now finalised its analysis of the results of the census pilot. This analysis has indicated that the revised questions on disability tested in the pilot have been successful and accordingly should be recommended for inclusion in the 2011 census questionnaire. In this regard it is important to bear in mind that only questions that have been tested and have been proven to have worked in the census pilot can be considered for inclusion in the 2011 census.

Departmental Procurement.

George Lee

Question:

114 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of invoices which are paid within 15 days in each Government Department; the average length of time it takes for each Government Department to pay their invoices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41399/09]

The Government Decision of 19 May 2009 regarding the reduction of payment periods by Government Departments to 15 days, included a requirement for Departments to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting this target. These reports are to be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the end of the quarter. The first such reports covering the period 15 June 2009 to 30 September 2009 were due by 15 October 2009. The Reports provide details of invoices paid within 15 days, between 16 and 30 days and over 30 days. Information on the average length of time to pay invoices is not included. My Department is currently in the process of examining and collating the first returns received from Government Departments. When this process is concluded, I intend to publish the information on my Department's website. An initial examination of returns received to date, shows that the majority of payments made during the period were made within 15 days.

Community Employment Schemes.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

115 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to change the rules in order that persons who qualify for jobseeker’s benefit but do not subsequently qualify for jobseeker’s allowance are not precluded from taking part in social employment schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41762/09]

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. The purpose of CE is to help unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market 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.

The current eligibility criteria set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for entry onto the Community Employment programme allows for the combination of periods on different social welfare payments provided they add up to at least 12 consecutive months and the person is currently in receipt of the payment at the time of application. The eligibility criteria is scheduled to be reviewed to see how it reflects the current unemployment situation and how it benefits those clients who would be best served by participating in CE.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

116 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of places available in active labour market programmes funded by her Department, broken down by category, in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; her expenditure on these active labour market programmes broken down by category for each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41270/09]

This year the Government has doubled to over 130,000 the number of activation training and work experience places provided by FÁS in 2009. At the end of September 115,000 unemployed were currently participating (51,116) or had completed (64,171). The table attached shows the expenditure and the number of throughput recorded by FÁS 2007,2008 and the year to date 2009. Throughput is the number of participants who have begun a FÁS training programme.

Programme

Actual spend to date-Sep 2009

Places 2009

In training Sep 09

Throughput to date-Sep 2009

Actual spend 2008

Throughput 2008

Actual spend 2007

Throughput 2007

€m’s

€m’s

€m’s

Bridging Foundation Training

11.650

4,643

864

4,159

23.635

6,051

21.226

5,480

Return to Work Programme

1.186

855

78

531

3.004

801

2.773

777

Specific Skills Training

39.209

26,988

4,467

11,210

41.367

5,701

37.364

5,704

Traineeship

19.468

3,014

1,462

2,135

29.221

2,228

25.191

1,995

Community Training Centres

35.414

2,300

2,262

1,818

49.756

1,679

46.757

1,790

Local Training Initiatives

23.163

2,340

2,330

2,463

32.676

2,665

30.736

2,792

Specialist Training Providers

42.126

n.a.

1,898

1,266

55.191

1,444

52.009

1,503

Evening Courses

2.991

30,448

6,133

13,592

0.000

0

0.000

0

Online Learning

0.384

22,320

3,618

5,826

0.000

0

0.000

0

Short Time Working Training Programme

0.000

277

0

0.000

0

0.000

0

Technical Employment Support Grant

3.876

11,000

0

8,600

3.122

5,500

2.886

2,000

Redundant Apprenticeship Rotation scheme

1.971

488

158

0.000

0

0

Work Placement Programme

2,000

32

0

0.000

0

0

Community Employment

272.752

22,780

22,726

7,494

377.512

30,292

357.505

29,913

Job Initiative

27.444

1,450

1,420

0

37.734

1,430

40.065

1,582

Wage Subsidy Scheme

7.470

0

978

98

9.428

106

7.610

108

Supported employment

6.436

0

2,360

0

8.574

0

8.254

0

Total all programmes

495.540

130,415

51,116

64,171

671.220

57,897

632.376

53,644

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

117 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons participating in FÁS courses; the number of persons participating in short FÁS courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41273/09]

As at the end of September 2009 the number of persons participating on FÁS training courses was 23,901, of which a total of 2,871 persons were participants on short (modular) courses.

Business Regulation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

118 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has established a baseline for the compliance costs which businesses are bearing against which she can set a detailed plan to reduce the administrative burden by 25% in accordance with her commitment; if she has identified the changes that will be made in 2010 and the percentage reduction in compliance that will be represented by these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41314/09]

Richard Bruton

Question:

133 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in reducing the administrative burden placed on business, particularly administrative burdens which arise from taxation, environmental, health and safety legislation, and obligations arising from employment law and company law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41693/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 133 together.

My Department is charged with leading the cross-Government drive to reduce administrative burdens on business. We are doing this in a prioritised way, drawing on the experiences of other Member States who are also involved in this international effort. Departments are currently identifying the "Information Obligations", contained in their legislation, likely to be causing the biggest burdens for business. When the top Information Obligations have been identified, these priorities will be measured and, following this, simplification plans will be developed, detailing how the reductions are to be carried out. Work is now well advanced in my own Department in measuring information obligations in Company Law, Employment Law, and Health & Safety Law.

My Department has identified 34 priority Information Obligations across these three areas. The priorities were identified through consultation with business groups and experts, and by comparison with the results of the UK measurement exercise. It is envisaged that measurement of the 34 Information Obligations will be completed by the end of 2009. Other Departments are currently listing and prioritising the Information Obligations contained in the legislation under their responsibility. Measurement of priorities identified across Government will be carried out during 2010. Once these measurements have been concluded, simplification plans will be developed. Following this, simplification will be carried out during 2011 and 2012.

Redundancy Payments.

Jack Wall

Question:

119 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to permit them to apply for their rightful payments in view of the fact they have not received such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41330/09]

It is the case that an employee must make application to my Department for a redundancy payment or seek a determination from the Employment Appeals Tribunal within twelve months of ceasing employment although the Employment Appeals Tribunal has the power to extend the deadline from 52 weeks to 104 weeks. In this instance, no claim was lodged with my Department for a redundancy payment. I am advised, however, that a claim was lodged with the Employment Appeals Tribunal in April 2008, and was subsequently withdrawn. The Employment Appeals Tribunal is an independent, quasi-judicial body under the aegis of my Department. As an independent body, I have no role in the day to day operation of the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

Work Permits.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

120 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review a work permit renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41343/09]

The Employment Permits Section informs me that a renewal permit has now issued in this case.

Redundancy Payments.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

121 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a notice of redundancy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford which was first submitted in June 2009 and a further notice sent by registered post on 15 September 2009 was received in her Department; the reason this person has not received payment of their entitlement under the redundancy payments Acts; if payment will be awarded without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41430/09]

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. I can confirm that my Department received a statutory lump sum application for the individual concerned on 16 September, 2009, claiming inability to pay on behalf of the employer. I understand that an earlier application submitted in June 2009 was incomplete and was returned for completion.

In this case, as in all cases where the employer claims inability to pay the employee(s) statutory redundancy, the Department requires the employer to provide sufficient proof to substantiate the claim. This includes providing the latest set of audited accounts for the company as well as certification from the company's Accountant or Solicitor attesting to the fact that the employer has insufficient assets to pay the redundancy entitlements. Providing this documentation is submitted and is in order, the Department pays the employee(s) directly from the Social Insurance Fund. If the supporting information required from the employer is not provided to my Department, the employee is advised by the Department to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal against the employer to seek a determination establishing the employee's right and entitlement to redundancy. Once such a determination is available, this allows the Department to make payment to the employee(s) concerned.

In this case, information has been requested from the employee to establish whether the employer has paid the statutory payment, and my understanding is that she has not received her statutory redundancy payment from her former employer. In view of this, the individual has been advised by my Department to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal in order to establish her right to redundancy entitlement. Recent communication between my Department and the individual concerned has taken place again very recently informing her of the steps necessary in order to establish her claim for redundancy payment. In relation to lump sum claims such as in the current case, my Department is, in general, processing claims dating from June 2009.

Given the unprecedented increase in Redundancy Payment claims lodged with my Department since late 2008 it has proved impossible to maintain the customer service targets that previously obtained. The scale of the challenge is evident from the statistics that show incoming redundancy claims with a cumulative figure for the first ten months of 2009 at 67,346. This figure exceeds the claims lodged for the full year 2008 (40,607) and 2008 was, of itself, an exceptional year as compared with earlier years when claims received were of the order of 25,000. Efforts continue to be made by my Department to deliver more acceptable turnaround processing times for redundancy payments given the difficulties that this gives rise to for both individual employees and the business community. Measures already taken include:

the reassignment of 26.7 additional staff (full time equivalents) from other areas of the Department to the Redundancy Payments area since early 2009 with ongoing review of trends and demands. The current number of staff serving in the Redundancy Payments Section in terms of full time equivalents is 51.5 although the Section is currently carrying two vacant positions which are due to be filled;

the prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Redundancy Payments Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;

the establishment of a special call handling facility to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses who are naturally concerned about their payments, using the facilities and cooperation of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). This centre has received an average of 12,500 calls per month this year with an estimated 60% relating to redundancy payments;

The provision of better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against outstanding tax liabilities with the Revenue Commissioners.

The Tánaiste and I continue to monitor closely the impact of these changes against the continuing influx of redundancy claims and will consider further measures to deal with the situation should current measures prove to be inadequate.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

122 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department has received a redundancy notice in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if this person has an entitlement under the Redundancy Acts; if so, when their entitlement will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41439/09]

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. I can confirm that my Department received a statutory lump sum application for the individual concerned on 14 September, 2009, claiming inability to pay on behalf of the employer. This application is awaiting processing and therefore no decision as to the entitlement of the individual to redundancy has yet been made.

In this case, as in all cases where the employer claims inability to pay the employee(s) statutory redundancy, the Department requires the employer to provide sufficient proof to substantiate the claim. This includes providing the latest set of audited accounts for the company as well as certification from the company's Accountant or Solicitor attesting to the fact that the employer has insufficient assets to pay the redundancy entitlements. Providing this documentation is submitted and is in order, the Department pays the employee(s) directly from the Social Insurance Fund. If the supporting information required from the employer is not provided to my Department, the employee is advised by the Department to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal against the employer to seek a determination establishing the employee's right and entitlement to redundancy. Once such a determination is available, this allows the Department to make payment to the employee(s) concerned.

In relation to lump sum claims, my Department is, in general, processing claims dating from June 2009. Given the unprecedented increase in Redundancy Payment claims lodged with my Department since late 2008 it has proved impossible to maintain the customer service targets that previously obtained. The scale of the challenge is evident from the statistics that show incoming redundancy claims with a cumulative figure for the first ten months of 2009 at 67,346. This figure exceeds the claims lodged for the full year 2008 (40,607) and 2008 was, of itself, an exceptional year as compared with earlier years when claims received were of the order of 25,000.

Efforts continue to be made by my Department to deliver more acceptable turnaround processing times for redundancy payments given the difficulties that this gives rise to for both individual employees and the business community. Measures already taken include:

the reassignment of 26.7 additional staff (full time equivalents) from other areas of the Department to the Redundancy Payments area since early 2009 with ongoing review of trends and demands. The current number of staff serving in the Redundancy Payments Section in terms of full time equivalents is 51.5 although the Section is currently carrying two vacant positions which are due to be filled;

the prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Redundancy Payments Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;

the establishment of a special call handling facility to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses who are naturally concerned about their payments, using the facilities and cooperation of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). This centre has received an average of 12,500 calls per month this year with an estimated 60% relating to redundancy payments

The provision of better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against outstanding tax liabilities with the Revenue Commissioners.

The Tánaiste and I continue to monitor closely the impact of these changes against the continuing influx of redundancy claims and will consider further measures to deal with the situation should current measures prove to be inadequate.

Departmental Expenditure.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

123 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount the she has paid to a company (details supplied) to investigate allegations of bullying made against an official in her Department in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41454/09]

€15,034.25 was paid to the company in question in respect of an investigation into an allegation of bullying.

Fiontraíocht Éireann.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

124 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Leo Varadkar den Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta an aontaíonn sí nár chóir feidhmeanna fiontraíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta a aistriú go Fiontraíocht Éireann ós rud é gur cuid lárnach agus ríthábhachtach de ghnó an Údaráis iad na feidhmeanna fiontraíochta, agus go ndéanfaí tuilleadh imeallú ar fhiontraíocht sna Gaeltachtaí dá n-aistreofaí na feidhmeanna sin go Fiontraíocht Éireann toisc go mbeadh béim ag Fiontraíocht Éireann ar na cathracha agus na bailte tairsí agus go bhféadfaí neamhshuim a dhéanamh de riachtanais na mbailte iargúlta Gaeltachta, i bhfianaise a cuid cainte ag seoladh Oireachtas na Samhna i Leitir Ceanainn i mbliana. [41467/09]

Foilsíodh Tuarascáil an Ghrúpa Speisialta ar Uimhreacha sna Seirbhísí Poiblí agus Cláir Caiteachas i mí Iúil seo caite. I measc na moltaí atá sa Tuarascáil moltar comhláthrú fheidhm fiontraíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta laistigh de Fhiontraíocht Éireann. Maraon le moltaí go léir an Ghrúpa, tá súil agam go ndéanfaidh an Rialtas scrúdú ar an moladh seo i gcomhthéacs Meastacháin 2010.

Redundancy Payments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding an application for redundancy in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41484/09]

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.

I am advised that there is no record in my Department of a claim for redundancy payment in respect of the individual concerned. I note that the copy of a redundancy application provided as part of the documentation sent in by the Deputy is not signed by either the employer or employee. It may be the case that the claim was submitted to the Department in this way and, if so, it would have been returned for completion/signature. I understand that in this case the employer for whom the individual worked is in Receivership and in that instance, claims for redundancy would be submitted by the Receiver. In general, eligibility for statutory lump sum redundancy claims require that:

The employee must have at least two years continuous service (104 weeks).

The employee must be in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts.

The employee must be 16 years or older.

The employee must have been made redundant as a result of a genuine redundancy situation.

Where there is a change in ownership of a business but the employee by arrangement continues to work for the new owner with no break in employment, the employee is not entitled to redundancy payment at the time of change of ownership but his continuity of employment is preserved for the purpose of redundancy by the new employer at any future date.

John Cregan

Question:

126 Deputy John Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when statutory redundancy will be awarded to a company (details supplied) in County Limerick to enable one former employee to receive their payment. [41536/09]

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. I can confirm that my Department received an application for a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on 5 August, 2009 in respect of the individual concerned which is awaiting processing.

The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is currently processing rebate applications submitted by post from March 2009 and those filed online from April 2009 so that the waiting time is approximately 7 to 8 months depending on the manner of filing the application. In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements as in this case, the Section is, in general, processing claims dating from June 2009. Given the unprecedented increase in Redundancy Payment claims lodged with my Department since late 2008 it has proved impossible to maintain the customer service targets that previously obtained. The scale of the challenge is evident from the statistics that show incoming redundancy claims with a cumulative figure for the first ten months of 2009 at 67,346. This figure exceeds the claims lodged for the full year 2008 (40,607) and 2008 was, of itself, an exceptional year as compared with earlier years when claims received were of the order of 25,000.

Efforts continue to be made by my Department to deliver more acceptable turnaround processing times for redundancy payments given the difficulties that this gives rise to for both individual employees and the business community. Measures already taken include:

the reassignment of 26.7 additional staff (full time equivalents) from other areas of the Department to the Redundancy Payments area since early 2009 with ongoing review of trends and demands. The current number of staff serving in the Redundancy Payments Section in terms of full time equivalents is 51.5 although the Section is currently carrying two vacant positions which are due to be filled;

the prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Redundancy Payments Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;

the establishment of a special call handling facility to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses who are naturally concerned about their payments, using the facilities and cooperation of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). This centre has received an average of 12,500 calls per month this year with an estimated 60% relating to redundancy payments;

The provision of better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against outstanding tax liabilities with the Revenue Commissioners.

The Tánaiste and I continue to monitor closely the impact of these changes against the continuing influx of redundancy claims and will consider further measures to deal with the situation should current measures prove to be inadequate.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Noel Ahern

Question:

127 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the entitlement of self-employed tradesmen to get onto FÁS courses; if their eligibility to same will be clarified; if they must be signing on or be in receipt of social welfare; the conditions that need to be met; if this situation will be explained, particularly for those whose spouses work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41544/09]

Priority for access to FÁS training programmes is given to clients who are on the Live Register. Those who are not on the Live Register are also eligible to apply for FÁS training courses and may avail of all other FÁS services including evening and blended learning training as well as access to guidance and job search services. The Tánaiste and I will continue to monitor this situation and will consider measures to change eligibility criteria should current measures prove to be inadequate.

Employment Rights.

Noel Ahern

Question:

128 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a construction worker laid off after several years of employment by a company (details supplied) and has been replaced by subcontractors; if same is in order; and if the process for the worker to pursue issues will be outlined. [41545/09]

On the basis of the information supplied it is not clear if the employee was made redundant at a particular point in time or placed on a period of temporary lay off. A lay off 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. For a lay off situation to apply the period of lay off must be genuinely of a temporary nature.

In general, redundancy is a situation where an employee's job has been made redundant and the employee is not replaced. A key issue in respect of selection for redundancy is that the selection process must be seen to be fair and non-discriminatory. Should an individual feel that they have been unfairly dismissed by reason of unfair selection for redundancy, it is open to that individual to take a case to the Rights Commissioners or to the Employment Appeals Tribunal under the Unfair Dismissals Acts. The Unfair Dismissals Acts, 1977 to 2007 generally apply to any employee who has 12 months continuous service with the employer. In the case of a complaint referred to a Rights Commissioner, the employer may object and in that event the matter will be heard by the Employment Appeals Tribunal. If the employee has any further queries in this regard, they may contact the National Employment Rights Authority on their Lo-call number 1890 80 80 90 or via their website at www.employmentrights.ie

The Unfair Dismissals Acts provide that the dismissal of an employee shall be deemed, for the purposes of the Acts, not to be an unfair dismissal, if it results wholly or mainly from one or more of the following:

the capability, competence or qualifications of the employee for performing work of the kind which he/she was employed to do,

the conduct of the employee (in which case the issue of disciplinary procedures may be important)

the redundancy of the employee's job

In determining for the purposes of the Acts whether the dismissal of an employee was an unfair dismissal or not, it shall be for the employer to show that the dismissal resulted wholly or mainly from one or more of the matters specified above or that there were other substantial grounds justifying the dismissal.

Consumer Protection.

Noel Ahern

Question:

129 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the charges being raised against consumers and business; if she will report on the slow progress being made in the reduction of retail grocery and supermarket prices, which allowing for VAT and currency factors are still high compared with Northern Ireland. [41549/09]

The differential in the price of goods between this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland and the UK has been a matter of debate and concern for some time. The Government has been particularly concerned as to the impact these differentials are having on employment, business activity and consumer confidence. To this end I have been engaged with all elements of the grocery goods sector in an effort to bring greater transparency as to the reasons for the north south differential in prices and particularly as to the reasons why the benefits of the Euro's sustained appreciation in value over Sterling were not being passed on to consumers.

As part of this engagement, my Department and its Agencies have directed a series of actions within the last 12 to 18 months to bring greater transparency to this area, including National Consumer Agency Price Comparison Surveys; the Forfás Report on the Cost of Running Retail Operations in Ireland and the Competition Authority Study on the Retail-Related Import and Distribution Sector. Publication of these reports has assisted in informing the debate on why Irish consumers had not seen the full benefits of the ongoing strength of the Euro over Sterling in the prices they were paying for certain goods.

Recent price trends indicate that the north south price differential is narrowing. Indeed returns from the Central Statistics Office show that prices in Ireland are falling faster than anywhere else in the EU. Insofar as comparisons with Northern Ireland and the UK are concerned, the latest comparable figures show that retail prices fell by 6.5% in this jurisdiction in the year to September 2009, whereas prices only fell by 1.4 % in the UK for the same period. At the European level, the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which is accepted as the most appropriate measure for community wide price comparisons, shows that in the year to September 2009 there was a fall of 3% in prices in Ireland as compared with an increase in prices of 0.3% (provisional) throughout the EU as a whole. This narrowing in the differential in prices is very much to be welcomed and clearly will help the competitiveness of Irish businesses thereby helping to retain jobs, business activity and ensuring that Irish consumers get value for money.

Trade Development.

Richard Bruton

Question:

130 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date on the development of an action plan for improving trade, investment and tourism links with new fast developing markets by the end of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41686/09]

My Department is currently working with the relevant Departments and key agencies on the preparation of an action plan for improving trade, investment and tourism links with new fast developing markets as mandated in the Smart Economy Framework. The action plan will be a focused, practical and strategic plan that builds on and, most importantly, integrates all of the ongoing work currently being carried out to review and revise existing trade, investment and tourism strategies. In addition to new and emerging markets the action plan will also focus on our key markets for trade, investment and tourism, namely the UK, the Eurozone and the US. The action plan will build on the points set out in the Smart Economy Framework, as well as on the relevant recommendations from the Farmleigh Forum.

Green Enterprise.

Richard Bruton

Question:

131 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date by the high level action group on green enterprise; when the group will make recommendations and publish a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41689/09]

The High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise was launched on 21 May 2009 and the Group continued to meet until 21 September 2009. The Group also held a number of consultation sessions with interested parties over the Summer. The Report was finalised in October 2009 and submitted to Government on 3 November 2009. The Secretariat is in the process of having the Report printed and it will be published shortly.

Departmental Reports.

Richard Bruton

Question:

132 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will publish her response to recommendations contained within the report of the Competition Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41692/09]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Competition Authority's 2008 Annual Report. That report does not contain recommendations per se, rather it refers to recommendations made by the Authority that are contained in various reports published by the Authority over the past few years. The Deputy may be aware of the commitment contained in Building Ireland’s Smart Economy document to “publish a whole-of-government response to recommendations contained in Competition Authority reports within nine months of their publication”. In this context, a prioritised list of Competition Authority recommendations, based on their impact on competitiveness, was drawn up by my Department earlier this year. Recommendations contained in the NCC’s Annual Competitiveness Report and various OECD reports also contributed to this list of recommendations. I have written to the relevant Government Ministers seeking their views on how these recommendations, as they relate to their departments, can be progressed and I intend to bring an update to Government shortly on the progress achieved to date.

Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 118.

Work Permits.

Mattie McGrath

Question:

134 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of work permit applications in respect of persons (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41734/09]

The Employment Permits Section informs me that applications in respect of renewal of Employment Permits were made for the above two named. (17/09/09 for the first named person and 08/10/09 for the second named person). A decision will issue on these applications in due course.

Industrial Development.

Enda Kenny

Question:

135 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits carried out by the Industrial Development Authority to site locations in Ballina, Castlebar and Westport, County Mayo in the past 12 months; if negotiations are being conducted with potential investors as a consequence. [41744/09]

I have been informed by IDA Ireland that in the period from 1st November 2008 to date in 2009 there has been one site visit by a potential investor to Ballina, Co. Mayo. There have been no such visits to Castlebar or Westport. I am also informed that there are no on-going discussions between IDA and this particular company consequent upon that visit. While IDA Ireland encourages clients to visit particular locations, the final decision on where to visit or locate is taken in all cases by the clients.

The IDA has a network of world-class Business & Technology Parks in Mayo. These parks are fully serviced with all the necessary telecommunications and utilities infrastructure to cater for the needs of overseas clients. In addition, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) provides the area with a local source of academic and technical/research expertise. There are over 70 overseas companies with operations in the West region, as a whole, employing over 14,000 people. Their sectoral focus includes life sciences (predominantly medical technologies) accounting for 63% of IDA client company employment, information & communication technologies with 19%, engineering and consumer goods with 14% and international financial services with 4%.

Company Closures.

Richard Bruton

Question:

136 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in the various projects designed to retrieve employment opportunities in the wake of the closure of a company (details supplied) in Dublin Airport; if she or any agencies under the aegis of her Department are tracking the number of apprentices who could be supported in the emerging work programmes; the number involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41758/09]

On September 2nd 2009, I announced the establishment of Dublin Aerospace Ltd, a new aviation maintenance provider supported by Government through Enterprise Ireland. Dublin Aerospace aims to establish a best-in-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Dublin Airport, servicing APUs, Landing Gear, Base Maintenance and Training. The company has commenced operations with 32 initial employees recruited. This number is anticipated to grow to 226 jobs. The Garage business unit of SR Technics has been taken over by the M50 Truck and Van Centre who were successful in securing the airside vehicle maintenance contract from SR Technics. SR Technics will continue to operate the Line Maintenance contract for Aer Lingus until a suitable acceptable operator is agreed between both companies.

A total of 54 apprentice aircraft mechanics and 6 apprentice mechanical automation and maintenance fitters were made redundant by S.R. Technics in April this year. At the time 26 apprentice mechanics were at Phase 5 of their apprenticeship and are scheduled to do Phase 6 off-the-job training in the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) from 22 February until 11 June 2010. There were 27 apprentice mechanics at Phase 3 and they have since completed a special Phase 4 off-the-job training programme in DIT on 4 September 2009 last. This group will also be provided with Phase 6 training in February 2011. Of the 6 apprentice fitters who were at Phase 5, 2 are currently required to re-sit outstanding examinations before they can progress, 3 are scheduled to commence Phase 4 off-the-job training in January 2010 and 1 is currently completing Phase 4 off-the-job training. All apprentices will be required to complete on-the-job training with a FÁS approved employer, and my Department and FÁS are working to ensure appropriate training opportunities for all redundant apprentices.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

137 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the training or assistance which will be offered to former employees of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41770/09]

Relevant State agencies such as FÁS and Enterprise Ireland have made, and continue to make, the full range of their employment, training, guidance and advisory services available to workers made redundant at S.R. Technics to date. In addition, last month my Department submitted a provisional application to the European Commission seeking co-financing support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The application relates to the provision of a personalised package of training, educational and entrepreneurial supports to workers made redundant at SR Technics.

Redundancy Payments.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

138 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond to correspondence from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41792/09]

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 as in this case, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that two rebate applications were received from the employer in question in March of this year. My Department raised some queries on the applications requiring the input of the employees and a delay was experienced as the employees had left the country making it difficult to obtain the necessary information. I understand that following receipt of the required information very recently, the rebate claims in question are being processed and payment is expected to issue in respect of these claims within the next one to two weeks.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

139 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of money paid to a company (details supplied) for FÁS courses by location; the cost for each course in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41854/09]

The total amount of training fees paid (net of FÁS allowances for trainees) to the company in question for each of the past five years is set out in the table. Information relating to the respective locations of the training is still being prepared and will be provided to the Deputy once it has been collated. The company is part of the ongoing FÁS review of all courses where potential non-compliance instances have been identified.

Training Fee Payments to CMD for the period 2004-2008

Year

Trainer Fee

2004

127,352.85

2005

300,642.52

2006

274,242.34

2007

362,819.60

2008

460,638.83

Total

1,525,696.14

George Lee

Question:

140 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 10 November 2009, if she will provide a yes or no answer; if the answer is no, the reason she will not release this data to this Deputy before the end of 2009; if she is trying to conceal something by not releasing this data until 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41947/09]

I would refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 138.

Tax Code.

Pat Breen

Question:

141 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to comments (details supplied) made regarding discussions in relation to the €10 air travel tax; his views on these comments; if he plans to hold discussions with the airline in question on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41268/09]

A meeting took place with the airline in question to discuss a range of issues and the air travel tax arose in that context. It is policy to review all taxes in the lead up to the Budget, however, there is no specific review of the air travel tax.

Property Valuations.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

142 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the valuation process which values hotel rooms per square foot rather than by an assessment of associated income; if he will communicate the concerns of the hotel industry to the Valuation Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41296/09]

The basis of valuation for all commercial property, including hotels, is set out in Part 11 of the Valuation Act, 2001. In arriving at a valuation for any property, the Valuation Office valuer takes account of a range of factors such as location, rental evidence, trading data and the physical characteristics of the building (including floor area). All properties are compared with similar type properties in the same local authority area to ensure, in so far as it is possible, that they are all treated equally. Any individual ratepayer who has concerns about the valuation assessed on their property or any part thereof, including the method of calculation may, on payment of the statutory fee, appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation in the first instance and subsequently to the independent Valuation Tribunal as provided for in the Valuation Act, 2001. There is a further right of appeal to the superior courts on a point of law. I should point out that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and I, as Minister for Finance, have no function in decisions in this regard.

Illicit Trade in Tobacco.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

143 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the action being taken to combat tobacco smuggling and associated criminality; if he will investigate if retailers are being investigated for the sale of alleged illegal cigarettes here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41300/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

144 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the action being taken to combat tobacco smuggling; if he is liasing with EU or international colleagues in the US or China to address the smuggling of illegal cigarettes and associated criminality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41301/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

151 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of cigarettes and tobacco products seized by customs and excise at Dublin Airport for the years 2005 to date in 2009; the action he is taking to combat the problem of millions of euro worth of cigarettes being smuggled into this country; if he is targeting retailers of the alleged illegal cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41302/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 144 and 151 together.

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 the measures taken to tackle cigarette smuggling involve a combination of cargo and passenger profiling, intelligence gathering and mutual assistance co-operation with other Customs services. Where appropriate, x-ray scanning technology is used to detect and seize contraband in maritime and air transport. In this regard a second mobile container scanner has been purchased and is due to be put into operation shortly.

Where feasible, large consignments of contraband cigarettes detected at the point of importation are placed under surveillance and allowed to proceed to their destination under a controlled delivery, with a view to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the importation. Revenue, An Garda Síochána and other law enforcement agencies mount joint operations where appropriate. The multi-agency code-named Operation Samhna, which resulted in the seizure of in excess of 120 million cigarettes at Greenore on 27 October 2009, is a prime example of the fruits of multi-agency co-operation in the fight against organised crime involving tobacco smuggling.

Revenue policy also entails close liaison with individual tobacco manufacturers and the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers Advisory Committee (ITMAC) with a view to identifying illicit cigarettes on sale in the State, current trends and trading patterns. In addition, Ireland, along with other Member States, has ratified two international agreements concluded by European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) with global cigarette manufacturers Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International, with a view to tackling the illicit trade in counterfeit and contraband cigarettes. There is also close co-operation and sharing of information between Revenue and the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC).

I can advise the Deputy that Revenue enforcement officers have been conducting checks at retail outlets, markets, and distribution centres in an ongoing operation entitled Operation Downstream since December 2007. This operation focuses on seizing illicit cigarettes that evaded detection at the point of importation. In the course of this operation, 208 seizures totalling 8.7 m cigarettes were made during the first nine months of 2009. These checks are carried out on the basis of specific information received concerning certain outlets and at premises such as markets where contraband cigarettes are known to be on sale. In a parallel ongoing operation targeting cigarette packs bearing counterfeit tax stamps, checks have been made at more than 200 retail stores in the Dublin region in the course of 2009 to date. This operation was instigated following the detection of bogus Irish Tobacco Tax Stamps on counterfeit cigarettes smuggled from China.

The intelligence and operational strategy is backed up by a robust prosecution policy which has resulted in 125 convictions for cigarette smuggling or dealing in smuggled cigarettes during the first 10 months of 2009. A significant number of other cases are already before the Courts awaiting hearing or are being processed for prosecution. The Revenue Commissioners actively engage on an ongoing basis with OLAF and also with other Customs Administrations in the Member States on the matter of cigarette smuggling. OLAF has set up a special task force titled Task Group Cigarettes for this purpose. Revenue has sought the assistance of OLAF's Liaison Officer in Beijing in a number of investigations, involving large seizures of contraband cigarettes in maritime containers from China, by requesting the assistance of the Chinese Authorities. In addition, OLAF have coordinated and supported other major investigations being conducted by Revenue involving cigarette smuggling from the US and more recently from the Philippines.

It is important to point out that, under Community law, passengers arriving from another EU member state are entitled to bring duty paid cigarettes and tobacco for personal use. As regards the statistics requested by the Deputy regarding seizures of cigarettes and tobacco products at Dublin Airport, the position is set out in the following table.

Cigarettes

Year

Number of Seizures

Quantity Seized

Estimated Retail Value

Total Duties (Excise & VAT)

2005

1,531

18,339,229

6,299,525

5,043,288

2006

1,957

22,775,662

7,823,440

6,263,307

2007

2,542

38,796,520

13,326,605

10,669,043

2008

3,197

37,923,877

13,804,291

11,073,772

2009*

2,630

27,823,562

11,720,675

9,327,849

Other Tobacco Products

Year

Number of Seizures

Quantity Seized Kgs

Estimated Retail Value

Total Duties (Excise & VAT)

2005

72

429

122,694

92,394

2006

64

254

72,644

54,704

2007

113

785

244,510

169,065

2008

201

1,685

543,918

418,217

2009*

157

2,536

909,815

717,586

*Figures at 10th November 2009.

Property Valuations.

Richard Bruton

Question:

145 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the Valuations Office is undertaking fresh valuations in local authorities based on property values and business volumes at the height of the boom and revaluing the base for rate purposes in a way that is inappropriate for the present state of the market; and if he will make a statement on the fairness of this approach. [41320/09]

The Valuation Act, 2001 which came into effect on 2nd May 2002 provides for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial property. The old valuation lists date from the Griffith Valuation carried out in the 19th century. Maintaining these lists requires the Valuation Office to determine valuations by reference to the values of comparable properties on the same valuation list. The result is a list of valuations that bear no resemblance to modern valuation levels and contains many anomalies. It has long been recognised that protecting the integrity of the local authority rating system nationally requires that this be addressed and the national revaluation programme is the means by which this is being done.

The basis of rateable valuation for all commercial property is net annual value (NAV) i.e. the rental value of the property. In a revaluation, properties are assessed, in accordance with statute, by reference to rental values at a specific valuation date and a new list of valuations is produced. This new list is then used by the rating authority to levy rates on individual ratepayers. By virtue of the statutory requirement that the valuation date precede the date on which a Valuation Order is made (initiating a revaluation in any given local authority area) and the work involved in actually carrying out a revaluation of several thousand properties before the final valuation list is published, there will be a significant interval between the valuation date and the date of publication of a new list.

Revaluation is essentially about the redistribution of the commercial rates burden between ratepayers depending on the relative shift in the rental values of the properties they occupy. It is the relative value of properties to each other rather than the absolute value of an individual property, which will determine whether the rates liability of any given property decreases or increases following a revaluation. The purpose of revaluation is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system and following completion of the initial national revaluation programme. This should result in a much closer and uniform relationship between rental values of property and their commercial rates liability and this relationship will thereafter be maintained by means of the recurring revaluations provided for in the Act. In essence, the exercise is aimed at ensuring a fair sharing of the rates burden across all categories of ratepayers.

Insurance Industry.

Noel Ahern

Question:

146 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on statistics on price increases in insurance rates; and the action he proposes to take to control same which seem difficult to understand or appreciate in these deflationary times. [41549/09]

I am aware that there has been an increase in insurance premiums this year. This increase however has to be considered against a backdrop of the continuing stress in the financial markets and the recessionary pressures in the economy which is affecting all financial service providers including the insurance industry. While the Financial Regulator does not maintain statistics on price increases in the insurance sector, it has provided some background as to why insurance prices have increased in these deflationary times. It has advised me that while the non-life insurance market performed well up to the end of 2006, market sources indicate that much non-life business was written at a loss in 2007. This trend continued in 2008, but the companies were still willing to write business at a loss in order to maintain their market share. They were able to do this as a result of the reserves they had built up during profitable years. However, the situation could not go on indefinitely and indications are that firms are now taking action on pricing to underpin their financial positions.

This position is supported by a report published earlier this year by Standard & Poor's titled ‘ A Testing 2009 for the Irish Non-Life Insurance Market, Despite Fundamental Strengths’. It provides an insight into the problems facing the industry at the moment. The report envisages a difficult year for the non-life industry as a result of rising claims and continuing intense competition which they say is limiting price increases. They add that this combined with anticipated lower investment returns is expected to hinder profitability. In the current difficult trading climate, there is a delicate balance to be struck between ensuring the long-term sustainability of the non-life insurance industry and at the same time making sure that the consumer obtains good value for money. I am particularly conscious of the impact of a significant increase in premiums for both the consumer and business and I have informed the industry that it must be a priority for them to ensure that insurance cover is provided as competitively as possible consistent with long term commercial sustainability and viability.

In conclusion, the recent upward trend in insurance prices reflects a range of factors outside the control of the industry. It would not, therefore be appropriate from a policy perspective to seek to intervene in the commercial conduct or decision making of insurance firms in the absence of clear evidence of market failure in respect of which there is scope to address from a national perspective.

Tax Code.

Phil Hogan

Question:

147 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a loophole in the tax law or schemes that allow for the withdrawal of moneys from limited companies by directors to their personal accounts and nil rates of tax; the consequent loss of revenue to the State; the consequences for the suppliers of services to those companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41275/09]

The position is that where a company transfers funds into a director's personal bank account, whether such bank account is located inside or outside the State, for the purpose of tax treatment it is necessary to determine firstly the character of the funds transferred. Where the funds transferred represent directors' remuneration, the company must make the appropriate deductions of tax, PRSI, Health Levy and the Income Levy under the PAYE system before making any transfer and account for such deductions to the Collector-General. Where the funds transferred represent dividend payments in respect of shares held in the company by the director, Dividend Withholding Tax must be deducted and accounted for by the company and the director must include such income in his or her income tax return under the self-assessment system.

Where the funds transferred represent a loan extended to the director at a rate of interest below the specified rate (currently 12.5%), there is a benefit in kind charge on the director from which the company must make and account for the appropriate deductions under the PAYE system. If the company subsequently ‘writes off' the loan in favour of the director, then, in addition to the benefit in kind charge, the amount of the loan written off is taxable as normal remuneration on which tax, etc. is to be paid under the PAYE system. If the loan has been extended by what is known as a ‘close company' (broadly one which is under the control of five or fewer shareholders or under the control of the directors), then the company is deemed to have made, in the tax year in which the loan was made, an annual payment which after the deduction of income tax at the standard rate for that year is equal to the amount of the loan. However, this income tax is repayable when the director repays the loan to the company. This provision does not apply when the loan does not exceed €19,050, the director works full-time for the company or any of its associated companies and the director does not have a material interest in the company.

Where the Revenue Commissioners are aware that a company has not applied the correct tax treatment to any funds transferred into a director's bank account, they will take whatever steps are necessary to recover the tax, PRSI, Health Levy and the Income Levy due (and interest and penalties, as appropriate).

Gross National Product.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

148 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the most recent reported or estimated per capita GNP for every OECD country; the names of those countries whose per capita GNP exceeded that of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41277/09]

Gross National Product per capita figures for OECD countries are not available from the OECD. For most OECD countries, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures are closely aligned to GNP and are the preferred choice for statistical purposes. In 2008, four out of the OECD's thirty member countries had a GDP per capita in US dollars that exceeded Ireland's: namely Denmark, Switzerland, Norway and Luxembourg. A table of the GDP per capita in US dollars for OECD countries for 2008 is below.

Country

GDP Per Capita (US dollars)

Australia

46,200

Austria

49,500

Belgium

47,500

Canada

45,100

Czech Republic

20,800

Denmark

62,100

Finland

51,300

France

44,500

Germany

44,400

Greece

31,700

Hungary

15 300

Iceland

51,100

Ireland

61,000

Italy

38,500

Japan

38,400

Korea

17,700

Luxembourg

110,000

Mexico

10,100

Netherlands

53,000

New Zealand

29,500

Norway

94,400

Poland

13,900

Portugal

22,900

Slovak Republic

17,600

Spain

35,200

Sweden

52,000

Switzerland

64,000

Turkey

9,900

United Kingdom

43,500

United States

46,500

Tax Code.

George Lee

Question:

149 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 cannot use their partner’s tax credits due to the fact that they are not married; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41286/09]

Cohabitating couples are expressly recognised for the purpose of social welfare law but are not recognised for the purposes of income tax law. Although this may appear contradictory, the main aim of both the welfare code and the tax code is to uphold the constitutional right of married couples not to be treated less favourably than unmarried couples. The basis for the current tax treatment of married couples derives from the Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs the Attorney General (1980) which held that it was contrary to the Constitution for a married couple to pay more tax than two single people living together and having the same income. In the particular circumstances outlined, where a couple are co-habiting rather than married, it is not permitted under existing legislation to transfer tax credits between the individuals.

Tax Collection.

Dan Neville

Question:

150 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [41293/09]

This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. My Department has no jurisdiction over tax collection matters. I am advised by Revenue that the case in question involves the gift of property from one person to another where the parties apparently agreed that the beneficiary would pay the Capital Gains Tax due in respect of the disposal of property. The position is that, to date, only part of the Capital Gains Tax due has been paid. The liability to pay Capital Gains Tax rests with the person disposing of the property, notwithstanding any private arrangements between the parties that the beneficiary would make the payment to Revenue. I am advised that Revenue has made this very clear to the person who disposed of the property — both verbally and in writing — following the Deputy's previous representations on behalf of the person concerned. As no proposals have been received to pay the balance of tax due, Revenue is taking appropriate action to pursue collection. Revenue's Collector-General's Division will be happy to elaborate further on the particular circumstance of this case if the Deputy wishes to make direct contact with that Division (telephone 061-488202).

Question No. 151 answered with Question No. 143.

Pension Provisions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

152 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the terms on which a person can get access to money that has been set aside for pension purposes before their retirement in order to meet some financial crisis that they face; his views on broadening the terms on which money can be withdrawn by persons facing financial crisis either in the form of business collapse or household repossession; if it will be possible to have more relaxed terms for withdrawal in respect of pensions which were not still under active contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41311/09]

The rationale for giving various tax reliefs to statutory and Revenue-approved pension savings schemes is to encourage and promote savings over the long term in order that individuals will have an adequate replacement income in old age. Any proposal, however well intentioned, that would allow pre-retirement access by individuals to retirement savings could significantly reduce the quantum of pension savings available to those individuals in retirement.

Emerging demographic indicators point to increasing numbers of people living longer and healthier lives with more of their lives spent in retirement than previously. In those circumstances, I think it is important to protect pension savings to ensure an adequate post-retirement income. Revenue approval of occupational pension schemes is given on the basis, essentially, that benefits may generally only be paid at the point of retirement (usually from age 60) or death, whichever is the earlier. Similar rules apply in the case of personal pensions such as retirement annuity contracts and PRSAs. I have no plans to amend these provisions. In the case of occupational pension schemes, however, subject to the terms and conditions of the particular scheme rules, employees may take "early retirement" benefits anytime from age 50. However, where early retirement is chosen, benefits will be restricted.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

153 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to introduce a new 21% VAT rate on package holidays; the reason this is being proposed; if this will represent unfair competition if the component parts of the package bear a different tax rate or can be acquired overseas at a lower rate of tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41313/09]

The Finance (No.2) Act 2008 amended the Value-Added Tax Act 1972 to provide for the introduction of a Travel Agents Margin Scheme. Under this scheme certain travel agents will be liable to VAT in respect of the travel agents margin on their supply of certain services, not in respect of the overall consideration they receive for such services. This scheme, which is provided for in Articles 306 to 310 of the EU VAT Directive, is being introduced with effect from 1 January 2010 and will bring Ireland into line with other EU Member States. Currently all EU States with the exception of Denmark and the Netherlands operate a Margin Scheme for tour operators. The scheme deals with the activities carried on by travel agents who act in the capacity of a principal when supplying certain travel services such as transport, accommodation, etc, which they have bought in from third parties for onward supply to travellers.

The EU VAT Directive sets out the various options for Member States in terms of rates of tax that may be applied to particular goods or services. However, the Directive does not provide an option for Member States to apply a reduced rate to a travel agent's margin on his or her supplies under the Margin Scheme. Where no such option is provided for in the Directive, the standard rate of VAT must be applied to those supplies.

With regard to the issue of unfair competition, Article 307 of the VAT Directive specifies that the travel facilities supplied by a travel agent acting as a principal are to be regarded as a single supply to the traveller, rather than multiple supplies of different travel facilities. In the absence of the Margin Scheme, stand-alone supplies of hotel room reservations would become taxable as the supply of accommodation in the country where the hotel is situated. In so far as accommodation within the EU is concerned, this would entail registration and accounting for VAT in each Member State involved. This would be contrary to the intention of the Margin Scheme at EU level, where the supply by the travel agent to the traveller is taxable only where the travel agent is established. Under the Margin Scheme, the travel agent is thus relieved of the obligation to register in all the Member States where the traveller uses accommodation bought in by the travel agent. In the circumstances, the rate of VAT that will apply to the supply of travel facilities by a travel agent covered by the Travel Agents Margin Scheme will be the standard rate of VAT, which is currently 21.5%.

Public Service Contracts.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

154 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/09]

There is no central record held on the nationality of tenderers who apply for public contracts in Ireland. Statistics on public contracts, including the nationality of the winning tenderers, are collected and compiled for each year. This exercise in regard to a particular year is usually completed by the middle of the following year. Therefore, the information for 2009 is not available at this stage. Certain information on most major public contracts awarded is published on the national procurement website (www.etenders.gov.ie) and the Official Journal of the EU. This includes the nationality of the winning tenderer. This information can be accessed by using the search engine which is located via the “advanced search facility” under the “Search Notices” icon on the etenders website. These sources may therefore be useful to parties interested in the type of information requested.

Tax Code.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

155 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if he will not reduce tax relief that persons receive on paying for the care of an incapacitated person in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41323/09]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the recommendation made by the Commission on Taxation that tax relief be only allowed at the standard rate for the expenses associated with the employment of a carer for an incapacitated individual. The recommendation in question will be examined along with the other recommendations of the Commission as part of the preparations for the Budget and Finance Bill.

Public Sector Pay.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

156 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of public servants wages and salaries; if that figure included the cost of employer’s PRSI contributions; if so, the cost of such contributions; the estimated amount of those wages and salaries which is returned to the Exchequer in income tax, employees PRSI, health levy, income levy, public service pension levy and superannuation contributions; the current estimated marginal tax rate, including PRSI, all levies and superannuation contributions, of public servants earning €30,000, €50,000, €75,000, €100,000 and €150,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41341/09]

The latest available figures on incomes of public sector employees is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2007 and representing about 96 per cent of all returns expected at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes. On this basis the incomes from the employment of public sector employees amounted to close on €15.1 billion. This figure includes the combined employment income of married couples where both spouses are earning as it is not possible to identify the precise amount of the income earned by the second spouse that arises from public sector employment.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent available year for collection data is 2008. The yields in 2008 from PRSI contributions, paid over by employers, in respect of public sector employees taxed under the PAYE system are estimated at €2.3 billion. This amount is a combination of employer and employee social insurance contributions and employee health levy. A breakdown of the 3 components that make up the total PRSI amount is not readily available. Corresponding payments of PAYE tax amounted to €2.9 billion. Revenue does not have the corresponding figures for the income levy as it did not apply in 2008.

The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2009 (REV) estimated that for 2009 receipts from the public service pension-related deduction in 2009 would be approximately €940 million. Figures to end-September show receipts from the pension-related deduction of the order of €540 million, and is expected to be broadly on target at end-year. The end-September figure does not include receipts from the employees of Local Authorities. In addition, estimates of superannuation contributions coming to some €540 million in 2009 were published in the Rev. I should point out that the marginal tax rate comprises income tax, income and health levies and PRSI. The marginal tax rates for single public servants earning €30,000, €50,000, €75,000, €100,000 and €150,000 per annum are set out below.

Marginal Tax Rate 2009

Income

Marginal Tax Rate

%

30,000

30

50,000

51

75,000

51

100,000

50

150,000

50

In addition, the public service pension levy is calculated on the following basis:

First 15,000 of earning exempt,

5% on the next €5,000 of earnings,

10% on earning between €20,000 and €60,000 and

10.5% on earning above €60,000

Marginal Pension Levy Rate 2009

Income

Marginal Rate

%

30,000

10.0

50,000

10.0

75,000

10.5

100,000

10.5

150,000

10.5

As the Deputy is aware, there are many superannuation contributions schemes in operation throughout the public service. The rates vary significantly depending on the sector involved and the particular scheme. The sector identifier used on the tax records is based on the 4-digit NACE code (Rev. 1), which is an internationally recognised economic activity code system. The information provided in relation to public sector employees is based on activities which are classified in the NACE code system as Public administration and defence; compulsory social security, Education and Health and Social work but excluding the categories of Driving School Activities, Dental Practice Activities and Veterinary Activities as being more appropriate to the private sector. The source of the information provided in relation to numbers and tax is the P35 end year returns filed by employers in respect of their employees but does not include the corresponding figures relating to taxpayers who are required to return an income tax return form 11 where non-PAYE income is greater than €3,174.

Coastal Protection.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

157 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 3 November 2009, if 100% funding for coastal protection works in County Waterford will be considered in view of the low commercial rates base in the county and the financial difficulties being experienced by the county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41344/09]

The Coastal Protection Programme for 2009 was formulated on the basis of OPW providing 90 percent of the cost of the funding for approved Coastal Protection Works. The balance of the funding i.e 10 percent is a matter for the relevant Local Authorities. No applications for funding for coastal works for 2009 were received from Co. Waterford. The OPW will be considering proposals from the Local Authorities for the 2010 Coastal Protection Programme early in the New Year. The OPW has no plans to provide 100 per cent funding for Coastal Protection Works.

Tax Collection.

Jack Wall

Question:

158 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be furnished with a P21 for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41358/09]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned is jointly assessed for Income Tax. A PAYE Balancing Statement P21 for the year 2008 together with any refund due will issue to the persons concerned shortly.

Jack Wall

Question:

159 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be furnished with a P21 for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41359/09]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned is jointly assessed for Income Tax. A PAYE Balancing Statement P21 for the year 2008 together with any refund due will issue to the person concerned shortly.

Jack Wall

Question:

160 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be furnished with a P21 for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41360/09]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE Balancing Statement P21 for the year 2008 together with any refund due will issue to the person concerned shortly.

Tax Yield.

Joan Burton

Question:

161 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of income earned; the amount of tax paid; the average rate of tax paid and the standard deviation from this average for the top 4% of income tax earners; if he will reproduce this information for each quintile of income earners. [41374/09]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recently completed historical data available on incomes and tax is in respect of the income tax year 2007. On this basis the information requested in relation to the top 4% of income earners and income quintiles is set out in the following table. To assemble the figures by income quintile, the total number of income earners on the income tax record for each year was broken down into 5 equal groups and distributed over 5 income ranges in ascending order of income. The figures for gross income, income tax, average tax rate and standard deviation were then established for each quintile group as appropriate. It should be noted that the tax liability in any of the income quintiles shown also includes a liability to DIRT. In the lower quintiles, this is likely to be the only tax liability arising.

It should be noted that the figures for income shown in the table relate to gross income as defined in the Revenue Statistical Report, 2008. They do not include incomes such as income from patent royalties, profits from commercial forestry, income before pension contributions and income from earnings of writers, composers and artists. It should also be noted that gross income is different to taxable income, also defined in the Revenue Statistical Report 2008, which relates to income after personal reliefs and deductions (including deductions for capital allowances) but prior to the application of tax credits and reliefs at the standard rate. A married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

INCOME TAX 2007

Distribution of incomes and tax for top 4% of income earners

Income Earner Group

Gross income

Amount of income tax

Average rate of tax

Standard deviation

€M

€M

%

%

Top 4% of income earners

20,282

5,207

25.7

7.63

Distribution of incomes and tax by income quintile

Income Earner Group

Gross income

Amount of income tax

Average rate of tax

Standard deviation

€M

€M

%

%

Quintile 1> €0 = €10,539

2,315

3

0.13

1.42

Quintile 2> €10,539 = €21,115

7,555

61

0.8

1.97

Quintile 3> €21,115 = €32,539

12,546

571

4.5

3.35

Quintile 4> €32,539 = €52,026

19,389

1,920

9.9

5.62

Quintile 5> €52,026

47,367

9,731

20.5

7.79

Totals

89,172

12,286

13.8

8.10

Average rate of tax is calculated on the basis of tax as a percentage of gross income.

Departmental Properties.

John McGuinness

Question:

162 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance his plans regarding the use or sale of a vacant building (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will accept a proposal for its use from a community group. [41383/09]

The matter raised by the Deputy is currently under investigation by the Office of Public Works. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the results of the investigation are to hand.

Tax Code.

Joan Burton

Question:

163 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 introducing a minimum effective tax rate for persons availing of all tax reliefs at earnings thresholds of €500,000, €250,000, €200,000, €150,000, €125,000, €100,000, €90,000 to €80,000 and €75,000. [41406/09]

I refer the Deputy to my response to her of Tuesday 3rd November in relation to question number 387 on the order paper of that day.

Joan Burton

Question:

164 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 3 November 2009, the number and the cost to the Exchequer of the tax relief for pension investment scheme for those earning less than €10,000, less than €20,000, less than €30,000, less than the average industrial wage, less than €40,000, less than €50,000, less than €60,000, less than €70,000, less than €80,000, less than €90,000, less than €100,000 and more than €100,000; and the extra revenue which would be generated for the Exchequer by limiting tax relief for pension investment to those in each of the pay brackets set out above. [41407/09]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) for the income tax year 2007. RACs and PRSAs are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. The information is set out in tables following this reply which provide the number of cases, amount of deduction and reduction in tax for tax relief for RACs and PRSAs for the various contribution ranges. The information is based on income returns contained in Revenue records at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes, representing close on 90% of all returns expected. A married couple who has elected or has deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

The figures for the total number of cases and the total reduction in tax shown in the tables are lower than those indicated in the table supplied with the reply I gave on 3 November last to Parliamentary Question ref 38545/09 tabled by the Deputy. This is due to the fact that the figures now being provided represent under 90 per cent of all income tax returns expected for 2007, while the figures supplied on 3 November were, in accordance with normal practice, grossed-up at aggregate level to adjust for this incompleteness. It is not possible to provide corresponding figures in regard to the take-up of the tax relief for pension contributions by employers and employees to occupational pension schemes as the relevant data are not captured in such a way as to make this possible.

Provisions were included in the Finance Act 2004 with a view to improving data quality and transparency without overburdening taxpayers or employers. The Act includes provisions that require employers to provide data on superannuation contributions in the P35 form to be filed by employers from 2006 on. These changes have yielded additional information regarding the overall cost of tax relief for pension contributions but, as the returns are aggregated at employer level, they cannot provide a precise basis for measuring the potential impact on the Exchequer of any proposals to limit tax relief for pension investment for individuals across different income ranges.

INCOME TAX 2007

Retirement Annuity — by range of Gross Income.

Range of gross income

Totals

From

To

Number of cases

Amount of deduction

Reduction in tax

Tax due for payment

Gross Tax*

Reduction in tax as % of Gross Tax

%

10,000

816

1,090,619

15,433

1,273

16,706

92.4

10,000

20,000

4,023

7,610,530

1,056,140

1,125,139

2,181,279

48.4

20,000

30,000

9,121

19,640,312

3,639,370

8,985,960

12,625,330

28.8

30,000

32,730

3,168

7,509,033

1,460,629

5,112,254

6,572,883

22.2

32,730

40,000

9,127

23,785,995

5,543,666

20,635,934

26,179,600

21.2

40,000

50,000

12,354

39,221,676

11,425,057

44,823,408

56,248,465

20.3

50,000

60,000

10,986

42,422,932

13,034,048

58,431,806

71,465,854

18.2

60,000

70,000

9,541

42,982,398

13,008,673

68,507,813

81,516,486

16.0

70,000

80,000

7,947

42,617,895

12,764,454

74,628,321

87,392,775

14.6

80,000

90,000

6,330

41,510,052

12,996,014

74,152,710

87,148,724

14.9

90,000

100,000

4,897

38,251,287

12,508,260

70,817,423

83,325,683

15.0

Over

100,000

24,586

630,019,771

243,535,147

1,362,193,618

1,605,728,766

15.2

Totals

102,896

936,662,500

330,986,892

1,789,415,659

2,120,402,551

15.6

*"Gross tax" means the tax that would be due before relief is allowed for retirement annuity deductions.

Average Industrial Wage is €32,730.

The figures do not include contributions made by employees through employers' payroll systems and in respectof which tax relief is provided on the net pay basis. Information on such contributions is not captured in such a way as to make it possible to provide disaggregated figures.

Personal Retirement Savings Accounts — by range of Gross Income.

Range of gross income

Totals

From

To

Number of cases

Amount of deduction

Reduction in tax

Tax due for payment

Gross Tax*

Reduction in tax as % of Gross Tax

%

10,000

150

230,848

1,818

165

1,983

91.7

10,000

20,000

790

1,519,146

224,686

152,616

377,302

59.6

20,000

30,000

2,240

4,615,210

879,802

2,171,028

3,050,830

28.8

30,000

32,730

724

1,688,295

329,412

1,262,871

1,592,283

20.7

32,730

40,000

1,934

5,089,074

1,326,500

4,880,218

6,206,718

21.4

40,000

50,000

2,193

7,066,857

2,258,955

9,097,529

11,356,484

19.9

50,000

60,000

1,798

6,614,692

2,198,980

10,841,069

13,040,049

16.9

60,000

70,000

1,503

6,798,996

2,111,219

11,647,236

13,758,455

15.3

70,000

80,000

1,170

6,200,782

2,219,156

11,752,273

13,971,429

15.9

80,000

90,000

912

5,625,655

2,193,256

11,821,124

14,014,380

15.7

90,000

100,000

615

4,705,744

1,900,412

9,609,226

11,509,639

16.5

Over

100,000

2,621

42,381,897

17,300,020

121,388,445

138,688,466

12.5

Totals

16,650

92,537,196

32,944,217

194,623,801

227,568,018

14.5

*"Gross tax" means the tax that would be due before relief is allowed for PRSA deductions.

Average Industrial Wage is €32,730.

The figures do not include contributions made by employees through employers' payroll systems and inrespect of which tax relief is provided on the net pay basis. Information on such contributions is not captured in such a way as to make it possible to provide disaggregated figures.

Mary Upton

Question:

165 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Finance his views on extending the section 481 tax reliefs to the gaming industry to encourage the development of Ireland as a global centre of excellence for gaming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41419/09]

Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides tax relief for investments in qualifying films. A qualifying film is a film for which the Revenue Commissioners have issued a Certificate under Section 481. Further provisions are included in Regulations made by the Revenue Commissioners, with the consent of the Ministers for Finance and Arts, Sport and Tourism. I do not plan to extend this provision to include other sectors.

Public Sector Pay.

Joan Burton

Question:

166 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of the public service pay and pensions bill for each year since 1970; and the proportion of gross domestic product that it represents for each year. [41465/09]

The data requested going back to 1987 is set out in the attached table, which I understand meets the requirements of the Deputy. Earlier data is not readily accessible.

Year

Net Pay and Pensions Bill

GDP at Current Market Prices

Net Pay Bill as % of GDP

€m

€m

%

1987

3,503

28,163

12.4

1988

3,612

30,085

12.0

1989

3,700

33,373

11.1

1990

4,012

36,184

11.1

1991

4,294

37,649

11.4

1992

4,761

40,100

11.9

1993

5,189

43,189

12.0

1994

5,530

46,421

11.9

1995

5,799

53,112

10.9

1996

6,102

58,714

10.4

1997

6,543

67,934

9.6

1998

7,118

78,535

9.1

1999

7,763

90,378

8.6

2000

8,632

104,830

8.2

2001

10,186

116,931

8.7

2002

11,489

130,258

8.8

2003

12,773

139,763

9.1

2004

13,746

149,098

9.2

2005

14,973

162,091

9.2

2006

16,218

176,759

9.2

2007

17,600

189,751

9.3

2008

18,753

181,815

10.3

2009

18,333

171,500

10.7

Year

GDP at Current Market Prices

1970

2,220

1971

2,538

1972

3,084

1973

3,724

1974

4,138

1975

5,203

1976

6,409

1977

7,801

1978

9,220

1979

10,922

1980

12,961

1981

15,727

1982

18,657

1983

20,564

1984

22,774

1985

24,739

1986

26,352

1987

28,163

1988

30,085

1989

33,373

1990

36,184

1991

37,649

1992

40,100

1993

43,189

1994

46,421

1995

52,546

1995

53,112

1996

58,714

1997

67,934

1998

78,535

1999

90,378

2000

104,830

2001

116,931

2002

130,258

2003

139,763

2004

149,098

2005

162,091

2006

176,759

2007

189,751

20081

181,815

Civil Service Staff.

Joan Burton

Question:

167 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of whole time equivalents serving in the grades of Secretary General, deputy secretary general, assistant secretary general, higher principal officer, principal officer, higher assistant principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer, staff officer and clerical officer on 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2007 and the latest date for which figures are available. [41466/09]

The numbers of whole time equivalents serving in the grades requested are set out in the following table for 1 January 1998, 1 January 2007 and 30 September 2009 (the latest date for which figures are available).

Grade Title

1-Jan-98

1-Jan-07

30-Sep-09

FTE

FTE

FTE

Secretary General

17.00

17.00

17.00

Deputy Secretary

2.00

3.00

2.00

Assistant Secretary

94.00

144.00

150.00

Principal (Higher)

60.00

339.55

336.90

Principal

291.00

371.45

414.65

Assistant Principal (Higher)

171.00

728.14

751.01

Assistant Principal

825.50

1,243.65

1,331.15

Higher Executive Officer (Higher)

489.50

889.16

874.76

Higher Executive Officer

1,401.00

2,138.68

2,380.22

Executive Officer (Higher)

466.00

1,032.57

1,065.13

Executive Officer

1,963.00

3,504.73

3,824.29

Staff Officer

1,245.00

1,438.07

1,857.75

Clerical Officer

9,396.00

10,564.85

10,735.85

Total

16,421.00

22,414.85

23,740.71

Source: CEN-SIS/CSSISP systems.

Grade Title

31-Dec-97

31-Dec-06

30-Sep-09

FTE

FTE

FTE

Secretary General

17.00

17.00

17.00

Deputy Secretary

2.00

3.00

2.00

Assistant Secretary

94.00

144.00

150.00

Principal Higher

60.00

339.55

336.90

Principal

291.00

371.45

414.65

Assistant Principal Higher

171.00

728.14

751.01

Assistant Principal

825.50

1,243.65

1,331.15

HEO Higher

489.50

889.16

874.76

HEO

1,401.00

2,138.68

2,380.22

EO Higher

466.00

1,032.57

1,065.13

EO

1,963.00

3,504.73

3,824.29

SO

1,245.00

1,438.07

1,857.75

CO

9,396.00

10,564.85

10,735.85

Total

16,421.00

22,414.85

23,740.71

General Service Grades Analysis

December 2006

Grade Title

FTE

Secretary General Total

17.00

Deputy Secretary Total

6.00

Assistant Secretary Total

144.00

Principal Total

711.00

Assistant Principal Total

1,995.79

HEO Total

3,175.17

EO Total

4,774.63

SO Total

1,468.40

CO Total

10,564.85

Total

22,856.84

September 2009

Grade Title

FTE

Secretary General Total

17.00

Deputy Secretary Total

8.00

Assistant Secretary Total

150.00

Principal Total

751.55

Assistant Principal Total

2,101.16

HEO Total

3,395.48

EO Total

5,139.78

SO Total

1,518.46

CO Total

10,735.85

Total

22,298.82

December 1997

Grade Title

FTE

Secretary General

17

Deputy Secretary

2

Assistant Secretary

94

Principal

351

Assistant Principal

1036.5

Administrative Officer

106.5

Higher Executive Officer

2032.5

Executive Officer

2592.5

Staff Officer

1287.5

Clerical Officer

9396

Service Officer

516

Service Attendent

121

Total

17,552.5

Tax Code.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

168 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the cost of tax relief under the artists exemption scheme in 2008; the cost for those with incomes under €50,000; between €50,000 and €100,000; between €100,000 and €200,000 and above €200,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41537/09]

Minister for Finance ( Mr Lenihan): I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant available information relates to the income tax year 2006. In that year, an estimated 2,890 claimants availed of the artists’ exemption scheme at an estimated cost to the Exchequer of €66 million. An income distribution by reference to bands of exempt income is set out in the following table. This information is based on income tax returns on Revenue records at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes, representing about 93% of all returns expected from claimants for this exemption. A married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

Range of exempt income

Amount of exempt income

Reduction in tax

From

To

€m

€m

50,000

26.2

6.1

50,001

100,000

12.4

4.1

100,001

200,000

13.7

5.2

Over 200,000

107.5

44.7

Totals

159.8

60.1

Overseas Development Aid.

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

169 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the expanded debt cancellation, free from conditions for the southern countries that need it; his views on the co-responsibility of lenders in the creation of unjust debts here; if he will support the establishment of debt audits in the global south and the establishment of an international task force on tackling historical illegitimate debts; his further views on whether he recognises climate debt owed to countries of the global south and the need for grant based support, not loans to cope with climate change; the date for release of draft of new debt policy; and if he will consult with relevant organisations and have a round table discussion on this draft. [41539/09]

Ireland has played an important role internationally on the issue of alleviation of the debt burden of developing countries. The Government's policy on Debt Strategy, which was prepared jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs, was published in 2002. It supports the cancellation of the debts of the world's poorest countries in accordance with internationally agreed criteria. This policy is currently being updated by the two Departments and this will be completed shortly. Input to this process has been received from civil society organisations.

Ireland is not a bilateral creditor and Ireland's bilateral assistance has always been exclusively in the form of grants rather than loans. As regards debt relief, the Irish Government has provided significant resources for initiatives to ease or cancel the debt burden on developing countries mainly through the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The MDRI came into effect on 1 July 2006 and provides for cancellation of eligible debt from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund for many of the world's poorer and most indebted countries. Ireland's share of this initiative was €59m which it contributed in full in 2006. Ireland has also contributed over €20m to the HIPC initiative.

Tax Collection.

Dan Neville

Question:

170 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that tax is regularised for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [41674/09]

A tax credit certificate issued to the person concerned on 29th October 2009 and any adjustment to his tax deductions will be made through the payroll system of his employer.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

171 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Finance when a refund of VAT will be made to a company (details supplied) in County Donegal. [41751/09]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a VAT repayment application from the company in question has now been processed and the refund will issue within the next few days.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

172 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on increasing the threshold of €500,00 above which companies are required to pay VAT in advance of the settlement of the account of their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41759/09]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the cash basis accounting system for VAT, whereby traders account for VAT on receipt of payment for a supply as opposed to when an invoice was issued, as under the normal system. The turnover threshold, below which traders can qualify for the cash-basis system, is currently €1 million. This threshold has been effective since 1 March 2007, before which it was €635,000. With regard to increasing further the cash-basis threshold, the Deputy will appreciate that it is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget on what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.

Flood Relief.

John McGuinness

Question:

173 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if the work required at the weir at Thomastown, County Kilkenny, has been assessed and costed; if the Office of Public Works will carry out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41830/09]

Kilkenny County Council in conjunction with the Office of Public Works commissioned a preliminary Flood Risk Management Study in respect of Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh and Callan. The study found that the impact of the weir at Thomastown on the flood levels is not significant and contains no recommendations in respect of the weir.

Tax Collection.

Joe McHugh

Question:

174 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the Exchequer’s annual indirect taxation income from counties Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan, and Louth from 2005 to date in 2009 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41839/09]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the exact information sought for indirect taxation on a county basis is not available. Revenue Sheriffs, County Registrars or their officers operate for the purposes of enforcement of tax debt within certain geographical boundaries known as a "bailiwick" which equates geographically with "county". Data on the net receipts of some taxes can be linked to bailiwicks to provide an estimated breakdown of receipts on a county basis.

The following table sets out the estimated breakdown of net receipts for VAT (Domestic) for the years 2005 to 2008 inclusive. Basic data is not recorded in such a manner as would enable a breakdown by county to be provided in respect of the yield from Customs, Excise and VAT at the point of Import. Corresponding figures for 2009 will not be available until some time after the end of the year.

Estimated breakdown of Vat (Domestic) collection by county for 2005-2008

County

2005

2006

2007

2008

€m

€m

€m

€m

Donegal

130.9

147.0

161.0

146.3

Monaghan

77.9

83.1

84.9

73.9

Cavan

108.7

123.3

131.6

120.2

Louth

236.8

247.2

245.7

212.9

The liability of a trader to VAT is generally dealt with by reference to the location of the trader's registered office even though the economic activity may be carried on in another county.

Joe McHugh

Question:

175 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the annual VAT intakes on coal from 2005 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41840/09]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to furnish precise figures of the VAT take on coal, as the information furnished on VAT returns does not require individual goods or services to be identified. However, very tentative estimates of the VAT yield, based on statistical data derived from non-Revenue sources, are as follows:

Estimated VAT yield on Coal

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009 (end Oct)

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

16

18

29

37

17

Pension Provisions.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

176 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the reason semi-State employees are paying less for their pension than public sector workers; the reason there is no funding problem with their pension schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41850/09]

The term public sector is usually taken to comprise all those who are employed, both directly and indirectly, by a public body. The public service is, broadly speaking, the public sector less the commercial semi-state bodies. Public service pension schemes are mainly statutory, set up by or under Acts of the Oireachtas, and virtually all are financed on a pay-as-you-go basis, that is, as part of current expenditure, voted in the annual estimates. Thus, pension liabilities are secured by the Government. While pension schemes for commercial state companies are also mainly statutory they differ in that they normally operate a pre-funding system, setting aside funds and investing them to meet future liabilities as and when they arise.

Most public service occupational pension schemes are contributory. A main scheme contribution of 5% applies to a number of groups, including teachers and local authority and health service personnel. The contribution rate for spouses and children's benefits is, generally, 1.5%. Thus, the combined pension contribution made by many public servants is 6.5%. There is a wide range of pension scheme contribution arrangements in the commercial semi-state sector. The contribution rates reflect the circumstances within the organisation and the assets and liabilities of the pension fund; the rates are set by trustees, the employers and in many cases are discussed with union representatives.

Departmental Properties.

Michael McGrath

Question:

177 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 6 October 2009, if he is in possession of a property (details supplied) in County Cork; if so, the steps to be undertaken by the adjoining property owners who wish to acquire the freehold interest in the property. [41857/09]

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 33857/09 of 6 October 2009. In order to confirm that this land is vested in the Minister for Finance a formal application should be forwarded to the office of Public Works, in the first instance. The application will be referred to the Chief State Solicitor's Office who in order to assess the legal issues of the application will request all necessary information from the applicant/s. The Chief State Solicitor's office will then advise the Minister. Finally, the Minister having regard to the legalities and merits of the application will then at his discretion decide whether to waive his interest, if it exists, or not.

Ministerial Transport.

John O'Mahony

Question:

178 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the number of electric cars ordered for use by the Government; the location at which these cars will be used; the cost of purchasing these cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41893/09]

Sean Sherlock

Question:

180 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money he has awarded to a company (details supplied) for the supply of approximately 250 zero emission cars for State use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41951/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 180 together.

The National Public Procurement Operations Unit has not awarded any contracts, or instigated any procurement process, for the purchase of electric or zero-emission cars for State use. The Unit has not been made aware of any requirement for such vehicles by any Government service.

Financial Services Regulation.

John Perry

Question:

179 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Finance his plans to assist mortgage holders who are paying fixed rate mortgages, who now wish to switch to variable or tracker mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41894/09]

As Minister for Finance, I have no role in relation to the setting of mortgage interest rates, nor does the Financial Regulator. The pricing of fixed rate mortgages by lending institutions would normally be based on institutions' own cost of obtaining fixed rate funding for the period in question plus a margin. The actual cost of funds for each institution cannot be assessed on a mortgage by mortgage basis as they manage the risk on a portfolio basis using several types of wholesale funding and derivatives, depending on the size of each institution and its mortgage book.

Regarding the application of early redemption fees on fixed rate mortgages, when a borrower signs a fixed-rate mortgage contract with a mortgage provider, the lender in turn must in effect borrow the money at an agreed fixed rate. The mortgage lender must repay the money at this agreed rate, so there may be a cost to the institution if the fixed rate agreement is terminated before the agreed term. This gives rise to the redemption fee charged in these cases. The Financial Regulator carried out a review of this issue earlier this year and submitted a report to my Department and the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service. The review focused on the early redemption fees being applied by lenders on fixed rate mortgages and looked at, among other things, actuarial reports examining the formulae applied by the different lenders.

The principal findings indicate that: the early redemption fee calculation in all cases appears to seek to cover the costs; and lenders do not generally apply additional fees in the case of early redemption. Lenders do not therefore seem to be applying financial penalties in order to dissuade borrowers from early redemption of fixed rate mortgages. Notwithstanding the findings of the review set out above, I am aware that the Financial Regulator would strongly advise that any borrower who believes that he/she has been charged an excessive early redemption charge should request his/her lending institution to provide a clear explanation of how the cost was calculated. In the event that the borrower is not satisfied with the explanation, a formal complaint should be made to the lender and in the event of an unsatisfactory response, he or she should exercise his/her option to refer the matter to the Financial Services Ombudsman who will independently adjudicate on the matter.

Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 178.

Youth Services.

Jack Wall

Question:

181 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding funding for a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41523/09]

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department received an application on behalf of the Youth Project referred to by the Deputy, to be considered for funding in 2008 under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. Due to the large number of applications received and the limited funding available, it was not possible to provide the funding requested. The 2009 budget allocation for youth services is over €48m, a decrease of 8% on the 2008 figure. In light of budgetary constraints, it is intended that the 2009 Youth Affairs budget will continue to focus on supporting existing youth programmes and services for young people including those with fewer opportunities. In that context, Youth Affairs Unit will not be in a position to consider any new applications for funding this year.

Health Services.

Joe Costello

Question:

182 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if a spatial plan for the provision of drug services here will be drawn up in order to avoid the continuing centralisation of services in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41733/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

183 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [41827/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

184 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the educational opportunities available for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare including speech and language services, back up support, respite and dental treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41954/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

185 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on a matter (details supplied). [41274/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Adoption Services.

Jack Wall

Question:

186 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for inter-country adoption in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41280/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Homeless Persons.

Joan Burton

Question:

187 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the average time period an unattached young person remained homeless in the care of the Health Service Executive in 2007 and 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41317/09]

Joan Burton

Question:

188 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of unattached young persons under 18 years who were homeless on 31 March 2007, 2008 and to 2009. [41318/09]

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

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Staff.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

189 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant neurologists in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the average waiting time; the number of persons on the waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41335/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Preschool Services.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

190 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of the early childhood care and education scheme; the number of services that have joined the scheme; the number of children eligible to participate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41342/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010. The scheme is open to all commercial and community pre-schools and creche facilities, which are notified to the Health Service Executive (HSE) or registered with the Irish Montessori Educational Board (IMEB). Children will be eligible to avail of the preschool year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months on 1 September each year.

A key requirement of the scheme is that pre-school leaders must hold a certificate for a major award in child care/early education at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ) or an equivalent recognised qualification in the child care/early education field. In the first two full years of the scheme, the qualification requirement will be met where a person holds an award in ECCE that includes the four core modules of Early Education, Child Development, Caring for Children and Work Experience and has at least two years of working in a position of responsibility with children aged from birth to 6 years.

It is a condition of the preschool year that services which wish to participate will be required to provide an appropriate educational programme for children which adheres to the principles of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education. Síolta is a quality assurance process which addresses all aspects of practice in early childhood care and education services. It is designed to support practitioners to develop high quality services for children aged from birth to six years.

An annual capitation fee of over €2,450 will be paid to participating services in return for the provision of a free preschool year to each child. Payments will be made to services at the beginning of each term. A higher capitation rate of €2,850 per annum will be paid to sessional playschool services where all child care workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the scheme. To qualify for the higher capitation rate all Preschool leaders in the service must hold a level 7 or 8 qualification relating to child care and have 3 years experience working in the sector, and all assistants must hold a relevant level 5 qualification.

It is a fundamental principle of the scheme that it is available to parents free of charge. Services may, however, charge parents for additional services provided these are clearly optional to parents and provided appropriate programme based activities continue to be provided to children not availing of such services during the preschool year hours. Services participating in the scheme should be satisfied that they will be in a position to meet all of their costs from the capitation provided and additional funding will not be provided where this is not the case.

Services can provide the preschool year from a range of options. A full or part-time day care service will normally provide the place for 2 hours 15 minutes a day, five days a week over 50 weeks. A playschool sessional service will normally be required to provide a pre-school service for 3 hours a day, five days a week over 38 weeks. However, where for good reason a sessional service is unable to operate over 5 days, it may participate in the scheme by providing a place for 3 hours 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week over 41 weeks.

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. Also in cases where children attend a full or part-time day care service for 3 days a week only, consideration will be given to allowing the service to participate in the scheme on the basis of providing the pre-school year to those children for 3 hours 45 minutes a day for 3 days a week. In such cases, a service will be required to provide the preschool year over 50 weeks.

Applications by approximately 4,200 child care services to enter the new scheme indicate a capacity of 98,000 preschool year places. It is hoped that some 63,000 children will avail of the scheme in January 2010. Contracts are currently issuing to all services which meet the criteria of the scheme and a list of services approved to participate in the scheme will be available shortly from the City and County Child care Committees (CCCs). Based on the applications to date, I am confident that the total number of places available in preschool services applying to enter the scheme will meet the number of places required.

Health Services.

Tom Hayes

Question:

191 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has monitored the amount of the €4.78 million allocated to cystic fibrosis services in 2006 which have been spent to date in 2009; if her Department is working with the Health Service Executive on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41356/09]

The provision of services for people with cystic fibrosis is monitored closely by my Department. In 2006 additional revenue funding of €4.78 million was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to develop services. I understand from the Executive that amongst other service developments this funding facilitated the recruitment of some 46 additional staff including consultants, nursing and allied health professionals across a number of hospitals.

The HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the amount of revenue funding spent to date in 2009. In addition to revenue funding, under the HSE capital programme, a new ward block to replace existing accommodation is being developed at St Vincent's University Hospital, the national tertiary centre for the treatment of adult patients with cystic fibrosis. This facility will provide single room en-suite in-patient accommodation (100 rooms) and a dedicated day unit for people with CF, including 10 single day treatment rooms with en-suite sanitary facilities. Site clearance work has already commenced. It is intended that the building will be operational as early as possible in 2011.

Inter-Country Adoptions.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

192 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding adoptions from South Africa; the transitional arrangements that are in place to ensure that persons may continue to adopt from South Africa pending the ratification of the Hague Convention here; if her attention has been drawn to the situation that exists in South Africa whereby the Hague Convention has not been enshrined in the South African Children’s Act; if this pending legislative completion interferes with Irish persons seeking to adopt from South Africa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41364/09]

The Adoption Board has recognised adoptions effected in South Africa and entered them in the Register of Foreign Adoptions under section 5 of the Adoption Act 1991. The Adoption Board has previously examined the adoption laws of South Africa and deemed them to be in compliance with Irish Law. The Hague Conference on Private International Law lists South Africa as having ratified and signed the Convention.

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. As I have stated on many previous occasions, under the new legislation, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries that have also ratified the Hague Convention and from countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement that meets Hague standards. There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, has been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

193 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children if she plans to restrict Irish adoptions abroad to one country per continent after the Hague Convention is ratified; if persons will be able to adopt from any country that meets the specified criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41365/09]

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. The Bill is scheduled to commence its Second Stage process in Dáil Éireann on 18 November. As I have stated on many previous occasions, under the new legislation, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries that have also ratified the Hague Convention and from countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement that meets Hague standards.

I should also emphasise that there are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. The issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage in the adoption process, when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, has been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters. There are no proposals in the legislation to restrict adoptions to a specific country after the Hague Convention has been ratified once the necessary standards are met.

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 effected in the best interests of the child. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill.

Hospital Services.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

194 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures which will take place at theatre number four at the Cork University Hospital in view of the reconfiguration of services in the Health Service Executive south; the location at which paediatric ophthalmology procedures will take place in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41378/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

John McGuinness

Question:

195 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card which has been approved will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [41381/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

Noel Coonan

Question:

196 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a child (details supplied) in County Carlow awaiting open heart surgery in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; her views on the seriousness of the situation and the way cutbacks to the ICU at the hospital are causing distress to this family; when she expects the child to get the treatment required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41391/09]

I understand that the child in question is on the cardiac surgery waiting list and that the HSE expects that surgery will be scheduled as soon as possible for this patient. Our Lady's Children's Hospital is the National Centre for Paediatric Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. The demand for paediatric cardiac surgery has increased due to the increased birth rate and the success rates for children who then require further staged surgery.

The HSE has worked with the Paediatric Critical Care Network (PCCN) to address the issue of the need for additional intensive care beds. A new build that will include the replacement of 13 paediatric intensive care beds and an additional 4 beds, providing a total of 17 beds, has been agreed as a new development at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. A design team has recently been appointed and work is under way on the development. It is anticipated that this new development will be completed within 18 months. The HSE is in active discussions with OLCHC with a view to implementing an interim arrangement for cardiac surgery and ICU capacity in advance of the building of the 13 replacement and four additional ICU beds.

Ambulance Service.

Noel Coonan

Question:

197 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed new ambulance base for a town (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in progressing the project; the timeframe for completion of the new facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41393/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

198 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will request the Health Service Executive not to introduce a cut at a hospital (details supplied) in County Mayo. [41396/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Computerisation Programme.

George Lee

Question:

199 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of accounts payable computer systems the Health Service Executive uses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41400/09]

The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the matter referred to in the Deputy's question. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Capital Programme.

Joe McHugh

Question:

200 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the health capital projects in County Donegal; the planned completion dates for same; the estimated costs for same; the projected annual cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41402/09]

The management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter for the Health Service Executive and the question has therefore been referred to the Executive for direct reply in relation to capital projects underway in Donegal.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

201 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the position that will apply under the terms of the fair deal scheme when a resident here is obliged to take up or is placed in a nursing home facility north of the Border; the access and arrangements in place across the Border for inspectors from the nursing homes inspectorate to carry out their function; if she will confirm that all existing residents of such facilities, up to the coming into force of the fair deal scheme, will face no change in their arrangements and supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41404/09]

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, is a new system of financial support for people who are ordinarily resident in Ireland and require long-term nursing home care. The scheme encompasses an important principle of resident choice. The effect of this principle is that applicants can choose any public, private or voluntary nursing home in the State which is approved for the purposes of the scheme. The scheme does not extend to nursing homes in Northern Ireland. The decision not to extend the scheme to such nursing homes was taken by Government on the basis of legal advice received. However, anyone who was in an approved private nursing home when the scheme commenced can retain their existing subvention arrangements. This includes those in nursing homes in Northern Ireland.

With regard to the inspection of nursing homes, the Health Act, 2007 provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and for the registration and inspection of all nursing homes by the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the HIQA. One of the functions of the Authority is to set standards on safety and quality in relation to designated centres at which residential services for older people are provided by:

1. the Health Service Executive.

2. a service provider.

3. a person who receives assistance under section 39 of the Health Act, 2004.

4. a nursing home as defined by section 2 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990.

In Northern Ireland the Regulation, Quality and Improvement Authority (RQIA) is responsible for registering, inspecting and encouraging improvement in a range of health and social care services delivered by statutory and independent providers, in accordance with regulations in The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. The Health Act, 2007 contains no provisions for the Chief Inspector to inspect nursing homes in Northern Ireland nor for the RQIA to inspect designated centres here.

Hospital Staff.

James Reilly

Question:

202 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of clinical directors to be appointed in Dublin hospitals; the number of associated business managers and support staff who will be appointed to service the clinical managers and business managers; the salaries and other costs associated with these appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41409/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

203 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 17 June 2009 and subsequent reply from the Health Service Executive, if there has been further progress on this matter. [41412/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

204 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedure for centralised processing of medical card applications; if her attention has been drawn to the delays that have emerged in dealing with such applications for the over 70s, which have resulted in applicants being left without medical card cover for months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41413/09]

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. Under the HSE's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The initial phase of the centralisation process commenced in January 2009 with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices in Dublin City to the PCRS. The phased implementation will allow the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising. The PCRS has processed over 55,000 medical card applications since the start of 2009.

The HSE has informed my Department that the transfer of the case load from the two local health offices included a backlog of some 6,500 open cases which are being dealt with as a matter of urgency by the PCRS, and as a result, resources which would have been deployed in customer relations and phone answering have been assigned to deal with this backlog. The HSE is arranging that additional resources are deployed to respond to phone queries, the majority of which relate to the outstanding applications.

The Executive 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. The HSE has recently put in place a national on-line system to allow local health offices track the current status of applications in the PCRS. The centralising of the medical card application process is facilitating a number of enhancements to the level of customer service associated with these applications. The HSE has indicated that later this month a facility will be available where a person can view the status of their medical card application online and if a mobile phone number is supplied with an application, updates by SMS will be delivered to the applicant's phone.

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, and 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

mproved 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.

National Drugs Strategy.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

205 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of departmental engagement that has taken place in relation to the proliferation of “head shops” here; the potential risks and dangers involved in the consumption of the products on sale in these outlets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41434/09]

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and regulations made thereunder regulate and control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. Substances are scheduled under the Act 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.

Items available for sale in so-called "head shops" are currently not scheduled under Misuse of Drugs legislation. The list of scheduled substances is kept under ongoing review. For example, in 2006 psychotropic ('magic') mushrooms, which were on sale in such outlets, were banned and their possession and sale is now illegal. On 31 March 2009, BZP was similarly subjected to legislative control measures and criminal sanctions. Deputy John Curran, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who has responsibility for co-ordinating the National Drugs Strategy, has identified head shops as an area of concern, and is currently considering the options available to more effectively control the activities of head shops. My officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Office of the Minister of State with responsibility for drugs in this regard.

Child Care Services.

Alan Shatter

Question:

206 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the early childhood care and education scheme does not allow for child care places to be allocated to younger children who are not yet eligible for the scheme in circumstances in which parents whose children are eligible do not wish to avail of all five of the allocated sessions per week in the case of a preschool (details supplied) in County Cork; the impact this has on child care providers who have empty spaces which they cannot fill, resulting in a loss of revenue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41449/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new free preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which will be introduced in January 2010. The objective of the ECCE scheme is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to avail of free preschool provision. An annual capitation fee of €2,450, or €2,850 where the higher capitation applies, is being paid to service providers for each child enrolled for the free preschool provision under the scheme. Parents who may not have accessed a preschool programme for their child until now will be encouraged to support their children's participation in the year on the basis of a daily attendance pattern, as will be the case when a child commences primary school.

As a result, the scheme will normally be required to be provided over five days each week. This is considered the most appropriate framework to ensure that children receive an appropriate level of early learning involving appropriate programme-based activities in the critical developmental year before they commence primary school. To facilitate services which currently accommodate a greater number of children than they have places for (i.e. on a pro rata basis), during January to September 2010 services may participate in the scheme on this basis, in which case they will be paid in respect of the number of qualifying children attending per day rather than the total number of children per week. For the reasons stated above, this will not be continued beyond September 2010.

Inter-Country Adoptions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

207 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason persons who seek adoptions can only queue on the list for one country; and if she will offer advice to persons who have been waiting for a Vietnam adoption regarding the wisdom of abandoning their wait and rejoining the queue for another country at the bottom of that list. [41450/09]

Applicants for inter-country adoption must undergo a detailed statutory assessment process, which is undertaken by professional Social Workers, and must be approved by the Adoption Board before a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt abroad can be issued to them from the Board. An important and integral aspect of this assessment process is that applicants develop and exhibit an understanding of and an appreciation of the culture and ethnic origins of the child whom they would propose to adopt. This is necessary so that the adoptive parents are capable of supporting an adopted child from a foreign country living in Ireland having been adopted abroad.

Moreover, in order to exercise appropriate control over the process of inter-country adoption into Ireland under the Adoption Acts 1952-1998, it is necessary to ensure that applicants to adopt abroad are only engaging with one specified foreign country at any given time.

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. The Bill is scheduled to commence its second stage process in Dáil Éireann on the 18th of November. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child. Future inter-country adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Bill 2009 when enacted.

The current policy position, as set out in the Adoption Bill 2009, is that for an adoption to be registered under the Bill it must be effected in a contracting State to the Hague Convention or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill.

There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, has been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.

My Office has been in negotiations with the Vietnamese Government regarding the drafting of a new bilateral inter-country Adoption agreement for some time. I have clearly indicated my intention to await the finalisation of the International Social Services Report on Inter-country Adoption in Vietnam before making final decisions regarding the next steps. I will be considering the report along with the report published in August by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I anticipate the ISS report will be finalised this month. I will be communicating my decision at the earliest opportunity. I am mindful of the difficult position many prospective adopters find themselves at this point in time.

The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai recently led a trade mission to Ireland. I took the opportunity to meet again with Minister Hai whom I had met with during my July visit to Vietnam. The meeting took place on the 23rd October. Adoption matters were discussed. The meeting was most amicable and allowed both Governments to outline their current positions in relation to the bilateral agreement and legislative developments in each jurisdiction, including Hague Convention ratification. Both Governments restated their desire to achieve the highest standards in inter-country adoption and they committed to ongoing dialogue to advance these goals.

Child Abuse.

Michael Creed

Question:

208 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 481 of 3 November 2009, if she is satisfied that the interests of the child concerned are adequately protected arising from the report referred to in the reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41456/09]

The management and delivery of health and social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004. I understand that the HSE wrote to the Deputy on the 13th October, setting out the position with regard to the matters raised. They have advised that if at any time new information comes to light regarding the welfare of a child they will assess such information.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Phil Hogan

Question:

209 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the financial pressures in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Carlow dealing with people with disabilities; if sufficient resources are available to maintain the existing level of services in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41458/09]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Child Care Services.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

210 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children how she is promoting the early childhood care and education scheme; how she is making parents aware of participating preschools in their locality and the cut-off date for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41459/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010. Following the announcement of the ECCE scheme in the April 2009 Supplementary Budget, an information leaflet entitled "Guide for Parents to the free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)" was issued by my Office in July of this year with a covering letter to all to parents of children who will qualify to participate in the scheme in January next. The leaflet provided details of the scheme as well as contact details for the 33 City and County Child care Committees who are assisting my Office in implementing the scheme and who are well-placed to provide additional information and local details to parents.

The City and County Child care Committees have been proactive in promoting the scheme at local level and have held parent information nights which have been well-attended. Information regarding the scheme is also available from my Office including its website (www.omcya.ie) which is updated on a regular basis. My Office has also been in contact with all preschool services in regard to the scheme and I also understand that many service providers are advertising that they propose to participate in the scheme and provide free preschool places from January. Approximately 4,200 preschool services have applied to enter the scheme and applications are no longer being accepted. A list of services approved to participate in the scheme will be available shortly from the City and County Child care Committees (CCCs).

Inter-Country Adoptions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

211 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the progress to date of an application for inter-country adoption in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if it is expected that this adoption will proceed unimpeded in the aftermath of the passage of the Adoption Bill 2009; if the progress in the case to date will have to be repeated; if the preparations made within the country in question will proceed regardless of the ratification or otherwise of the Hague Convention; the definition of process in progress in such circumstances; if she will ensure that all work to date in the process will be regarded as concluded in the context of the overall process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41474/09]

My Office has received representations on behalf of the persons in question. 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. The Bill is scheduled to commence its second stage process in Dáil Éireann on the 18th of November. As I have stated on many previous occasions, under the new legislation, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries that have also ratified the Hague Convention and from countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement that meets Hague standards.

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 effected in the best interests of the child. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill.

There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, has been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters. The issue of a "grandfather" clause was previously given careful and detailed consideration in the preparation of the legislation and it was decided against including such a provision in the Bill as it would represent a considerable dilution of the intent of the legislation in terms of setting improved standards for inter-country adoption.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

212 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the progress to date of the application for inter-country adoption in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; if it is expected that this adoption will proceed unimpeded in the aftermath of the passage of the Adoption Bill 2009; if the progress in the case to date will have to be repeated; if the preparations made within the country in question will proceed regardless of the ratification or otherwise of the Hague Convention; the definition of process in progress in such circumstances; if she will ensure that all work to date in the process will be regarded as concluded in the context of the overall process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41476/09]

My Office does not appear to have received representations to date in this case. However, I am happy to set out below the current position with regard to the issues raised by the Deputy. 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. The Bill is scheduled to commence its second stage process in Dáil Éireann on the 18th of November. As I have stated on many previous occasions, under the new legislation, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries that have also ratified the Hague Convention and from countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement that meets Hague standards.

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 effected in the best interests of the child. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill. There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, has been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

213 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the progress to date of the application for inter-country adoption in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if it is expected that this adoption will proceed unimpeded in the aftermath of the passage of the Adoption Bill 2009; if the progress in the case to date will have to be repeated; if the preparations made within the country in question will proceed regardless of the ratification or otherwise of the Hague Convention; the definition of process in progress in such circumstances; if she will ensure that all work to date in the process will be regarded as concluded in the context of the overall process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41478/09]

My Office has received representations on behalf of the person in question. 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. The Bill is scheduled to commence its second stage process in Dáil Éireann on the 18th of November. As I have stated on many previous occasions, under the new legislation, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries that have also ratified the Hague Convention and from countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement that meets Hague standards.

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 effected in the best interests of the child. For non-Hague countries only those adoptions effected prior to the commencement of the new law can be registered on the Register of Inter-Country Adoptions to be established under the Bill. There are transitional provisions contained in the Bill. However, the issue of further transitional measures for prospective parents who are at an advanced stage when the Bill is enacted, and who wish to continue with an adoption from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, has been raised with me by representative groups. I am currently examining this and other related matters.

The issue of a "grandfather" clause was previously given careful and detailed consideration in the preparation of the legislation and it was decided against including such a provision in the Bill as it would represent a considerable dilution of the intent of the legislation in terms of setting improved standards for inter-country adoption.

Departmental Expenditure.

James Bannon

Question:

214 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to ensure that an organisation (details supplied), which has already received a 3% cut in State funding in the past year, will not suffer further cutbacks in budget 2010 as this co-funded service is essential to those who suffer from this disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41526/09]

Planned expenditure levels for the Health Sector will be considered as part of the Government's Estimates and Budgetary process for 2010. Deliberations by Government on the expenditure allocations for next year will continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Medical Negligence Awards.

Noel Ahern

Question:

215 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the award and subsequent payment of medical negligence awards; if the current system of lump sum awards is in legislation or simply custom and practice; if it would be more appropriate to have a system with an annual payment; if the court has the power to so order; or the legislation which would need amendment to give effect to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41540/09]

In Ireland at present, a lump sum award in respect of general and special damages is the only system of compensating victims in respect of personal injury actions, to include those who suffer such injuries by way of alleged medical negligence. Currently periodic payments, or the use of Periodic Payment Orders (PPOs), is not a feature of the Irish Tort system. However, I am informed that the power to make awards of damages on a periodic basis has been a feature of the English legal landscape for a number of years now, since the passing into law in that country of the Damages Act, 1996.

Over the past number of months the State Claims Agency has been working with a firm of actuaries to draw up a PPO blueprint to be used in catastrophic injury cases, whether caused by medical negligence or otherwise. The Agency is hopeful that it will have its PPO formulation for presentation to the courts in early 2010. At the same time, the State Claims Agency is engaging with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to the introduction of a statutory PPO scheme.

Conflicting expert evidence on life expectancy, future care costs, the discount rate and other matters place a significant burden on the judiciary in hearing such cases. The plaintiff in receipt of a lump sum award must bear the mortality and investment risk that the award will be sufficient to cater for their future needs. Lump sum awards cannot by their nature take account of the changing needs of the patient. While a review of the system of lump sum awards is not a matter for me or my Department, in my view there is potential to improve the situation for all parties by allowing for periodic payments in the right circumstances. I look forward to seeing the outcome of the engagement between the State Claims Agency and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in that regard.

Vaccination Programme.

Noel Ahern

Question:

216 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the H1N1 swine flu vaccine; the position regarding the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 11 whose general practitioner is not providing the H1N1 swine flu vaccine; if there will be special provision for persons whose general practitioners are not taking part in the vaccination scheme and who have difficulty accessing the nearest health centre providing vaccinations; and if persons in this category can attend another general practitioner besides their own for the purposes of obtaining this vaccination. [41546/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ambulance Service.

John O'Mahony

Question:

217 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the ambulance control service based in St. Mary’s, Castlebar, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41710/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Charges.

Denis Naughten

Question:

218 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the average daily cost of an acute hospital bed in hospitals (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41736/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

219 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will transfer a person (details supplied) in County Cork within the Health Service Executive. [41755/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Staff.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

220 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on benefits of employing more podiatrists in an effort to offset the number of amputations performed on persons with diabetes as advised by a group (details supplied). [41773/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services.

Billy Timmins

Question:

221 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. [41775/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Mental Health Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

222 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a safe residential setting for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 whose condition renders them a danger to themselves and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41778/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Services.

Noel Coonan

Question:

223 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a child (details supplied) in County Carlow who is awaiting open heart surgery in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; if her attention has been drawn to the seriousness of the situation and the way cutbacks to the ICU at the hospital are causing distress to this family; when she expects the child to get the treatment required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41795/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Care of the Elderly.

Michael McGrath

Question:

224 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange for a nursing home bed for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the circumstances that apply. [41797/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Insurance.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

225 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposed VHI rate increases as indicated in a newspaper article (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed additional 20% increase will be on top of a 23% increase already imposed at the start of 2009; if her further attention has been drawn to the difficulties this will create for existing VHI members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41803/09]

Neither I nor my Department have a role to play in the setting of prices by any private health insurance provider. This is a commercial decision for the insurers themselves. The article referred to in the Deputy's question speculates in relation to premium increases which may be brought in by one particular insurer. To my knowledge no announcement has been made to date by that insurer in relation to its premium rates going forward.

Hospital Services.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

226 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that a proper health service is available to hospital patients in the south-west Cork region in view of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41834/09]

It is Government policy that all persons should have access to safe, appropriate and user-friendly health services. I understand that a formal complaint has been made to the Health Service Executive on behalf of the patient concerned in the particular case raised, and that this is being investigated. The HSE will be in contact with the complainant as soon as it has completed its examination of the matter.

Health Services.

Máire Hoctor

Question:

227 Deputy Máire Hoctor asked the Minister for Health and Children when a child (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be seen by the appropriate person; and when appointments to vacant orthodontic posts in the Health Service Executive mid-west will be made. [41841/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Vaccination Programme.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

228 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it will be necessary to administer two doses of the H1N1 vaccine to the general population or if one will suffice; if one is enough, if she be able to take and pay for only the required amount of vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41842/09]

Ireland has contracts with two manufacturers to provide 7.7 million doses of pandemic vaccine over a period of between 6 and 12 months. Both of these vaccines have now received a licence from the EU and all of the available medical evidence, both national and international, indicates that both are safe and suitable for this purpose. It is currently recommended that two separate doses are given but following the receipt of recent clinical data in relation to one of the vaccines (Pandemrix) we are now permitted to recommend that one dose will be adequate to give cover to everyone over 13 years of age except those who are immunocompromised. All children under 13 and those people who are immunocompromised will still require two doses of this vaccine. As a result of this recent development the Health Service Executive will examine the existing contracts to ascertain if any adjustments can be agreed and we are also looking at the possibility of offering any excess vaccine we might have to other countries that require vaccine.

Health Services.

Denis Naughten

Question:

229 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to regulate private home care providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41852/09]

Government policy in relation to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and where this is not feasible for whatever reason, to support access to quality, long-term affordable residential care. The priorities of the Department in relation to older people in recent times have been the introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, and the bringing into force of new regulatory standards for the long-term residential care sector.

The Department, however, is also cognisant of the number of older people living in the community, a large percentage of whom do so with the assistance of the State, family members, carers, or a combination of all three. In accordance with both a recommendation of the Long Term Care Working Group, and a commitment under “T 2016”, earlier this year the Department commissioned an independent Evaluation of Home Care Packages. This report, by PA Consulting, has been received recently in the Department, and will be published shortly, following consideration by the Minister. The report will help inform future policy and service direction for services for older people generally, including improvements to be introduced in 2010 to the Home Care Package Initiative provided by the Health Service Executive.

In the context of the issue raised by the Deputy, two other relevant reports on home care were also recently completed. A Consultation Paper by the Law Reform Commission, entitled Legal Aspects of Carers, was published last July and considers the legal issues surrounding home care. It makes a number of provisional recommendations in the area of standards and regulations generally, including vetting, training and supervision. It also provisionally recommends giving a function to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), in relation to professional home care. Any such changes would require primary legislation and detailed stakeholder consultations.

A report, Implementation of the Home Care Package Scheme,undertaken by the National Economic and Social Forum on Home Care Packages, was launched on 28 October last. This acknowledges that while the Home Care Package Initiative was a well thought out policy, various improvements are required in relation to implementation, including training and vetting of staff. The Department accepts the need for a more standardised approach to the regulation of home care generally, whether by public or private provision. The Department, and the HSE, are at present considering issues such as:

agreeing national standardised access and operational guidelines for delivery of Home Care Packages; and

the adoption and dissemination by the HSE of a voluntary code of Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services for Older People, which will apply to public and private providers.

In addition to these measures, the Department is also considering the Law Reform Commission's recommendations in the context of possible changes to legislation and regulation in the area of home care for older persons generally.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

230 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason women in County Donegal, who require a follow-up appointment after BreastCheck, are being directed to Galway when facilities are available in Letterkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41886/09]

The matter raised by the Deputy is the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Hospital Services.

John Perry

Question:

231 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be exempted from charges for inpatient services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41887/09]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Service Staff.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

232 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the regulations that are set down in respect of the requirements of existing long-term health care workers to provide background information on themselves; the reason some workers with more than a decade of work experience in the same workplace have been asked for copies of their CVs and passports which will be retained by their employers; if these requirements are part of existing regulations; if such requirements are statutory or compulsory in any way; and if the opinion of the Data Protection Commissioner has been sought in respect of these new requirements. [41953/09]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Travel Trade Sector.

Richard Bruton

Question:

233 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if the EU is planning to introduce a system where Internet booking of travel and accommodation would be covered by an insurance bond; if the cost to the provider will be funded on the same terms as the present bonds that apply to travel agents; his views on the fact that this arrangement for Internet booking might represent unfair competition for travel agents who have to pay a higher cost for the necessary insurance cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41312/09]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

253 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the numbers of jobs being lost here as a result of the burden of 4% of value which is placed on travel agents here; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that outward travel from Ireland is bound up with inward tourism in that planes and boats must travel in both directions; if he will review this matter before all jobs in this sector are lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41826/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 253 together.

In 2007 the European Commission commenced a consultation process for the review of the Package Holiday Directive (Council Directive No. 90/314/EEC), which sets out consumer rights in the package travel, package holiday and package tour sectors. I understand that the purpose of the Commission's review is to update consumer rights in response to significant changes in the market since the adoption of the existing Directive in 1990. As the key objective of the review is to ensure that adequate protections are in place for the consumer, it is expected that the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment and the National Consumer Agency will also play an active part in the consultation process for the proposed reform of this Directive.

Statutory responsibility for regulation of the travel trade sector in Ireland rests with the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR). Last year, I asked CAR to undertake a review of travel trade licensing and bonding regulations and to recommend any reforms that may be warranted. The review by CAR concluded that any reduction in the level of the bond required by travel agents would increase the likelihood of further calls on the Travel Protection Fund (TPF), which has been called upon in recent times following a number of collapses in the industry in 2008 and to date in 2009, even at current bond levels.

Cycle Facilities.

Joe McHugh

Question:

234 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to engage with a proposal to develop a dedicated cycling track in a region (details supplied); his views on whether such a development would be of interest from tourism, recreational, and educational perspectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41837/09]

The Government's National Cycle Policy Framework, which I launched in April this year, aims to develop a National Cycle Network. In this respect I have commissioned the National Roads Authority to map a potential National Cycle Network and I expect to have the results of their work in the New Year. In addition, with the intention of ensuring synergies across other public organizations, I have arranged for an advisory group under the auspices of the National Trails Office to assist the NRA in their work. Pending receipt of the Authority's work, I do not intend to make comment on elements that may form part of the network. However, I can confirm that the Authority is aware of cycling-related works planned and in progress in the North West both in Westport and along the disused rail line between Newport and Mulranny. These works underline the potential of cycling in the North West region generally.

Public Transport.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

235 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his policy on the regulation of public transport fares; if he has undertaken research on the impact of lower, simplified public transport fare structures on achieving the modal switch to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41299/09]

Decisions in relation to public transport fares are, for the most part, a matter for the operators of public transport services. However, proposals for changes to the standard single fare charged by the CIÉ companies and the RPA is, based on custom and practice, subject to control by me and such proposals are considered in the context of the overall impact on public transport patronage, the financial position of the operator concerned, the cost environment and, in the case of loss making services, the level of availability of Exchequer funding.

I have not commissioned research on the effect of a lower, simplified public transport fares structure on modal switch to public transport. It is clear that excessive increases in fares will damage the attractiveness of public transport while a lowering of fares would require additional Exchequer funding. Nevertheless when established the proposed National Transport Authority provided for in the Public Transport Regulation Bill, 2009 will have the power to introduce a fares scheme for public transport in the Greater Dublin Area or such other areas as may be specified by the Minister and to control fares on public transport services that are the subject of public service contracts.

Road Safety.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

236 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the PricewaterhouseCooper report on the commercial vehicle roadworthiness system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41306/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

237 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the PricewaterhouseCooper review of the operation of the commercial vehicle testing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41307/09]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for matters relating to the commercial vehicle roadworthiness system. The RSA engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake a comprehensive review of the arrangements for the roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles in Ireland. Their report was published by the RSA in 2008 and is available on its website.

Departmental Agencies.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

238 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on all major procurement contracts established by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail under Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41324/09]

Contracts for the procurement of goods and services are a matter for the companies and not one in which I have a role.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

239 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his guidelines on the procurement of major contracts for all companies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41325/09]

The procurement activities of the bodies and agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are governed by the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies as issued by the Department of Finance.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

240 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the subsidy allocated to CIE each year since 2000 and to date in 2009; the percentage of the company’s total revenue the subsidy represents for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41326/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

241 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the subsidy allocated to Dublin Bus each year since 2000 to date in 2009; the percentage of the company’s total revenue the subsidy represents for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41327/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

242 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the subsidy allocated to Bus Éireann each year since 2000 to date in 2009; the percentage of the company’s total revenue the subsidy represents for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41328/09]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

243 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the subsidy allocated to Irish Rail each year since 2000 to date in 2009; the percentage of the company’s total revenue the subsidy represents for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41329/09]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 240 to 243, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:

Córas Iompair Éireann

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Revenue

693.0

770.6

813.1

906.9

940.7

974.6

1,031.4

1,092.1

1,097.7

Subvention

190.2

222.2

233.3

245

257.2

270.1

285.0

306.6

308.6

Subvention % of total revenue

27.4%

28.8%

28.7%

27.02%

27.3%

27.7%

27.6%

28.07%

28.1%

Bus Éireann

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Revenue

175.5

203.2

224.4

241.6

250.5

266.5

291.6

319.4

341.5

Subvention

15.8

23.8

21.8

22.9

24.0

25.2

26.5

36.5

41.8

Subvention % of total revenue

9%

11.7%

9.7%

9.5%

9.6%

9.5%

9.1%

11.4%

12.2%

Iarnród Éireann

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Revenue

314.8

343.1

354.3

381.5

386.9

402.3

416.4

419.93

402.6

Subvention

133.2

146.0

155.5

168.3

171.4

180

188.7

189.9

181.1

Subvention % of total revenue

42.3%

42.6%

43.9%

44.1%

44.3%

44.7%

45.3%

45.2%

45%

Bus Átha Cliath

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Revenue

184.5

205.8

215.4

226.8

239.4

246.4

259.1

280.478

289.3

Subvention

41.2

52.4

56.1

53.9

61.8

64.9

69.8

80.078

85.6

Subvention % of total revenue

22.3%

25.5%

26.04%

23.8%

25.8%

26.3%

26.9%

28.6%

29.59%

The total Exchequer Subvention to CIE for 2009 amounts to €303.19m, of which it is currently estimated by CIE that €175.78m will be allocated to Iarnród Éireann, €44.98m to Bus Éireann and €82.43m to Bus Átha Cliath.

Rural Transport Services.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

244 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the establishment of a working group within his Department, including the Health Service Executive, Bus Éireann and organisations that represent persons with a disability, to examine ways of enhancing the rural transport services; the remit of the working group; if it is preparing a report for publication; when the report will be published; the members and organisations that are represented on the working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41349/09]

Maintaining and developing rural passenger transport services is one of the objectives of my Department. It is therefore vitally important that the resources available for rural transport are utilised as cost effectively as possible and that best possible service is achieved from these resources. In that regard, earlier this year, I asked Bus Éireann to work with Pobal to explore the potential for achieving better rural transport service delivery through closer working and better resource utilisation between the various service providers. Arising from this, a number of pilot initiatives have been instigated to explore how the various transport services in rural areas might be jointly developed so as to enhance their coverage and take up.

In addition to Bus Éireann, the initiatives involve the Health Service Executive in its capacity for providing transport to access health services; the Department of Education and Science in respect of school transport services; Pobal in respect of Rural Transport Programme services; and voluntary bodies such as the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Pilot projects are being developed in the North West and North East to explore how existing transport providers might make more effective use of their individual resources by working in closer cooperation with each other. The types of pilots envisaged for collaborative action include "collect and connect" type services; hospital feeder services; co-ordination of disability services; ticketing integration; co-ordinated information provision and journey planning; increased synchronisation of partner systems and processes. It is expected to be at least 12 months before an integration model incorporating results from the various pilots will be sufficiently developed to allow it to be applied more widely across the country.

Bus Éireann has established a central steering group to provide advice and guidance on strategic, regulatory and legislative issues to the working groups which oversee the two pilots. The other members of the steering group are officials from my Department, the Department of Education and Science and Pobal.

Cycle Facilities.

Mary Upton

Question:

245 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the possibility of establishing a cycle path from Dublin to Galway along the Grand Canal; his views on whether this could be an important tourist and commuter cycling route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41421/09]

The Government's National Cycle Policy Framework, which I launched in April this year, aims to develop a National Cycle Network. In this respect I have commissioned the National Roads Authority to map a potential National Cycle Network and I expect to have the results of their work in the New Year. In addition, with the intention of ensuring synergies across other public organizations, I have arranged for an advisory group under the auspices of the National Trails Office to assist the NRA in their work. Pending receipt of the Authority's work, I do not intend to make comment on elements that may form part of the route. However, I can confirm that the Authority is aware not only of the potential of the canals as cycling and walking routes but also of cycling-related works planned and in progress on the Grand Canal.

Road Traffic Acts.

Mattie McGrath

Question:

246 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if, under the Road Traffic Acts, he will clarify public place and private property; if road traffic laws extend to private property at anytime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41432/09]

Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 defines "public place" as:

(a) any public road, and

(b) any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles whether as of right or by permission and whether subject to or free of charge.

Section 2 of the Roads Act 1993 defines "public road" as a road over which a public right of way exists and the responsibility for the maintenance of which lies on a road authority. Private property is not defined under the Road Traffic Acts. Certain provisions of the Road Traffic Acts apply to public places and others apply only to public roads. I have no proposals to amend these provisions.

Cycle Facilities.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

247 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the details of the planned new cycle path in Dublin city along the Grand Canal; if this path will run along a stretch of the canal (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41460/09]

Dublin City Council has developed plans for an off-road cycle route via the Grand Canal, the new Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Royal Canal to provide a link from Portobello to Fairview Park. At the same time South Dublin County Council is developing an exemplary cycling route between Adamstown and Inchicore. The stretch referred to in the Question lies outside of the scope of the current proposal but would be the missing element in creating a first class cycle way from Adamstown to the city. I am delighted to see the development of new cycle routes in response to the National Cycle Policy Framework which I launched this year. Indeed, there are proposals for exemplary schemes from many other Local Authorities.

I am providing some modest funding to assist Dublin City Council investigate the feasibility of connecting the aforementioned projects. Any detailed proposal that Dublin City Council may wish to make in relation a canal-based cycle network in Dublin 8 will be considered by my Department in the context of progress with the Portobello to Fairview Park project, proposals by other local authorities and competing demands for scarce financial resources.

Dublin Transport Authority.

Richard Bruton

Question:

248 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the work to date which has been carried out by the Dublin Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41690/09]

The Dublin Transport Authority has not commenced work yet. The Authority will be formally established in early December.

Air Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

249 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the creation of a new airline within the Aer Lingus group which is designed to offshore employment and sidestep responsibilities of the company with respect to pension rights and other terms and conditions; if he has had discussions with the management of the company; if he will give reassurance regarding the position of workers. [41697/09]

A representative from Aer Lingus briefed officials from my Department on a range of proposals under the Company's cost restructuring plan following the company's announcement of its plan to the Stock Exchange. My officials have briefed me on the proposals. Arising from that briefing, I am aware that Aer Lingus is seeking to secure a UK Air Operators Certificate for commercial reasons in respect of a relatively small part of its operations. The licensing and certification of air carriers is governed by EU Law and the Company will be aware of its obligations in this regard. I understand the specific matters referred to by the Deputy are currently the subject of internal consultations between Aer Lingus management and staff and their union representatives. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in these consultations.

Rail Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

250 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn, by the management of Iarnród Éireann or Córas Iompair Éireann, to a plan to sell, lease or donate its rolling stock, which is surplus to requirements as a result of its renewal programme over recent years, to Israel; if he has had discussions with the management of Iarnród Éireann or Córas Iompair Éireann regarding the appropriateness of this plan in view of Israel’s occupation or settlement policy of Palestinian territories which is contrary to several UN resolutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/09]

My attention has not been drawn by CIE or Irish Rail to the matter referred to by the Deputy. In the normal course CIE or Irish Rail would not inform me about the sale or disposal of railway rolling stock as it is an operational matter for Irish Rail.

Passenger Car Fleet.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

251 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the average age of vehicles in the passenger car fleet here in each of the past five years for which figures are available; if he will provide the most recent comparisons with other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41731/09]

The tabular statement below provides details on the age of private cars for the years 2004-2008. The Department does not have any equivalent data relating to other EU countries.

Age of Private Cars under current licence at the 31st December for the years 2004 to 2008.

Age of Vehicle

Year

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Less than 1 year old

137,669

170,706

162,943

155,798

140,129

1 year old

174,267

167,318

161,019

143,467

133,186

2 years old

168,779

164,509

146,320

134,464

142,337

3 years old

168,044

151,040

138,967

143,081

149,840

4 years old

153,728

143,415

147,234

150,273

210,162

5 years old

144,517

150,051

152,367

207,848

157,237

6 years old

149,334

153,004

207,222

154,616

130,938

7 years old

150,005

204,120

153,555

128,010

122,687

8 years old

194,188

147,933

124,638

117,882

101,823

9 years old

137,868

118,376

110,874

93,126

76,668

10 years old

103,060

101,643

86,154

66,396

64,698

11 years old

83,414

71,748

58,504

52,181

46,170

12 years old

58,270

45,745

43,761

35,198

38,118

13 years old

35,223

31,867

28,705

27,074

25,284

14 years old

23,542

20,034

21,214

19,773

19,772

15 years old

14,370

14,308

13,322

15,038

10,460

16 years old and greater

28,003

27,084

22,062

17,932

13,324

Total

1,924,281

1,882,901

1,778,861

1,662,157

1,582,833

Air Services.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

252 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41779/09]

The Irish Aviation Authority is a commercial state-sponsored company which was established in 1994 to provide air navigation services in Irish-controlled airspace, and to regulate safety standards within the Irish civil aviation industry. The Authority receives no money from the Exchequer and funds all its services and infrastructure through charges on its airline customers and its regulatory clients. The new Visual Control Tower (VCT) will be subject to a competitive tender process in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines on procurement. The proposed new VCT is not a component of the NDP 2007-2013. The VCT process will be subject to all Department of Finance guidelines on procurement and value for money.

The purpose and function of the new VCT will be to facilitate safe and efficient terminal air navigation services at Dublin Airport if and when the Dublin Airport Authority proceeds with the parallel runway at Dublin Airport. As I have already stated, it will not be constructed if the parallel runway does not proceed.

Question No. 253 answered with Question No. 233.

Registration of Title.

Tom Kitt

Question:

254 Deputy Tom Kitt asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for a vesting certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the next stage of the process; the length of time same will take. [41390/09]

I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November, 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round. I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

255 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if persons (details supplied) in County Carlow will qualify for passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41482/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

286 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow; if they will qualify for passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41509/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 286 together.

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 or be a minor born in the State

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

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

Section 16 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation, although the conditions for naturalisation (or any of them) are not complied with, where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations.

Applications for certificates of naturalisation on behalf of the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2009. I decided in my absolute discretion not to waive the statutory conditions for naturalisation and the first person referred to in the Deputy's question was informed of this decision in letters issued on 23 October, 2009. There is no provision under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, for an appeal in relation to this decision.

Visa Applications.

Richard Bruton

Question:

256 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on fast-tracking visas for key researchers and highly skilled staff, and their spouses; his views on a fast-track for long-term residency for such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41695/09]

A scheme for the admission of non-EEA researchers was established in November 2007. The purpose of the Scheme is to facilitate the admission of non-EEA nationals for the purpose of carrying out research in the State and is administered by the immigration authorities in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Irish Universities Association. The Scheme put in place arrangements which give effect to Council Directive 2005/71/EC of 12 October 2005 on a specific procedure for admitting third-country nationals for the purposes of scientific research.

An enhanced immigration regime operates for such researchers and they are generally treated as equivalent to holders of "Green Card" employment permits. This includes the possibility of immediate family reunification for spouses, partners and dependent children. Visa applications are facilitated to the greatest extent possible in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. With regard to eligibility for long term residence, researchers under the Scheme are eligible to apply for the current administrative scheme for long term residence when they have accrued 5 years residence in the State as a researcher. Furthermore, it is intended that such researchers will, subject to the enactment of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, 2008, be eligible to apply for the statutory long term residence status set out in the Bill.

While the standard eligibility requirement for this status will be at least five years satisfactory residence in the State, it is intended that green card work permit holders and researchers will be eligible to apply for long term residence after two years. This is by any standards a generous approach. Long term resident status will confer rights that approach those of Irish nationals and bring with it access, for the foreign national and his or her qualifying dependants, to the Irish employment market and State-funded services and benefits. The tangible benefits enjoyed by holders of this status are an acknowledgement by the State that, over time, those who migrate to Ireland contribute increasingly to society and the economy and have earned this status and the stability it brings. Further details on the above Scheme can be accessed on the website of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (www.entemp.ie) and the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).

Court Staff.

Seán Connick

Question:

257 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the powers, duties and responsibilities of the position of sheriff; the circumstances under which a sheriff may enter private property; the limitations on the sheriff’s ability to enter private property; the way in which the sheriff determines the private property which will be seized; the private property which cannot be seized by the sheriff; the recommendations made to change the law governing the activities of the sheriff by the Law Reform Commission in 1988; the recommendations which have been adopted into law in the intervening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41891/09]

It would not be appropriate for me as Minister to provide interpretation of the law on legal matters. However I can confirm, that the powers and responsibilities of a sheriff are as provided for in section 54 of the Court Officers Act 1926, as amended by section 12 of the Court Officers Act 1945 and section 2 of the Court Officers Act 1951. Execution of a court order by a sheriff is provided for in the Enforcement of Court Orders Act 1926. Execution of Revenue warrants is provided for in section 962 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997.

Section 133 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 implements a recommendation of the Law Reform Commission relating to the powers of sheriffs by abolishing, with effect from 1 December 2009, the power of the sheriff to seize leasehold property used for residential purposes. Apart from the immediate benefit to residents of such property, abolition of this power will simplify the conveyancing of residential property by removing the need to make searches in Sheriffs' Offices. Copies of Law Reform Commission Reports are available in the Oireachtas library. The Reports can also be accessed on the Commission's website at www.lawreform.ie.

Crime Statistics.

George Lee

Question:

258 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details by month and category of the 92 incidents recorded on the Garda PULSE computer system from 1 January 2009 until 31 October 2009 in the vicinity of a licensed premises (details supplied) in Dublin 14 during and immediately after its operational hours; the number of incidents recorded and a breakdown by category for the same time period in 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41281/09]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that matters relating to the premises referred to by the Deputy are currently before the District Court. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time.

Public Order Offences.

George Lee

Question:

259 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the impact anti-social behaviour at a licensed premises (details supplied) in Dublin 14 is having on Garda resources; if Garda resources would be better allocated if this anti-social behaviour was not taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41282/09]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the premises referred to is in the Rathfarnham Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the premises. I am further informed that local Gardaí maintain regular contact with the management of the premises referred to in order to address any public order issues which may arise. The area is subject to regular patrols by uniform and plain clothes personnel, supplemented by the Community Policing Unit, the Garda Mountain Bike Unit and Traffic Corps personnel.

Local Garda management closely monitors such patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. Incidents of public disorder and anti-social behaviour reported to the Garda authorities are the subject of investigation and dealt with appropriately, including by juvenile or adult caution, fixed charge notices or initiating criminal proceedings. Any persons found engaging in such behaviour will continue to be dealt with appropriately in accordance with the law.

Current policing plans in the area are designed to address issues of crime and public order offences, including the prevention of crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life of residents. This strategy is central to the delivery of the policing service to the area in question.

Garda Investigations.

George Lee

Question:

260 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way the investigation into an incident (details supplied) is progressing; if similar incidents have been recorded on the Garda PULSE computer system in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41283/09]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to by the Deputy is under investigation by Gardaí at Rathfarnham Garda Station and that the scene of the incident was subject to technical examination. I am further informed that Garda records do not indicate that any similar incidents have been reported in the area.

Garda Operations.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

261 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda Operation Tie is still active; the number of gardaí involved; the number of persons arrested and charged to date in 2009; the cost to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41336/09]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) commenced ‘Operation Tie' in November 2007 to target suspected fraud relating to the alleged non-payment of Vehicle Registration Tax. This investigation is still ongoing and the investigation team includes members of CAB, and officials from the Revenue Commissioners (Revenue and Customs & Excise Branches), and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. To date seven people have been arrested as a result of this investigation and charges have already been brought against four persons. The CAB budget is stand-alone and is provided directly to the Bureau by my Department. I am advised that it is not the policy of the Bureau to provide specific budget information concerning individual CAB operations.

Citizenship Applications.

Noel Coonan

Question:

262 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41394/09]

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 June 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.

Finian McGrath

Question:

263 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [41398/09]

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 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 a letter requesting further documentation was sent to the applicant's solicitors on 9th September 2009. To date, no reply has been received. Further processing can resume once the documentation requested has been received.

Garda Stations.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

264 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/09]

In accordance with section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations are a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plans.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the area referred to by the Deputy. At present there is a dedicated Community Policing Unit who patrol on foot and mountain-bike, supplemented by other patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the District Detective and Drug Units, the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. I am further advised that the opening of a new Garda Station in the area referred to by the Deputy would be incompatible with contemporary policing policy in the Division and would result in valuable Garda resources being diverted from outdoor, operational policing to indoor administration duties.

Citizenship Applications.

Niall Blaney

Question:

265 Deputy Niall Blaney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the options available to a person (details supplied), currently living in Northern Ireland on a UK visa, to become an Irish citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41428/09]

In the absence of more specific information, I can only set out the position generally. The statutory requirements for naturalisation are set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. This provides that applicants for naturalisation, other than spouses of Irish citizens, must have been resident in the State for five years of the nine year period prior to the date of application. Resident in this context means residence for which the applicant had the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and where such permission was not granted for the purposes of study or seeking asylum.

A foreign national married to an Irish citizen for at least three years may apply for naturalisation under section 15A of the Irish Naturalisation and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, where they have been continuously resident in the island of Ireland for the year immediately prior to the date of their application and for two out of the four years prior to that year. The marriage concerned must be recognised under the laws of the State as subsisting.

National Drugs Strategy.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

266 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of departmental engagement that has taken place in relation to the proliferation of head shops here; the potential risks and dangers involved in the consumption of the products on sale in these outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41435/09]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 143 of 5 November 2009. As I have advised the Deputy, my colleague Minister of State John Curran, at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who has responsibility for co-ordinating the National Drugs Strategy, has identified head shops as a particular area of concern, and in conjunction with relevant Departments and Agencies, is currently considering the options available to more effectively control the activities of such shops.

My officials are in contact with their counterparts in the Office of the Minister for Drugs in this regard and I have also spoken directly with Minister Curran on this matter. I understand also that a briefing, with particular reference to ‘headshops' has been provided to the Minister by personnel from the Garda National Drugs Unit. In terms of the further specific controlling of substances on sale in headshops, as the Deputy will appreciate, that is a matter which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/1984.

Garda Stations.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

267 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to upgrade a Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if funding will be made available to carry out improvements to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41461/09]

The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and progressed by the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that a sketch scheme has been agreed for the refurbishment of the building referred to by the Deputy. The refurbishment works will include the reorganisation of the public office and reception area, the upgrading of the cells to current standards and the construction of an external ramp. The project will proceed in the context of the Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources.

Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

268 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department is in receipt of an application for funding towards the cost of providing a closed circuit television system in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; the status of any such application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/09]

The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. Pobal administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department. I am advised by Pobal that in 2007 an application for funding was received from an organisation in the town referred to by the Deputy. Following a thorough assessment of the application, it was deemed not to have met a number of the qualifying criteria and was therefore not approved funding. I am further advised that Pobal provided feedback to the unsuccessful applicant in August 2007.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

269 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. [41492/09]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 685 of Tuesday, 6 October, 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

270 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. [41493/09]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 259 on Tuesday, 13 October, 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

271 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 Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41494/09]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in December 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 straightforward 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.

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

Question:

272 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 Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41495/09]

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 December 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 straightforward 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.

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

Question:

273 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41496/09]

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 May 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. 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 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.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

274 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. [41497/09]

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 August 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 straightforward 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.

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

Question:

275 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 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41498/09]

I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has recently received a request for renewal of residency in respect of the person concerned, which is being considered at present. However, by way of background information, I would point out to the Deputy that the person concerned was recently returned to the State from France following a criminal conviction there. While he was imprisoned, his permission to remain in the State, which was granted in 2006 following his marriage to a recognised refugee, expired on 2 November 2008. I expect that a decision on the future status of the person concerned will be taken in the near future.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

276 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of children born here whose parents are not yet Irish citizens; if they qualify for Irish passports if parents have spent a specific length of time here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41499/09]

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides inter alia for the acquisition of Irish nationality and citizenship. Section 6A of the Act, as inserted by section 4 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004, provides that a person born in the island of Ireland shall not be entitled to be an Irish citizen unless a parent of that person has,during the period of 4 years immediately preceding the person’s birth, been resident in the island of Ireland for a period of not less than 3 years or periods the aggregate of which is not less than 3 years. The section does not apply to certain persons including those born to parents one of whom is at the time of the persons birth an Irish citizen, a British citizen or a person entitled to reside without restriction. For the purpose of calculating reckonable residence under section 6A certain residence is excluded from consideration including unlawful residence, residence for the purpose of study and residence covered by a provisional permission granted pending determination of an asylum application.

In determining if a child, who has applied for a passport to the Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the basis that they have an entitlement to Irish citizenship, is entitled to a passport, the Passport Office makes an assessment of the parent's reckonable residence through an examination of their immigration permission stamps. If the parents do not have sufficient residence and the child does not have an entitlement to citizenship, then it will be open to the parent of the child to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation on the child's behalf under section 15 of the 1956 Act, when the child has 5 years reckonable residency in the State.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

277 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 Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41500/09]

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.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

278 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. [41501/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 25 September 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 30 April 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why 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).

On 20 June 2008 the person concerned made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of his parentage of Irish citizen children, born in the State before 1 January 2005, in accordance with the provisions of the IBC/05 Scheme. The closing date for the receipt of applications under this Scheme was 31 March 2005. As the application of the person concerned was received long after this closing date, it was received much too late for consideration and the person concerned was informed of this by letter dated 18 March 2009.

The position in the State of the person concerned now falls to 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.

Rental Accommodation Scheme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

279 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a lack of stamp four status will exclude a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 from qualification for the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41502/09]

Stamp 4 denotes that the holder has an immigration permission to be in the State and the right to work without the need for an employment permit. It does not confer on the holder an entitlement to any particular public service or funding. Such matters are determined by the relevant government departments or State agencies. My Department has no responsibility in the area of housing matters.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

280 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a review of an application for residency will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41503/09]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 13th October 2009. The position remains unchanged.

Refugee Status.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

281 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review a proposal to revoke stamp four in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41504/09]

The person concerned claimed asylum in the State on16/09/2004 and had herclaim examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, following which it was recommended that she should be recognised as a refugee. Based on this recommendation, the person concerned was advised of my decision to issue her with a formal declaration of refugee status by letter dated 27/10/2005. This communication also advised the person concerned of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State. The person concerned continues to hold the status of refugee in the State. As you are aware, a proposal to revoke refugee status has been issued. As this case is currently under examination, it would be inappropriate for me to comment pending the outcome of that examination.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

282 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 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41505/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of Thursday, 18 June, 2009, and the written Reply to that Question. As stated in my last Reply, the person concerned has submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State which 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.

Visa Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

283 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 Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41506/09]

Based on the information provided by the Deputy, my Department has no record of a visa application for the person referred to. It would appear that the reference number referred to is not a current visa transaction number. It is open to the applicant to complete an on-line visa application form. It should be borne in mind that the signed two page summary sheet along with the required supporting documentation and fee, if applicable, must be submitted to the relevant embassy/consulate within 30 days of completing the on-line application form. Comprehensive information when making a visa application can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie).

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

284 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 Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41507/09]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to is the subject of a Family Reunification application made by his sister in October 2007. The documentation submitted by the person referred to is currently being considered and they will be contacted shortly by INIS.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

285 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a stamp four will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41508/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

287 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for extended residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41510/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 287 together.

Officials in the Long Term Residency section of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application received from the person mentioned in the Deputy's Question.

Question No. 286 answered with Question No. 255.
Question No. 287 answered with Question No. 285.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

288 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a review will be undertaken regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41511/09]

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 or be a minor born in the State

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

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.

Section 16 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation, although the conditions for naturalisation (or any of them) are not complied with, where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations.

Applications for certificates of naturalisation on behalf of the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2009. I decided in my absolute discretion not to waive the statutory conditions for naturalisation and the first person referred to in the Deputy's Question was informed of this decision in letters issued on 30 October, 2009. There is no provision under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, for an appeal in relation to this decision.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

289 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. [41512/09]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to in the Deputy's Question has not made an application for residency. It is open to the person concerned to make an application to my Department regarding her residency status in the State.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

290 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency or family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath whose spouse has permission to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41513/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 7 November 2005. Her nephew was included as a child dependant in her asylum application. 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 23 August 2006, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her nephew. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against them. The person concerned was later invited 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 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. Any decision made will apply equally to the nephew of the person concerned. The Deputy should note that the position in the State of the person concerned is not such as would confer any entitlement to family reunification.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

291 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review an application for leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds or family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41514/09]

On the basis of the information supplied, it is not possible to reply to the Deputy's Question. Specifically, the reference number supplied relates to an entirely different person. In an effort to clarify the matter, I am informed that an Official from my Department made telephone contact with the Deputy's office but the required clarification did not materialise. In the circumstances, I regret that I am unable to reply to the Deputy's Question at this time.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

292 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 Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41515/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 12 May 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 24 July 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.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

293 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 Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41516/09]

I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy has been granted five years permission to remain in the State based on his marriage to an EU citizen.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

294 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ascertain clarification of a letter dated 4 November 2009 on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/09]

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 2007. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that a letter issued to the applicant on 4 November 2009 clarifying the position in relation to the applicant's name for naturalisation purposes.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

295 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a residency or asylum application in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41518/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 6 March 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 28 August 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.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

296 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds or residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41519/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of Wednesday, 6 May, 2009, and the written Reply to that Question. As stated in my last Reply, the case of the person concerned now falls to be considered in accordance with 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.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

297 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the case to allow a person (details supplied) in County Meath to make representations as to the reason they should not be deported, thus regularising their file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41520/09]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of Thursday, 9 April, 2009, and the written Reply to that Question. As stated in my last Reply, 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. Any 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.

Judgment Debts.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

298 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will exercise his powers under the Courts Act 1981 to reduce from 8% to 4% the level of interest on judgment debts; if he will confirm that despite the historically low rates applicable elsewhere the interest on judgment debts has been unchanged since 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41658/09]

The rate of interest on judgment debts, reduced from 11% to 8% in 1989, has not been varied since that date. The rate is being reviewed in my Department.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

299 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41699/09]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 220 on Wednesday, 14 October, 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

300 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41700/09]

There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned, the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

301 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. [41701/09]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 258 on 13 October, 2009. The position remains as stated. In the absence of more specific information the Citizenship Division of my Department informs me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the spouse of the person referred to in the Deputy's Question. I am also informed that there is a discrepancy between the address the Deputy has provided and the address that my Department holds on file, please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to keep my Department informed of any change of address in writing.

Travel Documents.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

302 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if temporary travel documents will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41702/09]

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person in question was refused Refugee Status in 2005 and is therefore not entitled to be issued with an Irish Travel Document. The person concerned was granted temporary permission on 11 March 2008 to remain in the State for three years until 11 March 2011. In exceptional cases an application for an Irish temporary travel document may be considered. In all such cases INIS 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 INIS 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 INIS that the person concerned was previously facilitated with a temporary travel document in May 2008 primarily to allow the holder of same to procure their national passport. It remains open to the person in question to return this temporary travel document and submit a new application accompanied with the relevant supporting documentation to the Travel Document Unit of INIS which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

303 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41703/09]

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 9 June, 2009. I am informed that the person concerned registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau on 3 January, 2008, and currently has permission to remain in the State under Stamp 4 conditions until 2 November, 2010.

Garda Stations.

Enda Kenny

Question:

304 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that no Garda station in County Mayo is due for closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41741/09]

I have set out the position in relation to rural Garda stations in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of the 10th of November 2009.

Enda Kenny

Question:

305 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the provision of a new Garda station for Ballyvary, Castlebar, County Mayo; when this project will be advertised for tender; when he expects work to commence on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41742/09]

The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána who work in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in due course it is planned to build a new station at Ballyvary and this is being considered in the context of the Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources. In the interim, arrangements for the provision of Garda station facilities at a premises in Ballyvary are being advanced and it is anticipated that this accommodation will be available in the near future.

Proposed Legislation.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

306 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will bring forward legislation to introduce a power of arrest for offences under section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, to facilitate gardaí in dealing with such assaults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41752/09]

As the Deputy may be aware sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 provide for three categories of offences of assault respectively. Section 2 provides for an offence of assault. Section 3 provides for an offence of assault causing harm and Section 4 for an offence of assault causing serious harm. Offences under sections 3 and 4 of the Act come within the definition of "arrestable offences" as set out in Section 2(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1997 (as amended by Section 8 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006), meaning an offence where an arrest of a person may be punished by imprisonment for a term of five years or by a more severe penalty and includes an attempt to commit any such offence.

In addition to the provisions of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 (as amended) provides in Section 6(1) that it is an offence for any person in a public place to use or engage in any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned. Section 18 provides for an offence of assault with intent to cause bodily harm and Section 19 (as amended by section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006) provides inter alia for an offence of assaulting a peace officer acting in the execution of his or her duty.

In respect of any of the offences set out in the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, Section 24(1) provides that where a member of the Garda Síochána finds any person committing an offence under a relevant provision, the member may arrest such a person without a warrant. I have not been advised of any particular problems in this area and have no immediate plans to introduce a power of arrest in respect of an offence under section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. I will, however, keep the matter under review.

Garda Investigations.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

307 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timescale to introduce arrangements to end the requirement of members of the Garda Síochána to take a handwritten note of interviews which are being electronically recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41753/09]

As I indicated in my reply to Question 114 of 10th November, a complex range of training, technological, financial and legal issues must be addressed before the changeover referred to by the Deputy could take place. The Garda Síochána are at an advanced stage in developing proposals for the operational aspects of a new system. Because of the complexities involved, it is likely that any new system would initially be introduced on a pilot basis to allow all the operational and legal aspects to be fully tested and evaluated. This is a matter which is being pursued by the Garda authorities and, given the extensive operational and other issues involved, it is not possible to indicate when the relevant work will be completed.

Proposed Legislation.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

308 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41766/09]

The position is that the Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009 is awaiting Committee Stage in the Seanad.

Data Protection.

Michael Ring

Question:

309 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the information held on a database (details supplied) is secure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41781/09]

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Garda Strength.

Michael Ring

Question:

310 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm the effect of a change in regulation (details supplied) in relation to Garda manpower; if the cost savings to the Exchequer have been quantified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41782/09]

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Prisoner Education.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

311 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the Exchequer of providing Open University courses for prisoners broken down between Irish nationals and non-Irish nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41851/09]

To date in this year, 95 prisoners have undertaken courses through the Open University at a cost of €88,561.12. Of these, 26 were non-Irish nationals. I would like to clarify that, in common with all prisoner services provided by the Irish Prison Service, access to Open University courses is not differentiated on the basis of nationality. There is a uniform application procedure with associated guidelines and prisoners must demonstrate the proven academic ability required to complete a third level course of study.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

312 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 Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41907/09]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 145 of Thursday, 5 November, 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

313 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/09]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 4 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 5 June 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.

Human Rights Issues.

Pat Breen

Question:

314 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the humanitarian problems at the Palestinian refugee camp on the Syrian-Iraqi border as a result of persons being displaced by the Iraqi war; if the EU, including Ireland, has plans to assist in repatriating these Palestinian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41309/09]

Pat Breen

Question:

315 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Palestinian refugee problem in Syria will be discussed at a forthcoming General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41310/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.

Ireland and our EU partners continue to pay close attention to the situation of Iraqi refugees, of whom there are estimated to be in excess of 2 million. We are particularly concerned by the large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons, and by the burden being borne by neighbouring states, especially Jordan and Syria. Ultimately, assistance efforts on the part of the international community need to be focused on ensuring that Iraq can once again be considered a secure and peaceful home for the majority of these citizens.

The particular humanitarian problems with regard to Palestinian refugees on the Syria/Iraq border are long-standing and go back to the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime, with whom this group are seen to have been identified. Before the March 2003 invasion, UNHCR estimated there were 34,000 Palestinians in Iraq. This group was particularly vulnerable during the ethnic violence which followed the collapse of the regime as the mostly Sunni Palestinian refugees were targeted by Shi'a militias for their ethnicity and for allegedly receiving preferential treatment under Hussein's regime. Palestinian refugees in Iraq were increasingly targets of violence, kidnapping, and death threats. Some tens of thousands fled to neighbouring Syria and Jordan, until those options became closed to them and they were essentially trapped in the no man's land between borders.

There are currently estimated to be more than 2,700 Palestinians living in three unofficial desert camps on the Iraq-Syria border in difficult and harsh conditions, and for whom resettlement within Iraq does not represent a viable option. The refugees have been receiving assistance through UNHCR. Ireland has also contributed to providing assistance to this group. In 2006, the Minister for Justice, on behalf of the Government, decided that Ireland would offer assistance to international efforts to reduce the numbers in one such refugee camp, the Al-Rweished camp, on the Iraq/Jordan border. The bulk of Ireland's refugee repatriation funding was directed at this area that year and approximately 180 refugees were permanently settled in Ireland, which, together with resettlements to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden, facilitated the closure of the camp by the end of 2006.

In the largest ever resettlement of Palestinian refugees in the US, approximately 1,350 Palestinian refugees from the camps on the Iraq/Syria border are currently being considered for resettlement in the US. In addition, a further 98 Palestinians from the makeshift camps near the Syrian border are being housed in a "transit camp" in Slovakia for up to six months while their final resettlement to other countries is arranged by UNHCR. Further comprehensive action on third country repatriation will be required to address the situation in the remaining camps.

While Ireland is not currently involved in this resettlement programme, we continue to provide support to Iraqi refugees, as well as to those displaced within Iraq and their host communities. This funding is channelled through UNHCR, and has totalled €3.2 million since 2007. In addition, a member of Irish Aid's Rapid Response Corps was deployed as a reintegration officer with UNHCR in Syria in 2008.

Emigrant Support Services.

Martin Ferris

Question:

316 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had recently with the US authorities regarding undocumented Irish citizens living in that country. [41463/09]

Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the US continues to be a high priority of this Government. We are also committed to developing our bilateral migration arrangements with the United States, through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable E3 visa scheme. In discussions with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, during her visit to Ireland in October, I stressed that the Government was continuing to pursue a three pronged strategy to address migratory flows between Ireland and the US. This strategy involves seeking a solution for the undocumented Irish, the establishment of an E3 visa and the continued expansion of the working holiday programme, which was concluded last year. In response to these issues, Secretary of State Clinton indicated that immigration reform may be addressed in early 2010, following the passage of health care legislation.

On my visit to Washington and New York on 14-17 October, I held extensive discussions on the prospect for progress on immigration reform with significant number of key Democrat sand Republicans in Congress. These included the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator John McCain, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Bob Casey, Senator Paul Kirk, the Chair of the House Sub Committee on Immigration, Zoe Lofgren and the members of the House of Representatives Friends of Ireland Group. There was considerable support expressed at these meetings for efforts to find a solution for the undocumented and for the E3 visa initiative. I received some indications that a comprehensive immigration bill which would address the concerns of the undocumented could be introduced in Congress in Spring 2010 but I was also told that such a timetable could be influenced by ongoing debate on health care reform and the fact that 2010 will be an election year in the US.

In New York, I also had a very useful meeting with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, who are continuing to lobby for the undocumented Irish, with the assistance of former Congressman Bruce Morrison. During my visit, I was pleased to announce a further grant of $50,000 to ILIR. This brings to $285,000, the total amount of funding allocated by the Government to ILIR since 2006.

Passport Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

317 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Carlow qualifies for a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41481/09]

The Passport Office may only issue passports to Irish citizens. Accordingly, each application is considered with reference to Irish citizenship law and more recently with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. The person in question was born in the State on 8 February, 2007. Her entitlement to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 ("the 2004 Act"). Section 6A of the 2004 Act provides that persons born in the State on or after 1 January, 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or a British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where the parent has been lawfully resident in the State for 3 of the 4 years preceding their birth.

At the time of the birth of the person concerned, her mother was a Dutch national. Section 6B(2) of the 2004 Act makes particular provision for parents from EU Member States whereby such nationals may make a declaration in a prescribed form concerning their residence in the island of Ireland within the 4 years preceding the child's birth. This declaration is supported by the submission of the parent's EU passport and by documentary evidence of that parent's residence in Ireland. That non-Irish citizen parent will then be regarded as having resided in the island of Ireland for the declared periods for the purposes of s6A, unless the contrary is proved.

The Passport Office in Balbriggan has received two applications for this person. The first of these was made in March, 2007 while the second was received in April of this year. In both applications, the submitted evidence of residence in Ireland in respect of the parent who is the EU national has been insufficient to demonstrate the child's entitlement to Irish citizenship. Accordingly, the Passport Office is not in a position to issue a passport to her. It should be noted that there has been considerable correspondence between the Head of the Passport Office in Balbriggan and the applicant's mother and the family solicitors. This correspondence has outlined the position above to them. The Head of the Passport Office in Balbriggan remains available to explain any detail that is still unclear to the applicant's mother. His contact details are 01.673.3215 or kevin.walzer@dfa.ie.

Overseas Development Aid.

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

318 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will meet Ireland’s overseas development spending obligation of 0.7% of GDP by 2012. [41538/09]

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 is currently examining expenditure estimates in preparation for next month's 2010 Budget statement. Our aim is to protect the aid programme to the maximum extent possible within the context of the current difficult fiscal environment. Finally, I would point out that Ireland's aid programme is recognised internationally as one of the best in the world. Our peers in the OECD have described it as "cutting edge". I can assure the Deputy that this quality will be maintained while we continue to ensure maximum value for taxpayers' money in our aid programme.

International Agreements.

Noel Ahern

Question:

319 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Lisbon referendum; the various procedures for Ireland and Europe as a whole for full and final approval of the treaty from referendum date on 2 October 2009 here to presidential signing to formal endorsement in Rome; and if the process will be clarified with time scales for different stages. [41543/09]

On Friday, 2 October the Irish people gave a ringing endorsement to the proposal to amend the Constitution of Ireland in order to allow Ireland to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. The referendum was supported by 67.13% of those who voted in a turnout of 59% of voters. The full result of the referendum was published in Issue no. 80 of Iris Oifigiúil on Tuesday 6 October. Dáil Éireann approved the terms of the Treaty under Article 29.5.2° of the Constitution on Wednesday 7 October by way of the following Dáil motion:

"That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon, 13th December 2007, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on Tuesday, 6th October 2009"

President McAleese signed the 28th Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009 into law on Thursday 15 October. On the following day, she signed the instrument of Ireland's ratification of the treaty of Lisbon. Ireland's ratification process was completed when, on Friday 23 October, in accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty, Minister of State Dick Roche T.D. deposited the Instrument of Ratification with the Government of Italy, which acts as Depository State for this Treaty.

All 27 Member States have now completed their ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by depositing their Instruments of Ratification with the Government of Italy. The Treaty will enter into force on 1 December 2009. In order to give effect to the relevant provisions of the Lisbon Treaty in the domestic law of the State, the European Union Bill 2009 was enacted by Dáil Éireann and signed into law by the President on Tuesday 27 October. The European Union Act 2009 will be subject to a Commencement Order on 1 December, the same day on which the Treaty enters into force.

Middle East Peace Process.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

320 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn, by the management of Iarnród Éireann or Córas Iompair Éireann, to a plan to sell, lease or donate its rolling stock, which is surplus to requirements as a result of its renewal programme over recent years, to Israel; if he has had discussions with the management of Iarnród Éireann or Córas Iompair Éireann regarding the appropriateness of this plan in view of Israel’s occupation or settlement policy of Palestinian territories which is contrary to several UN resolutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41709/09]

I am not aware of any plan such as that referred to by the Deputy, which would, in any event, be an operational matter for the Department of Transport.

Departmental Staff.

Mary Upton

Question:

321 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, further to Parliamentary Question No. 778 of 3 November 2009, the number of qualified economists in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41417/09]

The Department does not have any sanctioned economist posts. However, there are a number of staff in the Department who have qualifications in the field of economics and the Department makes use of their skills when the need arises for such expertise.

National Library.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

322 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will write to his counterpart in the British Parliament to ask for the return of personal effects (details supplied). [41749/09]

The return of personal effects is a matter for the family, their successors or legal representatives. As the Deputy is probably aware, both the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland are already in possession of material and documents belonging and relating to Sir Roger Casement. It is a matter for each national cultural institution to determine what material should be acquired, on loan or otherwise, for its collection. The Deputy may wish to note that the list of Casement material in the National Library of Ireland may be accessed at:

http://www.nli.ie/en/ManuscriptListResult.aspx

National Lottery Funding.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

323 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the breakdown of each individual allocation of national lottery funding issued by his Department for 2007 and 2008. [41756/09]

The elements of the Department's Vote which are part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery are as follows: Subhead C.1: Grants for sporting bodies and for the provision of sports and recreational facilities under the Sports Capital Programme; Subhead C.3: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Irish Sports Council in respect of general assistance to sports organisations and expenditure in relation to sports activities; and Subhead D.7: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Arts Council in respect of arts activities. The financial outturns in respect of Subheads, C.1, C.3 and D.7 for the years 2007 and 2008 are as set out in tabular form below.

Year

Sports Capital Programme

Irish Sports Council

Arts Council

€’000

€’000

€’000

2008

60,137*

57,182

81,620

2007

63,724*

54,025

83,000

*Includes capital carryover from previous year.

In relation to the Grants-in-Aid to the Irish Sports Council and the Arts Council, allocation decisions are made by the agencies themselves and the Department has no function in this matter.

In relation to the Sports Capital Programme, details of the numerous allocations of grants in the two years in question are available on the Department's corporate website at www.dast.gov.ie.

National Drugs Strategy.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

324 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the proliferation of so called head shops, which have opened here; his views on the fact that some of these substances may represent a threat to public health, or may act, potentially, as a gateway to illicit drug use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41433/09]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

328 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of departmental engagement that has taken place in relation to the proliferation of head shops here; the potential risks and dangers involved in the consumption of the products on sale in these outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41436/09]

Catherine Byrne

Question:

340 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on head shops and the sale of legal highs here; his further views on the fact that many of these substances can have health implications; his plans for head shops into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/09]

I propose taking Questions Nos. 324, 328 and 340 together.

I am very aware of the growth in the number of headshops and I have voiced concerns in regard to their activities on numerous occasions. My concerns in relation to their selling of substances that are represented as being "legal highs" or "herbal highs" centre on the potential health hazard arising and the fear that use of these products may act as a gateway to the use of illicit drugs. The Department of Health & Children has the main statutory responsibility in this area. Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, the importation, exportation, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are regulated and controlled. The products on sale in headshops are currently not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, but this situation is being kept under review by the Department of Health and Children. Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service are working to ensure that no illegal substances are sold in these premises.

I have raised my concerns about the proliferation, and the activities, of headshops in many fora since my appointment as Minister. The matter was discussed with the various parties involved at the first meeting of the Oversight Forum on Drugs, set up under the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, in October. Also under the Strategy, I have had meetings in recent weeks with the Minister for Health & Children and the Minister Justice Equality & Law Reform and headshops were among the issues considered. I also discussed headshops at meetings last week with the Garda Commissioner and senior officials of the Revenue Commissioners.

The headshop issue is causing concern across Europe and no EU Member States has come up with a comprehensive response so far. A number of possibilities for addressing the activities of headshops have been discussed at my various meetings and these are being followed up by the relevant authorities.

Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 61.
Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 77.

Departmental Agencies.

Michael Ring

Question:

327 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied that the amount claimed by agencies falling within the remit of his Department in expenses is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41717/09]

I can confirm to the Deputy that each of the agencies that are funded from within my Department's Vote Group is required to operate and comply in all aspects with circulars issued from time to time by the Department of Finance regarding travel and subsistence and other such expenses. Each agency has been provided with these circulars and has confirmed in writing to my Department that they are in compliance with the requirements arising. I wish also to advise the Deputy that, in line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Chairpersons of relevant State bodies within the ambit of my Department furnish me with annual reports and accounts for their bodies, including a comprehensive report covering a wide range of financial and governance issues. Such reports include confirmation that all appropriate procedures for expenses are being implemented.

I should add that the agencies that come within ambit of my Department have been instructed to ensure that only essential travel is to be undertaken, and are aware that expenses must be curtailed and kept to an absolute minimum. The Deputy will also be aware that the bodies in question are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 324.

Ferry Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

329 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is allowing the change over of ownership of vessels that are contracted to his Department to provide a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41445/09]

Under the provisions of its contract with my Department, the company referred to by the Deputy cannot sell or otherwise dispose of its interest in the vessels referred to by the Deputy without my prior written consent. Earlier this year, the ownership of the vessels concerned was transferred to another company. As both companies are under the control of the same directors, this arrangement does not present a difficulty to my Department.

Michael Ring

Question:

330 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way he distinguishes between the amount of fuel used by vessels contracted by his Department to provide a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41446/09]

My Department has agreed a fixed price of €27,000 per annum with the first-named company referred to by the Deputy to provide 20 sailings annually using the vessel referred to by the Deputy. The company has also agreed to provide any additional sailings required, subject to my prior consent, at a cost of €1,200 each. The issue of fuel usage or cost does not arise, therefore, in the case of sailings provided using this vessel. A Fuel Price Variation Clause applies in the case of sailings provided by the other main vessel that is contracted to provide the service in this case. In order to evaluate the company's entitlements under this Clause, my Department obtains independently certified documentation from the company's accountants on fuel prices and usage associated with those sailings.

Michael Ring

Question:

331 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when modifications (details supplied) will be carried out; the details of the modifications that were required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41447/09]

Under the terms of the contract between my Department and the operator concerned, the operator is obliged to install a new crane and pallet hoist on the vessel referred to by the Deputy. It was originally envisaged that these works would be carried out earlier this year. I am advised that the necessary preparatory work on the vessel has been carried out, and that the crane and pallet hoist have been purchased by the operator. However, the installation has not been completed thus far, as the operator is anxious to ensure that there is minimal disruption of the service to users. My Department will continue to seek completion of the installation at the earliest possible date.

Grant Payments.

Jack Wall

Question:

332 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding funding for a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41521/09]

Details of all of the programmes and schemes operated by my Department, including guidelines and criteria, are available on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie. The Deputy will appreciate that eligibility for grants available depends on the nature of the grant sought and details of the group seeking them. My Department has no record of an application for funding having been received in respect of this project.

An Teanga Ghaeilge.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

333 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a sheolfar an straitéis fiche bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41679/09]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

334 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh dréacht-sainmhíniú aige ar cad is Gaeltacht ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41680/09]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

335 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na moltaí atá aige i leith athruithe ar Theorainneacha na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41681/09]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

347 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta conas mar atá ag éirí leis an dréachtadh agus leis an bpleanáil maidir leis an bPlean Straitéiseach 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an bhfuil pleananna san áireamh ann chun an Ghaeilge a fhorbairt i mbailte móra ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge láidir mar theanga labhartha i measc gréasán pobal; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41807/09]

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh 333, 334, 335 agus 347 le chéile.

Tá dréacht den Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht faoi bhreithniú ag an gCoiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht. Tá sé i gceist an dréacht a chur chuig an gCoiste Oireachtais ar Ghnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta d'fhonn comhairliúchán deiridh a dhéanamh roimh ceadú agus foilseachán foirmiúil. Tá súil agam go dtarlóidh sé sin go luath.

Maidir le ceist na dteorainneacha agus sainmhíniú na Gaeltachta, tá moltaí déanta sa Staidéar Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht faoi gnéithe éagsúla a bhaineann leis an nGaeltacht, ar a n-áirítear na nithe seo. Cuireadh gach atá sa Staidéar sin agus moltaí eile maidir le forbairt na Gaeilge i gceantair uirbeacha san áireamh nuair a bhí dréachtú á dhéanamh ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Mar atá ráite agam, tá an doiciméad seo faoi chaibidil ag Coiste Rialtais agus, ar ndóigh, ní féidir liom dul isteach i sonraí na Straitéise go dtí go mbeidh sé aontaithe ag an Rialtas.

Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

336 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé cinnte go mbeidh toghchán ann do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta sa bhliain 2010; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [41682/09]

Reachtáladh an toghchán deireanach d'Údarás na Gaeltachta ar 2 Aibreán 2005. Faoi réir na reachtaíochta faoina bhfeidhmíonn an tÚdarás, ní mór an chéad toghchán eile a reachtáil am éigin sa tréimhse idir 1 Aibreán 2009 agus 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2010. Mar is eol don Teachta, tá moltaí éagsúla maidir leis an nGaeilge agus an nGaeltacht á bplé ag an gCoiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht i gcomhthéacs na Tuarascála ón Staidéar Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge atá á hullmhú i láthair na huaire. Sna cúinsí sin, níl sé i gceist agam cinneadh a thógáil ag an bpointe seo maidir le dáta don chéad toghchán eile d'Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Community Development.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

337 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he will take to address the concern with the proposed merger between the community development programme and the local development social inclusion programme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41694/09]

I refer the Deputy to Question No. 104 answered today, 17th November.

Charities Regulation.

Thomas Byrne

Question:

338 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to outlaw the practice of clothing collections by persons claiming to represent various charities who in many cases do not and which cause nuisance to the public also by way of leaflet dropping in the middle of the night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41705/09]

There are two issues of public concern raised in the Deputy's Question, and I fully share the Deputy's concerns. Firstly, there is the practice of non-charities representing themselves as charities when collecting from the public. Secondly, there is the public nuisance and annoyance that can be caused by undertaking such collections at anti-social hours.

Of particular concern and relevance to me, given my statutory responsibility for the regulation of charities, is where certain collectors of clothing and bric-a-brac from households convey the impression in their promotional literature that they are a charitable in nature, when this may not actually be the case. This may lead some people to donate to such collections in the belief that they are supporting a charity and helping to alleviate hardship. I consider that this is unfair both to donors, whose intention in donating such items is to help those in need, and to bona fide charities that are reportedly losing out on donations as a consequence.

The Charities Act 2009 will, when commenced, help to address this issue. The centrepiece of the new statutory regulatory regime for charities will be a Charities Regulatory Authority with extensive regulatory powers and a Register of Charities upon which any charity operating in Ireland must be entered. It will be an offence for any organisation that is not on the Register of Charities to describe itself or its activities in such a way as to cause the public to reasonably believe that the organisation is a registered charity. This will limit the scope for non-charities to suggest to the public that they are charitable in nature. This will in turn help the public to distinguish between genuine charitable and non-charitable collections, and to make more informed decisions about which collections they choose to support.

The second aspect of public concern is the nuisance caused to the public by certain collectors delivering leaflets or undertaking collections at irregular hours. I have no statutory function in relation to such collections. I am advised, however, that local authorities may have powers under the Waste Management Act 1996 to enable them to control such collections. In that context, it may be helpful to refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 7666 of 27 February 2007 on this issue given by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage, and Local Government previously.

National Drugs Strategy.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

339 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the role of local drugs task forces in informing young persons about the dangers of recreational drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41798/09]

The role of the 14 Local and 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces is, inter alia, to facilitate greater local/regional focus on drugs issues and a more co-ordinated response to them. A key element in this is education, prevention and awareness raising. There are a significant number of projects being funded through the Drugs Task Forces with an education and prevention focus. These projects, while varying in type, aim to create greater societal awareness about the dangers and prevalence of drugs and to equip young people with the skills and supports to make informed choices about their health, personal lives and social development. The Department of Education & Science is represented on the Drug Task Forces and it is also open to Drug Task Forces to liaise with schools in their area through the various projects they fund.

In addition, many of the projects funded through the Drugs Task Forces focus specifically on drug awareness, ranging from local drug awareness groups to other initiatives such as "Awareness Weeks". Such measures have proven to be effective as many of them focus on the issues particular to their own localities. With particular regard to cocaine usage, 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.

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. 340 answered with Question No. 324.

Irish Language.

Thomas Byrne

Question:

341 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his position regarding the use of publication directly to the Internet by public bodies as a means to minimise the cost of the production of those reports and policy documents made available bilingually by them under the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41800/09]

Thomas Byrne

Question:

342 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure that there is an appropriate quality assurance mechanism in place for Irish language translators; the further steps being taken to make use of information technology software that facilitates automatic translation thereby reducing translation times and costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41801/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.

My Department has worked, and will continue to work, with Departments and other public bodies to assist them in meeting their translation obligations under the Official Languages Act in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. In addition, I wish to again reiterate that the obligation under section 10 of the Act to publish documents simultaneously in Irish and English applies only to a limited number of key documents published by public bodies, including annual reports and accounts and documents setting out public policy proposals.

I have long advocated that documents such as these should be published by way of CDs or the internet, rather than hard copy. I am aware that a number of public bodies already follow this practice. Indeed, the Coimisinéir Teanga specifically advocates this approach to public bodies in the guidebook on the Act that his Office published and circulated to all bodies in 2008 and the Government adopted a similar policy last year as one of a number of measures designed to reduce costs across public bodies.

At the request of my Department, Foras na Gaeilge began development of an accreditation system for Irish language translators in 2006 and the system continues to be rolled out on an ongoing basis. To date training courses have been provided to over 1,000 translators and, following successful completion of the designated examination, there are currently 147 translators on the accredited panel of translators. In order to support that important work, Foras has commenced the process for putting a similar system in place for Irish language editors.

Again at the behest of my Department, in 2007 Foras na Gaeilge began the process of developing, on a phased basis, a translation memory resource for the Irish language. The translation memory project collects the highest quality official English-Irish translations and formats them for use in both automated and manual translation, providing significant savings to all users as regards time and cost, and significant increases in consistency and standard of translation. The first collection of formatted texts has been made available to accredited translators and I understand that training will be provided shortly in the most efficient use of this resource on an ongoing basis.

In regard to information technology software, I should also mentionFocal.ie, a national terminology database for the Irish language which has been developed by Fiontar, Dublin City University, with the assistance of funding from Foras na Gaeilge and from my Department’s Ciste na Gaeilge.

Community Development.

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

343 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the role he has in supporting the development of local food production and related enterprise in rural areas; the provision in the rural development programme to fund the growth of such local business; his plans to make such funding available to the Fingal area for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41802/09]

The LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 — which are currently being implemented by 36 Local Action Groups throughout the country — aim to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. The funding available for the delivery of these LEADER activities amounts to over €425m and includes a number of measures that support enterprise, including local food production and related enterprise.

For example, under the Support for Business Creation and Development measure, €48.26m will be available over the lifetime of the Programme for a range of rural enterprise activity based on the exploitation of traditional rural resources. Other measures also provide funding that facilitates support for such enterprises including:

Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities (€16.66m);

Encouragement of Tourism Activities (€45.4m);

Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population (€49.61m); and

Implementing Co-operation Projects (€10.7m).

Fingal LEADER Partnership is one of 36 groups contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme. The Group was awarded an overall amount of €7,766,780 for the duration of the Programme with almost a million (€920,000.00) of that amount assigned to the Business Creation and Development Measure as part of their local development strategy. The group was given an allocation of €514,549 for 2009 and have been given an initial project allocation of €237,861 for 2010. Full allocations for 2010 will not be finalised until the completion of the current estimates process.

My Department also provides support to Teagasc for the employment of two Technical Food Advisors who work on the development and delivery of technical support primarily for artisan food business in the meat and dairy sectors. They liaise with the food businesses to identify the technical and development needs for their products. They enable knowledge, skills and technology to be made available through training, advice and technical support to facilitate these businesses to continue to produce safe, healthy and distinctive foods to a high standard. Since 2004 funding has also been provided towards the employment of a Small Foods Co-ordinator to work with LEADER groups, statutory bodies, representative organisation networks and others in developing and supporting the small food producers sector.

Departmental Programmes.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

344 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the supports his Department provided for the provision of two food science advisers to the small scale dairy products and meat and poultry production sectors; the services provided to support small producers over the period of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41804/09]

My Department has provided funding of €358,932 over 2008 and 2009 for the employment of two Technical Food Advisors by Teagasc. The Advisors support the development and delivery of technical competencies primarily for artisan food business in the meat and dairy sectors. The Advisors liaise with the food businesses to identify the technical and development needs for their products. They work to ensure that best knowledge, skills and technology are made available through training, advice and technical support to facilitate these businesses to continue to produce safe, healthy and distinctive foods to a high standard. In addition, my Department also supports the employment of a Small Foods Co-ordinator to work with LEADER Groups, statutory bodies, representative organisation networks and others in developing and supporting the small food producers sector. This sector has grown rapidly in recent years. This growth has been greatly facilitated by the work of the Co-ordinator.

Other supports for small producers are provided under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, which being implemented by 36 Local Action Groups throughout the country. Funding of €425m is available over the lifetime of the Programme and the measures covered include supports for enterprises, including local food production and related enterprise. For example, under the Support for Business Creation and Development measure, €48.26m will be available over the lifetime of the Programme for a range of rural enterprise activity based on the exploitation of traditional rural resources. Other measures also provide funding that facilitates support for such enterprises including:

Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities (€16.66m);

Encouragement of Tourism Activities (€45.4m);

Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population (€49.61m); and

mplementing Co-operation Projects (€10.7m).

John Browne

Question:

345 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the schemes and programmes in his Department that support persons in employment in urban and rural areas; his role in developing local and indigenous enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41805/09]

My Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes that support the growth of business and enterprise in urban and rural areas. Relevant schemes include the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (RDP), the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP), the CLÁR programme and the Community Services Programme. 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 is currently project activity totalling €5.2 million registered under the Business Creation and Development measure. Over €2.5 million of this is in approved projects with €422,706 in registered expenditure to date.

My Department's LDSIP provides for integrated approaches to identify 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.

The WDC Investment Fund supports businesses, community initiatives and ‘flagship' projects in the Western Region. It invests directly in sustainable projects, many of which may be experiencing a funding gap. 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 also allocated some €47m to projects approved under the Community Services Programme. This Programme supports local community activity to address disadvantage, while delivering good quality services and providing employment activities for people from specific target groups, including people with disabilities, travellers, recovering drug users, long-term unemployed and lone parents. A broad range of services are eligible for support and include the management of community, leisure and sports facilities, heritage centres, child care, community media, elder care and transport. Support is provided under the Programme by way of a contribution towards the cost of a manager, where appropriate, and full-time equivalent workers. A small non-wage material and overhead grant is also provided. To date, 454 projects have been approved for funding under the Programme, supporting an estimated 2,700 positions.

Rural Development.

Christy O'Sullivan

Question:

346 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress that is being made in developing walking trails under the national countryside recreation strategy; the role of the rural social scheme in the development of rural recreation; the progress made in the operation of the walks scheme in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/09]

I can confirm to the Deputy that good progress has been made in developing walking trails as part of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. In the case of my own Department, we have successfully introduced the Walks Scheme, in consultation with Comhairle Na Tuaithe, for the development, enhancement and maintenance of Waymarked Ways and other priority walks. Currently there are 18 walks in the Scheme with 1,091 participant landholders. Thanks to the efforts of Comhairle Na Tuaithe in implementing the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and those of other key stakeholders in this area, the number of walks available is constantly increasing. Details are available on the Discover Ireland and CoillteOutdoors websites. Figures provided by Fáilte Ireland in relation to walking tourism are very encouraging, with over 500,000 walkers visiting Ireland in 2008. These figures also indicate that the numbers of walkers visiting the country are increasing year-on-year, despite the difficulties in some areas of tourism.

The input of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) in this area has been very beneficial. Specifically, one of the measures carried out by the RSS participants is the maintenance and enhancement of way-marked ways, agreed walks and bog roads. Whilst the landholders who participate in the Walks Scheme are responsible for the routine maintenance work, it is the RSS participants that undertake the more onerous maintenance work, such as the installation of stiles and bridges.

The Walks Scheme in County Cork is implemented by West Cork Development Partnership. Currently 468 participant landholders on the Walks Scheme provide maintenance on 177 km of trail on the Beara Way and the Sheep's Head Way. The Sheep's Head was awarded the European Destination of Excellence award in 2009. The competition was designed for destinations that have developed the tourism potential of their protected areas in a sustainable manner. The local Rural Recreation Officer reports strong commitment and co-operation from the participant landholders who have developed, maintained and enhanced these trails to a very high standard. Increased resources available for maintenance from the Walks Scheme and the involvement of the Rural Recreation Officer have underpinned this progress.

Question No. 347 answered with Question No. 333.

Inland Waterways.

Chris Andrews

Question:

348 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the work which has been carried out by Waterways Ireland to date in 2009 on the section of the Grand Canal within the Dublin City Council area; the plans for the maintenance works in the remainder of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41808/09]

As the Deputy is aware, Waterways Ireland is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, operation and cleaning of the Grand Canal within the Dublin City Council area. In general, this comprises

the ongoing work of litter removal,

grass cutting and channel weed cutting in order to keep the channel open for navigation,

maintaining the towpaths in condition for walkers and other users, and

managing the flow of water through the locks to its discharge into the River Liffey.

Additionally in 2009, an extensive programme of maintenance works were completed which included:

Repairs to damaged lock gates at Ringsend and along the Circular Line;

Cobblestone surfacing, and cable and roadway repairs at the slipway at Ringsend; — Structural repairs to the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, as well as repairs to the boardwalk and area around the visitor centre, including new bollards;

Weed spraying in the channel along the entire length of the Circular Line;

Painting of all lock gates on the Circular Line;

Spot dredging at Charlemont Street, Baggot Street and Grand Canal Street;

Removal of dredged material and topsoil;

Levelling and bank repairs at Charlemont Street;

Installation of a new 3-phase electricity supply at Charlemont Place;

Jetty and bridge repairs along the Circular Line, including rebuilding of wing wall at Mount Street;

Completion of towpath re-surfacing along a 1.5km length from the 1st to the 3rd Lock on the Main Line, in conjunction with the Railway Procurement Authority;

Maintenance of trees along canal banks pre-March and post-August;

Commencement of a dredging contract for the Circular Line in early November 2009; and

An ongoing joint contract with local authorities to upgrade Inchicore to Lucan towpath to a shared cycle / pedestrian route.

Other planned works on the Grand Canal within the Dublin City Council area to be completed in 2009 include:

Provision of a new water tap at Charlemont Place;

Dredging of the Canal from Grand Canal Street to Baggot Street;

Continuation of the towpath contract from Inchicore to Lucan;

Commencement of a wall strengthening contract for the dock walls in Ringsend, Charlotte Quay;

Strengthening of the jetty deck system at Ocean Bar in Ringsend; and

Localised works to lock gates and bridges as identified.

Peter Kelly

Question:

349 Deputy Peter Kelly asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the restoration of the Royal Canal from the Dublin Docklands to the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41809/09]

I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the restoration of the Royal Canal from the Dublin Docklands to the Shannon is ongoing. At this time, it is envisaged that the works involved may be substantially complete by Autumn 2010. However, a number of outstanding infrastructural issues remain to be addressed, including the securing of a sustainable water supply, which will determine the final opening date.

National Drugs Strategy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

350 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to extend financial support to groups, bodies or agencies involved in the fight against drugs throughout County Kildare under various schemes operated by his Department or jointly with other Departments in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41895/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

351 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to enhance financial support to groups, bodies or agencies involved in the fight against drugs in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41896/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

353 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding provided by him to groups, bodies or agencies involved in combating drugs in each of the past three years and to date in 2009; the extent to which such funding is expected to increase in 2010 in view of the need in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41898/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 351 and 353 together.

The majority of funding provided by my Department in combating drugs is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. The amount for each of the past three years and 2009 is as follows:

Year

€m

2006

41.308

2007

51.518

2008

65.207

2009 to-date

36.456*

I am not in a position to say at this stage what financial resources will be available for the Co Kildare region or for groups, bodies and agencies involved in the fight against drugs. The financial resources available will not be known pending the December budget. I am, of course, acutely aware of the challenges reduced budget allocations pose. I know that other Departments and Agencies are also very aware of this in the context of their engagement in the Drugs Strategy and the available funding to them for mainstreamed drugs projects and services. However, we have to take account of the current economic reality and of the pressure on the public finances. This, inevitably, means that some schemes will be affected but properly managed, this may also lead to improved efficiencies in services and foster better interagency working to the benefit of all.

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. *With effect from 1st January 2009 the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Departmental Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

352 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and nature of applications from various groups in County Kildare for grant aid under the RAPID or CLÁR programmes currently on hand; the degree to which it is intended to meet these requirements in full in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41897/09]

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 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 and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. In support, Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Government Departments and local state agencies. The latest data in respect of the programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section — http://www.pobal.ie/Funding%20Programmes/Rapid/ Pages/Funding.aspx — and the Deputy may find it useful to access this information.

There are currently two claims on hand from Kildare under this Department's RAPID Leverage Scheme. Both of these claims are for playgrounds. 2010 funding for my Department's programmes will be determined as part of the overall estimates programme and I am not in a position to give the 2010 allocation yet for the RAPID Leveraged Measure. The Deputy will be aware that there are no CLÁR areas in County Kildare.

Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 350.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

354 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to expand, revise or reconfigure the RAPID programme with particular reference to increased demands arising from changed economic and social circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41899/09]

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the designated RAPID areas nationally. Following an independent evaluation of the RAPID programme commissioned in 2006, it was recommended that, in order to further develop and enhance the programme through the lifetime of the 2007-2013 NDP, it should be focussed on seven Strategic Themes: Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour, Family Support, Youth Support, Physical Environment, Education, Health and Employment/Training. This recommendation has been pursued and the strategic themes have been established across RAPID areas.

Separately, in order to ensure the continued relevance of the Programme and the designated RAPID areas, I commissioned, through POBAL, a study to develop/update small area deprivation indices based on an analysis of the most recent census data. I initiated this review last year because from my experience of visiting communities around the country, I felt that some areas that were not in the Programme might be eligible now. Based on the study, I proposed the designation of five provincial towns as new RAPID areas; this was accepted by Cabinet in May 2009. The study also indicated that minor adjustments to the boundaries of a number of existing RAPID areas would be justified and this process is still ongoing. I hope to have the whole process completed early in 2010.

The Government decision of May 2009 was to include Ballina, Co. Mayo, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Rathkeale, Co. Limerick in the RAPID Programme. The Revised Programme of Government of October 2009 expresses the Governments commitment to ‘Continue to develop the RAPID Programme that is giving local communities in the most disadvantaged urban areas a real voice for change for the better in their own communities.'

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

355 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to reconstitute the CLÁR programme with a view to identifying the way strategic support could be realigned to respond to emerging social or economic problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41900/09]

As the Deputy will be aware, the CLÁR Programme was set up as an innovative programme to deal with infrastructural deficits in the most peripheral communities in Ireland that had suffered significant population loss. Measures for roads, water, sewerage and school playgrounds are amongst the many successful initiatives run under the CLÁR Programme.

For the future, the Renewed Programme for Government has identified the need to continue to invest in disadvantaged rural communities through CLÁR, and will do this by focusing the Programme on priority local needs in targeted CLÁR areas. The CLÁR Programme has sought to address the new challenges faced by small rural communities and has been continuously refocused towards this end. This approach will continue to inform my delivery of the CLÁR Programme. In this regard, I will examine options to deliver on this Programme for Government commitment in the context of the resources available.

Planning Issues.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

356 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the local authorities with a view to ensuring that the housing requirements in planning terms for the indigenous population of rural Ireland are met in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

357 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with officials in the relevant Government Departments on the matter of planning and development in rural areas with particular reference to the need to meet the housing requirements of the indigenous rural population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.

As I have said previously in response to the Deputy, most recently in response to his Question No. 35 of 10 June last, I have no statutory responsibility for rural housing or for the operation of local authorities. Planning permission is primarily a matter for local authorities under the relevant legislation and guidelines issued by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) addresses many of my concerns on issues such as rural housing. The rural settlement policy framework contained in the NSS, which represents overall Government policy on rural housing, aims to sustain and renew established rural communities while strengthening the structure of villages and smaller settlements to support local economies. In this way it seeks to ensure key assets in rural areas are protected to support quality of life and that rural settlement policies are responsive to the local circumstances of different areas.

I and officials in my Department continue to liaise regularly with Ministers and with officials in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and with various Local Authorities and other bodies and organisations on issues concerning rural development.

Departmental Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

358 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the anticipated expenditure in respect of applications received for grant aid under the RAPID programme throughout the country in 2010; the extent to which these applications are expected to be met in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41904/09]

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 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 and progress on delivery with respect to projects under their responsibility in the RAPID areas. In support, Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Government Departments and local state agencies. The latest data in respect of the programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section — http://www.pobal.ie/Funding%20Programmes/Rapid/ Pages/Funding.aspx — and the Deputy may find it useful to access this information. The 2010 budget for RAPID will be addressed in the context of the estimates process, which is currently underway.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

359 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of back to work allowance, back to enterprise allowance, back to education allowance or a community employment scheme payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41272/09]

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has a range of employment and education supports available to people in receipt of social welfare payments. These initiatives are designed to assist people to return to the active labour force. The main supports available are the back to work allowance, the short-term enterprise allowance and the back to education allowance schemes. At week ended 30th October 2009, the total number of participants in the back to work allowance scheme was 6,617. This includes two strands; the back to work enterprise allowance with 4,405 and the back to work allowance (employee) with 2,212. The employee strand has been closed to new applications since 1st May 2009 but existing participants continue to receive payment.

A separate short-term enterprise allowance was introduced on 1st May 2009 for people who qualify for jobseeker's benefit, subject to certain conditions. The total number availing of this scheme at the end of October 2009 was 818. Figures for the back to education allowance are collated on the basis of the academic year. There were 11,646 people in receipt of allowance for the 2008/2009 academic year. The figures for the 2009/2010 academic year will be significantly higher with over 18,700 applications approved by the end of October 2009. The community employment scheme is administered by FÁS which is under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Figures provided by FÁS show that there were 21,481 participants in community employment schemes at the end of October 2009. This figure excludes 1,417 supervisor posts.

Richard Bruton

Question:

360 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she will take to ensure the retention of secondary benefits such as rent supplement will apply to persons who qualify for the short-term back to work scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41298/09]

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. It is intended as a short-term income support to eligible tenants whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs.

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 supplementary budget to refocus resources on the enterprise strand of the back to work allowance which supports people into self employment. A new scheme called the sort term enterprise allowance was introduced on 1st May 2009. Claimants who qualify for jobseeker's benefit can gain immediate access the scheme, 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. The Department is actively considering the retention of rent and mortgage interest supplements for those who participate in the scheme.

Michael Ring

Question:

361 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker’s allowance; if the payment will be approved retrospectively in view of the fact they were entitled to apply sooner. [41395/09]

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's benefit on 25 May, 2009. However, his claim was closed as he failed to provide details regarding his employment. It is open to him to re-apply and he should contact his local Social Welfare Office in this regard.

Social Welfare Fraud.

Mary Upton

Question:

362 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to Parliamentary Question No. 838 of 3 November 2009, the number of prosecutions in respect of persons found to be claiming disability benefit fraudulently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41420/09]

The number of Illness Benefit (previously known as Disability Benefit) cases currently with the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) at various stages of the criminal prosecution process is twenty. Ten of these cases were submitted in the first ten months of 2009. In addition, a further seven cases are currently being considered by the Department for criminal proceedings. The number of Illness Benefit cases finalised in court up to the end of October 2009 was nine. Criminal proceedings in these nine cases were initiated prior to 2009. The court outcomes were as follows: — Six clients were fined and three clients received a suspended jail sentence ranging from two weeks to six months.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

363 Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41451/09]

Payment of disability allowance, to the person concerned, was refused following an examination 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 for disability allowance.

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. For this purpose a form SWAO1 was issued on 25 May 2009. However, the person concerned failed to respond and, consequently, her appeal was withdrawn on 15 September 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.

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

364 Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41452/09]

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.

Michael Ring

Question:

365 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of rent allowance paid in each of the past five years up to 31 October 2009 on a county basis in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41471/09]

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income 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. Data is not available on a county basis. The following table shows expenditure in each of the past 5 years by HSE area.

Rent Supplement Expenditure 2005 to 2009

HSE AREA

2005

2006

2007

2008

September 2009*

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Eastern

207,199

213,997

207,521

223,300

Midland

10,805

11,944

12,809

16,451

Mid-Western

20,543

21,541

21,615

25,234

North Eastern

13,868

15,272

17,457

22,668

North Western

11,379

12,998

14,472

18,231

South Eastern

31,515

34,441

35,346

40,641

Southern

43,557

46,302

49,214

56,895

Western

29,840

31,844

33,031

37,363

Total

368,705

388,339

391,466

440,784

381,488

*Data is unavailable by HSE Area for 2009.

It should be noted that some of the totals are not equal to the sum of the parts. This is due to rounding.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

366 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal will be heard for a mortgage interest relief application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41480/09]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes mortgage interest supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Department has no function in deciding entitlement in individual cases. Mortgage interest is defined in Section 187 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). In accordance with this provision, a mortgage interest supplement may be paid on the full amount of interest payable, where the loan has been taken out for the purchase, repair or essential improvement of the sole or main residence of a person or to pay off another loan used for that purpose. Where a loan, or a portion of the loan, has been used for expenditure not associated with the purchase or repair of the sole or main residence of the person, a proportion or all of the interest on the loan is not reckonable for the purpose of mortgage interest supplement scheme.

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 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 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 7 October 2009. Question No. 864, which I answered for the Deputy on 3 November 2009, was accepted as an appeal against the decision to refuse mortgage interest supplement to the person concerned and notification of the appeal was forwarded to a designated Appeals Officer of the HSE. The HSE Appeals Office has advised that no decision has been made on the appeal to date.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

367 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a social welfare appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41490/09]

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.

Family Support Services.

Jack Wall

Question:

368 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding funding for a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41522/09]

The Family Support Agency operates the Family and Community Services Resource Centre (FRC) Programme, the scheme of grants to voluntary and community organisations providing marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services and the Family Mediation Service. The project referred to by the Deputy is not funded by the Family Support Agency. Having examined the details of the project supplied by the Deputy, it does not appear that a project of this nature would fall within the remit of the Family Support Agency.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

369 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the contractual arrangements in relation to the delivery of social welfare services through An Post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41659/09]

An Post provides an agency service for the Department for the delivery of payments to customers. The current contract with An Post was renewed in December 2008 for a period of five years ending on 31st December 2013. In 2008 An Post were paid €53.5 million based on transaction volumes of some 37,300,000. In 2009 An Post will receive approximately €52m based on estimated transaction volumes of some 35,800,000. An Post and the Department have been partners in the delivery of social welfare payment and postal services since the foundation of the State and there is no reason to believe that An Post and the network of post offices will not continue to play a significant role in the delivery of social welfare payments in the future.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

370 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a further review will be undertaken in the matter of the refusal of rent support in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41704/09]

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income 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 Health Service Executive (HSE) advised that rent supplement was refused on the basis that the person concerned has vacated accommodation provided by a local authority, without good cause. Social Welfare legislation provides that it is a condition of entitlement to rent supplement that a person has not vacated accommodation provided by a housing authority or if s/he has vacated such accommodation the Executive is satisfied that s/he had good cause for so doing. This decision was appealed to a HSE Appeals Officer and the decision to refuse rent supplement was upheld. The person concerned appealed the decision to refuse rent supplement to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised that it has upheld the decision of the HSE to refuse rent supplement and the person concerned was advised of that decision on 9 October 2009.

Michael McGrath

Question:

371 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of the half rate carer’s allowance; the annual amount of money involved; her views on whether this represents value for money for the taxpayer in view of the service provided by carers; and if she will support the retention of this allowance in budget 2010. [41761/09]

Budget 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people in receipt of a social welfare payment, other than carer's allowance or benefit, who are also providing someone with full-time care and attention, can retain their main welfare payment and receive a half- rate carer's allowance. Similarly, people currently in receipt of a carer's allowance, who may have an underlying eligibility for another social welfare payment, can transfer to that other payment and continue to receive up to a half-rate carer's allowance.

At the end of October 2009, there were 18,903 people in receipt of half-rate carer's allowance in addition to another social welfare payment from the Department. The estimated cost of the half- rate carer's allowance in 2009 is €90 million. The estimated total cost for carer's allowance (including half-rate) is approximately €480 million in 2009. It is expected 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.

The Government is acutely aware and appreciative of the contribution made by carers to people needing ongoing care and support. Considerable improvements have been made in recent years in services and supports for carers. The payment rates for the carer's allowance were increased further in the 2009 Budget by €7 to €239 per week for those aged 66 or over and by €6.50 to €220.50 per week for those aged under 66. Recipients of carer's allowance are also eligible for household benefits, free travel and the respite care grant.

The means test for carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Since April 2008, the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn in the region of €37,200 and qualify for the maximum rate of Carer's Allowance as well as the associated free travel and household benefits package. A couple with an income in the region of €60,400 can still qualify for a minimum payment, as well as free travel and household benefits. These levels surpass the Towards 2016 commitment to ensure those on average industrial earnings continue to qualify for a full carer's allowance.

From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. The rate of the respite care grant was also increased to €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient from June 2008.

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 half-rate carer's allowance. The Department will consider the Report's recommendations as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. Decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for Government. No decisions have been made in relation to the implementation of any of the McCarthy proposals relevant to this department. Full consideration will of course be given to the impact of all the proposals on the recipients involved. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on budgetary proposals at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.

Jack Wall

Question:

372 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the interest limits on the mortgage interest relief as operated by the community welfare officers; the minimum interest payable that the relief covers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41892/09]

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. A mortgage interest supplement may be paid in respect of mortgage interest only, to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. Mortgage interest is defined in Section 187 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). In accordance with this provision, a mortgage interest supplement may be paid on the full amount of interest payable, where the loan has been taken out for the purchase, repair or essential improvement of the sole or main residence of a person or to pay off another loan used for that purpose.

In addition, under Article 10 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Allowance) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 412 of 2007), a supplement towards mortgage interest may be payable where 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.

When considering if the amount of mortgage interest is reasonable to meet residential need, regard would normally be had to the household composition of the claimant and to the appropriate maximum rent limits in operation in that geographical area. In exceptional circumstances, the Health Service Executive may award a supplement where the amount of mortgage interest payable by a person exceeds such amount as the Health Service Executive considers reasonable to meet his or her residential needs. Such an exceptional supplement is payable for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the claim. A review of the administration of the mortgage interest scheme is progressing. The main purpose of the review is to examine how the scheme can best meet its objective of catering for those who require assistance on a short-term basis, where they are unable to meet mortgage interest repayments on their sole place of residence. The full review should be completed in early 2010.

Dog Licences.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

373 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the revenue, on average, from the sale of dog licences per year; the way this compares with the cost of administration and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41533/09]

In 2008 revenue from the sale of dog licences to local authorities was €2.8m. This compares to a cost of administering the service of €5.7m. Work is underway in drafting an amendment to the Control of Dogs Acts and I hope to publish my proposals in the near future. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group which was established to review the management of dog breeding establishments. It will also update the legislative provisions in relation to dog licences.

Departmental Agencies.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

374 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the long-term economic value methodology used by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in its annual report will be allowed to be used by other semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41848/09]

I understand that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority secured valuations for its main property assets based on the long-term economic valuation approach set out in the draft National Asset Management Agency Regulations published in September; however, it is using "red book" valuations for valuing its assets in its 2008 Annual Accounts. The valuation of properties by other State agencies is a matter for the agencies concerned.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

John McGuinness

Question:

375 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of an application from Kilkenny County Council for funding relative to the Castlecomer serviced land initiative in County Kilkenny; if he will expedite a response. [41993/09]

John McGuinness

Question:

388 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be made available for the serviced land initiative at Castlecomer, County Kilkenny; the status of the application from Kilkenny County Council; when a decision will be made; if he will expedite a response. [41382/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 388 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 207 of 16 June 2009. I expect to make a decision in this case shortly.

Local Authority Funding.

John O'Mahony

Question:

376 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to inform persons who live abroad and have properties here of the €200 property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41267/09]

Several advertising campaigns have taken place, both in the newspapers and on radio, to inform people of the introduction of the charge on all non-principal private residences. Any further advertising which may be required is a matter for individual local authorities.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

377 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to revise the system of calculation of carbon emissions from flexifuel vehicles in view of the fact that although bioethanol cars burn less efficiently, the carbon produced is by and large the carbon absorbed by the plant as it grew, that is, a nil net effect, and this contrasts with petrol and diesel, where the carbon burnt has been absorbed into the oil over millennia or indeed electric cars which at present tend to be fuelled by oil or coal or peat burning ESB stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41284/09]

The system used for calculating the carbon emissions from vehicles is set out in section 130 of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and is used for the purposes of both vehicle registration tax (VRT) and motor tax. I will continue to keep the basis of assessment for charging motor tax under review.

Planning Issues.

George Lee

Question:

378 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if planning permission is required to build an enclosed smoking area in the car park of a pub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41285/09]

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning permission is required for works unless they are specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations. There is no specific exemption relating to enclosed smoking areas. The interpretation of the Planning Regulations is a matter for the planning authorities in the first instance. Under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a question as to what is or is not exempted development may be referred to An Bord Pleanála for review.

George Lee

Question:

379 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that developers can build on land that is conditioned open space in breach of the conditions of planning permissions from a few decades ago due to the fact that their location is unknown by his Department, Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41291/09]

George Lee

Question:

397 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a time limit within which enforcement proceedings must take place if the conditions attached to a planning permission are breached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41706/09]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 379 and 397 together.

Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met. Section 154(7) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provided that no warning letter or enforcement notice may issue and no proceedings may commence for an offence under Part VIII of the Act—

(i) in respect of a development where no permission has been granted, after seven years from the date of the commencement of the development; or

(ii) in respect of a development for which permission has been granted, after seven years beginning on the expiration, as respects the permission authorising the development, of the duration of the permission.

This section also provides that proceedings may be commenced at any time in respect of any condition concerning the use of land to which the permission is subject. The interpretation of planning legislation is a matter for the planning authorities in the first instance.

Urban Renewal Schemes.

Joe McHugh

Question:

380 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding is available for the proposed environmental improvement works and new carpark for Main Street, Milford, County Donegal; when these funds will be transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41316/09]

Joe McHugh

Question:

381 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the environment improvement projects that will be funded by his Department on a county basis and in order of priority; when funds for these projects will be transferred; if he will make a statement on the proposed Milford improvement scheme in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41319/09]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.

Currently there are no funds available from within my Department to finance the types of projects referred to in the questions. The grants scheme for improvement projects that was administered by my Department under the Urban and Village Regeneration Programme is closed; the last programme was operational from 2000 to 2006.

Planning Issues.

George Lee

Question:

382 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has the power to veto a section 49 scheme if it is not financially viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41331/09]

George Lee

Question:

383 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the information contained in circular letter PD 5/2007 of 9 May 2007 is legally binding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41332/09]

George Lee

Question:

393 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the contributions charged by a local authority (details supplied) for planning permission will be reduced in view of exceptional circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41532/09]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 382, 383 and 393 together.

Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that planning authorities may levy development contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf of, the local authority that benefit development in the area, including recreational facilities, public transport facilities and water facilities, including water and waste water treatment facilities, drains and water mains and any matters ancillary to these. Section 49 of the Act provides for the drawing up of a supplementary development contribution scheme in order to facilitate a particular public infrastructure service or project which is provided by a local authority. The adoption of development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority and it is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and types of development to which they will apply.

Circular letter PD 5/2007 was issued by my Department as a guidance note to local authorities, on foot of deliberations by an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development Contributions. A development levy is attached by way of a condition to a planning permission issued by planning authority. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, I may not exercise any power or control in a particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála may be concerned.

Waste Management.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

384 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the operation of the tyre recovery activity compliance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41346/09]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

385 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to approve a second tyre recovery activity compliance scheme to monitor the movement of tyres and promote legitimate re-use and recycling of waste tyres; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the approval of a second scheme would undermine TRACS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41347/09]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

386 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the undermining of the tyre recovery activity compliance scheme monitoring, re-use and recycling scheme will lead to rogue operators functioning with impunity in the Border area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41348/09]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together.

Information on tyre flows and the management of waste tyres has long been regarded as inadequate. To tackle this deficit and put in place a proper regulatory framework, I made the Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2007. These Regulations facilitate the comparison of quantities of waste tyres arising with the amounts placed on the market and tracking the movement of waste tyres from their discarding until they are either reused or processed for recycling. The regulations impose obligations on persons who supply tyres to the Irish market, whether as producers (e.g. manufacturers, importers including wholesalers, traders and retailers who source tyres outside the State), or suppliers (e.g. wholesalers, traders and retailers who source tyres exclusively within the State) and on the collectors of waste tyres. Economic operators have the option of either self complying or participating in an approved industry compliance scheme which takes on the administrative burden associated with self compliance.

Self complying economic operators are required to register with local authorities and submit information on tyre and waste tyre flows in each quarterly period to the relevant local authorities. Participants in an approved collective compliance scheme must also submit information on tyre and waste tyre flows in each quarterly period to the scheme concerned.

I approved Tyre Recovery Activity Compliance Scheme Ltd. (TRACS) to operate as an approved body under the Regulations. An application for a second approved body is under consideration in my Department. Self compliance does not undermine TRACS. Similarly, any decision to approve or reject an application for a second scheme will not inhibit TRACS in carrying out its functions. Indeed the existence of two approved bodies will introduce competition into the market with consequent efficiencies in delivery. This has been demonstrated by the existence of two separate approved bodies successfully delivering implementation of the EU Directives on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Waste Batteries.

Approvals are generally for five years and require an interim review to be conducted. It is envisaged that the operations of TRACS will be reviewed in 2011. The results of this review will determine whether TRACS has been operating satisfactorily. It will also assist in determining whether a system that tracks products from the time they are placed on the market until they reach end of life is effective in keeping waste tyres out of the reach of unauthorised operators or whether it would be more effective to require producers to take direct responsibility for the environmentally sound management of waste tyres.

Planning Issues.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

387 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to correspondence sent by this Deputy in September 2009 regarding planning irregularities in Cahirciveen and non-enforcement by the local authority in question, if he has written to Kerry County Council expressing concerns regarding same; if not, if he plans to do so; if he plans to use the powers available to him under the Planning Acts to investigate the local authority in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41367/09]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 943 of 3 November. My Department has been in contact with the County Council in relation to this matter and is currently awaiting a response from the Council. Nonetheless, it is a matter for the planning authority to take such actions as it feels are warranted to provide for proper enforcement of planning control within its area.

Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 375.

Local Authority Funding.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

389 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is an exemption from the Government charge for non-principal residences for a person who is in the process of selling their home and has had to move out of this home due to a change in personal circumstances and live in rented accommodation until the house is sold. [41388/09]

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.

The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which sets out the detail of the charge, has a starting position of a universal liability in respect of the charge. It then goes on to exempt certain buildings and owners from this liability, the most important exemption being where a property is occupied by the owner as his or her sole or main residence on the liability date. Where a person does not occupy the property concerned as a sole or main residence and is living instead in rented accommodation, he or she would be liable for the charge unless otherwise exempt. Section 4(2) of the Act provides for an exemption from the charge in a situation where a person is moving home and acquires a second property within the 12 months prior to the liability date in each year, as long as within six months following the liability date, the second property becomes the person's sole or main residence and he or she ceases to be the owner of the first property.

Proposed Legislation.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

390 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has to introduce a scheme for the upgrading of existing domestic septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/09]

I refer to the reply to Question No 233 of 11 November 2009.

Planning Issues.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

391 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the problem of head shops may be addressed, at least in part, through the planning system; if he will bring forward regulations or legislation to allow these shops to be prohibited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41433/09]

The planning code does not differentiate between ‘head shops' and any other kind of shop. The definition of "shop" in planning legislation refers to a structure for the retail sale of goods, but the nature of those goods is not defined. It is not a function of the planning system to decide or define the operation of a commercial enterprise and consequently to prohibit certain types of retail outlets.

Proposed Legislation.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

392 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Bill, to provide adequate regulation of dog breeding establishments, will come before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41531/09]

Work is under way to complete the preparation of the draft Bill, which will amend the Control of Dogs Acts, and 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 proposes that dog breeding establishments will be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they will pay a registration fee and meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards, together with some associated requirements. I intend to publish the draft Bill as soon as possible.

Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 382.

Local Authority Funding.

Noel Ahern

Question:

394 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he make a statement on the €200 tax on second homes; the tax collected since the introduction of this scheme; his views on an amendment to this scheme whereby persons would pay the second home tax on a graduated scale according to the size of their property; if he has had many submissions from the general public advocating a graduated tax; and if the €200 tax is due on small inherited cottages and large holiday homes. [41547/09]

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. The amount collected as at 16 November 2009 is €46,713,320. The approach of an essentially modest blanket charge of €200 per property was adopted as it has the advantage of being clear-cut and easily comprehensible. I have no plans to introduce a more complex graduated payment system.

Local Authority Staff.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

395 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of assistant city and county managers in place here prior to the inception of better local government; the number of directors of services subsequently appointed; the number of directors of services currently in place in a full-time or acting capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41654/09]

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

396 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the number of women taking up senior management positions in local government; the number of women who occupied positions at manager or assistant county manager level in cities and counties prior to the inception of better local government; the number of women subsequently appointed as directors of services and the number of female managers or directors of services currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41655/09]

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 397 answered with Question No. 379.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

398 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the village sewerage scheme at Castlemaine, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41745/09]

Tom Sheahan

Question:

399 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the village sewerage scheme at Brandon, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41746/09]

Tom Sheahan

Question:

400 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the village sewerage scheme at Castlegregory, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41747/09]

I propose to take Question Nos. 398 to 400, inclusive, together.

The NSS Hub Cluster Sewerage Scheme, which will provide improved wastewater infrastructure to nine villages including Castlemaine, is included in the Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009 at an estimated cost of €18 million. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the Castlemaine Scheme is under examination in my Department. The Kerry Villages Sewerage Scheme Phase 1 is also included in the Programme at an estimated cost of €8.7 million and will provide improved wastewater infrastructure to fourteen villages including Brandon. My Department awaits the submission by Kerry County Council of the Preliminary Report for the Brandon scheme. 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 Castlegregory. My Department will consider the Council's Preliminary Report for the Castlegregory 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 last. My Department has commenced consideration of these assessments, which will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. It is anticipated that the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 will be published in early 2010.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

401 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41771/09]

Where an applicant for affordable housing is unable to obtain adequate mortgage finance from one of a number of private lending institutions which provide mortgage finance for affordable dwellings, they may apply to the relevant local authority for a house purchase loan. In assessing applications for a house purchase loan, local authorities must consider, inter alia, the ability of applicants to make the necessary mortgage payments and satisfy themselves that the borrower's income is sufficient to meet the financial commitments involved. As a guide, outgoings should not exceed 35% of a household's net income.

Local Authority Housing.

Frank Feighan

Question:

402 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the refurbishment of council houses (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41791/09]

On 30 January 2009 I announced funding of €13 million for the improvement of five disadvantaged local authority estates at various locations around the country, including 11 houses in Boyle. The project involves the refurbishment of five dwellings at Marion Row and a further six at Termon Road. A detailed design and cost plan submitted by Roscommon County Council is being examined at present by my Department, with a view to approving the project to progress to tender stage.

Planning Issues.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

403 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the taking in charge of estates by local authorities; if the local authority will take the road in charge automatically; if other actions need to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41796/09]

Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that, where an estate is completed to the standard outlined in 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 or occupiers. Taking the road in charge under the Roads Act is normally the first step in taking an estate in charge.

It is the responsibility of a developer to finish an estate properly in accordance with the conditions attached to the planning permission and it is reasonable that the planning authority should take every step to compel the proper completion of the estate by developer, through appropriate enforcement action.

Turbary Rights.

Sean Fleming

Question:

404 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to a matter (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41824/09]

I understand that the rights in question were transferred on 10 March 1997 by the Land Commission to the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The natural heritage functions of that Department are now vested in my Department. My Department is not aware of any outstanding issue relating to the matter raised in the Question.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

405 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of loans approved and drawn down for the home choice loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41843/09]

Over 1,400 prospective purchasers have formally registered interest on the dedicated Home Choice loan website and, to date, 44 applications have been made. Of these 27 have been declined, 4 have been approved with 2 loans now drawn down, 3 applications have been withdrawn, and a decision is pending in respect of 10 applications where further information has been sought from the applicant.

Housing Grants.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

406 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money allocated for the three adaptation schemes including the number of applications outstanding; the value of these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41844/09]

Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the older Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes on 7 May 2009. Having regard to the continued priority which the Government attaches to these schemes and following an evaluation of the ongoing level of demand for grants, the level of expenditure to date and the capacity of local authorities to process and approve additional applications in the current year, I approved a supplementary allocation of approximately €12.5 million to some 26 local authorities on 12 October, 2009.

The detailed administration of the grant schemes, including the assessment and approval of applications and the payment of grants to individual applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. 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 allocation notified to them by my Department, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their allocation. Over the period 1 January 2009 to 31 October 2009, a total of €53.218 million, relating to some 8,550 individual grant payments, has been recouped by my Department to local authorities under the various grant measures. Details regarding the current status of individual applications under each of the grant measures are not available in my Department.

Rental Accommodation Scheme.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

407 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses rented under the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41845/09]

Since the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) became operational in September 2005 to the end of October 2009, some 23,469 households units have been transferred from rent supplement. Of these, 12,611 are housed directly in RAS accommodation — comprising 8,159 households who, in transferring, remained in their existing accommodation and 4,452 households who transferred to newly sourced accommodation — and a further 10,858 were accommodated under other social housing options.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

408 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason landlords who have entered into rental accommodation scheme contracts are not liable for the €200 non-principal private residence levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41846/09]

The charge on all non-principal private residences 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. Landlords participating in the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) are exempt from the charge under section (2)(i)(f) of the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 in order to encourage take-up of the scheme and to prevent a circular flow of income to and from local authorities.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

409 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and value of leases with landlords who are on the rental accommodation scheme that have been renegotiated downwards in the past year; the value for money received by the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41847/09]

Information in relation to the number and value of contracts entered into by local authorities with landlords for the purpose of providing accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme is not held by my Department. Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), it is a matter for each local authority to determine the rental payment it will make for any eligible property. However, the levels of recoupment available to them from my Department, which are based on rent supplement levels, may guide local authorities in their negotiations with landlords.

As part of their negotiation process, local authorities may agree, at their discretion, periodic rent reviews with landlords in line with the prevailing market conditions at the time. My Department has issued guidance to authorities advising them to ensure that rent reviews are undertaken where provided for and also advising authorities of the need to obtain value for money and have regard to local market conditions when entering into new agreements. Overall, I am satisfied that the scheme is providing value for money.

One of the main objectives for the RAS is to improve the living conditions and standards of accommodation for recipients and, to date, some 4,452 new units of accommodation (i.e. not currently in use for Rent Supplement purposes) have been sourced by authorities, which are generally of a higher standard than the existing Rent Supplement accommodation occupied by the households concerned. In that context, it is considered that the scheme is delivering value for money, as well as meeting an important social policy goal of delivering better accommodation to vulnerable households.

In addition, my Department has supported a number of external reviews of RAS undertaken by the Centre for Housing Research, as well as undertaking an Interim Value for Money and Policy Review of the scheme. In line with the Department of Finance guidelines on the latter, the completed review has recently been the subject of an external evaluation and will be published shortly.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

410 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding projects to sequester carbon; if he is liaising with the private sector in this regard; if projects are taking place here or are planned in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41366/09]

My Department is engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, on the prospects for carbon sequestrations in Ireland. The report entitled "Assessment of the Potential for Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide for the Island of Ireland" was published in September 2008, having been commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI). It quantified potential carbon storage capacity on the island, which is in practice considerably greater than the actual total annual carbon emissions in Ireland from large single point sources.

The Department has established and chairs an inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Group on Carbon Capture and Storage, which is taking the Report's recommendations further. Its next meeting is scheduled for late November. I am aware of five relevant projects and initiatives which directly or indirectly contribute to the development of Irish CCS knowledge, capacity and capability. These comprise three applied projects and two research projects, the latter funded under the "Griffith Geoscience Award" scheme and run by GSI in my Department. The three applied projects evolved in part from recommendations made in the report above and are as follows:

The Clare Basin CCS assessment project, funded and managed by the EPA with technical supervision provided primarily by my Department, including from GSI

The Irish Sea CCS Task Force, an assessment of storage opportunities being pursued by GSI in collaboration with GSINI and the British Geological Survey

The "COSTS4EU" research project application for EU funding.

In relation to the "COSTS" research project, SEI commissioned SLR Consulting Ltd to devise and assemble a trans-national project consortium to advance near term CCS opportunities in Ireland, France and Poland. This includes private sector partners in Ireland, Poland and France. The Irish partner consortium includes SLR Consulting as project managers, and Kinsale Energy Ltd as the principal industry partner, along with the ESB. The Irish component is focusing on the Kinsale Head gas field, as the report identified this as the best near term opportunity for CCS development in Ireland.

The research proposal was lodged with the EU Framework 7 Research Programme in October 2009 and a decision on its preliminary acceptance, or otherwise, is expected in December. The two relevant "Griffith Geoscience Award" scheme projects are as follows:

"Improved understanding of deep seabed processes and basin analysis" by the Marine and Petroleum Geology Research Group, University College Dublin).

"Monitoring storage of carbon underground" by the Geophysics Groups at University College Dublin and University of Ulster.

Ministerial Transport.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

411 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the deal agreed with a company (details supplied) to supply approximately 250 zero emission cars to the Government; the cost of the deal; the purpose the new vehicles will serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41952/09]

There is no commercial arrangement between either my Department or Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), with the company in question to provide zero emission vehicles to the Government. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Renault-Nissan and any Department which provides for information exchange on infrastructure technologies and technical specifications for vehicles.

The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles to be powered by electricity by 2020. An Inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Taskforce on electric vehicles is chaired by my Department and comprises the Departments of Transport, Finance, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, SEI, ESB, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The Commission for Energy Regulation is also joining the Taskforce in light of its statutory responsibilities for the regulated networks.

The Taskforce will advise on the options and timeframes for putting in place the necessary infrastructure and other arrangements for the national roll-out of electric vehicles in a cost effective manner. Initial estimates for the roll out of infrastructure are between 6 and 18 months depending on the scale of initial deployment. Global developments will be factored in as the technologies mature. The Taskforce will very shortly report its initial findings and advise on next steps. The report will also advise on overall costs and financial implications.

EU Directives.

Joe McHugh

Question:

412 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on his Department’s implementation of the directive on the promotion of clean and energy efficient road transport vehicles, and on the 2008 greening transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41438/09]

The implementation of the Directive to which the Deputy refers and the 2008 Greening Transport Strategy do not come under the remit of my Department but are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport. My Department engages closely with the Department of Transport on delivery of the Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan and on the Strategy for the electrification of transport, which is being developed under the aegis of my Department.

Telecommunications Services.

Joe McHugh

Question:

413 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on all forms of broadband availability in an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; if this position will be improved in the coming months; his views on the fact that broadband is essential for the local business community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41464/09]

Joe McHugh

Question:

416 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband will be available in a parish (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 416 together.

Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre. The availability of broadband is widely accepted as having a positive impact on economic and commercial activity. I understand that fixed wireless and satellite broadband is available in the general area of Carrowmenagh, County Donegal, and mobile and satellite broadband is available in the general area of Culdaff, County Donegal. Details of broadband availability throughout the country are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that information contained on this website is provided by the service providers. In addition details of the Electoral Divisions in County Donegal to be covered by the National Broadband Scheme can be found at www.three.ie/nbs.

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. I am considering how the provision of broadband services to unserved rural premises can be achieved through an appropriate intervention under the EERP. My Department is currently considering options for the design of such a scheme. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. Discussions have already commenced with the European Commission on the first step of applying for and securing State Aid clearance.

Electricity Generation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

414 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date on restructuring the electricity sector, through finalisation of the Commission for Energy Regulation and ESB asset divestment strategy; when the transfer of the national transmission assets to EirGrid will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41720/09]

The Assessment Asset Strategy agreed between the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the ESB in 2007 was designed to reduce the company's capacity share of the all island power generation market to below 40%. The CER has been closely monitoring ESB's compliance with the terms of the Asset Divestment Strategy. The necessary capacity reduction has already been largely achieved with the sale by ESB to Endesa Limited of a number of power generation plants. The ESB is completing further arrangements which will ensure the target is fully met to the CER's satisfaction.

The Government's policy in relation to the transfer of the electricity transmission network to EirGrid as the national transmission system operator is clearly set out in the Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 and reaffirmed in the Programme for Government. I have consistently underlined the need for transparent and inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders in the process of implementing the Government's policy in relation to the ownership of the electricity transmission assets. That process of engagement is underway. As part of the process an independent analysis of the relevant issues is being commissioned taking account, inter alia, of EU developments and the all island Single Electricity Market. I have appointed Mr. Fergus Cahill to chair the process of engagement. My intention is to have the process completed as early as possible in 2010.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

415 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if incentives for the production of bio-fuels here will be put in place by him in view of the new legislation that will require bio-fuels to comprise 4% of all diesel and petrol sold here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/09]

The Mineral Oil Tax Relief (MOTR) Schemes, which were introduced by my Department in 2005 and 2006, have been instrumental in assisting many of the biofuel producers in Ireland to begin operations. The MOTR schemes, which will expire at the end of 2010, have been successful in leveraging a significant amount of biofuels into the Irish market.

With a view to developing a long term guaranteed market, the Biofuel Obligation will be introduced from next year. By establishing a substantial demand base for biofuels, commercial opportunities will open up for companies already producing biofuels in Ireland and for new players. There are a wide range of feedstocks available, which can be leveraged into biofuels production and companies are already producing biofuels in Ireland from a number of sources such as recovered cooking oil, whey, wheat, Oilseed Rape and tallow. The Obligation, by creating guaranteed demand will stimulate the supply of Irish sourced biofuels and will act therefore as an incentive for market production. No additional incentives are planned.

Question No. 416 answered with Question No. 413.

Foreshore Licences.

Richard Bruton

Question:

417 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the changes he will make to the consent system for energy developments on the foreshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41688/09]

My Department has responsibility for foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005. When considering applications under the Foreshore Acts, including offshore energy projects, the primary role of my Department is to ensure the protection and sustainable development of the foreshore. A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts has been under consideration for some time. This is intended to provide a modern, effective and integrated legal framework for the management of the State's foreshore estate in the future. Preparation of these proposals will to take account, among other things, of the EU Public Participation Directive, the principles in the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the outcome of the EU Maritime Green Paper, the EU Marine Strategy Directive and the EU Roadmap on Maritime Spatial Planning.

The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for certain foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 including in respect of all energy related developments would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This transfer of responsibilities requires the enactment of new foreshore legislation which was published on 10th November. The Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009 will give effect to the transfer of the functions referred to, and it is my intention to introduce the legislation to the Oireachtas as soon as possible this term.

In the interest of efficiency and effectiveness it is considered appropriate that the review of the Foreshore Acts should await the completion of the transfer of the relevant elements of the Foreshore functions to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This is particularly important in view of the fact that both departments will have responsibility for different aspects of Foreshore management. I look forward to working closely with the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of progressing the various elements required to develop the appropriate modernisation of the foreshore legislative and management framework.

National Parks.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

418 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the historical, cultural and recreational significance of Donadea Forest Park, Donadea, County Kildare in the ownership of Coillte Teo; if he has received communication from local community support groups in the context of a comprehensive development plan to acquire the property for development as a national park similar to a number of other such projects here and which would involve the restoration of Donadea Castle and ancillary buildings, having particular regard to the potential benefit, locally and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41901/09]

Donadea Forest Park is owned and managed by Coillte Teoranta, which was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of parks, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte carried out extensive upgrading and improvements of trails, signage, car parks and interpretation at Donadea Forest Park under the Forest Recreation Infrastructure Upgrade Programme (National Development Plan 2000-2006). Coillte is also currently examining the possibility of developing a family cycle trail at Donadea Forest Park but there are no other plans at present to do further development of this particular park. As regards communications in relation to the acquisition of the property for development as a national park, as mentioned by the Deputy, I wish to advise that I have not received any such communication.

Grant Payments.

Phil Hogan

Question:

419 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will be awarded under REPS 4 to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41276/09]

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007– 2013 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.

National Stud.

Michael Creed

Question:

420 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the role of his Department in the operation of the Irish National Stud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41350/09]

The Irish National Stud Company Ltd. is a Commercial State Body established under the National Stud Act 1945. The primary aim of the Company is to help breeders by the provision of top class stallions, it also offers an equine training programme for young people who wish to enter the bloodstock industry. The Irish National Stud is home to the world famous Japanese Gardens, St. Fiachra's Garden, and to the Irish Horse Museum. Together these form a tourist attraction of national significance.

The lands of the National Stud were vested in the Irish National Stud Company Ltd. with effect from 1 October 2004. Issued Share Capital amounts to €13.7m. The ownership of all the issued share capital is vested in the Minister for Finance. I appoint the Directors of the Company after consulting with the Minister for Finance, in accordance with Section 7 of the National Stud Act, 1976. The broader role of my Department with regard to Irish National Stud Company Ltd. is set out in a number of pieces of legislation (National Stud Act 1945, National Stud Act 1976, National Stud (Amendment) Act 1993, National Stud (Amendment) Act 2000) and also in the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association. My Department also oversees that the Irish National Stud Company Ltd. operates in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and with general Government policy regarding to the operation of Commercial State Bodies.

Departmental Bodies.

Michael Creed

Question:

421 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the animal remedies consultative committee within his Department still functions; the membership and budget available to this committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41351/09]

The Animal Remedies Consultative Committee is provided for under the Animal Remedies Act 1993 "to advise and assist the Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food in the making of regulations" under that Act. The current nine-member Committee was appointed for a four-year term by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 29 April 2009. Seven of these appointments, however, are made, as prescribed by Section 3(2)(a) of the Act, on the basis of nominations by various institutions and stakeholders. In line with its remit, the Committee will be convened when regulations are being made under the Act. A budget of €2,000 was provided in 2009 for expenditure arising from activities of the Committee.

Proposed Legislation.

Michael Creed

Question:

422 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to publish the Animal Welfare Bill; if he will indicate the present membership of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council; the number of meetings this council has held since 2002 to date in 2009; the budget available to this council for each year since 2002 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41352/09]

Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government and the renewed Programme for Government is continuing in my Department. Membership of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) comprises representatives from my Department and from the following organisations:

Committee for Irish Livestock, Dealers, Exporters, Hauliers and Shippers

Compassion in World Farming Ireland

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland

ICMSA

ICOS

IFA

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD

Teagasc

Veterinary Ireland

Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A total of 36 meetings have been held by FAWAC since its inauguration in 2002 and the budget available to the Council since that time is as follows:

Year

Amount

2003

55,000

2004

80,000

2005

100,000

2006

100,000

2007

120,000

2008

120,000

2009

125,000

Departmental Bodies.

Michael Creed

Question:

423 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of meetings that have taken place of the consumer liaison panel for each year since 2002 to date in 2009; the cost to his Department of this panel each year since 2002 to date in 2009; the membership of the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41353/09]

The Consumer Liaison Panel is a standing committee independent of my Department and representative of general consumers. The Panel determines the frequency of its meetings depending on issues arising of direct interest to its member. The number of meetings of the Consumer Liaison Panel and the cost of the Panel to my Department from 2002 to date is set out in the following table. It should be noted that members of the Panel do not receive any remuneration in relation to their membership of the panel, the only payments to members relate to travel and subsistence costs for attendance at meetings.

Year

No. of Meetings

Cost

2002

8

8,040.73

2003

8

13,760.07

2004

4

5,416.79

2005

4

7,054.71

2006

1

817.92

2007

1

1,199.99

2008

5

2,944.29

2009

1

130.55

Total

39,365.05

The first Consumer Liaison Panel was established in 2002. The current Panel was set up in early 2008 and its membership is as follows:

Name

Mark Cagney

Chairman

Kenny Jacobs

Nominated by Tesco

Valerie Rice

Nominated by Superquinn

Fiona Sweeney

Nominated by RGDATA

Gerry McCormack

Nominated by SIPTU

Richard Donoghue

Nominated by Consumers’ Association of Ireland

Carmel Dawson

Nominated by Irish Countrywomens Association

Maeve Dineen

Minister’s nominee

John McGrath

Minister’s nominee

Maírín Uí Chomáin

Minister’s nominee

Jackie Spillane

Minister’s nominee

Gary Brown

Minister’s nominee

Andy Irving

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Michael Creed

Question:

424 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the National Council for Forest Research and Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41354/09]

The work of the National Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) was subsumed into my Department with effect from 1 August 2009, in line with the Government decision as announced in the Budget in October 2008. The Council of COFORD continues to act in an advisory capacity to my Department on the areas of forestry development and research.

Departmental Staff.

Michael Creed

Question:

425 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff in his Department who have applied for benefit under the incentivised scheme for early retirement; the number of staff that have been approved for early retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41355/09]

125 applications have been received from staff in my Department under the incentivised scheme of early retirement. 117 have been approved, 7 have been withdrawn and 1 has been refused.

Grant Payments.

John O'Mahony

Question:

426 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo had their single farm payment reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41387/09]

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 8 May 2009. A ground inspection was conducted on 14 October 2009, following issues raised via a satellite inspection of the area declared. This ground inspection confirmed the issues highlighted via satellite i.e. while the person named declared an area of 8.82 hectares, the inspection established an area of 7.64 eligible hectares. As the level of over-claim is greater than 3% but less than 20%, a penalty of twice the area over claimed is applied, as per the governing EU Regulations. A letter outlining in detail the findings of the inspection and the implications of same, issued on 4 November. The person named was offered the right to appeal these findings and has already lodged an appeal. This appeal is currently being examined. The applicant will be informed of the outcome of the appeal in due course.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

427 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if full cognisance has been taken of the illness of the applicant which may have led to the delay. [41410/09]

The person named has 21 animals for consideration under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has issued in respect of 9 eligible animals. A further 3 animals have been cleared for payment, following the resolution of a query regarding the feeding of meal. The remaining 9 animals have not been cleared for payment because their births were registered outside the 27-day statutory limit. The person named has appealed this decision on health grounds. An officer from my Department has been in contact regarding the submission of medical evidence and the case will be examined further upon receipt of this evidence.

Tom Hayes

Question:

428 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of a forestry grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41423/09]

I understand that payment to the person in question will be made within the next two weeks.

Value for Money Reviews.

Michael Creed

Question:

429 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has carried out value for money reviews on farm investment schemes; if so, the schemes in which he has carried out reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41424/09]

A value for money review of the 2001-2006 Dairy Hygiene Scheme was completed by my Department in late 2007 and published in early 2008. In addition, an expenditure review of the 2001-2006 Farm Waste Management Scheme was completed by my Department in June 2007 and published in the same year. Copies of both reviews are available on my Department's website.

Grant Payments.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

430 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their early retirement payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41453/09]

An application from the person named has been received in my Department. All applications received up to the closing date of 30 October are being examined in my Department at present. The details of the application from the person named, as well as the funding available, will be taken into account in reaching a decision. As soon as the decision has been made, he will be notified of the outcome.

Animal Welfare.

Michael Creed

Question:

431 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of a meeting held recently at University College Dublin, Dublin 4 regarding horse welfare; the initiatives planned arising from this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41457/09]

Andrew Doyle

Question:

433 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he has taken to establish a multi-agency group for the management of abandoned horses; the membership of this group; the operating guidelines of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41530/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 433 together.

Officials of my Department attended the Workshop on Horse Health and Welfare in Ireland held recently at University College Dublin, which was organised by its Faculty of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine and included participants drawn from a cross-section of industry, government, education and welfare sectors. The initiative for the meeting, which focused primarily on the added value that higher welfare standards and taking ownership of welfare bring to the equine industry, was taken by University College Dublin in the context of its ongoing research into horse health and welfare.

With regard to the establishment of a multi-agency group for the management of abandoned horses, I have had discussions recently with representatives of the horse industry and welfare bodies in which I was briefed on the possible risk of horse welfare problems developing over the coming months including a risk of abandonment of horses. Following these discussions I have asked officials of my Department to meet with representatives of the horse industry and welfare bodies in an effort to establish the extent of the problem and possible solutions. Officials have now met with representatives from the horse industry and through a series of regional meetings with the Early Warning System (sub-group of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council), have engaged with representatives from farming and animal welfare bodies to discuss the issue of horse welfare.

In addition I have asked Veterinary Inspectors from my Department's District Veterinary Offices to carry out an assessment to identify any potential problems with horses on farms. Further meetings are being arranged with relevant stakeholders including welfare bodies involved with horses to ensure that the matter is kept under review. I have also written to my colleague Mr. John Gormley TD the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of the Control of Horses Act 1996. The ongoing effective implementation of this Act by Local Authorities can assist with reducing potential horse welfare problems developing particularly with regard to those horses that are being abandoned.

Grant Payments.

Pat Breen

Question:

432 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. [41462/09]

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2009. Following initial processing of the application, it was found that the applicant made an over-declaration on the land parcel declared. Following correspondence with the person named, this issue has been resolved. While the person named had declared 23.80 hectares, the area determined for payment purposes is 23.45 hectares. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue in the coming week, with payment under the Single Payment Scheme due to issue from 1 December.

Question No. 433 answered with Question No. 431.

Mattie McGrath

Question:

434 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the single farm payment for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be awarded; the reason for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41663/09]

The application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme, received from the person named on 15 April 2009, included some commonage land. The 70% advance payment did not issue, as the additional processing which was required in respect of these commonage parcels to deal with some over-declarations of eligible areas has only just been completed. However, as processing of the application is now finalised, full payment will issue to the person named on 1 December.

Michael Creed

Question:

435 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payment in respect of a 2008 REP scheme application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41735/09]

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. It 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

Question:

436 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment for 2009. [41737/09]

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 24 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 have continued to issue, as outstanding issues are resolved. The application of the person named has been fully processed, with payment due to issue this week.

Food Safety.

Andrew Doyle

Question:

437 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the 2009 Kilkenny laboratory report on the bacterial count on imported chicken fillets will be published; the action he is taking to ensure that imported chicken fillets are safe for human consumption; if he has brought the findings of the laboratory studies on bacteria on imported chicken fillets to the attention of the EU Agriculture Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41750/09]

I am not aware of any bacterial testing on imported poultry meat having been carried out at my Department's laboratory in Kilkenny. If the Deputy can provide any further information, I will be glad to pursue the matter. Responsibility for ensuring the safety of food rests in the first place with the food business operator that places it on the market. Compliance is monitored by the competent authority in the country of production. Poultry meat produced in the EU is subject to an extensive range of veterinary controls to ensure its suitability for human consumption. Any meat entering intra-Community trade must meet the requirements of the legislation in question. In the case of importation from third countries, products of animal origin for human consumption must have originated in a country approved by the EU for trade in such products, have been produced in an approved establishment, be appropriately labelled and transported and be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate in accordance with the models laid down by Community legislation. My Department undertakes import controls in co-operation with customs services. Consignments from third countries must be landed at an EU approved border inspection post approved by the EU Food and Veterinary Office.

Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

438 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will be made on a REPS 4 application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41789/09]

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. It 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.

Installation Aid Scheme.

Michael Creed

Question:

439 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications received by him under the young farmers installation aid scheme before the date of suspension; the number received following the date of suspension; the number of applications approved; the level of payment to date in 2009 under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41811/09]

Some 941 applications were received by my Department under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme prior to its suspension for new applications on 14 October 2008. A further 149 applications have been received in my Department since the suspension of the scheme. Some 670 applications have been approved for payment under the scheme since its introduction in June 2007. Expenditure to date in 2009 under the scheme is €4.597 million.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Michael Creed

Question:

440 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications received by him under the early retirement scheme before the date of suspension; the number received following the date of suspension; the number of applications approved; the level of payment to date in 2009 under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41812/09]

The total number of Early Retirement Scheme applications received by my Department before the suspension of the scheme on 14 October 2008 was 467. When the Early Retirement Scheme was suspended, it became apparent that a certain number of farmers had their applications completed or close to completion at the time when entry to the scheme was suspended. Consequently, I took the decision to reopen the scheme on 23 September 2009 with limited additional funding with a view to accepting as many as possible of the applications that fell into this category. My Department received a further 175 applications up to the closing date of 30 October 2009. These applications are being examined. Expenditure to date in 2009 under the Early Retirement Scheme is €5.955 million.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Michael Creed

Question:

441 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers contracted under each of the REP schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41813/09]

There are 36,526 active REPS 3 participants and 12,695 active participants in REPS 4. My officials are processing approximately 17,000 applications for REPS 4 that were received in 2009.

Michael Creed

Question:

442 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated number of REP scheme contracts which will expire each year including 2009 up to and including 2013; the estimated amount it will cost to deliver payments under these contracts each year during that period based on current payment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41814/09]

The following table sets out the number of REPS contracts that expire each year:

Scheme

Number (approximately)

Last year of contract

Cost per year (approximately)

€million

REPS 3

8,000

2009

49.6

REPS 3

10,600

2010

65.7

REPS 3

23,900

2011

148.1

REPS 4

550

2012

3.4

REPS 4

12,100

2013

105.5

The figures in the table do not include approximately 17,000 applications that were received for the 2009 Scheme.

Michael Creed

Question:

443 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of the approximately 17,000 applications for REPS 4 received up to May 2009 which have been processed to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41815/09]

Some 14,000 of the applications received up to 15 May under the 2009 Scheme have been processed to date. REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007—2013 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 . My officials are making every effort to finalise the processing of the remaining applications with a view to releasing payments at the earliest possible date.

Departmental Staff.

Michael Creed

Question:

444 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made to date regarding the rationalisation of local agricultural offices; the level of savings accruing from action taken to date in 2009; the breakdown of changes to staffing levels in individual offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41816/09]

Since I announced the reorganisation of the local office network a number of steps towards implementation have been carried out and key issues relating to personnel, accommodation, training and information technology progressed. Phase 1 of the reorganisation involves the establishment of four regional offices at Drumshanbo, Navan, Enniscorthy and Waterford. Work from a number of other locations will be moved into these regional offices. The Department is holding ongoing meetings and discussions with staff, particularly in the Phase 1 offices. The overall reorganisation of the Department, of which the local office project is an important part, has facilitated a reduction of over 200 in staff levels to date in 2009. A breakdown of changes to staffing levels in individual offices is being compiled and will be forwarded direct to the Deputy.

Grant Payments.

Michael Creed

Question:

445 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of payments made under the disadvantaged areas payment scheme to date in 2009; the number of applications which remain unprocessed; the level of expenditure in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41817/09]

Payments under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments have continued to issue, as outstanding issues are resolved. To date, payments worth in excess of €216.5 million have issued to some 96,334 applicants, leaving in the region of 4,000 applicants yet to be paid. Any applicant who has yet to receive payment has been written to by my Department in relation to the specific issue which is preventing payment.

The bulk of this number is accounted for by those for whom the Department has not been in a position to confirm their compliance with the required minimum stocking density requirement. For the bulk of applicants, this is confirmed automatically via the Department's computerised records, but for a minority of applicants, for example, those who possess ponies/donkeys, it is necessary that they submit necessary evidence to my Department for noting. A smaller group who have yet to receive payment have been notified of issues relating to the land parcels declared on their applications. Cases continue to be cleared on a daily basis, as outstanding issues are resolved.

Michael Creed

Question:

446 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of payments made under the suckler cow welfare scheme to date in 2009; the number of applications that remain unprocessed; the level of expenditure in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41818/09]

Since January 2009, €28.186 million has been paid to farmers under the Suckler Welfare Scheme in respect of calves born in 2008. A further €31.749 million was paid out in 2008 bringing the total paid to €59.935 million in respect of 749,000 calves born in 2008. Payment on the remaining 2008 born animals is continuing an on-going basis as the animal event information is being returned. Payment in respect of 2009 born calves will commence in January 2010.

Michael Creed

Question:

447 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of funding that will be paid out to the sheep sector in 2009 as per his announcement in June 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41819/09]

I accept that the Irish sheep sector is in need of assistance and, mindful of the particular difficulties being experienced, I have decided on a two-fold approach to help address the situation. In the first instance and as I announced in March, I have decided to allocate approximately €7 million from the Single Farm Payment National Reserve to 14,000 hill sheep farmers for this year, these being the only additional funds to which I have access in 2009.

Secondly, from 2010, there will be €25 million in additional funding available in unused CAP funds, designed to target specific sectors and regions in need of assistance. I have decided that €18 million of these funds will be targeted at sheep farmers, both hill and lowland sheep producers. My main priority in allocating these funds, is to ensure that they are used in the most efficient and effective manner for the development of Irish agriculture.

The 2009 Upland Sheep Payment will be payable to farmers who: declared their sheep under the 2007 and the 2008 Sheep Census; declared Mountain Type Grazing under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme; and were eligible for and were in receipt of payment under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The maximum area payable is 15 hectares of mountain type grazing. Arrangements in respect of the Upland Sheep Payment will be announced shortly.

Departmental Staff.

Michael Creed

Question:

448 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons paid by his Department to carry out regular price checks at marts here; the amount spent on this activity annually for each of the past five years and to date in 2009; the hourly rate or salary for this role; if an overtime rate is paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41820/09]

Cattle and sheep prices are collected at livestock marts by officials of my Department on a weekly basis. The prices are collected in order to provide (a) weekly reports of price data to the EU Commission in the context of the market support systems for cattle and sheep and (b) summary prices that are issued weekly to valuers assigned to valuing cattle under the TB and Brucellosis. The price information is also used for Scrapie and BSE valuations.

With regard to the reporting of cattle and sheep prices to the European Commission, my Department is obliged under EU rules to collect price data on a weekly basis in order to establish average Community prices which are used by the Commission to manage the market in these sectors. Regarding prices reporting for the valuation scheme, it is important that valuers have access to up-to-date prices for use as a reference when valuing animals removed as reactors. This arrangement was agreed with the farming representative organisations prior to the introduction of this scheme in 2002.

In view of the fact that the officials involved in the compilation of cattle and sheep prices undertake a range of other duties and, given the short time available, it is difficult to give the precise cost associated with attendance at marts for price reporting purposes. However, it is estimated that, on average over the past 5 years, approximately 19 persons were involved to varying degrees in this activity. It should be noted, however, that, since these officials only spend a relatively small proportion of their working hours on price reporting, the number of full time staff equivalents involved in this activity is considerably less than this.

The estimated cost of this activity for each of the past five years and to date in 2009 is as follows:

Year

Estimated cost

2004

154,913

2005

160,191

2006

169,850

2007

175,114

2008

219,347

2009 to date

144,811

The estimated costs include the proportion of salary and travel and subsistence paid for price reporting as well as payment for hours worked outside normal working hours. The hourly/salary rate for the staff involved is currently approximately €24.00 for normal working hours. Staff who are required to attend at marts outside their normal working hours, for example at evening sales, are paid an allowance depending on the total hours they have worked outside normal working hours.

The cost involved in recording cattle and sheep prices must be seen in the context of our obligations to the EU and the need to ensure that payment of compensation under the On Farm Market Valuation scheme, which amounted to approximately €23m in 2008, is based on accurate price information. As part of an ongoing review of efficiencies in my Department, my officials have commenced an examination of the feasibility of obtaining electronic transfer of mart sales price data for non-breeding beef cattle sales directly from the marts. However, it is important that any revised system is capable of reflecting quality differentials and does not undermine the accuracy of the prices reported. Appropriate consultation with stakeholders will be undertaken in the event of changes to the current arrangements being considered.

Aquaculture Licences.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

449 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an appropriate assessment is required for the licensed aquaculture in marine or freshwater special areas of conservation designated under the habitats directive as transposed into law here by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations; the national competent or consent authority charged with drawing up such assessments; the role this authority has in collecting data on which projects are assessed; the bodies, institutions or authorities which were consulted in the process of drawing up the requirements for the assessments; the average cost and length of time for carrying out an assessment; the assessment template submitted to the Directorate General for the Environment in the European Commission for prior approval; if final agreement with the national park and wildlife service was required before the assessment template was submitted to the Directorate General for the Environment in the European Commission for approval; and the breakdown of the assessments that finished at the screening stage compared with those that have a full assessment. [41836/09]

My Department has responsibility for the licensing of aquaculture in the State in accordance with the provisions of national and EU law. Where it is deemed that the proposed aquaculture is likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site an ‘appropriate assessment', within the meaning of the EU Habitats Directive as transposed into national law, must be undertaken before I can grant an aquaculture licence in any marine area designated as a Special Area of Conservation or marine area designated as a Special Protection Area (a Natura 2000 site). Any freshwater aquaculture applications are required to secure appropriate planning permission and an effluent discharge licence from the relevant local authority before an aquaculture licence application can be granted.

My Department and its agencies, working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, developed a comprehensive plan to deliver compliance with the EU Birds and Habitat Directives for aquaculture within a specific timeframe. This plan was submitted to the EU Commission for consideration and on 13 May 2009 a meeting between this Department, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, relevant Agencies and the Commission took place in Brussels to discuss the plan with a view to securing the Commission's support for the approach set down in the plan.

The Commission advised that it was, in principle, favourably disposed towards Ireland's plan subject to a positive response to the issues raised and further clarifications from the Irish authorities on the details of the plan. However, it has recently advised that it remains concerned about the planned approach to delivering compliance for aquaculture licensing. The most recent views of the Commission are being examined by my Department in conjunction the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with a view to responding to the Commission's concerns.

In the meantime my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, is gathering the necessary baseline data for each Natura 2000 site relevant to marine aquaculture and wild fisheries. A sum of €1m has been provided in my Department's budget for 2009 for the collection of this baseline data. This data will enable the establishment of conservation objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the subsequent assessment of all relevant aquaculture applications in those sites.

The collection of the baseline data sets and the establishment of conservation objectives for each relevant marine Natura 2000 site will enable my Department in conjunction with technical and scientific advisers to undertake assessment of all applications in due course. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is also a statutory consultee to the aquaculture licensing process.

Grant Payments.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

450 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will respond to this Deputy’s correspondence of 7 April 2009 regarding the treatment by his Department of a farmer in County Cavan; the need for an investigation of the actions, and inactions, of representatives of his Department in their dealings with the farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41858/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

451 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the agriculture appeals office at Kilminchy Court, Portlaoise has written to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan advising that their appeal file has been closed; the reason they are being subjected to constant delay in the processing of their entitlements; the reason his Department’s veterinarians are refusing them permission to have their animals tested privately; the further reason almost two years later an investigation has not concluded; and when he expects this situation to end. [41859/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 451 together.

This herdowner is the subject of investigation by the Garda and my Department's Special Investigation Unit. The investigation will be concluded as expeditiously as possible. A decision taken by my Department not to pay any TB compensation on animals removed for slaughter following a TB test carried out in March 2009 was appealed by the herdowner to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent statutory body and I have no role in relation to its day to day functions. However, I understand that this Office has recently written to the herdowner indicating that it will process the appeal when the Department's investigations are completed.

My Department's decision that TB testing in this herd should be carried out by the veterinary inspectorate from the DVO was taken in the context of the investigation referred to above. The other matters raised in the letter dated 7 April 2009 have been dealt with in correspondence between my Department and the herdowner and or his solicitor. I am satisfied that this herdowner has been dealt with in a fair and equitable manner by my officials and any allegations to the contrary are vigorously denied.

Adult Education.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

452 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of places available in further and second chance education, including the back to education initiative, funded by his Department in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; his expenditure on further and second chance education, broken down by category for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41271/09]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. For full time programmes, the number of approved places is supplied. For part-time programmes, the number of participants is supplied. The number of participants for 2009 will not be available until early 2010.

FURTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME PLACES

Full time approved places

2007

2008

2009

Post Leaving Certificate

30,188

30,188

31,688

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

5,000

5,000

5,000

Youthreach

3,692

3,692

3,692

STTC

1,084

1,084

984

Part time participants

2007

2008

2009

Community Education*

Not available

56,544

Not yet available

Adult Literacy

45,812

49,962

Not yet available

Back to Education Initiative

25,860

27,104

Not yet available

*Information on the number of participants in Community Education was not collected prior to 2008.

Telecommunications Services.

Pat Breen

Question:

453 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will fund the upgrading of broadband facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Clare where the broadband speed is slow and where an alternative is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41278/09]

I wish to inform the Deputy that, in general, I am not in favour of schools availing of an internet service outside of the Schools Broadband Programme as under the Schools Programme, connectivity to the internet is routed through a National Broadband Network, which has been developed by HEAnet (the National Education and Research Network provider). HEAnet has established a Network Operations Centre to channel and control the broadband access to schools, and it provides centrally managed services for schools such as security, anti-spam/anti-virus and content filtering. A national helpdesk has been established to interface between the network, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the schools, and to provide schools with on-going advice and assistance. This helpdesk is managed by the NCTE. Schools that use a service provider not contracted to the Department do not have access to these services, protections and support. There would also be the issue of the Department paying two service providers for a service to the same school.

I understand that when Phase I of the Schools Broadband Programme commenced in 2005 the range of technologies available in certain areas was very restricted and in many cases a satellite option was the only one available. However, my Department is currently awarding contracts under the second phase of the Programme and the indications from the recently completed evaluation of tenders are that this will mean enhanced bandwidth for schools. I wish to inform the Deputy that the school in question is due to get a wireless solution under this second phase with a different ISP, which will bring faster download speeds, and this will be rolled out to the school as part of the overall roll-out plan of that ISP, in agreement with my Department. My Department is managing the transition period between the phasing out of the current service providers and the connections to new providers to get schools switched over as soon as possible.

Schools Building Projects.

Dan Neville

Question:

454 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposal to build a new school in Kilfinane, County Limerick; when he will expect the building of the school to commence. [41292/09]

The tender report for the project to which the Deputy refers was recently received in my Department. The report is currently being assessed by the Profession and Technical staff of the Building Unit. Provided there are no issues arising therefrom the school will be authorised to proceed to the construction stage.

Public Private Partnerships.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

455 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if the legal issues which needed to be addressed regarding the granting of permission to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 to engage in a public private partnership in conjunction with the local running club to provide a running track for the school and local community have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41294/09]

My Department has received proposals from the school authorities, including a draft legal agreement. My officials are examining the matter and will arrange to meet with the Board of Management of the school in question with a view to discussing the issues involved.

Schools Building Projects.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

456 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in awarding permission for the refurbishment of the school hall in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41295/09]

A major capital project at the school 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 is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget.

The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. 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. My Department has received correspondence from the school regarding possible progression of the school hall element of the major project. My Department has responded directly to the school in this regard with a request for more detailed information on what is proposed.

Schools Patronage.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

457 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 20 October 2009, when he will be able to provide a copy of the report given that it is almost two months since the original question was asked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41304/09]

Officials in my Department are currently updating the register of Patrons provided for under Section 8 of the Education Act and will be verifying the Register details directly with all school Patrons very shortly. A draft list will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.

School Funding.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

458 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance and grant aid under the various headings provided in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41334/09]

The funding arrangements made by my Department for second-level schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. The school to which the Deputy refers is a community school and receives funding in the same way as all community and comprehensive schools. Budget allocations for schools in the Community and Comprehensive sector are increased on a pro rata basis in line with increases in the per capita grant paid to voluntary secondary schools. All schools are eligible for recurrent per capita grants towards special classes and curricular support grants.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. With regard to funding in 2009, the information relates to grants paid to date, as a number of grants are due to issue to the school before the end of the year.

Grant Type

2006

2007

2008

2009 to date

Budget Non Teacher Pay

243,920.00

223,000.00

264,700.00

235,000.00

Budget Non Pay

305,626.00

288,799.00

345,778.00

274,263.00

Student Support Service Fund

58,459.00

62,888.00

62,508.00

63,180.00

PLC Grant

5,839.47

4,819.88

3,985.67

3,058.77

Programme Grants *(TY, LCA & JCSP)

12,519.00

13,799.00

10,154.00

0.00

Back to Education Initiative

43,065.00

45,913.00

51,837.00

29,952.00

Book Grant

34,154.00

37,424.00

36,515.00

18,271.20

Psychological Test Grant

165.06

250.00

250.00

0.00

Supervision & Substitution

19,334.27

25,634.04

29,681.06

16,064.63

Language Initiative Grant

1,500.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Physics & Chemistry Grant

104.00

117.00

52.00

0.00

Special Class Grant

12,864.00

15,955.00

15,276.00

0.00

Traveller Pupil Grant

0.00

0.00

1,708.00

0.00

DEIS Funding

17,903.52

14,943.56

28,955.52

0.00

Equipment Grant

0.00

0.00

655.82

900.00

Medical Refund

0.00

220.00

0.00

0.00

Foreign Language Assistant Scheme

0.00

2,686.83

4,370.00

0.00

ICT Grant

0.00

0.00

8,500.00

0.00

Dining Area & Canteen Equipment

0.00

0.00

12,197.00

0.00

Capital Funding

367,277.72

18,560.00

0.00

0.00

*Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied & Junior Certificate School Programme.

Teaching Qualifications.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

459 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on whether he will run the postgraduate diploma in primary education at St. Patrick’s College, Dublin 9 which is due to commence in February 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41361/09]

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.

Schools Refurbishment.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

460 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the process regarding finalisation of the proposed refurbishment and extension at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20; if outstanding issues have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41362/09]

The school to which the Deputy refers was one of ten projects announced in January 2009 to be re-tendered. Following the receipt and clearance of the revised tender and associated documentation, the project was authorised to go to tender in June. Following the satisfactory resolution of some issues with the Tender Report, the Board of Management was authorised to issue a letter of intent to the preferred tenderer. The Department has recently received the Supplementary Tender Report from the School's Design Team. Upon receipt of some outstanding items, and subject to everything being in order, the Department expects to revert to the Board of Management within days, authorising it to place the contract for the building works.

Site Acquisitions.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

461 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the first second level school site at Clonburris, County Dublin; if a decision has been made regarding its year of opening in view of the difficulty being experienced by parents in the area. [41363/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

469 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the site for the new secondary school at Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41483/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 469 together.

Based on current demographic trends my Department anticipates that there will be a need for a further post-primary school in the Lucan area in the medium term. Officials from the Department have carried out a technical inspection of the various site options identified by South Dublin County Council. On foot of the technical report my officials wrote to the council to advise them of the preferred site option and has recently met with the Local Authority with a view to commencing negotiations. Due to the commercial sensitivities pertaining to site acquisitions it is not possible for me to comment further at this time.

Special Educational Needs.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

462 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants estimated to be working in schools; if he will provide a breakdown of this number by primary and post-primary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41371/09]

There were 8,582 Special Needs Assistant posts in the primary sector and 2,014 in the post primary sector at the end of the 2008/2009 school year. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to primary and post primary schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

School Staffing.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

463 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of language support teachers estimated to be working in schools; if he will provide a breakdown of this number by primary and post-primary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41372/09]

There are 1,535 whole time equivalent English language support teaching posts allocated in the current school year. 1,173 posts are allocated to the primary sector and 362 posts to the post-primary sector. The level of extra teaching support provided in respect of language support to any school is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and the associated assessed levels of these pupils' language proficiency. Under present arrangements which are set out in Department Circular 0015/2009 a school can be allocated up to 4 language support teachers. Additional support is also available for those schools which have at least 25% of their total enrolment made up of pupils that require language support. Such applications for additional language support are dealt with through the Staffing Appeals process.

Higher Education Grants.

Noel Coonan

Question:

464 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the processing time for higher education maintenance grants in north Tipperary vocational education committee; if there has been an increase in the number of applications in 2009 compared to 2008; if there has been an increase in the number of staff processing applications; the longest waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/09]

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 Courses. The Higher Education Grants Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities. The other three schemes are administered by the Vocational Education Committees. The process of assessing eligibility for third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant Local Authority or VEC.

Officials in my Department contacted North Tipperary VEC in regard to the details requested by the Deputy. My Officials were advised that the VEC had received a 56% increase in applications between the academic year 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. They were further informed that the staffing complement during the assessing period in 2008/2009 was 4.5 while in 2009/2010 the staffing complement was 3. It is understood that these staff also support Corporate Governance.

For the 2009/2010 academic year North Tipperary VEC received 853 applications up to the closing date, all of which were processed within 12 weeks. North Tipperary VEC are currently processing applications which had been incomplete together with applications received after the closing date. Students and parents should return all necessary supporting documentation as early as possible to assist the awarding bodies to make prompt decisions on entitlement.

Construction Contracts.

Noel Grealish

Question:

465 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Science if a breach of patent has occurred in the awarding of the contract for construction of the new engineering building at National University of Ireland, Galway; if intellectual property rights (details supplied) have been infringed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41408/09]

The matter to which the Deputy refers is appropriate to the Governing Authority of the National University of Ireland Galway to whom the matter has been referred.

School Staffing.

Denis Naughten

Question:

466 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of part-time administration principals who are employed (details supplied); the criteria a school and principal must fulfil to qualify for such a role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41442/09]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the distinction between administrative and teaching principals in ordinary primary schools. There were 1,163 ordinary primary schools which had a full-time administrative principal in the 2008-2009 school year. A further 2,012 ordinary primary schools had a teaching principal. Primary schools with a staffing of a Principal and up to 6 mainstream class teachers have a teaching principal. This is outlined in primary circular 0002/2009 which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.

Since the start of the 2006/07 school year my Department has introduced further initiatives to assist with reducing the administrative workload of primary school principals. Following the introduction of DEIS in the 2006/07 school year, schools which qualified for the Urban Strand (Band 1 and 2) of the School Support Programme (SSP) are entitled to the allocation of administrative principals on lower enrolment and staffing figures than apply in primary schools generally.

Additionally primary schools with a staffing of Principal plus four or five mainstream class teachers that also have a specialist autism unit established under the approval of the National Council for Special Education, are entitled to appoint the Principal on an administrative basis. The scheme of release time enables teaching principals of primary schools to be released from their teaching duties for a specified number of days annually to undertake administrative leadership and management functions. The number of days release time allowed varies between 14 and 22 and is determined by the number of mainstream class teachers in the school. Paid substitution is provided by my Department for the days that principals are on release time.

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

Schools Building Projects.

Phil Hogan

Question:

467 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the date a school (details supplied) in County Carlow opened; the cost of building works involved; the date of the original school opening; if the school is classified as junior national school or infant national school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41444/09]

The school to which the Deputy refers is an all boys junior school catering for junior infants, senior infants and 1st class pupils. The information in relation to the date the school opened and the cost of the building works involved is being extracted from archived records. Details will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course. This information would also be available in the Parish records. Since 1999, however, the school has received almost €328,000 for a variety of capital works including:

Additional accommodation & furniture;

Car parking facilities;

Play area upgrade;

Windows & security doors;

Energy efficiency measures;

Electrical works; and a

Toilet upgrade.

The school also receives an annual minor works grant to carry out minor works to the school's building. The current per annum value of this grant is €5,500 flat rate plus €18.50 for each mainstream pupil and €74.00 for each special needs pupil.

Computerisation Programme.

Joe McHugh

Question:

468 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if grants are available to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal which has two computers and no Internet access; the grant or funding options for this school that wishes to purchase physical education equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41448/09]

I wish to inform the Deputy that the school in question had a satellite broadband connection under phase I of the Schools Broadband Programme. The satellite dish was taken down when the school moved to a new building on the same premises and I understand there have been problems since the dish was re-installed. My Department is currently awarding contracts under the second phase of the Programme and the indications from the recently completed evaluation of tenders are that this will mean enhanced bandwidth for schools.

The school in question is due to get a DSL solution under this second phase with a different service provider, and my Department will ensure that this is rolled out to the school as soon as possible. I also wish to inform the Deputy that on Monday, 16 November I announced grants totalling €22 million which will issue to primary schools before the end of this year. Schools will be asked to prioritise these grants to ensure that there's a teaching laptop and digital projector in every classroom.

In regard to physical education equipment, a special PE funding package of €6.5 million issued in 2006 to primary schools, and in 2007 a similar package of €3 million issued to post-primary schools. Under these packages, primary schools received €2,000 and post-primary €4,000 towards the cost of replacing and upgrading PE equipment. This grant was issued, as a once-off measure, to enable schools to replace older equipment such as goalposts, PE mats, benches etc. Since 2000 the Department has also provided in excess of €5.5m in grant-aid to primary schools to facilitate the provision of coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education. Such materials and equipment would normally be expected to last for a number of years.

In addition the devolved grant scheme for minor works issues to national schools each year. All such schools with full recognition receive a basic grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil. This grant is intended to address works required to the physical infrastructure of the schools or on items of furniture and equipment for educational use, including PE and IT related equipment. Around €28m is paid out annually to primary schools throughout the country to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department.

Question No. 469 answered with Question No. 461.

Special Educational Needs.

James Bannon

Question:

470 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the employment of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, who has worked as a special needs assistant for the past ten years, has been terminated on the pretext that he or she is not qualified, despite doing all relevant courses and having extensive experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41525/09]

From the details supplied by the Deputy it appears that the qualifications of the person in question, who is qualified to work as a special needs assistant, are not acceptable to my Department as a tutor under the home tuition scheme. The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme provides a grant to parents to facilitate the provision of 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 an educational placement and to provide early intervention for pre-school children with autism.

The Deputy will appreciate that as the tuition takes place outside of school supervision there is a need to ensure that the tuition provider is a fully qualified teacher. However if it is not possible to recruit a tuition provider with a teaching qualification then alternative qualifications are acceptable as an interim measure until such time as a qualified teacher is recruited. A list of relevant qualifications may be sourced on my Department's website on www.education.ie. It is in the interests of children to expect that home tutors funded under this scheme are appropriately qualified tuition providers. It is for this reason that tuition providers will be required to meet the minimum qualification standard. The guidelines to the scheme have in recent years advised of my Department's preference for a fully qualified teacher. However it is important that the parent of the child for whom tuition has been sanctioned liaises with the relevant officials in my Department in this context, particularly if she is experiencing difficulties in sourcing a fully qualified teacher.

Teachers’ Remuneration.

Michael Ring

Question:

471 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the entitlement of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to an allowance in view of information provided in a subsequent question. [41657/09]

The matter raised by the Deputy is being examined in my Department. I will arrange for a full reply to issue to him as soon as possible.

Higher Education Grants.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

472 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he will take to alleviate the distress and hardship caused to students by the failure to disburse education grants in a timely manner; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork City Council has indicated that grants will not be awarded until late November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41661/09]

The arrangements for the payment of grants under the Grant Schemes are a matter for the Local Authorities. The terms of the Higher Education Grants Scheme for the 2009/10 academic year provide for the payment by the Local Authorities of each maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible in each term with the individual payable orders being addressed to the grantholder C/0 the Bursar's Office of the College. Officials in my Department contacted Cork City Council and they confirmed that they recently paid the first instalment to students whose grant application was received before the closing date 31 August 2009.

Teaching Qualifications.

Brian Hayes

Question:

473 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that this issue has been allowed to go unresolved within the education sector for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41662/09]

As the Deputy may be aware, the recognition of teacher qualifications is now a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession, consequently the issue of conversion courses is a matter for the Council in the first instance. I have no plans to establish such a course, at present.

Teachers’ Remuneration.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

474 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps that a teacher, who does substitute work in a number of schools, must take to claim payment; the title of the form; the location at which it can be accessed; if a separate form needs to be filled out for every individual substitution in every individual school; the person to whom the forms must be submitted; the timescale for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41675/09]

Claims for the payment for substitute teaching work are submitted by individual schools through my Department's on-line claims system (OLCS). Each school submits details of the absent teacher, the reason for the absence (to determine if it is a substitutable absence) and the details of the substitute teacher for whom payment is claimed. Once records are verified and saved, these records are uploaded nightly to my Department's payroll systems and are paid in the next payroll run.

Where a substitute teacher works in a number of schools, each school submits details of the claims for work in that school through OLCS and all claims are combined for payment in the appropriate payroll. When a teacher starts to work for the first time in a substitute capacity in a school, the school will ask them to fill out a form (copy forwarded to Deputy) which seeks personal details, payment details, qualifications, registration and other relevant information. This information is retained in the school. Schools submit claim details through OLCS for payment. Individual schools can request substitute teachers to complete claim forms for school record purposes. Payrolls have regular closing dates and these dates are known to schools. Schools must submit claims in a timely manner to ensure they are paid at the earliest possible date.

Schools Building Projects.

Tom Hayes

Question:

475 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 10 November 2009, if a template for physical education halls has been clarified; if projects were held up awaiting this template; if a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will get the balance of funding from 2002 for the physical education hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41676/09]

As the Deputy correctly states, a tender amount of €850,000 for the major restoration and refurbishment project at the school to which he refers was approved by my Department. This was the tender amount and with contingencies and extras arising on the contract, the final account was €1.08 million, as stated in my reply on 10 November 2009.

The Department has a template design for stand alone PE halls. However, the band rating, under the prioritisation criterion, for such a project is 4.1. The published prioritisation criteria 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.

School Funding.

George Lee

Question:

476 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Education and Science the names and addresses of the non-fee paying schools here; the number of pupils enrolled in each; the amount of funding each school receives from the Exchequer; the purpose of that funding; the cost of teachers salaries in each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41677/09]

I understand that the information requested by the Deputy relates to post-primary schools only and that the Deputy does not require information on teacher salaries for individual schools. I wish to advise the Deputy that the names, addresses and enrolment details for all second level schools in the 2008/09 school year are available on my Department's website, under the Education Provider Search. The funding arrangements at post-primary level reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. My Department provides funding to secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils.

There have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools. With effect from January 2009, the standard per capita grant was increased by €14 per pupil and now amounts to €345 per pupil. In addition, voluntary secondary schools have benefited by the increase of €8 per pupil in 2009 in the support services grant, bringing that grant to €212 per pupil. The cumulative increase of €22 per pupil in a voluntary secondary school brings the aggregate grant to €557 per pupil. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. For example, in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, this brings annual grants towards general expenses and support service to over €318,500. The corresponding figure in 2000 was approximately €147,300.

Budget allocations for schools in the Community and Comprehensive school sector, along with those in the VEC sector, are increased on a pro rata basis in line with increases in the per capita grant paid to voluntary secondary schools. All schools are eligible for recurrent per capita grants towards special classes and curricular support grants. The total grant to the VEC sector in 2008 amounted to €933.3 million. This comprised of €756.625 million for pay and €176.6 million for non-pay. Teachers' salaries accounted for approximately 83% of pay costs. The total grant to the Community and Comprehensive sector in 2008 amounted to €47.4 million. This comprised of €29.3 million for non-pay and €18.1 million for C&C Non-Teaching-pay. Teachers' Salaries in the Community and Comprehensive sector and in voluntary secondary schools are paid by my Department and are set out in the attached table.

Grants provided to second level schools and VECs in 2008 are outlined in the attached table.

Funding of Non fee paying schools 2008

Capitation

45,852,399

Caretaker

3,348,262

SSSF Caretaker

2,043,087

Secretary

2,304,541

SSSF Secretary

1,591,484

SSSF Grant

32,271,572

Special Class grant

657,672

Leaving Cert Applied

412,340

discontinued

Junior Cert Schools Programme

69,563

discontinued

Transition Year

1,474,699

discontinued

Irish Bi-lingual grant

443,273

Traveller Capitation

1,281,854

Physics & Chemistry

216,281

discontinued

Special Subjects Grant

602,836

discontinued

Assistive Technology

649,511

Free Books Scheme

7,930,370

only applies to deis schools 2009

Home Economics

80,474

discontinued

Psychological Test Grants

57,784

discontinued

DEIS

4,400,000

Capital Funding

Community:

27,388,591

Vocational:

69,192,007

Secondary:

56,463,832

Teachers Pay*

1,048,877,123

*This figure includes Voluntary Secondary and C&C Teacher Salaries and Allowances and Part-Time and Substitute Teachers and Allowances and Part-Time and Substitute Teachers and excludes employers PRSI which is approx 5.4% of the total.

School Transport.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

477 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science when the school transport grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41678/09]

The grant payment referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is being processed at present and will be issued in the normal way.

Third Level Education.

Richard Bruton

Question:

478 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to date in developing a programme of targeted bursaries, in order to increase participation in key engineering programmes at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41684/09]

The rationale for the introduction of bursaries would be to address a perceived lack of interest on the part of students in undertaking programmes in particular disciplines. Some €2.5 million per annum is allocated to the Discover Science and Engineering programme, funded by Forfás, to promote the take up of science, engineering and technology in schools and colleges, as well as an awareness of the importance of these disciplines in wider society. The latest figures from the CAO show that the number of people accepting third level places on engineering courses this year increased by almost 21% on 2008/09. In addition, the number of computing and science place acceptances are up more than 25%. This suggests that students are recognising the value of pursuing such disciplines. The introduction of targeted bursaries will be considered further in the light of industry views on the significant increases in enrolments that have taken place this year.

Richard Bruton

Question:

479 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to date in expanding summer schools in science and engineering; the additional funding made available to each summer school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41685/09]

The Government's Framework for Building Ireland's Smart Economy committed to the expansion of summer schools in science and engineering with an emphasis on innovation and commercialisation. As the Deputy may be aware, there is currently a substantial calendar of summer schools in place across higher education institutions, targeted at both second-level and primary level pupils. Summer schools in the area of science and engineering cover a wide variety of activities, ranging from hands-on experimental work, science theory and career advice. These are designed to stimulate interest in science and engineering courses generally. The scope, including funding implications, for incorporating or expanding innovation and commercialisation activities within summer school programmes is being explored by my Department with the Higher Education Authority.

Richard Bruton

Question:

480 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the winners of the BT young scientist of the year award will be linked with third level institutions and companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41696/09]

The BT young scientist competition has been expanded this year to include a new business programme that will provide selected students with the opportunity to develop the business knowledge they need to turn their innovative ideas into commercial opportunities. The new programme creates a forum for 40 students to be mentored by leading executives and professionals from BT, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Bombardier, Bord Gáis Éireann, IP Innovations, UCD, TCD, Engineers Ireland and Bank of Ireland. The students will gain practical business knowledge from the mentors through a series of workshops and master-classes on subjects such as: protecting intellectual capital, global marketing, international business, stakeholder communications, innovation principles, and business strategy. In addition, appropriate arrangements are being made so that summer placements in higher education institutions will be available for the top performing students in the competition next year.

Inservice Training.

Enda Kenny

Question:

481 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the leadership and human relationship courses prioritised by his Department for school principals, which are of importance in relation to motivation and encouragement of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41738/09]

Since 2003 the Leadership Development for Schools Programme (LDS) has expanded the range of supports and services that it offers to school leaders and over 10,000 teachers from principals to middle managers have successfully completed LDS module programmes such as Misneach, Spreagadh, Forbairt, Tánáiste, Cumasú and Cothú. This investment has now led us to a point where there are structured professional development opportunities for all school leaders in our system from their point of appointment to day of retirement.

Both Misneach and Tánaiste are professional development programmes for newly appointed school Principals and Deputy Principals respectively, Spreagadh is a programme for Primary Principals and Forbairt is a professional development programme for experienced school Principals. Cumasú is for Leaders in DEIS schools and Cothú is a programme for leaders in special schools. All the programmes mentioned consist of various modules which include leadership skills, motivating and inspiring staff in schools as well as self motivation for the leaders themselves.

In September 2008 LDS, in conjunction with NUI Maynooth, introduced Tóraíocht, a formal training programme for aspiring school leaders. The Tóraíocht Programme was designed in conjunction with the Department of Education at Maynooth and the wider educational partners and responds to the need for motivation and professional development that prepares school leaders of the future. This Programme has been highly successfully with the first cohort of students scheduled to graduate in March 2010.

Irish Language Schools.

Enda Kenny

Question:

482 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if all books required for the second level curriculum and second level courses are available in Irish for students attending all Irish second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41739/09]

Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level. My Department does not generally approve, commission, sponsor or endorse educational text-books. Books are commissioned and published by educational publishers, and schools select their books from those available from a number of publishers

Substantial progress has been made in the provision of textbooks and resources specifically for use in Gaeltacht and other all-Irish schools since An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta was set up in 2002. An Chomhairle was established to co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to support Irish, to advise on policies relating to Irish in schools generally and in all-Irish and Gaeltacht schools, to provide support services through the medium of Irish and to undertake research in this area.

An Chomhairle works closely with An Gúm and other agencies to address the deficit in Irish medium resources and materials. It has published an extensive resource directory on its website (www.cogg.ie) on materials and resources now available to support the teaching of Irish in the curriculum, and the teaching of other subjects through Irish, across primary and post primary schools. A complete list of Teaching Aids and Resources has also been sent to Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna, and a mobile library van provides demonstrations to schools of the resources available.

With the exception of language subjects, some school text-books and other resource materials are available in Irish for the majority of subjects for Junior and Leaving Certificate. At Junior cycle, the subjects for which textbooks in Irish are not available at present include Art Craft and Design, Ancient Greek, Italian, Hebrew Studies, Classical Studies, Technology, Art Craft and Design, and Music. At senior cycle, the subjects for which textbooks are not available are French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Latin, Ancient Greek, Hebrew Studies, Classical Studies, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Engineering, Construction, Technology, Design and Communication Graphics and Accounting. In 2009, my Department allocated a budget of €1.234 million to An Chomhairle.

School Placement.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

483 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41764/09]

I have attached, for the Deputy's information, the most up-to-date list of post primary schools providing the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and located in the vicinity of the address of the parent in question. The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice are respected.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. In the case of the latter, 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 advises parents to apply to more than one school in order to assist in securing a school placement. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.

School ID

School/Centre

Street Name

Town/Region

County

Phone

91318U

Donahies Community School

Streamville Road

Donaghmede

Dublin 13

(01 ) 8473522

91342R

Pobalscoil Neasain

Baldoyle

Dublin 13

(01) 8063092

70330Q

Colaiste Dhulaigh

Barrycourt Road

Coolock

Dublin 17

(01 ) 8481337

70250S

Marino College

14-20 Marino Mart

Fairview

Dublin 3

(01 ) 8332100

81002K

Mount Temple Comprehensive

Malahide Road

Dublin 3

(01 ) 8336984

60471F

St. David’s CBS

Artane

Dublin 5

(01 ) 8315322

60550B

Chanel College

Malahide Road

Coolock Village

Dublin 5

(01 ) 8480655

70321P

Margaret Aylward Community College

Thatch Road

Whitehall

Dublin 9

(01 ) 8375712

81017A

Trinity Comprehensive School

Ballymun Road

Ballymun

Dublin 9

(01 ) 8423030

91344V

Rosmini Community School

Gracepark Road

Drumcondra

Dublin 9

(01 ) 8371694

Capital Expenditure Programme.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

484 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he is behind targets on capital spending for schools in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41769/09]

The published expenditure figures for the end of October 2009 show that my Department's capital expenditure on primary and post-primary level schools is €367.728 million, which is €112 million behind the profiled, or projected, figure to the end of October. My Department's total budget in 2009 for primary, post-primary and third level capital is €841 million. Expenditure on the large number of individual projects included in a capital programme of this magnitude is subject to very considerable variation on a calendar year basis. It was in recognition of this that the current framework of rolling multi-annual capital envelopes, encompassing a carry-over facility of up to 10% of the total amount available in any one year, was introduced.

The principal area where expenditure is running behind profile is schools' major capital projects. These projects comprise new schools, major extensions and refurbishment projects. The main reason for the underspend against profile on the major schools' capital projects is that my announced programme of 78 projects to commence construction in 2009 has been slower to get started on site than initially expected. Another very significant factor is that tender prices obtained for this programme are yielding a reduction of up to 30% compared to prices obtained at the height of the construction boom. In addition, an extensive programme of smaller-scale schools' capital projects is being delivered, mainly through the Summer Works Scheme which this year includes an energy efficiency component for which in excess of 1,600 schools have now been approved.

There is a significant amount of capital expenditure programmed for the remainder of 2009. Expenditure trends in recent years bear out the fact that an increased amount of invoices and other claims for payment are made in the final quarter as builders complete projects and schools draw down their capital grant approvals. The annual grant for minor capital works to primary schools has issued and will be in the schools' accounts by the end of this week.

I am keeping the position under close review and considering all appropriate options regarding the expenditure position. These options include the possibility of carrying forward funding into 2010. As I have already mentioned, if necessary, and in agreement with the Minister for Finance, up to 10% of the overall allocation of €841 million can be carried forward to 2010.

Since I became Minister for Education and Science, I have consistently emphasised my determination to ensure best value for money in capital projects and that the available funding is spent in a prudent way. I am particularly pleased to note the reduction in tender costs for capital projects. I intend to continue to maximise value for money and to ensure that as many schools as possible will benefit from the very favourable tenders that can now be obtained in the construction sector and in this context, my Department is currently finalising a further programme of major capital projects for 2010 which I will announce in due course.

Proposed Legislation.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

485 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the Student Support Bill 2008 in view of the delays suffered by those awaiting grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41774/09]

The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since Second Stage are being advanced by my Department in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. The Bill makes provision for the transfer of responsibility for student grants to the VEC sector. In the existing budgetary situation, resources are not currently available to advance transition to new administrative arrangements in the immediate future. However, it is not possible to say definitively at this point when new administrative arrangements can be put in place and I am anxious, in light of the commitment to put all student grants on a statutory footing, to provide a statutory basis for all student grants for the intervening period.

Therefore, I am endeavouring to progress to a single scheme of grants as provided for in the Bill at the earliest possible date. While the current financial situation may necessitate retention of the existing administrative structures in the immediate term, I am assessing organisational options for the grants administration function in the longer run, with a view to streamlining operations and achieving more effective administrative efficiencies. Possible options for a more significant aggregation of functions are now being explored in the context of budgetary considerations and the Government's overall programme of public service reform.

These developments also require consideration of a complex set of legal options in relation to further amendment of the Bill and my Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to explore the issues in that regard. Subject to any technical, drafting and legal considerations arising, I hope to be in a position to have these amendments advanced sufficiently in order to progress to Committee as soon as possible.

School Staffing.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

486 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on an appeal by a school (details supplied) in County Galway to suppress a language support teaching post at the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41785/09]

The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted additional information in respect of their application for language support. My Department is in communication with the school in relation to this further information and will make a final decision on the school's application at the earliest opportunity.

Schools Building Projects.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

487 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for a new school by a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41787/09]

In October 2000, architectural planning commenced for an extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers. The proposed project consisted of 3 mainstream classrooms, the conversion of the 3 existing mainstream classrooms into ancillary accommodation and a General Purpose Room. This school's building project was selected to progress and announced under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2005. The school authority was offered funding in the amount of €300,000 to build two mainstream classrooms and two resource rooms. The school authority accepted this offer and proceeded with the planning of this project, while at the same time appealing the amount of the funding allocation under the scheme.

Subsequently, the school authority notified the Department that they had decided to withdraw from the 2005 Permanent Accommodation Scheme and requested that the project be considered for inclusion for delivery under the major capital works programme. At that point, prior to the further progression of a building project at this school, it was deemed necessary to review the long term projected staffing (LTPS). A school's future accommodation need is determined by the projected staffing levels and ensures that capital funding being provided is sufficient to meet the future need. It was determined that the LTPS should be Principal +8 assistant mainstream class teachers. This was notified to the school authorities in January 2007.

Following a site visit to the school, it was decided that the existing school site could not accommodate a new 8 classroom school and that a new school is required. The Patron has advised that Parish land to the rear of the existing school site will be made available to accommodate the provision of the new 8 classroom school. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of the current competing demands on the capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

488 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a proposed extension for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41793/09]

The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension project. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 1 rating. The progression of all large scale projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the 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 project at this time.

Denominational Schools.

Niall Collins

Question:

489 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science the basis of State funding for Protestant schools; the changes proposed; the consultations he has had with the relevant representative groups to date in 2009 to hear their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41810/09]

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. I have emphasised that the Government decided to continue to provide the Block Grant, which was increased this year. It is targeted as a support to individual pupils to enable them to attend Protestant schools.

I have made clear that I am prepared to work with the Protestant fee-charging schools to identify particular problems and issues that may be arising in some of their schools, or in respect of some students in their schools, and to examine how these might be addressed in a manner consistent with the Constitution. In this regard I have met with Protestant educational representatives, including the Church of Ireland Board of Education; Monaghan Collegiate School; the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and the Committee on Management for Protestant Schools. In addition, my officials have also met with the Secondary Education Committee. I have explained that a simple reversal of the measures taken in Budget 2008 applicable to all Protestant fee-charging schools and determined solely on a denominational criterion was not legally possible. I believe that engagement between my officials and representatives of the Protestant schools is the best way to seek to resolve the issues that are of concern.

Higher Education Grants.

John McGuinness

Question:

490 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a college grant will be expedited and approved by Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [41829/09]

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 her/his case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

Post-Leaving Certificate Courses.

John McGuinness

Question:

491 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science when and if the post-leaving certificate cap of 183 will be reviewed in the context of a college (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will review the cap and allow 350 to 400 places in view of the public demand for places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41831/09]

The overall number of approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) places is set at its current level because there is a continuing requirement to plan and control numbers and to manage expenditure within the context of overall educational policy and provision. An additional 1,500 PLC places were allocated in 2009 for the 2009/2010 academic year, bringing the total number of approved PLC places to 31,688. The college referred to by the Deputy is under Co. Kilkenny VEC. For the 2009/2010 academic year, Co. Kilkenny VEC was allocated 480 PLC places, an increase of 20 places on the previous year. The distribution of PLC places within the VEC is a matter for the VEC.

Schools Building Projects.

John McGuinness

Question:

492 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress being made to commence the building project at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41833/09]

Following the submission by the school of revised and compliant tender and associated documentation, this project was authorised to proceed to tender in September and a Tender Report is due to be submitted to my Department shortly. Following the receipt of this tender report, subject to everything being in order, my Department will authorise the Board of Management to initiate the process to award a contract.

Physical Education Facilities.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

493 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the provision of a physical education hall for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41835/09]

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding towards a PE Hall and extension/refurbishment project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 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. 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.

Schools Patronage.

John O'Mahony

Question:

494 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the outcomes of a meeting held on 10 November 2009 between officials of his Department and representatives of Educate Together regarding their application for second level patronage status; when a decision is expected on this patronage application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41855/09]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

497 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress he has made in assessing the application by Educate Together to become a patronage body for second level schools; when he intends to reply to Educate Together on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41906/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 497 together.

In recent talks between Officials from my Department and representatives from Educate Together there was a wide-ranging and constructive discussion about the issues surrounding Educate Together's application to become a patron at second level. In this context my Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools and the application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level is being fully examined within the context of legal, financial and other factors that I must consider.

School Accommodation.

John O'Mahony

Question:

495 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on efforts to secure permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin which is temporarily accommodated in another school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41856/09]

The school to which the Deputy refers is currently sharing a purpose built facility with another school. It is my Department's intention to permanently accommodate the school in its own accommodation. With this in mind, my officials have been in discussions with the Local Authority on the matter. The development of this accommodation will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally

Special Educational Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

496 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the educational opportunities available for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, including speech and language services, back-up support, respite and dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41905/09]

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. A further appeal has been received, regarding the refusal of a school in Celbridge to enrol this child and the appeal has been scheduled for early December.

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. I also understand that a home tuition grant has been sanctioned for the child in question and that the National Council for Special Education are in contact with the family in question. The Deputy will be aware that the Health Service Executive funds speech and language services, respite and dental treatment.

Question No. 497 answered with Question No. 494.
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