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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Jan 2010

Vol. 699 No. 3

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 10, inclusive, answered orally.

Home Loan Scheme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

11 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if applicants are still required to have been refused a mortgage by two banks before being adjudged credit worthy for the purposes of the home choice loan scheme in view of the fact that the scheme is currently targeted at credit worthy first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2466/10]

The Home Choice Loan is intended not to provide an incentive for households to enter the housing market, but to provide access to mortgage finance to facilitate certain first-time buyers who have themselves decided to purchase a home at this time. The scheme is therefore designed to respond, in a very targeted way, to a specific set of circumstances in the housing market whereby prospective middle income first-time buyers, who would previously have been in a position to access mortgage finance from one of the financial institutions, are not currently in a position to do so, due to the impacts of the credit crunch and the general global curtailment of lending to households and businesses arising from it.

It is important to clarify that applicants under the Home Choice Loan Scheme are not deemed to be credit worthy by having been refused loan finance elsewhere. All applications are rigorously assessed having regard to an applicant's ability to pay, credit history and rating and all other aspects of a strict formal lending policy. An applicant's ability to pay is also stress-tested to assess their capacity to meet their repayments in the event of significant interest rate rises. It is only after all of these requirements have been met that an applicant can be deemed to be credit worthy for the purposes of the scheme.

The requirement for applicants to provide evidence of two refusals or inadequate loan offers from private financial institutions is in place to ensure that those credit worthy households who are in a position to have their loan finance requirements met by a private financial institution, do so.

Local Government Reform.

Joe Carey

Question:

12 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the local government efficiency review group will report; if local government reform is postponed until after that group reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2495/10]

I have asked that the Local Government Efficiency Review Group complete its work and report to me by mid-2010. The Group's findings and recommendations will then be brought to Government to consider in the appropriate policy and financial contexts.

Significant changes to local government will continue in parallel with the work of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group. The Government's commitment to hold direct elections for the Mayor of Dublin this year is unchanged, and I will be bringing a draft scheme of a Bill to provide for the Dublin Mayor to Government shortly.

The Government decision to introduce a directly elected Mayor for Dublin in 2010, and the legislation to provide for it, marks a first step in implementing broader local government structural change, in line with the renewed Programme for Government. This will be more fully addressed in the Local Government White Paper, now at an advanced stage of preparation.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

13 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of properties that are leased for the long-term housing needs of persons seeking social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2525/10]

To the end of last year, some 1,933 units were sourced and approved for leasing in order to meet the housing needs of persons requiring social housing support. Of these, 437 units are deemed to be operational on the basis of signed lease agreements in place. Given that I only introduced the Social Housing Leasing Initiative in February 2009, this represents significant progress and shows that the initiative, even at this early stage, is already starting to deliver.

The progress made in 2009 will be built on and developed further in the year ahead. It is anticipated that the leasing initiative and the RAS programme will together deliver some 4,000/4,500 units in 2010, accounting for 50% of the total social housing output expected this year.

These delivery mechanisms will continue to grow in importance in terms of our housing supply programme in the years ahead. Given increased housing needs at a time of limited Exchequer resources, leasing and RAS offer a pragmatic way of continuing to meet general housing needs, while allowing us to prioritise the available capital funding for programmes targeted at the most vulnerable and disadvantaged households.

Leasing and RAS are of course more than just a pragmatic response to market conditions. They constitute an important component of a graduated and flexible system of housing supports, within a lifecycle approach to meeting housing needs, which was clearly articulated in the Government's 2007 housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities .

Water Services.

Joe McHugh

Question:

14 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the roll out of water meters for domestic homes will begin; if the cost of new meters will be met by local authorities or by central Government; if he plans to introduce domestic water charges for all domestic users at the same time or on a gradual basis as meters are installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/10]

The renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce charges for water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied.

I will shortly be bringing detailed proposals to Government on the approach to the metering of households on public supplies, including details on the financing and delivery of the metering programme. Legislation will also be drafted to provide local authorities with the powers to charge for domestic water use.

Following the phased installation of water meters, households will be charged for water services based on usage in line with the government commitment. It is envisaged that the installation of water meters will commence during 2011.

Proposed Legislation.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

15 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will bring forward legislation for a directly elected mayor for Dublin; the powers this position will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2516/10]

On 12 May 2009 I announced that the Government had decided to introduce a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin Region in 2010. This decision arises from the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a directly elected Mayor of Dublin, and from the considerations in the Green Paper on local government which I published in April 2008.

The Government's decision to introduce a directly elected Mayor of Dublin will deliver significantly strengthened leadership for the city and region, with enhanced accountability and a direct connection with the citizen.

The Mayor will primarily act as a strategic policy maker who will also work to integrate the activities of local government and the wider public service in and across Dublin. The Mayor will be equipped with a suite of substantial powers across the functions of local government, and will have the authority and powers to deliver real leadership. He or she will establish policy frameworks for the Dublin Region including in the areas of land-use planning, waste management, and water services and will also chair the Dublin Transport Authority. The specifics of the Mayor's responsibilities will be set out in legislation.

The Government's commitment to hold mayoral elections this year is unchanged. Given this intention, it will be necessary to have the relevant legislation in place in advance. I will be bringing a draft scheme of a Bill to provide for the Dublin Mayor to Government shortly.

The Government decision to introduce a directly elected Mayor for Dublin in 2010, and the legislation to provide for it, marks a first step in implementing broader government change.

Emergency Planning.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

16 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, unilaterally or in conjunction and consultation with other relevant Departments he intends or expects to initiate, participate or co-operate in a structured national plan to address the issue of flooding at various locations throughout the country that have previously been the subject matter of correspondence with his Department and with other Departments from local communities; if his attention has been drawn to the existence of European Union support funds for simple remedial works that can have the effect of preventing and alleviating flooding now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2617/10]

The need to deal in a proactive manner with the issue of flood risk was recognised by the Review of Flood Policy agreed by Government in 2004. Following the Review, the Office of Public Works was assigned Lead Agency responsibility for the management of flood risk. In this regard, I understand that the OPW is commencing Flood Risk Studies with a view to the preparation of Catchment Flood Assessment and Management Plans. The role of my Department, where there is serious flooding, is to ensure that the local authorities are prepared to respond promptly to ameliorate the worst effects in relation to those aspects for which they have direct responsibility.

In this regard local authorities act in co-operation with other Principal Response Agencies — an Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive — and the voluntary agencies and the Defence Forces to limit the effects on individuals whose lives may be put at risk or who may be exposed to serious hardship. The main concern is that effective emergency plans are in place based on the Framework for Major Emergency Management approved by Government in 2006.

The management of the emergency response then falls to the local authorities and the other response agencies. In relation to assistance from the European Union Solidarity Fund towards the cost of damage arising from the flooding, this is a matter for consideration by the Department of Finance.

Planning Issues.

Shane McEntee

Question:

17 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the current retail planning guidelines; if further amendments are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/10]

Phil Hogan

Question:

284 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals or planned timeframe for a review of the retail planning guidelines 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 284 together.

Since the Department's Retail Planning Guidelines came into force in 2001, Ireland has undergone considerable change in terms of economic and social development, particularly in relation to population expansion and settlement patterns. In this period, there has been a considerable expansion of retail infrastructure and services which has been positive in facilitating greater competition in the retail sector. In addition, retail strategies have been prepared by all planning authorities as part of their development plan functions.

Given changed economic circumstances, it is important that the forward planning context for future retail development remains robust and realistic. My Department is currently drafting a consultation paper to inform the scope of a focused review of the Retail Planning Guidelines. This will allow stakeholders and interested parties to assist in identifying key issues for inclusion in draft revised guidelines, which will issue for public consultation before their finalisation at the end of this year.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

18 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for septic tank upgrade works and regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2521/10]

The renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the licensing and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems. In October 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found that Ireland failed to make adequate legislation for dealing with domestic waste-water from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems.

My Department is chairing a task force to consider how the inspection of septic tanks should be carried out and I intend undertaking consultations with stakeholders on the matter. In order to comply with the ECJ ruling, legislation will be required to give effect to the new inspection system. At this stage, while this matter is receiving priority attention, it is too early to estimate when the new arrangements will be operational.

The results of the last Census of Population indicated that about 418,000 houses, or 32% of the total stock of just over 1.3 million houses, were served by septic tanks in 2006. It is not possible to estimate how many of these septic tanks would be considered to be defective. It is important to note that primary responsibility for ensuring the treatment system is functioning properly rests with the occupier of premises or, if unoccupied, the owner.

Proposed Legislation.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

19 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the changes he has planned to taking in charge legislation for estates following problems that exist with burst water pipes in estates not yet in control of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/10]

My Department's policy guidance in relation to Taking in Charge of Residential Estates states that planning authorities must adopt construction standards for residential developments that are acceptable to the planning authority for taking in charge and long-term maintenance and that it should be a condition of planning permission that such standards be adhered to.

The guidance also states that the construction standards adopted by planning authorities should at a minimum comply with those set out in my Department's Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas, which recommend standards for the diameter of pipes and the amount of cover, and make other relevant recommendations including a recommendation that watermain pipe size and layout should be designed in consultation with the local authority.

Technical Guidance Document G of the Building Regulations (Hygiene) provides that, in regard to bathrooms and kitchens in dwellings, the cisterns, service pipe and fittings and any associated cold water pipes should be adequately protected against damage by frost.

My Department's Taking in Charge Guidance also states that it is necessary for the planning authority to satisfy itself, when the developer of a residential estate has ceased construction or notified the planning authority that construction is complete, or after the planning permission has expired, that the development is properly completed in line with the planning permission and, where it is not properly completed, to take early and effective enforcement action.

Where an estate has yet to be taken in charge, the repair of a burst water main is a matter for the developer. The decision as whether any particular estates should be taken in charge is ultimately one for the elected members of the planning authority. There are no proposals to change the taking in charge policy or the underpinning legislation at this stage.

Homeless Persons.

Frank Feighan

Question:

20 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on recent changes to homeless housing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2528/10]

Implementation of the Government's Homeless Strategy will result in significant improvements in homeless services, involving action by a number of statutory and non-statutory agencies. At national level, a range of actions has been taken to ensure that implementation of the Homeless Strategy is firmly underpinned by a robust framework of policy, legislation, co-ordination and funding. Practical achievement of the objectives of the Strategy will ultimately be determined primarily by the performance and effectiveness of action by relevant agencies at local level which, in future, will operate within the new statutory framework of structures and action plans provided for in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

A core objective of the Homeless Strategy is to eliminate long term occupation of emergency or transitional homeless facilities and enable households to progress to independent living in mainstream housing. This is being pursued through a range of actions including provision of adequate social housing lettings to homeless households, reconfiguration of emergency or transitional facilities as self contained units of long-term accommodation and provision of additional sources of mainstream accommodation. Intensive work on all of these areas is progressing.

The Support to Live Independently Scheme (SLÍ), details of which issued to local authorities in July 2009, forms an important element of action to end long-term homelessness by providing suitable long term accommodation in mainstream housing with appropriate supports to help people make a successful transition from homelessness to independent living. It includes the use of accommodation procured through the Social Housing Leasing Scheme or available to local authorities in the form of affordable housing that is unsold or considered unlikely to sell in the current market, along with availability of low to moderate level visiting supports, on a reducing basis for a period, to help homeless households address the challenges likely to arise in making the progression to independent living.

Implementation of the scheme is proceeding, with the main focus initially on the Dublin area. This involves a three-stranded approach — sourcing of accommodation; assessment of households, formulation of their support plan and allocation of tenancies; and procurement and deployment of visiting housing support services for the purposes of the scheme. The various strands are proceeding broadly in parallel. The scheme will expand progressively in 2010 and all possible action will be taken to maximise progress, particularly in terms of securing accommodation.

The provision of appropriate facilities and supports for homeless people with more intensive needs is also a priority. The reconfiguration of existing homeless services will result in extending the availability of long term supported residential accommodation for people who are unable to live independently.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

21 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the contribution Ireland proposes to make as a result of the Copenhagen conference; if there is a united European Union proposal regarding carbon offsetting over the coming decades; the details of the proposal and the financial contribution Ireland will be expected to make. [46852/09]

Ireland will make a positive contribution to the successful implementation of the Copenhagen Accord, while maintaining efforts to strengthen it. Our contribution will be reflected, inter alia, in the emission reduction pledge which the European Union will make before the end of this month for the purposes of Appendix I of the Accord, and in the international financial support to assist developing countries in addressing climate change. The Government has already announced a contribution of up to €100 million for fast start financial support in the three-year period 2010 to 2012.

Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to a safe level is key to the success of the 1992 Climate Change Convention. As a contribution to that objective, the EU has adopted an independent commitment to achieve a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020 compared to 1990. In addition, the EU has signalled its willingness, as part of a global and comprehensive agreement for the period beyond 2012, to move to a 30% reduction target subject to other Parties committing to appropriate action. This policy position will inform the final EU pledge for the purposes of the Copenhagen Accord and Ireland will accept its fair share of that burden.

The EU recognises the importance of the carbon market in achieving global mitigation objectives in a cost-efficient manner. EU priorities for development of the carbon market include reform of existing Kyoto Protocol mechanisms and the creation of new sector-specific mechanisms. The financial cost of engaging in offsetting in the future will be determined by the extent to which Ireland decides to avail of market options.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

22 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of new units of social and affordable housing he envisages being made available in 2010. [2327/10]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

28 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to make it a priority to purchase properties that are vacant to increase the number of housing units available for social and affordable housing. [2329/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 28 together.

The Government's key priorities in shaping the overall housing provision for this year have been to focus the impact of necessary adjustments on the areas in which there is scope to maintain output through more flexible approaches and where the policy context supports such approaches, and to continue to direct available capital resources substantially towards the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. In keeping with this strategy, the reform programme, now well underway in my Department, involves a shift away from construction/acquisition and a one size fits all approach to meeting social housing needs towards a more graduated system of supports. This refocusing, in policy and financial terms, is rooted in the clearly articulated rationale set out in the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.

While the allocations for 2010, when finalised, will show a reduction in the provision for the main traditional local authority programme, I anticipate that, through more flexible market based delivery mechanisms such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and long term leasing, as well as the significant increase in funding available under the Capital Assistance Scheme in 2010, delivery across the range of social housing measures this year will be of the order of 8,000/9,000 units.

In relation to affordable housing, rather than setting targets for delivery, the emphasis this year, having regard to developments in the housing market, will be on continuing to progress measures to ensure the most effective deployment of already delivered but unsold affordable homes, including their use for social housing purposes.

Departmental Funding.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

23 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the funding over and above the funding allocated for 2010 as part of the budget to be provided to local authorities to cover their costs for responding to the recent flooding, snow and freezing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2445/10]

Liz McManus

Question:

29 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that sought additional funding as a result of the recent flooding and adverse weather conditions; the amount sought by individual local authorities; the amount granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/10]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

64 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the moneys that have been sought by local authorities over and above funding already allocated as part of the budget and Estimates to cover their costs for responding to the recent flooding, snow and freezing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

294 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the need to allocate extra funding to local authorities in view of the expenditure incurred by them arising from inclement weather conditions in the past number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2913/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

295 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received requests for extra funding from local authorities in the wake of the recent severe weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2914/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 29, 64, 294 and 295 together.

General-Purpose Grants from the Local Government Fund are the contribution that my Department makes to local authorities to meet the gap between the cost to them of providing a reasonable level of day-to-day services and the income they obtain from other sources. A total of €870m in General-Purpose Grants will be provided to local authorities from the Local Government Fund in 2010.

The Local Government Fund is also providing significant funding to local authorities for the improvement and maintenance of local and regional roads. The allocation of local and regional road grants to individual local authorities is a matter for the Minister for Transport.

Local authorities now have access to an additional revenue stream, the €200 non-principal private residence (NPPR) charge. As of 15 January, €58,164,420 has been collected in respect of 2009, all of which, less transaction and administrative costs, accrues to local authorities.

It is a matter for each local authority to prioritise its spending, within the resources available to it, across the range of services it provides. Equally, local authorities must ensure full value for money for the resources invested, and seek the maximum efficiency across their operations. I am satisfied that the general purpose grant allocations I have provided for 2010, together with the income available from other sources, will enable Local Authorities to deal with the adverse winter weather conditions and continue to provide an acceptable level of service to their customers.

In addition, I provided some €16.5m in supplementary funding at the end of 2009 to assist local authorities in the worst hit areas in meeting the immediate and exceptional costs incurred in dealing with the recent flooding crisis. The following table details the amount sought by and granted to individual authorities. Payments were made to the local authorities in the week before Christmas.

Supplementary funding for flood affected areas

Local Authority

Application

Allocation

Athy Town Council

5,000

5,000

Ballinasloe Town Council

252,123

252,123

Carlow County Council

123,060

123,060

Cavan County Council

130,000

130,000

Clare County Council

1,145,000

1,145,000

Cork City Council

3,110,206

3,110,206

Cork County Council

15,509,028

5,768,519

Fermoy Town Council

5,200

1,700

Galway County Council

3,000,000

3,000,000

Kildare County Council

221,000

221,000

Leitrim County Council

525,000

525,000

Limerick City Council

81,082

81,082

Limerick County Council

1,380,300

180,300

Longford County Council

388,506

137,506

North Tipperary County Council

338,240

187,940

Offaly County Council

50,003

50,003

Roscommon County Council

1,015,000

1,015,000

South Tipperary County Council

201,008

201,008

Westmeath County Council

541,310

353,810

Total

28,021,066

16,488,257

Social and Affordable Housing.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

24 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if communication has commenced between him and the Department of Finance regarding the potential for usage of unsold housing acquired by the National Asset Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/10]

From a social housing perspective, I see clear potential for real and meaningful synergies between the work of the National Asset Management Agency in ensuring the stability of the financial system and the role of my Department in responding to social housing need.

For some time now the social housing investment programme has been undergoing a significant restructuring to shift the focus increasingly towards more flexible delivery mechanisms, through the Rental Accommodation Scheme and, more recently, the introduction of long term leasing arrangements, with a lesser reliance on construction and acquisition, in line with the reform agenda clearly set out under the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. This approach is enabling the Government to deal proactively with the new circumstances in the residential property market, seeking to make economic necessity and social need work in tandem.

I and my Department have met with representatives of NAMA to discuss how we might seek to ensure that a social dividend is secured through the long-term leasing of suitable residential units for social housing purposes, while providing a return in line with NAMA's mandate. With NAMA now operational, I anticipate that this engagement will continue and intensify in the period ahead.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

25 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the adjustment that will be made to the provisions of the Housing (Incremental Purchase) Regulations 2009 in view of the radically changed market conditions; if the scheme will apply to tenants of council flats; if it is intended that unsold affordable housing units will be sold to qualifying tenants under the incremental purchase scheme; the anticipated cost of the scheme; the number of sales targeted under the scheme in 2010; the method of assessment that will be used to deem applicants suitable for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2464/10]

Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which provides the legal framework for the introduction of the Incremental Purchase Scheme (IPS), has been commenced and came into effect on 1 January 2010. The Part was commenced to allow incremental purchase arrangements to be applied to new housing units being supplied by housing authorities. The Housing (Incremental Purchase) Regulations 2009 set out the classes of dwellings to which incremental purchase arrangements apply and I have no proposals to amend those Regulations. Further Regulations will be required to give full effect to the detailed terms of the scheme; these are currently being drafted by my Department with the intention that the scheme be fully rolled out to housing authorities by mid-2010.

On foot of the Regulations already made, housing authorities have been instructed to begin the process of designating suitable new-build housing for incremental purchase by way of a Manager's Order. The sale of incremental purchase units, including the number to be sold and the extent to which the IPS may be used in dealing with unsold affordable housing stock, will be a matter for individual housing authorities to decide once the scheme is fully operational. Households that will be eligible for this scheme are those assessed as eligible for social housing support and existing tenants who wish to transfer to homes made available under the scheme, subject to satisfying certain criteria, including demonstrating a capacity to service the required mortgage.

A separate scheme for the sale of apartments, based on the principles of the incremental purchase model, is provided for in Part 4 of the 2009 Act. Part 4 has not yet been commenced as detailed Regulations are required to give full effect to the scheme. My Department will be working to finalise these Regulations as soon as possible after the incremental purchase arrangements under Part 3 of the Act are rendered fully operational.

EU Directives.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

26 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cases being taken by the European Union against Ireland in relation to his failure to transpose or implement European Union directives in environmental law in tabular form; the stages of these cases; if fines are pending in relation to judgments against Ireland for breaches of environmental law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2455/10]

In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 31 cases relating to transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation. The table lists the directives involved and indicates the various stages of proceedings in respect of these cases.

The Commission made a decision on 29 October 2009 to refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for an imposition of fines in relation to the Directive on the quality required of shellfish waters, while deferring such referral for three months. Ireland has never been fined by the EU for an environmental infringement and I am confident that all outstanding aspects of this case will be completed to the satisfaction of the Commission within the timescale allowed for addressing the outstanding issues.

EU Instrument Number and General Reference

Article 226 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 226 Reasoned Opinion

Being Referred to the European Court of Justice

Before the European Court of Justice for a hearing or awaiting judgement

European Court of Justice Decision to be Implemented

Article 228 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 228 Reasoned Opinion

Total

75/442/EEC the waste directive

2

0

0

0

1

1

0

4

76/464/EEC on dangerous substances in water

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

79/409/EEC on wild birds

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

79/923/EEC on the quality required of shellfish waters

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

80/68/EEC on groundwater

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

80/778/EEC on the quality of drinking water for human consumption

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment

1

0

0

1

0

2

0

4

91/271/EEC on urban waste water treatment

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

2

92/43/EEC on habitats

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

3

96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

98/81/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

99/31/EC on landfill

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

2000/53/EC on end of life vehicles

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

2000/60/EC the water framework directive

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

EU Instrument Number and General Reference

Article 226 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 226 Reasoned Opinion

Being Referred to the European Court of Justice

Before the European Court of Justice for a hearing or awaiting judgement

European Court of Justice Decision to be Implemented

Article 228 Letter of Formal Notice

Article 228 Reasoned Opinion

Total

2003/35/EC on public participation in certain plans and programmes relating to the environment

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

2006/21/EC on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

2007/2/EC establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in the EU –INSPIRE

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

Decision 2005/166/EC & Decision 280/2004/EC: Rules concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

Total Number at each Stage

10

5

1

2

3

5

5

31

Note: the articles outlined above, under which the Commission is in correspondence, were those in place prior to the Lisbon Treaty coming into force.

Waste Management.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

27 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he did not review or change waste policy in his first years in office that might have prevented the Poolbeg incinerator, Dublin 4, being developed to the capacity currently planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2507/10]

The Programme for Government agreed in 2007 signalled a fundamental change of policy in relation to waste management. Reflecting the ambition of the Programme commitment, I have repeatedly made clear that incineration can no longer be the cornerstone of Irish waste policy, and that it is the Government's intention not to support the provision of excessive incineration capacity but to maximise the diversion of waste for reuse, recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion. I have made my policy position clear to Dublin City Council on a number of occasions and have drawn their attention to the risks involved in proceeding with an incinerator with a very high level of capacity.

The Programme's objectives to implement this policy change included a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and to act on the conclusions. The report, by a group of Irish and international consultants engaged to carry out a major study to underpin the conclusion of the review, was published in November 2009.

This Report marks a new departure in our approach to waste management. I will be bringing proposals for the implementation of the recommendations in the report to Government as soon as possible in 2010. The Report of the International review provides the framework for waste policy in the coming years and certainty for those in the waste management sector, in particular in respect of investment decisions in relation to the provision of infrastructure and services.

Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 22.
Question No. 29 answered with Question No. 23.

Election Management System.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

30 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is anticipated the inter-departmental task force into the disposal of the redundant electronic voting equipment will report; the costs that have been incurred, including storage costs, since the establishment of the task force; the timeframe for the ending of outstanding leases and the disposal of the equipment; if penalties have been identified regarding the termination of leases; the scale of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2467/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

299 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date in efforts to dispose of the e-voting technology; if offers have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2918/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 299 together.

On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. To date, the Task Force has met three times, and it aims to complete its work as soon as possible.

In considering options for disposal of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach, with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of cost possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations. Detailed consideration of all relevant factors is underway to inform the manner in which disposal of the machines will be effected. This includes contact with the original suppliers of the machines.

Details in respect of costs incurred for the storage of electronic voting equipment are gathered annually by my Department from Returning Officers, in January each year. Figures for storage costs in 2009 are currently being gathered and are therefore not yet available. Based on figures received in my Department from Returning Officers, the total annual costs for storage of the electronic voting equipment (including the cost of insurance, service charges, rates and heating) for 2008 were some €204,000.

In 2007, over 60% of the machines (4,762 in total) were moved from 12 local storage locations to a central facility at Gormanston Army Camp. The remaining machines are stored at 13 local premises that were originally identified by Returning Officers for this purpose. It is intended that all machines will be removed from their present locations when arrangements for disposal are implemented. Work on termination of local lease arrangements is proceeding in this context.

My Department engaged consultants with valuation expertise in May 2007, following competitive tendering, to examine individual leases and make recommendations on termination of leases where appropriate. In May 2008, I accepted the consultants' recommendations and these are currently being implemented. The consultants recommended termination of leases in 7 cases and this has since occurred in 3 locations. No additional payments were made in respect of these terminations.

Work is ongoing on concluding the other 4 leases. It is expected that, in certain instances, termination of lease arrangements will give rise to buy-out costs and these will be dependent on the outcome of negotiations.

Urban Renewal Schemes.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

31 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of urban renewal schemes cancelled in 2009 due to budget cuts and withdrawal of private developers from projects. [2328/10]

The 2007-2013 Urban and Village Regeneration Programme administered by my Department has been deferred due to budgetary constraints. No calls for proposals under this programme were issued by my Department to the Local Authorities.

Under the Urban and Village Renewal Programme 2000-2006, grant assistance was provided by my Department to local authorities for a range of interventions to upgrade the fabric of the built environment in cities, towns and villages. Final funding allocations under this Programme, which ended in early 2008, involved total EU and Exchequer co-financed expenditure of over €158m.

Natural Heritage Areas.

Denis Naughten

Question:

32 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to manage turf cutting on designated bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/10]

Denis Naughten

Question:

42 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans regarding the management of turf cutting on designated bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2336/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 42 together.

The ten year derogation that allowed the continuation of turf-cutting on 32 Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation notified for designation in 1999 has now expired. In the coming weeks I expect to receive a report from the Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas including recommendations for managing the cessation. I will conclude my consideration of these recommendations as rapidly as possible.

Water Service.

Noel Coonan

Question:

33 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the manner in which water investment and services are delivered is efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2503/10]

Good progress has been made in recent years by local authorities in the provision and management of water services in their areas. This progress has been possible through high levels of investment coupled with new legislation on the supervision and enforcement of drinking water standards in public water supplies and the licensing of wastewater treatment plants.

There is an ongoing need to expand and improve our water and wastewater treatment capacity to ensure compliance with environmental standards and ECJ judgments, to anticipate future economic and social development needs and to ensure investment decisions reflect other national priorities such as the National Spatial Strategy. These issues have been central to the assessment of needs for water services infrastructure in their areas that I asked local authorities to undertake in recent months. These assessments will inform the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, which I will publish early this year.

In addition, my Department is currently undertaking a Value for Money Study in relation to the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of the Water Services Investment Programme as part of the Government's Value for Money Reviews for 2009-2011. The outcome of this study will also influence the implementation of future water services investment programmes.

EU Directives.

Joan Burton

Question:

34 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure that he will ratify the Aarhus Convention; if there are outstanding issues on legislation that he must attend to before he can ratify this convention; when he will be in a position to ratify this convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2448/10]

Joe Costello

Question:

66 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the issues he must address in order to implement the European Union directive on public participation; the stage these steps to address any outstanding issues are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2449/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 66 together.

Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public access to environmental information (2003/4/EC) and public participation in certain environmental decision-making procedures (2003/35/EC).

The European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 came into effect on 1 May 2007. These Regulations transpose EU Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information.

The process to transpose the Public Participation Directive is well advanced. The recent European Court of Justice judgment in case C427/07 concerning the Public Participation Directive requires certain legislative amendments which my Department is prioritising in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. When this work has been completed I, along with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, will ensure that the instrument of ratification of the Aarhus Convention is submitted to Government and laid before the Dáil as a matter of urgency.

Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

35 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is exposure to the taxpayer via the Dublin Docklands Development Authority following the inability of the authority’s partner in the Irish Glass Bottle site to pay court ordered debts; the significance this will have for the DDDA and the Irish Glass Bottle site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2499/10]

Joan Burton

Question:

46 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the expected cost to the Exchequer in 2009 and in 2010 of losses recorded by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; the extent the DDDA has taken on or is expected to take on borrowing commitments on foot of its losses; if he will take the necessary steps to give authority to the Comptroller and Auditor General to scrutinise the accounts of the DDDA; the steps he will take to make the DDDA subject to the Freedom of Information Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44894/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 46 together.

I understand that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is vigorously contesting the action taken by Donatex Ltd. in the Commercial Court over the terms of a property deal to purchase the former Irish Glass Bottle Company site in Ringsend, as part of the Joint Venture with the Authority and Memphal Ltd. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on matters which are before the Courts, including the potential impact of other related court cases on the Donatex/DDDA case.

Regarding the Authority's financial outlook, the Chair of the Authority, during her appearance at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 1 December 2009, indicated that she expected the Authority to report a significantly reduced operating deficit for last year by comparison to the 2008 deficit of €27 million. The final position for last year, including in relation to borrowings, will be set out in the Authority's 2009 accounts in due course. No funding was provided to the DDDA from the Exchequer in 2009.

The Chair has also indicated that the Board has set an objective to return the Authority to a break-even situation as soon as possible. The Authority is in ongoing dialogue with my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to its financial position.

The Authority's accounts are audited by independent external auditors. Under existing legislation, the Authority, along with many other State and semi-State commercial bodies, is outside the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Last Autumn, I asked the Authority's Chair, who is an acknowledged expert in corporate governance matters, to prepare a report on corporate governance within the Authority. I will consider the most appropriate response to the findings of this report once it has been formally submitted to me in the coming weeks. In that context, I will keep the issue of any future involvement on the part of the Comptroller and Auditor General under review.

It is important to note that under existing arrangements, it is open to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to request the Authority to appear before it, thus affording Oireachtas Members an opportunity to question the Authority on its activities and outlook. As indicated above, the last such appearance by the Authority's Chair and Acting CEO took place on 1 December 2009.

The DDDA is already subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Acts, under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 297 of 31 May 2006).

Waste Management.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

36 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his policy on incineration in waste management has been changed in view of the High Court’s ruling on the 21 December 2009 that Dublin City Council’s decision to change the capital’s waste collection system is invalid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2475/10]

The Programme for Government agreed in 2007 signalled a fundamental change of policy in relation to waste management. Reflecting the ambition of the Programme commitment, I have repeatedly made clear that incineration can no longer be the cornerstone of Irish waste policy, and that it is the Government's intention not to support the provision of excessive incineration capacity but to maximise the diversion of waste for reuse, recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion. I have made my policy position clear to Dublin City Council on a number of occasions and have drawn their attention to the risks involved in proceeding with an incinerator with a very high level of capacity.

The Programme's objectives to implement this policy change included a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and to act on the conclusions. The report, by a group of Irish and international consultants engaged to carry out a major study to underpin the conclusion of the review, was published in November 2009.

This Report marks a new departure in our approach to waste management. I will be bringing proposals for the implementation of the recommendations in the report to Government as soon as possible in 2010. The Report of the International review provides the framework for waste policy in the coming years and certainty for those in the waste management sector, in particular in respect of investment decisions in relation to the provision of infrastructure and services.

The ruling of the High Court does not change my policy on incineration. It substantiates and augments the concerns which I have expressed, including to Dublin City Council, about the potential liabilities which could accrue to ratepayers and ultimately taxpayers as a result of the scale of the proposed incinerator which they propose to build.

Planning Issues.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

37 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to amend the Planning Acts to provide for a three year extension on the five year time limit applicable to all current planning permissions to take into account the major economic, financial, banking and other factors which have resulted in the collapse of building activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2298/10]

Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that, on application, the duration of a planning permission (normally five years) shall be extended, subject to certain requirements being complied with, including that substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission.

Section 23 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, which was passed by Seanad Éireann on 1 December 2009 and is currently on Second Stage in Dáil Éireann, proposes to amend this provision by providing for the extension of planning permission where substantial works have not been carried out, but where there were commercial, economic or technical considerations, beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially mitigated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works.

The National Asset Management Agency Act 2009 contains a provision similar to section 23 above in respect of applications from the National Asset Management Agency for extension of the duration of planning permission.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

38 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the provision that has been made to re-house persons occupying unsold affordable housing units at the end of the five year leasing period; if it is intended that tenants would move to another property and re-enter the housing list; if so, the stage at which same would be carried out; if the unsold affordable housing unit would be automatically or potentially leased for another five years; if, in the event that they are re-leased, these properties will be designated as social housing for rental purposes on a permanent basis; the rationale of leasing unsold affordable housing units for five years and subsequently for another five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2463/10]

The social housing leasing initiative encompasses a number of different strands, one of which provides local authorities with the option to lease vacant and unsold affordable units to approved housing bodies, for a fixed period of five years, with the units concerned being made available to households eligible for social housing support.

At the end of the five year lease period, there will be a range of options available that will protect the interest of the tenants, while at the same time opening up new opportunities to pursue purchase options. In summary, the housing authority may—

(a) sell the units to the existing tenants under the new incremental purchase arrangements;

(b) sell the home as an affordable unit;

(c) extend the leasing arrangement for a further period of up to five years, or

(d) take the unit into its housing stock and continue to rent it to the household concerned, subject to having sufficient funding within its capital allocation and obtaining my Department's prior approval.

At the end of the lease period, if the unit is not sold to the tenant or taken into the social housing stock, it will be the responsibility of the housing authority to meet the ongoing social housing need of the household concerned.

The rationale for using unsold affordable units to accommodate social housing tenants in the short to medium term is to match existing vacant housing stock available to housing authorities with the housing needs of those in need of social housing support. In the wider context, it supports the objective of providing a flexible system of graduated housing supports using a ‘lifecycle' approach to meeting housing need, in line with changes in this regard underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. These changes will provide for a more objective approach to determining housing need, with more regular assessments to help shape the social housing investment programme, to determine eligibility for social housing support, to identify special needs and to assess the relative priority of households to receive support.

Water Services.

Joe Costello

Question:

39 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the amount allocated for capital investment in water services in the budgets of 2008 and 2009; the amount actually spent; the amount returned, if any, to his Department unspent; the amount that has been spent on works carried out using the allocation for capital investment in water services in 2008 and 2009; the progress that has been made in upgrading the water services infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2450/10]

The allocations and expenditure outturns for 2008 and 2009 in respect of Exchequer funded investment in water services infrastructure, together with the estimated additional expenditure incurred directly by local authorities to meet the marginal capital costs associated with the provision of services to the non-domestic sector are set out in the following table.

There was continued good progress on the provision of water services infrastructure in 2008 and 2009, with over 80 schemes/contracts coming to completion during that time. Data for 2008 show an increase in treatment capacity equivalent to a population of 367,195 in the case of wastewater and 77,308 in the case of water supply. Similar data in relation to 2009 are not yet available.

Year

Exchequer Allocation

Exchequer Outturn

Est. Non-Exchequer Expenditure

€m

€m

€m

2008

471.374

496.374

115.000

2009

500.000

512.000

130.000

Local Authority Staffing.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

40 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed by each local authority in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of staff cuts in each local authority area since the general election of 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/10]

The following table lists the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed in each local authority as returned to my Department for the end of September 2009, the most recent date for which figures are available. The corresponding figures for September 2007 and September 2008 are included for comparative purposes and the table accordingly shows the change in staffing levels in each local authority over the period in question.

Local Authority

Permanent End of September 2007

Temporary End of September 2007

Permanent End of September 2008

Temporary End of September 2008

Permanent End of September 2009

Temporary End of September 2009

County

Carlow

316

48

320

41

301

25

Cavan

454

31

467

22

441

20

Clare

833

118

773

146

749

97

Cork

2,367

278

2,418

428

2,335

89

Donegal

972

316

987

299

980

83

Dun Laoghaire

1,248

138

1,200

87

1,145

70

Fingal

1,503

110

1,528

100

1,464

47

Galway

885

178

875

206

850

107

Kerry

1,142

228

1,163

227

1,167

90

Kildare

889

190

908

200

917

56

Kilkenny

560

64

559

99

550

34

Laois

373

43

385

65

386

24

Leitrim

304

56

313

47

299

12

Limerick

743

103

760

57

722

30

Longford

336

42

351

51

311

26

Louth

669

85

711

35

691

15

Mayo

1,087

139

1,096

136

1,131

145

Meath

633

157

634

168

652

77

Monaghan

424

48

436

33

428

14

Offaly

434

67

457

46

459

27

Roscommon

517

60

529

60

520

36

Sligo

518

88

528

71

511

32

South Dublin

1,316

140

1,288

192

1,246

169

North Tipperary

453

131

426

123

481

42

South Tipperary

675

38

676

43

664

9

Waterford

525

58

529

75

530

40

Westmeath

481

93

482

85

472

35

Wexford

784

105

791

102

775

53

Wicklow

764

162

755

186

750

144

City

Cork

1,421

140

1,422

106

1,408

41

Dublin

6,485

487

6,759

212

6,538

131

Galway

429

86

415

136

418

69

Limerick

513

42

518

49

516

19

Waterford

383

83

386

91

375

56

Totals

31,436

4,152

31,845

4,024

31,182

1,964

Total

35,588

35,869

33,146

Fire Services.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

41 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of full-time firefighters in 2008 and 2009; if there is an embargo on recruitment to the fire service; the number of requests for recruitment applications that have been accepted; the number that were refused in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2471/10]

In accordance with Government policy and implementing instructions from the Department of Finance relating to the general moratorium on the filling of public sector posts, local authorities were given sanction to recruit full-time fire fighters without recourse to my Department. This sanction applied from 13 May until 20 August 2009, when the Department of Finance delegated sanction for the implementation of the moratorium to my Department on condition that the overall staffing levels in the local authority sector were to be reduced significantly by the end of 2010 in adherence to Government policy on staffing and numbers in the public sector.

Subsequent to 20 August 2009, local authorities require sanction from my Department for the filling of any vacancies which arise. One application for recruitment of a full-time fire fighter has since been received, and has been approved.

The recruitment of fire-fighters is reflected in the quarterly returns which local authorities provide to my Department. The number of full-time fire fighters employed by local authorities as returned to my Department for the end of December 2008 was 1,303 and for the end of September 2009 — the date of the most recent figures available — was 1,271.

Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 32.

Local Authority Housing.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

43 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of regeneration projects, both by local authorities and under the public private partnership initiative, scheduled to commence in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; the position regarding these projects; if new projects are due to commence in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2469/10]

The current ambitious multi-annual regeneration programme includes a broad range of projects from smaller estates in regional towns, to inner city flat complexes in Dublin City. In line with international best practice, each project encompasses a range of activities to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, incorporating masterplanning, social inclusion interventions, and a planned mix of public and private investment in housing stock, infrastructure and facilities. Generally, the programme is reviewed on an annual basis in the context of finalising funding allocations, with new projects added and additional elements of existing projects advanced, as resources permit. The timing and duration of the individual elements vary over the lifetime of the project. I intend to announce funding allocations for the 2010 programme shortly.

The following table presents an overview of the regeneration programme and the stage of each project. The table also includes details in relation to a number of projects which were previously expected to be progressed through the Dublin PPP Regeneration Programme — it is a matter for Dublin City Council, in the first instance, to consider how to proceed with other projects formerly within that programme. In addition, in the light of changes in the housing market, a number of affordable housing projects, which had been earmarked to proceed by PPP arrangements, are not now to proceed.

Project

Description

Project Status

Ballymun, Dublin City Council

Construction of new housing started in 2000 and since then, the project has delivered 1431 social, 105 voluntary, and 1228 private and affordable units, with almost 400 more units under construction. At the same time a significant demolition programme has led to the creation of a new landscape and streetscape for the town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods. The area has also benefited from significant social investment e.g. new community facilities, parks, and the Axis theatre, as well as facilitating new economic opportunities.

The major public investment programme is ongoing, with a number of additional projects being approved to tender stage in 2009. The Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. 2009 Housing Strategy is currently under consideration.

Dublin City Council — Inner City Flats

Over the past decade the Government has invested over €100 million in the Dublin City Council inner city flats regeneration programme to improve the accommodation quality of the complexes as well as to address issues of anti-social behaviour and the serious drugs problem in those areas.

Investment in approved projects at Poplar Row, Lourdes House, and Seán Treacy House is ongoing.

Former Dublin PPP Regeneration Programme

The Department has been liaising closely with Dublin City Council to ensure that the former PPP regeneration projects are considered for inclusion in the national regeneration programme. To that end, the Council has submitted project plans for St. Michael’s Estate, and an outline proposal for the approach to the future redevelopment of O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street. Detailed proposals for these latter two projects are expected in 2010/2011.

Dublin City Council approved to go to tender for Phase 1 of the St. Michael’s Estate project in 2009.

Knocknaheeny and the Glen Regeneration Projects, Cork City Council

Cork City Council has for many years now been advancing an ambitious regeneration programme in both Knocknaheeny and the Glen. 2009 saw the substantial completion of the project at Knocknaheeny D as well as the site enabling works for phase 2 of the Glen project.

2009 saw the substantial completion of the project at Knocknaheeny D as well as the site enabling works for phase 2 of the Glen project.

Waterford City Council Regeneration Programme

Waterford City Council continues to advance its regeneration programme focussed on some of the most disadvantaged estates in the City area at Ardmore, Larchville, and Lisduggan. This programme involves the substantial refurbishment of 738 houses, as well as some strategic infill, is being carried out on a phased basis.

The overall project is ongoing with approvals currently in place for projects at Ardmore phases 2 and 3, Lisduggan phases 2 and 3, and Larchville phases 1A and 1B.

Project

Description

Project Status

Limerick City Regeneration

The Department continues to support the regeneration programme in the areas of Moyross, Southill, St. Mary’s Park and Ballinacurra Weston of the City. The Government endorsed the overall vision for a ten year transformation of the Limerick Regeneration areas, as set out in the Limerick Regeneration Programme, in December 2009.

Since the establishment in 2007 of the Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies, the City has seen significant investment of some €51m in the development of the overall programme, in the demolition of properties to facilitate construction, and in support for community, enterprise, environmental improvements and social inclusion activities. The relevant Departments and agencies are now working to finalise the Phase One elements of the Programme by the end of the first quarter of 2010, for final consideration by Government at that stage.

Mitchel’s Crescent, Tralee Town Council

Following a broad consultation with the communities, and stakeholders, the masterplan for the Mitchel’s Crescent Regeneration in the town was completed in 2008. This plan sets out a multi-annual programme of physical and social regeneration for the Mitchel’s Crescent area involving demolition, construction, refurbishment, and social/community investment.

Significant progress has been made over the past two years in the delivery of key elements of the regeneration programme e.g. phase 1 Tobar Naofa, demolition of St. Patrick’s Bungalows, and social inclusion activities. Further construction projects, such as the integrated services centre and the redevelopment of Moyderwell Convent are at an advanced stage of planning, as are a new community garden and allotments

Cranmore Estate, Sligo Borough Council

Cranmore Estate is a 41 acre site with over 500 houses accommodating over 2,500 people and is an area with high levels of social, educational and economic disadvantage. The Council have, over the past number of years, been developing a masterplan for the area and implementing the area’s social plan.

The project is still at the masterplanning stage and the Council continues to progress a programme of local preparatory and amenity works, as well as social inclusion activities.

Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk Town Council

The Department continues to work closely with the Town Council to ensure the timely delivery of the regeneration masterplan for the Cox’s Demesne area. This plan will provide for a multi-annual programme of physical and social regeneration for the Cox’s Demesne area involving demolition, construction, refurbishment, and social/community investment as well as promoting greater integration of the estate within the wider area.

The project is still at the masterplanning stage and the Council continues to progress a programme of local preparatory and amenity works, as well as social inclusion activities.

EU Directives.

Jack Wall

Question:

44 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to comply with EU directives on waste management that require Ireland to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill by 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2454/10]

Meeting the requirements of the landfill directive is a key national priority in respect of waste management and I am committed to implementing the measures necessary to ensure that Ireland meets the 2010, and subsequent, EU landfill diversion targets. Data from the National Waste Report 2008, published by the EPA, show that the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste disposed to landfill decreased by 19% in 2008 to approximately 1.2 million tonnes, which leaves Ireland requiring to divert a further 280,000 tonnes in order to meet the first landfill directive target due in July 2010.

In December 2009 I signed the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009, which are designed to promote the segregation and beneficial use of food waste arising in the commercial sector.

Also in December, I increased the landfill levy by the currently permitted annual maximum of €5 per tonne to €25 per tonne and I intend to increase it to €30 from 1 February 2010. This will begin to address the race to the bottom in landfill gate fees, which we are now witnessing and which acts as a barrier to achieving the diversion targets.

I intend to publish a Bill on levies generally and this will provide for further substantial increases in the landfill levy. The Bill will also address the extension of levies to other waste facilities.

In 2008, my Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities to drive forward the roll out of brown bins and promote the use of home composting. I will be issuing a further circular letter to local authorities to accelerate progress in the roll out of brown bins and further promote the benefits of home composting.

I am confident that all of the above measures will contribute significantly to the achievement of the targets for the diversion of waste from landfill and a reduction in our overall use of such facilities.

Waste Management.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

45 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that have a brown bin collection in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2451/10]

The National Waste Report 2008, published by the EPA, provides the latest data in this regard. The separate kerbside collection of household food and garden waste in brown bins increased substantially from 18,705 tonnes in 2007 to 37,920 tonnes in 2008 and I would expect to see further increases in 2009 and into the future.

The number of local authority areas where household brown bin waste was collected at kerbside increased from 13 in 2007 to 16 in 2008 mainly due to private operators offering the service.

A comprehensive circular letter (WPPR 17/08) issued to each local authority in July 2008 requesting that appropriate steps be taken to support an accelerated roll out of segregated collections for organic waste ('brown bins') both to domestic households and to commercial organisations. Such bins could be provided directly by local authorities where the local authorities remain in the business of waste collection or, alternatively, utilising the existing waste collection permitting system where the service is provided by the private sector. My Department intends to issue a further circular letter to local authorities to accelerate progress in the roll out of brown bins and further promote the benefits of home composting.

Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 35.

Emergency Planning.

James Bannon

Question:

47 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the actions he will now take to ensure Ireland is properly prepared for a severe weather emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2479/10]

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 275 and 286 of 20 January 2010.

Water Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

48 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure the provision and availability of adequate domestic drinking water storage facilities with particular reference for the need to meet a specific minimum requirement at all times regardless of weather or other conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

292 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it will be possible to increase domestic water storage capacity to a minimum level whereby water shortages associated with freezing conditions might be alleviated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2911/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 292 together.

It is the responsibility of the relevant water services authority to deliver quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs. My Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved drinking water supply infrastructure, on which some €1.8 billion has been invested by the Government in the period 2000-2009. Substantial funding of €508 million is being provided this year from the Exchequer for the provision of water services infrastructure.

This level of investment continues to reflect the priority assigned by Government to meeting EU standards for drinking water and providing critical water supply infrastructure, which has seen additional drinking water treatment capacity and additional drinking water storage capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 855,000 and 1.5 million, respectively, provided in the period 2000 — 2008.

The recent weather has pointed up the need to sustain our efforts in the provision of water services infrastructure and, in particular, the replacement and rehabilitation of older mains which were damaged during the cold spell. A greater focus on such works will be a key priority of the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, which I expect to publish early this year.

Local Authority Funding.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

49 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the co-ordination, support or extra funding that will be provided by his Department to local authorities suffering from water shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2476/10]

General-purpose grants from the Local Government Fund are the contribution that my Department makes to local authorities to meet the gap between the cost to them of providing a reasonable level of day-to-day services and the income they obtain from other sources. A total of €870 million in General-Purpose Grants will be provided to local authorities from the Local Government Fund in 2010.

It is a matter for each local authority to prioritise its spending, within the resources available to it, across the range of services it provides. Equally, local authorities must ensure full value for money for the resources invested, and seek the maximum efficiency across their operations. I am satisfied that the general purpose grant allocations I have provided for 2010, together with the income available from other sources, will enable local authorities to deal with the adverse winter weather conditions and continue to provide an acceptable level of service to their customers.

In the last ten years a total of €1.8 billion has been invested by the Exchequer in providing new supply water infrastructure under the water services investment programme.

Recent water services investment programmes have also included a specific sub-programme on water conservation. Funding was provided to local authorities to put water management systems in place to monitor water use and losses throughout the supply networks, fix leaks and replace defective pipes where repair is no longer an economic option. Exchequer spending on water conservation since 2003 amounted to €130 million.

This investment provides the platform for intensive investment in mains rehabilitation which will be a key priority under the next water services investment programme for 2010 to 2012 which is currently being finalised in my Department. In inviting local authorities to prepare needs assessments as an input to developing the new programme, the authorities were asked to prioritise key contracts and schemes in this area; and they will also be required to prioritise water conservation works as an alternative to new infrastructure provision. A greater proportion of the funds available annually under the programme will be assigned specifically to water conservation works.

Water Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

50 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of water as supplied by each local authority lost due to wastage and leakage; the annual cost per local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/10]

The Services Indicators in Local Authorities 2008 report, a copy of which is available from the Oireachtas Library, includes information on ‘Unaccounted for Water'' (UFW) in each local authority. UFW includes leakage in addition to other factors including unauthorised connections, unmetered connections and metering errors.

My Department does not have figures for the "cost" of UFW. This figure will vary from scheme to scheme depending on production cost, extent of UFW and any infrastructural cost incurred to compensate for the UFW.

Water conservation, which includes the management of water supply systems, active leakage control and mains rehabilitation, has been the focus of a specific sub-programme under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. It has led to reductions in the levels of water unaccounted for, improved knowledge of the condition of water distribution networks and consumption patterns, and an improvement in the level and quality of supply to consumers. Since 2003, local authorities have spent over €130 million on these services with significant Exchequer support. Water conservation works will be a key priority under the next investment programme, which will cover the period 2010-2012. The metering of domestic connections will contribute to greater water conservation by facilitating enhanced network management by local authorities and a more sustainable approach to water use by domestic consumers.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

51 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that have engaged with the leasing initiative; if participating local authorities have been unable to identify properties suitable for leasing; if local authorities have indicated that they will not participate in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/10]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 2 on today's Order Paper.

To date, some 27 housing authorities and four approved housing bodies have had projects approved under the social housing leasing initiative. These projects comprise over 1,900 units. No housing authorities have indicated that they will not participate in the initiative.

In the first instance, many authorities rightly focused on bringing into the leasing initiative unsold affordable housing which they already had on hands themselves. In terms of rolling out the leasing initiative more widely, I am confident that there is a considerable quantum of suitable available vacant accommodation around the country which could be made available for leasing. Given the work which my Department has undertaken to support the leasing initiative, including the preparation of standard legal documentation and its extension to include the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, and given the impact of the establishment of the National Assets Management Agency in terms of addressing uncertainty in the banking and property sectors, I am satisfied that a solid basis is being put in place to support increased delivery under the initiative this year.

House Prices.

Willie Penrose

Question:

52 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the new house price database will be available; if it is intended that the necessary legislative changes will have been made to enable the publication of house selling prices when the house price database is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2465/10]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 308 of 15 December 2009. The relevant Government Departments and agencies will be working in the coming months with a view to the development, as soon as possible, of the new house price database.

Climate Change.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

53 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the national strategy for adaptation to climate change will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2453/10]

On foot of a commitment contained in the National Climate Change Strategy, my Department is currently in the process of developing a national climate change adaptation framework. This work will run in parallel with the development of a Climate Change Bill which will enshrine in legislation policies and principles in relation to climate change, and will include specific provisions on climate change adaptation.

The planned adaptation framework and proposed legislation will provide a basis for integrating adaptation considerations into decision-making at both national and local level. I propose to introduce statutory requirements for public bodies to assess the risks arising from current and predicted impacts of climate change and to develop appropriate responses to these risks.

I intend publishing the adaptation framework in the first half of this year.

Local Authority Housing.

Martin Ferris

Question:

54 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of new housing units and halting sites made available to members of the travelling community in 2009. [2334/10]

The information requested in respect of 2008 and previous years is published in my Department's Annual Housing Statics Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. Information in respect of 2009 is not yet available.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

55 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the amount of money that is to be paid under the Kyoto Protocol, if any, for exceeding our carbon emissions targets for 2008 and 2009; if he will be required to purchase carbon credits for 2008 and 2009; when these carbon credits will have to be purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2452/10]

In the period 2008-2012, Ireland will meet its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol through a series of national measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supplemented as necessary by the purchase of carbon units on the international market. Government policy in this regard is set out in the National Climate Chance Strategy 2007-2013 and, for the purpose of purchasing carbon units as required, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has been designated as purchasing agent for the State.

The total cost of purchasing carbon units for Kyoto compliance purposes in the commitment period 2008-2012 is estimated at €99.6 million. This is made up of €73.7 million for credits already purchased by the NTMA and €25.9 million for credits to be delivered prior to 2012 from investments made in the Carbon Funds operated by the World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In 2008 the NTMA purchased 3.455m carbon credits at a cost of some €52.1 million. In 2009, they purchased 1.8m units at a cost of some €21.6 million.

The economic downturn has implications for the carbon credit purchasing programme. Recent EPA projections suggest that, with full implementation of all announced emission reduction measures, sufficient carbon units may already have been purchased or contracted for, to meet our Kyoto commitments. In these circumstances, the NTMA has been asked to put its purchasing programme on hold for the foreseeable future. Purchasing requirements are being kept under review and will be revised as necessary in the light of future projections.

Local Authority Staff.

Mary Upton

Question:

56 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority employees who have applied for the incentivised early retirement, the incentive career break scheme and the shorter working year scheme; the number approved for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2447/10]

The Government's policy on staffing and numbers in the public sector, including local government, is to ensure that overall staffing levels are significantly reduced. Together with the existing recruitment moratorium, three further schemes to support this objective were announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement of 7 April 2009 — the incentivised scheme of early retirement, the special incentive career break scheme and the shorter working year scheme.

The purpose of the incentivised scheme of early retirement scheme was to facilitate the permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff serving in the local authorities. Figures supplied by the local authorities, indicate that 300 local authority employees applied for the scheme, of whom 272 have been approved and have completed the necessary documentation. The majority of these 272 employees have already retired from employment, with the remainder scheduled to leave in 2010.

The special incentive career break scheme for local authority employees was introduced as part of the Government's efforts to achieve a reduction in spending on the paybill. Figures supplied by local authorities, indicate that 294 staff have availed of the scheme from a total of 321 applications received.

The purpose of the shorter working year scheme is to permit local authority employees to balance their working arrangements with outside commitments. Special leave without pay is available for periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 13 consecutive weeks. The application period and the scheme itself are currently open ended and applicants are free to apply for the scheme at any time. The information on the numbers availing of the scheme is not available in my Department.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

57 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of his aim to expand the social and affordable housing scheme to meet the needs of 90,000 households as laid down in the programme for Government. [2332/10]

Despite the challenges currently faced in the housing sector, significant levels of activity have been achieved under the range of housing supports funded by my Department in recent years. Through these, the accommodation needs of over 20,200 households were met in 2008, an increase of 10% on corresponding figure of 18,300 in 2007. Final data in respect of 2009 are not yet available.

Meeting housing need remains a high priority for the Government. While ensuring that we can deliver across the full range of needs, the scale and composition of the public housing programme in the years ahead will be dependent on a number of factors, including the level of available funding and the evolution of the housing market generally.

I am determined to ensure that the overall delivery programme is framed in a manner which continues to optimise the way in which needs are met. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the available Exchequer supports to prevailing market conditions, and explore alternative solutions to address needs, having full regard to the sustainable communities philosophy outlined in the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.

To this end, the range of delivery mechanisms continues to be adapted and expanded. For example, last year, I introduced a new social housing leasing initiative, under which in excess of 1,900 units were sourced in 2009 and through which I expect a substantial number of units to be provided in the years ahead to meet housing needs, estimated at just over 56,000 households in the 2008 housing needs assessment. This, together with the rental accommodation scheme, complements the traditional capital funded programmes operated through local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.

I will be keeping the leasing initiative and all the other housing programmes under ongoing review to ensure that they are appropriately geared towards meeting the maximum level of housing need.

In relation to affordable housing, rather than setting targets for delivery, the emphasis this year, having regard to developments in the housing market, will be on continuing to progress measures to ensure the most effective deployment of already delivered but unsold affordable homes, including their use for social housing purposes.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

58 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons on social housing lists by local authority in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2462/10]

The number of households on a local authority's waiting list continuously fluctuates as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support. My Department does not hold information in relation to the numbers currently on waiting lists in local authorities.

A statutory assessment of housing need is carried out every three years by all housing authorities in accordance with the terms of the Housing Act 1988. The last assessment took place in 2008 and indicated that there were 56,249 households in need of social housing support. Further information regarding the assessment, including a breakdown of housing need figures by housing authority, is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Local Authority Funding.

Jack Wall

Question:

59 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding is available for the restoration and upkeep of thatched cottages in our communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47036/09]

Under my Department's renewal or repair of thatch roofs of a house grant scheme, a grant up to €3,810, or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of houses. A higher grant of up to €5,714 may be payable where the house is situated on certain specified islands off the west and south coasts. In the case of medical card holders, a grant of up to €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost, may be payable in respect of houses situated on the mainland, rising to €8,252 where the house is situated on a specified off-shore island.

Eligibility under the grant scheme is contingent on the house being occupied as a normal place of residence on completion of the approved works.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

60 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ring-fence money obtained from the sale of social and affordable housing units to put towards obtaining further units to ensure the stock of housing is not depleted. [2330/10]

My Department's housing capital programme has provided significant investment in the construction and acquisition of new social housing stock, as well as supporting major regeneration and remedial works schemes for existing housing stock, thereby ensuring that the overall social housing stock is not depleted. From 1 January 2007, local authorities were given direct control in relation to their internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings, to be used primarily for extensive improvement works programmes, and on occasion, for additional stock. My Department approves the overall annual programmes and it is the responsibility of individual local authorities to prioritise and advance the range of projects included in their programmes.

Section 13 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides that any moneys accruing to a housing authority from the sale of a dwelling owned by the authority "shall be accounted for by the housing authority in a separate account and, subject to the prior approval of the Minister, may be used for the provision of housing or for the refurbishment or maintenance of existing housing, or any other related purposes". I have no plans, at present, to direct local authorities to ring-fence any such monies solely for the construction or acquisition of new units. Sales of local authority dwellings have, in any event, shown a sharp decline over 2009 and the schemes for local authority sales of affordable housing units were designed to cover the costs of delivering the units, rather than to generate additional funds.

Tax Yield.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

61 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount collected to date by each local authority under the non-principal private residence tax; the way the amount collected by each local authority compares with the amount estimated; the amount of the moneys collected that has been reissued to each local authority and town council respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2470/10]

The amounts collected to date under the non-principal private residence charge and the net amounts pertaining to each local authority as at 15 January 2010 are detailed in the following table. The net figures incorporate a reduction of approximately 1% on average to cover administration and transaction charges. My Department does not have figures relating to amounts received by town councils, as under section 15 of the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, the distribution of moneys in this regard is a matter for the relevant county council.

The non-principal private residence charge was originally estimated to bring in approximately €40 million in 2009, based on a conservative estimate of 200,000 liable properties in the State. This figure was drawn from the 2006 Census and information supplied by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). I do not have a detailed breakdown of these estimates by local authority area.

NPPR Totals — to 15 January 2010

Total received

Net amount to local authority

Dublin City Council

10,636,080

10,541,338

Cork County Council

4,778,840

4,727,778

Fingal County Council

2,864,060

2,832,864

Kerry County Council

2,749,420

2,727,583

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

2,628,520

2,600,155

Donegal County Council

2,420,920

2,390,497

Wexford County Council

2,349,600

2,327,046

Cork City Council

2,220,460

2,200,709

South Dublin County Council

2,116,460

2,092,520

Galway City Council

1,972,240

1,952,720

Galway County Council

1,883,120

1,867,284

Clare County Council

1,788,500

1,773,944

Kildare County Council

1,775,980

1,756,650

Mayo County Council

1,774,940

1,752,606

Wicklow County Council

1,342,340

1,330,382

Limerick County Council

1,286,580

1,272,693

Meath County Council

1,221,580

1,206,603

Limerick City Council

1,183,420

1,173,320

Louth County Council

1,040,460

1,027,901

Sligo County Council

1,000,880

987,845

Westmeath County Council

912,480

901,166

Waterford City Council

853,040

842,395

South Tipperary County Council

816,540

806,602

Waterford County Council

736,240

725,798

Roscommon County Council

733,420

723,558

Kilkenny County Council

727,000

716,243

Cavan County Council

677,680

668,478

North Tipperary County Council

604,700

595,373

Laois County Council

579,120

572,794

Carlow County Council

569,120

560,277

Leitrim County Council

529,980

521,462

Offaly County Council

515,680

507,403

Longford County Council

475,660

468,729

Monaghan County Council

399,360

392,570

TOTAL

58,164,420

57,545,286

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

62 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Bandon sewerage scheme, County Cork, will proceed immediately in view of the fact that it is ready to go to tender and that its completion will have a positive effect on factors that cause flooding in the town. [2299/10]

The Bandon sewerage scheme was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Contract Documents for this scheme are currently under examination in my Department and a decision will be conveyed to the council as soon as possible in light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for 2010 to 2012.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently considering these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Homeless Persons.

Martin Ferris

Question:

63 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of the national homeless strategy to end long term homelessness and sleeping rough; the steps he will take in 2010 to achieve this goal. [2333/10]

The National Implementation Plan for the Government's Homeless Strategy, The Way Home, provides a robust framework to guide the action required at national level to end long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough by end 2010 through a series of priority actions and supporting measures, and promotes and supports effective implementation locally. At national level, a range of action is being taken to ensure that implementation of the Homeless Strategy is firmly underpinned by research, data and information, by a robust policy framework, adequate funding for homeless accommodation services, effective consultation and co-ordination structures and arrangements, comprehensive legislative provisions, and mechanisms for the provision of suitable accommodation with housing supports, as required. Practical achievement of the objectives of the Strategy will ultimately be determined primarily by the performance and effectiveness of action by relevant agencies at local level which, in future, will operate within the new statutory framework of structures and action plans provided for in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. An order to commence the relevant statutory provisions has been made bringing into force the homeless provisions with effect from 1 February 2010.

A new scheme of homes and support — "SLI" (Support to Live Independently) — was developed and details issued in July 2009. This will form an important element of action to end long term homelessness by providing suitable long-term accommodation in mainstream housing with appropriate supports to help people make a successful transition from homelessness to independent living. It involves the use of accommodation procured through the Social Housing Leasing Initiative or available to local authorities in the form of affordable housing that is unsold or considered unlikely to sell in the current market, along with availability of low to moderate level visiting supports, on a reducing basis for a period, to help homeless households address the challenges likely to arise in making the progression to independent living.

The new Social Housing Leasing Initiative which was introduced in February 2009 has widened the supply avenues available to local authorities to meet social housing need, and this combined with the supports available through the SLI scheme should improve the access of homeless households to long term housing.

While particular effort to move people with low to medium needs to mainstream housing is proceeding because this will reduce demands on emergency facilities, the provision of appropriate facilities and supports for people with more intensive needs is also a priority, whether in the form of certain mainstream accommodation, long term supported accommodation or emergency accommodation for people with higher needs. The re-configuration of existing homeless services will result in extending the availability of long-term supported residential accommodation for people who are unable to live independently.

Exchequer funding available for homeless accommodation and related services is being maintained at a record level of €56m in 2010 notwithstanding the more constrained state of the public finances.

Local authorities were advised by my Department to take a proactive approach with regard to homeless people during the severe weather conditions and to ensure, as far as possible, that no person would be left vulnerable due to lack of availability of emergency accommodation, should the need arise. The Department agreed in advance proposals and funding for cold weather arrangements in a number of areas, including Dublin; issued an alert to all local authorities outside of Dublin regarding the need for vigilance, adequate arrangements, etc; and issued a general approval to all local authorities to extend opening hours, where necessary. The Department is now considering how the good work done and information gained in the context of the recent cold weather efforts can be built on in order to accelerate progress towards achievement of the strategic objective of ending the need to sleep rough.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 23.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

65 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way local authorities will be directed to designate new housing for the incremental purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2474/10]

Housing authorities have been instructed, by Circular letter, to begin the process of designating suitable new-build housing for incremental purchase by way of a Manager's Order. The Housing (Incremental Purchase) Regulations 2009 set out the classes of dwellings to which incremental purchase arrangements apply.

Further regulations are required to give full effect to the detailed terms of the scheme. These Regulations are currently being drafted by my Department with the intention that the scheme be rolled out to housing authorities by mid-2010.

Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 34.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

67 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in her Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2625/10]

The details requested by the Deputy are in a tabular statement.

Reports Commissioned by the Department 2007

Title of Report

Report Completed

Reason for Report

Cost of Report

Review of the Operation of the National Employment Rights Authority’s (NERA) Information Services.

Yes

To make recommendations on the structures, processes and systems that should operate in NERA’s Information Unit in order to achieve the highest possible standard of excellence in terms of meeting customer needs

€95,711

Review and Regulation of Petroleum Handling and Storage Facilities

Yes

To provide advice and Recommendations to the Department in support of its review of the Dangerous Substances Acts 1972 and 1979 and related Regulations

€143,098

Value for money Review of Science Foundation Ireland

Yes

The review was undertaken as part of the Government’s Value for Money and Policy Review initiative

€189,038

Value for Money Review of the FÁS Competency Development Programme (CDP)

Due in Spring 2010

To examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the CDP in advancing the strategy of the Department insofar as it relates to training of the employed.

Being produced within Department

Research Report on Acquired Disability and Employment

Yes

To research issues surrounding acquired disability in employment and job retention

€79,896

Review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme

Yes

To review the Wage Subsidy Scheme

€47,190

Delivering a More Inclusive Workplace: Innovations from EQUAL (an EU European Social Fund (ESF) co-funded Community Initiative)

Yes

Reporting requirements under ESF co-funded programme

€23,128 (50% ESF co-funded)

Business Process Review of the Department’s Insolvency Payments Section

Yes

To carry out a Business Process Review of the Department’s Insolvency Payments Section

€20,364

Report on General Scheme of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill

Yes

Section 71 of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 makes provision for the Company Law Review Group (CLRG) to provide a report to the Minister both on the activities of the Group during the year, and on any matter concerning the functions of the Group or any matter referred to the Group for its advice.The Report is explanatory and accompanies Pillars A and B of the General Scheme of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill

€12,571

Report of the Business Regulation Forum (BRF)

Yes

The BRF was set up to advise the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on regulatory matters impacting on business. The Report sets out the findings of the BRF in this regard

€7,615

Forfás Report on Ireland’s Co-operative Sector

Yes

To provide an economic and social profile of the co-operative sector to assist the Department in reviewing the legislative and organisational framework for co-operatives

Nil (Cost borne by Forfás)

Market Research re Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE)

Yes

Measurement of company law compliance environment and the performance of the ODCE in the discharge of its functions

€44,790

Forensic Accounting Assignment for ODCE

Yes

Assistance in ODCE investigation

€121,053

Communications Strategy

Yes

Advice on dissemination of information to encourage compliance with Company Law

€32,670

Report of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) Procedures Revision Group

Yes

Report examined EAT’s procedures and looked at ways of improving customer service outcomes

€8,056

2008

Title of Report

Report Completed

Reason for Report

Cost of Report

Website Evaluation Report

Yes

Review of the Department’s website

€41,261

Report and Recommendations from the Consultation Process with Staff in the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment

Yes

To examine feedback from staff with a view to formulating an action plan to improve their working environment and thus help them to contribute more effectively to achieving my Department’s business objectives.

€18,000

Business Process Review and Gap Analysis of Operations and Activities of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)

Yes

To inform the formulation of requirements for an ICT Solution to meet the Authority’s case management and information provision requirements.

NIL

First Report on the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation

Yes

To outline progress made in implementing the Governments Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation since its adoption in 2006

€18,212

Evaluation of Discover Science and Engineering Programme (DSE)

Yes

Review of the efficacy of the DSE Science Awareness programme by a panel of international experts

€105,082 (Shared equally between the Department and Forfás)

Review of Irish membership of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

Anticipated publication date is early 2010

The review was undertaken as part of initial Government decision in 2004 upon joining EMBL.

€51,182 (Shared equally between the Department and Forfás.

Equality Survey under the European Social Fund (ESF) co-funded EQUAL Community Initiative

Yes

Aim of survey and report was to: Assess public views and knowledge of equality, with a particular emphasis on the labour market, education and training; Ascertain knowledge of actions to promote equality at EU and national level; and Identify public support for further action at EU and national level in relation to equality.

€23,850 (50% co-funded by the ESF)

Audit of “DAWN” project under ESF co-funded EQUAL Community Initiative

Yes

To review audit trail for ESF expenditure

€25,090 (50% co-funded by the ESF)

Review and assessment of EQUAL Community Initiative 2000-2006

Yes

To review and assess the EQUAL Community Initiative 2000-2006

€61,595

Review of the FÁS Science Challenge Initiative

Yes

To review expenditure to date under the Initiative and to make recommendations on its future

NIL (Review and Report were completed within Department)

Review of Labour Market Programmes by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ongoing

To review efficiency and effectiveness of labour Market programmes

NIL (Analytical support provided by Forfás.)

Data Backup and Storage Review

September 2008

To review the Department’s Data Backup and Storage environment and produce a report with recommendations.

€13,750

Productive Sector Operational Programme (PSOP) Managing Authority “Look Back” Audit (Parts 1 & 2)

Yes

To demonstrate compliance with EU Structural Funds Regulatory requirements

€38,130

Report on a named company

Yes

Assessment of a named company’s restructuring plan

€273,460

Environmental Goods and Services on the Island of Ireland — Enterprise Opportunities and Policy Implications

Yes

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment asked Forfás to examine the opportunities in the Environmental Goods and Service Sector

A study was commissioned as the basis for this report at a cost of €119,866, this cost was met equally by Forfás and InterTradeIreland. Associated printing costs of €3,902 were paid by Forfás.

Measuring Administrative Burdens in Company Law, Employment Law and Health & Safety Law

Yes

To measure the administrative burdens arising in Company Law, Employment Law and Health and Safety Law in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€58,249

Prioritising Health & Safety Information Obligations (2 reports)

Yes

To identify a list of priority information obligations arising from health and safety legislation for measurement in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€5,143

Prioritising Information Obligations in Company Law

Yes

To Identify a list of priority information obligations arising from company law for measurement in order to contribute to the 25% target on administrative burden reduction

€2,226

Listing of information obligations in Employment Law

Yes

To list the information obligations arising from employment law in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€4,650

Listing of information obligations in Company Law

Yes

To list the information obligations arising from company law in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€5,102

Listing of information obligations in Health & Safety Law

Yes

To list the information obligations arising in health and safety law in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€4,616

Provision of Statistical Analysis (re Audit Exemption Threshold)

Yes

Estimation of number of companies to benefit from change in Audit Exemption Threshold in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€182

Three Standard Cost Model measurements for the High Level Group on Business Regulation

Yes

To carry out a measurement of specific administrative burdens identified by the High Level Group on Business Regulation in order to contribute to the 25% target on reducing administrative burden for business

€5,707

Report on the Company Law Review Group (CLRG) Work Programme 2007

Yes

Section 71 of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 makes provision for the CLRG to provide a report to the Minister both on the activities of the Group during the year.

€8,935

Grocery Monitor Reports Numbers 1, 2 and & 3: (1) A Description of the Structure & Operation of Grocery Retailing & Wholesaling in Ireland 2001-2008 (2) A Description of the Structure & Operation of Grocery Retailing & Wholesaling in Ireland 2001-2008 (3) A Description of the Structure & Operation of Grocery Retailing & Wholesaling in Ireland 2001-2008

Yes

Following the repeal of the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987, the Competition Authority was requested to review and monitor developments in the grocery sector in light of the new regulatory environment.

Cost borne by the Competition Authority.

Report of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers

Yes

An Advisory Group was established in 2008 to carry out a review of the legislative provisions applying to media mergers.

€33,732

Companies Registration Office Business Process Engineering Review

Yes

Examination of processes in the Carlow and Dublin offices after establishment of Carlow office

€71,874

Companies Registration Office XBRL Feasibility Study

Yes

To test the feasibility of implementing the filing of XBRL financial statements

€31,683

Market Research for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) — continuation of 2007 research

Yes

Measurement of company law compliance environment and the performance of the ODCE in the discharge of its functions

€15,898

Forensic Accounting Assignment for the ODCE

Ongoing

Assistance in ODCE investigation

€137,772

2009

Title of Report

Report Completed

Reason for Report

Cost of Report

Dispute between the TEEU and employers in the electrical contracting industry

Yes

Enquiry commissioned under Section 38(2) of the 1990 Industrial Relations Act

€40,000

Science, Technology and Innovation: Delivering the Smart Economy

Yes

To outline progress made by Ireland in developing the Smart Economy through strategic investment in R&D

€12,648

First report of the Enterprise Feedback Group to Tánaiste (see entry under “Task Forces” also)

To be published shortly

To enable enterprise representatives to provide feedback on the implementation of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) 2006-2013 thereby informing the formulation of future STI policy

Oracle Software Asset Management

Yes

Analyse software usage and license compliance.

€7,560

Redundancy, Insolvency Recovery (RIR) Feasibility Study (Technical Upgrade & Migration to Redundancy Payments System (RPS) Platform)

Yes

To determine the feasibility, of capitalising on the hardware investment for the Redundancy Payments System through a migration and technical upgrade of the Insolvency Payments System

€10,328

Report of the High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise (see entry under “Task Forces” also)

Yes

The Report was the formal output of the High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise

Cost met by Forfás

Assessment of Policy Options for Credit Insurance

Yes

To assess possible provision of State supported Export Credit Insurance

Work undertaken by Forfás

Forensic Assessment of Ireland’s Credit Insurance Market during 2008 and 2009

Yes

To undertake a forensic assessment of the Credit Insurance market in Ireland

€209,564

Report of the Procurement Innovation Group

Yes

To improve public procurement practices and SME access

Retail-related Import and Distribution Study

Yes

The Competition Authority was asked to carry out a study of the retail import and distribution sector aimed at bringing greater transparency to structure and pricing in the retail sector.

Cost borne by the Competition Authority

Report of the Company Law Review Group (CLRG) Work Programme 2008

Yes

Section 71 of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 makes provision for the CLRG to provide a report to the Minister both on the activities of the Group during the year, and on any matter concerning the functions of the Group or any matter referred to the Group for its advice.

Task Forces Commissioned by the Department

No Task Forces were commissioned in 2007. The following is the position for 2008 & 2009:

2008

Name of Task Forces

Work of Task Force Completed

Reason for Task Force

Cost of Task Force

Enterprise Feedback Group (see entry under “Reports” also)

Ongoing

To enable enterprise representatives to provide feedback on the implementation of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) 2006-2013 thereby informing the formulation of future STI policy

Travel and Subsistence allowance is provided to members at standard rates

High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise (see entry under “Reports” also)

Yes

The High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise was established pursuant to a commitment in the Government’s framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, Building Ireland’s Smart Economy

Miscellaneous costs totalling less than €1,000

Sales Law Review Group

Ongoing

To review the legislation governing the sale of goods and supply of services

€62,128 The 2009 expenditure includes a payment of €14,000 on a research report entitled ‘Evolution of the Sale of Goods Act 1893 in Other Jurisdictions and Lessons for the Reform of Irish Sales Law’ that was commissioned by the Review Group in September 2009.

2009

Name of Task Forces

Work of Task Force Completed

Reason for Task Force

Cost of Task Force

Mid-West Task Force Interim Report

No

The Task Force was established following 1,900 jobs lost in Dell in 2009. The Task Force was to examine economic impacts and make recommendations.

Nil to date

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

68 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by her Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2728/10]

There are no tribunals of inquiry currently being conducted under the auspices of my Department.

Departmental Bodies.

John McGuinness

Question:

69 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of her Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2742/10]

In the time available since this Question was tabled my Department has not been able to collect information on all the issues raised by the Deputy.

I will forward the information to the Deputy.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

70 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is appropriate that the injuries board should have on its website an interactive guide (details supplied) showing the way a person may receive compensation for an injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2811/10]

The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) was established in April, 2004 as part of the Government's insurance reform programme, with the aim of allowing certain classes of personal injury claim, where liability is uncontested, to be settled without the need for the costs associated with litigation.

PIAB has changed the personal injury claims process in a wholly positive way, with claimants' waiting time reduced, on average, by more than 27 months, from 3 years under the old system to 7 months, and overheads now reduced by some €50 million per annum. Awards are made at the same levels as the Courts and according to a Book of Quantum published by PIAB in 2004.

While the content and format of the PIAB website is a day-to-day matter for the Board itself, I understand that the estimator is a visual display of the information contained in the Book of Quantum and is representative of the range of values contained therein. It is of particular benefit to claimants who may not have the same access to this information as insurance companies, who would typically be the respondents in personal injury cases.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

71 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review the book of quantum to bring awards into line with other OECD countries regarding the injuries board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2812/10]

Under the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003, a function of the Board is to prepare and publish a Book of Quantum containing general guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded or assessed in respect of specified types of injury.

The Book of Quantum was compiled by independent, internationally recognised consultants based on data from Courts, insurers and self-insured sectors and it was published in 2004.

The Book of Quantum shows, for various injuries, the ranges of compensation to which people may be entitled. Through the use of the Book of Quantum the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) delivers assessments at the same level as those awarded by the Courts in a prompt and transparent manner at considerable savings and significantly quicker than the previous adversarial system. Since its establishment it has been responsible for a significant reduction in the costs of insurance premiums. This has been of significant benefit to consumers and businesses in Ireland. I have no plans at this time for the Book to be reviewed.

Industrial Development.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

72 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific programme and initiatives that exist to assist persons, who have recently been made redundant or have been put on notice, to establish their own business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2813/10]

FÁS Employment Services provides a range of services and supports to all Jobseekers, including Jobseekers who have been made redundant. Clients can register at one of the 71 local FÁS Employment Service offices nationwide, for on-site career guidance and job placement services.

Various initiatives have also been put in place to assist the growing number of redundant workers and the unemployed. In 2009, FÁS more than doubled the number of openings on its training and work experience courses to over 130,000 places. This was achieved by running a range of new short courses opening up free evening courses to the unemployed and providing a range of on-line blended (internet with tutor support) courses. As part of this process start-your-own-business training has been increased to assist redundant workers who may be interested in establishing their own business.

In addition to the FÁS provision the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) can provide support to the micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases. The criteria under which financial assistance is available is based primarily on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size, or proposed size, of the enterprise.

Any individual who wishes to seek advice on setting up their own business can contact their local CEB to discuss what assistance may be available to them.

In addition to the training and advice supports provided by FÁS and the CEBs the Department of Social and Family Affairs' Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is aimed at encouraging people who are receiving social welfare payments to become self-employed. The Scheme provides a weekly payment for unemployed people who set up their own business. It allows these individuals to keep a portion of their social welfare payment for 2 years and is not subject to tax or Pay Related Social Insurance.

I should also mention that in addition to the aforementioned supports not for profit organizations such as First Step finance provide assistance and funding to microenterprises. Finally, I understand that a European Progress Microfinance Facility was approved by the European Parliament in December 2009 and is due to come into force in early 2010.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

73 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recommencing the community youth training programme to provide employment and training for unemployed construction workers and apprentices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2814/10]

The Community Youth Training Programme was introduced in the late 1980s and provided training for unemployed construction workers and time served apprentices to complete industry approved community based training projects.

In 1993 the new Standards Based Apprenticeship Scheme was introduced which required apprentices to be registered with a FÁS approved employer, who has the range of work, range of equipment and skilled craftspersons to train apprentices in the relevant trades.

The Community Youth Training Programme as previously constituted would not provide the necessary range of work and skills development in a commercial environment to ensure that apprentices reach the minimum standard of skills, knowledge and competence required by Industry.

Industrial Development.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

74 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recommencing the enterprise development programme to assist newly redundant persons to set up their own business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2815/10]

State assistance to small businesses in Ireland is provided through a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses.

Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing micro-enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of priming, expansion/development and feasibility/innovation grants. In addition, the CEBs deliver a range of non-financial supports to improve management capability development within micro-enterprises designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow. All of the CEBs operate to the same criteria in relation to the assistance which they can offer i.e. they can support the establishment and/or the development of enterprises provided that the projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability and which over time may develop into strong exporting entities.

In order to more fully explore the range of options that may be available, individuals are advised to contact their local CEB to discuss their business needs with the relevant staff of the Board. Contact details for individual CEBs can be found by accessing the following website: www.enterpriseboards.ie.

Departmental Agencies.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

75 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the information technology director of FÁS sought an audit into the Job Ireland website prior to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2816/10]

In September 2000, an internal group was established within FÁS to review the Jobs Ireland website. A decision was taken in light of this review to close that site. An internal audit investigation into the website was not sought. The brand name Jobs Ireland was later adopted for use in relation to all FÁS recruitment activities including JobBank.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Willie Penrose

Question:

76 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the circular, which was promised by the Department of Finance in December 2009, will be furnished regarding the work placement scheme programme; the reason same has been delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2846/10]

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. In principle, the Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The aim of the Programme is to assist unemployed people, including graduates, to establish or maintain links to the labour market. This should better position unemployed people to avail of new job opportunities when they arise.

It is understood that the Department of Finance intends to issue guidance, in the near future, to Central Government Departments and Offices on how their participation in the Programme might best be managed.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

77 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of public sector bodies which have applied for and been approved for the FÁS work placement scheme in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2861/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

78 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of private sector employers who have applied for and been approved for the FÁS work placement scheme in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2862/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The aim of the Programme is to assist unemployed people, including graduates, to establish or maintain links to the labour market. This should better position unemployed people to avail of new job opportunities when they arise.

In 2009 64 Public Sector bodies applied and were approved for the FÁS Work Placement Scheme in 2009.

In 2009 559 Private Sector employers applied and were approved for the FÁS Work Placement Scheme in 2009. There is a need to encourage more enterprises to participate in the programme and FÁS are continuing to promote the programme with employers' representative bodies such as IBEC and ISME.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

79 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed by FÁS at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2863/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in a table:

FÁS Staff

2007

2008

2009

2,265.46

2,272.14

2,055.4

Of the numbers indicated above 99.35 persons were employed on fixed-term contracts in 2007; 90.1 persons likewise in 2008 and 10.5 persons in 2009.

Information on temporary staff is currently being compiled and will be communicated to the Deputy when it is available.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

80 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applicants who have been placed and commenced work under the FÁS work placement programme; the location of these placements by county; the FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2864/10]

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The aim of the Programme is to assist unemployed people, including graduates, to establish or maintain links to the labour market. This should better position unemployed people to avail of new job opportunities when they arise.

As at 20th January 2010 there have been 257 placements on the Work Placement Programme. There are currently 995 vacancies for places under the programme. I have outlined in tables the location of these placements by county and FÁS region.

The location of placements on the Work Placement Programme by county

FÁS Region

Areas/Counties

Number of Placements Commenced

Dublin Central

Baggot Court, D’Olier House, Parnell Street, Ballyfermot, Cabra

80

Dublin North

Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Finglas

22

Dublin South

Rathfarnham, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown

18

Midlands

Kildare, Laois , Longford, Offaly, Westmeath

10

Mid West

Clare, Limerick, Tipperary

17

North East

Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan

11

North West

Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo

3

South East

Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow

27

South West

Cork, Kerry

31

West

Galway, Mayo, Roscommon

38

Total

257

The FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled

FÁS Region

Areas/Counties

Number of Available Posts

Dublin Central

Baggot Court, D’Olier House, Parnell Street, Ballyfermot, Cabra

152

Dublin North

Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Finglas

83

Dublin South

Rathfarnham, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown

103

Midlands

Kildare, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath

62

Mid West

Clare, Limerick, Tipperary

89

North East

Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan

88

North West

Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo

68

South East

Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow

143

South West

Cork, Kerry

106

West

Galway, Mayo, Roscommon

101

Total

995

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

81 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from her Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3209/10]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of those Agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out.

Agency

Employed Dec 07

Employed Dec 08

Employed Dec 09

Enterprise Ireland

831.5

874

841

Industrial Development Authority

273

276

268

FÁS:

2,241

2,241

2,055.4

Apprenticeship Programme

24.5

31

Health & Safety Authority

186

200.3

193.3

SFADCo

130

128.5

118

NSAI

160

157.3

192

Forfás

120

130

117.5

Science Foundation of Ireland

36

50

54

Competition Authority

51

54

43.2

IAASA

10

12

12

County Enterprise Boards

146

147.3

143.2

Intertrade Ireland

42

40

42

National Consumer Agency

62

54

42

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

71

72

74

Flood Relief.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

82 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department alone or with the cooperation of other Departments is willing to carry out a survey of the areas throughout the country that have been the subject to flooding over the past 20 years with a view to carrying out the necessary remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/10]

For several years, the Office of Public Works has held a significant amount of valuable historical data on flood events occurring nationally over the past century. These data are available on the Flood Hazard Maps website, www.floodmaps.ie.

Following the Review of Flood Policy in 2004, the OPW was assigned lead agency responsibility for the management of flood risk. Central to the policy is a Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which focuses on the assessment of flood risk and the long-term planning of the flood risk management measures throughout the country, including non-structural and structural measures. A constituent part of these risk assessments is reference to records of previous flooding events in each catchment.

The CFRAM Programme is being delivered through the CFRAM Studies, led by the OPW, and undertaken in partnership with local authorities, in consultation with stakeholders and the public. The CFRAM Studies are comprehensive catchment-based studies focused on areas of potentially significant risk, for which detailed flood maps are produced and flood risk management measures are assessed. These measures will be prioritised and set out in a Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP). The CFRAM Programme will, as well as delivering on national policy, meet the requirements of the 2007 EU ‘Floods' Directive. The procurement process for the national programme of CFRAM Studies has been initiated, and the studies will commence in 2010.

OPW is also undertaking a number of other flood risk management programmes, including:

Flood Hazard Mapping;

Flood Studies Update;

Strategic Hydro-Meteorological Review;

Research and Development.

These Programmes will assist in addressing existing and future flood risk by helping to focus on a series of measures regarding sustainable flood prevention, protection and mitigation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

83 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to address the issue of flooding of residential properties throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2908/10]

Since the introduction of the Arterial Drainage Amendment Act, 1995, allowing the Office of Public Works to undertake urban flood relief projects to protect residential properties and businesses, approximately €200 million has been invested on capital projects in the intervening years, with over €112 million spent in the last five years alone. Since 2003, OPW have completed schemes in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Kilkenny City, Leixlip, Co. Kildare and on the River Dodder in Counties Meath and Dublin.

OPW has currently profiled expenditure in excess of €200 million on about fifteen major capital schemes from now to 2014, with a Budget allocation for 2010 of €50 million. 2010 will see the first phases of major schemes being completed in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ennis, Co. Clare, Waterford City and Fermoy, Co. Cork. Construction works will continue in 2010 on Schemes at Mornington, Co. Meath and the River Dodder in Dublin. It is also planned to commence construction of the second phases of schemes in Clonmel, Mallow and Ennis in the first half of 2010, along with the scheme planned for Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

While these schemes are at construction, the detailed design and procurement processes for civil engineering contractors for the second phases of schemes in Waterford City and Fermoy will continue. Other major schemes, which will be progressed through detailed design and procurement processes in 2010, include Arklow and Bray, both in Co. Wicklow. In addition to all these schemes, it is hoped to commence construction on the main Drainage Scheme in Carlow Town, which includes a flood defence scheme for which OPW is providing funding.

All these schemes form the core of the investment planned over the next five years. In parallel with the major schemes being progressed, a Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme was initiated in 2009 where OPW are providing funding for minor, localised flood relief work to be undertaken by local authorities. An initial amount of €6m has been allocated for this in 2010. This will be reviewed when all applications have been received from local authorities.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

84 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2627/10]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the years 2007 to 2009 is contained in tables.

2007

Name of report/Task force commissioned

Who carried out the report

Reason for report

Completion date

Cost/ Estimated cost of report

Value for Money and Policy Review of the Grant-in-Aid to Ordnance Survey Ireland

Howarth Consulting Ireland Limited

To assess the objectives of the grant-in aid to Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi); to identify improved output definitions and monitoring arrangements for future editions of the Service Level Agreement with OSi; and to advise on the placement of oversight of the agency.

Apr 2007

57,475

Risk Review for Accountant’s Branch/ Paymaster General’s Office

PwC

To review risk management in Account’s Branch/ Paymaster General’s Office

Apr 2007

49,624.06

Review of remuneration of CEOs of Commercial State Bodies

Hay Management Consultants

Review pay of CEOs of Commercial State Bodies

Jul 2007

191,180

2008

Name of report / Task force commissioned

Who carried out the report

Reason for report

Completion date

Cost/ Estimated cost of report

Review of the NationalPensions Reserve Fund (NPRF)

Mr Maurice O’ Connell

Review of the NPRF

Nov 2008

Nil

Value for Money and Policy Review of the Construction Procurement Reform Initiative — Independent Assessment Report

Petrus Consulting

Required under the Value for Money and Policy Review Process.

Oct 2008

4,114

2009

Name of report/Task force commissioned

Who carried out the report

Reason for report

Completion date

Cost/ Estimated cost of report

Legal Due Diligence of Anglo Irish Bank

Arthur Cox Solicitors

Pre-nationalisation due diligence

Jan 2009

135,000

Legal Due Diligence of EBS

Arthur Cox Solicitors

High level Legal issues Report on EBS

Dec 2009

230,000

Legal Due Diligence of Irish Nationwide Building Society

Arthur Cox Solicitors

High level Legal issues Report on INBS

Ongoing

725,000

Covered Institutions Remuneration Oversight Committee (CIROC)

Independent Committee established by the Minister for Finance

Under the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008, the Minister for Finance established the CIROC comprising three members appointed by him to oversee all remuneration plans of senior executives of the covered institutions.

February 2009

47,178

Review of Bank Submissions to the EU

PWC

Review the restructuring plans prepared by AIB, BOI and Anglo Irish Bank for the EU Commission.

Ongoing

Commission on Taxation Report 2009

Commission on Taxation

To consider how the tax system can support economic activity and promote increased employment and prosperity while providing the resources necessary to meet the cost of public services and other Government outlays in the medium and longer term.

Aug 2009

737,848

Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes

Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes

The purpose of the Special Group was to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Government Department to review the scope for reducing or discontinuing expenditure programmes, to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances, to make recommendations on reallocation of staffing or expenditure resources between public service organisations, and to examine and make recommendations for further rationalisation of State agencies.

Jul 2009

42,323

Departmental Expenditure.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

85 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if there are arrangements in place to ensure that payments for work carried out on the new Department of Defence headquarters in Newbridge, County Kildare to the main contractor are passed onto subcontractors for work done and to further subcontractors in order to ensure that smaller firms are not put in a vulnerable financial position through non-payment for work carried out. [2636/10]

There are no such arrangements in place under the conditions for Design & Build Contracts.

However, if the Deputy is aware of an issue in this regard, he should furnish the relevant details and I will ensure that the situation is followed up by my office.

Tax Code.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

86 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if a re-evaluation of the criteria for the granting of the artists’ tax exemption has been undertaken or is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2663/10]

Section 195 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides an exemption from tax for the profits or gains arising to a person from the publication, production or sale of an original and creative work which has artistic or cultural merit in any of the five categories set out in the legislation, namely, a book or other writing; a play; a musical composition; a painting or other like picture; or a sculpture. The legislation does not include a definition of the term ‘the arts'.

Under the legislation, the Revenue Commissioners are required to make a determination as to whether or not a work has artistic or cultural merit before the exemption can be awarded. The Commissioners are specifically required by the legislation to make their determination having regard to the Guidelines. The Guidelines set out definitions of the terms original and creative, artistic merit and cultural merit. They also set out specific criteria to be taken into account in making determinations relating to works of non-fiction and provide for exclusions from what is to be regarded as original and creative in respect of certain works (e.g. textbooks, works of journalism and functional or utilitarian works). The Guidelines are available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.

The Guidelines in use currently were drawn up in 1994 by the Arts Council and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, with the consent of the then Minister for Finance.

I understand that these guidelines are currently being reviewed by the bodies mentioned in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners and that considerable progress has been made. I await the outcome of the current review.

Tax Yield.

Richard Bruton

Question:

87 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the official statistics on income distribution published by his Department focus solely on tax cases as defined by the Revenue Commissioners instead of looking at the distribution across individual earners; if it is possible for the Revenue Commissioners to derive accurate estimates of the distribution of individual earners from the tax returns or at least make accurate estimates of the distribution; his views on routinely presenting data in this way in order that such data as the percentage of income tax paid by top earners could be judged according to the different measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2719/10]

Generally speaking the statistics on incomes published by my Department in relation to income tax are based on tax cases. This is clearly stated in publications and in replies to Parliamentary Questions.

The vast majority of married income earners choose to be assessed jointly for income tax purposes. While it may be possible, with the assistance of significant development to the existing computer-based databases and costing model, to produce income statistics for income tax based on individual earners, this is problematic for various reasons, in particular given the facility for married couples to transfer credits and, in part, the standard rate band.

In the interests of consistency, I am reluctant to alter the way income tax statistics are currently presented. Furthermore, I am not convinced that presenting income tax statistics in a manner different to the way income tax is actually assessed and collected provides significant additional value.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

88 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2730/10]

There were no tribunals of inquiry conducted by my Department.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

89 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2744/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the tables. Table A lists the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department in receipt of Exchequer funding and their Budget allocation for 2009. Table B lists other state bodies under the aegis of my Department not in receipt of Exchequer funding and as such information on budgets is not included. In the period in question no bodies or agencies under the aegis of my Department have been amalgamated and none is scheduled to be amalgamated in 2010. The Committee on Performance Awards has been stood down with effect from the 1 January 2009, while the National Assets Management Agency was set up on the 19th December 2009 under the umbrella of the National Treasury Management Agency.

Table A: Bodies in receipt of Exchequer Funding

Body

Budget for 2009

Decentralisation Implementation Group

28,150

Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMA)

371,500

Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

3,762,000*

Valuation Tribunal

300,000

Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector

55,000

Committee for Performance Awards

48,000

Civil Service Arbitration Board

70,000

Civil Service Disciplinary Code Appeal Board

Independent Mediator for the Civil Service

Outside Appointments Board

20,000

National Treasury Management Agency

41,000,000

National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee

National Pensions Reserve Fund

National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission

State Claims Agency

State Claims Agency Policy Commission

National Development Finance Agency

National Asset Management Agency

The NTMA acts as the State Claims Agency, and is the body through which the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) and National Asset Management Agency perform their functions. The National Treasury Management Agency manages the National Pensions Reserve Fund and in this respect costs of approximately €23 million were incurred and charged directly to the Fund in 2009.

*The total budget for the running costs of Special EU Programmes Body in 2009 is €3.762m of which the Department of Finance is responsible for funding €1.709m. This figure represents a higher than average funding figure as the costs associated with the relocation of the Special EU Programmes Body's Belfast Office have been included.

Table B: Bodies not in receipt of Exchequer Funding

Name of Body

Interim Board of the Civil Service Childcare Initiative

Disciplinary Appeals Board

Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland

Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority(Financial Regulator)

Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal

Financial Services Ombudsman Council

Financial Services Ombudsman

Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel

Financial Services Consultative Industry Panel

Investor Compensation Company Ltd.

An Post National Lottery Company

As the Deputy may be aware, €4bn in capital was provided to Anglo Irish Bank from Exchequer funds in 2009 to protect the economy from the wider losses that would have occurred in the event of a failure of the bank. Costs incurred in the provision of capital to Anglo are recoupable under the terms of the Subscription Agreement concluded with the Bank. Also, costs incurred by the State in relation to Anglo under the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) 2008 and Anglo Irish Bank Act 2009 are recoupable under the terms of each Act.

National Asset Management Agency.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

90 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the person who owns an asset when the National Asset Management Agency has taken over a non-performing loan; the person who has the right to dispose of an asset arising from a non-performing loan, and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2779/10]

NAMA will purchase eligible loans from participating institutions and will manage these loans with the intention of generating the best possible return for the taxpayer. NAMA will, in effect, step into the shoes of the participating institution that has transferred the loan to NAMA. Its interaction with each borrower, including the enforcement of security, will be governed by the relevant loan contract. In general, where a borrower is in default, NAMA will have the option of enforcing security which in many cases will involve the seizing of property. However, the details of the security and any restrictions applying to the borrower will differ depending on the content of each loan agreement.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

91 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the action that will be taken by the National Assets Management Agency regarding unfinished shopping centres, housing estates and apartments which remain unsold and unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2805/10]

NAMA is being established to purchase certain portfolios of risky loan assets from the balance sheets of participating institutions. In the course of its operation it is expected that NAMA will take possession of various properties. Under the NAMA Act, NAMA will have access to working capital in order for it to complete developments or projects where it is commercially advantageous to do so. It will be a matter for the NAMA Board to manage and deal with acquired properties in a commercial fashion and on a case by case basis with the intention of generating the best achievable financial return for the State.

Tax Code.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

92 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his views on amending section 21 of the Finance Act 2009 to extend this tax exemption to start up partnerships. [2817/10]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the corporation tax exemption that was introduced for new start-up companies in Section 31 of Finance (No. 2) Act 2008. The provisions of that section provide for relief from corporation tax, for the first 3 years of operation, for companies incorporated on and from 14 October 2008 that commence to carry on a new trade in 2009. The relief is granted by reducing the corporation tax on the profits of the new trade and on the gains from disposal of assets used for the purpose of the new trade to nil. Full relief is available where the corporation tax otherwise payable by the company in respect of any of its first 3 years is €40,000 or less. There is marginal relief where the corporation tax liability is between €40,000 and €60,000. Where the corporation tax liability is €60,000 or over in any of the first three years, no relief is available for that year. The extension of the scheme to companies that commence trading in 2010 was announced in Budget 2010.

The Deputy will be aware of the recommendations of the Commission on Taxation in relation to this exemption. The Commission proposed that the exemption be extended to non corporates but that it should terminate in 2011. The scheme while still only available to corporates continues to be available for three years. Therefore, new start-ups that commence trading in 2010 can continue to avail of the exemption up to and including 2012.

The tax exemption does not apply to partnerships, sole traders or to other non-corporates. It is important that tax reliefs are targeted to the areas which have the potential to provide the best return. The incentive aims to encourage new entrepreneurial activities in the productive sectors of our economy and provide opportunities for increased employment in those sectors. To make it available on a broader basis would in all likelihood make it more costly without delivering a return commensurate with the increased cost.

EU Directives.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

93 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been brought to an EU directive which allows public tenders to be exempt from the normal process when the majority of employees have disabilities; when this directive will be transposed into law here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/10]

The current public procurement Directives, 2004/18/EC covering procurement by public sector bodies and 2004/17/EC covering procurement by entities in certain public utility sectors, allow EU Member States to reserve the right to participate in the award of public contracts to sheltered workshops or to participants in sheltered employment programmes. These Directives have been transposed into Irish law under Statutory Instrument 329 of 2006 covering public sector procurement and Statutory Instrument 50 of 2007 covering utility sector procurement. Regulations 16 and 30, respectively, of these Instruments enable contracting bodies to reserve participation in public contract award procedures to those in sheltered employment.

Tax Code.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

94 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be accrued by abolishing the flat rate expenses system for income tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2825/10]

The position is that tax law provides that employees and office holders may claim a tax deduction in respect of: (a) the cost of travelling expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of their employment or office; and (b) the cost of other expenses incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of their employment or office.

As regards an expenses claim under (b) above, I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that, in strictness, each employee or office holder should submit his or her individual expenses claim to Revenue. However, by way of long standing practice stretching back over 40 years, the expenses deduction due for certain categories of employee are, for administrative ease, agreed between Revenue and the relevant representative bodies. These agreed rates of expenses are granted to individuals in their determination of tax credits for PAYE purposes and have become known as "flat rate expenses".

Therefore, some employees obtain their statutory tax deduction in respect of expenses via the administrative "flat rate expenses" regime whilst others obtain their tax deduction on foot of an individual claim submitted to the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of the tax deduction in respect of expenses (other than expenses of travel and subsistence) incurred by employees for the income tax year 2006, the most recent year for which final information is available, is estimated at about €70 million. It is not clear what savings, if any, would result in the abolition of the "flat rate expenses" regime as it would still be open to employees to claim their expenses in the normal way in accordance with the relevant tax legislation.

Departmental Expenditure.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

95 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money raised through the National Lottery that he will allocate to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2010; if the money will be used for community and sports projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2837/10]

Appendix 1 of the Revised Estimates for Public Services each year gives a breakdown by Department of all the expenditure areas that are supported by the proceeds of the National Lottery. It is estimated that a total of €272m will be available in 2010 from the proceeds of the National Lottery and the breakdown of the allocations between Departments will be published shortly as part of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2010. Since 2005, the expenditure allocations for the relevant subheads exceed the amount available from the National Lottery surplus. Therefore, these subheads are now described as being "part-funded by the National Lottery", and the balance of the expenditure allocation for the subheads comes from normal Exchequer sources.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

96 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the workers in the community and voluntary sector, that receive block grants from the State, that will be subject to the public service wage reduction; and if persons who were exempt from the public service pension levy will also be exempt from this pay cut. [2841/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 48643/09 and 2047/10 which were taken together and answered on Tuesday 19 January 2010. The pay reductions provided for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 apply to staff of bodies that receive grants from the State only where the body concerned is a public service body as defined in the Act. The Act includes among the definition of a public service body — "a body (other than a body specified or referred to in the Schedule) that is wholly or partly funded directly or indirectly out of money provided by the Oireachtas or from the Central Fund or the growing produce of that Fund and in respect of which a public service pension scheme exists or applies or may be made".

Róisín Shortall

Question:

97 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the circumstances under which a person who is not a public servant but whose employment is entirely funded by public funds may be subject to the pension levy; the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2859/10]

In summary, the pension-related deduction introduced by section 2 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 applies to (i) public servants who are (ii) employed by or hold an office or position in a public service body and who (iii) are members of a public service pension scheme or are entitled to a benefit under such a scheme or receive a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme.

Public Service bodies include the Civil Service, the Garda, the Permanent Defence Forces, Garda Force, local authorities, the Health Service Executive and vocational education committees. In addition any statutory body or company or body corporate (or subsidiary) established and financed wholly or partly by a Minister (whether by share issue or guaranteed loan or money provided) in respect of which a public service pension scheme exists or applies or may be made is a public service body for the purposes of the Act. Any body funded by the Oireachtas or by the Central Fund and in respect of which a public service pension scheme exists or applies or may be made also is defined as a public service body.

As the Deputy is aware, the Act was introduced in the context of the widely accepted need to give priority to the stabilisation of the public finances and to reflect the substantial benefits generally available to staff under public service pension terms.

Departmental Expenditure.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

98 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the amount that was spent by him on flood relief works in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

105 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the amount allocated in the budget of the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for flood relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2952/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 105 together.

The tables set out the allocation for flood relief activities, for Capital Works, Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric headings, for the Office of Public Works and the subsequent expenditure under these heading in the years from 2004 to 2009.

Capital Works Expenditure

Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Allocation

€20.55M

€20.00M

€20.00M

€32.00M

€30.00M

€43.00M

Expenditure

€15.40M

€16.20M

€14.40M

€23.10M

€24.90M

€36.50M

Major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations and invariably have lengthy lead-in times. Underspending on river based engineering works can arise for a variety of factors including:

weather related problems,

unexpected archaeological finds,

the discovery of contamination,

and other environmental/ecological and local issues.

Maintenance and Hydrometric Expenditure

Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Allocation

€16.38M

€16.83M

€19.58M

€20.22M

€21.44M

€20.11M

Expenditure

€16.60M

€16.75M

€18.00M

€20.73M

€21.20M

€19.11M

Since 1996 OPW has invested approximately €200M on Capital Flood Relief Projects, with over €130M invested in the 2004-2009 period in question. OPW has currently profiled expenditure in excess of €200 million on about fifteen major capital schemes from now to 2014. The Government has allocated €50M for this area in 2010 and construction works on about twelve major projects will continue throughout this year as well as taking other projects through the various stages of development. A significant amount of the allocation will be spent on the Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme where OPW will provide funding to local authorities to undertake such localised flood relief work themselves. An initial amount of €6m has been allocated for this in 2010. This may be reviewed when all applications have been received from local authorities.

OPW has also spent approximately €112M in the period in question under the Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric Programmes. An allocation of €18.326M has been provided for these Programmes in 2010 bringing the total allocation for OPW Flood Relief Activities to €68.326M. Overall, OPW is satisfied that the allocation for 2010 will be fully expended.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

99 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the amounts returned unspent to his Department in respect of moneys allocated to local authorities for flood relief works in respect of the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2870/10]

Funding is provided by the Office of Public Works on an ongoing basis to local authorities to undertake agreed flood relief works, of a major nature, under the local authorities' own powers. Since 2009, OPW has also introduced a Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme where funding is provided to the local authorities for localised flood relief works. No monies from the funding provided under any of these headings has been returned unspent to OPW.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

100 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the additional funds given to the Office of Public Works or any other agencies to address the aftermath of the flooding of November 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/10]

In the aftermath of the severe flooding of November 2009, the Government undertook a number of initiatives to address the situation. The most pressing issue at the time was to provide assistance to those immediately affected and also to assist the Local Authorities in the post-flood clean-up. An initial sum of €10m was provided for a Humanitarian Aid Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, to alleviate the hardship caused. The Government also indicated that further funding would be made available, if required.

A further €2m was allocated for a targeted Fodder Aid Scheme to be administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to assist farmers who were experiencing a fodder shortage, which might have led to financial hardship and potential animal welfare issues on affected farms. Funding of €14m was provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the post-flood clean-up by Local Authorities.

In addition to these immediate initiatives, the Government has allocated €50m for flood risk management activities for 2010, which is administered by the Office of Public Works. This increased allocation will allow OPW to extend the number of Capital Works schemes already underway throughout the country. Within the overall allocation, I have also announced an increase for Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works to be undertaken by Local Authorities in 2010. This Programme, which I initiated in 2009, has been increased initially to €6m, and is to cater for works or studies which can be completed in 2010. OPW is currently seeking applications from Local Authorities, and, when the applications are received and evaluated, the allocation may be reviewed.

Departmental Staff.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

101 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed in each Government Department at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2873/10]

The number of staff employed in each Government Department at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 is set out in tabular form.

Non Industrial Civil Servants

2007

2008

2009

Department

36,619.65

37,421.35

35,682.83

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food

4,294.08

4,203.94

3,845.18

Arts, Sport & Tourism

171.30

174.43

150.53

Attorney General

128.68

127.89

124.39

Central Statistics Office

825.08

846.97

792.51

Chief State Solicitor

236.63

244.93

229.63

Commission For Public Service Appointments

9.00

12.00

8.80

Communications Energy & Nat. Resources

320.46

288.41

273.32

Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

273.82

272.56

255.66

Comptroller & Auditor General

139.90

153.90

150.50

Courts Service

1,112.76

1,098.01

1,026.13

Defence

398.64

402.04

373.16

Director Of Public Prosecutions

191.60

196.80

194.92

Education & Science Group

1,600.88

1,660.58

1,574.04

Enterprise Trade & Employment Group

1,046.48

1,103.24

1,011.51

Environment Heritage & Local Government

1,275.92

1,204.42

1,084.23

Finance

658.13

630.57

565.60

Foreign Affairs Group

1,558.70

1,543.95

1,566.55

Health Group

603.56

514.10

485.07

Justice Group

4,689.54

5,288.56

5,017.05

National Gallery

54.50

59.00

55.50

Office Of Public Works

700.58

721.83

669.56

Oireachtas

464.70

440.71

416.12

Ombudsman

85.49

93.73

88.23

Presidents Establishment

22.23

21.30

21.30

Prisons

3,501.15

3,641.17

3,576.87

Public Appointments Service

150.83

146.36

111.66

Revenue Commissioners

6,660.77

6,658.66

6,118.30

Social & Family Affairs

4,486.89

4,610.44

4,907.57

State Laboratory

89.20

91.05

91.40

Taoiseach

243.08

232.86

210.30

Transport

468.04

578.71

534.21

Valuation Office

157.03

158.23

153.03

The numbers correspond to full-time equivalent staff serving in General Service, Professional and Technical grades in the civil service for the period specified.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

102 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff in each Department who have applied for and the number who have been approved for the incentivised scheme of early retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2874/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

103 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed in agencies that derive from Government Departments, who have applied for and the number who have been approved for the incentivised scheme of early retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2875/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular form and is based on information reported to my Department to date. In summary, the information reported to my Department to date indicates that some 1,106 Civil Servants have applied for the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) and that 985 Civil Servants have had their applications approved to date. These Civil Service numbers are based on returns from all Departments and Offices.

In the wider public service, some 1,147 Public Servants have applied for the ISER and some 649 Public Servants have had their applications approved to date. The processing of applications under the ISER was suspended in the Health Sector as a result of a direction by IMPACT and some other health unions to their members not to cooperate with redeployment.

Department — Ministerial Vote Groups

Civil Servants

Public Servants

Applicants

Approved

Applicants

Approved

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food

125

108

23

20

Arts, Sports & Tourism

4

4

5

5

Communications, Energy & Natural Resources

9

7

Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

12

12

7

7

Defence

15

15

1

1

Education & Science

41

31

69

45

Enterprise, Trade & Employment

43

43

82

79

Environment, Heritage & Local Government

53

45

**307

**277

Finance Group

*427

*424

Foreign Affairs

17

16

Health & Children

26

26

649

211

Justice, Equality & Law Reform

144

122

Social & Family Affairs

127

75

Taoiseach

27

24

Transport

36

33

4

4

TOTAL

1,106

985

1,147

649

*Of which 347 are from the Revenue Commissioners.

**Includes Local Authorities from which there were 300 applicants and 272 applications approved.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

104 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2876/10]

The information requested is set out in tabular form.

Agency

2007

2008

2009

Public Service Appointments

147.35

144.86

129.16

Commission for Public Service Appointments

9.00

12.00

9.00

State Laboratory

91.20

92.85

91.75

Valuation Office (including Valuation Tribunal)

163.00

163.00

154.00

Revenue Commissioners

6,581.45

6,547.77

6,105.05

Office of Public Works*

1,975.10 (of which 128 apprentices/ seasonal/etc)

2,002.83 (of which 92 apprentices/ seasonal/etc)

1,907.03 (of which 108 apprentices/ seasonal/etc)

NTMA

148.00

168.00

169.00

Financial Services Ombudsman

29.00

28.00

27.00

*Shown separately in the figures for the Office of Public Works are figures for apprentices, seasonal/casual and on-call personnel. It should be noted that the seasonal numbers employed rise substantially during the summer season when temporary staff are engaged, for example, as guides/information officers at heritage sites, which are only open for part of the year.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 98.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

106 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in her Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2629/10]

Between January 2007 and April 2009, a total of 28 reports were commissioned by my Department, of which 25 have been completed. The information requested by the Deputy concerning costs and the reason for these reports is set out as follows. Information in respect of the period May to December 2009 is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Reports commissioned in 2007

Name of Report

Cost

Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2007

10,576

Doherty Report on Breast Radiology Services at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise

Nil

Fitzgerald Report on Breast Radiology Services at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise

Nil

Independent Inquiry into the tragic deaths of the Dunne Family in Monageer, Co. Wexford

212,454

National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — Report on Youth Café Provision

63,023

National Oral Health Policy

Costs ascertained when report completed

Quality Assessment of the Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006

2,995

Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

299,334

Research commissioned on : The Physical Chastisement of Children by Parents

126,723

Review of the Operation of the Mental Health Act 2001 — Findings and Conclusions

Nil

Round Table discussion on the financial abuse of older people

3,000

Teenagers’ Views on Solutions to Alcohol Misuse

55,257

Vaccine Damage Steering Group

11,048

Reports commissioned in 2008

Name of Report

Cost

National Children’s Advisory Council (NCAC) — End of Term Report 2005-2008

Nil

Report of the Independent Pharmacy Pricing Body

41,497

Strategic Plan for the St. Ultan’s Children’s Project

14,702

Study of certain Accounting Issues within the Health Service Executive

54,450

A Directory of Health Research Undertaken on Children (0-17 years)

60,148

National Men’s Health Policy 2008-2013

20,604

Evaluation Report on a programme of inclusion for marginalised young people, established by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

15,727

Phase III of a Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Homeless Youth in Dublin

22,000

Report of the Commission established to provide an independent assessment of how a 35 hour week can be achieved for nurses

397,540

Research on young carers in the Irish population

108,476

Review of Protecting our Future: Working Group on Elder Abuse 2002

66,460

Review of circumstances surrounding the elapse of time in bringing to completion the Western Health Board inquiry into allegations of abuse in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway.

21,015

Third Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on ‘ A Vision for Change’ — the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy

16,154

Reports commissioned up to April 2009

Name of Report

Cost (€)

Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services

€16,939 to date (report is not yet completed).

Expert Group on Resource Allocation in the Health Sector

The work of the Expert Group is not yet completed and therefore the cost is not yet available.

Hospital Procedures.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

107 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if an appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [2656/10]

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

Health Repayment Scheme.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

108 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the projected cost to the Health Service Executive of payments (details supplied) to be made in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2667/10]

The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Health Repayment Scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG accountants and McCann Fitzgerald solicitors. Based on the latest estimates received from the Scheme Administrator it is estimated that of the 35,330 applications for the scheme, 19,850 claims will result in repayments costing €438m. Taking account of overheads, the total estimated spend on the scheme will be in the region of €465m. Given that €448m, has already been provided to the scheme up to the 31st December 2009, the HSE estimate that additional funding in the sum of €17m will be required in 2010.

Departmental Expenditure.

Tom Hayes

Question:

109 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the names of community organisations based in south Tipperary receiving funding from her Department for community programmes and the funding received by those organisations in 2009. [2673/10]

The funding made available by my Department in 2009 to community organisations in Co Tipperary, from the National Lottery Fund, is detailed in the table.

National Lottery Funding 2009 — Tipperary Organisations

Newport Social Services Day Care Centre

Day Care Centre, Newport, Co Tipperary,

55,000

St Vincents Day Care Centre

St Vincents Health Centre, Station Road, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary

10,000

TLC4CF (Tipperary, Limerick, Clare for Cystic Fibrosis)

Pottersfield House, Shanaclogh, Adare, Co. Limerick

150,000

Hospital Staff.

Joe McHugh

Question:

110 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to ensure that the consultant haematology position advertised at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, is filled immediately; her views on the risks posed to patients due to this ongoing vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2677/10]

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

Health Services.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

111 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of fees paid by the Health Service Executive to administrators of a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2694/10]

The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Health Repayment Scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG accountants and McCann Fitzgerald solicitors. Since the scheme commenced in 2006, a total of €14.95m including V.A.T has been paid to the Scheme Administrator.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

112 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2698/10]

The Deputy's question is more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Education and Science.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

113 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the relationship between the Health Service Executive and a third party group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2702/10]

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

Medical Cards.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

114 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick over the age of 70 years. [2705/10]

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

Site Acquisitions.

Tom Hayes

Question:

115 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive have approved land for sale in respect of the site of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if so, when the next step in the process will take place for the Health Service Executive to transfer this land ready for sale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2710/10]

Estate management of the Health Service Executive property portfolio is a service matter and the question has therefore been referred to the Executive for an update and for direct reply.

National Identity Cards.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

116 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to her Department to issue a national identity card to members of an organisation (details supplied) who suffer from acquired brain injuries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2713/10]

The issue raised by the Deputy was the subject of Parliamentary Questions last year. As indicated at the time, I have no funds at my disposal to provide for Brí's proposal. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to give further consideration to the matter in the context of current priorities and financial constraints and to provide a direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Cards.

John McGuinness

Question:

117 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny regarding their medical card application. [2715/10]

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

Health Service Staff.

Richard Bruton

Question:

118 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are obstacles to the implementation of the early retirement scheme in the Health Service Executive such as at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2721/10]

In his Supplementary Budget Statement of 7 April 2009, the Minister for Finance announced that he would make available three schemes to reduce the number of public sector employees in the wider public sector , one of which was the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement. My Department issued a circular (8/2009) on 15 May 2009 to give effect to this measure in HSE and other public health sector employment, including this employment. The closing date for receipt of applications for this scheme was 23rd October, 2009.

The scheme did not apply to grades exempted from the moratorium on recruitment and promotions under the 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector, in order to meet the requirements of integrated health care delivery and, in particular, to address needs in the community in respect of care of the elderly and people with disabilities.

Members of all other grades who meet the eligibility criteria had access to this scheme provided the grades/staff groups concerned cooperate with the requirements in relation to redeployment, mobility, skill mix and flexibility which are outlined in the employment control framework: this is designed to allow individuals to avail of this scheme while still protecting services. Because staff who avail of the scheme will not be replaced (save in very exceptional cases), employers were required to pay particular attention, when considering applications, to the scope that exists within the organisation for reorganising and restructuring work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. Staff cooperation and flexibility in that regard was essential. My Department was informed that the health service trade unions issued a directive instructing their members not to cooperate with redeployment and reassignment requests from management. The unions have stated their opposition to the moratorium on recruitment and promotions as set out in 2009 Employment Control Framework for the Public Health Sector, referred to above. This instruction from the unions which remains in place, severely restricts the ability of management to organise/restructure work practice and contravenes the qualification criteria for the scheme. As a result, the HSE suspended all three schemes in June but continued to accept applications, up to the closing date of 23 October 2009.

The HSE recently requested my Department's approval to lift the suspension as it applied to the ISER, and to allow it to proceed to process to finalisation applications received prior to the closing date. This request is currently being considered by my Department in consultation with the Department of Finance.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

119 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by her Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2732/10]

There are no Tribunals of Inquiry currently being conducted by my Department.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

120 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of her Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2746/10]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of my Department, the cost of each on a yearly basis, and the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the deputy when available.

With regard to the number of agencies that have been amalgamated, the position is that the Government's programme of rationalisation of agencies in the health sector has been actively progressed by my Department and considerable progress has been made in implementing the programme to date. The primary aim of this ambitious programme is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions.

The progress to date is as follows. The Post Graduate Medical & Dental Board was successfully rationalised into the HSE on 1st January, 2009. The National Council on Aging & Older People and the Women's Health Council were successfully subsumed into the Department of Health and Children in 2009. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency was subsumed into HSE in January 2010 and the Drug Treatment Centre Board is due to follow early in 2010.

Legislation is required to facilitate the rationalization of the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council, the National Social Work Qualifications Board and the Opticians Board into the Health & Social Care Professionals Council. It is envisaged that the legislation will be finalised during 2010.

The Government approved the inclusion of provisions in the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 to disestablish the Children Acts Advisory Board (CAAB) and to subsume some of its functions into the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on an administrative basis. The Bill was published on 16th September 2009 and it is expected that the Bill will be brought forward in 2010. It is intended that the CAAB staff will move to the Department on an administrative basis until such time as the Bill is enacted.

Legislation is already in place to facilitate the rationalisation of the National Cancer Screening Service into the HSE in mid 2010 and arrangements are underway in this regard. The dissolution of the National Cancer Registry and the transfer of its staff to the HSE will be dealt with under the Health Information Bill. Legislation is required to merge the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery and assign its responsibilities to An Bord Altranais and the Health Service Executive. The new Nurses and Midwives Bill has been drafted and Government approval will be sought regarding the text of the Bill and seeking permission to publish the Bill in the near future.

Nursing Home Support.

Michael McGrath

Question:

121 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the fair deal nursing home support scheme. [2751/10]

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

Health Services.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

122 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Cork area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2752/10]

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

Pharmacy Regulations.

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

123 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will restrict public availability of chemicals such as mephedrone; if the Misuse of Drugs Acts and the scheduling of poison under the Pharmacy Acts be used to cover chemicals such as mephedrone; if she is in a position to restrict access to headshops by young teenagers who freely avail of these products. [2755/10]

Denis Naughten

Question:

137 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions (details supplied) that she has had to date regarding the proliferation of head shops here; the steps which she is taking to address potential health risks and dangers involved in the consumption of the products on sale in such outlets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2785/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

149 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to regulate the establishment of head shops that sell herbal products and chemical based party and energy pills; the measures she will take to control the sale of these products to minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2834/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 137 and 149 together.

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', including those containing the chemical Mephedrone, and which are often referred to as ‘legal highs', are substances which are not currently controlled under the 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. Minister 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.

Under the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, a Research Advisory Group has been established to identify possible options for the regulation of headshops. The Department of Health and Children is actively participating in this process. In the UK, legislation was introduced immediately before Christmas to control a number of substances and groups of substances that have been on sale in headshops. The Department is currently reviewing this legislation to ascertain how similar controls could be introduced in Ireland. The Misuse of Drugs legislation is the most appropriate regulatory framework for regulating substances such as Mephedrone that have the potential to be abused.

Health Services.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

124 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in receipt of home care packages in County Kildare in January 2010; and the number of persons on the waiting list for the home care package. [2764/10]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

125 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding allocated for the home care package scheme in County Kildare in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [2765/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.

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

Emmet Stagg

Question:

126 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in County Kildare waiting admission to a long term care beds in public nursing homes in County Kildare and their current circumstances. [2766/10]

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

Emmet Stagg

Question:

127 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children awaiting assessment for orthodontic treatment in County Kildare; and the number of children awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Kildare who have already been assessed. [2767/10]

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

Emmet Stagg

Question:

128 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for assessment in respect of speech and language therapy in County Kildare; the number awaiting assessment. [2768/10]

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.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

129 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for speech and language therapy in County Kildare following assessment; and the number awaiting therapy. [2769/10]

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.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

130 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding allocated to the home help service in County Kildare in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [2770/10]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

131 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons availing of the home help service in County Kildare in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010. [2771/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.

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

Emmet Stagg

Question:

132 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in securing a new health centre for the town of Kilcock, County Kildare. [2774/10]

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

Emmet Stagg

Question:

133 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for eye tests for children in Maynooth and Naas Health Centres in County Kildare. [2775/10]

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

Medical Cards.

Michael Ring

Question:

134 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when medical cards will be restored to persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [2782/10]

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

Foreign Adoptions.

Denis Naughten

Question:

135 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the negotiations on a bilateral adoption agreement with Ethiopia; the consultation to date with the Australian authorities on the issue; the implications of her decision on adoptions from Vietnam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2783/10]

The Adoption Bill, 2009, 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. 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 intercountry 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.

The issue of transitional measures for prospective parents who are at a definable stage in the adoption process when the Bill is enacted and who wish to continue to adopt a child from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, is being examined. Prospective adoptive parents have waited a long time and it is my intention to be as flexible as possible in relation to applicants.

Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement with Ethiopia in respect of adoption. Consideration of this matter is at an early stage. My Office has had no contact to date with the Australian authorities in relation to the recently announced decision by the Australian Government to suspend adoptions from Ethiopia.

I issued a detailed statement following the Government decision of the 13th January to suspend bilateral intercountry adoption negotiations with Vietnam. The statement is available at www.omc.gov.ie.

Denis Naughten

Question:

136 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 17 December 2009, the interim measures she will put in place in respect of foreign adoption applicants who have submitted applications in advance of the enactment of the Adoption Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2784/10]

As outlined in my reply to the Deputy on 17th December, 2009, the position regarding transitional measures for prospective parents who are at a definable stage in the adoption process when the Bill is enacted and who wish to continue to adopt a child from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country, is being examined. Prospective adoptive parents have waited a long time and it is my intention to be as flexible as possible in relation to applicants.

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 123.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

138 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of outpatient appointments that were cancelled or postponed due to the closure of the outpatients department at Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12 for the week 26 to 31 October 2009; the number of outpatients staff not on duty that week due to the closure; the savings involved; the way same was calculated. [2798/10]

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

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

139 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the future role of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 if the National Paediatric Hospital is built on the Mater Hospital site. [2799/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

141 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has reconsidered the decision not to select Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 as a site for ambulatory service subsequent to the opening of a future National Paediatric Hospital on the Mater site, Dublin 7; the way the selected hospitals for such a service were selected; and the reason Crumlin was not selected. [2801/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

142 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for continuing to build new facilities at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 when a new National Paediatric Hospital is being built. [2802/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

144 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she or her officials have had discussions with the owners of the site of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 regarding future plans after the National Paediatric Hospital is built on the Mater Hospital site in Dublin 7. [2804/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 141, 142 and 144 together.

The way to provide the best possible paediatric tertiary care most effectively involves the creation of one single national paediatric hospital, alongside a major teaching hospital, bringing together all the medical and nursing expertise for complex conditions. The concept of bringing together all three present services is widely accepted.

The development of the National Paediatric Hospital is a priority project for the Government. Rawlinson Kelly & Whittlestone Ltd (RKW), an established UK-based health care planning company, were commissioned to prepare a high level framework brief for the new paediatric hospital.

The Brief was to include advice on the preferred model of care, on the core services to be delivered at the new hospital, and on the additional range of services to be provided outside of the main hospital. It was also to include an assessment of the range of services to be provided through the urgent/ambulatory care service, and on the preferred location(s) for this service.

The Brief considered a number of potential locations using the following criteria: access and travel times, critical mass, staffing implications and available infrastructure.

Among RKW's findings, which were announced by the HSE on 31st October, 2007, was that a network of Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centres should be established and operated by the new hospital. The first of these should be developed at Tallaght. The services to be provided will include urgent care consultations, outpatient appointments and day surgery.

The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which was established in May, 2007. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project, which is scheduled for completion and commissioning in 2014.

Services at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, National Children's Hospital Tallaght and the Children's University Hospital Temple Street will transfer to the new National Paediatric Hospital. Pending completion of the project, and to ensure the best possible services for children, the HSE will continue to finance the provision and development of services at each of the transferring hospitals.

The real challenge in paediatrics is to maximise the efficient use of all our healthcare capacity both in Dublin and across the country. Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght paediatric services need to be increasingly working in a coordinated, shared and efficient fashion to prepare for the eventual coming together of the three institutions into one national paediatric hospital.

I have been in contact with the CEO of the HSE and the CEO's of the three hospitals involved and have asked them to have governance arrangements put in place ahead of the opening of the new National Paediatric Hospital for the unified management of the services for children, provided by these hospitals, which will form the basis of the new hospital. In this context the HSE is actively pursuing ways in which services across the three hospitals can best be coordinated, to avoid unnecessary duplication and to achieve savings that can be put back into patient care. A Paediatric Hospitals Operations Group has now been established for ongoing network management and enhanced integration of the three paediatric hospitals in advance of the transfer to the new paediatric hospital.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

140 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the construction cost of the proposed National Paediatric Hospital on the site of Dublin’s Mater Hospital, Dublin 7. [2800/10]

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.

Questions Nos. 141 and 142 answered with Question No. 139.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

143 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of construction works carried out at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12 over the past ten years; and the purpose and cost of each project. [2803/10]

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

Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 139.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

145 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the outsourcing of cervical smear testing to a company (details supplied); the cost of the contract to date in 2010; the number of tests carried out; if this contract has come up for tender again; if companies here will be able to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2806/10]

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

Services for People with Disability.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

146 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes report proposal to transfer the disability functions of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the office of mental health and disability; and if a decision has been made on this matter. [2822/10]

The proposal contained in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure that certain disability functions be transferred to the Department of Health and Children from the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform remains under consideration by both Departments. The proposal will be considered in the context of how best to achieve the Government's overall policy goals in relation to people with a disability, in line with the National Disability Strategy and a whole of Government perspective.

Health Services.

Denis Naughten

Question:

147 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 9 July 2009, the position regarding the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2828/10]

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

Denis Naughten

Question:

148 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 105 and 106 of 12 February 2009 and No. 222 of 6 May 2009, the position regarding the issues raised; the breakdown of the figures in the primary community continuing care areas where waiting lists apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2829/10]

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

Question No. 149 answered with Question No. 123.

Proposed Legislation.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

150 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Adoption Bill 2009 will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the formal submissions that have been received in regard to this Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2860/10]

The Adoption Bill 2009, which will give force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, is continuing its progress through the Oireachtas. It has already passed all stages in the Seanad and the second stage debate was completed in the Dáil today, Thursday, 21st January. A number of submissions have been received from interested parties and were considered in the drafting process.

Health Service Staff.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

151 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed by the Health Service Executive at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2877/10]

I wish to advise that the numbers (WTE excl. Career Breaks) of staff in the public health service at the end of 2007, end of 2008 and at the end of November 2009 (the latest data available), as recorded on the health service personnel census, are as follows:

31/12/2007

31/12/2008

30/11/2009

WTE Permanent

70,140

71,388

75,197

WTE Job-Sharing

3,485

3,123

3,062

WTE Temporary

16,197

14,084

11,087

WTE Locum

3,691

3,061

2,595

WTE Part-Time

12,587

14,393

12,731

WTE Sessional

822

470

352

WTE Training

4,582

4,508

4,744

Total WTE excl. Career Break

111,505

111,025

109,769

Note 1: Excludes home helps.

Note 2: Student nurses are included in the 2007 and 2008 employment ceilings on the basis of 3.5 students equating to 1 wholetime equivalent. The employment levels adjusted for this are 110,664 (Dec 07) and 111,001 (Dec 08).

Note 3: Data source — Health Service Personnel Census.

Note 4: December 2009 figures not yet available.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

152 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers employed by the Health Service Executive at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2878/10]

I wish to advise that the numbers (WTE excl. career breaks) of social worker grades employed in the public health service at the end of 2007, end of 2008, and at the end of November 2009 (the latest data available), as recorded on the Health Service Personnel Census (HSPC), are as follows:

31/12/2007

31/12/2008

30/11/2009

Social Worker

1,047.97

1,061.78

1,080.00

Social Worker, Medical

141.4

140.23

138.82

Social Worker (Non-professionally qualified)

174.97

156.99

49.93

Social Worker, Principal

234.63

223.06

223.16

Social Worker, Psychiatric

32.71

31.53

31.99

Social Worker, Psychiatric Senior

1

2.8

1.8

Social Worker, Senior Medical

153.62

150.22

159.91

Social Worker, Team Leader

330.98

331.71

346.84

Social Work Practitioner, Senior

138.9

137.35

147.02

Total

2,256.18

2,235.67

2,179.47

Employment data for social workers includes the grade of Social Worker (Non-professionally qualified). The HSE has advised that, during 2009, some of the staff in the grade of Social Worker (Non-professionally qualified) were reclassified to other grades within the census. My Department has asked the HSE to clarify the situation in relation to the reclassified grades and reply direct to the Deputy.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

153 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of public health nurses employed by the Health Service Executive at the end of 2007, 2008 and at the end of October 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2879/10]

The number of Public Health Nurses (expressed in Whole Time Equivalent terms) employed by the HSE at the end of 2007, 2008 and at the end of October 2009 were as follows:

Grade

31/12/2007

31/12/2008

31/10/2009

Director of Public Health Nursing

28.85

29.00

27.55

Director of Public Health Nursing, Assistant

164.63

178.82

169.91

Public Health Nurse

1,502.82

1,521.09

1,544.59

Public Health Nurse, Senior (Immunisation)

3.50

1.80

1.80

Public Health Nurse, Student

147.00

125.78

84.60

Total:

1,846.80

1,856.49

1,828.45

Data source — Health Service Personnel Census.

General Medical Services Scheme.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

154 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 12 November 2009, when a reply will issue. [2882/10]

The information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to my Department as a matter of routine. My Department has again requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to arrange for a reply to issue to the Deputy on this matter.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

155 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when a full medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2924/10]

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:

156 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2925/10]

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

Hospital Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when a permanent nursing bed will be provided at Maynooth Community Hospital or alternative private nursing home in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2926/10]

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

Departmental Staff.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

158 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from her Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3212/10]

The numbers of whole time equivalent (WTE) staff employed in agencies under the aegis of my Department, other than the Medical Council, on 31 December 2007, 31 December 2008 and 30 September 2009 (the latest data available) are as follows:

Agency

WTEs 31 Dec 07

WTEs 31 Dec 08

WTEs 30 Sep 09

An Bord Altranais

48.00

49.50

42.00

Children’s Act Advisory Board

14.20

16.00

13.00

Crisis Pregnancy Agency

15.00

17.00

13.80

Dental Council

4.00

5.00

5.00

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

81.00

81.40

85.47

Food Safety Promotion Board

35.00

27.00

29.80

Health and Social Care Professionals Council

n/a

2.00

4.00

Health Information and Quality Authority

33.70

77.50

132.20

Health Insurance Authority

8.58

8.58

8.58

Health Research Board

80.70

83.70

77.20

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

582.85

582.05

586.48

Irish Medicines Board

226.82

240.62

245.70

Institute of Public Health

20.00

19.00

19.00

Mental Health Commission

39.75

41.45

40.33

National Cancer Registry Board

41.42

46.12

49.40

National Cancer Screening Service

193.27

258.79

274.47

National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery

11.50

11.50

11.50

National Council on Ageing and Older People

12.30

9.00

Subsumed into DoHC

National Paediatric Hospital Development Board

n/a

2.00

2.50

National Social work Qualifications Board

7.00

7.00

6.69

National Treatment Purchase Fund

47.40

49.80

45.60

Office of Tobacco Control

7.00

8.00

7.00

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland

19.00

19.50

20.00

Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board

33.70

16.30

Subsumed into HSE

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

15.00

15.00

16.00

Women’s Health Council

8.50

5.00

Subsumed into DoHC

Voluntary Health Insurance

889.44

951.03

900.77

I will forward information in relation to the Medical Council to the Deputy as soon as it is received from the Council.

Road Network.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

159 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport if extra funding will be made available to Cork County Council to help to address the need for road repairs in the aftermath of the November 2009 flooding and the recent extreme weather in December 2009 and January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2866/10]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

When Exchequer grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation, at central level, to deal with weather contingencies. Holding back such an allocation would mean a reduction in the road grant allocations made to all local authorities at the beginning of each year.

The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised in the annual road grants circular letter that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works. The amount of money provided in the 2010 Estimates for funding regional and local roads is €411.177 million and this year's allocation will be based on that amount.

I have, however, asked local authorities, including Cork County Council, to provide details of exceptional road related costs associated with the November 2009 flooding and recent prolonged severe weather, which fall outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance. I will have regard to this information when deciding on the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations. I will announce these grant allocations by mid February 2010 at the latest.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

160 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2632/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.

Report

Task Force

Year

Reason for Report/Task Force

Completed Yes/No

Cost

Cost & Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus & Bus Éireann

2008

Cost & Efficiency Review

Yes

306,959.19

Value for Money Review of the Railway Safety Programme 2004-2008

2009

Value for Money Review

Yes

154,217.00

Farrelly Report

2009 (June)

To review the procedures for processing applications for Road Transport Operator Licences and the legislative framework and make recommendations.

Yes

8,368.48

Inter-Departmental/Agency Task Force on fuel prices for the road haulage industry

2008 (June)

To address concerns outlined by the road haulage sector in relation to increasing fuel prices in Summer 2008 and other haulage issues, and to develop a list of actions to be taken by the various agencies.

Meets twice yearly

Nil

Contractauditline Audit Report of ERDF assisted projects under the ESIOP.

Nil

2008

Financial verification checks on ERDF co-financed projects under the ESIOP 2000-2006

Yes

68,450.00

Sharepoint Development Strategy Review

Spanish point Technologies Ltd

2009

To review and advise on the Department’s Sharepoint Development Strategy

Yes

8,660.00

Report on the consolidated working text of the extant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894-2005

NA

2007

To prepare a consolidated working text of the extant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894-2005.

Yes

52,586.60

Department of TransportDisabled Access Assessment of Domestic Passenger Ships

NA

2008

To assess the accessibility of a representative sample of domestic passenger ships and harbours/ports.

Yes

36,633.00

Report of the Maritime Passenger Transport Forum

NA

2008

The report sets out the work of the Forum and makes recommendations to make marine passenger services more accessible to people with disabilities.

Yes

5,666.00

Report

Task Force

Year

Reason for Report/Task Force

Completed Yes/No

Cost

Project Report on disabled access audits of passenger vessels

NA

2009

Access audits funded by the Department were offered to all domestic passenger ship owners/operators. The audit reports will help inform owners/operators on how to improve access for persons with reduced mobility. The Project Report from the consultants engaged to carry out the audits gives an overview of the access audit findings.

No

46,777.00

Development of an IT Vision for the Marine Safety Sector

Marine Survey Office / Sogeti Ireland Ltd

2007

The provision of integrated systems to benefit the Department and its End Users.

Yes

80,066.10

Health & Safety Statement

Marine Survey Office / Phoenix Safety

2007

Statutory Requirement for periodic review of H&S in buildings

Yes

10,698.13

Appointment of an ISO business analyst For obtaining ISO: 9001:2008 certification

Marine Survey Office / Sogeti Ireland Ltd

2009

Implementation of a QMS system that will be a European requirement for national Maritime authorities

Yes

61,035.53

STCW Audit

Marine Survey Office / Daire Brunicardi, T/A Corrin Nautical Services

2009

Independent Evaluation STCW convention requirement

Yes

4,017.52

Site analysis on various West Coast Locations

2008

Accommodation and technical advice for Irish Coast Guard Co-ordination centres

Yes

22,675.00

Irish Coast Guard Pollution Prevention, Preparedness and Response Capabilities Study 2008

2009

Technical advice on Emergency Towing Vessel and related pollution response capacity

Yes

44,175.00

Future Helicopter Study Group Report 2009

2009

Study of future helicopter search and rescue requirements

Yes

6,600.00

Report

Task Force

Year

Reason for Report/Task Force

CompletedYes/No

Cost

Value for Money study on Regional Airports

N/A

2009

Value for Money study on Regional Airports

No

N/A

Report and advice relating to procuring facility management operator for Terminal Two at Dublin Airport

N/A

2008

Report and advice relating to procuring facility management operator for Terminal Two at Dublin Airport

Yes

236,925.00

Consultancy relating to the Cork Airport debt

N/A

2008

Consultancy relating to the Cork Airport debt

Yes

30,250.00

Consultancy on State Airports Business Plans

N/A

2007

Consultancy on State Airports Business Plans

Yes

54,822.08

Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme Review for regional airports

N/A

2007

Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme Review for regional airports

Yes

169,950.02

Review of Motor Insurance Premiums for Young Persons

2008

To examine whether or not young drivers have benefited to the same extent as other age groups from the general reduction in motor insurance premiums

Yes

70,650.00

Dublin Port Study

2009

Study of port capacity in the Greater Dublin Area

Yes

157,550.00

Standardisation Review of the System Dossier on Internal Financial Controls

No

2008

To review and standardise the System Dossier on Internal Financial Controls

Yes

23,326.38

Resource Capacity Study

N/A

2009

To review Divisional structures and resource assignments having regard to strategic priorities; and to identify potential for efficiencies in resource deployment.

Yes

Consultant: €135,351 incl VAT Independent Chairman: €4,050 gross

Report

Task Force

Year

Reason for Report/Task Force

CompletedYes/No

Cost

Examination of the Department of Transport’s decision to authorise the re-routing of the Dublin Bus Route 41X service

N/A

2009

Review of the decision of the Department to authorise the rerouting of the Dublin Bus route 41X service

Yes

25,636

Review of Business Case of Luas Lines A1 and C1.

2007

Review of economic evaluation of business cases as part of Departmental approval processes

Yes

13,370.50

Business Cases for Reopening of WRC Phase 1 (Ennis to Athenry) Dublin Bus requirementsIE purchase of 33 railcars

2007

Review of economic evaluation of business cases as part of Departmental approval processes

Yes

19,481

Article 4 verification checks on EU co-financed public transport projects under the ESIOP 2000-2006

2008

Verification checks required under EU funding rules

Yes

70,964.18

Report of the Public Inquiry into the Cork-Midleton Railway Order application

2007

Report required under the statutory railway order process

Yes

33,275

Financial Audit of cohesion funded rail network track & signalling project

2007

Audit required under EU funding rules

Yes

14,217

Road Safety.

John McGuinness

Question:

161 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he will carry out an analysis of the vehicle testing centre in County Wexford to determine if there is a need for another centre in the New Ross area in view of the number of hauliers in the area and the high number of heavy goods vehicles and trailers in the county; the position regarding the PriceWaterhouse Coopers report relative to applications for new test centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2641/10]

The relevant local authority has responsibility for matters relating to the approval of commercial vehicle testing centres. I have approved, in full, proposals from the RSA to reform the commercial vehicle roadworthiness system based on the findings of the Price Waterhouse Coopers report. The phasing and means of resourcing implementation of the reform plan is under consideration in light of current constrained Exchequer circumstances.

Road Network.

Michael Ring

Question:

162 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport if funding has been drawn down by Mayo County Council in relation to flooding and landslides in Buckagh, Keena, Shramore, Treenlaur and Glenisland which occurred at the beginning of July 2009. [2647/10]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. In 2009, Mayo County Council undertook necessary reinstatement works to address damage to roads caused by flooding in July of that year. The council has submitted applications for regional and local road funding in 2010, including funding for works necessitated by the July 2009 flooding. Regional and local road grant allocations for 2010 are being considered at present and I will announce these grant allocations by mid February 2010 at the latest.

Parking Regulations.

Michael Ring

Question:

163 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the number of disabled parking discs allocated in the past five years on a county basis in tabular form. [2650/10]

Under the Road Traffic Acts and the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, the granting of a disabled person's parking permit is a matter for the prescribed issuing authorities i.e. local authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland. It is my understanding that no local authority currently issues permits under the scheme and my Department does not receive detailed information relating to permits issued by the Irish Wheelchair Association or the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland.

Road Network.

Richard Bruton

Question:

164 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the legal basis for the company running the barrier free tolling imposing penalty charges on unpaid trips; if there are limits to the cost that they can add on as costs or penalty; and if there is a legal or constitutional limit on a body imposing such charges without judicial rights of review. [2718/10]

In the first instance, I should clarify that the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads, is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Under section 64 of the Act the non-payment of a toll can be dealt with under either civil or criminal law. This section provides that toll bye-laws made by the NRA in accordance with section 61 of the Act may allow an amount known as a "default toll" to be imposed for the non-payment or late payment of a toll. This section also provides that the default toll may take into account administrative costs in charging and collecting the toll.

The system has been carefully designed to act as an effective deterrent to toll evasion. It offers road users significant time to settle their debt and default tolls are imposed on a progressive scale. Road users have more than two months to pay the toll before court action can be initiated.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

165 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2735/10]

There have been no tribunals of enquiry conducted by my Department.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

166 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2749/10]

The Department funds the general administrative expenses of the following agencies and the estimates costs in 2008 and 2009 are set out as follows. Eight bodies in total have been abolished in the past 4 years. The Dublin Transportation office replaced by the National Transport Authority on 1st December 2009. Seven Harbour Authorities established under the Harbours Act 1946 have been abolished since 2006. Sligo, Annagassan, River Moy, Youghal, Kilrush and Westport harbours have transferred to local authority control and Dingle has been designated a Fishery Harbour Centre. There are six remaining Harbour Authorities under the Harbours Act 1946. Current policy is to transfer responsibility for these to local authorities l or to amalgamate them with State owned port companies. It is hoped that a number of these transfers will take place in 2010.

In compliance with the Government's decision of October 2008, the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport, the Railway Accident Investigation Unit of the Railway Safety Commission and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will be administratively merged in mid-2010 to form the Irish Accident Investigation Office as an Executive Office under the aegis of the Department of Transport. Legislation to underpin the new arrangements is expected to be introduced in the Oireachtas in 2010.

It is also my intention to amalgamate the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority with the planned new National Transport Authority. Detailed proposals to implement the decision are currently being considered.

In line with the McCarthy Report proposals, consideration is been given to the merging of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency and this will be progressed during 2010. The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 provides for the dissolution of the Commission for Taxi Regulation by the Minister at the request of the National Transport Authority and for the transfer of the staff, functions, duties and ongoing responsibilities of the Commission to the Authority. This will be progressed on receipt of a request from the Authority.

General Administrative Expenses

State Body

2008

2009

€million

€million

CIÉ Group — Bus Átha Cliath

Nil

Nil

CIÉ Group — Bus Éireann

Nil

Nil

CIÉ Group — Iarnród Éireann

Nil

Nil

Railway Safety Commission

2.1

2

Railway Procurement Agency

11.0

10.6

National Roads Authority

16.3

15.9

Dublin Transportation Office*

1.1

1

National Transport Authority**

Road Safety Authority

22.7

32.8

Medical Bureau of Road Safety

3.3

4.3

Marine Casualty Investigation Board

0.2

0.2

Dublin Airport Authority

Nil

Nil

Shannon Airport Authority

Nil

Nil

Cork Airport Authority

Nil

Nil

Commission for Taxi Regulation

Nil

Nil

Commission for Aviation Regulation

Nil

Nil

Irish Aviation Authority

Nil

Nil

Port of Cork Company

Nil

Nil

Drogheda Port Company

Nil

Nil

Dublin Port Company

Nil

Nil

Dundalk Port Company

Nil

Nil

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company

Nil

Nil

Galway Harbour Company

Nil

Nil

New Ross Port Company

Nil

Nil

Shannon/Foynes Port Company

Nil

Nil

Port of Waterford Company

Nil

Nil

Wicklow Port Company

Nil

Nil

Arklow Harbour Commissioners

Nil

Nil

Baltimore Harbour Commissioners

Nil

Nil

Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners

Nil

Nil

Kinsale Harbour Commissioners

Nil

Nil

Tralee and Fenit and Harbour Commissioners

Nil

Nil

Wexford Harbour Commissioners

Nil

Nil

*Abolished 1 December 2009.

**Established 1 December 2009.

Rail Network.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

167 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport the expected improvement works which will be completed on the Maynooth suburban rail line in 2010; and the improvement to services resulting from these works. [2759/10]

Since 1st December 2009, this is a matter which comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Oireachtas Liaison Officer for the NTA is Mr. Matt Benville, The National Transport Authority, 59 Dawson St., Dublin 2.

Rural Transport Services.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

168 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport the level of funding that he will allocate to the rural transport programme in 2010; if he will re-state the commitment that this scheme will not be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2826/10]

The provision for the Rural Transport Programme in 2010 is being maintained at €11 million in recognition of the important role it plays in combating social exclusion in rural Ireland. The Government's commitment to the Rural Transport Programme is clearly stated in Towards 2016 and in the present National Development Plan. The development of rural transport is also a key objective in the Government's sustainable travel and transport plan Smarter Travel — A Sustainable Transport Future and in the Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005.

Public Transport.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

169 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/10]

This is an operational matter for the companies concerned and not one in which I have any role.

Departmental Staff.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

170 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3216/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.

Agency

2007

2008

2009

Railway Safety Commission

8

8

13

Medical Bureau of Road Safety

34

34

35

National Roads Authority

143

145

140

Road Safety Authority

309

309

308

Office of the Taxi Regulator

21

22

23

National Transport Authority* (Formerly the Dublin Transportation Office)

28

33

34*

Commission for Aviation Regulation

21

25

20

*The DTO was dissolved on 1 December 2009 and the work of the office transferred to the newly established National Transport Authority — NTA which was also established on 1 December 2009 under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.

Proposed Legislation.

Michael Kennedy

Question:

171 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if legislation will be passed to protect persons who clear footpaths of snow and ice outside their premises from being sued should an accident involving a member of the public subsequently occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2665/10]

The law in this area, which is of long standing, already achieves a reasonable balance in relation to the care that is expected of persons for their own safety and for other persons. And, while I have no proposals to amend the law, my Department continues to review its operation.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

172 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2630/10]

I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible to compile the information requested in the time available. A response is being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

EU Funding.

Denis Naughten

Question:

173 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Question No. 346 of 9 June 2009, the position regarding same, including the figures for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2658/10]

A call for applications under the European Integration Fund in respect of the 2009 programme was published by Pobal on behalf of my office in November with a closing date of 26 February 2010. Therefore, it is not possible to say at present what the take-up of funding under the 2009 programme will be. As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 346 of 9 June last, the present call for applications is directed at local authorities, other public bodies, NGOs and other relevant organisations and not just at NGOs and partnership companies as was the case with the previous call. In view of the availability of funds from the 2008 allocation, it was decided to invite groups being assisted from the fund to seek additional resources to continue their projects from 31 December 2009 to no later than 30 June 2010, which is the end of the extended eligibility period, as I explained in my reply to Question No. 346 of 9 June last. A sum of €226,233 has been approved in response to proposals.

Garda Strength.

Martin Ferris

Question:

174 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of full-time gardaí serving in the Tralee and Listowel divisions in the years 2005 to 2009 inclusive. [2668/10]

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Tralee and Listowel Garda Districts at 31 December for the years stated by the Deputy was as set out in the following table:

District

31/12/2005

31/12/2006

31/12/2007

31/12/2008

31/12/2009

Tralee

106

117

128

136

136

Listowel

48

52

56

61

59

Martin Ferris

Question:

175 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving on the drugs squad in County Kerry. [2669/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 December 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there was one sergeant and ten gardaí assigned to the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit.

Drug Offences.

Martin Ferris

Question:

176 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests made for drug related offences in County Kerry from 2007 to 2009 inclusive; the number of convictions for the same offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2671/10]

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have asked the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Departmental Funding.

Tom Hayes

Question:

177 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of community organisations based in south Tipperary receiving funding from his Department for community programmes and the funding received by those organisations in 2009. [2676/10]

I can inform the Deputy that, based on the current information available to me in relation to the recently concluded financial year 2009, the following community organisations based in south Tipperary have received funding in 2009 from my Department approximating €308,000: Aiséirí Cahir: €85,000; Clonmel Youth Training, €90,000; EDGE — Garda Youth Diversion Project, €95,400; South Tipperary Traveller Men's Development Project, €29,000; Integrate Carrick, €700; Three Drives Family Resource Centre, €300; South Tipperary Sports Partnership, €1,000; and Clonmel Community Partnership, €6,700. I would also like to inform the Deputy that funding allocated by my Department to any Linkage, MOVE or PACE projects within the South Tipperary area has not been included in the above figure, as these projects are based nationwide and it is not possible to provide a break down of such project funding for South Tipperary alone. The total funding received nationwide by these projects in 2009 was €2,955,000.

Garda Operations.

Martin Ferris

Question:

178 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests and convictions made in the Kerry Garda division for all offences for the years 2007 to 2009, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2678/10]

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have asked the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Probation and Welfare Service.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

179 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the budgetary allocation to the Probation Service in 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the budget allocation for the Probation Service for the years in question are outlined in the table that follows this reply. The figure for 2010 has not been included as the estimates for 2010 have not yet been finalised.

Year

Budget Allocation

€000

2009

51,796

2008

54,019*

*In January, 2008 €10.02 million of the Probation Service budget was transferred to the Irish Youth Justice service following the transfer of responsibility for the monitoring of Juvenile Offending Initiatives.

Sentencing Policy.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

180 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the integrated sentence management system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2681/10]

The Irish Prison Service is developing and rolling out a fully co-ordinated Integrated Sentence Management system (ISM) across all prisons and places of detention. ISM involves a new emphasis on prisoners taking greater personal responsibility for their own development through active engagement with both specialist and non-specialist services in the prisons. The end result will be a prisoner-centred approach to working with prisoners with provision for initial assessment, goal setting and periodic review to measure progress. ISM was first introduced on a pilot basis in Arbour Hill and Wheatfield prisons. During 2009, it was extended to additional numbers of prisoners in these prisons and was also initiated in the Training Unit and the Midlands Prison. Preparatory work also commenced in St. Patrick's Institution. Altogether over 200 prisoners have participated in ISM to date. Parallel work on a range of necessary system supports such as the development of an IT database and staff training is ongoing. It is envisaged that ISM will be consolidated in these five prisons in 2010, with approximately 500 prisoners participating by the end of the year. ISM will continue to be rolled out to all other institutions on a phased basis, subject to the availability of resources.

Telecommunications Services.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

181 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of mobile phone seizures that took place in each prison here in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2682/10]

Section 36 of the Prisons Act, 2007, which was brought into operation on 1 May, 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use of mobile telecommunication devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalties for such an offence, on summary conviction, include a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, and on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. It is Irish Prison Service policy to report and hand over seizures of mobile phones to the Garda. Cell and area searches for contraband such as mobile phones take place in all prisons on a daily basis. These include random, targeted and intelligence led searches. These searches have been particularly effective and local intelligence indicates that the availability of mobile phones has decreased across the prison system. Details of mobile seizures are set out in the table below and it is important to note that a large percentage of these seizures are not directly from prisoners but are instead retrieved at entry point or before they get to the prisoner population. This is as a direct consequence of newly introduced security measures including a airport style scanners and x-ray machines, which are in operation at the entrances of all the relevant closed prisons. Details of mobile seizures for 2009 and figures to 17 January 2010 are set out in the following table:

Prison/Place of Detention

2009

2010 (to 17 January 2010)

Arbour Hill

2

0

Castlerea

70

1

Cloverhill

41

1

Cork

27

1

Dóchas Centre

40

0

Limerick

309

5

Loughan House

78

7

Midlands

87

5

Mountjoy (Male)

904

54

Portlaoise

48

2

Shelton Abbey

103

3

St. Patrick’s Institution

121

3

Training Unit

116

3

Wheatfield

228

3

Total

2,174

88

Reporting systems for 2010 are currently being modified to differentiate between seizures within the prison and at point of entry to the prison.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

182 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners convicted of possessing, using or supplying a mobile telecommunications device in prison in 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2683/10]

Statistics in relation to court convictions is a matter for the Courts Service, which under the Courts Service Act, 1998 is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation on 1 May 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use of mobile telecommunication devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalties for such an offence, on summary conviction, include a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, and on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. It is Irish Prison Service policy to report and hand over seizures of mobile phones to the Garda. As of 20 January 2010, there are 53 people serving sentences for this offence. Cell and area searches for contraband such as mobile phones take place in all prisons on a daily basis. These include random, targeted and intelligence led searches. These searches have been particularly effective and local intelligence indicates that the availability of mobile phones has decreased across the prison system.

Television Licence Fee.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

183 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who were committed to prison in the past five years for non-payment of fines following court proceedings initiated by An Post for not having a television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/10]

I expect the number of committals for non-payment fines to fall substantially once the Fines Bill 2009 has been enacted.The information requested by the Deputy for the years 2005 to 2009 is set out in the table that follows this reply. These figures relate to persons committed to prison for breach of the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act 1988 where a fine or a prison sentence or indeed both may be imposed for not having a television licence.

Year

Total

2005

52

2006

31

2007

32

2008

54

2009

62

I can advise the Deputy that the number of such people held in custody at any one time is a tiny fraction of the overall prisoner population. To illustrate this point, figures relating to 20 January 2010 indicate that there was no person in custody for non-payment of fines in relation to not having a television licence.

Garda Equipment.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

184 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a telephone help line (details supplied), set up by the Garda Commissioner in the wake of the publication of the Murphy report, puts callers through to an answering machine and that any voice message does not seem to be responded to by the Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2699/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the telephone help line referred to by the Deputy was set up following the publication of the report of the Commission of Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese on 26 November last. A dedicated telephone line with voicemail facility was installed in the office of the Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services, Harcourt Square, and was continuously monitored by a dedicated call taker and personnel at the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit. I am also informed that after the first week following the installation of the help line there was a marked reduction in the number of calls being received. A decision was therefore taken to alter the period during which the help line was staffed to between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Any person who was unable to get through to the call taker and who left a voice mail message was called back. Following a subsequent further reduction in the number of calls to the help line, it was decided that the voice mail facility would be utilised full-time, checked on a regular basis, and any caller who had left a message would be responded to. The situation is being kept under review. The Garda authorities are not aware of any calls not being responded to and, if the Deputy has any further information in that regard, I will be happy to have it examined.

Residency Permits.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

185 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their long term residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2711/10]

An application for Long Term Residency from the person concerned was received in my Department on 30 March 2009. I understand that applications received in September 2008 are currently being processed. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application of the person concerned will commence in the coming months, with a view to having it completed by July this year. The person in question will be contacted as soon as a decision is reached on the application.

Garda Deployment.

Richard Bruton

Question:

186 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the protocol for the gardaí offering an escort to celebrities travelling between events; if there are arrangements for cost recovery in such circumstances; if there has been a recent review of the justification for such deployment of resources in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2720/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no protocol for the Garda Síochána offering an escort to celebrities travelling between events. The provision of a Garda escort is determined by the nature of the request including security considerations and public safety. Arrangements are in place for cost recovery in respect of some escort duties performed.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

187 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2733/10]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of sitting or recently concluded Tribunals of Inquiry, established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2004, where the final cost is not yet determined, is set out in this reply. The Smithwick Tribunal was established in 2005 to investigate suggestions that members of the Garda Síochána or other employees of the State colluded in the fatal shootings of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan on 20 March 1989. The sole member of the tribunal is His Honour Judge Peter Smithwick. The total cost of the tribunal to 31 December 2009 (the latest date for which figures are available) is €6.09 million. The tribunal is in its investigative phase at present and it is not, therefore, possible to say when it will conclude its work. Neither is it possible at this point to indicate the final cost. The tribunal of inquiry into complaints concerning some gardaí of the Donegal Division has concluded. The cost, as at end of December 2009 was €52.8 million and the projected final cost is approximately €70 million.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

188 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/10]

I can inform the Deputy that the main bodies within the remit of my Department include the Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Irish Prison Service and the Property Registration Authority in addition to 24 other bodies, details of which can be found in the appendices to my Department's most recent Annual Report available at www.justice.ie and in the Oireachtas Library. Full details of estimates associated with all the bodies concerned are contained in the Abridged Estimates Volume for Public Services 2010. The costs associated with these bodies for earlier years are contained in the Revised Estimates for Public Services for each of the years concerned. Copies of the Abridged Estimates Volume for Public Services and the Revised Estimates for Public Services are available at www.finance.irlgov.ie and in the Oireachtas Library. With regard to the abolition or amalgamation of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of my Department, I can inform the Deputy that the Garda Síochána Complaints Board and the Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board were established under the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986. The board ceased to accept new complaints when the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission opened its doors on 9 May 2007 and its staff and resources have steadily declined in line with its reduced workload. It continues, however, to have responsibility for a number of complaints which were already being investigated under its remit at that time. While most of these have been finalised, a number of them are the subject of ongoing litigation. When this work has been completed the then Minister will, under powers conferred on her/him by the Garda Síochána Act 2005, by order repeal the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986. The National Crime Council ceased operation in October 2008. The Remembrance Commission’s term of appointment came to an end on 31 October 2008. Government funding to the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism ceased at the end of 2008. Some of its functions have been absorbed into the Office of the Minister for Integration. From June 2009, in line with the Budget Decision, secretarial support for the Classification of Films Appeal Board, the Censorship of Publications Board and the Censorship of Publications Appeal Board are provided by the Irish Film Classification Office. Subject to the enactment of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 and the commencement of relevant provisions therein, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner will cease to exist in 2010 and its functions will be subsumed into my Department. The Refugee Appeals Tribunal will be replaced by the Protection Review Tribunal at the same time. My Department is actively examining where common services or other resources can be shared to obtain efficiencies and reduce costs.

Citizenship Applications.

Jack Wall

Question:

189 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2750/10]

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.

Garda Strength.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

190 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving in each garda station in the Leixlip Garda District and Naas Garda District in County Kildare on 31 December 2009. [2756/10]

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 December 2009 the personnel strength of each Garda station in Leixlip and Naas Garda Districts was as follows:

Leixlip District

Strength

Carbury

5

Celbridge

18

Kilcock

8

Leixlip

33

Maynooth

15

Total

79

Naas District

Strength

Ballymore Eustace

1

Clane

8

Kilcullen

3

Kill

3

Naas

107

Robertstown

4

Total

126

Garda Deployment.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

191 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will order an independent review of the allocation of gardaí here in view of the disparity between the numbers in some divisional areas, including the fact that Kildare has one garda for every 580 people, Roscommon and Longford has one garda for every 312 people, Cavan and Monaghan has one garda for every 287 people and Clare has one garda for every 330 people. [2776/10]

The Garda Commissioner, with his senior managers and Divisional Officers, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. Garda management is aided in this by a distribution model known as the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model (GERM).

I am advised by the Commissioner that this model indicates the most effective means to distribute Garda personnel and acts as a guide to Garda management decision making. It takes into account many different policing variables, including crime trends, socio-economic factors, and census information. The allocation of Garda personnel is determined by these factors and also takes account of the policing requirements of each individual Division.

Citizenship Applications.

Seán Barrett

Question:

192 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the lengthy delay since an application for citizenship was made in January 2008 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, an early decision on this application will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2780/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 347 on 20 October, 2009. The position remains as stated.

Prison Building Programme.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

193 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans in respect of Thornton Hall in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2795/10]

The Government re-affirmed its commitment to developing a new prison campus at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, County Dublin and also approved the launch of a new tendering process for the construction of a more affordable and better value prison campus at Thornton. The aim is to provide good quality, regime focussed prison accommodation with appropriate support and rehabilitative facilities for prisoners to prepare them for re-integration back into society. The new prison facility will provide accommodation for 1,400 prisoners with operational flexibility to accommodate up to 2,200 in a range of security settings.

The development is now proceeding on a phased basis with phase one comprising essential enabling works required for the development including the construction of the dedicated access road, perimeter wall and off-site services. Tenders for the construction of the access road will be issued in March of this year. A tender competition for the construction of the perimeter wall of the prison will issue mid-Summer.

An EU wide tender competition for the appointment of technical advisors to the Irish Prison Service is already in progress. The Irish Prison Service is being assisted in this process by the National Development Finance Agency. It is intended to invite tenders for the construction of the main prison development later this year.

Departmental Programmes.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

194 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes Report proposal to transfer the disability functions of his Department to the office of mental health and disability; and if a decision has been made on this matter. [2823/10]

I refer the Deputy to the details of my reply to Question No. 54 September 2009. The disability functions of my Department centre on promoting the principles of equality but do not involve service delivery. No decision has been made to transfer the disability functions of my Department at this juncture.

Prison Accommodation.

Denis Naughten

Question:

195 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to review the decision not to reopen Harristown House, Castlerea, County Roscommon; if he will overturn this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2832/10]

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions 624, 635 and 721 on 16 September, 2009. The situation regarding Harristown House remains unchanged. My Department, in consultation with the Irish Prison Service, is examining other potential alternate uses for the House. These discussions are ongoing.

Prison Building Programme.

Denis Naughten

Question:

196 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 13 October 2009, the cost of planting in 2009; the corresponding maintenance costs; the consideration given to undertaking further additional planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2833/10]

No additional planting was undertaken at the Thornton Hall Site during 2009.

During 2009, approximately €9,600 was spent on landscape maintenance, including weed removal and control; removal of all tree stakes and tree ties; fixing and securing of protective fencing etc at the Thornton Hall site.

Consideration was given to the planting of further trees and shrubs as referred to in my answer to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question of Tuesday 13 October, 2009. However, this had to be deferred due to weather conditions.

The Deputy will be aware that when granting development consent for the Thornton Hall prison project, the Oireachtas decided to increase the planted zone at certain points along the perimeter of the site in order to mitigate the visual and aural impact of the development. This additional planting will be undertaken at the appropriate time.

Visa Applications.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

197 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/10]

The person referred to has submitted two on-line applications for a visa both made on 12/12/2009. No documentation or fees have been submitted to date in relation to either of these applications. As the person concerned states she is a South African national, she does not require a visa prior to entering the State. Entry into the State and the period of time the person may remain is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

Magdalene Laundries.

Joan Burton

Question:

198 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the position of files and records held by Government Departments in respect of women and young girls who were routinely committed by order of the courts and other mechanisms to institutions and homes run by religious orders (details supplied); if these files will be released; and the steps he proposes to take in respect of this matter and the proposals made by an organisation. [2857/10]

In my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 547, 548, 549 and 550 of Tuesday, 19 January, 2010 to Deputy Ruairí Quinn I set out fully the current position. I have nothing further to add to those replies.

Garda Strength.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

199 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of full-time gardaí in the force at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2881/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as at 31 December 2007, 2008 and 2009 was 13,755, 14,412 and 14,547 respectively.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2883/10]

I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, to date, they have not received an application from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question. If this person has resided legally in the State for five years on work permit conditions they may apply to their local immigration officer to have their permission to remain in the State renewed.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a Garda national immigration bureau card will re-approve and re-issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath who applied for this card in October 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2884/10]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 16 September 2004. Her three children were included in her application. Her claim was examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, following which it was recommended that she should be declared a refugee. Based on this recommendation, the person concerned was issued with a formal declaration of refugee status by letter dated 27 October 2005 with this status applying equally to her three children. This communication also advised the person concerned of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State, one of which was that she would be permitted to reside in the State on Stamp 4 conditions.

The person concerned was notified by letter dated 3 July 2009 that the Minister was proposing to revoke her refugee status in accordance with Section 21(1)(h) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) as it appeared that she had given false and misleading information during the course of her asylum application. She was informed that she had 15 working days from the date of that letter to make representations to the Minister in this regard. The person concerned made representations to the Minister within the specified period.

Following the consideration of the case of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, the Minister decided to revoke her status as a refugee in accordance with Section 21(1)(h) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended). The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 4 December 2009. This letter also informed her of her entitlement to appeal to the High Court under Section 21(5) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) against this decision.

Arising from the revocation of her refugee status, the person concerned no longer enjoys the benefits accruing from refugee status in the State and therefore her permission to reside in the State under Stamp 4 conditions was withdrawn.

The person concerned was notified by letter dated 15 January 2010 that as she no longer had an entitlement to remain in the State, the Minister now proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her children. 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 her and her children. 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 15 working day period referred to in my Department's letter of 15 January 2010 expires on 8 February 2010. It is open to the person concerned to make representations and/or apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State within that period. In any event, the case of the person concerned will not be further processed until the 15 working day period referred to has elapsed.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

202 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 Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2885/10]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 29 October 2008. 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 27 March 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

203 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an residency application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2886/10]

This applicant applied for asylum on 16 September 2002. His application and a subsequent appeal were refused and a Deportation Order was made on 11 March 2005. The applicant applied for Subsidiary Protection, but this application was deemed invalid under the regulations.

The applicant instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 18 April 2005 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of him and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

204 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. [2887/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 260 on 13 October, 2009. The position remains as stated.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

205 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/10]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Replies to his earlier Parliamentary Questions, Nos. 704 of Tuesday, 3 November 2009 and 686 of Wednesday, 16 September 2009. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in those Replies.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

206 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/10]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of Thursday, 2 July 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.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

207 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding family reunification in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/10]

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a letter issued to the legal representative of the person referred to by the Deputy on 16th December 2009 and that to date no response has been received.

I am further informed by INIS that on receipt of a response from the legal representative of the person referred to by the Deputy his Family Reunification application will be further processed.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

208 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure followed to date and likely further developments in the case of an application for residency and refugee status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2891/10]

The person referred to by the Deputy applied for Asylum on 12 December 2006. The claim was assessed by the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The Commissioner's recommendation was communicated to him by letter dated 19 September 2007. This communication advised the person of his entitlement to appeal the Commissioner's recommendation to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which he duly did.

The Refugee Appeals Tribunal considered the person's appeal, following which the Tribunal affirmed the Commissioner's earlier recommendation to reject his claim. The outcome of the appeal was made known to the applicant by letter dated 31 December 2009.

In accordance with normal procedures, the applicant's file has been forwarded to my Department's Ministerial Decisions Unit for final processing of the Asylum claim. A letter will be issued formally advising him that his asylum claim has been rejected and affording him three options as follows:

1. Return home voluntarily;

2. Consent to the making of a deportation order, or

3. Make written representations to me within 15 working days for temporary leave to remain in the State and/or make an application for subsidiary protection under the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 518 of 2006).

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

209 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date in the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2892/10]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 675 of Tuesday, 6 October 2009, and the written Reply to that Question.

The up to date position is that the representations submitted by the person concerned as to why a Deportation Order should not be made in respect of him are currently being considered in my Department. This consideration will have regard for 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. Once this consideration has been completed, the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

210 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date and likely outcome in the application for residency in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2893/10]

The persons concerned, a husband and wife, made separate applications for asylum on 31 August 2005. The couple's child was born in the State in late 2005 and this child was included as a child dependant in his mother's asylum application. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the persons concerned were entitled to remain in the State until their respective applications for asylum were decided. Their asylum applications were refused following the separate consideration of their cases 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 first named person was notified, by letter dated 14 August 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him.

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 second named person was notified, by letter dated 28 July 2008, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her child. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against her and her child. In addition, both the first and the second named persons were notified of their respective entitlements 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 persons concerned have submitted applications for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and these applications are under consideration at present. When consideration of these applications have been completed, the persons concerned will be notified in writing of the outcomes. In the event that the applications for Subsidiary Protection are refused, the positions in the State of the persons 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 files are passed to me for decision. Once decisions have been made, these decisions and the consequences of the decisions will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.

Given that the consideration of these cases has not yet been completed, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be entirely inappropriate to make any comment on their likely outcomes.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

211 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2894/10]

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that, following consideration of an appeal in this case, the person concerned was approved a Residence card of a family member of an EU citizen valid for a five year period. The person concerned was informed of this decision by registered letter on 13 November 2009.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

212 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/10]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of Thursday, 17 December 2009, and the written Reply to that Question.

The up to date position is that the representations submitted by the person concerned as to why Deportation Orders should not be made in respect of her and her child are currently being considered in my Department. This consideration will have regard for 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. Once this consideration has been completed, 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:

213 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2896/10]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 20 May 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. The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in his case. On 20 April 2009 the High Court refused the Judicial Review Leave Application with the consequence that the earlier decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal stood.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 28 May 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

The person concerned also made an application for residency in the State on the basis of being the spouse of an EU National. However, following consideration of this application, under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations, 2006, a decision was made to refuse the application. The person concerned was notified of this refusal decision by letter dated 23 October 2008.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

214 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2897/10]

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 629 of Tuesday, 19 January 2010, in this matter.

As stated in my earlier Reply, in the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection made by the person concerned is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned and that of her two children 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, including those of a medical nature, 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:

215 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. [2898/10]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 7 December 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 9 October 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in her case. The High Court refused the Judicial Review Leave Application with the consequence that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Minister stood. The 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:

216 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2899/10]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of Thursday, 5 November 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.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

217 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency and family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/10]

I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission to remain, which was renewed in September of 2007, is currently valid until 22 September, 2010.

With regard to the issue of family reunification, I wish to advise the Deputy that permission to remain in the State granted under the IBC/05 Scheme, and renewal thereof, is subject to the condition that the granting of such permission to remain does not confer any entitlement or legitimate expectation on any other person, whether related to the applicant or not, to enter the State. This was an express condition of the Scheme and one which all applicants signed an undertaking to accept. It is, however, open to all persons who are resident outside the State and who are visa-required to enter the State, to make an application for a visa to their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate. All visa applications are assessed on their individual merits and further information concerning visa applications may be found on www.inis.gov.ie.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

218 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency and family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2901/10]

I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission to remain, which was renewed in July of 2007, is currently valid until 14 July, 2010.

With regard to the issue of family reunification, I wish to advise the Deputy that permission to remain in the State granted under the IBC/05 Scheme, and renewal thereof, is subject to the condition that the granting of such permission to remain does not confer any entitlement or legitimate expectation on any other person, whether related to the applicant or not, to enter the State. This was an express condition of the Scheme and one which all applicants signed an undertaking to accept. It is, however, open to all persons who are resident outside the State and who are visa-required to enter the State, to make an application for a visa to their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate. All visa applications are assessed on their individual merits and further information concerning visa applications may be found on www.inis.gov.ie.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

219 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/10]

The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, (ORAC), determined on 15 January 2010, in accordance with the terms of the Dublin II Regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003, that the United Kingdom is responsible for examining the asylum application of the person concerned. The Dublin II Regulation, (Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003), is intended to prevent the phenomenon of ‘asylum shopping' across Europe and sets out criteria for determining which Regulation State is responsible for examining an asylum application where applications have been lodged in more than one Regulation State or whereby an asylum seeker has been granted a visa to enter another Regulation State and has entered that other State before entering Ireland and making an asylum application here. At the same time, it guarantees applicants that one State will process their application, thereby preventing the creation of ‘refugees in orbit', a situation which had previously pertained in Europe.

In regard to the person referred to by the Deputy, a Transfer Order was subsequently signed on 18 January and on 19 January 2010 she was transferred to the United Kingdom.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

220 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/10]

The person concerned applied for asylum on 7 February 2007. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. Her asylum application was refused following consideration of 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 10 June 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons 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.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

221 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2904/10]

Valid applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in August 2007. Processing of the applications has been completed and I have reached a decision on both. The persons concerned will be informed of the decisions in the near future.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

222 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2905/10]

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. I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation and the person in question was informed of that decision in a letter issued to him on 14 July, 2009.

Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that they wrote to the person in question via his legal representatives on 29 October, 2009 seeking clarification in relation to the name to be used on the certificate of naturalisation (the name that appears on a certificate of naturalisation, except in the case of a married woman, will be that which appears on the birth certificate as submitted by the person concerned). A reminder letter was issued on 13 January, 2010. Clarification was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 18 January, 2010. A certificate of naturalisation will issue to the person concerned in the near future.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

223 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2906/10]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 706 on 3 November, 2009. The position remains as stated.

The General Immigration Division of my Department has informed me that in November 2009 an application was received from the person in question for a Without Condition As To Time endorsement, also known as stamp 5. The application was processed and as the person had acquired the necessary immigration residency stamps his passport was endorsed with a Without Condition As To Time endorsement and returned to him by registered post on the 26 November 2009. The Without Condition As To Time endorsement gives the person in question residency in the State until his current passport expires on the 17 May 2014. Records with the Garda National Immigration Bureau show that the person in question registered his new endorsement on the 2 December 2009.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

224 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3213/10]

The number of whole-time equivalent staff attached to the 19 agencies and executive offices of the Department (but excluding bodies in the wider Justice sector which recruit their own staff such as the Courts Service, Garda Síochána, Garda Ombudsman Commission, Legal Aid Board, Property Registration Authority and non-administrative staff in the Irish Prison Service) at the end of 2007 was 986, at the end of 2008 was 1,090 and at the end of 2009 was 1,012.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

225 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2628/10]

The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following tables set out, for both Votes, the details of reports commissioned by the Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the costs in each case.

There were 4 reports on the EU which I requested the department to undertake prior to and post the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. I also requested a review on Irish Prisoners Abroad. All the other reports and those listed in Vote 29 were requested from various divisions in my department through Irish Aid.

Irish Aid (Ireland's official development assistance programme) occasionally commissions outside expertise where the specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and where the effective management and evaluation of the programme necessitates the presence of such skills. During the course of their engagements these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation. However, as they would not have been commissioned specifically to furnish a report, these details have not been included in the table.

One Task Force was established under the auspices of my Department in the period in question. The Hunger Task Force was established in 2007 following a recommendation of the September 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid. The aim of the Hunger Task Force was to identify the additional, appropriate and effective contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger. The first meeting of the Hunger Task Force took place in Dublin on 14th September 2007. The Task Force reported in September 2008, and outlined a number of key actions which Ireland can take to give practical leadership internationally on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of those who suffer from hunger by 2015. The total cost of the Task Force was €301,991.

Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2007

Matter Reported On

Costs

Sysnet Limited

ICT Security Review

28,133

Goodbody Economic Consultants

Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrant Groups Programmes

25,894

Annesley Resource Partnership

Quality Assurance Assessment of the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrants Groups Programmes

3,751

BCT Communications Limited

Evaluation of the capacity building programmes provided by the Institute of Public Administration in 2006 to the Bulgarian Institute of Public Administration and the Romanian National Institute of Administration.

20,469

Mr. Richard Townsend

Assist with a review of the mandate and structures of the Ireland-United Nations Association (IUNA)

3,993

Mr. Chris Flood

Report on Irish Prisoners Abroad

6,066

Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2008

Matter Reported On

Costs

Millward Brown

Research Project to establish reasons underlying the result of the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

138,061

Communications Clinic

The preparation of a detailed Communication Action Plan to be used to direct spending under the Department’s Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) in 2009.

48,000

Richard Sinnott, Johan A Elkink, Kevin O’Rourke and James McBride

Report on Attitudes and Behaviour in the Referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon

11,800

Mr Jim O’Leary

Assessment of Value for Money Review of the Passport Service.

7,260

Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2009

Matter Reported On

Costs

Millward Brown

Fieldwork for survey to investigate opinions and attitudes to the European Union

30,253

Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2007

Matter Reported On

Cost

Annesley Resource Partnership

Quality Review of Irish Aid Report re. Tsunami

2,723

Annesley Resource Partnership

Review of the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme

34,388

Aodh O’Connor

Technical Consultants to the Civil Society Section Funding Schemes

9,800

Dalberg Global Development Ad.

Evaluation of Learning and Training Programme for Development Workers (Dtalk)

26,245

Dalberg Global Development Ad.

Mapping of Irish Aid Approval Processes

55,358

Debbie Thomas

Production of publication material for communication about Irish Aid’s health programming

10,000

Ecorys Research and Consulting

Evaluation of the Mozambique Country Programmes 2001-2006

93,191

Farrell Grant Sparks

Provision of Consultancy Services for Irish Aid Management Review

92,767

Institute of Public Administration

Quality Assessment of Mozambique CSP Evaluation

2,904

Intrac

Public Expenditure Review of the Irish Governments Support to Tsunami affected countries

31,181

Intrac

Review of the Irish Missionary Resource Service (IMRS)

66,105

Jane Salvage

Support to the AMAR Health Rehabilitation Project for the Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq

12,135

John Grindle

External Evaluator for Development Cooperation Ireland Project Proposals for the Balkans and CISs

8,500

John Grindle

Support to Review of the Staffing Needs of the Diplomatic Missions in Programme Countries, Sierra Leone and South Africa

15,426

KPMG

Value for Money Review of the Passport Service

35,406

Maeve Martin

Evaluation of the Development and Intercultural Education (DICE) Project

15,000

Mary Jennings

Mainstreaming Building Strategy and Practice within Irish Aid

3,020

Oxford Policy Management

Strategic review of Irish Aid engagement with the United Nations funds and programmes

61,316

Reginald Terrence Allsop

Support to the Zambia/Ireland Teacher Education Initiative

21,960

Richard Townsend

Report on staffing needs of missions in Irish Aid Programme Countries

8,556

Karen Rothwell

Piloting of Organisational Assessment Guidelines

24,421

Siobhan Mullally

Independent/External Mid-term Evaluation of the Justice System Programme in Timor Leste

5,197

Steve Packer

Evaluation of the Irish Aid World Bank Education Trust Fund

23,001

Theta Eta Advisors Limited

Preparation of a report entitled: Best Practice in the Governance of Aid Programmes

6,050

Oxford Policy Management

Research study entitled: “Measuring Impact: The Global and Irish Aid Programme Context”

42,258

Mr Tony Killick

(i) Preparation of a report entitled: “Selectivity in Action: Choosing Irish Aid’s Tenth Programme Country”

25,410

(ii) Editorial Work on Research Findings Volume 1 Governance Trade and Aid Effectiveness.

Overseas Development Institute

Research study entitled: “Good Governance, Aid Modalities & Poverty reduction”

141,284

Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2008

Matter Reported On

Cost

Copenhagen Development Consulting A/S.

Evaluation of Irish Aid Support to Primary Education in the Rwenzori Region, Uganda

96,665

Desam International Consultants — Uganda

Evaluation of Irish Aid Civil Society Programme — Uganda

19,500

Debebe — Ethiopia

Civil Society Fund Audit

3,000

Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd

Develop Irish Aid Tanzania Private Sector Support Strategy

36,414

National Forestry Authority Uganda

Environmental impact assessment of the construction improvement component of the post primary education and training programme (PPET) in Karamoja.

21,666

J Fitzpatrick Assoc

External Review of Irish Aid Support to Kimmage Development Studies Centre

66,550

Paud Murphy

Evaluation of Global e-Schools & Communities Initiative (GeSCI )

33,200

FSG Social Impact Advisors

Evaluation of International Partnership for Microbicides

139,000

Helen O’Neill

Assessment of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as potential partner for Irish Aid

4,000

Dr. Larry Adupa — Uganda

Documenting the process of establishing the civil society fund for HIV/AIDS response in Uganda

11,257

Prof Amon Z Mattee — Tanzania

Assessment of the performance of extension services delivery under ASDP in Tanzania

19,235

ITAD Ltd

Evaluation of Ireland’s Timor Leste Country Strategy 2004-2008

130,000

The IDL Group — Mozambique

Analysis of Opportunities to Support Rural Livelihood Security and Pro-poor Growth through the Public Sector

38,743

Alicia da Silva Calane — Mozambique

Analytic Study on process and indicators to address gender related obstacles to achieving PROAGRI goals

10,000

Dr Barry Ryan

Review of the role of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the Partnership Programme for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PPECA)

15,000

Economics for the Environment Consultancy Ltd (eftec)

Review of Irish Aid’s Strategic Partnership’s Environment Programme 2006-2008:

30,000

Development Research Training (DRT) — Uganda

The Status of Chronic Poverty and Vulnerability in Karamoja

2,857

J Fitzpatrick Associates

Evaluation of Traidlinks

30,250

FRR/ IDL Group

Review of Irish Aid Programme in Zimbabwe

18,351

Dr. Joseph Oonyu — Uganda

Mid Term Review of Irish Aid Support to Human Resources Development for Increased Access to Primary Health Care.

6,554

Ishmaels K. B. Kabanukye and others

Mapping exercise of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Programme in Uganda

20,000

Mary Jennings

Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation

15,770

Albert Malama

Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation

7,343

Dr. Henk J.W Mustsaers

Review Operational Research for Food Security and Capacity Building and Evaluate Joint Mekelle and Cork Universities MSc Degree in Rural Development

30,600

John O’ Regan

Financial Assessment Component of an organisational Assessment on partner NGOs for Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS), Civil Society Fund, Block Grants & other Civil Society Funding Schemes

22,400

Declan O Neill

Foreign Currency Transaction Review for Embassy in Tanzania

15,000

Elim Serviços Lda-

Evaluation of Irish support to Technoserve

19,369

Health Tech Consulting — Mozambique

Evaluation of the Provincial Investment Plan 2004-2008 (PIPS) in Niassa Province (Mozambique)

25,000

John O’ Regan

Audit of Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) Partnership grants awarded to Self Help Development International

22,500

ITAD Ltd

Evaluation of the Uganda Country Strategy Paper 2007 -2009

88,760

Catherine Butcher

Review of HIVAIDS programme in Northern Province (Zambia)

18,600

AGEMA — Mozambique

Vulnerability & Agriculture Extension Study

42,000

Jane Salvage

Feedback on evaluation of Irish Aids support to Health Rehabilitation Project for Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq

1,650

Integra Economic Development Consultants Ltd

Report to Inter-Departmental Committee on Development (IDCD) on development of skill sets

18,300

Petrus Consulting Ltd

Quality review of draft HIV and AIDS Value for Money Report

3.400

Prof. Ronan Conroy

Independent assessment of issues arising from review of a local HIV and AIDS Programme in Tanzania.

5,000

Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2009

Matter Reported On

Cost

Mike Kiernan

Joint Appraisal for the development of a Joint Modality within a Sector Wide Approach to support the Palestinian Education System

10,410

Dr. Kamal Kar

Review of draft Irish Aid Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy

2,391

The Circa Group, Europe

Development of a Performance Measurement Framework for the Programme of Strategic Cooperation between Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes 2007-2011

24,561

COWI Zambia Ltd

Assessment of the Zambian Ministry of Education School Infrastructure Implementation Plan 2008.

23,760

Peter McEvoy

Evaluation of Irish Aid Supported Activities of Dochas, 2006-2008

15,058

Howard Dalzell

Review of Irish Aid Support for unexploded Ordinance Programmes in Lao PDR & De-Mining in Cambodia

18,172

Karen O’Shea

An Evaluation of the Development Intercultural Education (DICE ) Lectures Project (Part 2 of 2007-09 Model) January 2009

3,819

Mary McKeown,

Redesign of Irish Aid Regional Support in Ethiopia.

9,254

Mary McKeown Varney A Yenbeth Dr Yvonne Harding

Evaluation of Sierra Leone & Liberia Country Programmes

35,557

Rural Net Associates

Evaluation of support to Zambian Ministry of Education programme.

14,150

Channel Research

Review of Rapid Response Initiative

10,647

Johnny O’Regan

Audit of DFA Travel and Subsistence Budget

12,386

KPMG — Kenya

Report on Uganda Aida Commission

48,500

Eleanor O’Gorman

Provision of Conflict Analysis for Timor Leste

23,449

Marcel Grogan

Audit of MAPS Partner (Trocaire)

11,423

Matthias Fiedler

Development Assistance Committee Research Mapping

25,000

Mokoro Ltd

Preparation Good Practice Note Empowerment Local Development

21,900

In addition, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid (ABIA) also commissioned research programmes as part of its remit to undertake policy relevant international research. In 2006/2007 two major research projects were commissioned, the first a three year project on Good Governance, Aid Modalities and Poverty Reduction conducted by ODI London at a cost of €486,038 and the second, a one year research programme by Oxford Policy Management at a total cost of €153,505. In 2008, a three year framework agreement was signed with the Institute for International Integration Studies (I IIS) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) to undertake three research projects around Policy Coherence for Development. The total cost of the three projects is €301,889 and the Framework contract runs to 2010. No further research projects were commissioned in 2009 or later.

Citizenship Applications.

Michael McGrath

Question:

226 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if children born in 2006 and 2007 to a person who was granted permission to remain in the State in 2005, by virtue of having an Irish born child, are entitled to an Irish passport, subject to fulfilling the other normal criteria. [2706/10]

The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied that that person is an Irish citizen. Proofs of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are also available on the Department's website.

The citizenship of a child born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 depends on the citizenship or period of legal residence in Ireland of his or her parents at the time of the child's birth and is determined by reference to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has lead responsibility for questions of citizenship.

Where at least one parent of such a child is, at the time of his or her birth: (i) an Irish citizen or entitled to be an Irish citizen, (ii) a British citizen or (iii) entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without any restriction on his or her period of residence, the child has an automatic entitlement to Irish citizenship. In other cases, citizenship depends on whether the parent was legally resident in the island of Ireland for an aggregate period of at least three years in the four years prior to the birth of the child. In accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004, evidence of lawful residence in the State by one or both parents must be provided. In cases where a parent is a national of the EU, EEA or Swiss Confederation, a declaration may be made regarding the period of residence. Evidence of residence such as tax forms or bank statements may be requested in support of the declaration.

Where the child's parent is a national of another country, evidence must be provided in the form of immigration stamps in passports, Garda National Immigration Bureau cards and registration books. The Passport Office calculates the periods of lawful residency on the basis of these proofs.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

227 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2731/10]

There are no such inquiries under way. The only such inquiry for which my Department had responsibility during the last ten years was the investigation by Mr. Justice Peter Cory, a retired judge of the Canadian Supreme Court, of allegations of collusion in the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, Patrick Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson, and Billy Wright. Judge Cory was appointed to undertake this investigation by the British and Irish Governments on 28 May 2002 and submitted his final reports to the two Governments on 7 October 2003. The costs of the Inquiry were shared between the two Governments, and the total cost to the Irish exchequer of the investigation was €341,168.90.

Departmental Bodies.

John McGuinness

Question:

228 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2745/10]

There are no state agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department.

There are currently three bodies, which operate under the aegis of my Department: the Development Education Advisory Committee; the Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon); and the Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange).

The Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) was appointed by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, Minister of State and Irish Aid on policy regarding development education. As an advisory body, it has no independent budget or overheads; the administration of DEAC is serviced by my Department from the Department's overall budget.

The Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon) was set up in 1984 to advise the Government on the welfare of the Irish community in Britain. The Committee makes recommendations on Emigrant Services funding to voluntary organisations that work with vulnerable Irish people resident in Britain. As an advisory body, the Committee has no independent administrative budget or overheads; the administration of the Committee is provided by our Embassy in London and financed within the Department’s overall budget.

The Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission) finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. The Fulbright Commission operates on a statutory basis and enjoys autonomy of management and administration in accordance with the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991. The annual Grant-in-Aid figure for 2009 was €254,000, the same amount which has been paid annually since 2001.

A fourth body, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid (ABIA), ceased to operate on October 31st 2008 when the Board's term ended. The Board was established in August 2002 to provide general oversight and advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Overseas Development on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. The work of the Board was funded by an annual budget allocation under Vote 29 (International Co-operation) of the Department of Foreign Affairs. In 2008, the Board's total cost was €738,047. Of this €614,374 related to research programmes.

There are no plans to abolish or amalgamate the three bodies referred to in 2010.

Disaster Relief.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

229 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance he will take to respond to the tragic situation in Haiti following the devastating earthquake; the actions being taken to encourage people here to be as generous as ever in assisting the efforts of numerous charities (details supplied) and other aid agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/10]

The entire world has been deeply moved by the plight of the Haitian people following last week's earthquake. The devastation which it has wrought is almost beyond belief and the impact on peoples' lives has been made all the worse by the levels of poverty experienced by most Haitians.

Casualties from the earthquake are believed to be in the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands and widespread destruction of infrastructure has been reported, including to schools and hospitals. Water and electricity supplies are down, and there is very limited communication. Immediately following the earthquake the Government announced it would contribute €2 million to the international relief effort in Haiti. This includes €1 million in response to an urgent UN appeal, with the remainder channelled via NGOs such as Concern, Goal and Trócaire, with whom we are in close contact. €250,000 has already been disbursed to the Red Cross.

This funding forms part of a €122 million humanitarian response by the European Union, agreed at an emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council which I attended on Monday of this week. In addition, on Monday evening Ireland dispatched over 80 tonnes of essential humanitarian supplies to Haiti from our emergency stockpiles. These include plastic sheeting, blankets, kitchen sets, soap, and water containers sufficient for 8000 families, which will be distributed by Concern and Goal. This is one of the largest direct provisions of supplies funded by Ireland.

We have also deployed two members of our Rapid Response Corps, a 130-strong group of highly-skilled volunteers available at short notice to humanitarian organisations in need of their skills. The two concerned, and IT expert and an electrical engineer, have been assigned to the World Food Programme. Others, with skills in areas such as logistics, water and sanitation and child protection are on stand-by.

A small technical team made up of Irish Aid staff with experience in the humanitarian field and in Haiti itself, as well as a representative from the Defence Forces, has also been dispatched to Haiti. The team will report to me on how Ireland can best contribute to the international relief effort. Beyond the Government response, the Irish people have demonstrated their characteristic generosity in supporting appeals from a range of NGOs and UN agencies. This has been mirrored across the globe and reflects the will of the international community to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs of the Haitian people. The Government will ensure that Ireland continues to participate fully in this international effort and I would urge people to continue to make their own personal contribution by supporting the appeals of the relief agencies.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

230 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3211/10]

There are no state agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are two Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of my Department. The Development Education Advisory Committee was established in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, Minister of State and Irish Aid on policy regarding development education. All members serve in a voluntary capacity and it is serviced by my Department, therefore no staff are employed by the Committee.

The Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon) was set up in 1984 to advise the Government on the welfare of the Irish community in Britain . The Committee’s primary role is to advise on the distribution of Government support to voluntary agencies providing front line services and community care to Irish people in Britain. All members serve in a voluntary capacity and it is serviced by our Embassy in London, therefore there are no staff employed by the Committee.

The Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange) finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have some statutory obligations in regard to this organisation, including the appointment of four members of the eight-member Commission, who serve in a voluntary capacity. However, The Fulbright Commission enjoys autonomy of management and administration in accordance with the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

231 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2620/10]

The number of reports commissioned by the Department from 2007 to 2009, inclusive, was thirteen, and the requested details in relation to each such report are set out in the following tabular form.

In same time period, the Department did not establish any task forces, although other forms of group, such as review groups, were established.

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Completed

Cost

Review of Operation of Heritage Fund

To review the operation of the Heritage Fund as a means of facilitating the updating of legislation.

Yes

8,800

Progress on Implementation of James Joyce Centre Business Plan

To review the progress on the implementation of the James Joyce Centre Business Plan.

Yes

20,570

Analysis and Evaluation of the Potential Economic Benefits to Ireland from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

To analyse and evaluate the potential economic benefits to Ireland in the sporting, business and tourism areas from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Yes

114,000

Evaluation of Irish Sports Council Value-for-Money and Policy Review

To independently evaluate the Irish Sports Council’s value-for-money and policy review.

Yes

3,267

Evaluation of Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme Expenditure Review

To independently evaluate the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme expenditure review as part of a value-for-money report.

Yes

3,354

Update of the Cost Benefit Analysis for the National Museum at Collins Barracks

To provide a consultancy update of the cost benefit analysis for the National Museum at Collins Barracks.

Yes

3,146

Report of Tourism Strategy Implementation Group

To follow up on the recommendations of the New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action 2003-2012 strategy over a two-year period and to recommend a framework for a mid-term review.

Yes

15,660 (Chairperson’s Fee)

Review of Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund

To review the operation of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.

Yes

19,465

Church Records Microfilm and Records Numbers Survey

To identify and provide estimates of the record numbers of non-digitised Church registers.

Yes

5,808

Economic Impact of the Cultural Sector of the Arts, Culture and Creative Sectors

To research, demonstrate and provide concrete evidence of the economic importance of the arts, culture and creative sectors for Ireland, in terms of contribution to GNP, employment and Exchequer revenues.

Yes

12,092

Analysis of the Sports Facilities Provision in Ireland

To analyse the sports facility provision in Ireland to assist the Department in developing a sports facilities strategy.

Yes

113,740

Report of the Tourism Renewal Group (Survival, Recovery and Growth — A Strategy for Renewing Irish Tourism 2009-2013)

To review and, where appropriate, renew Ireland’s existing tourism strategy and to report to the Minister with recommendations in the form of a Framework for Action for the period to 2013.

Yes

3,130

Report on the Amalgamation of the National Gallery, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Crawford Gallery, Cork

To review the current proposals to combine the National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Crawford Art Gallery while retaining their separate brand identities.

Yes

8,677.14 (excluding VAT)

Tax Code.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

232 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he, or any of the agencies under the remit of his Department, have made recommendations to the Department of Finance or the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the conditions under which the artists’ tax exemption is granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2664/10]

Under the terms of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, the operation of the Artists Exemption scheme is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. The original intention of the legislation was, inter alia, to create an environment in which the Arts could flourish and to encourage Irish artists on modest incomes to remain here rather than going abroad to earn their living. I am in favour of this scheme and made my views known to the Minister for Finance prior to the Budget in December last. I was pleased to note that this scheme has remained largely intact following the December Budget announcements. My Department, the Arts Council and the Revenue Commissioners will complete their review of the schemes guidelines, for my consideration and that of the Minister for Finance, shortly.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

233 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2723/10]

Since the establishment of the Department in June 2002, no tribunal of inquiry has been set up by Ministerial Instrument following resolutions of the Oireachtas, pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921-2004.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

234 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2737/10]

The Department currently has fifteen bodies and agencies operating under its remit. Details of the financial allocations to these bodies and agencies are set out in the annual Estimates for Public Services and in the annual reports and financial statements of each body and agency which are available in the Dáil Library or on relevant websites.

In the same time period, in 2009, one agency was abolished, namely, Irish Genealogy Ltd., which was part funded by the Department. Funding is now being directed instead to the computerisation of pre-1900 Church birth, marriage and death records, some of which are now available on the free-to-view website www.irishgenealogy.ie. Computerisation of further records is in progress.

With regard to amalgamations in the same time period, in 2006, five regional tourism authorities were subsumed into Fáilte Ireland, namely, the South-East Regional Tourism Authority Ltd., South-West Regional Tourism Authority Ltd., Western Regional Tourism Authority Ltd., Midlands-East Regional Tourism Authority Ltd. and North-West Regional Tourism Authority Ltd.

In relation to the proposed amalgamation of the National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and Crawford Art Gallery Cork, as announced in Budget 2009, I am, having examining the matter in greater detail, and will bring reconsidered proposals to Government on the matter in the near future.

Also as announced in Budget 2009, the National Archives (which currently forms part of the Department) and the Irish Manuscripts Commission (which is funded by the Department) are to be merged with the National Library of Ireland.

National Lottery Funding.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

235 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of national lottery funding that his Department expects to be allocated from the Department of Finance in 2010; the amount of this allocation that will be spent on the provision of sports and recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2836/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of the proceeds of the National Lottery is a matter for the Minister for Finance. The elements of my Department's Vote which are part-funded by 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 allocation provided to the Arts Council. Details of the Budget allocations for these subheads for 2010, are outlined in the following table.

Sports Capital Programme

Irish Sports Council

Arts Council

Total

2010

€48,000,000

€49,789,000

€69,150,000

€166,939,000

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

236 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3204/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular form.

Name of Agency

Number of staff serving at end 2007

Number of staff serving at end 2008

Number of staff serving at end 2009

Arts Council

45.00

62.00

58.50

Irish Film Board

16.00

16.00

16.00

Chester Beatty Library

34.90

36.40

35.40

Failte Ireland

392.19

389.19

356.69

Irish Museum of Modern Art

94.00

94.00

93.00

Irish Sports Council

28.00

29.40

28.40

National Concert Hall

87.00

67.50

66.29

National Library of Ireland

106.55

123.15

104.05

National Museum of Ireland

166.85

180.92

175.51

National Sports Campus Development Authority

3.60

5.60

4.60

SFADCo. (Tourism)

29.00

30.50

30.50

Tourism Ireland Ltd.

156.00

161.50

159.00

Crawford Art Gallery

13.00

13.00

14.00

The numbers are given as whole time equivalents.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

237 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2622/10]

In relation to task forces, I presume the Deputy is referring to high-level committees that Departments establish from time to time to consider and advance particular strategic issues, and the reports emanating from such groups. In this context, my Department has set up no such task force since it was established in June 2002 and consequently there are no associated reports. However, for the sake of completeness, I have asked my Department to collate details of any other substantive reports (i.e. reports other than internal reports, assessments, audits, etc) commissioned during the period referred to and to forward the relevant information directly to the Deputy.

Community Development.

Michael Ring

Question:

238 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allowances that could be claimed by persons participating in the rural social scheme in each of the past three years; and the allowance rate, criteria and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2651/10]

Michael Ring

Question:

239 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allowances persons participating in the rural social scheme may claim; the criteria, payment rate and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2652/10]

Michael Ring

Question:

240 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if allowances paid previously to persons participating in the rural social schemes have been cut or amended; the potential monetary effect this has on participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2653/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 239 and 240, inclusive, together.

Following the recent Budget, adjustments have been made to payments and allowances under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) to reflect the adjustments made to social welfare payments. The payments under the RSS from 2007 to 2010 are set out in the following table.

While other allowances may be payable to RSS participants by other Departments/Agencies in certain circumstances e.g. Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, no such allowances are paid directly to RSS participants in respect of clothing, boots, shoes, etc.

Since the inception of the RSS in 2004, a materials grant to cover ancillary costs such as travel and health & safety equipment has been paid to the Implementing Bodies who administer the Scheme at local level on behalf of my Department. This grant was paid at the weekly rate of €15.24 per participant per week up to 2008. In 2009, in the context of the availability of resources, the materials grant was set at €11.63 per participant per week. In this context, the Deputy should note that guidance was issued to the Implementing Bodies to prioritise essentials such as health & safety requirements. This could include safety clothing and boots for participants, where appropriate.

Payments and allowances under the Rural Social Scheme

2007

2008

2009

2010

Maximum Personal Rate

210.20

222.30

228.70

216.00

Allowance in respect of an Adult Dependant

123.30

131.30

135.60

130.10

Allowance in respect of each Child Dependant (Full-Rate)

22.00

24.00

26.00

29.80

Allowance in respect of each Child Dependant (Half-Rate)

11.00

12.00

13.00

14.90

Free Fuel Allowance

18.00

18.00

20.00

20.00

Departmental Funding.

Tom Hayes

Question:

241 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the names of all community organisations based in south Tipperary receiving funding from his Department for community programmes; and the funding received by those organisations in 2009. [2672/10]

Information in respect of funding provided through the Vote of my Department in 2009 to community organisations in south Tipperary is set out in the following table.

Funding provided through the Vote of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2009 to South Tipperary community organisations in respect of community programmes

Organisation

Funding received in 2009

Programme/Source of funding

Muintir na Tíre

135,000

Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community & Voluntary Sector

Sth Tipperary Volunteer Centre

129,312

Funding Scheme to Support Volunteering

Anacarty Donohill Senior Citizens Com

700

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Ardfinnan Community Alert

5,330

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Ballyneale Community Alert

1,474

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Cahir Comm Alert Neighbourhood Watch

4,619

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Carers Association Clonmel

4,590

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Cashel & District Social Services Ltd

7,980

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Daycare Centre for Elderly

400

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Good Morning South Tipperary

4,925

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Kilfeacle & District Community Alert

6,950

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

SVDP Tipperary St Nicholas Conference

2,284

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Three Drives Family Resource Centre

10,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Tipperary Town and District School Completion Programme

5,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Tipperary Community Council

5,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Moorehaven Centre

10,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Three Drives Family Resource Centre

10,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Tipperary Excel Heritage Co. Ltd.

25,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Suir Community Development Project Ltd.

12,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

The Journeyman Programme

9,999

Dormant Accounts Fund

Barnardos — Families in Education Project

10,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

South Tipperary Sports Partnership

5,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Junior Achievement Ireland

10,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Foróige

18,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Scouting Ireland 3rd Tipperary Scouts Group Carrick-on-Suir

43,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Carrick-on-Suir Athletic Club

2,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Carrick-on-Suir Development Association

10,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force (Clare, Limerick and South Tipperary

30,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

South East Regional Drugs Task Force (Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and South Tipperary)

30,000

Dormant Accounts Fund

Tipperary Rural Travellers CDP

121,000

Community Development Programme

Knockanrawley Resource Centre

188,000

Community Development Programme

The Suir CDP

109,000

Community Development Programme

Clonmel Traveller Development Project

59,000

Community Development Programme

South Tipperary Development Co

448,000

Community Development Programme

Slieveardagh Rural Development

21,033

Community Services Programme

PRY Project

18,930

Community Services Programme

Tipperary Midwest Community Radio

14,540

Community Services Programme

Cahir Development Association

82,294

Community Services Programme

Cahir Park AFC (Development) Ltd

103,400

Community Services Programme

Galloglass Theatre Company

64,798

Community Services Programme

Tipperary Technology Park

98,886

Community Services Programme

South Tipperary Development Company

351,531

Rural Development Programme

Total

2,228,975

Community Development.

Denis Naughten

Question:

242 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1183 of 24 September 2008, the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2686/10]

As the Deputy is aware, the Question of 24 September 2008 referred to by him dealt with contracts for support agencies under the Community Development Programme. Such support agencies were contracted to provide supports to community development projects, which in turn delivered the programme under contract to my Department. Expressions of interest for revised supports for the programme were called for on the e-tenders website on 16 June 2008 and a number of expressions of interest were received. My Department subsequently decided, due to the changed economic circumstances at that time, not to proceed with the tender competition.

The organisation to which the Deputy referred to in the Question of 24 September 2008 continues to receive funding under contract from my Department.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

243 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2725/10]

Since my Department was established in June 2002, no such tribunals of enquiry have been conducted.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

244 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2739/10]

Currently, the number of relevant bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group is 7. The following table lists the bodies in question, as well as the relevant funding allocations for 2009 as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume.

Bodies funded from Vote Group of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 2009

Bodies

REV allocation 2009

€m

Western Development Commission

2.246

Údarás na Gaeltachta*

11.800

Dormant Accounts Board**

1.786

Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests

0.446

An Coimisinéir Teanga***

0.960

Waterways Ireland****

36.500

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Foras na Gaeilge****

15.840

Ulster-Scots Agency****

0.990

*Allocation for Údarás na Gaeltachta — Administration.

**Allocation for Dormant Accounts — Administration.

***An Coimisinéir Teanga is an independent statutory office.

****Funding also provided by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland.

In relation to the other information requested by the Deputy, the position is as follows: In 2006, Arramara Teoranta, a commercial State body founded to utilise the large resource of seaweed along the west coast of Ireland, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

In 2008, functions and funding for Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge, the former State Board established to promote writing and publishing in the Irish language, transferred to Foras na Gaeilge. In 2009, the functions, funding and staffing for Colmcille, a tripartite initiative established to develop stronger links between Gaelic speakers in Ireland and Scotland, transferred to Foras na Gaeilge. Also in 2009, the work of the National Drugs Strategy Team, a cross-sectoral team with representatives from relevant Government Departments and Agencies and the community and voluntary sectors, was subsumed into my Department in the context of National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The Government proposes to abolish the Dormant Accounts Board in 2010. Appropriate legislation is currently being prepared for this purpose.

Departmental Funding.

Willie Penrose

Question:

245 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Budget 2010, the vote for the community service programme was reduced by 9% against the figure allocated in 2009; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that community service projects were notified that funding for CSP in 2010 was about 8% lower than in 2009; the reason, when individual community service programmes in County Westmeath were notified of their grant allocation, that their reduction for their projects varied between 11% and 14%; if same will be explained in the context of budget 2010 reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2847/10]

Willie Penrose

Question:

246 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the complex review process by way of substantial forms, which community service programme providers have to complete in order to seek a review of their allocations notified for 2010 which is a significant imposition upon the individual projects; if his further attention has been drawn to the impact of the abolition of the non-wage grant, which will represent an onerous imposition upon the projects, where such non-wage expenditure was used to assist in the detailed compliance which such projects had to undertake and which also paid for insurance, licences, staff training, compliance with employment law; if the reduction for each individual project will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2848/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.

Funding of €46m is available under the Community Services Programme (CSP) in 2010 compared with €50.6m in 2009, an overall reduction of some 9%. When account is taken of administrative and related project costs, the reduction in the funding available to directly support CSP projects is generally of the order of 8%. Of the 450 or so organisations approved to deliver services under the CSP, an increase of 80 on the 01/01/2009 position, contracts in respect of some 320 projects expired at the end of 2009. In the current economic climate, I am very keen that the current levels of employment in these organisations is maintained. However, given the reduction in overall funding for the Programme, I can only do this by abolishing the non-wage grant that was previously payable.

In this context, the Deputy should note that I have provided these organisations with an opportunity to apply for an immediate review of their 2010 funding allocation where it has implications for the sustainability of the service being delivered or where the organisation has concerns of its financial viability. It should also be noted that the organisations will have their financial situation and operations more comprehensively examined in the context of being potentially offered three year contracts to the end of 2012. A key requirement of the CSP is that organisations contracted to deliver services undertake to generate a significant level of resources from non-public sources by way of trading, charging fees and fund raising etc. This is unlike many of the other programmes operated across the public sector.

My Department continues to simplify the information and administrative burden on organisations funded by the Programme. I believe that the information required is proportionate to the level and duration of funding offered to the groups involved. The contracts for the 130 or so organisations extending into 2010 are unaffected at this time by the reduction in the non-wage grant.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

247 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3206/10]

Currently, the number of relevant bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group is 7. The following table lists the bodies in question, as well as details submitted to my Department regarding the numbers of staff employed at year-end in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Staffing numbers for 2007-2009 in bodies funded from Vote Group of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Bodies

Staff employed at end-2007

Staff employed at end-2008

Staff employed at end-2009

Western Development Commission

15.00

16.54

15.40

Údarás na Gaeltachta

112.00

111.00

103.03

Dormant Accounts Board*

0.00

0.00

0.00

Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests (CCDB)**

7.60

7.40

6.80

An Coimisinéir Teanga**

5.00

7.00

6.00

Waterways Ireland

345.95

349.46

355.8

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Foras na Gaeilge

51.00

50.00

48.60

Ulster-Scots Agency

17.00

15.00

17.54

*The Dormant Accounts Board does not employ any staff. However, a member of staff of my Department provides secretarial assistance to the Board on a half-time basis.

**Staff seconded from my Department.

Flood Relief.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

248 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount applied for by individuals, families or companies from the humanitarian fund in respect of the flooding in November 2009; the amount of money that has been given from the fund to individuals, families or companies to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2871/10]

In recognition of the devastation suffered by people in many areas of the country as a result of the flooding from November 2009 onwards the Government set up a Humanitarian Assistance Scheme to provide income tested financial support to people who have suffered damages to their homes not covered by insurance. An initial sum of €10 million has been set aside by the Government for this purpose.

Community Welfare Service staff throughout the country have been providing huge support to families since this flooding occurred. Up to the 15th January 2010 they had already made over 1,861 payments to 1,091 individuals to the value of €744,000. The average payment per individual is €680, with the largest payment to an individual in excess of €20,000. Initially, the vast bulk of applications for humanitarian assistance were for small amounts to assist with basics such as food, clothing, bedding, heating and the hire of dehumidifiers. As the flood waters began to recede in some areas and householders were able to assess the extent of damage to the contents of their homes, claims have been submitted and approved for items such as carpets, flooring, furniture and white goods.

While assistance is available for structural repairs to homes not covered by household insurance, very few large scale claims have been made at this stage. This is because homeowners have not yet established the cost of repair in many cases, for example because they are awaiting builder's estimates. As the flood waters have receded in most areas, individuals are now in a better position to assess the extent of the damage to their homes. It is expected that large scale claims will be received over the coming weeks.

Application forms and information about the Humanitarian Assistance Fund are available from the Department of Social and Family Affairs website, www.welfare.ie. This material is also available through the Citizens Information Service, and the HSE website (www.HSE.ie).

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

249 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in her Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2631/10]

The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Denis Naughten

Question:

250 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to review the decision to impose cuts to the dental benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2654/10]

The Treatment Benefit scheme is paid from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). Although the SIF has operated a surplus since 1996, this position began to change last year, and expenditure had to be partially funded from the accumulated Exchequer surplus. It is estimated that the accumulated surplus will be completely exhausted in the first half of 2010, and that Exchequer will be required to subvent the SIF by in excess of €1 billion. The expenditure pressures on the Fund will continue in the near future. Against this background, the most pressing needs right now are to ease the pressure on the SIF and to get the public finances back on track.

The Dental Examinations have been retained. This is intended to encourage customers to continue attending for checkups and so to address some of the concerns expressed regarding the population's dental health.

I would emphasise that the Treatment Benefit scheme has not been abolished, only revised for 2010. Although the scheme has been limited to examination only for 2010, customers will still qualify in the normal way through their PRSI contributions. The scheme will be reviewed again towards the end of the year, when a further decision will be made taking account of the prevailing circumstances at that time.

Community Development.

Tom Hayes

Question:

251 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the names of community organisations based in south Tipperary receiving funding from her Department for community programmes and the funding received by those organisations in 2009. [2675/10]

The Family Support Agency funds the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme and the Scheme of Grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling. There are two Family Resource Centres in South Tipperary and they received funding of €203,220 in 2009. Seven organisations received funding of €85,150 under the 2009 Scheme of Grants. The details of these organisations are given in the following Appendix.

Table 1: Core Funding for FRCs in South Tipperary 2009

Spafield FRC, Cashel

118,065

Three Drives FRC, Tipperary Town

85,155

Total

203,220

Table 2: South Tipperary Organisations funded under 2009 Scheme of Grants

Knockanrawley Resource Centre, Tipperary Town

60,000

Rainbows Presentation Primary, Clonmel

850

St Michael’s Bereavement Support Group, Tipperary Town

900

Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel

8,000

Rainbows Outreach Clonmel

2,000

Spafield Family Resource Centre, Cashel

8,300

Three Drives FRC, Tipperary Town

5,100

Total

85,150

Social Welfare Benefits.

Dan Neville

Question:

252 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the contributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [2692/10]

Spouses who are actively engaged in a commercial partnership, including the operation of a farm, as opposed to simply being the joint owners of a property, are treated as individual self-employed contributors and are thus liable to social insurance contributions. On foot of a Programme for Government commitment an information leaflet, ‘Working with your spouse: how it affects your social welfare contributions and entitlements', has been developed between the Department of Social & Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners to set out the social welfare and tax implications of families co-working in a shared business. It was published on the 25th of June, 2008.

The leaflet clarifies that spouses who operate in a commercial partnership may be brought into the social insurance system, subject to certain criteria. In this way, both spouses incur a liability to pay self-employed PRSI and build up entitlement towards a contributory state pension and other social welfare benefits. It is open to any person to apply for recognition of a commercial partnership. However, to be eligible for State Pension, the legislation stipulates that at least 52 self-employment contributions must be paid by a person before they reach 66 years of age. Contributions paid by a pension applicant's spouse do not satisfy this condition.

Applications for pension or benefit are submitted and processed in the usual way. The qualifying conditions for State Pension (Contributory) require the applicant to:

have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 56 years

have at least 260 paid contribution weeks since entry into insurance

satisfy the yearly average condition.

In addition, Section 110(1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 provides that a self-employed contributor shall not be regarded as satisfying the qualifying conditions unless:

(a) the person has paid self-employment contributions in respect of at least one contribution year before attaining pensionable age, and

(b) all self-employment contributions payable by him or her have been paid.

According to the records of this Department, the self-employment contributions were all paid by the person concerned after her 66th birthday. She does not therefore satisfy the condition at (a) above and has no entitlement to a State Pension (Contributory) and has been notified of this decision on the 12th January 2010.

Section 110(1)(a) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005, has been on the statute books for over twenty years and therefore, there has not been a change in policy in relation to the requirement to have paid self employment contribution prior to reaching age 66 in order to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory). An overpayment will be determined in the above case and the customer will be notified and requested to repay the amount involved. However a Recovery Officer may reduce/cancel an overpayment based on the circumstance of an individual case, in line with the governing legislation.

In conclusion, therefore, it should be noted that while the publication of the leaflet ‘Working with your spouse: how it affects your social welfare contributions and entitlements' clarified existing procedures in relation to the recognition of commercial partnerships between husbands and wives for social insurance purposes, including retrospective payment of social insurance, it did not involve a change in existing policy or administration. In particular, the clarification of the position did not alter people's potential entitlements and all applicants for the state pension (contributory) must continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions as contained in legislation, and outlined above.

The department understands and apologises for the upset and distress caused to this person and regrets the administrative error involved.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

253 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by her Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2734/10]

This Department has not conducted any tribunals of enquiry.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

254 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of her Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2748/10]

The four statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.

The total expenditure for each of the Agencies/Boards under the aegis of the Department in the years 2006 to 2008 and provisional expenditure for 2009 is outlined in the following table.

From 1 July 2009, the Combat Poverty Agency integrated with the former Office for Social Inclusion within the Department of Social and Family Affairs, to form the new Social Inclusion Division within the Department. Responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) transferred to the Citizens Information Board on 13 July 2009. There are no further plans to abolish or amalgamate any of the Boards/Agencies under the aegis of the Department at present.

Name of Statutory Body

Total Expenditure for each year

€m

Family Support Agency

2006: 26.506m

2007: 35.339m

2008: 35.981m

2009: 35.707m

Social Welfare Tribunal

2006: NIL

2007: NIL

2008: 155.00

2009: 6,000.00

Office of the Pensions Ombudsman

2006: 0.790m

2007: 0.910m

2008: 0.961m

2009: 0.936m

The Pensions Board1

2006: 6.600m

2007: 6.630m

2008: 6.7m

2009: 6.3m1

Combat Poverty Agency

2006: 4.310m

2007: 4.320m

2008: 4.100m

2009: 1.4m (1 Jan-30 Jun 2009)

Comhairle

2006: 24.996m

(Comhairle combined the functions of the former National Social Services Board with certain functions of the former National Rehabilitation Board)

Citizens Information Board

2007: 29.900m

(The Comhairle name was changed to Citizens Information Board in February 2007 under the Citizens Information Act 2007)

2008: 30.106m2009: 28.200m

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

255 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when one parent family allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2927/10]

The person concerned claimed one parent family payment from 21 May 2009. His claim was disallowed on 11 September 2009 as he failed to disclose his means. He lodged an appeal on 30 September 2009 and his file was sent to an inspector for a review of his case. The inspector contacted the person concerned on 9 October 2009 and requested a P45 or a letter from his employer and bank statements. As the details requested were not furnished, the inspector contacted him again by telephone on 9 November 2009 and advised him to contact her if he had any difficulty in furnishing the required details. Some details were subsequently received but a number of the documents requested remain outstanding.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance. The community welfare officer was contacted on 19 January 2010 and has advised that the person concerned has been requested to furnish documentation relating to his means. The community welfare officer has undertaken to forward copies of any documentation received directly to the inspector so that the review can proceed.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

256 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the relevant section of her Department will confirm that for the purposes of qualification for an old age pension on foot of self employment contributions in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare a partnership exists; if, in view of a readjustment or division of contribution requirements, a specific amount of pension will be payable without incurring a liability for retrospective contributions in the event that they fail to qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2928/10]

To date, no application for commercial partnership has been received in the case of the person mentioned (details supplied). To qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) a number of conditions must be satisfied, including the condition that a person must have entered into Social Insurance before attaining age 56. Department's records show that the person concerned first paid self-employment contributions on 6th April 1991. As she attained aged 56 on 1st October 1984 she had not entered insurance prior to age 56 and could not, therefore, qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

257 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when carer’s allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2929/10]

The person concerned applied for Carer's Allowance on 30 December 2009. On 5 January 2010 the case was referred to an Investigative Officer of this Department for means assessment and confirmation that the conditions necessary for receipt of the allowance are satisfied. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

Under Social Welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These Officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

258 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for one parent family allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2935/10]

The person concerned claimed one-parent family payment from 24 April 2008. The claim was disallowed on 12 January 2009 on the grounds that she was not a qualified parent for the purpose of the one parent family payment scheme. She appealed the deciding officer's decision on 19 January 2009 and the decision was upheld by an appeals officer on 7 September 2009.

The person concerned made a new application for one-parent family payment on 8 October 2009. Having discussed the application with her, the deciding officer considered that as there was no change in her circumstances since the appeal hearing the previous month, the previous decision stood and advised her of the position.

It is open to the person concerned to re-apply for the one-parent family payment in the event of a change in her circumstances.

Social Welfare Code.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

259 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to the spouse and partner of self employed persons who applied through the scope section of her Department to have their PRSI split back dated to 1988; if her attention has been drawn to problem which has now arisen in respect of persons who were over pensionable age when they made this application where her Department has now written to them seeking to cancel the pension which was already granted as a result of thorough investigations by her Department, and are looking for a proposal to have the money taken back; the basis for this request; if the reason is due to the fact that because the persons were over the age of pension when the PRSI was split, had not paid one contribution before reaching the pension age; the way this could occur when one spouse would have paid the PRSI from 1988 onwards in respect of themselves and now it is accepted that this PRSI is also in respect of their spouse; her views on the fact that this is going to create considerable hardship on pensioners, in particular those who may be in their early to mid-70s who would have got a lump sum from her Department in respect of back pension and who would have done nothing wrong except operate within the scheme as dictated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2938/10]

Spouses who are actively engaged in a commercial partnership, including the operation of a farm, as opposed to simply being the joint owners of a property, are treated as individual self-employed contributors and are thus liable to social insurance contributions. Spouses who operate in a commercial partnership may be brought into the social insurance system, subject to certain criteria. In this way, both spouses incur a liability to pay self-employed PRSI, and build up entitlement towards a contributory state pension and other social welfare benefits.

On foot of a Programme for Government commitment an information leaflet, ‘ Working with your spouse: how it affects your social welfare contributions and entitlements’, has been developed between the Department of Social & Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners to set out the social welfare and tax implications of families co-working in a shared business. It was published on the 25th of June, 2008. To date, more than one thousand applications for commercial partnership status have been received. Of these, 579 applications have been finalised, of which 508 cases are approved.

To qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), a number of conditions must be satisfied.

A person must have at least 260 paid social insurance contributions

have a yearly average of at least 10 contributions paid or credited since entry into social insurance,

must have entered into social insurance before attaining the age of 56 years.

In addition, Section 110 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act of 2005 provides that a self-employed contributor shall not be regarded as satisfying the qualifying conditions for State Pension Contributory unless:

the person has paid self-employment contributions in respect of at least one contribution year before attaining pensionable age (66),

and

all self-employment contributions payable by him or her have been paid.

It is open to any person to apply for recognition of a commercial partnership. However, to be eligible for State Pension, the legislation stipulates that at least 52 self-employment contributions must be paid by a person before they reach 66 years of age. Contributions paid by a pension applicant's spouse do not satisfy this condition.

Following a review of these pension claims, it was discovered that a number of individuals who had been in receipt of pension did not satisfy the condition whereby they were required to have paid at least one year's self-employment contribution before reaching age 66. As they did not satisfy this condition, the claims were disallowed, from the date of pension award, and the customers notified.

Overpayments will be determined in the above cases and the customers will be notified and requested to repay the amounts involved. However a Recovery Officer may reduce or cancel an overpayment based on the circumstances of an individual case, in line with the governing legislation.

It should be noted that while the publication of the leaflet ‘ Working with your spouse: how it affects your social welfare contributions and entitlements’ clarified existing procedures in relation to the recognition of commercial partnerships between husbands and wives for social insurance purposes, including retrospective payment of social insurance, it did not involve a change in existing policy or administration. In particular, the clarification of the position did not alter people’s potential entitlements and all applicants for the state pension (contributory) must continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions as contained in legislation, and outlined above.

The department understands and apologises for the upset and distress caused to these people and regrets the administrative error involved.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

260 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the payment of rent allowance to tenants in private housing; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there would appear to be different rules in different areas, namely in some cases the rent allowance is paid to the tenant and in other cases it is paid directly to the landlord; her views on the fact that there could be abuse when paying the rent allowance to the tenant and it would not be paid over to the landlord; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2939/10]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

Under the relevant legislative provisions, the Department's relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is made to the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. Legislation does however provide for the making of a rent supplement payment to another person on behalf of the recipient, at the tenant's request and is subject to the consent of the HSE. Almost 20,000 (21%) rent supplement payments are made to a person other than the rent supplemented tenant, for example to a relative, a landlord or landlord's agent.

It is open to the landlord to bring to the attention of the HSE any instance where a tenant is receiving rent supplement but is not paying their rent. Where a Community Welfare Officer becomes aware that a person receiving rent supplement is not using that supplement to meet housing costs, payment of the supplement is suspended and the matter investigated. Any overpayment of rent supplement incurred in circumstances of this kind may be recoverable from the tenant.

Where a landlord has a grievance in relation to the non-payment of rent by a tenant, s/he may apply to the Private Residential Tenancies Board to have the dispute resolved through the board's dispute resolution process.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

261 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from her Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3214/10]

The four statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Pensions Board, the Citizens Information Board, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.

The total number of staff for each of the Agencies/Boards under the aegis of the Department in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 is outlined in the following table.

Name of Board/Agency

Total staff numbers each year

The Pensions Board

2007: 37.0

2008: 39.5

2009: 37.0

Citizens Information Board

2007: 92.0

(The Comhairle name was changed to Citizens Information Board in February 2007 under the Citizens Information Act 2007)

2008: 88.0

2009: 88.0

Family Support Agency

2007: 42.49

2008: 38.98

2009: 40.19

Social Welfare Tribunal

2007: Nil

2008: Nil

2009: Nil

Office of the Pensions Ombudsman

2007: 10.0

2008: 10.0

2009: 10.0

Combat Poverty Agency

2007: 25.1

2008: 22.1

2009: 18.71

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

262 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Defence the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/10]

There were no task forces set up or commissioned in my Department in 2007, 2008 or 2009. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to reports, commissioned in this period, is set out in the table.

Year

Status of Report

Reason

Cost

2007

Completed

To Carry out Independent Quality Assessment of VFM Review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces. The Report was received in August 2007.

2,904.00

2007

Completed

To Undertake Research Into The Issue Of Recruitment And Retention Of Women In The Defence Forces, To Assist In The Formulation Of Policy And Practice In This Area.

48,000

2008

Completed

To make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces.

95,000

2008

Completed

To Carry out a study to review and evaluate options for bracken control in the Glen of Imaal and identify a plan for its control.

30,129.00

2008

Completed

To engage an external expert to chair the Independent Monitoring Group to review progress made by the PDF since the publication in 2004 of the report ‘Response to the Challenge of a Workplace”.

37,109.12

2008

Completed

To carry out a review of the Safety Policy at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

50,000

2009

Completed

To examine the business processes, procedures and business structures in operation in the Finance Branch and to provide a report making recommendations for improvements in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

80,550

2009

Completed

To carry out a value for money review of the Naval Service Vessel maintenance. The objective of the review was to ensure value for money.

2,800

2009

In Progress — the Report is Due in Early 2010

To conduct a value for money review of Military training lands. The objective of the review is to ensure value for money. Total value of the contract is €90,000, two staged payments amounting to €60,500 have been made to date.

90,000

2009

Completed

To provide an independent review of documentation in relation to a legal action initiated by a staff member.

2,430

2009

Completed

To review ‘Oracle’ licence arrangements in the Department and the Defence Forces.

2,308

The objective of all reports commissioned is to ensure that my Department achieves value for money and to implement recommendations for improvements in order to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Commemorative Events.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

263 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if he has plans to stage a permanent exhibition of the 1916 Rising including the Stanley collection in the General Post Office for the 1916 commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2643/10]

The future use of the GPO including the possible development of cultural and amenity projects is under consideration. The decision on its future use will have regard to all advice and suggestions received.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

264 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2726/10]

In response to the Deputy's question I wish to state that there were no tribunals of enquiry conducted by my Department and therefore no costs have been incurred to date in 2010.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

265 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2740/10]

The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The information requested in relation to the yearly costs is as follows:

Name of Agency

Cost 2009

Cost 2010

Civil Defence Board

6,148,000 (Grant In Aid)

6,148,000 (Grant In Aid)

Army Pensions Board

104,000

110,000

Coiste an Asgard received a National Lottery grant in the sum of €830,000 in 2009. In the context of settling the Estimates for my Department for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. As a result, no funding has been provided in 2010. No Agency or Body under the aegis of my Department has been abolished or amalgamated in the past four years.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

266 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3207/10]

The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The information in relation to the number of whole time equivalent staff employed in the Agencies in 2007, 2008 and 2009 is set out in the following table:

Name of Agency

2007

2008

2009

Civil Defence Board

21.6

24.6

24.6

Army Pensions Board

2.0

2.0

2.0

Coiste an Asgard

2.0

2.0

2.0

I would like to reassure the Deputy that I am satisfied that staffing levels in the Agencies under the aegis of my Department are appropriate and that I remain committed to ensuring that the delivery of services by the Agencies is as efficient and effective as possible.

Departmental Expenditure.

Phil Hogan

Question:

267 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the financial cost to the State of the recent cold weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2949/10]

The information sought is not available in my Department. Costs incurred by local authorities are not yet available.

Planning Issues.

Phil Hogan

Question:

268 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of times since 2007 to date in 2010 that his Department has initiated, or been party to, a court case against An Bord Pleanála or another Department or agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2950/10]

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

Water Services.

Phil Hogan

Question:

269 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of resources allocated to the next phase of the water investment programme that is dedicated to water mains improvement or maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2951/10]

I refer to the reply to Question No 907 of 19 January 2010.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

270 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/10]

The tables set out the information requested in the question. The first table details Task Forces established in my Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and any reports arising. The second table details reports commissioned and paid for by my Department during the same years. Reports prepared internally such as Annual Reports and other reports associated with the ongoing work of the Department are not included.

Task Forces Commissioned by Department

Title of Task Force (if applicable)

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Expert Advisory Group — To conduct a review of Ireland’s World Heritage Tentative List

Draft New Tentative List made available for public consultation on 2nd November 2009

See across

List prepared

N/A

Task Force on Adult Entertainment

Report of the Task Force on Adult Entertainment

To examine the planning land use implications of the siting and location of adult entertainment venues.

No

N/A

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Process Audit Report on Waterford Sewerage Scheme (DBO)

A Process Auditor is appointed for every PPP project with a capital value in excess of €20 million. The Process Auditor function is to check that procedures and processes are such that the project complies with all the relevant, EU, national, local or project specific, regulatory and administrative procedures and procedures adopted by Project Manager/Project Board.

Ongoing

€29,834

2007

Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Fota House and Gardens, Co. Cork

Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Fota House and Gardens, Co. Cork

Yes

14,520

2007

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Examining and Assessing the Regulation of Lobbyists in Canada, the USA, the EU Institutions.

To analyse the formal systems for regulating lobbyists in public life in certain jurisdictions thereby facilitating their relevance to public life in Ireland.

Yes

34,000

2007

Process Audit Report on Mullingar Sewerage Scheme (DBO)

See previous Process Audit Reports for Sewerage Schemes

Yes

5,261

2007

Analysis of national emissions of pollutants from Powergen sector

To analyse the national emissions of pollutants from the Powergen sector

Yes

29,950

2007

Review of the operation of Local Authority Capital Expenditure

To review the pattern of capital expenditure recoupment by local authorities

Yes

58,503

2007

Quality review of Rural Water Programme report

Quality Assessment of VFM Review of Rural Water Programme

Yes

3,630

2007

Monitoring of Archaeological Monuments Programme

Pilot project to monitor change to condition of archaeological monuments and risk of damage and/or destruction thereto.

Yes

94,985

2007

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report

To provide information on the litter position nationally

Yes

104,398

2007

Storage of Electronic Voting Equipment — Conclusion of Local Lease Arrangements

To examine individual leases and make recommendations on termination of leases where appropriate

Yes

35,090

2007

Construction Industry Reports

An independent overview of the construction industry and potential future trends to inform policy

Yes, 4 quarterly, 1 annual, 1 preliminary forecast

117,954

2007

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Energy Efficiency Regulations for New Dwellings & Options for Improvement

Analysis of the options available to achieve 40% improvement over 2005 Part L standards

Yes

107,779

2007

Limerick Regeneration Programme

Report commissioned by Government following increase in criminality in Limerick

Yes

21,764

2007

A Review of and Report on Certain Matters Relating to Dublin City Council’s Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant

A Review of and Report on Certain Matters Relating to Dublin City Council’s Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant

Yes

34,345

2008

Process Audit Report on Navan / Mid-Meath Water Supply Scheme

See previous Process Audit Reports for Sewerage Schemes

ongoing

0

2008

Draft terms of reference for preparation of guidance on the economic aspects of the Water Framework Directive

This report was requested to co-ordinate the development of guidelines, including the provision of training for undertaking economic analysis relevant to the preparation of river basin management plans by local authorities.

Yes

3,932

2008

Indecon Review of County/City Development Board Strategic Reviews and Proposals for Strengthening and Developing the Boards

To support the process of Reviewing CDB Strategies

Yes

93,170

2008

Urban Design Guide

To supplement planning guidance

Yes

240,000

2008

White Young Green — Former Irish Steel Plant Environmental Report (2008)

Environmental Assessment of Site Condition

Yes

355,857

2008

Sirius — Peer review of WYG Environmental Report 2008

Peer Review

Yes

22,959

2008

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report

To provide information on the litter position nationally

Yes

101,203

2008

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Electoral Area Boundary Committee Report 2008

To review and make recommendations regarding the boundaries and memberships of local electoral areas in 30 local authority areas

Yes

10,415

2008

Dublin and Cities Electoral Area Boundary Committee Report 2008

To review and make recommendations regarding the boundaries and memberships of local electoral areas in 8 local authority areas

Yes

5,101

2008

Preliminary Study on the Establishment of an Electoral Commission in Ireland

To make recommendations regarding the establishment of an Electoral Commission in Ireland

Yes

8,400

2008

Study on Meeting the Requirements of European Regulation 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-gases).

To facilitate the process of designing the optimal implementation model for EU F-Gas Regulation 842/2006

Yes

84,658

2008

Report on outcome of Contract 4.2 Limerick Main Drainage

To review the Department’s role in the management and oversight of this contract

Yes

29,415

2008

Knocknarea, Carrowmore and Carns Hill Conservation Study

To identify replanting options for large tree felled area and to inform input to County Development Plan.

Yes

71,148

2008

Irish Battlefields Project

Research as input to review of national monuments legislation.

Yes

290,542

2008

Monasterboice Conservation Study

To assess options for preservation and display of the Monasterboice Crosses.

Yes

39,160

2008

Geotechnical Consultancy — Rath Lugh

To assess impact of adjacent road development on national monument.

Yes

3,257

2008

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Construction Industry Reports

An independent overview of the construction industry and potential future trends to inform policy

Yes, 4 quarterly, 1 annual, 1 preliminary forecast

117,954

2008

Process Audit Report on Portrane/Donabate/ Rush/Lusk Waste Water Treatment Plant

See previous Process Audit Reports on Sewerage Schemes

ongoing

0

Report on visits to properties included in, orproposed to the World Heritage Tentative List of Ireland

Review of World Heritage Tentative List of Sites in Ireland

Yes

9,574

2008

An assessment of the palaeo environmental samples retrieved during archaeological excavations on Skellig Michael

This work is an essential part of the post-excavations analysis required to reconstruct the environmental conditions and possible diet of the early monks on Skellig Michael

Yes

3,473

Independent Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Annes Grove House, Garden and Home Farm, Castletownroche, Mallow, Co Cork.

Assessment of Proposed Acquisition by the Irish Heritage Trust Limited of Annes Grove House, Garden and Home Farm, Castletownroche, Mallow, Co Cork.

Yes

14,520

2008

Limiting Thermal Bridging & Air Infiltration — Acceptable Construction Details

Production of a set of generic Acceptable Construction Details that can be accepted as limiting thermal bridging in accordance with TGD L Conservation of Fuel and Energy — Dwellings 2007

Yes

19,011

2008

Process Audit Report on Kildare Water Supply Scheme — River Barrow Abstraction Water Treatment Plant

See previous Process Audit Reports on Sewerage Schemes

Yes

7,839

2009

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Bathing Water Survey Report 2008

Purpose was to check the use of the coastal bathing waters in the high season and to provide an overview of key quality and management issues including information provided to bathers.

Yes

16,950

2009

A Blueprint for a Public Awareness Campaign on Water

Framework of an awareness strategy on actions and behaviours that will arrest the decline of our overall water quality

Yes

77,430

2009

Community Consultants

Waterford Youth Service — Research Project

Yes

*€15,000 Note: Full cost of report was €30,000 which was shared equally by this Department and Dept of Education

2009

RIA on proposed legislation to increase levies on plastic shopping bags and certain waste facilities

Examination of 2 proposed amendments to Waste Management Act, to raise plastic bag levy and certain waste facilities

Yes

72,341

2009

Eunomia Research and Consulting — Strategic Environmental Assessment

SEA on Proposed Cap on amount of MSW that can be Incinerated and other Matters

Yes

43,284

2009

Eunomia Research and Consulting — International Review of Waste Management Policy

Major Waste Study to underpin International Review of Waste Management Policy provided for in Programme for Government

Yes

€168,171.35 to date — Final Invoice Awaited

2009

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report

To provide information on the litter position nationally

Yes

110,007

2009

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Review of spot-Checks of Capital Projects and Associated Training Consultancy

To carry out a series of independent spot-checks and post project reviews of capital projects funded by the Department and delivered either by local authorities or directly by the Department.

Yes

545,048

2009

Review of Archaeological Policy and Practice

To inform Ministerial policy and review national monuments legislation

Part 1 — Report on Legislation — Completed January 2009

3,858

2009

Construction Industry Reports

An independent overview of the construction industry and potential future trends to inform policy

Yes, 4 quarterly, 1 annual, 1 preliminary forecast

99,048

2009

Eurocode 2 Study — Concrete

To technically evaluate the impact of implementation of EN 1992 on structural design in Ireland and to produce a draft National Annex for the first two parts of this code

Yes

81,860

2009

Eurocode 6 Study — Masonry

To technically evaluate the impact of implementation of EN 1996 on structural design in Ireland and to produce draft National Annexes for all parts of this code

Yes

65,138

2009

Code of Practise on Timber Frame Houses

Need to set a standard code of practise for timber frame houses.

Yes

67, 765

2009

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Strategic Review of the Capital Funding Scheme for Voluntary & Cooperative Housing

Review undertaken in response to commitments given in Government’s Housing Policy Statement and Partnership Agreement.

Yes

160,000

2009

Final Account Reports (various schemes)

Review of Final Accounts provided for various Water Services capital schemes

ongoing

€80,180.83**figure relates to total paid in 2007-2009 period

2009

Organisational review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service

Organisational review of the NPWS

No, to be completed in 2010

183,945

n/a

Administrative Burden Report

To identify administrative burden costs on business arising from the Dept’s Legislation & Regulations

Yes

9,112

2009

Evaluation of European Spatial Network Research to Ireland

To assess relevance of research to Ireland

Yes

48,376

2009

Evaluation of Gateway Innovation Fund Proposals

To assess and evaluate proposals for funding from the 9 NSS Gateways

Yes

73,689

2008

Research into the Barriers to the Provision of Traveller Accommodation

To inform the NTACC of the barriers to providing Traveller Accommodation as perceived by local authorities

Yes

6,136

Not published. For NTACC information. Available on request.

NPWS Data Management Framework Development Report

NPWS Data Management Framework Proposal & Study

No

Estimated €49,800

Due to be completed June 2010

Reports Commissioned by the Department

Title of Report

Reason for Report

Report Completed?

Cost

Year Commissioned/ Report Published as applicable

Assessment of Acceptable Construction Details to support TGD L Conservation of Fuel and Energy — Dwellings 2010

Assessment of thermal performance of DEHLG Acceptable Construction Details for the new backstop U Values to be used in TGD L Dwellings 2010 and to assess the performance of these construction types when combined with internal insulation.

Not yet — due for completion in 2010

88,615

2010

Climate Change Study

To ascertain impact of climate change on Ireland’s World Heritage Sites

No

8,400

2010

Interim Value for Money and Policy Review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme

Part of the 2006-2008 round of Value for Money and Policy Reviews agreed by the Government. Report completed in house but final draft sent to an external quality assessor for review.

November 2009

3,645

2010

Pension Provisions.

David Stanton

Question:

271 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the public service pension levy applies to retained firemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2633/10]

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 states that any public servant, who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme, is subject to a deduction from their remuneration.

In 2008, retained firefighters were given the option of joining the Local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGSS). Retained firefighters who opted not to join the scheme receive, on retirement, a gratuity of 1/8th of the annual retainer multiplied by the number of years of actual service (up to a maximum of four times the annual retainer). This is a payment in lieu of membership of a pension scheme, and as such retained firefighters are subject to the deduction outlined in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.

Planning Issues.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

272 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm if the Waterways housing estate in Sallins, County Kildare, is built on a flood plain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2635/10]

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 898 and 910 of 19 January 2010.

Control of Dogs.

Michael Ring

Question:

273 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dogs put down monthly in 2009 on a county basis in tabular form. [2648/10]

My Department is currently in the process of compiling statistics for 2009 in relation to dog control, and I will ensure that information on the number of dogs put down in 2009 by county will be conveyed to the Deputy when the statistics are available next month.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

274 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on making provisions to enable the buy out of any clawback without having to sell the property when current market price is at or about the original affordable price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/10]

The primary purpose of the clawback regime is to prevent short-term profit-taking on the resale of affordable homes.

At present there is no legislation providing for the discharge of the clawback while the homeowner remains in residence and I have no plans to alter the claw-back arrangements for owners of homes already purchased under the existing affordable housing schemes.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

275 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the tendering process for a scheme (detail supplied) in County Cork is under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2690/10]

Last year, my Department approved Cork County Council's contract documents for the Mallow/Ballyviniter Regional Water Supply Scheme, which was approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently considering these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

276 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2729/10]

The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments was established by order of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to inquire into and report on various planning matters, set out in resolutions passed by Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann on 7 and 8 October, 1997 respectively.

The Tribunal costs in 2010 (up to 19 January 2010) are approximately €76,000, while the overall cost of the Tribunal since its inception is of the order of €98 million.

I am advised by the Tribunal that it hopes to complete its report by the end of May 2010, with publication shortly thereafter; this is dependent on there being no unforeseen delays arising due to, inter alia, further litigation or the need to hear further evidence. The award of third-party costs arising from 2003 onwards will be dealt with by the Chairman after the publication of the final report and, according to the Tribunal, will likely take some 6 months.

It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the final cost of the Tribunal. The Comptroller and Auditor General, in his Special Report 63 : Tribunals of Inquiry of December 2008, indicated a total cost of the Tribunal of between €171m and €194m, including third party costs of between €84m and €104m. The Comptroller and Auditor General did note, however, that third party costs could be much higher if a final pattern resembling previous tribunals were to emerge. A copy of the report is available on the Comptroller and Auditor General's website at www.audgen.gov.ie

Departmental Bodies.

John McGuinness

Question:

277 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2743/10]

Details in respect of funding provided directly by my Department to agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2009 are set out in the table. Such agencies and bodies may be funded solely by my Department or through a combination of income from my Department, local authorities and other funds including their own resources and fees. Additional funding may on occasion be provided to agencies in respect of specific projects.

The functions of the Fire Services Council are being undertaken by my Department since the term of office of its members expired on 30 June 2009. It is not intended to reappoint a Council.

The administrative functions of the Rent Tribunal were transferred to the PRTB with effect from 1 October 2009.

In 2010 the Affordable Homes Partnership and the National Building Agency, along with the Centre for Housing Research and the Homeless Agency, will merge to form a new Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA). The HSCA will work with and assist my Department and Local Authorities in their objective of delivering sustainable communities in a high quality living environment, by advising on and assisting in policy development and implementation, providing specialist support services, facilitating the provision of good quality housing and neighbourhoods and ensuring that development takes place in a manner that respects people, surroundings and the long-term common interest. It is hoped that the new Agency will be established in the first half of 2010.

The Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies are already serviced by a single executive. It is proposed formally to merge both agencies, thereby achieving greater efficiencies.

In 2010, the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board will merge to become the Local Government Management Agency.

Name of body/board

Funding Provided by DEHLG in 2009

Affordable Homes Partnership

3,210,000

An Bord Pleanála

15,331,000

Building Regulations Advisory Board

11,007

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

None

Comhar Sustainable Development Council

*465,332

Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board

42,708

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

None

Environmental Protection Agency

**51,532,000

Fire Services Council

170,000

The Heritage Council

10,142,000

Housing Finance Agency

None

Irish Water Safety

556,000

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

5,605,441 (for both agencies)

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

See above

Local Government Computer Services Board

None

Local Government Management Services Board

None

National Building Agency

None

Private Residential Tenancies Board

999,800

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII)

4,245,000

The Rent Tribunal

27,750

*Environment Fund.

**Vote and Environment Fund.

Local Government Reform.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

278 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will publish the White Paper on Local Government Reform. [2760/10]

The issues to be addressed in the Local Government White Paper are currently under consideration by Government and the White Paper will be published, as soon as possible on finalisation of the Government's deliberations.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

279 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received revised contract documents for the Castlewarden to Ballygoran water supply scheme in County Kildare. [2761/10]

The Kildare Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 (Castlewarden to Ballygoran) was included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Kildare County Council's revised contract documents for the scheme are awaited in my Department. Following receipt and examination of the documents a decision will be conveyed as soon as possible to the Council in light of the finalisation of the Water Services Investment Programme for 2010 to 2012.

Local authorities were asked in July 2009 to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October 2009. My Department is currently considering these assessments, which 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. I expect to publish the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 early this year.

Fire Safety Standards.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

280 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2790/10]

The information requested is not available in my Department and may be sought from the relevant local authority.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

281 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [2791/10]

The information requested is not available in my Department and may be sought from the relevant local authority.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

282 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2792/10]

I assume the Question refers to the Building Control Act 2007 which was signed into law on 21 April 2007. The Act provides, inter alia, for amendment of the Building Control Act 1990 and for registration of the titles of "Architect", "Quantity Surveyor" and "Building Surveyor".

A Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) is currently required before construction work commences on new non-domestic buildings and apartment blocks and extensions to, or material alterations/changes of use of existing buildings. The FSC is issued by the Building Control Authority and certifies that the building, if constructed in accordance with the plans and documentation submitted, will comply with the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations.

Section 5 of the 2007 Act contains a new provision for the submission of a 7 Day Notice to a Building Control Authority, before grant of the relevant Fire Safety Certificate (FSC), where a person intends to commence work on the construction of a building, or an extension of, or a material alteration to, a building. It must be accompanied by a valid application for a FSC and by a Statutory Declaration stating that the application for the relevant FSC has been completed in all respects and complies with the requirements of the Building Regulations; that any works commenced before the FSC is granted will comply with the Regulations; and that the person will carry out any modifications which may be required by the FSC, when granted, within such period as may be specified by the Building Control Authority.

There is also a new provision for a Revised Fire Safety Certificate where an application for a FSC is made before the grant of planning permission, for any works required by the permission ultimately granted, or where significant revision has been made to the design or works of a building for which a FSC has been granted.

In addition, there is provision for a Regularisation Certificate where a building has been commenced or completed without an application for a FSC, where such Certificate is required. An application for such Certificate must include a Statutory Declaration from the applicant that the works carried out are in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. The Building Control Authority is empowered to specify that the Regularisation Certificate will not have effect unless any conditions/additional works required by the Authority are carried out within a period of 4 months after it is granted.

Section 5 of the Act also provides for a prohibition on the opening, occupation or use of a building which has not been granted the necessary certificates by the Building Control Authority, as required, including the certificates referred to above.

The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2009 provided for the coming into effect of the above provisions on 1 October 2009.

Primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the building control system is a matter for the local Building Control Authority, which is empowered to carry out inspections and initiate enforcement proceedings, when considered necessary.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

283 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2793/10]

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department's role is one of supporting and assisting local authorities in delivering fire services through the setting of general policy and the provision of capital funding.

The primary role of the local authority fire service in the event of a fire is to rescue people, save property and extinguish the fire. Fire brigades routinely prepare internal operational reports on fire incidents attended and these reports may include opinions as to the possible causes of the fires. However, fire authorities do not carry out formal investigations into the causes of fires.

The Garda Síochána carry out investigations to assist the Coroner's Office in all cases where fatalities occur from fire. The Garda Síochána also investigate fires where a crime is suspected. Investigations may also be carried out by the Health and Safety Authority and, in certain circumstances, such as the Whiddy Island and Stardust fires, tribunals of inquiry have been established to investigate the fires. An investigation into this incident by An Garda Síochána is ongoing and therefore it would be important to await the outcome of this investigation.

The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and Building Regulations 1997- 2008 include a range of provisions for fire safety in the design, construction, operation and management of buildings (including apartments).

Part B of the Building Regulations 1997 sets out the fire safety requirements to be observed in the design and construction of certain buildings including apartment complexes.

Section 18 (Part 3) of the Fire Services Act 1981 places a duty on persons having control over premises, such as apartment complexes, to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire. Section 4 of the Act provides that it an offence for any person to contravene any requirement of Part 3 of the Act.

Section 22 of the Fire Services Act 1981, as amended, empowers fire authorities to inspect any land or building, including apartment complexes, for the purpose of the Act, including enforcement of fire safety matters.

I have no role in the day to day exercise of these functions.

The preparation of legislation on management companies for apartment complexes is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Question No. 284 answered with Question No. 17.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Phil Hogan

Question:

285 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the name, cost and timeframe for implementation of each individual water pipe replacement scheme awaiting approval in respect of each Dublin local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2820/10]

Dublin City Council, as the lead authority in the Dublin region, has to date carried out a suite of five contracts of watermain rehabilitation, mainly in the city area, as part of the Dublin Region Watermain Rehabilitation Project. The total approved cost of these contracts is almost €16m.

Contract Documents for a further suite of three contracts, costing an estimated €15m, relating to work in the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and South Dublin areas in addition to the city, are under examination by my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

286 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed new sewerage scheme at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/10]

I understand that work is under way on the construction of the new waste water treatment plant at Commogue and the upgrade/extension of the collection system in Kinsale town under the Kinsale Sewerage Scheme. Work on the collection system to serve the Summercove area is substantially completed.

Bituminous Fuel Ban.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

287 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the sale of smoky coal by shops on the perimeters of towns; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in certain areas county councils are implementing strict rules in relation to some shops on the boundaries of towns, yet other shops which are deemed not to be on the boundaries and in more densely populated areas can sell smoky coal; if he will clarify the legislation regarding this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2840/10]

The Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) Regulations, 1998, provides for an outright ban on all sales of bituminous, or smoky, coal from within certain designated restricted areas. The aim of these Regulations is to provide for the improvement of air quality in urban areas by restricting the sale of bituminous fuel. To date the ban has been largely successful and has led to a significant improvement in air quality in these areas.

The bituminous fuel ban has been gradually extended since it was first introduced and now applies in sixteen towns and cities around the country. These are as follows:

Dublin City and County since 1990;

Cork City since 1995;

Arklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Limerick City and Wexford Town since 1998;

Celbridge, Galway City, Leixlip, Naas and Waterford City since 2000;

Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee since 2003.

Fuel retailers may only sell bituminous coal to consumers from a point of sale outside of these restricted areas.

The enforcement of the Regulations is the responsibility of local authorities. Fuel retailers who breach the ban are liable for prosecution. In supporting the enforcement role of local authorities, my Department recently placed advertisements in local and regional newspapers to raise awareness of the bituminous fuel ban.

Waterway Management.

Willie Penrose

Question:

288 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received a copy of the Shannon River Authority Bill 2000; his views on developing a single statutory authority to deal with all the issues and problems that have arisen which pertain to the management of the River Shannon; if he will take steps to progress this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2849/10]

I am aware of the Shannon River Authority Bill introduced by Deputy Penrose in 2000.

In the period since 2000, significant new water-related legislation has been introduced. The transposition of the Water Framework Directive in 2003 strengthened the catchment based approach to water management with the establishment of eight river basin districts on the island of Ireland, including the Shannon International River Basin District.

Implementation of this Directive is being brought forward through River Basin District projects led by co-ordinating local authorities and funded by my Department. In the case of the Shannon International River Basin District, Limerick County Council is the co-ordinating authority for the making of River Basin Management Plans which will aim to protect and improve the water environment. These plans are currently being finalised and will be published in the coming months. The analysis underpinning the draft plans is providing a significant input into the development of my Department's Water Services Programme 2010-2012.

The river basin management plans will be coordinated with other relevant plans including flood risk management plans to be prepared by the OPW as part of the implementation of the Floods Directive. The Shannon Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study will be commissioned by the OPW this year to identify the level of flood risk throughout the catchment and to produce a prioritised plan of measures to address the risks.

Animal Welfare.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

289 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill will come before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the formal submissions that have been considered in its preparation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2858/10]

The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill is due to come before the Oireachtas later this month. The draft Bill proposes to give statutory effect to the recommendations of the Working Group that reviewed the management of dog breeding establishments. In response to a public consultation process, following the report of the Working Group, 652 submissions were received and these were considered in the context of the preparation of the proposed legislation.

Regulations to be introduced following enactment of the Bill will set out the detailed criteria for dog breeding establishments to meet the requirements of the legislation. The draft Regulations will be subject to consultation with interested parties.

Emergency Planning.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

290 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role he will play in the future in the implementation of a co-ordinated national emergency or disaster plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2909/10]

As part of an ongoing focus on major emergency preparedness and response, the Government, in 2006, published a Framework for Major Emergency Management. The purpose of the Framework is to put in place arrangements that will enable the three principal response agencies, namely, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the local authorities to coordinate their efforts in the event of a major emergency. The Government put in place a Major Emergency Development Programme to implement these new arrangements which led to the three principal response agencies adopting new major emergency plans in September, 2008. My Department chairs a National Steering Group to oversee and drive this Programme and to maintain the Framework into the future. When relevant my Department will chair a National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee, as occurred during the recent flooding and severe weather events.

The role of my Department is to ensure that the local authorities are prepared to respond promptly to ameliorate the worst effects in relation to those aspects of an emergency for which they have direct responsibility and that they act in co-operation with the other Principal Response Agencies — An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive — the voluntary agencies and the Defence Forces to limit the effects on individuals whose lives may be put at risk or may be exposed to serious hardship. When effective emergency plans are in place, the management of the emergency response then falls to the local authorities and the other Response Agencies.

Waste Water Management.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

291 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the various Departments with which his Department has been associated in recent years in the context of drainage works at locations here; the Department which plays a leading role in such activity; if funding will be sought from the EU institutions with a view to putting in place a co-ordinated national or regional drainage plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2910/10]

The capital costs associated with the provision of infrastructure for drainage schemes dealing with waste water management and emissions — generally known as sewerage schemes — are funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP). The purpose of the WSIP is to fund the provision of water services infrastructure in response to specific environmental, public health and economic needs. Sewerage schemes in urban areas usually have some spare capacity for storm water run-off from development. Systems may provide storm water drains and outfalls to prevent large volumes of storm water overloading foul sewers or sewage treatment works. To this limited extent only do sewerage schemes provide flood relief measures. Financial assistance from the EU is not available for these schemes.

The WSIP has no specific function in relation to flood prevention or relief, which is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. However, my Department has published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management which are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to flood risk identification, assessment and management within the planning system. I refer to the reply to Question No.280 of 1 December 2009 where further details of the Guidelines are set out.

Question No. 292 answered with Question No. 48.

Local Authority Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

293 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated by his Department under the various headings to the various local authorities in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2912/10]

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

Questions Nos. 294 and 295 answered with Question No. 23.

Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

296 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he proposes to take by way of providing extra funding to facilitate local authorities that wish to provide or acquire housing stock, thereby reducing the cost of rent support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2915/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

300 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to bring about a reduction in the number of applicants on local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2919/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

301 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address the issue of long waiting lists for local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2920/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 300 and 301 together.

Despite the challenges currently faced in the housing sector, significant levels of activity have been achieved under the range of housing supports funded by my Department in recent years. Through these, the accommodation needs of over 20,200 households were met in 2008, an increase of 10% on corresponding figure of 18,300 in 2007. Final data in respect of 2009 are not yet available.

Meeting housing need remains a high priority for the Government. While ensuring that we can deliver across the full range of needs, the scale and composition of the public housing programme in the years ahead will be dependent on a number of factors, including the level of available funding and the evolution of the housing market generally.

I am determined to ensure that the overall delivery programme is framed in a manner which continues to optimise the way in which needs are met. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the available Exchequer supports to prevailing market conditions, and explore alternative solutions to address needs, having full regard to the sustainable communities philosophy outlined in the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities .

To this end, the range of delivery mechanisms continues to be adapted and expanded. For example, last year, I introduced a new Social Housing Leasing Initiative, under which in excess of 1,900 units were sourced in 2009 and through which I expect a substantial number of units to be provided in the years ahead to meet housing needs, estimated at just over 56,000 households in the 2008 Housing Needs Assessment. This, together with the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), complements the traditional capital funded programmes operated through local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. The combined budget provision for leasing and RAS for 2010 is €150 million and I anticipate that, taken together, the two schemes will deliver half of the projected social housing output this year.

I will be keeping the leasing initiative and all the other housing programmes under ongoing review to ensure that they are appropriately geared towards meeting the maximum level of housing need.

Grant Payments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

297 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of applications for disabled person’s grants with local authorities that are held up awaiting the availability of funding; the action he proposes to take to address this issue in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

298 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the number of applications in the hands of local authorities for disabled person’s grants; if his attention has been further drawn to the shortage of funding for such purposes; if he has received communication from the local authorities regarding same; if he will provide the necessary funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2917/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

304 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be allocated to Kildare County Council to meet disabled person’s grant requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297, 298 and 304 together.

In order comprehensively to assess the overall level of demand for grant assistance under the suite of Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements for 2010 by 22 January, with a view to determining the allocations for this year as soon as possible afterwards.

The allocations are calculated on foot of detailed discussion between my Department and the local authorities and on the basis of the projected level of demand for grants, taking account of the applications on hand that have been assessed as eligible, applications yet to be assessed and projections for new applications to be received during the year. Details regarding the numbers and value of applications under each of the grant measures are awaited. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed towards each of the individual schemes, from within the combined allocations from local authority and Exchequer sources, notified to them by my Department, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their allocation.

In order to provide for continuity in the processing of applications and the payment of grants under the various measures, local authorities were advised that they could anticipate an allocation for 2010 which would not be substantially below their overall allocation for 2009.

Question No. 299 answered with Question No. 30.
Questions Nos. 300 and 301 answered with Question No. 296.

Air Quality.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

302 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he has studied the result of air quality monitoring at various locations here; the degree to which pollutants have been identified; the nature of such pollutants; the proposed action arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2921/10]

The monitoring, assessment and management of ambient air quality in Ireland is carried out according to the requirements of the EU Air Quality Framework Directive. This Directive became law through the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, (Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management) Regulations, 1999. Under further regulations made in 2002, 2004 and 2009, specific ambient air quality standards have been prescribed for the following pollutants:

sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and other oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead (2002);

carbon monoxide and benzene (2002);

ozone (2004); and

polyaromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, nickel, cadmium and mercury in ambient air (2009).

Where the indicative level for any pollutant is exceeded, the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2002 require the local authority concerned, following notification by the EPA, to develop a long-term air quality management plan to ensure compliance with the thresholds for the relevant pollutant or pollutants.

The EPA reports the results of the air quality monitoring of the above pollutants through its website: http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/monitoring/air/data/. My Department keeps these data under ongoing review to identify any significant trends which might emerge and also meets periodically with the EPA on air quality issues.

The EPA also publishes a comprehensive annual report on air quality, the most recent being the report Air Quality in Ireland 2008 (September 2009). This report provides an overview of ambient air quality trends in Ireland in 2008 based on data from 30 monitoring stations and a further 18 stations operated by local authorities to measure black smoke. The Report confirmed that air quality was generally good at monitoring stations throughout the country, with pollution levels in larger cities highest at traffic influenced sites but highest in smaller urban areas due to the burning of coal and solid fuels. All monitored levels met required EU and national standards.

As part of a commitment on monitoring air quality made under the 2007 Programme for Government my Department requested the EPA to undertake an overall review of the adequacy of the air quality monitoring network in light of population change in urban areas. The review has now been completed and a report of its findings is currently being finalised by the EPA.

Radon Gas Levels.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

303 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which radon gas levels have been identified and monitored here in each of the past three years to date in 2010; the action warranted arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2922/10]

The Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has, for many years now, worked towards assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country. Between 1992 and 1999 the RPII carried out a comprehensive National Radon Survey to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objective was to identify the scale of the radon problem in Ireland and areas at higher risk of radon contamination above the National Reference Level of 200 becquerels per metrecubed(Bq/m3).

Over 37,500 homes have now been measured for radon by the RPII. The results of these tests have been compiled into a central database, which has greatly aided our knowledge and understanding as to the extent of Ireland's radon problem. A summary of the number of homes measured and the number of houses in categories of radon concentration is included in the table below for the last three years. In 2007, the RPII introduced a protocol advising a graded approach in responding to reported average radon concentrations in homes above the national Reference Level. This protocol is summarised as follows:

Homes (Bq/m3)

Proposed Actions

< 200

Write to customer advising no action is needed.

>200

Write to customer recommending remedial action is taken.

>800

As above and phone customer.

>2,000

As above and issue public statement.

>4,000

As above and take local public awareness action. Engage with other statutory agencies and local authority.

Prior to 2007, there was no formal graded approach.

The Government's approach to radon, which is similar to that of the majority of EU Member States, is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home. Householders, particularly those in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged by the RPII to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary.

Furthermore, the RPII have carried out targeted information campaigns in high radon areas and in some instances where areas of particularly high radon levels have been found they have written directly to householders in these areas. This will continue to be the focus so as to enable and encourage householders to address monitoring and remedial requirements effectively and economically.

If a dwelling is found to have a high radon level remediation work may be recommended. Technical guidance on radon remediation techniques is available in a booklet issued by my Department: Radon in Buildings — Corrective Option. The RPII has also issued guidance: Understanding Radon Remediation — A Householder's Guide. In addition, the website of the RPII provides a list of companies who can provide a radon remediation service and can offer specific advice and recommendations.

Members of the public can access information on radon on the RPII website, www.rpii.ie. Publications and information leaflets about radon can be downloaded free of charge. The RPII can also be contacted on Freephone 1800 300 600.

Summary statistics for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Year

Number of homes measured

No. of homes < 200 Bq/m3

No. of homes> 200 Bq/m3

2007

2,273

2,066

207

Year

Number of homes measured

No. of homes 0-199 Bq/m3

No. of homes 200-800 Bq/m3

No. of homes > 800 Bq/m3

2008

1,450

1,156

251

43

2009

2,001

1,652

308

41

2010

57

49

6

2

Question No. 304 answered with Question No. 297.

Local Authority Funding.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

305 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to Cork County Council in respect of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. [2942/10]

I assume the Question is referring to General-Purpose Grants from the Local Government Fund.

The information requested is set out in the following table.

Cork County Council

Year

2007

54,809,504

2008

57,368,547

2009

51,707,370

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

306 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3210/10]

The following table outlines the number of staff employed in each agency under the aegis of my Department at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009, and refers to whole time equivalents (WTE). These figures include permanent and temporary staff.

Name of Agency

Staff end 2007

Staff end 2008

Staff end 2009

Affordable Homes Partnership

13.00

14.00

16.00

An Bord Pleanála

169.80

166.60

157.90

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

14.00

16.00

18.00

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

56.00

60.00

36.00

Environmental Protection Agency

290.00

*337.00

343.50

Heritage Council

18.00

17.00

15.50

Housing Finance Agency

10.80

12.00

10.60

Irish Water Safety

7.00

6.00

6.00

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

15.00

16.00

15.00

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

Local Government Computer Services Board

98.90

95.30

86.90

Local Government Management Services Board

29.60

32.60

31.10

National Building Agency

65.15

61.27

49.27

Private Residential Tenancies Board

23.00

39.00

40.00

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII)

46.50

47.80

46.80

*The authorised staffing number of the EPA increased by 50 in 2008.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

307 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2621/10]

In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble relevant records within my Department.

Officials within my Department are in the process of identifying and assembling the information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Telecommunications Services.

Joe McHugh

Question:

308 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the back-up service that is provided during processing to customers of a service (details supplied) that has been commissioned by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2679/10]

3, the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) Service Provider, operates a dedicated customer care facility for the duration of the Scheme. Customers can contact this customer care facility 24 hours a day 7 days a week by phone at 1800 944 791 (free of charge), via email to NBSenquiries.ie@3mail.com or by post to 3 Customer Services, Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd, PO Box 333, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Additionally, a team of field engineers has been established to address NBS installation and maintenance issues at customer premises.

Information on the NBS, including the status of the NBS rollout, is also available at http://three.ie/nbs/.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

309 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2724/10]

My Department has not conducted any tribunal of inquiry nor is any inquiry operating under the aegis of My Department.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

310 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2738/10]

I can inform the Deputy that the number of State Boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under the remit of my Department is 25.

The cost of these bodies is reported in each body's published Annual Report. These reports are made available in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The number of bodies under the remit of my Department, which have been abolished in the past four years, is 1. This is The Electronic Communications Appeals Panel which was abolished in June 2007.

The number of bodies under the remit of my Department that have been amalgamated the past four years is 2. They are (1) The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and (2) The Broadcasting Complaints Commission. These bodies were dissolved under the Broadcasting Act 2009 and subsumed into The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

The number of bodies under the remit of my Department to be abolished in 2010 is one. The National Salmon Commission's term of office expired in May 2008 and will formally be abolished on the enactment of the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009 in spring 2010. The number to be amalgamated in 2010 is eight. These are the Central Fisheries Board and seven regional fisheries boards, which will be subsumed into a single inland fisheries authority to be known as Inland Fisheries Ireland under the Inland Fisheries Bill 2009, when approved by the Oireachtas in spring 2010.

Housing Grants.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

311 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money allocated for home insulation grants and the greener home schemes in the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form; the amount allocated in grants under each heading; the number of applicants who applied for and availed of these grants in each year; the amount of funding remaining unused in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2869/10]

The following table sets out the relevant figures for the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS) from its inception in 2006 to the present date, and also sets out the figures for the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HESS) for 2008 and 2009. The 2008 figures for HESS are for the pilot ‘Insulation Scheme', which was used to test principles and processes required to deliver the full-scale HESS programme.

Allocations and Expenditure Associated with the Greener Homes and Home Energy Savings Schemes

2006

2007

2008

2009

Greener Homes

Total Allocation (€)

€5m

€28.221m

€22.5m

€15.345m

Total Spend (€)

€5m

€27.8m

€22.5m

**€11.009m

Underspend (€)

0

€0.421m

0

€4.336m

Number of Grants Paid

1,341

8,385

9,643

7,237

** excluding operational costs of €0.695m

Home Energy Savings Scheme

Total Allocation (€)

€5m

€47m

Total Spend (€)

€1.4m

**€16.258m

Underspend (€)

€3.6m

€30.7m

Number of Grants Paid

711

33,434 measures

18,183 homes

**This is the amount disbursed in capital grants and does not include development/system and operational costs of €2.233m.

In addition, there would have been payment of €0.39m carryover from the pilot HESS scheme, which is not included here.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

312 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if consideration has been given to the reintroduction of sugar beet growing for bio-fuel purposes following the Copenhagen conference; if he will set out the extent to which it is expected that Ireland did or the EU will rely on sugar beet production for this purpose in the future; if EU assistance is available for the purpose in the context of the Common Agriculture Policy review or otherwise; if he has made or received any submissions along these lines; the likelihood of positive developments in this area in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2953/10]

The introduction of the National Biofuel Obligation this year will create enhanced opportunities for the sustainable production of biofuels in Ireland including the utilisation of suitable energy crops.

The scope for sugar beet production for biofuels and the related agricultural policy issues to which the Deputy refers is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

313 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3205/10]

The number of staff employed in relation to the non-commercial agencies under my Department at the end of 2008 and 2009 are detailed in the following table. WTE refers to Whole Time Equivalents.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to 2007 numbers will be provided as soon as possible.

Position end 2008

Agency

Permanent WTE

Temporary WTE

Total

Broadcasting Commission of Ireland

27.70

10.00

37.70

Central Fisheries Board

40.50

44.50

85.00

Commission for Communications Regulation

79.00

41.00

120.00

Commission for Energy Regulation

42.45

25.90

68.35

Digital Hub Development Agency

15.00

0.00

15.00

Eastern Regional Fisheries Board

42.70

10.05

52.75

Loughs Agency of Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

53.00

0.00

53.00

National Oil Reserves Agency

2.00

3.00

5.00

Northern Regional Fisheries Board

37.85

5.08

42.93

North Western Regional Fisheries Board

41.50

8.31

49.81

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

45.10

7.40

52.50

Southern Regional Fisheries Board

30.20

9.53

39.73

South Western Regional Fisheries Board

34.50

4.00

38.50

Sustainable Energy Ireland

43.89

15.00

58.89

Western Regional Fisheries Board

53.00

8.00

61.00

Totals

588.39

191.77

780.16

Position end 2009

Agency

Permanent WTE

Temporary WTE

Total

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

33.46

1.00

34.46

Central Fisheries Board

39.00

39.00

78.00

Commission for Communications Regulation

94.00

23.50

117.50

Commission for Energy Regulation

60.48

3.10

63.58

Digital Hub Development Agency

15.00

0.00

15.00

Eastern Regional Fisheries Board

39.30

5.90

45.20

Loughs Agency of Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission

53.00

20.00

73.00

National Oil Reserves Agency

2.00

3.00

5.00

Northern Regional Fisheries Board

38.85

12.08

50.93

North Western Regional Fisheries Board

40.50

6.00

46.50

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

45.50

11.00

56.50

Southern Regional Fisheries Board

31.00

8.09

39.09

South Western Regional Fisheries Board

32.50

7.00

39.50

Sustainable Energy Ireland

49.50

13.00

62.50

Western Regional Fisheries Board

52.00

5.00

57.00

Totals

626.09

157.67

783.76

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

314 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2619/10]

Apart from reports prepared internally concerning organisational matters and expenditure reviews, the following is a list of reports/taskforces that involved external expertise.

Details for 2007

Title/Reason for Report or Taskforce

Report CompletedYes/No

Cost

Development of a Business Plan for the Fishery Harbour Centres

Yes

23,602

Quarterly independent assessment of the Department’s IT Security Measures-1st Quarter 2007

Yes

2,916

Quarterly independent assessment of the Department’s IT Security Measures-2nd-4th Quarter 2007

Yes

19,360

Accessibility and usability report on the Departments website and on-line services site

Yes

8,470

Analysis of required developments for the provision of forestry on-line applications

Yes

20,241

To provide a post-implementation evaluation of the IFORIS computer system

Yes

11,480

To provide specialist advice regarding new EU framework tender format and the compilation of the Department’s first tender using this format.

Yes

2,240

Development Strategy for the Irish Pig Industry

Yes

8,000

Beef Forum — established to examine the beef sector in the light of prevailing opportunities and challenges

Ongoing

Nil

Details for 2008

Title/Reason for Report or Taskforce

Report CompletedYes/No

Cost

The independent Ex-Post Evaluation of the Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 carried out by Fitzpatrick Associates, Economic Consultants (EU Requirement).

Yes

74,084

In accordance with one of the recommendations of a Departmental document “A Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms” a group was set up in December 2008 to report on sea lice levels on Irish salmon farms, the progress made to reduce sea lice levels and any further steps required.

No

Nil

Development of a Business Plan for the Fishery Harbour Centres

Yes

79,653

Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre Marketing Strategy (Report of Steering of Key Officials of State Agencies)

Yes

15,326

Quarterly independent assessment of the Department’s IT Security Measures-2ND-4TH Quarter 2008

Yes

13,915

Independent assessments of Internet-facing business systems 2008

Yes

1,815

Factors Affecting Afforestation in Ireland in Recent Years

Yes

23 363

Details for 2009

Title/Reason for Report for Taskforce

Report CompletedYes/No

Cost

Development of a Business Plan for the Fishery Harbour Centres

Yes

14,816

CFP(Common Fisheries Policy) ReviewCompile response to Green Paper, published by the EU Comm. in April 2009, on the reform of the CFP.

No

30,031

Independent assessments of Internet-facing business systems — January — April 2009

Yes

3,408

Independent assessment of Internet-facing business system (CAP Beneficiaries) April 2009

Yes

713

Independent assessment of Internet-facing business system (eREPS) July/August 2009

Yes

3,563

Quarterly independent assessment of the Department’s IT Security Measures-1st -3rd Quarter 2009

Yes

8,262

Biannual independent security review of the Department’s IT infrastructure H1 — June 2009

Yes

3,098

The Report of the Inter-Agency Review Group on the Dioxin Contamination Incident in Ireland in December 2008

Yes

16,251

Grant Payments.

John McGuinness

Question:

315 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the full single farm payment will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the applicant is due arrears or top up payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2638/10]

An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2009. Full payment has issued in respect of this application; the advance payment issued on 19 October 2009 and the balancing payment on 1 December 2009. Both payments issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Crop Losses.

Jack Wall

Question:

316 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2700/10]

I am aware that due to very wet conditions in November 2009 that a very considerable acreage of potatoes remained unharvested at the end of the year. It is estimated that between 20-25% of the total national area is in this position. Since Christmas, Ireland has experienced very severe frost conditions which have resulted in significant losses to these crops. I met with potato grower representatives on Thursday 14 January who presented me with a submission which is currently being considered.

Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

317 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in having a REPS payment issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [2704/10]

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. The administrative checks include a detailed file check by my officials, which has been completed for the application belonging to the person named as well as a computerised crosscheck with the IACS database in relation to area eligibility. This crosscheck will be completed shortly and providing that no issues arise, payment will be processed without delay.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

318 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. [2712/10]

The application from the person named is currently being examined in my Department. The applicant will be informed of the outcome once this examination is complete.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

319 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in issuing a REP scheme four payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will confirm that same will be issued without further delay. [2716/10]

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. Payments issued in 2009 to those whose applications required no further examination following the administrative checks. However, queries arose on a significant number of applications, including the application from the person named, in the course of the administrative checks. My Department is continuing to process applications to payment stage, including the application from the person named, as a matter of priority with a view to payment as soon as possible. In this context, the Department will be in touch with individual applicants, where necessary, to resolve outstanding issues.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

320 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2722/10]

There are currently no tribunals of enquiry being conducted by my Department.

Departmental Agencies.

John McGuinness

Question:

321 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2736/10]

The following is the running costs of the non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of my Department;

Name of Body

Running Costs

€m

An Bord Bia

43.8

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board

0.3

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

48.4

Marine Institute

30.2

National Milk Agency

0.6

Seafisheries Protection Authority

9.8

Teagasc

203.1

Veterinary Council of Ireland

0.6

The above figures constitute the total running costs including own resources and relate to the latest published annual accounts for the bodies concerned. The commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department are Coillte and the Irish National Stud.

The National Milk Agency and the Veterinary Council Of Ireland are not in receipt of a State subvention.

An Bord Bia took over responsibility for the marketing functions of Bord Iascaigh Mhara with effect from June 2009. The executive functions of COFORD were assigned to divisions within my Department with effect from 1 August 2009.

Harbours and Piers.

Joe McHugh

Question:

322 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the breakdown per project of the piers and harbours development budget for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; the levels of receipted expenditure per project within each of these annual budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2753/10]

My Department is collating the allocation and expenditure figures for the years in question and will forward a list of the projects and relevant data as soon as possible.

Departmental Schemes.

Denis Naughten

Question:

323 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 811 of 9 July 2009, the funding paid to date to each project concerned; the funding committed to each project; the funding allocated to each project; the number of unsuccessful applicants in each category; if he will revisit these allocations; the closing date for the drawdown of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2786/10]

Under my Department's Capital Investment Scheme for the Marketing and Processing of Agricultural Products, grant-aid of €16.8 million was awarded in December 2008 to 66 horticulture, livestock marts and small meat sector enterprises. Details are attached.

The numbers of eligible applications and awards are as follows:

Sector

Applications

Awards

Grant-aid

Small meat

50

31

€7.8m

Livestock marts

22

22

€3.6m

Horticulture

32

13

€5.4m

The projects awarded funding were selected following a competitive assessment and evaluation process in which the strengths of each were assessed and ranked in line with the objectives of the scheme. Under EU state aid rules 2008 was the final year for making of awards under the Scheme and accordingly the allocations may not be revisited.

To date, payment of €766,161 has been provided to 4 projects. The period for completion of projects varies, it is anticipated hat the majority will be completed in 2010 and 2011.

Capital Investment Scheme for Marketing and Processing Livestock Mart Sector

County

Project(s)

Location

Grant

Cork

Cork Marts

Fermoy

396,462

Donegal

East Donegal Co-Op Livestock Mart

Raphoe

84,451

Milford Co-Op Livestock

Milford

56,851

Galway

Headford Co-Op Mart

Headford

117,607

Ballinasloe Livestock Mart

Ballinasloe

64,255

Athenry Co-Op Livestock Mart

Athenry

42,560

Gort Co-Operative Livestock Mart

Gort

20,160

Laois

Mountrath Mart

Mountrath

60,452

Ballinakill Mart

Ballinakill

143,923

Leitrim

Connacht Gold Co-Op Mart

Mohill

369,690

Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society

Carrick-on-Shannon

891,404

Limerick

Golden Vale Co-Op Mart

Kilmallock

48,384

Kerry

Listowel Livestock Mart Ltd

Listowel

98,193

Marglann an Daingin Teoranta

An Daingin

218,771

Kenmare Livestock Mart Co-Op

Kenmare

23,720

Mayo

Connacht Gold Co-Op Mart Balla

Balla

338,576

Meath

Carnacross Mart

Carnacross, Kells

42,285

Offaly

Golden Vale Co-Op Mart

Tullamore

48,384

Roscommon

Elphin Co-Op

Elphin

42,336

Tipperary

Mid-Tipperary Co-Op Mart

Thurles

231,222

Central Auction Services Co-Op

Roscrea

147,674

Central Auction Services Co-Op

Nenagh

115,791

Capital Investment Scheme for Marketing and Processing

Meat Sector

County

Project(s)

Location

Grant

Carlow

Carlow Foods Ltd

Fenagh, Co Carlow

306,681

Cork

Gubbeen Farmhouse

Schull

49,968

Skeaghanore Fresh Farm Duck

Ballydehob

248,653

Hodgins Sausage Ltd

Mitchelstown

331,935

Finns Meats

Mitchelstown

178,844

Jack McCarthy Ltd Craft Butchers

Kanturk

99,893

Donegal

Swilly Meats Ltd

Ballybofey

464,554

Dublin

M&K Meats

Rathcoole

100,571

Sandyford Meats

Sandyford

107,547

Courtney Food Services

Kimmage

36,422

Hicks Foods Ltd

Ballymount

83,687

Galway

Heaney Meats Catering Co

Casla, Connemara

637,110

Kerry

PLM Foods

Glenfisk, Killarney

167,619

Kildare

Brady Family Food

Timahoe, Naas

567,689

McConnon’s Meats

Rathangan

487,570

Laois

Festa Fine Foods

Portlaoise

195,115

Leitrim

Campbell Meats

Drumshanbo

215,797

Limerick

Ashgrove Meats

Newcastle West

44,760

Longford

Louis Herterich

Longford

138,700

Sheelin Meats Ltd

Granard

167,675

Louth

Ashbrook Foods Ltd

Dundalk

99,594

Mayo

Imam Casing & Foods

Ballyhaunis

407,846

Meath

Traditional Meat Company

Oldcastle

670,093

Boyne Valley Meats

Garristown

359,825

Monaghan

Farney Foods Ltd

Carrickmacross

98,831

Connolly Meats

Scotstown

126,696

Roscommon

O’Brien Butchers

Whitehall

174,267

Gilligans Farm Fresh Meats

Four Mile House

223,855

Tipperary

Darcy Meats

Nenagh

219,806

Wexford

Thomas Kinsella Meats

Enniscorthy

125,090

Wicklow

Michael Whelan Pudding

Blessington

618,923

Capital Investment Scheme for Marketing and Processing

Horticulture Sector

County

Project(s)

Location

Grant

Dublin

K&K Packs

The Ward

551,967

Neil Kerrigan

Lusk

882,913

Dublin Meath Growers

The Ward

115,755

GVS — Groomes

Balbriggan

749,621

Keelings Softfruits

St Margarets

967,931

Vincent Thorne

Rush

310,210

Kildare

Boylan Fruits Ltd

Johnstownbridge

71,426

Meath

Pat Reynolds and Sons

Navan

266,889

Monaghan

Gold Circle Mushrooms

Monaghan

187,742

Offaly

Milne Foods Ltd

Birr

795,966

Tipperary

Con Traas Ltd

Cahir

109,495

Waterford

Meadowfresh Foods

Tallow

317,515

Wicklow

Dolmenview Ltd t/a O’Hanlon Herbs

Glenealy

65,513

Turbary Rights.

Denis Naughten

Question:

324 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 1025 of 3 November 2009, the progress made to date on this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2830/10]

The issue of the severance and surrender of the appurtenant turbary right has been addressed and only requires the signature of the person concerned. The scheme to dispose of the turbary rights will then be operated and the person named in PQ No. 1025 of 3 November 2009 will be contacted by an Inspector from my Department to complete the documentation necessary for the purchase of the turbary right.

Grant Payments.

Phil Hogan

Question:

325 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme four payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2838/10]

Payment will issue to the person named within the next ten days.

Alternative Farm Enterprises.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

326 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if consideration has been given to the reintroduction of sugar beet growing for bio-fuel purposes following the Copenhagen conference; if he will set out the extent to which it is expected that Ireland did or the EU will rely on sugar beet production for this purpose in the future; if EU assistance is available for the purpose in the context of the Common Agriculture Policy review or otherwise; if he has made or received any submissions along these lines; the likelihood of positive developments in this area in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2937/10]

Liquid Bio-fuels can be produced from a range of feedstocks including wheat, sugar beet, rapeseed and tallow. The choice of feedstock is influenced by a number of factors including the availability of suitable land, crop yields and production costs. The most pertinent factor is the presence of a well-developed infrastructure to process and distribute the chosen feedstock into liquid bio-fuel. In relation to sugar beet, there is currently no processing facility in Ireland to convert this feedstock into ethanol liquid bio-fuel. We have no information on the use of sugar beet for ethanol production in the EU.

As regards EU assistance, discussions on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2013 are still at a relatively early stage. Although policy analysis and general debates have commenced in a number of Member States including Ireland, they are still primarily concerned with the broad outlines and general principles, including issues such as the amount of funding that will be available, the overall direction of the direct payments system, the positioning of rural development policy in the CAP etc. The Department received almost 60 submissions in response to the public consultation process on CAP reform, which I launched in July of last year and these are currently being analysed. While I am open to examining all suggestions, my priority at present is to secure a strong and adequately resourced CAP after 2013.

In the past, CAP funds have been used to support the production of crops grown specifically for use as feedstock in the bio-fuel market. Under the EU Energy Crops Scheme areas planted with non-food crops qualified for an EU premium worth €45 per hectare. Uptake of the premium was relatively low in Ireland and in most other Member States. The EU Commission abolished the premium in 2009 during the CAP Health Check reforms. Areas sown with non-food crops continue to qualify for the Single Farm Payment. The introduction of the Bio-fuel Obligation Scheme in mid 2010 is expected to encourage investment in bio-fuels and should help bring some certainty to the market. The Scheme provides that all fuel suppliers in Ireland must include an average of 4% bio-fuels in their annual fuel sales. This will increase over time to enable Ireland meet the 10% target for renewables in transport fuel by 2020.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

327 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3203/10]

The following is the information requested by the Deputy.

Name of Body

No. of Staff Employed

2007

2008

2009

An Bord Bia

91.0

97.0

104.0

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board

2.0

1.0

1.0

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

172.0

153.0

137.0

Coillte Teoranta

1,269.0

1,250.0

1,192.0

Coford

4.5

5.5

1.5

Irish National Stud

52.0

50.0

51.0

Marine Institute

222.0

210.0

191.0

National Milk Agency

6.0

6.0

6.0

Seafisheries Protection Authority

88.0

103.0

100.0

Teagasc

1,616.0

1,551.0

1,373.0

Veterinary Council of Ireland

3.0

3.5

3.5

The marketing functions of BIM were transferred to Bord Bia with effect from June 2009. The executive functions of COFORD were assigned to Divisions within my Department with effect from 1 August 2009.

Teachers’ Remuneration.

Richard Bruton

Question:

328 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason persons employed as temporary teachers who derive no pension entitlement from this status are still obliged to pay the pension levy; his views on whether special arrangements should be made for such persons. [2717/10]

Under section 2 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 a person is liable to pay the pensions-related deduction if he or she is a public servant on or after 1 March 2009 and is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme or receives a payment in lieu of membership of such a scheme. Therefore, even if a person is not a member of a public service pension scheme, he or she is subject to the deduction if he or she is a member of another public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme (eg has a preserved benefit, is in receipt of a pension from another public service pension scheme or if he or she is entitled to a non-pensionable gratuity) or receives a payment in lieu of membership. In general, persons employed as temporary teachers in first and second level schools are eligible for admission to the superannuation scheme and once they have achieved the vesting period of 2 years service they would qualify for benefit or preserved benefit on reaching normal pension age.

A non-pensionable gratuity may be payable to certain staff of VECs and institutes of technology who have given service with a VEC or institute of technology and whose service is not reckonable for superannuation purposes under the pension schemes of those bodies. The non-pensionable gratuity is paid in the form of a lump sum and is calculated at the rate of one week's pay for each year of service up to 15 years plus two weeks' pay for each year of service over 15 years, subject to a maximum 78 weeks. Payment of the gratuity is made under the terms of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Gratuities) Regulations 1984 and 1995 which were made under the Local Government (Superannuation) Act 1980.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 defines a "public service pension scheme" as an occupational pension scheme or pension arrangement, by whatever name called, for any part of the public service provided for under any enactment or administrative measure for the like purpose and effect as the Superannuation Acts. The non-pensionable gratuity regulations provide a form of pension arrangement, apply to certain parts of the public service (including VECs and institutes of technology) and have their basis in the Local Government (Superannuation) Act 1980. A person with the required level of service is entitled to a non-pensionable gratuity under such an arrangement and therefore falls within section 2(1)(b)(ii) of the Act. They are, therefore, subject to the deduction.

It should be noted, however, that under section 6 of the Act, if a person does not accrue a superannuation benefit in respect of this service at the time of his or her ceasing to be a public servant, the deduction is refundable to him or her. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind and will provide me will the specific details, I will have the position examined in the Pensions Section of my Department which will communicate directly with the Deputy.

Departmental Reports.

John O'Mahony

Question:

329 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/10]

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

School Transport.

John McGuinness

Question:

330 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the charge for the use of the school bus will be applied for a portion of the year should the student begin use of the service during the school term rather than charging the full cost regardless of when the student commences using the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/10]

A new annual school transport charge, which replaced the term charges, was introduced for the 2009/10 school. Provision was made for parents to spread the charge over two payments in July and December. This new method of payment assists Bus Éireann in planning an efficient and cost-effective school transport service well in advance of a school year based on the level of demand for seats. It also provides comfort to parents in the knowledge that on payment of the charge, a seat is guaranteed for the school year in question. I appreciate the Deputy's concerns in this matter. In that regard, my Department, in conjunction with Bus Éireann, is prepared to review aspects of the current arrangements in the light of experiences this year.

Schools Building Projects.

John McGuinness

Question:

331 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a building project by a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if funding will be provided for the project in 2010; and if he will expedite the matter. [2639/10]

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension and refurbishment project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.1 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 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.

Special Educational Needs.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

332 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on the payment of arrears of home tuition in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2642/10]

The home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement. Home tuition grants are paid to the parents, who in turn make payment to the home tuition provider. Following the introduction of an increased rate of pay to suitably qualified home tuition providers, arrears payments may be due to some tuition providers. As I advised the Deputy on 10 December, my Department is currently examining the issue. Officials from my Department will be in contact with the tutor referred to by the Deputy in due course.

School Patronage.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

333 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a breakdown of primary schools according to each major patron under the headings of Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Muslim, Jewish, Educate Together, multi-denominational schools and others; the number of schools and the percentage of each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2655/10]

Officials in my Department are currently updating the register of Patrons provided for under Section 8 of the Education Act and are verifying the Register details directly with all school Patrons. I have set out for the Deputy a breakdown of primary schools according to each patron as per the current information held in my Department's register.

Denomination

Number of Schools

Catholic

2,894

Church of Ireland

182

Muslim

2

Jewish

1

Presbyterian

14

Methodist

1

Quaker

1

Multi Denominational-Educate Together

56

Multi Denominational-Other

11

Inter Denominational

7

Total

3,169

Departmental Expenditure.

Tom Hayes

Question:

334 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of community organisations based in south Tipperary receiving funding from his Department for community programmes and the funding received by those organisations in 2009. [2674/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be forwarded directly to him.

Schools Building Projects.

Tom Hayes

Question:

335 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school project (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not been allocated funding and completed due to the fact that it poses a threat to children and teachers alike; if that school has been contacted by his Department as stated in Parliamentary Question No. 339 of 1 December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2707/10]

I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have agreed to amalgamate into one school building. The application has been assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 1.4 rating. 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 the school building and modernisation programme. However, in view of the level of demand on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression the project at this time. However, my Department is aware of the situation in relation to the accommodation issues in the schools in question. The Department is considering options to address the immediate needs of both schools and I can confirm that officials in my Department have recently been in contact with both schools in this regard.

Schools Amalgamation.

Tom Hayes

Question:

336 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the schools amalgamation project in respect of schools (details supplied); when this project is planned for the next step in the process; the amount budgeted for the school building; the level of priority this project has; the number of other projects across the country that have the same level of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2708/10]

In 2004, agreement was reached to amalgamate the two primary schools referred to by the Deputy. The application was assessed and the project was assigned a band rating of 1.4. Details of other Band 1.4 rated building projects are available on my Department's website www.education.ie. A technical inspection was carried out on the existing school buildings to determine which would be suitable to facilitate the amalgamated school. The report produced following this inspection concluded that the most suitable building to facilitate the amalgamation would be the girls’ school. It also found that an additional portion of land would be required from the Sisters of Mercy to facilitate the development. The Sisters of Mercy have indicated that they would, in principle, be disposed to selling land to the Department to facilitate the proposed works.

The progression of this building project and the acquisition of the additional land required to facilitate the amalgamation, 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 my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Departmental Correspondence.

John McGuinness

Question:

337 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [2714/10]

My Department received an appeal on 7th December 2009 from the candidate referred to by the Deputy which is currently under review and it is anticipated a reply will issue to the student shortly.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

John McGuinness

Question:

338 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2727/10]

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

Departmental Bodies.

John McGuinness

Question:

339 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of bodies and agencies operated under the remit of his Department; the cost of each on a yearly basis; the name and number that have been abolished in the past four years; the name and number that have been amalgamated; the name of those to be abolished or amalgamated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2741/10]

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

Schools Building Projects.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

340 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 345 to 354, inclusive, of 1 December 2009, if his Department is in a position to provide the information sought regarding schools in counties Kildare and Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2754/10]

The position remains the same as outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353 and 354 of 1 December 2009. As soon as the information sought is available I will arrange to have it forwarded to the Deputy.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

341 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when tenders will be invited for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2757/10]

The project to which the Deputy refers was included in my announcement last year of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction and is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Information in respect of the school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. Planning permission has been received and the Design Team are currently working on completing the stage 2(b) submission for this project. Following receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will revert to the school regarding next steps in the progression of the project towards tender and construction.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

342 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the appointment of a design team for the required extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2758/10]

I can confirm that my Department has received an application for major capital funding for the provision of an extension for the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed and has been assigned a band 1 rating under the prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. 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 the 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.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

343 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if tenders for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare have been invited. [2762/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Board of Management was recently authorised by my Department to proceed to tender.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

344 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if tenders for a new permanent school (details supplied) in County Kildare have been invited. [2763/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Board of Management was recently authorised by my Department to proceed to tender.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

345 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when a design team will be appointed for the required extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2772/10]

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department'swebsite.

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 Accommodation.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

346 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if a gaelcholáiste is deemed necessary for the north Kildare area in view of the review of the forward planning section. [2773/10]

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015.

When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.

Overall post-primary accommodation requirements in the North Kildare area, and any subsequent issues which may arise, such as the need for a new gaelcholáiste will be considered in this regard.

Class Sizes.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

347 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils by school in each national school in County Kildare for the 2008-2009 school year in class sizes of less than 20 pupils, 20 to 24 pupils, 25 to 29 pupils, 30 to 34 pupils, 35 to 39 pupils and 40 plus pupils. [2777/10]

Class size data for each primary school is available in the statistics area of the Department's website at the following link. http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=17216&ecategory=47122&language=EN

Emmet Stagg

Question:

348 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils by class size range by county in 2008/2009 school year. [2778/10]

Data on the number of pupils by class size range by county in 2008/2009 are shown in the table.

Number Of Pupils In Ordinary Classes By Class Size Range By County (2008/2009)*

0-9 Pupils

10-19 Pupils

20-24 Pupils

25-29 Pupils

30-34 Pupils

35-39

40 + Pupils

Sum

Carlow

16

494

1,565

2,763

1,611

145

6,594

Cavan

25

1,253

2,563

3,440

1,450

108

8,839

Clare

116

1,738

4,007

4,440

2,265

400

12,966

Cork City

18

3,234

3,674

4,233

2,402

36

13,597

Cork County

191

4,337

11,149

14,956

9,147

1,148

41

40,969

Donegal

168

3,037

5,042

6,957

3,125

107

18,436

Dublin City

95

10,089

10,479

14,272

5,847

184

40,966

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

9

1,210

3,621

6,909

4120

15,869

Fingal

37

1,552

5,099

16,675

5,450

28,813

Galway City

26

1,283

1,972

1,859

1,245

6,385

Galway County

200

4,078

5,221

6,818

2,654

385

19,356

Kerry

144

2,067

5,338

5,552

1,888

250

15,239

Kildare

9

1,001

5,642

13,071

5,607

181

25,511

Kilkenny

16

1,139

2,107

4,331

2,130

319

10,042

Laois

9

1,070

2,298

3,578

2,085

35

9,075

Leitrim

42

745

854

1,047

625

35

41

3,389

Limerick City

9

1,563

1,442

2,826

1,012

35

6,887

Limerick County

123

1,706

3,565

4,923

3,303

105

13,725

Longford

25

851

1,213

1563

798

36

4,486

Louth

9

1,678

3,581

6,313

3,258

109

14,948

Mayo

217

3,648

3,458

4,964

1,526

144

13,957

Meath

1,273

4,938

10,382

5,057

71

21,721

Monaghan

30

1,142

1,800

2,407

1,100

107

6,586

Offaly

7

1,067

3,017

3,576

1,432

143

9,242

Roscommon

119

1,466

2,280

2,341

624

70

6,900

Sligo

60

1,179

2,455

2,043

999

105

6,841

South Dublin

17

4,051

7,891

12,432

4,338

107

90

28,926

Tipperary N.R.

37

1,472

2,594

3,073

590

110

7,876

Tipperary S.R.

43

1,486

3,343

3,002

1,657

105

9,636

Waterford City

572

1,522

2,702

1,072

5,868

Waterford County

18

719

1,949

3,281

1,275

185

7,427

Westmeath

33

1,336

3,098

3,735

1,799

35

10,036

Wexford

28

2,023

4,982

6,477

2,872

358

16,740

Wicklow

46

1,682

3,373

6,376

3,088

180

14,745

Sum

1,942

67,241

127,132

193,317

87,451

5,338

172

482,593

* Pupils In Special Schools Or Classes Are Not Included In The Above Table.

Schools Building Projects.

Pat Breen

Question:

349 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 15 December 2009, when a technical visit will take place at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/10]

As the Deputy is aware, the school to which he refers has made an application to my Department for Major Capital funding for an extension including ancillary accommodation. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating.

Officials from my Department will contact the school shortly with regard to arranging a technical visit.

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 for this school, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years.

Special Educational Needs.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

350 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will direct his officials to make contact with the management of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 to deal with the concerns of the school community in respect of threatened staff cuts; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of this school maintaining its full services to the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2788/10]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the level of special needs assistant (SNA) support in the school in question.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

Higher Education Grants.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

351 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if a mature student, re-entering education after a break of one year or more to pursue an approved full-time level nine qualification is automatically deemed ineligible for the higher education grant if they are already in possession of a level nine qualification, even if that qualification is in an entirely different and unrelated field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2794/10]

Financial assistance is available to students under the Third Level Student Support Schemes, which are administered by the Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my Department. Students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

Under the terms of the Higher Education Grant Scheme a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification.

However, in December 2000 clause 7.7 of the Higher Education Grant Scheme was amended to provide financial assistance to eligible candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and who wish to enter a further postgraduate course, at a higher level, which represents progression from the level at which the first qualification was attained.

The progression route at postgraduate level, for grant purposes, is as follows: Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma/Masters/PhD/Doctorate

Candidates who hold a masters qualification and are currently pursuing a postgraduate qualification cannot be considered for funding.

There are no plans at present to change the current arrangements. Any such proposal would have to be considered in the light of existing resources and other competing demands in the education sector.

Schools Building Projects.

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

352 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made regarding the delivery of the permanent 16 classroom school for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; when he expects work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2797/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project has been authorised to proceed to tender. When the tender process is complete and assuming there are no issues arising, the project will progress to construction.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

353 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science when a planning application will be lodged to construct new national schools in Tyrellstown, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2807/10]

The Local Authority recently advised my officials that the negotiations with a land owner have concluded and they are now exchanging Contracts to complete the sale of a site. My Department, as sought by the Local Authority, has arranged to provide the funding to the Council to enable the transaction to be concluded.

The Department has already commenced preliminary work on master-planning the site and other associated work and a building project will be progressed to deliver school accommodation for Tyrellstown as soon as possible.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

354 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in acquiring a permanent school site for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; when a planning application will be lodged in respect of this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2808/10]

Fingal County Council have recently advised my Department that negotiations are continuing in relation to a site for the school in question. The matter of submitting a planning application will be dependent on the successful completion of the site acquisition by the Local Authority.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

355 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science when a planning application will be lodged for the extension to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2809/10]

A project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at the final stage of appointing a Design Team.

The school's preferred design team has been approved by my Department following an open tender competition and contracts for appointment of the design team have been forwarded to the school for completion by the school and the design team. Following the appointment of the design team the project will commence architectural planning without delay. An application for planning permission will form part of stage 2(b) of the architectural planning process.

Higher Education Grants.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

356 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will streamline the process associated with the higher education grant in view of the inconsistent application of the grant from one local authority area to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2810/10]

My Department is actively engaged in a programme of legislative and administrative reform of student grants.

The passage of the Student Support Bill will facilitate progress on the two significant pillars of an overall programme of legislative and administrative reform of student grants, the development of a single unified grant scheme and reform of the administration of student grants.

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 greater administrative efficiency. Possible options for a more significant aggregation of functions are now being explored within the broader context of budgetary considerations and the Government's overall programme of public service reform. A number of the amendments to the Student Support Bill are at the final stages of preparation and my Department is currently working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to finalise any outstanding matters.

The Department in the meantime is continuing to work closely with both the VECs and local authorities and other relevant stakeholders to develop a number of initiatives to support more effective delivery of the grant schemes. A fundamental review of the entire business process is underway with a view to ensuring consistency of application and a more streamlined and effective service for students. This includes matters relating to application, assessment and payments arrangements.

Departmental Funding.

Denis Naughten

Question:

357 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to address the discrepancy in the level of funding provided to voluntary second level schools and those in the community and comprehensive sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2831/10]

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.

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 services 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.

My Department has provided an estimated €21million to voluntary secondary schools in equalisation funding to date.

These significant increases in the funding of post-primary schools are a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools. I will consider how best to complete the process of equalisation of funding at second level having regard to available resources.

School Staffing.

Willie Penrose

Question:

358 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take steps to permit Westmeath Vocational Education Committee to fill vacancies that have arisen at the various schools under its jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/10]

In relation to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, he will be aware that when the Government was introducing the moratorium in the public sector last year I secured a special arrangement for education which ensured we could fill teacher and SNA posts. The concession also provides for the filling of Principal and Deputy Principal posts in all schools and the first allocation of posts of responsibility in new schools. Following the Government decision my Department issued a circular to all schools indicating that with effect from 27 March, 2009 schools may no longer make any appointment to a post of responsibility including those that may have fallen vacant on or before 27 March, 2009. This Circular 0022/2009 is available on my Department's website.

It is a matter for each school authority to re-organise and prioritise the appropriate duties for post of responsibility holders in the context of implementing this moratorium.

Institutes of Technology.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

359 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers of staff in institutes of technology at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form. [2867/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the attached table. Data for December, 2009 are not yet available and the figures provided are in respect of September, 2009.

Institutes of Technology Staff

Whole Time Equivalent

December 07

December 08

September 09

Athlone IT

449.92

546.50

526.53

Blanchardstown IT

202.76

202.56

196.67

Carlow IT

348.00

378.84

352.80

Cork IT

1,010.26

1,009.70

957.43

Dublin Institute of Technology

2,017.70

2,126.10

2,087.70

Dundalk IT

527.90

543.40

521.86

Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology

219.34

216.21

207.16

Galway-Mayo IT

708.19

705.58

691.51

Letterkenny IT

371.52

341.25

365.26

Limerick IT

474.78

508.30

520.40

Sligo IT

486.00

488.00

476.00

Tallaght IT

345.79

367.61

349.72

Tralee IT

363.00

367.89

352.64

Waterford IT

1,052.73

1,087.80

9,33.95

Total

8,577.89

8,889.74

8,539.63

Estimated figure for Carlow IT Dec 07.

School Staffing.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

360 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers of temporary teachers employed and paid for by his Department in primary and second level schools at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/10]

The numbers of temporary teachers paid through my Department's payrolls in Voluntary Secondary and Community & Comprehensive schools on the 31st May of 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as follows: 2008/09, 460; 2007/08, 786 and 2006/07, 594.

The figures for the Primary sector for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Agencies.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

361 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3208/10]

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

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