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].

Income Levels

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

1 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Taoiseach the income distribution of persons aged 65 years and over according to the income distribution bands of the Central Statistics Office EU-SILC weekly equivalised income deciles (details supplied) when you do not include social State transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24090/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy John Curran)

The latest published SILC results are for reference year 2008. Table 1 below shows the distribution of persons by age group across the published SILC income bands when social transfers are excluded from income. Table 2 shows the average income of those persons referred to in table 1 when social transfers are excluded.

Table 1: Distribution of persons by SILC 2008 income band by age group, based on income excluding social transfers
Decile	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Weekly threshold (€)	<212.67	<256.19	<296.49	<341.17	<397.82	<450.92	<524.45	<612.25	<769.99	>769.99
Age group	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
0-17	38.0	7.8	5.4	8.0	8.8	7.8	6.4	6.5	6.0	5.3
18-64	32.2	6.7	4.5	6.0	8.5	7.4	6.8	8.7	9.7	9.5
65+	84.3	2.4	2.3	1.9	2.1	1.2	1.5	1.1	1.3	2.0

Table 2: Average weekly equivalised income excluding social transfers by SILC 2008 income band and age
Decile	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Weekly threshold (€)	<212.67	<256.19	<296.49	<341.17	<397.82	<450.92	<524.45	<612.25	<769.99	>769.99
Average Weekly Equivalised Income	€	€	€	€	€	€	€	€	€	€
Net Disposable Income (less social transfers)
0-17	82.51	235.79	273.09	316.73	371.60	419.77	485.29	565.98	690.75	1,369.56
18-64	79.81	235.84	274.56	316.89	368.99	421.88	487.58	565.82	682.32	1,117.32
65+	23.45	236.07	274.29	315.99	368.25	425.28	491.34	564.96	667.39	1,221.46

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

2 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the details and outcome of the past three reviews by his Department’s Governance Support Division of compliance by his Department’s State bodies with the code of practice, in particular to name the State bodies that have not achieved full compliance; the reason for same; the action taken by him; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24393/10]

The Taoiseach

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the aegis of my Department. I am satisfied that the NESDO complies with the relevant aspects of the code of practice, as well as the statutory requirements placed on the Office by the NESDO Act 2006.

My Department is currently reviewing the governance arrangements in relation to the NESDO in light of the recent Government decision to amalgamate its three constituent bodies by absorbing the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) into the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).

Unemployment Levels

Arthur Morgan

Question:

3 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on the Live Register in December 2009, broken down by age, gender and county; the number of persons on the Live Register in December 2008, broken down by age, gender and county; the number of persons on the Live Register in December 2007, broken down by age, gender and county; the number of persons on the Live Register in April 2007, broken down by age, gender and county; the number of persons on the Live Register in April 2002, broken down by age, gender and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24571/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy John Curran)

The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection.

The following table shows the number of persons on the Live Register broken down by age, gender and county in December 2009, December 2008, December 2007, April 2007 and April 2002.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. It should also be noted that the Live Register includes only those aged 17 years and over.

Persons on the Live Register in December 2009, by gender, age and county.
	Male	Female	All Persons
December 2009	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Males	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Females	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total All Persons
Cavan County	957	3,921	4,878	566	1,745	2,311	1,523	5,666	7,189
Donegal County	3,162	10,643	13,805	1,628	5,315	6,943	4,790	15,958	20,748
Leitrim County	433	2,007	2,440	220	940	1,160	653	2,947	3,600
Louth County	2,204	8,957	11,161	1,185	4,268	5,453	3,389	13,225	16,614
Monaghan County	817	3,499	4,316	433	1,585	2,018	1,250	5,084	6,334
Sligo County	698	2,594	3,292	425	1,275	1,700	1,123	3,869	4,992
Laoighis County	1,079	4,174	5,253	584	1,842	2,426	1,663	6,016	7,679
Longford County	646	2,897	3,543	379	1,235	1,614	1,025	4,132	5,157
Offaly County	1,137	4,431	5,568	628	1,995	2,623	1,765	6,426	8,191
Westmeath County	1,290	5,168	6,458	811	2,727	3,538	2,101	7,895	9,996
Galway County	2,959	11,835	14,794	1,621	6,307	7,928	4,580	18,142	22,722
Mayo County	1,750	6,824	8,574	877	3,285	4,162	2,627	10,109	12,736
Roscommon County	562	2,079	2,641	253	926	1,179	815	3,005	3,820
Dublin County	13,030	54,764	67,794	6,959	26,419	33,378	19,989	81,183	101,172
Kildare County	2,104	9,148	11,252	1,217	4,760	5,977	3,321	13,908	17,229
Meath County	1,265	5,996	7,261	765	3,045	3,810	2,030	9,041	11,071
Wicklow County	1,399	6,419	7,818	662	3,291	3,953	2,061	9,710	11,771
Clare County	1,312	5,454	6,766	714	2,924	3,638	2,026	8,378	10,404
Limerick County	2,786	11,653	14,439	1,543	5,393	6,936	4,329	17,046	21,375
North Tipperary	870	3,328	4,198	482	1,893	2,375	1,352	5,221	6,573
Carlow County	924	3,633	4,557	493	1,528	2,021	1,417	5,161	6,578
Kilkenny County	939	3,932	4,871	492	1,706	2,198	1,431	5,638	7,069
South Tipperary	1,269	4,780	6,049	610	1,855	2,465	1,879	6,635	8,514
Waterford County	1,809	7,781	9,590	1,025	3,730	4,755	2,834	11,511	14,345
Wexford County	2,406	9,428	11,834	1,394	4,928	6,322	3,800	14,356	18,156
Cork County	5,128	24,299	29,427	2,617	11,593	14,210	7,745	35,892	43,637
Kerry County	1,870	8,405	10,275	1,010	4,638	5,648	2,880	13,043	15,923
State	54,805	228,049	282,854	29,593	111,148	140,741	84,398	339,197	423,595

Persons on the Live Register in December 2008, by gender, age and county.
December 2008	Male	Female	All Persons
	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Males	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Females	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total All Persons
Cavan County	693	2,713	3,406	404	1,258	1,662	1,097	3,971	5,068
Donegal County	2,533	7,570	10,103	1,256	3,895	5,151	3,789	11,465	15,254
Leitrim County	316	1,365	1,681	129	689	818	445	2,054	2,499
Louth County	1,660	6,074	7,734	815	2,866	3,681	2,475	8,940	11,415
Monaghan County	559	2,282	2,841	286	1,170	1,456	845	3,452	4,297
Sligo County	531	1,893	2,424	270	835	1,105	801	2,728	3,529
Laoighis County	845	2,845	3,690	427	1,259	1,686	1,272	4,104	5,376
Longford County	529	2,092	2,621	285	926	1,211	814	3,018	3,832
Offaly County	855	2,994	3,849	476	1,286	1,762	1,331	4,280	5,611
Westmeath County	1,028	3,621	4,649	631	1,993	2,624	1,659	5,614	7,273
Galway County	2,294	8,614	10,908	1,202	4,337	5,539	3,496	12,951	16,447
Mayo County	1,223	4,618	5,841	606	2,322	2,928	1,829	6,940	8,769
Roscommon County	417	1,453	1,870	178	645	823	595	2,098	2,693
Dublin County	9,661	36,131	45,792	4,766	16,608	21,374	14,427	52,739	67,166
Kildare County	1,635	6,067	7,702	789	3,026	3,815	2,424	9,093	11,517
Meath County	911	3,714	4,625	442	1,910	2,352	1,353	5,624	6,977
Wicklow County	1,094	4,379	5,473	449	2,157	2,606	1,543	6,536	8,079
Clare County	1,009	3,774	4,783	480	2,236	2,716	1,489	6,010	7,499
Limerick County	2,073	7,433	9,506	1,143	3,350	4,493	3,216	10,783	13,999
North Tipperary	625	2,151	2,776	317	1,241	1,558	942	3,392	4,334
Carlow County	656	2,373	3,029	296	1,000	1,296	952	3,373	4,325
Kilkenny County	709	2,717	3,426	362	1,183	1,545	1,071	3,900	4,971
South Tipperary	985	3,203	4,188	400	1,290	1,690	1,385	4,493	5,878
Waterford County	1,477	5,518	6,995	727	2,727	3,454	2,204	8,245	10,449
Wexford County	1,854	6,595	8,449	1,005	3,520	4,525	2,859	10,115	12,974
Cork County	3,654	14,898	18,552	1,795	7,280	9,075	5,449	22,178	27,627
Kerry County	1,439	6,229	7,668	797	3,695	4,492	2,236	9,924	12,160
State	41,265	153,316	194,581	20,733	74,704	95,437	61,998	228,020	290,018

Persons on the Live Register in December 2007, by gender, age and county.
December 2007	Male	Female	All Persons
	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Males	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Females	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total All Persons
Cavan County	329	1,267	1,596	212	820	1,032	541	2,087	2,628
Donegal County	1,161	4,353	5,514	788	2,805	3,593	1,949	7,158	9,107
Leitrim County	148	723	871	91	480	571	239	1,203	1,442
Louth County	891	3,491	4,382	468	2,042	2,510	1,359	5,533	6,892
Monaghan County	230	1,133	1,363	155	739	894	385	1,872	2,257
Sligo County	287	1,121	1,408	145	583	728	432	1,704	2,136
Laoighis County	400	1,320	1,720	236	831	1,067	636	2,151	2,787
Longford County	328	1,228	1,556	173	649	822	501	1,877	2,378
Offaly County	430	1,608	2,038	288	956	1,244	718	2,564	3,282
Westmeath County	529	1,899	2,428	334	1,340	1,674	863	3,239	4,102
Galway County	1,182	4,792	5,974	741	3,040	3,781	1,923	7,832	9,755
Mayo County	589	2,569	3,158	340	1,591	1,931	929	4,160	5,089
Roscommon County	199	746	945	94	473	567	293	1,219	1,512
Dublin County	5,326	21,578	26,904	2,685	11,243	13,928	8,011	32,821	40,832
Kildare County	724	2,894	3,618	411	2,032	2,443	1,135	4,926	6,061
Meath County	380	1,698	2,078	225	1,254	1,479	605	2,952	3,557
Wicklow County	572	2,356	2,928	276	1,407	1,683	848	3,763	4,611
Clare County	523	2,186	2,709	313	1,674	1,987	836	3,860	4,696
Limerick County	1,060	4,238	5,298	680	2,258	2,938	1,740	6,496	8,236
North Tipperary	282	1,121	1,403	186	879	1,065	468	2,000	2,468
Carlow County	330	1,203	1,533	177	738	915	507	1,941	2,448
Kilkenny County	332	1,402	1,734	189	769	958	521	2,171	2,692
South Tipperary	505	1,619	2,124	275	889	1,164	780	2,508	3,288
Waterford County	860	3,269	4,129	488	2,008	2,496	1,348	5,277	6,625
Wexford County	948	3,467	4,415	638	2,458	3,096	1,586	5,925	7,511
Cork County	1,911	8,698	10,609	1,037	5,050	6,087	2,948	13,748	16,696
Kerry County	712	3,551	4,263	476	2,549	3,025	1,188	6,100	7,288
State	21,168	85,530	106,698	12,121	51,557	63,678	33,289	137,087	170,376

Persons on the Live Register in April 2007, by gender, age and county.
April 2007	Male	Female	All Persons
	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Males	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Females	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total All Persons
Cavan County	241	1,098	1339	177	809	986	418	1,907	2,325
Donegal County	972	4,059	5,031	760	2,697	3,457	1,732	6,756	8,488
Leitrim County	91	530	621	74	440	514	165	970	1,135
Louth County	808	3,214	4,022	500	2,050	2,550	1,308	5,264	6,572
Monaghan County	194	949	1,143	158	728	886	352	1677	2,029
Sligo County	268	946	1,214	138	517	655	406	1,463	1,869
Laoighis County	281	925	1206	229	747	976	510	1,672	2,182
Longford County	258	939	1,197	201	627	828	459	1,566	2,025
Offaly County	334	1,334	1,668	263	893	1,156	597	2,227	2,824
Westmeath County	475	1,611	2,086	388	1,261	1,649	863	2,872	3,735
Galway County	1,048	4,296	5,344	728	2,926	3,654	1,776	7,222	8,998
Mayo County	518	2,183	2,701	326	1,541	1,867	844	3,724	4,568
Roscommon County	151	605	756	81	434	515	232	1,039	1,271
Dublin County	5140	20,377	25,517	2,775	10,641	13,416	7,915	31,018	38,933
Kildare County	594	2,521	3,115	389	1,930	2,319	983	4,451	5,434
Meath County	333	1,404	1,737	229	1,115	1,344	562	2,519	3,081
Wicklow County	487	2,146	2,633	256	1,322	1,578	743	3,468	4,211
Clare County	418	1,771	2,189	278	1,448	1,726	696	3,219	3,915
Limerick County	1,004	3,673	4,677	652	1,898	2,550	1,656	5,571	7,227
North Tipperary	261	1,001	1,262	197	793	990	458	1,794	2,252
Carlow County	248	950	1,198	201	667	868	449	1,617	2,066
Kilkenny County	296	1,191	1,487	220	748	968	516	1,939	2,455
South Tipperary	404	1,400	1,804	270	778	1,048	674	2,178	2,852
Waterford County	759	3,066	3,825	489	1,909	2,398	1,248	4,975	6,223
Wexford County	686	2,955	3,641	609	2,337	2,946	1,295	5,292	6,587
Cork County	1,614	7,578	9,192	1,000	4,667	5,667	2,614	12,245	14,859
Kerry County	593	2,924	3,517	446	2,240	2,686	1,039	5,164	6,203
State	18,476	75,646	94,122	12,034	48,163	60,197	30,510	123,809	154,319

Persons on the Live Register in April 2002, by gender, age and county.
April 2002	Male	Female	All Persons
	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Males	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total Females	Under 25 years	25 years & over	Total All Persons
Cavan County	198	972	1,170	131	603	734	329	1575	1,904
Donegal County	1,143	4,884	6,027	871	2,831	3,702	2,014	7,715	9,729
Leitrim County	77	552	629	54	416	470	131	968	1,099
Louth County	965	3,522	4,487	618	2,576	3,194	1,583	6,098	7,681
Monaghan County	300	1,260	1,560	190	861	1,051	490	2,121	2,611
Sligo County	292	1,147	1,439	201	742	943	493	1,889	2,382
Laoighis County	249	907	1,156	182	699	881	431	1,606	2,037
Longford County	195	797	992	130	537	667	325	1,334	1,659
Offaly County	276	1,161	1,437	209	875	1,084	485	2,036	2,521
Westmeath County	314	1,395	1,709	316	1,151	1,467	630	2,546	3,176
Galway County	974	4,216	5,190	734	2,695	3,429	1,708	6,911	8,619
Mayo County	551	3,153	3,704	339	2,036	2,375	890	5,189	6,079
Roscommon County	113	777	890	96	496	592	209	1,273	1,482
Dublin County	4,761	19,967	24,728	2,700	11,518	14,218	7,461	31,485	38,946
Kildare County	460	1,920	2,380	329	1,423	1,752	789	3,343	4,132
Meath County	306	1,381	1,687	215	975	1,190	521	2,356	2,877
Wicklow County	460	1,926	2,386	274	1,331	1,605	734	3,257	3,991
Clare County	348	1,595	1,943	234	1,247	1,481	582	2,842	3,424
Limerick County	903	3,620	4,523	549	2,310	2,859	1,452	5,930	7,382
North Tipperary	244	978	1,222	189	717	906	433	1695	2,128
Carlow County	246	984	1,230	192	706	898	438	1,690	2,128
Kilkenny County	262	1,128	1,390	163	675	838	425	1,803	2,228
South Tipperary	433	1,696	2,129	282	1,079	1,361	715	2,775	3,490
Waterford County	657	2,668	3,325	435	1,871	2,306	1,092	4,539	5,631
Wexford County	696	2,970	3,666	618	2,261	2,879	1,314	5,231	6,545
Cork County	1,880	8,561	10,441	1,188	5,154	6,342	3,068	13,715	16,783
Kerry County	533	2,805	3,338	370	1,865	2,235	903	4,670	5,573
State	17,836	76,942	94,778	11,809	49,650	61,459	29,645	126,592	156,237

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

4 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Taoiseach the arrangements that are in place to implement policy in relation to determining and approving the remuneration of each chief executive officer and managing director under the auspices of his Department; the salary of each such chief executive officer and managing director; if such arrangements have been breached in the past three years and the person involved; if he has taken any action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24604/10]

The Taoiseach

The contract for the Director of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) is approved by the Department of Finance and all remuneration to the Director of the NESC is in accordance with the salary scales and guidelines issued by that Department. The salary for the Director of the NESC is the same as that applicable to the Civil Service grade of Assistant Secretary, and is currently €146,191. The current Director of the NESC also receives an allowance of 16.66% in lieu of pension. He does not receive any additional salary or allowance as Chief Executive Officer of the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO).

Expo 2010 Shanghai

Noel Ahern

Question:

5 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the strategy for follow-up in order to capitalise on our investment in the Shanghai International Exhibition 2010 from a tourism, industrial and education point of view; and if a statement will be made on the matter in relation to the level and named Irish agencies operating there; if marketing is outsourced and so on; and if it is intended to recruit local staff with knowledge of the Irish scene on the subsequent marketing and sale campaign. [24078/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The Department of An Taoiseach is responsible for coordinating the arrangements in relation to all aspects of our participation in Expo 2010 in Shanghai, including all decisions in relation to staffing and marketing. None of the Agencies that come under the aegis of my Department have a permanent operational presence in the pavilion.

In relation to the Deputy's specific point on a strategy for follow-up, my Department and the development agencies have engaged with the Department of An Taoiseach to ensure that any opportunities for potential trade or investment benefits for Ireland, which could flow from our involvement in the Expo, will be pursued.

Work Permits

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

6 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will give migrant workers in the employment permit system the right to change employment in their job category; and his views on whether permit holders deserve the basic right to change employer. [24400/10]

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

Since 2004, a key element of Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from indigenous labour and from within the workforce of the European Union. For strategic skills or labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors, Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand. The various schemes that give effect to such policies — Green Cards, Work Permits, Spousal and Dependant Work Permits and permits for Intra-company Transferees — were introduced following enactment of the Employment Permits Act, 2006 and came into effect on 1st February 2007.

In early 2009, the Department undertook a review of employment permit arrangements to ensure their ongoing relevance to the needs of the Irish labour market. As an outcome of this review, more stringent eligibility criteria were implemented for prospective new entrants to the work permit schemes from 1st June 2009 onwards.

The Employment Permits Act 2006 provides immigrants with greater freedom, autonomy and control over their own employment choices by enabling workers, for the first time, to apply and re-apply for their own permit. The Act also allows workers to change their employer after a period of a year and move to another employment in order to take advantage of better conditions or career options.

It is important to retain the current arrangements which operate also to protect employees as it allows the system to trace employers who employ permit holders. I believe that the current arrangements for moving jobs are sufficiently flexible. A properly controlled employment permit system requires that permits be issued to a specific employee for a specific job with a specific employer. To do otherwise would not only risk abuse of the employment permit system but would make it much more difficult to ensure that employers observed the employment rights of employees.

Although employment permits are employer and location specific, it is the case that the Department currently makes best efforts to facilitate those who encounter difficult situations and who wish to change employers, with new employment permits. In the past year, for instance, almost 1,500 new employment permits were issued in respect of employees changing to new employers. These permit applications were issued without regard to the normal requirements of advertising the position in daily newspapers and with FÁS.

Exploitation in the labour market is unacceptable and I urge all who find themselves in this position, including employees on employment permits or persons who know of such a situation, to contact the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) who will investigate these matters. While reporting of breaches can sometimes present difficulties for employees who hold permits linked to a particular employer, I would remind the Deputy that NERA will also act on complaints made to them anonymously.

The Employment Permits Act 2006 provides for regular review of Ireland's economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review on an on-going basis.

EU Directives

Michael Fitzpatrick

Question:

7 Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the reason his Department deleted paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Schedule 2 of Statutory Instrument No. 220 of 2010, the European Communities (Statutory Audits) (Directive 2006/43/EC) Regulations 2010, that were contained in earlier drafts; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the recognised accountancy bodies has made representations on this matter seeking discussions on the decision to delete these paragraphs to which they did not receive any reply from his Department in advance of the signing of the regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24086/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

Directive 2006/43/EC was transposed by means of S.I. No. 220 of 2010 on 20th May, 2010. No amendments have been made to the Regulations since and no paragraphs have been deleted from Schedule 2 of S.I. No. 220 of 2010.

In June 2007, the Department established a group consisting of the six Recognised Accountancy Bodies (RABs) and the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) to assist with the transposition of the Directive. The group met at regular intervals and considered each of the Articles of the Directive in detail. The Department undertook a formal written consultation in July 2008 in relation to Articles 9, 11 and 12 concerning optional derogations from standards of knowledge, education, competence and training for auditors.

The majority of the recognised accountancy bodies were strongly of the view that to avail of the derogations provided in these Articles could seriously diminish the quality and status of the professional qualification. In addition, the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA), which has responsibility for promoting adherence to high professional standards in the auditing and accountancy profession, were concerned about any dilution in educational standards relating to qualification. In its view this could seriously compromise the integrity of the system of auditor qualification in Ireland. In the light of these views, it was decided not to avail of these derogations and this was communicated to the group in advance of making the Regulations.

I am aware that representations have been made by one of the recognised accountancy bodies and a reply will issue to this body on the issues raised as soon as possible.

Work Permits

Finian McGrath

Question:

8 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the various schemes and programmes that allow non-EU nationals to work in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24163/10]

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

Under the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006 a non-EEA national must hold a valid employment permit issued by my Department or have other relevant permission from the Department of Justice and Law Reform to work in the State.

The Employment Permits Section of my Department processes employment permit applications under the different Employment Permit Schemes (Green Cards, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant and Intra-company Transfer). All applications under these Schemes are processed in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

The four types of schemes operated under the Employment Permits legislation are:

Green Card Scheme

The Green Card Scheme is for occupations where there are strategically important high-level skills shortages. The Green Card Scheme is available for an extensive list of occupations with annual salaries of €60,000 and above, and for a specified list of occupations with salaries between €30,000 and €60,000.

This list of occupations has been identified after taking advice from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and is reviewed on a regular basis with its assistance. The list includes professional and associate professional occupations where we have skill shortages, such as in the Information and Communications Technology, Health Care, Engineering, Financial Services and Research sectors. The full list is posted on my Department's website at www.deti.ie.

No labour market test is required for the Green Card applications, so advertising with FAS and the European Employment Services — EURES, and in newspapers is not necessary. Green Cards are issued for two years initially and will normally lead to the granting of permanent or long-term residence after that. Green Card holders are also permitted to bring their spouses and families to join them immediately.

Work Permits Scheme

The second type of employment permit scheme is a Work Permit scheme. The Work Permit is mainly for non-Green Card occupations in the €30,000 to €60,000 annual salary range. It is only granted in exceptional circumstances for occupations with salaries below €30,000.

In order to establish that vacancies which are the subject of Work Permit applications cannot be filled by Irish or other European nationals, as required by our EU `Community preference' obligations, they are the subject of a rigorous labour market needs test. This test includes both advertising with FAS and the European Employment Services, or EURES, and in local and national newspapers.

There are also a number of categories of employment for which Work Permits will not to be considered, because it is clear that they can be filled from within the EEA. These occupations are also detailed on my Department's website.

Work permits are granted initially for a period of 2 years, and then, upon renewal, for a further period of up to 3 years.

Intra-Company Transfer Scheme

The Intra-Company transfer scheme is for trans-national senior management, key personnel and trainees. This facility is designed to allow multi-national companies to transfer this cohort of staff between branches in different countries, or to transfer staff with particular skills, knowledge and expertise here on a temporary basis in a start-up situation.

These permits are only available for those with annual salaries above €40,000 who can clearly show that they fit into one of these three categories and who have been with the sending company for one year.

These permits are for a period of two years initially, with the possibility of an extension for up to a further three years. No labour market needs test is required in respect of Intra-Company Transfer applications.

Spousal/Dependant Scheme

The fourth scheme is the Spousal/Dependant Scheme, which allows the spouses and dependants of specific Employment Permit holders who are entitled to reside here to apply for Work Permits. This allows the spouses and dependants of work permit holders to help support their families. These applications do not require a labour market needs test and may be in respect of any occupation in the labour market.

Advertising Agencies

Liz McManus

Question:

9 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if, in view of the recent collapse of a major advertising agency and the attendant financial losses to small and medium enterprise dealing with that company, he will ensure that advertising agencies are properly regulated and bonded to protect their clients into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24185/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I have no functional responsibility in relation to the regulation of advertising agencies and, hence, I have no plans to require that they be bonded.

Advertising agencies, like all companies, are covered by the provisions of the Companies Acts and creditors, including SMEs, can exercise their rights in accordance with those provisions.

If creditors are aware of any breaches of company law, they should refer the matter to the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

Israeli Imports

Sean Sherlock

Question:

10 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount of imported goods from Israel for the year 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24192/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

In 2009, Ireland imported goods from Israel to the value of €82.4 million. Services imports from that country for 2008, the last year for which data is available, were valued at €75 million.

The most recent figures for this year show that Ireland imported goods to the value of €11.1 million from Israel for the period January – February 2010.

Departmental Expenditure

Leo Varadkar

Question:

11 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the full cost of moving all Enterprise Ireland offices to a single location in East Point, Dublin 3; the cost per year of leasing office space in East Point; the length of time for which a lease has been signed; if Enterprise Ireland rents car park spaces in Dublin; if so, the number of same and the cost; if there were additional staff costs associated with moving Enterprise Ireland to East Point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24253/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

When Enterprise Ireland was established in 1998 it became a strategic objective to bring all Dublin based staff together in one location. This was achieved with the move to East Point Business Park in September 2008. Until this time, Enterprise Ireland occupied four office locations in Dublin, primarily as a result of the amalgamation of various state agencies into a single organisation over a number of years to support indigenous enterprise. From an operational perspective, occupying four separate locations in Dublin was not satisfactory for an Agency mandated to provide a range of services and expertise in a holistic manner across several critical business functions.

The capital cost of moving from four Dublin based Enterprise Ireland offices to a single location at East Point amounted to €24m. A breakdown of these costs is set out in the tabular statement.

The annual cost of leasing the property is €3.55m, which includes rent and service charge. This compares to an annual cost of €4.42m for leasing the previous locations at Merrion Hall, IPC House and a portion of Wilton House – an annual saving of €0.87m. The move to a single location also resulted in operational savings of €1m per annum. Options are being explored regarding the disposal of the Glasnevin site, following which approximately €1m in savings will accrue – which will bring the total savings to approximately €3m per annum. The lease is for 25 years with 10 and 15 year break clauses.

Enterprise Ireland leased 290 car parking spaces from the East Point Management Company. In addition, EI procured an additional 80 spaces from Dublin Port Company — these spaces are primarily used for clients attending Enterprise Ireland events hosted at East Point. The total cost of all spaces is €373,000 per annum.

There was minimal additional staff costs associated with the move. Following a Labour Relations Commission hearing, it was agreed that each staff member would receive a small gratuity and the total cost for 620 staff amounted to €65,000 approximately. The recommendation was in line with agreement reached for other state agency moves.

Breakdown of capital costs associated with moving to East Point
	€m
Fit-out	16.2
Furniture (desks, meeting rooms, audio visual equipment etc)	3.7
I.T Infrastructure	1.8
Professional Fees	2.3
Total	24.0

Job Protection

Terence Flanagan

Question:

12 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if she will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24280/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

As I outlined in my reply to the Deputy on 27 May, the outcome of the meeting was extremely positive. The takeover company has committed to investments already planned by the company acquired and this investment programme will be implemented over the next two years. Investment in new manufacturing technology is currently taking place and is due to be operational by the year-end in the Dublin 17 facility. I understand that there are 963 people employed there out of a total Irish-based workforce of 1,130. Agreements have been reached with all key employee groups at locations in Dublin and Kerry regarding a redundancy programme which will reduce the workforce by approximately 200. This redundancy programme was announced by the company in June 2009, seven months prior to the acquisition.

The Government and Enterprise Ireland have communicated to the takeover company that they are anxious to work in partnership with it to explore and capitalize on strategic opportunities that can be delivered so that growth ambitions are maximized. Enterprise Ireland will continue the process of engaging with the takeover company in relation to building research and innovation capability, improving competitiveness and strengthening manufacturing operations.

Job Creation

Charles Flanagan

Question:

13 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Authority sponsored jobs created in County Laois in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data is compiled on an annualized basis and therefore figures for 2010 will not be available until early 2011.

The survey shows that in 2007 nine new jobs were created in IDA supported companies in county Laois. There were no new jobs created in IDA supported companies in County Laois in 2008 or 2009.

Departmental Staff

Leo Varadkar

Question:

14 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of Enterprise Ireland overseas positions by geographic breakdown; the number of same for March 2008 and March 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/10]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

15 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the reason Enterprise Ireland requested the roll over of 53 overseas positions in June 2009; the impact that the sanctioning of only four of these positions has had on services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24373/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.

Enterprise Ireland has a network of 30 international offices. The staffing complement of these overseas offices by geographic breakdown for March 2008, 2009 and 2010 is set out in the tabular statement below.

The Public Sector Recruitment Moratorium provides that until the end of 2010, no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, nor payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. Where vacancies arise Departments/agencies must reallocate staff or re-organise work accordingly. Any exceptions to this moratorium will require the prior sanction of the Minister for Finance.

As a result of the moratorium a number of vacant posts have remained unfilled within Enterprise Ireland (EI). These vacancies are as a result of resignations and the expiration of individual contracts.

Enterprise Ireland has a number of staff on fixed term contracts in overseas offices and some of these contracts are due to expire over the next two years. The figure of 53 refers to the number of fixed term contracts which will expire over the period to end 2012. To date, sanction has been received to fill six overseas posts and these staff have been recruited to assist EI client companies operating in key overseas markets such as the UK, Europe and in Asia. The approval to fill these posts has helped to ensure the continuity of services to client companies exporting to these key markets. Enterprise Ireland's overseas offices play an important role in promoting Ireland and assisting their existing client companies to compete and grow their market share in overseas markets.

The situation regarding contracts expiring in 2010, 2011 and 2012 is being monitored and negotiations are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to staffing levels in the context of agreeing an Employment Control Framework for my Department and its agencies to cover the period up to the end 2012.

Region	Overseas Office	March 2008	March 2009	March 2010
US	Palo Alto	2	3	3
	Boston	3	2	3
	New York	11	10	10
	Toronto	1	1	2
	Brazil	0	1	1
UK	London	16	15	14
	Glasgow	3	1	1
Europe	Amsterdam	5	3	2
	Brussels	4	5	5
	Budapest	3	3	1
	Dusseldorf	16	16	15
	Madrid	3	3	4
	Milan	4	5	4
	Moscow	4	4	3
	Paris	8	8	8
	Prague	6	6	4
	Stockholm	4	5	4
	Warsaw	6	6	6
Asia	Beijing	3	4	4
	Dubai	3	5	5
	Guangzhou	1	1	1
	Hong Kong	2	2	2
	India	2	2	2
	Korea	2	2	2
	Kuala Lumpur	1	2	2
	Riyadh	1	2	2
	Shanghai	1	2	2
	Singapore	1	2	2
	Sydney	3	3	3
	Tokyo	5	5	5

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

16 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the details and outcome of the past three reviews by his Department’s Governance Support Division of compliance by his Department’s State bodies with the code of practice, in particular to name the State bodies that have not achieved full compliance; the reason for same; the action taken by him; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24386/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The latest Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies circulated by Department of Finance in June 2009, applies to the following agencies under the aegis of my Department:

1. Enterprise Ireland (EI)

2. Industrial Development Authority (IDA)

3. Health and Safety Authority (HSA)

4. Forfás

5. National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI )

6. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

7. Shannon Development

8. Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)

9. Competition Authority (CA)

10. Labour Relations Commission (LRC)

11. National Consumer Agency (NCA)

12. Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)

13. County & City Enterprise Boards (CEBs)

Ultimately it is the boards and chief executives of State agencies that are responsible for ensuring that effective systems of internal control are maintained and operated.

The Mullarkey Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers 2002 recommends that Departmental Accounting Officers should satisfy themselves, through the reporting arrangements, that the requirements of the Code of Practice are being implemented.

Action in my Department to address this includes regular meetings between Departmental Officials and agency personnel, and analysis of documentation obtained from agencies. Training in managing state agency performance is provided to Departmental staff dealing with monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice.

Based on a review by Departmental staff, there is a high level of compliance with the Code of Practice. Further assurance is taken from unqualified audit certificates provided by the Comptroller and Auditors General on annual financial statements of these agencies.

Industrial Development

Brian O'Shea

Question:

17 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will promote the site of the former cheese factory at Kilmeaden, County Waterford with potential investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24412/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The promotion of land banks to potential investors is the responsibility of IDA Ireland. The Agency was part of a team that assisted the company concerned in producing promotional material on the facility and site in Kilmeaden. The Agency has circulated the marketing and promotional material on the facility and site to its network of overseas offices. The Agency will promote the site for mobile overseas investment as appropriate.

Enterprise Ireland has made its regional and international staff aware of the availability of this land and continues to provide support within the realm of its remit.

The company concerned set up the ‘Kilmeaden Task Force Group' in 2009 and Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Waterford County Council and Waterford Chamber are actively involved. There have been meetings held on an almost monthly basis.

Employment Rights

Finian McGrath

Question:

18 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [24416/10]

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

The Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000, are within the remit of the Minister for Community, Equality, and Gaeltacht Affairs. They outlaw discrimination in employment on the grounds of, among other matters, gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation and religious belief.

Discrimination is described in Section 6 of the Employment Equality Act 1998 as the treatment of a person in a less favourable way than another person is, has been or would be treated on any of the above, and other, grounds.

A complaint of discrimination must be made to the Equality Authority within the 6-month time limit from the last act of discrimination. The 6-month time limit can be extended up to 12 months by the Authority's Director ‘for reasonable cause'. Complaints should be addressed to the Equality Authority, Clonmel Street (off Harcourt Street), Dublin 2, Telephone (01) 417 3333, LoCall 1890 245 545, Website: www.equality.ie E-mail: info@equality.ie

In addition, employment rights legislation has provisions whereby workers who believe that they have been denied their entitlements, or otherwise unfairly treated, can, take the matter before a Commissioner in the Rights Commissioner Service of the Labour Relations Commission, Telephone: (01) 613 6700 or Lo call: 1890 220 227 (outside (01) area).

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) also deals with complaints in relation to employment rights legislation by carrying out inspections on employers. When evidence of non-compliance with the relevant employment rights legislation is found, the NERA Inspector seeks redress for the individual/s concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated. NERA's Inspection Services can be contacted on Lo-Call 1890 220 100 or Email: inspection@employmentrights.ie A complaint form is available on www.employmentrights.ie

Small and Medium Enterprises

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

19 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will report on his meeting with a bank (details supplied) in the week of 17 May 2010 regarding the availability of working capital to small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24435/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

20 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has met with each of the Irish banks concerning the availability of working capital to small businesses; if he will provide separate reports on the outcome of his meetings with each bank (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24436/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.

I met separately with Allied Irish Banks, Anglo Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland during the week beginning 17 May 2010. These were private meetings held with each bank to discuss the availability of bank credit for businesses, especially SMEs.

At the meetings, I raised concerns about the claims of many small businesses that some bankers were stonewalling loan requests and were not providing credit to viable enterprises. I reminded the banks of the purpose of the recapitalisation package and of the huge investment of taxpayers' money into the banks aimed at getting our economy moving again.

The banks assured me that they were fully committed to supporting businesses and would meet the requirements laid down for them in the recapitalisation package of 30 March 2010. Their message was that they were open for business and available to provide credit to viable businesses. The two main banks had submitted plans to the Department of Finance and the Credit Review Office on how they intended to meet their requirements and these plans are being reviewed.

Since my meetings, there has been considerable activity and announcements by the banks relating to supports available for the business sector, particularly for SMEs. I welcome these activities and these announcements.

As I have said in the past, however, the promises and activities of the banks must be matched with specific commitments and increased lending. All viable businesses must get appropriate access to bank credit.

The banks' performance in meeting their obligations under the recapitalisation scheme will be closely monitored by Government. I want to see our banks, which have been rescued at enormous cost to the taxpayer, acting responsibly and in the best interests of small businesses so that we can create jobs in the domestic economy and advance our recovery as a nation.

I will meet with the banks in the future, as necessary, to ensure that they are providing sufficient credit to the business sector.

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

21 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the arrangements that are in place to implement policy in relation to determining and approving the remuneration of each chief executive officer and managing director under the auspices of his Department; the salary of each such chief executive officer and managing director; if such arrangements have been breached in the past three years and the person involved; if he has taken any action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24597/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

As regards non-commercial State-sponsored bodies, the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector advises the Government from time to time on the general levels of remunerations appropriate for senior posts across the public service including CEOS of non-commercial State-sponsored bodies. As it is not feasible for the Review Body to examine the chief executive posts in all of the non-commercial State-sponsored bodies on every occasion, the practice is that it examines a selection of posts for each general review. Specific Review Body recommendations are sanctioned by the Department of Finance once they have been approved by Government. The Department of Finance then determines the appropriate rate of remuneration for the remaining CEO posts in the non-commercial State sponsored bodies by reference to the recommendations of the posts examined.

The information set out in the following tables is the current salary of each CEO of each State Agency under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Personal Pension Contribution rate (PPC rate) denotes where personal pension contributions are being made. There have been no breaches of the arrangements as sanctioned by the Department of Finance.

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation
Non PPC Rate
	€	€	€	€
Competition Authority —Chairperson	156,240
County Enterprise Boards	67,115	to	87,126
Enterprise Ireland	179,659
FÁS	179,659
Forfás	179,659
Health and Safety Authority	127,796	133,605	139,898	146,191
IAASA	119,373
IDA Ireland	179,659
Labour Relations Commission	156,241
National Consumer Agency (personal)	168,000
NSAI (personal to holder)	138,894
Personal Injuries Assessment Board	159,959
Science Foundation Ireland*	175,999
SFADCO	138,894

PPC Rate
	€	€	€	€
Competition Authority —Chairperson	164,464
County Enterprise Boards	N/A
Enterprise Ireland	189,115
FÁS	189,115
Forfás	189,115
Health and Safety Authority	134,523	140,636	147,262	153,885
IAASA	125,655
IDA Ireland	189,115
Labour Relations Commission	164,464
National Consumer Agency (personal)	176,800
NSAI (personal to holder)	146,205
Personal Injuries Assessment Board	168,379
Science Foundation Ireland*	180,109
SFADCO	146,205

*In addition to a base salary of €180,109 per annum (PPC rate) the current Director General of Science Foundation Ireland receives an allowance of €79,588 in the nature of pay on a personal basis, in recognition of his international research experience and expertise, as approved by the Minister for Finance.

Work Permits

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

22 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to change the current employment system which binds a worker to the employer named in the permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24645/10]

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

The Employment Permits Act 2006 provides for regular review of Ireland's economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review on an on-going basis.

Job Protection

Mary Wallace

Question:

23 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has information regarding the 200 jobs announced in February 2010 by a company (details supplied); if he will clarify the grant aid or Industrial Development Authority that was provided for these jobs; if his attention has been drawn to the news announcement on 21 April 2010 that there would be job cuts of over 300 in July 2010 in the same company; if he will clarify the information that is available to the workers who fear that they will be let go in July 2010 and who have not been given any clear information regarding the job cuts; the action he or the IDA will take to ensure that this grant aided company gives clearer information to these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24789/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

On 24th March 2010, IBM announced the establishment of IBM's first Smarter Cities Technology Centre. The Centre will be located in Dublin where IBM will build a highly skilled and cross-disciplinary team to help cities around the world better understand, interconnect and manage their core operational systems such as transport, communication, water and energy.

The new Smarter Cities Technology Centre will create as many as 200 new roles in an IDA-supported investment of up to EUR 66 million over the next three years. The team of subject matter experts will work with city authorities, universities, small and large businesses as well as experts from IBM Research and the company's Software Development Lab in Ireland to research, develop and commercialise new ways of making city systems more connected, sustainable and intelligent.

On 21st April 2010, IBM announced that as part of its ongoing transformation of its Technology Campus in Dublin, they will be moving the manufacturing of some server products from Dublin to Singapore during 2010. The company has been in negotiations with its employees and has set out the position in relation to the number of jobs affected. Despite the ongoing transformation, IBM Ireland employs 3,400 people directly and 1,250 contractors.

IDA Ireland has supported the company in new project investments over the past year and I understand that the company continues to recruit for positions created as a result of these investments. Details of the grant aid provided to the company cannot be disclosed due to commercial sensitivities.

IDA Ireland continues to work with local and corporate IBM Management on a number of new investment opportunities which have the potential to create additional new jobs in areas of research, development and services.

Work Permits

Denis Naughten

Question:

24 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of PhD graduates who applied for both a work permit or green card since 2005 to date in 2010; the number who have been granted either a work permit or green card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24826/10]

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

My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits (Green Cards Permits, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant Permits and Intra-company Transfer Permits) available under the Employment Permits Act 2006.

Unfortunately, I must advise the Deputy that at present, my Department is not in a position to provide the specific information requested. The Employment Permits Section is currently in the process of developing a new back-office Employment Permit Management System due to go-live later this year. This will capture specific information of the type requested by the Deputy. Table 1 sets out for the period 2007 to date, the number of permits issued in the various schemes that were introduced under the Employment Permits Act 2006 and which came into effect in 2007 i.e. Green Cards, Work Permits, Spousal and Dependant Work Permits and permits for intra-company transferees.

Type of Permit	New	Renewals	Total
2010	1,508	1,870	3,378
Work Permit	894	703	1,597
Green Card	254	0	254
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)	130	42	172
Spousal/Dependant	228	1,123	1,351
Training	2	2	4
2009	3,900	3,868	7,768
Work Permit	2,068	2,183	4,251
Green Card	757	0	757
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)	12	6	18
Spousal/Dependant	771	1,585	2,356
Training	13	4	17
2008	8,420	4,974	13,394
Work Permit	3,541	3,087	6,628
Green Card	2,112	0	2,112
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)	419	19	438
Spousal/Dependant	2,194	1,867	4,061
Training	155	0	155
2007	9,914	13,192	23,119
Work Permit	4,664	11,918	16,595
Green Card	2,839	0	2,839
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)	377	3	380
Spousal/Dependant	1,907	1,271	3,178
Training	127	0	127

Flood Relief

Mary Wallace

Question:

25 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the funding that has been provided for remedial works in the County Meath section of the River Tolka over the past ten years; the future plans for ongoing maintenance and ongoing flood protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24091/10]

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

The River Tolka Flooding Study was commenced in 2002, following the severe flooding which affected many properties in the November 2000 flood event, and was completed in 2003. The Study examined the situation from Dunboyne in County Meath to the sea in Dublin City, and was well underway when a flood of major proportions occurred in November 2002. The final report made a range of recommendations along its length through Dublin City, Fingal and Meath areas.

In 2003 the Office of Public commenced works which were initially contained in an Interim Report, but were also included in the final report. The works included major channel works in the Dunboyne and Clonee areas, replacement of four bridges, and the construction of walls and embankments. These works were largely completed by the end of 2006.

The total expenditure incurred by OPW in the Meath area amounts to approximately €6.8Million. OPW have agreed, following discussions with the Local Authority, to provide ongoing maintenance of the Scheme.

EU Directives

Seán Barrett

Question:

26 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his plans to use the discretion for credit unions provided for in the EU Consumer Credit Directive due to be implemented on 11 June 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Consumer Credit Directive establishes a harmonised legal framework in the European Union for the provision of consumer credit ranging from €200 up to €75,000. (It does not apply to mortgages). It replaces a 1987 Directive (87/102/EEC), which laid down minimum rules for consumer credit arrangements within the EU.

In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, my Department is currently preparing the draft Statutory Instrument, which will transpose the Directive into Irish Law. It is intended that the legislation will be finalised by 11th June, 2010. The Directive will take effect from that day.

I believe that the Directive enhances the strong regulatory regime underpinning consumer protection, and as such, I have decided that credit unions should be subject to its full application.

However, following consultation with representatives of the Credit Union movement, I am aware that the credit unions will require some time to upgrade their systems and train staff, so that they can effect compliance with all the requirements of the Directive. Consequently, I have adopted the discretion allowed for under Article 2.5 applying limited provisions of the Directive to them until 11th December 2011, after which date, the full Directive will take effect.

Tax Code

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

27 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce legislation that will both tax offshore betting and underpin greyhound racing and horse racing finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24131/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I can confirm that officials in my Department continue to work with relevant officials in the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General on ‘gambling' issues and this includes appropriate taxation arrangements.

Public Service Numbers

Joan Burton

Question:

28 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil and public servants at present and at the end of each of the past three years in each Government Department, and in each agency or authority under the aegis of each of these Departments, in tabular form; the breakdown of these figures by function, where appropriate (details supplied); the aggregate pay bills for each of these Departments, agencies and authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Public Service numbers at the end of each of the past three years, as reported to my Department, are presented in Table 1. The Public Service numbers for the end of the first quarter this year are currently being compiled. In functional terms, the public service is composed of the civil service, the education sector, the justice sector, the health sector, the local authorities and the non-commercial agencies. These numbers are based on information reported to my Department and may be subject to revision as new information becomes available. Insofar as possible, the figures are broken down by functional classification within each Department. It should also be noted that a new system for monitoring public service numbers was developed and implemented in 2009. This system uses the December 2008 figures as its base. The system is still being refined and enhanced and there may be minor discontinuities in the series reflecting methodological changes and updated information regarding numbers in particular sectors.

The Gross Exchequer Pay Outturns (excluding pensions) within each Vote from 2007 to 2009 are set out in Table 2. It has been broken down to subhead level. It should be noted that the Exchequer Pay Outturn cannot be directly related to the Public Service numbers outlined in Table 1 in all cases, as the staff numbers include public servants whose pay is not in all cases funded directly by the Exchequer. The largest category of these is Local Authority employees but there are also staff in some Non-Commercial Semi-State Bodies whose pay is wholly or partially funded from the own resources of these bodies.

More detailed information on the pay bill for agencies/bodies may be sought from the Ministers under whose aegis the agencies come. I should point out that general information in regard to Pay and Numbers is also set out in the Revised Estimated Volume 2010.

Table 1
	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF THE TAOISEACH
Civil Service	243	233	210
NCSSB
National Economic and Social Development Office	17	19	24
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Civil Service	129	128	124
NCSSB
Law Reform Commission		27	23
CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE
Civil Service	825	847	793
CHIEF STATE SOLICITOR
Civil Service	237	245	230
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
Civil Service	192	197	195
OIREACHTAS
Civil Service	465	441	415
Industrial CS	53	55	56

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
FINANCE
Civil Service	658	631	567
NCSSB
Special EU Programmes Body	62	62	64
COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE APPOINTMENTS
Civil Service	9	12	9
COMPTROLLER & AUDITOR GENERAL
Civil Service	140	154	151
OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS
Civil Service	701	722	671
Industrial CS	1,405	1,377	1,236
OMBUDSMAN
Civil Service	85	94	88
PRESIDENTS ESTABLISHMENT
Civil Service	22	21	21
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE
Civil Service	151	146	112
REVENUE COMMISSIONERS
Civil Service	6,661	6,659	6,117
Industrial CS	17	16	13
STATE LABORATORY
Civil Service	89	91	91
VALUATION OFFICE
Civil Service	157	158	152

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, EQUALITY & LAW REFORM
Civil Service	2,435	2,662	2,444
GARDA CIVILIANS	1,551	1,944	1,957
Industrial CS	315	135	119
Justice Sector
Centres for Young Offenders		322	314
NCSSB	31	61	51
Human Rights Commission		20	14
National Disability Authority	31	41	37
PRISONS	3,501	3,641	3,577
PROPERTY REGISTRATION AUTHORITY	704	684	609
COURTS SERVICE	1,113	1,098	1,027
GARDA	14,827	15,385	14,803
GARDA	13,755	14,412	14,547
RECRUITS	1,043	944	232
TRAFFIC WARDENS	29	29	24

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Civil Service	1,276	1,204	1,082
Industrial CS	140	130	109
Local Authorities	34,987	35,008	32,044
Clerical/Admin		11,321	10,747
Contract Posts		1,276	1,022
Contracts of Indefinite Duration		0	0
Fulltime Fire Fighters		1,303	1,222
Local Authority Grade		0	0
Managerial		302	274
NDP Project Staff		296	221
Non DEH&LG Posts		0	0
Outdoor		14,294	13,734
Professional/Technical		4,371	4,169
Retained Fire Fighters		0	0
Site Supervisory Contract Posts		282	158
Supernumeraries		253	206
Temporary/Seasonal		1,309	290
NCSSB	806	889	859
Affordable Homes Partnership		11	10
An Bord Pleanála	180	167	169
Dublin Docklands Authority	54	47	34
Environmental Protection Agency	290	358	344
Heritage Council	17	16	15
Housing Finance Agency	12	12	11
Irish Water Safety Association	6	6	6
Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency		7	2
Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency		9	4
Local Government Computer Services Board	96	94	86
Local Government Management Services Board		30	28
National Building Agency	65	61	49
Private Residential Tenancies Board	26	23	55
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland	46	48	47
An Comhairle Leabharlana	14

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & SCIENCE
Civil Service	1,601	1,661	1,571
Industrial CS	1	1	1
Education Sector	90,456	94,663	92,984
Caretakers		196	181
Clerical Assistants		195	194
Clerical Officers		141	138
Community & Comprehensive Non Teachers		503	503
Community & Comprehensive Teachers		4,319	4,255
Model Schools		8	8
Other Education Projects		18	18
Primary Teachers		31,856	31,731
Ruthland St		7	5
Secondary Teachers		13,621	13,258
Special Needs Assistants		10,442	10,403
Third Level Grades		20,912	19,936
Vocational Non Teachers		2,131	2,131
Vocational Teachers		10,314	10,223
NCSSB	340	488	495
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies	77	65	79
Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)	93	53	42
	(HETAC & NQAI included)	53	42
Grangegorman Development Agency	3	6	3
Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC)		30	31
Higher Education Authority	69	59	50
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology		6	5
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science		7	5
National Education Welfare Board	89	103	102
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland		24	25
Royal Irish Academy		67	85
Royal Irish Academy of Music		70	69
Advisory Council for English Studies	5
NACD	4

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY, RURAL & GAELTACHT AFFAIRS
Civil Service	274	273	256
NCSSB	546	537	541
Boord o Ulster-Scotch (An Foras Teanga)	15	16	19
Foras na Gaeilge (An Foras Teanga)	42	50	49
Údarás na Gaeltachta	113	113	103
Waterways Ireland	347	343	355
Western Development Commission	18	17	15
An Coimisnoir Teanga	6
NDST	5

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Civil Service	1,259	1,544	1,524

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
Civil Service	320	288	273
NCSSB	480	780	770
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland	38	38	34
Central Fisheries Board	394	85	78
Commission for Communication Regulation		120	119
Commission for Energy Regulation		68	65
Digital Hub Development Authority	21	15	15
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board		53	45
Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission		53	57
National Oil Reserves Agency		5	5
Northern Regional Fisheries Board		43	51
North-Western Regional Fisheries Board		50	47
Shannon Regional Fisheries Board		53	57
Southern Regional Fisheries Board		40	39
South-Western Regional Fisheries Board		39	40
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	27	59	63
Western Regional Fisheries Board		61	57

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & FOOD
Civil Service	4,294	4,204	3,841
Industrial CS	87	83	75
NCSSB	1,996	2,115	1,864
Bord Bia	91	96	103
Bord Iascaigh Mhara	156	143	128
Marine Institute	230	196	190
National Milk Agency	6	6	7
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority		101	100
Teagasc	1,513	1,574	1,336

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
Civil Service	468	579	534
NCSSB	521	560	558
Commission for Aviation Regulation		19	16
Commission for Taxi Regulation	36	37	35
Medical Bureau of Road Safety	20	34	33
National Roads Authority	149	144	137
National Transport Authority		0	24
Dublin Transport Office	33
Railway Safety Commission	20	8	13
Road Safety Authority	263	319	301

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & CHILDREN
Civil Service	604	514	485
Industrial CS	2	2	1
NCSSB	1,002	1,090	1,138
An Bord Altranais — The Nursing Board 1985	48	49	44
Children’s Act Advisory Board	14	14	14
Crisis Pregnancy Agency	16	15	14
Dental Council 2001	3	5	4
Food Safety Authority of Ireland	89	90	84
Food Safety Promotion Board	36	26	31
Health & Social Care Professionals Council 2007		1	4
Health Information and Quality Authority	61	74	138
Health Insurance Authority	9	9	9
Health Research Board	76	84	77
Irish Medicines Board	219	245	253
Mental Health Commission	41	32	38
National Cancer Registry Board	41	47	46
National Cancer Screening Service	195	259	271
National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery	12	12	12
National Council on Ageing and Older People (Retired 2009)	12	8	0
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board		1	3
National Social Work Qualifications Board	7	7	7
National Treatment Purchase Fund	47	46	46
Office of Tobacco Control	13	9	5
Opticians Board 1956		2	2
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland 1875	19	19	21
Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board (Retired 2009)	19	16	0
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council	16	16	16
Women’s Health Council (Retired 2009)	9	5	0
HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE	111,506	111,025	109,753
General Support Staff	12,900	12,631	11,906
Health and Social Care Professionals	15,705	15,980	15,973
Management/Administration	18,044	17,967	17,611
Medical/Dental	8,005	8,109	8,083
Nursing	39,006	38,108	37,466
Other Patient and Client Care	17,846	18,230	18,714

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE & EMPLOYMENT
Civil Service
ENTERPRISE, TRADE & EMPLOYMENT	1,046	1,055	967
LABOUR RELATIONS COMMISSION		49	44
NCSSB	4,339	4,447	4,084
City and County Enterprise Boards	148	122	121
Competition Authority	51	48	23
Enterprise Ireland	844	903	841
Foras Áiseanna Saothair	2,265	2,242	2,030
Forfás	132	130	121
Health and Safety Authority	192	200	193
IDA Ireland	275	282	268
InterTrade Ireland	41	43	42
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority	9	11	11
National Consumer Agency	58	54	4
National Standards Authority of Ireland	158	157	185
Personal Injuries Assessment Board		75	74
Science Foundation Ireland	36	48	53
SFADCo Ltd (Industrial)	130	132	118

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF ARTS, SPORTS & TOURISM
Civil Service	171	174	152
NATIONAL GALLERY
Civil Service	55	59	56
Industrial CS	69	79	63
NCSSB	1,170	1,167	1,123
Arts Council	78	62	59
Bord Scannan na hÉireann (Irish Film Board)	17	16	16
Chester Beatty Library	36	36	35
Fáilte Ireland	389	389	357
Irish Museum of Modern Art	66	68	93
Irish Sports Council	31	29	28
National Concert Hall	81	68	66
National Library of Ireland	107	122	103
National Museum of Ireland	174	181	176
National Sports Campus Development Authority	6	4	4
SFADCo (Tourism)	29	31	29
Tourism Ireland	156	162	159

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
Civil Service	399	402	373
Defence Sector	11,263	11,265	10,736
Air Corps		832	802
Army		9,363	8,896
Naval Service		1,070	1,038
NCSSB
Coiste an Asgard	8	0	2

	2007	2008	2009
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & FAMILY AFFAIRS
Civil Service	4,487	4,610	4,911
Industrial CS	15	15	15
NCSSB	201	191	165
Citizens Information Board	88	86	86
Combat Poverty Agency (Retired 2009)	27	24	0
Family Support Agency	41	39	38
Pensions Board	45	42	41

*Note that the figures above are based on a whole-time equivalent basis, rounded to the nearest whole number.

**Numbers for year end 2007 were collected using a different system to that used for the 2008 & 2009 numbers. Accordingly, there may be minor discontinuities in the series reflecting methodological changes and updated information regarding numbers in particular sectors and may be subject to revision.

Table 2
	2007 Outturn	2008 Outturn	2009 Prov Outurn
V1 — President’s Establishment (Gross)	1,426	1,607	1,628
V1 — Administration	1,426	1,607	1,628
V2 — Department Of The Taoiseach (Gross)	17,289	18,355	16,989
V2 — Administration	13,952	15,062	13,991
V2 — Programme Expenditure	3,337	3,293	2,998
B — National Economic And Social Council (G-I-A)	2,226	2,263	2,378
D — Tribunal Of Inquiry (Payments To Haughey And Lowry)	447	355	316
— National Forum On Europe	483	625	252
— Newfoundland And Labrador Business Partnerships	93	50	52
— All Party Committee On The Constitution	88
V3 — Office Of The Attorney General (Gross)	10,868	12,517	11,967
V3 — Administration	9,290	10,724	10,241
V3 — Programme Expenditure	1,578	1,793	1,726
C — Law Reform Commission (G-I-A)	1,578	1,793	1,726
V4 — Central Statistics Office (Gross)	36,303	37,357	38,546
V4 — Administration	36,303	37,357	38,546
V5 — Office Of The Comptroller And Auditor General (Gross)	9,896	10,713	10,474
V5 — Administration	9,896	10,713	10,474
V6 — Department Of Finance (Gross)	41,256	42,932	42,222
V6 — Administration	39,241	41,141	40,464
V6 — Programme Expenditure	2,015	1,791	1,758
D — Gaeleagras Na Seirbhíse Poiblí	288	284	358
H.1 — Structural Funds Technical Assistance And Other Costs	924	920	848
L.2 — Special Eu Programmes Body	803	587	552
V8 — Office Of The Appeal Commissioners (Gross)	392	419	429
V8 — Administration	392	419	429
V9 — Office Of The Revenue Commissioners (Gross)	320,572	331,909	329,786
V9 — Administration	320,572	331,909	329,786
V10 — Office Of Public Works (Gross)	104,546	111,159	106,712
V10 — Administration	38,526	42,180	42,142
V10 — Programme Expenditure	66,020	68,979	64,570
B — President’s Household Staff: Wages And Allowances	861	1,001	877
F.1 — Maintenance And Supplies	19,253	21,108	19,078
G — Purchase And Maintenance Of Plant And Machinery	1,507	1,628	1,292
H.1 — Hydrometric And Hydrological Investigation And Monitoring	481	610	533
H.3 — Drainage — Maintenance	12,148	12,570	12,806
I — Heritage Services	31,770	32,062	29,984
V11 — State Laboratory (Gross)	5,279	5,462	5,524
V11 — Administration	5,279	5,462	5,524
V13 — Office Of The Chief State Solicitor (Gross)	13,936	15,448	15,791
V13 — Administration	13,936	15,448	15,791
V14 — Office Of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (Gross)	11,561	13,165	13,686
V14 — Administration	11,561	13,165	13,686
V15 — Valuation Office (Gross)	8,563	9,178	8,919
V15 — Administration	8,563	9,178	8,919
V16 — Public Appointments Service (Gross)	6,699	6,958	6,611
V16 — Administration	6,699	6,958	6,611
V17 — Commission For Public Service Appointments (Gross)	445	591	650
V17 — Administration	445	591	650
V18 — Office Of The Ombudsman (Gross)	4,928	5,767	6,068
V18 — Administration	3,007	3,882	4,184
V18 — Standards In Public Office Commission	736	691	684
V18 — Office Of The Information Commissioner	1,185	1,194	1,200
V19 — Justice, Equality And Law Reform (Gross)	146,921	170,308	168,255
V19 — Administration	29,214	31,289	31,398
V19 — Programme Expenditure	117,707	139,019	136,857
V19 — Commissions	2,619	3,119	2,591
B.1 — Commissions Etc	1,604	2,066	1,534
B.2 — Human Rights Commission (G-I-A)	1,015	1,053	1,057
V19 — Legal Aid	13,085	13,580	13,569
C.2 — Legal Aid Board (G-I-A)	13,085	13,580	13,569
V19 — Immigration And Asylum	34,458	39,385	37,912
D.1 — Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service	29,963	34,553	33,474
D.2 — A S Legal Aid	4,495	4,832	4,438
V19 — Equality	4,520	6,528	6,817
E.1 — Equality Authority (G-I-A)	2,542	2,945	2,150
E.2 — Equality Tribunal	1,880	2,258	2,255
E.5 — Cosc — Domestic, Sexual And Gender Based Violence		720	700
	98	3
E.8 — Office Of The Minister For Integration		602	1,712
V19 — Disability	2,920	2,652	2,396
F.2 — National Disability Authority	2,920	2,652	2,396
V19 — Other Services	19,139	24,639	25,527
V19 — Probation Services	23,559	27,318	27,206
V19 — Irish Youth Justice Service	17,407	21,798	20,839
V20 — Garda Síochána (Gross)	1,002,739	1,078,566	1,079,596
V20 — Administration	1,002,739	1,078,566	1,079,596
V21 — Prisons (Gross)	248,075	271,932	259,896
V21 — Administration	248,075	271,932	259,896
V22 — Courts Service (Gross)	54,137	58,343	58,181
V22 — Administration	54,137	58,343	58,181
V23 — Property Registration Authority (Gross)	30,363	32,883	30,020
V23 — Administration	30,363	32,883	30,020
V24 — Charitable Donations And Bequests (Gross)	327	326	332
V24 — Administration	327	326	332
V25 — Environment, Heritage And Local Government (Gross)	110,027	119,890	116,333
V25 — Administration	74,573	75,690	73,392
V25 — Programme Expenditure	35,454	44,200	42,941
V25 — Housing	5,957	8,294	8,524
B.1 — Social Housing Provision And Support	3,437	6,492	6,533
B.3 — Private Housing Adaptation — Grants & Other Supports	2,520	1,802	1,991
V25 — Environment	12,543	16,887	16,605
D.1 — Environmental Protection Agency	10,784	13,458	14,803
D.2 — Environmental Radiation Policy	1,759	3,429	1,802
V25 — Heritage	6,669	6,739	6,064
G.1 — Grant An Chomhairle Oidhreachta (Her. Council) — Part Funded Nat Lot	1,136	865	937
G.3 — National Heritage (National Parks And Wildlife)	5,533	5,874	5,127
V25 — Planning	9,958	11,934	11,393
H.1 — An Bord Pleanala	9,644	11,619	11,211
H.2 — Planning Tribunal	314	315	182
V25 — Other Services	327	345	355
V26 — Education And Science (Gross)	5,231,473	5,661,836	5,722,678
V26 — Administration	61,277	80,662	81,943
V26 — Programme Expenditure	5,170,196	5,581,174	5,640,735
V26 — Other Services	41,438	29,488	25,522
V26 — First Level	2,102,469	2,296,364	2,408,755
V26 — Second Level	1,996,168	2,158,464	2,163,205
V26 — Third Level	1,030,121	1,096,858	1,043,253
V27 — An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe Agus Gaeltachta (Gross)	44,739	42,644	40,535
V27 — Administration	13,868	14,840	14,463
V27 — Programme Expenditure	30,871	27,804	26,072
V27 — Tackling Problem Drug Use	520	495	435
C — Drugs Initiative	520	495	435
V27 — Rural Development	992	1,055	1,078
D.1 — Western Development Commission	992	1,055	1,078
V27 — An Ghaeilge Agus An Ghealtacht	11,800	8,480	8,200
E.5 — Údarás Na Gaeltachta — Administration	11,800	8,480	8,200
V27 — Promotion Of The Irish Language	360	525	603
F.2 — An Coimisinéir Teanga	360	525	603
V27 — North South Co-Operation	17,199	17,249	15,756
G.1 — An Foras Teanga	2,365	2,235	2,465
G.2 — Waterways Ireland	14,834	15,014	13,291
V28 — Foreign Affairs (Gross)	83,961	83,833	83,935
V28 — Administration	83,961	83,833	83,935
V29 — International Co-Operation (Gross)	15,455	17,416	16,419
V29 — Administration	15,455	17,416	16,419
V30 — Communications, Energy & Nr (Gross)	70,453	55,573	45,094
V30 — Administration	23,546	18,335	17,992
V30 — Programme Expenditure	46,907	37,238	27,102
V30 — Communications	1,024	1,244	614
B.2 — Multimedia Developments	1,024	1,244	614
V30 — Broadcasting	6,066	7,294	2,698
— Broadcasting Commission Of Ireland (G-I-A)	1,168	2,286	2,698
	4,898	5,008
V30 — Energy	4,108	4,500	4,986
D.1 — Sustainable Energy Ireland — Admin And General Exps (Gia)	4,108	4,500	4,986
V30 — Inland Fisheries	123	2,981	18,804
E.3 — Gsi Services	123	51
E.6 — Ordnance Survey Ireland (G-I-A)	19,350	2,930
V30 — Inland Fisheries	19,350	21,219
V31 — Agriculture, Fisheries And Food (Gross)	297,849	327,815	322,310
V31 — Administration	224,018	233,690	226,554
V31 — Programme Expenditure	73,831	94,125	95,756
K — Teagasc — Grant In Aid For General Expenses (G-I-A)	59,055	60,499	61,240
L — An Bord Bia — Grant In Aid For General Expenses (G-I-A)	9,165	9,816	9,771
M — Marine Institute (G-I-A)	2,005	8,742	8,328
N — Bord Iascaigh Mhara (G-I-A)	1,258	7,282	8,966
O — Sea Fisheries Protection Authority	2,337	7,688	7,406
P — Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board	11	98
Q — Other Services	11	98	45
V32 — Transport (Gross)	59,603	68,627	66,317
V32 — Administration	27,221	33,916	33,732
V32 — Programme Expenditure	32,382	34,711	32,585
V32 — Roads	31,565	33,195	31,517
V32 — Public Transport	643	1,415	992
V32 — Maritime Transport And Safety	174	101	76
V33 — National Gallery (Gross)
V33 — Administration	5,813	6,262	6,125
V34 — Enterprise, Trade And Employment (Gross)	302,784	319,659	316,745
V34 — Administration	41,274	46,793	48,181
V34 — Programme Expenditure	261,510	272,866	268,564
V34 — Enterprise, Science And Technology	125,432	129,734	129,076
B.1 — Forfas — Grant For Administration And General Expenses	8,684	9,324	8,463
B.3 — Intertrade Ireland	1,477	1,395	1,279
C.1 — IDA Ireland — Grant For Administration And General Expenses	25,142	26,754	27,110
D.1 — Enterprise Ireland — Grant For Admin & Gen Exps	65,025	65,630	64,578
F.1 — Science And Technology Development Programme	9,648	10,476	10,725
G — County Enterprise Development	8,591	8,032	9,016
I — Nsai — G-I-A For Admin & Gen Exps	6,865	8,123	7,905
V34 — Labour Force Development	105,266	110,070	108,480
K.1 — Fás Administration And General Expenses	104,978	109,740	107,854
M.1 — Operational Programme For Hr Development	288	330	626
V34 — Employment Rights And Industrial Relations	3,621	4,306	4,353
N — Labour Relations Commission — Grant For Admin & Gen Exps	3,621	4,306	4,353
V34 — Commerce And Competition	14,412	15,240	13,898
Q — Competition Authority	3,916	4,143	3,697
R.1 — Consumer Affairs — Grant For Admin & Gen Exps	3,644	3,815	3,407
S.1 — Cro & Rfs — Grant For Admin & Gen Exps	5,895	6,062	5,439
S.2 — Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (G-I-A)	957	1,220	1,355
V34 — Health And Safety	12,779	13,516	12,757
T — Health & Safety Authotity — Grant For Admin	12,779	13,516	12,757
V34 — National Training Fund (Gross)	16,552	18,340	17,343
V35 — Arts, Sport And Tourism (Gross)	78,083	81,507	67,973
V35 — Administration	9,989	10,680	10,072
V35 — Programme Expenditure	68,093	70,826	57,901
V35 — Tourism Services	42,395	43,257	32,078
B.1 — Fáilte Ireland (G-I-A)	31,639	31,619	21,860
B.2 — Tourism Ireland Ltd — Grant For Admin & Gen Exps	10,000	10,868	10,218
	756	770
V35 — Sports And Recreation Services	1,811	2,343	2,295
C.3 — Irish Sports Council Admin (Nat Lott) (G-I-A)	1,450	1,770	1,737
C.4 — National Sports Campus	361	573	558
V35 — Art And Culture	23,887	25,226	23,528
D.2 — General Expenses Of Nat Archives & Advisory Council	82	123	67
D.3 — Gen Exps Irish M.O.M.A., Chester Beatty, Nch, Crawford Gallery (G-I-A)	7,462	7,552	7,002
D.7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon (Nat Lott) (G-I-A)	2,770	3,150	2,980
D.8 — National Museum Of Ireland — Gen Exps (G-I-A)	7,613	8,126	7,709
D.9 — National Library Of Ireland — Gen Exps (G-I-A)	4,952	5,245	4,736
D.10 — Irish Film Board (G-I-A)	1,009	1,030	1,034
V36 — Defence (Gross)	560,204	590,636	588,057
V36 — Administration	17,819	19,258	18,744
V36 — Programme Expenditure	542,385	571,378	569,313
B — Permanent Defence Force: Pay	454,685	479,135	475,261
C — Permanent Defence Force: Allowances	43,206	45,623	51,075
D — Reserve Defence Force: Pay, Etc.	7,512	7,996	5,797
E — Chaplains & Officiating Clergymen: Pay & Allowances	1,375	1,322	1,342
F — Civilians Attached To Units: Pay, Etc.	33,766	35,344	33,820
U — Miscellaneous Expenditure	192	269	309
W — Civil Defence Board (G-I-A)	1,198	1,221	1,429
Y — Coiste An Asgard (Nat Lottery) (G-I-A)	451	468	280
V37 — Army Pensions (Gross)	103	105	105
V38 — Social And Family Affairs (Gross)	204,079	215,580	231,431
V38 — Administration	193,599	205,226	222,221
V38 — Programme Expenditure	10,480	10,354	9,210
V38 — Social Assistance	2,517	2,232	9,210
S — Family Support Agency	1,320	1,498	2,404
T — Grant To The Citizens Information Board	5,855	5,867	5,857
V — Miscellaneous Services	788	757	949
V39 — Health And Children (Gross)	35,382	32,010	87,507
V39 — Administration	35,382	32,010	33,303
V39 — Programme Expenditure			54,204
B.1 — Grants To Research Bodies:			8,035
E.1 — Developmental, Consultative, Supervisory & Advisory Bodies			43,527
1. Irish Medicines Board			3,385
2. Food Safety Authority Of Ireland			5,624
3. National Social Work Qualification Board			376
5. National Council For Professional Development Of Nursing And Midwifery			898
6. Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council			857
7. Mental Health Commission			4,015
8. National Cancer Screening Service			19,115
9. Office Of Tobacco Control			351
10. Children Acts Advisory Board			859
11. Health Information & Quality Authority			7,951
12. Health & Social Care Professionals Council			96
E.2 — The Food Safety Promotion Board			158
E.3 — The National Treatment Purchase Fund			2,484
V40 — Health Service Executive (Gross)	7,427,171	7,312,265	7,434,334
V40 — Administration	23,564	25,596	22,878
V40 — Programme Expenditure	7,403,607	7,286,669	7,411,456
Gross Pay Total	16,620,251	17,189,892	17,375,523

National Lottery Funding

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

29 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Finance the level of National Lottery funding that will be allocated by his Department in 2010; the areas of expenditure this funding will be allocated towards; the amount that was allocated in 2008 and 2009 in this regard, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24250/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Section 5 of the National Lottery Act 1986 provides that the surplus from the National Lottery may be used for the following purposes: sport and other recreation; national culture, including the Irish Language; the arts, within the meaning of the Arts Act 1951; the health of the community; and for such other purposes as the Government may determine. The following additional categories have been so determined: youth, welfare, national heritage and amenities.

In order to give effect to this statutory provision, the surplus from the National Lottery is transferred to the Exchequer on a regular basis and is applied each year to part-fund the Exchequer allocations to a specified range of expenditure subheads across various Votes. Each year, the amount transferred to the Exchequer from the National Lottery surplus, together with details of the total Exchequer allocations to the relevant subheads are set out in Appendix 1 of the annual "Revised Estimates for Public Services".

The following is a summary of the information contained at Appendix 1 of the "Revised Estimates for Public Services" for the last few years:

	2008	2009	2010
Total Exchequer Allocation To The Subheads Part-Funded By The National Lottery	€472m	€435.4m	€409m (Estimated)
Of Which: Transferred To The Exchequer From The Surplus Of The National Lottery	€265m	€275.0m	€260m (Estimated)

Credit Union Sector

Joe McHugh

Question:

30 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether proposals to amend section 35 of the Finance Act will not benefit credit unions and their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24266/10]

Joe McHugh

Question:

31 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if he acknowledges that his intention, as expressed at League Annual General meeting 2009, to facilitate credit unions whose ability to lend to members is unduly restricted by section 35, will not be achieved by the proposed amendments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24267/10]

Joe McHugh

Question:

33 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether section 35 of the Credit Union Act, which proposes to give extensive powers to the Regulator to impose lending related requirements on all credit unions, is a one size fits all draconian approach to regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24273/10]

Joe McHugh

Question:

34 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if he will defer implementation of the proposed amendments to section 35 of the Credit Union Act, including Sections 35A & B, published in the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 pending the outcome of the upcoming Strategic Review of Credit Unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24275/10]

Joe McHugh

Question:

35 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the reason the relevant representative organisations were not consulted on section 35A of the Credit Union Bill prior to the publication of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24276/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 31 and 33 to 35, inclusive, together.

I met with the credit union representative bodies two weeks ago and again yesterday and I am listening to their concerns. My Department, in conjunction with the Registrar of Credit Unions, is examining the scope for linking more closely the powers conferred by the new Section 35A to the framework required for implementing the new rescheduling arrangements.

When the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 was published on 30 March this year, ILCU welcomed the new initiative in its press release that day stating "This new arrangement is good for our members and good for credit unions". ILCU has since formed a different view. That is, of course, its right. The credit union sector is not immune to the economic downturn. It needs to be safeguarded to ensure that it can continue to provide assistance to its members in the current difficult economic climate while at the same time lending only within its capacity to do so. The Government's intention is to facilitate relaxation of the lending limits in conjunction with appropriate regulation of the sector to achieve this objective.

In my address to the ILCU Conference in April 2009, I expressed my wish to help members who are experiencing difficulty in meeting loan repayments due to unfavourable changes in their financial circumstances in the current economic environment. I stated that any solution would be subject to the over-arching consideration that the financial position of a credit union is not undermined, the security of members' savings is maintained and accurate reporting of the financial status of a credit union is not jeopardised. Re-scheduling of repayments to a level which is affordable to members should be possible in carefully monitored and controlled circumstances. Of course, each credit union must fully and properly recognise arrears situations where they exist. Where members are in difficulty, the process of facilitating them must be transparent to board members and regulators so that a credit union is never in doubt as to its own position. This continues to be my view and the proposed amendment to Section 35 seeks to achieve the desired result.

The credit union sector has been seeking relaxation of the Section 35 lending limits in an effort to facilitate borrowers who have run into difficulties in repaying their loans and need to have them rescheduled to allow for repayment over a longer period of time. The lending limits are set in primary legislation. Together with the measures to balance the increased flexibility in relation to rescheduling, they must apply to all credit unions in a uniform way. However, as I have indicated above, my Department and the Registrar are exploring ways of meeting the key concerns of the representative bodies.

Also, as I indicated to the House during the second stage debate on the Bill, the Registrar of Credit Unions will take a balanced and proportionate approach to the implementation of any new Section 35 requirements and he has set out for the credit union representative groups transitional arrangements and clarifications on the implementation approach. The Registrar has already indicated that these include transitional arrangements for a 15% provisioning requirement up to 30 September 2011, trial periods, exceptions with regard to top-up loans and relaxation of the 100% provisioning requirement in respect of rescheduled loans which have missed two or more payments. The transitional arrangements will help to ease the position for credit unions in the current financial year and the next financial year ending in September 2011. They will also allow time for credit unions to adjust to the new regime. Overall, the Registrar will take account of individual circumstances in credit unions in exercising the powers being given to him in the Bill. I want to assure the Deputy that there is no question of a one size fits all draconian approach as has been suggested.

It is not correct to say that the Registrar has the necessary powers under existing legislation. He does not have the power to impose conditions across the sector and it would not be prudent to await the outcome of the strategic review. While the review itself is planned to be completed by March 2011, any primary legislation arising would require some considerable further time to implement. As I have indicated already, the credit union sector needs to be safeguarded further now to ensure that it can continue to provide assistance to its members in the current difficult economic climate while at the same time lending only within its capacity to do so.

As indicated by the Registrar during his appearance on 27 May 2010 before the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs, a Regulatory Impact Assessment within the meaning of the term as set out in the Better Regulation Guidelines prepared by the Department of the Taoiseach was not carried out. However, as he also indicated, an internal analysis was carried out. This examined the level of provisions which are held against rescheduled loans. The Registrar indicated that he will make this analysis available to the Joint Committee. I will ask the Registrar to furnish the Deputy with a copy of any material which he provides to the Joint Committee in this regard.

Contrary to suggestions now being made, there was extensive and detailed consultation on the measures now being brought forward. Following general discussions in early 2009, the detailed views of credit union representative groups on the Section 35 issue were sought and obtained in the summer of 2009. The provisions to be included in the requirements to be made by the Registrar have already undergone considerable adjustment following discussions between the Registrar of Credit Unions and both credit union representative bodies.

Concerns have been raised in relation to the need for the Registrar of Credit Unions to consult with the representative bodies before introducing requirements. As a matter of general practice, the Registrar consults with the credit union representative bodies before introducing regulations or requirements in relation to any aspect of credit union regulation and I understand that he intends to continue with this approach. However, the independent position of the Registrar of Credit Unions in carrying out the duty of financial regulation is not open to question and the Registrar has the statutory powers and responsibility to introduce, if necessary without consultation, regulatory requirements in the interests of the well-being and stability of the sector. For this good reason, a requirement for the Registrar to consult with the sector is not included in the legislation. Neither is it appropriate to provide for an appeals mechanism. Such a device would render the provisions ineffective and inoperable as decisions of the Registrar would become subject to constant review.

There is a balance to be struck between meeting members' needs to reschedule loans and ensuring the stability of the credit union sector overall. We are not seeking to have a credit union sector which is over-regulated. However, we must act now in a prudent and preventative manner. It is in the interests of every credit union in the country that the stability of the sector is safeguarded. The proposals being brought forward in connection with the Bill will achieve this fundamental aim.

Tax Collection

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

32 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance when a tax refund will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [24272/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that no tax refund is due as this person did not pay any tax in 2009.

Questions Nos. 33 to 35, inclusive, answered with Question No. 30.

Joe McHugh

Question:

36 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if he provides information on the Revenue guide for Form 11; if he will furnish this Deputy with this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24309/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Revenue Commissioners have sole responsibility for the guide to completing the Form 11. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the guide is updated annually to take account of changes introduced in the Finance Act. The guide is available on the Revenue website, in Revenue offices and from Revenue's Forms and Leaflets Service on Lo-Call 1890-306706. The 2010 edition of the guide, which covers the 2009 Form 11, will be available on the Revenue website within the next two weeks and in booklet form from next month. The guide will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Departmental Properties

John O'Mahony

Question:

37 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a matter (details supplied) in relation to the offices of a Department. [24310/10]

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

The Commissioners of Public Works have leased two premises in Tubbercurry and the information sought on each lease is as follows:

The lease on one building was signed on 14 July 2008 and the lease term is 14 July 2008 until 13 July 2012.

The lease on the second building was signed on 8 June 2006 and the lease term is 1 June 2006 until 13 July 2012. The initial expiry date of 31 May 2008 was extended to coincide with the term of the other leased building. The extension of the lease was agreed 30 April 2009.

Tax Yield

Michael Ring

Question:

38 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the tax take on motor fuels from 1 January 2009 to the end of April 2010 on a monthly basis in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24359/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the data available on the amounts of Excise, VAT and the Carbon Charge for the period 1 January 2009 to the end of April 2010, in respect of petrol and auto-diesel is set out in the following tables. It should be noted that the carbon charge in respect of petrol and auto-diesel is payable in the month after it is released for consumption so each of the monthly figures below relate to sales in the previous month.

Petrol	Mineral Oil Tax	VAT Estimate	Total	Auto-Diesel	Mineral Oil Tax	VAT Estimate	Total
2009	€m	€m	€m	2009	€m	€m	€m
Jan	129.4	43.9	173.3	Jan	104.9	5.0	109.9
Feb	81.7	29.1	110.8	Feb	75.3	3.6	78.8
Mar	91.6	33.0	124.5	Mar	86.8	4.0	90.8
Apr	90.8	33.8	124.7	Apr	91.7	4.0	95.7
May	94.9	36.6	131.6	May	92.8	4.1	96.9
Jun	89.7	36.3	126.0	Jun	90.7	4.1	94.8
Jul	94.6	38.1	132.6	Jul	95.2	4.5	99.7
Aug	87.3	35.8	123.1	Aug	86.0	4.0	89.9
Sep	93.0	38.1	131.2	Sep	96.7	4.5	101.3
Oct	90.0	36.2	126.2	Oct	92.6	4.3	96.9
Nov	83.1	34.4	117.5	Nov	87.4	4.2	91.6
Dec	48.8	20.2	69.0	Dec	60.2	2.9	63.1
Total	1,075.1	415.5	1,490.5	Total	1,060.3	49.2	1,109.5

Petrol	Mineral Oil Tax	Carbon	VAT Estimate	Total	Auto-Diesel	Mineral Oil Tax	Carbon	VAT Estimate	Total
2010	€m	€m	€m	€m	2010	€m	€m	€m	€m
Jan	107.2	1.0	45.8	154.0	Jan	103.4	1.5	5.1	110.0
Feb	77.9	7.3	33.2	118.4	Feb	83.8	10.1	4.1	98.0
Mar	89.8	5.3	38.9	134.0	Mar	93.8	8.1	4.7	106.7
Apr	85.7	6.0	39.1	130.7	Apr	91.1	9.2	4.7	105.0
Total	360.6	19.5	157.0	537.1	Total	372.2	28.9	18.6	419.7

VAT returns do not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified. The figures provided in this reply for monthly VAT receipts are estimates of the amount of VAT yield that would be generated by the volume of clearances of petrol and auto-diesel up to the end of each month. VAT returns can be made monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually depending on the nature of the registration status of a trader, and this will dictate the point in time when VAT on sales will actually be paid.

It should also be noted that the VAT content of purchases of auto-diesel is a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system.

Departmental Expenditure

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

39 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the amount that will be contributed by civil and public servants to public funds both through deduction in pay by way of pension contribution under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 for the year 2010 and also by way of PRSI and, where relevant, other pension contribution schemes; the amount expected to be paid out by way of pension to retired civil and public servants in relation to the same category of former employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24361/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The estimated amounts for receipts and expenditure in respect of civil and public servants in 2010 for the categories requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table, with the exception of PRSI receipts which are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.

The Deputy referred to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 in the context of "deductions in pay by way of pension contributions". I assume the Deputy is referring to the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) which was provided for in the first Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. I have therefore given the 2010 estimate for PRD receipts in the table below.

	Civil Servants 2010 estimate	Public Servants 2010 estimate	Total 2010 estimate
	(€ million)	(€ million)	(€ million)
Pension-related deduction from Civil and Public Servants	103	872	975
Pension contributions by Civil and Public Servants	46	709	755
Pension payments to Civil and Public Servants	477	2,903	3,380

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Question:

40 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his reasoning in sanctioning in June 2009 of four and refusing 49 of 53 requested posts by Enterprise Ireland for overseas contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The moratorium is the mechanism in place to control numbers in the public sector to help achieve cost savings. In assessing these requests for exemptions from the application of the moratorium for certain Enterprise Ireland (EI) posts I have regard to the case made in the context of the current budgetary situation and in particular in the context of the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Control,which recommended reducing staffing level and rationing the overseas office network of EI, IDA and Bord Bia.

I have sanctioned the filling of 24 posts in EI as an exceptional measure in recognition of the importance of their work in driving Irish export performance.

Remuneration Rates

Joan Burton
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Joan Burton
Question:
41 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil servants, public servants and employees at commercial semi-State companies or majority State owned financial institutions earning remuneration packages greater than that earned by An Taoiseach by function and organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24374/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
Share

The current salary of An Taoiseach, following the application of the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009 is €228,466 p.a. On the basis of information currently to hand, the numbers of those within the public service and those within the majority State owned financial institutions that have a salary (some of which are held on a personal to holder basis) in excess of €228,466 are as follows:

Sector

Organisation/Function

Numbers

Judiciary

Chief Justice

1

President of the High Court

1

Judge of the Supreme Court

7

President of the Circuit Court

1

Judge of the High Court

35

Health Services Executive

Chief Executive Officer

1

Master Consultant

*

Academic Consultants

*

Clinical Directors

*

Education

President of UCC

1

Non Commercial State Sponsored Bodies

CEO of National Roads Authority and Director General of Science Foundation Ireland

2

Commercial State Bodies

Chief Executive Officer Coillte Teoranta, ESB, Bord na Móna, Bord Gáis Éireann, An Post, RTE, VHI, Bus Átha Cliath, Córas Iompair Éireann, Dublin Airport Authority, Iarnród Éireann, Irish Aviation Authority.

12

Financial Institutions

EBS-Chief Executive Officer

1

EBS –Executive Directors

2

Anglo Irish Bank – Executive Director

1

Anglo Irish Bank – Senior Management

17

INBS – Executive Directors

2

INBS – Senior Management

1

*Due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply a breakdown of the numbers at consultant level in the HSE in the time available. This data will be supplied to the Deputy when the detailed information comes to hand.

Remuneration rates in the Central Bank Financial Services Authority of Ireland are solely a matter for the Board of the Bank and the Authority to determine while the remuneration packages of all National Treasury Management Authority staff (which includes the staff of the National Asset Management Authority) are negotiated on an individual contract basis and are confidential. With the exception of the posts of Chief Executive Officer, I have no role in determining the salary rates of employees in the commercial State bodies.

Departmental Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
42 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 1 June 2010, if he will provide the same information as of May 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24375/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
Share

The breakdown of civil servants by grade employed at the end of April 2010, the latest date for which information is available, is set out in the following table.

GRADES

30 APRIL 2010

NON INDUSTRIAL CIVIL SERVANTS — FTE

SECRETARY GENERAL RELATED GRADES

35.00

DEPUTY SECRETARY RELATED GRADES

16.00

ASSISTANT SECRETARY RELATED GRADES

229.00

PO RELATED GRADES

1,295.55

AP RELATED GRADE

3,575.67

HEO RELATED GRADES

3,678.19

AO RELATED GRADES

2,065.69

EO RELATED GRADES

6,409.57

SO REALATED GRADES

1,597.60

CO RELATED GRADES

11,263.34

SERVICE OFFICER RELATED GRADES

1,155.01

MISC GRADES

88.56

TOTAL NON INDUSTRIAL GRADES

31,409.18

GENERAL SERVICE GRADES INCLUDED IN TOTAL

24,056.38

INDUSTRIAL GRADES

1,690.72

FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Local Recruits Serving Abroad)

300

EDUCATION (staff outside main Departmental records)

79

PRISONS, NATIONAL GALLERY and CPSA

3,647.37

Total

37,126.27

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
43 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the details and outcome of the past three reviews by his Department’s Governance Support Division of compliance by his Department’s State bodies with the code of practice, in particular to name the State bodies that have not achieved full compliance; the reason for same; the action taken by him; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24388/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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The following is the position in relation to compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies by State bodies under the aegis of my Department.

National Treasury Management Agency

The National Treasury Management Agency's legal structure does not follow the general semi-state model in all respects. The National Treasury Management Agency is currently carrying out a detailed review of how the code can be adapted to the specific structure of the Agency and its associated bodies.

National Asset Management Agency

In accordance with the provisions of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, NAMA has submitted codes of practice for my approval on the conduct of officers of NAMA. This code is being reviewed. Once finalised and approved, it will be published on the NAMA website.

An Post National Lottery

The National Lottery Company, which operates the National Lottery under a licence issued by the Minister for Finance, is a subsidiary of An Post, which is under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Corporate Governance of the National Lottery Company is a matter, in the first instance, for the Board of the Company and are overseen by An Post as parent company and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources as parent Department. The annual reports of the National Lottery Company for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 confirm that the Company is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

Anglo Irish Bank

The Bank has confirmed in its annual report for 2009 that during 2009 the bank adopted the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and is working with my Department towards full compliance.

Financial Services Ombudsman Council and Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau

The Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau have confirmed that both it and the Financial Services Ombudsman Council are compliant with the Code of Governance of State Bodies.

Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal

The Financial Services Appeals Tribunal have confirmed that they have a code of conduct in place which is compliant with the Code of Governance of State Bodies.

While within the current statutory provisions, the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland are independent of the Minister for Finance in this area, I understand that the Board of the Central Bank and the Regulatory Authority have adopted codes of practice which reflect the document prepared by my Department.

Public Service Staff

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
44 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in County Donegal employed by the State earning less than €20,000 per year; the number of persons in County Donegal employed by the State earning less than €30,000 per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24426/10]

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
51 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 102, 104 and 106 of 16 December 2009, if he will provide updated figures of the numbers of public sector workers in County Donegal earning less than €20,000, €30,000, €40,000, €50,000, €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000 and €100,000 and earning more than €100,000 per annum. [24617/10]

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
52 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 102, 104 and 106 of 16 December 2009, if he will provide updated figures of the numbers of public sector workers in County Donegal earning less than €20,000, €30,000, €40,000, €50,000, €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000 and €100,000 and earning more than €100,000 per annum excluding various forms of income from public sources to groups that would not normally be regarded as being employed within the public service, for example persons receiving fees and those on the State Boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24618/10]

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
53 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 102, 104 and 106 of 16 December 2009, if he will provide updated figures of the numbers of public sector workers in County Donegal earning less than €20,000, €30,000, €40,000, €50,000, €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000 and €100,000 and earning more than €100,000 per annum, distinguishing atypical work patterns and earnings by employees such as work sharing and temporary or short term work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24619/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 51 to 53, inclusive, together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no more recent information available than that provided last November. To be helpful to the Deputy, I reprint that information here.

Range of Gross Income — Donegal

From

To

Numbers

€

€

—

20,000

20,658

20,000

30,000

6,437

30,000

40,000

2,336

40,000

50,000

1,038

50,000

60,000

537

60,000

70,000

371

70,000

80,000

181

80,000

90,000

109

90,000

100,000

58

100,000

150,000

69

Over

150,000

12

Total

31,806

The data also includes various forms of income from public sources to groups that would not normally be regarded as being employed within the public service, e.g. those receiving fees, those on State Boards etc. On the basis of the available tax-based data it is not possible to identify and exclude income from public sources to groups that would not normally be regarded as employed within the public service or to distinguish the earnings of employees associated with atypical work patterns. Accordingly, it is likely that the number of lower paid public servants is overstated.

EU Directives

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
45 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance the meaning of the terms “Head Office” and “Registered Office” in Article 5 of the European Parliament text for the European Commission proposal for the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive; if he will confirm that this part of the directive means that an AIFM with a legal personality in an EU jurisdiction can be forced to register with the supervisory authority of the Member State in which the legal personality is established; if he will outline whether this provision requires that the US headquarters of an alternative investment fund with a presence in Europe will have to move to the EU in order to comply with the directive; his views on whether the terms “Head Office” and “Registered Office” should be defined in such a way in the legislation that would not force non EU funds operating in the EU market to have their headquarters in the EU; his further views on whether the European Parliament text in respect of Article 5 is a protectionist measure and should be amended or removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24519/10]

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
46 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance his views on Jean Paul Gauzes 66th amendment to Article 17 of the European Commission proposal for the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive which will require an Alternative Investment Fund to use a single depository; his views on whether investors may be put at risk by forcing Alternative Investment Funds to put their money into one bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24523/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

The substantial issue raised by the Deputy relates to the extent to which non-EU managers of alternative investment funds are required to register with an EU authority. Article 5 only sets down the rules for EU managers of alternative funds. However, Article 35 and a proposed new Article 39a set down the parameters for non-EU managers. I agree with the Deputy that there could be greater clarity on this issue. While it is not for me to interpret the European Parliament's intentions with regard to their proposed amendments, I think it is reasonable to assume that the proposal would require non-EU firms, which propose to sell funds within the Community, to register with the new European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The EP text would also require agreements between the supervisor of the non-EU fund and the competent authority of the relevant Member State and also between the supervisor of the AIFM and ESMA. This is an issue which will be the subject of further discussions between the Council, Parliament and Commission.

As I have mentioned in previous PQ replies to the Deputy and others, the third country provisions of the proposed Directive were the most contentious issues of the negotiations and I have also stated that the agreement on a general approach which was reached recently at Ecofin, represents a balanced, workable approach. I still believe that the Council's text on Article 35 represents the best solution on this difficult issue.

Although the proposed treatment of depositaries has been an issue of particular concern for Ireland, I would be less concerned about the proposed requirement for an alternative fund to appoint a single depositary. This requirement is already imposed by the Financial Regulator who requires that a single entity is responsible for the safe-keeping of Irish fund assets. However, there is a critical difference insofar as the Financial Regulator permits the depositary to delegate some of its functions to others who provide custodial or safe-keeping services, subject to no dilution of the liability of the depositary.

The draft measures for depositaries remain the biggest concern for Ireland. Depositaries play a critical role in protecting those who invest in funds. It is of course imperative that depositaries should be subject to rigorous regulatory standards to ensure that they fulfil their safe-keeping and custodial obligations. However, the current proposals would impose stricter requirements on depositaries for hedge funds and other alternative funds, which can only be sold to institutional or professional investors, than currently exist in relation to UCITS, which can be sold to retail investors. In my view, this makes little sense and I will continue to raise this point with our European partners in order to seek a balanced solution.

Banking Sector Regulation

James Reilly
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James Reilly
Question:
47 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 1 June 2010, the proportion of Anglo Irish Bank’s liabilities that is owed to Irish credit union and Irish pension funds; the reason that bondholders cannot be forced to accept losses due to the fact that so many of them are Irish credit union and Irish pension funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24582/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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As the Deputy is aware the Board of the bank is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the bank.

The bank provides details of its assets and liabilities through the Annual Report and Accounts. The Report and Accounts for the 15 month period to 31 December 2009 were published in March 2010, please see following link http://www.angloirishbank.com/About-Us/Reports/. In addition, the bank makes appropriate disclosures to the regulatory authorities.

The Deputy will appreciate that a breakdown of the information in the manner requested is confidential and commercially sensitive and I do not have available the breakdown of the liabilities into the categories requested by the Deputy.

The Deputy is no doubt aware that bondholders are covered under the Government Guarantee Scheme; this includes all liabilities for the period from 30 September 2008 to 29 September 2010.

Banking Sector

James Reilly
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James Reilly
Question:
48 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the deposit ratio of the Irish banks on each month from May 2008 to May 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24584/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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I refer the Deputy to the following table. As I indicated in my reply to PQ 22807 on 1 June, this information is taken from tables C4 and C5 of monthly reports produced by the Central Bank which shows loans to and deposits taken from customers, excluding Government and credit institutions. The latest statistics are available on the Bank's website at http://www.centralbank.ie/frame_main.asp?pg=nws%5Farticle%2Easp%3Fid%3D517&nv=nws_nav.asp.

I am assuming that the reference to Irish banks in the Deputy's question comprises the retail clearing banks and the non-clearing domestic banks.

As the Deputy is aware, the Retail Clearing banks are AIB, Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank and some of their subsidiaries. The Non-Clearing domestic banks include ACC Bank plc, Anglo Irish Bank, EBS Building Society, Irish Life and Permanent plc, Irish Nationwide Building Society, KBC Bank Ireland plc and Postbank.

Table C4: Retail Clearing Credit Institutions

Table 5: Non-Clearing with Predominantly Domestic Business Credit Institutions

Assets: Item 5: Loans to other residents

Liabilities: Item 5: Deposits from other residents

Loans-to-Deposits Ratio

Assets: Item 5: Loans to other residents

Liabilities: Item 5: Deposits from other residents

Loans-to-Deposits Ratio

€ million

€ million

€ million

€ million

30/05/2008

228,157

127,578

1.79

253,852

99,310

2.56

30/06/2008

235,094

127,605

1.84

253,612

99,399

2.55

31/07/2008

235,886

127,038

1.86

255,518

101,044

2.53

29/08/2008

237,317

130,579

1.82

260,074

105,672

2.46

30/09/2008

237,814

130,815

1.82

262,064

99,260

2.64

31/10/2008

248,157

139,342

1.78

267,494

89,588

2.99

28/11/2008

253,647

134,798

1.88

265,239

87,783

3.02

31/12/2008

251,849

137,701

1.83

239,334

82,489

2.90

30/01/2009

250,868

133,492

1.88

241,018

79,078

3.05

27/02/2009

251,822

135,595

1.86

240,551

79,725

3.02

31/03/2009

249,427

134,378

1.86

233,776

76,022

3.08

30/04/2009

248,503

134,963

1.84

233,477

76,801

3.04

29/05/2009

248,602

134,754

1.84

230,194

77,333

2.98

30/06/2009

249,254

137,303

1.82

228,951

77,349

2.96

31/07/2009

246,368

139,735

1.76

227,411

76,663

2.97

31/08/2009

246,411

141,970

1.74

224,298

76,506

2.93

30/09/2009

243,525

138,519

1.76

221,580

76,315

2.90

30/10/2009

241,806

139,260

1.74

220,202

77,762

2.83

30/11/2009

243,122

132,194

1.84

218,960

76,977

2.84

31/12/2009

242,181

131,732

1.84

212,594

76,328

2.79

29/01/2010

240,678

128,067

1.88

213,401

75,750

2.82

26/02/2010

245,756

132,094

1.86

206,593

74,351

2.78

31/03/2010

242,636

131,878

1.84

205,714

72,914

2.82

30/04/2010

241,069

131,325

1.83

204,452

71,293

2.86

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
49 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements that are in place to implement policy in relation to determining and approving the remuneration of each chief executive officer and managing director under the auspices of his Department; the salary of each such chief executive officer and managing director; if such arrangements have been breached in the past three years and the person involved; if he has taken any action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24599/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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The Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector advises the Government from time to time on the general levels of remunerations appropriate for senior posts across the public service including CEOS of non-commercial State-sponsored bodies. As it is not feasible for the Review Body to examine the chief executive posts in all of the non-commercial State-sponsored bodies on every occasion, the practice is that it examines a selection of posts for each general review. Specific Review Body recommendations are sanctioned by the Department of Finance once they have been approved by Government. The Department of Finance then determines the appropriate rate of remuneration for the remaining CEO posts in the non-commercial State sponsored bodies by reference to the recommendations of the posts examined.

Since 1 January 2010 the Institute of Public Administration falls under the auspices of my Department. With effect from the 1 January 2010 the salary for the Director General of the Institute of Public Administration is €188,952 per annum.

There are separate arrangements in the case of commercial State-sponsored bodies but there are no such bodies under the auspices of the Department of Finance.

My Department also jointly sponsors the Special EU Programmes Body with the Department of Finance and Personnel of Northern Ireland as a North/South initiative. The CEO's salary scale is £61,217 — £69,020 — £76,826 — £84,630 and this salary is linked to civil service pay rates.

There have been no breaches of approved arrangements in the case of these bodies.

Tax Code

Brian O'Shea
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Brian O'Shea
Question:
50 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the payment of health levy 2008 and 2009 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24608/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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The position is that the income levy was introduced with effect from 1 January 2009 so the question of a refund for 2008 does not arise.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the named individual made a claim for a refund of his income levy on 10 January 2010. The repayment claim was not dealt with at that time due to industrial action by the CPSU across the public sector. However, this specific issue has now been resolved and the repayment claim has been dealt with. A refund was issued to the taxpayer on 28 May 2010 and the records of the Revenue Commissioners indicate that the cheque was cashed on 31 May 2010.

Questions Nos. 51 to 53, inclusive, answered with Question No. 44.

Dinny McGinley
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Dinny McGinley
Question:
54 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Finance if retired public servants on a pension of less than €40,000 a year and aged over 65 years are obliged to pay the pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24684/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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In general, public servants are liable to pay the pension-related deduction, also known as the pension levy, as legislated for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009, as amended.

The pension-related deduction applies to a public servant's remuneration as a public servant, and is calculated by reference to the following annual income bands and rates:

Earnings

Per Cent

Earnings up to 15,000

Exempt

Earnings between 15,000 and 20,000

5 per cent

Earnings between 20,000 and 60,000

10 per cent

Earnings over 60,000

10.5 per cent

A public service pension in payment is not liable to the pension-related deduction, and liability to the deduction is not age-related in any way.

A person in receipt of a public service pension who takes up a public service position is liable to the pension-related deduction in respect of the remuneration for that position. However this would only be paid where that remuneration exceeded 15,000 in a full year, as earnings up to that level are exempt.

Licensed Moneylenders

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
55 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the report on the Licensed Moneylending Industry, in March 2007, by the Financial Regulator; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that licensed moneylenders charge APRS ranging from 10.2% to 188.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24691/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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Moneylenders are covered by a range of provisions under the Consumer Credit Act, 1995 (the Act) including the annual licensing process and the register of licensed moneylenders system as administered by the Financial Regulator.

Consumers who avail of loans from moneylenders licensed under the Act (moneylenders) are entitled to a considerable amount of information in relation to such loans. Moneylenders are required to assist consumers to understand the products on offer. This assistance has to include the method of repayment, all related interest payments, charges and the cost per €100 borrowed. Also the moneylenders are required to:

disclose all the fees, costs and interest in a clear manner, and

prominently indicate the high-cost nature of the loan on all loan documentation where the APR is 23% or higher.

These requirements are set out in the Financial Regulator's "Consumer Protection Code for Licensed Moneylenders". This Code came into full effect on 30 September 2009.

In his question, the Deputy refers to the Financial Regulator's report on the Licensed Money- lending Industry which was published in March 2007. That Report concluded that the introduction of an interest rate ceiling for moneylenders may not achieve the objectives of lowering the cost of credit for consumers. Other research findings included:—

Customers of licensed moneylenders generally have a positive impression of their moneylender

The significant majority of customers do not have difficulties making repayments to their moneylender.

Customers mainly borrow from a moneylender because it is convenient, available, out of tradition or because of an established relationship with the moneylender.

I would encourage consumers to shop around and consider all the difference sources of loans that are available to them including credit unions. I would also encourage them to avail of the personal finance information that is available from the National Consumer Agency. This information can be found on the website www.itsyourmoney.ie. In addition, to the information provided on this website people who are in debt or in danger of getting into debt can avail of the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). MABS works with people in order to assist them with their financial planning and budgeting for the future. It is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people.

Banking Sector Regulation

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
56 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when dividends on preference shares in a bank (details supplied) are due to be paid; and the terms on which he will acquire shares if these cannot be paid. [24694/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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The first coupon payment due on the State's €3.5 billion investment in the named bank was due to be paid on 13 May 2010. As the Deputy is aware, the European Commission, indicated whilst the required restructuring plan was under assessment, that in line with its policy on state aid no coupon payments on the named bank's tier 1 and tier 2 capital instruments should be paid unless under a binding legal obligation to do so.

Accordingly, the named bank issued to the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission 198,089,847 ordinary shares in lieu of the annual €280 million cash payment on the Fund's preference share investment. The allotment of the ordinary shares represent the amount of the preference share dividend due on the 13 May 2010 divided by the average share price in the 30 trading days prior to that date.

The next coupon payment on the shares arises on 13 May 2011. At this stage, it is not possible to say whether the State's investment will be remunerated by way of cash or the issuance of shares.

Urban Renewal Schemes

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
57 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number and location in County Kildare of the various urban renewal, Section 23, or other incentives approved by him since the inception of the respective schemes; the extent to which all such schemes were completed in accordance with the proposals; the degree to which all moneys were drawn down; the number and location of any such schemes incomplete for whatever reason; the extent of any remaining works to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24803/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
58 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number and location in the country of the various urban renewal, Section 23, or other incentives approved by him since the inception of the respective schemes; the extent to which all such schemes were completed in accordance with the proposals; the degree to which all moneys were drawn down; the number and location of any such schemes incomplete for whatever reason; and the extent of any remaining works to be completed. [24805/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.

I have provided information in an appendix on the areas that were designated for tax relief under the various area-based tax incentive schemes and where projects may have been developed, viz.:

Islands

Seaside Resorts

Integrated Area Urban Renewal

Town Renewal

Rural Renewal

Living over the Shop

The sectoral schemes, such as those for childcare facilities and nursing homes, were not restricted to designated areas and could have been developed in any part of the country. I am not in a position to provide information on the number of projects that were developed and the precise location of such projects. Many of the projects developed under the various area-based and sectoral property incentive schemes did not require approval or certification. To facilitate more efficient administration, the incentive schemes operated to a certain extent on a self-assessment basis, subject, of course, to compliance with the planning requirements of local authorities. The conditions that had to be met by a project or by a person claiming tax relief are set out in the Tax Acts and also, in some cases, in detailed guidelines. For example, student accommodation projects must meet the conditions set out in guidelines published by the Department of Education and Science. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that when all of the conditions for a particular incentive scheme have been met, claims for tax relief are made in the annual return of income submitted by taxpayers under the self-assessment system. All returns are subject to check and audit to ensure that, inter alia, any tax relief is correctly claimed. Taxpayers claiming tax relief are required to indicate the particular incentive scheme under which the relief is being claimed but not the actual project and where it is located. For these reasons, the information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Similarly, I am not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy on the extent to which schemes have been completed in accordance with the proposals and the number and location of incomplete schemes. I would point out that the termination date for most of the schemes has already passed and future termination dates are in place for other schemes. These termination dates are the dates by which the construction or refurbishment work on a building has to be carried out if the expenditure that is attributable to that work is to qualify for tax relief.

The Deputy will see from the following table that many of the schemes have a termination date of 31 July 2008. As part of the phasing out of these schemes there was a gradual reduction in the amount of expenditure that can qualify for tax relief. All of the expenditure in 2006 will qualify for relief but only 75% of the expenditure incurred during 2007 will qualify. This goes down to 50% for expenditure incurred during 2008. Where a building is not completed by 31 July 2008 the expenditure attributable to any construction or refurbishment work that takes place after this date cannot qualify for tax relief. Thus, while certain buildings in schemes with a termination date of 31 July 2008 are currently incomplete, the amount of potential tax relief that will apply on completion will not increase beyond that which applied at 31 July 2008. A similar situation applies with all of the termination dates.

Schemes

Termination Date

Urban Renewal 1994

30 April 1999

Temple Bar Area

31 December 1999

Seaside Resort

31 December 1999

Islands

31 December 1999

Customs House Dock

30 June 2000

Enterprise Areas

31 December 2000

Countrywide Refurbishment

31 July 2008

Urban Renewal 1999

31 July 2008

Town Renewal

31 July 2008

Rural Renewal

31 July 2008

Multi-storey Car Parks

31 July 2008

Living over the Shop

31 July 2008

Park and Ride

31 July 2008

Third Level Buildings

31 July 2008

Qualifying Sports Injury Clinics

31 July 2008

Hotels continue to qualify for capital allowances but over 25 years instead of over 7 years.

31 July 2008

Holiday Cottages

31 July 2008

Student Accommodation

31 July 2008

Nursing Homes

30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011

Housing for elderly/infirm

30 April 2010

Convalescent Homes

30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011

Hospitals

30 June 2010 or 30 December 2013

Mental Health Centres

30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011

Mid-Shannon Corridor Tourism Infrastructure Scheme

31 May 2013

Childcare Buildings

31 March 2011 or 31 March 2012 (Finance Bill 2010)

Specialist Palliative Care Units

Scheme awaiting Commencement Order

Information on the potential overall cost of the property-based incentive schemes is not available. Therefore, I am not in a position to tell the Deputy the degree to which all monies have been drawn down. I can, however, provide the Deputy with information collected by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of tax relief claimed by taxpayers in respect of the various schemes. I would point out that this information is collected at the aggregate level for a particular scheme and not in respect of individual projects and locations. The following table sets out the position for the years 2007 and 2008.

Schemes

2007 (note 2)

2008 (notes 2 & 3)

Amount Claimed

Tax Forgone

Amount Claimed

Tax Forgone

€m

€m

€m

€m

Urban Renewal

280.0

109.3

224.6

84.5

Town Renewal

86.1

34.6

60.5

23.7

Seaside Resorts

20.3

8.0

14.5

5.7

Rural Renewal

121.9

48.5

84.6

34.2

Multi-storey car parks

24.0

9.6

16.8

6.6

Living over the Shop

8.0

3.0

6.1

2.5

Enterprise Areas

7.0

2.8

6.2

2.5

Park & Ride

3.3

1.4

1.7

0.7

Holiday Cottages

30.7

12.4

26.8

10.8

Hotels

307.1

118.0

300.6

114.7

Nursing Homes

45.3

18.3

47.6

19.4

Housing for the Elderly/Infirm

6.3

2.6

7.4

3.0

Hostels

1.76

0.72

1.62

0.66

Guest Houses

0.06

0.02

0.26

0.11

Convalescent Homes

1.2

0.5

1.3

0.5

Qualifying (Private) Hospitals

29.3

12.0

28.9

11.8

Qualifying Sports Injury Clinics

4.3

1.8

3.7

1.5

Buildings used for childcare purposes

24.2

9.8

29.9

12.0

Mental Health Centres

0.3

0.1

0.2

0.0

Student Accommodation

108.7

42.0

58.0

22.7

Registered Caravan Parks

N/A

N/A

1.5

0.6

Notes to Table 3

(1) The information available on the cost to the Exchequer is based on personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers (Form 11) and corporation tax returns filed by companies for the years 2007 and 2008, the latest year for which this information is available. Data for 2009 cannot be provided as the tax returns for this year are yet due.

It should be noted that any corresponding data returned by PAYE taxpayers in the income tax return (Form 12) is not captured in the Revenue computer system. However, any PAYE taxpayer with non-PAYE income greater than €3,174 is required to complete an income tax return (Form 11).

(2) The estimated relief claimed has assumed tax forgone at the 41% rate for 2007 and 2008 in the case of individuals and 12.5% in the case of companies for both years. The figures shown correspond to the maximum Exchequer cost in terms of income tax and corporation tax.

(3) The figures for 2008 are subject to adjustment in the event of late returns being filed or where returns already filed are subsequently amended.

Appendix 1: Designated Islands

County

Island

Cork

Bere, Clear, Dursey, Hare, Long, Sherkin, Whiddy

Donegal

Arranmore, Inishbofin, Inishfree, Tory

Galway

Inishbofin, Inisheer, Inishmaan, Inishmore

Limerick

Foynes

Mayo

Claggan, Clare, Inishbiggle, Inishcottle, Inishlyre, Inishturk

Sligo

Coney

Seaside Resprt Scheme — Designated Resorts

County

Resort (note)

Clare

Kilkee, Lahinch

Cork

Clonakilty, Youghal

Donegal

Bundoran

Galway

Salthill

Kerry

Ballybunion

Louth

Clogherhead

Mayo

Achill, Westport

Meath

Bettystown, Laytown, Mosney

Sligo

Enniscrone

Waterford

Tramore

Wexford

Courttown

Wicklow

Arklow

Integrated Area Urban Renewal Scheme

Areas Designated

City/County

Area/Town

Cork

Blackpool/Shandon, City Docks Area

Dublin

Ballymun, HARP, Inchicore/Kilmainham, Liberties/Coombe, North East Inner City, Millenium/O’Connell Street

Galway

3 Suburban Local Authority Estates

Limerick

1 Large Central Area

Waterford

Periphery of commercial centre

Carlow

Carlow

Clare

Shannon

Cork

Bandon, Cobh, Mallow (N), passage West (S)/Glenbrook

Donegal

Buncrana

Dublin

Dun Laoghaire, Balbriggan, North West Blanchardstown, North Clondalkin, Tallaght

Galway

Tuam

Kerry

Tralee

Kildare

Athy, Kildare

Kilkenny

Kilkenny

Laois

Portlaoise

Limerick

Newcastlewest

Longford

Longford

Louth

Drogheda, Dundalk

Mayo

Ballina

Meath

Navan

Monaghan

Monaghan

Offaly

Birr, Tullamore, Clara

Sligo

Sligo

Tipperary

Roscrea, Thurles, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary

Waterford

Dungarvan

Wexford

Athlone, Mullingar

Wicklow

Arklow, Wicklow

Rural Renewal Scheme – Qualifying Areas

County

Area — District Electoral Divisions

Cavan

Arvagh, Springfield, Killashandra, Milltown, Carrafin, Grilly, Kilconny, Belturbet Urban, Ardue, Carn, Bilberry, Diamond, Doogary, Lissanover, Ballymagauran, Ballyconnell, Bawnboy, Templeport, Benbrack, Pedara Vohers, Tircahan, Swanlinbar, Kinawley, Derrynananta, Dunmakeever, Dowra, Derrylahan, Tuam, Killinagh, Eskey, Teebane, Scrabby, Loughdawan, Bruce Hall, Drumcarban, Corr, Crossdoney, and Killykeen.

Leitrim

The administrative county of Leitrim.

Longford

The administrative county of Longford.

Roscommon

Ballintober, Castleheen, Carrowduff, Kilbride North, Lissonuffy, Killavackan, Termonbarry, Roosky, Kilglass North, Kilglass South, Bumlin, Cloonfinlough, Killurkin (in Roscommon Rural District), Strokestown, Annaghmore, Tulsk, Coolougher, Ballinlough, Kiltullagh, Cloonflower, Artagh South, Artagh North, Ballaghaderreen, Edmondstown, Loughglinn, Buckhill, Fairymount, Castlereagh, Frenchpark, Bellengare, Castleplunket, Baslick, Breedoge, Altnagowlan, Lough Allen, Ballyfarnan, Keadue, Aghafin, Ballyformoyle, Crossna, Kilbryan, Boyle Rural, Boyle Urban, Tivannagh, Rushfield, Tumna North, Tumna South, Killurkin (in Boyle No.1 Rural District), Oakport, Rockingham, Danesfort, Cloonteem, Kilmore, Elia, Ballygarden, Aughrim East, Aughrim West, Creeve (in Boyle No. 1 Rural District), Creeve (in Roscommon Rural District), Elphin, Rossmore, Cloonyquinn, Ogulla, Mantua, Lisgarve, Kilmacumsy, Kilcolgan, Estersnow, Croghan, Killummod, Cregga, Cloonygormican, Kilbride South, Kilgefin, Cloontuskert, Drumdaff, and Kilteevan.

Sligo

Ballintogher East, Ballynakill, Lisconny, Drumfin, Ballymote, Cloonoghill, Leitrim, Tobercurry, Kilturra, Cuilmore, Kilfree, Coolavin, Killaraght, Templevanny, Aghanagh, Kilmactranny, Ballynashee, Shancough, Drumcolumb, Riverstown, Lakeview, Bricklieve, Drumrat, Toomour, Kilshalvy, Killdoon, Streamstown, Cartron, Coolaney, Owenmore, Temple, Annagh, Carrickbannagher, Collooney, and Ballintogher West.

Town Renewal Scheme — Designated Towns

County

Towns

Carlow

Hacketstown, Muinbheag, Tinnahinch/Graiguenamanagh, Tullow

Cavan

Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan, Cootehill

Clare

Ennistymon, Milltown Malbay, Kilrush, Scarriff, Sixmilebridge,

Cork

Bantry, Charelville (Rathluirc), Cloyne, Doberaile, Fermoy, Kanturk, Skibbereen,

Donegal

Ardara, Ballybofey- Stranolar, Ballyshannon, Moville, Ramelton,

Galway

Ballygar, Clifden, Headford, Loughrea, Portumna

Kerry

Caherciveen, Castleisland, Killorglin, Listowel

Kildare

Castledermot, Kilcock, Kilcullen, Monasterevan, Rathangan

Kilkenny

Callan, Castlecomer, Pilltown, Thomastown, Urlingford

Laois

Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portarlington, Rathdowney

Limerick

Abbeyfeale, Castleconnell, Croom, Kilmallock, Rathkeale

Lough

Ardee, Carlingford, Castlebellingham, Dubleer

Mayo

Ballinrobe, Belmullet, Claremorris, Foxford, Newport

Meath

Duleek, Kells, Oldcasrle, Trim

Monaghan

Ballybay, Castleblayney, Clones

Offaly

Banagher, Clara, Edenderry, Ferbane,

Roscommon

Roscommon

Sligo

Bellaghy-Charlestown, Rosses Point

Tipperary N.R.

Borrisokane, Littleton, Nenagh, Templemore

Tipperary S.R.

Cahir, Cashel, Fethard, Killenaule

Waterford

Cappoquin, Kilmacthomas, Portlaw, Tallow

Westmeath

Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, Moate

Wexford

Bunclody, Ferns, Gorey, Taghmon

Wicklow

Baltinglass, Carnew, Dunlavin, Tinahely

Living Over the Shop Scheme

Year

City

Designated Areas

2004

Cork

Qualifying Streets

2004

Dublin

Qualifying Streets

2004

Galway

Qualifying Streets

2004

Limerick

Qualifying Streets

2004

Waterford

Qualifying Streets

2007

Cork

Qualifying Streets

2007

Dublin

Qualifying Streets

2007

Galway

Qualifying Streets

2007

Limerick

Qualifying Streets

2007

Waterford

Qualifying Streets

Youth Services

Bernard Allen
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Bernard Allen
Question:
59 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason Pobal has refused to grant a group (details supplied) in County Cork. [24611/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the recently announced OMCYA Dormant Accounts Youth Café Funding Scheme which is being administered by POBAL on behalf of my Office. As the closing date for applications under this scheme is not until Friday June 11th next, no applications have yet been received or considered in relation to this scheme.

All initial applications under this scheme will be forwarded to local County & City Development boards (CDBs) who will then submit a short-list of suitable applications to POBAL. Full details of the scheme are available on www.pobal.ie

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
60 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children her response to representations received from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24647/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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Correspondence received in regard to this matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
61 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the average cost per week of a private nursing home stay; the way the cost of this stay is broken down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24097/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the weekly cost of long-term residential care in both public and private nursing homes is published on the HSE's website. Based on this, the average cost of care per week in a private nursing home is €850 for a single room and €844 for a shared room.

In the case of private nursing homes, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has to agree a price for long-term residential care with each private nursing home provider wishing to partake in the scheme. This is a necessary feature of the scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution.

The services which fall within the scope of long-term residential care and which are covered by this agreed price are:

nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,

bed and board,

basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and

laundry service.

A person who avails of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme should not be charged any additional fee over and above the agreed price, except where he or she chooses to obtain additional services over and above long-term residential care services, for example, hairdressing or the delivery of daily newspapers.

Existing arrangements with regard to the provision of incontinence wear free of charge to residents in public and private nursing homes also remain in place.

A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In other words, a person can continue to receive goods and services in accordance with the terms of these other schemes regardless of whether they are in a private nursing home or elsewhere.

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
62 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm the number of children who were sent to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin 14 for misbehaving while in child care institutions; and the number who subsequently died in the Central Mental Hospital and were cremated without the knowledge and consent of their families. [24100/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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Prior to the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001, admissions to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) were governed by Section 207 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 which provided for the transfer of a person detained in a district mental hospital to the CMH, where in the opinion of the Justice of the District Court, such person had committed an offence and would, if placed on trial, be unfit to plead. Strict legal procedures applied to admissions to the CMH; I am advised that misbehaving in a childcare institution, never constituted grounds for admission to the hospital. The Deputy may also wish to note that there was never a crematorium in the CMH.

If the Deputy has continuing concerns, I am happy to facilitate a visit to the CMH and for the Deputy to examine the admission registers.

Hospital Services

Seán Barrett
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Seán Barrett
Question:
63 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to make balloon angioplasty services available for the treatment of chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency, which treatment has major beneficial effects for multiple sclerosis sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24102/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with the HSE in due course.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
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Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
64 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that house properties left vacant in the aftermath of a person securing long term residential care are inordinately difficult to insure; if this situation has implications for the long term operation of the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24104/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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A key purpose of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is to ensure that individuals do not have to sell or re-mortgage their homes in order to meet their long-term nursing home care costs. For this reason, the scheme provides that a person's principal residence is only taken into account in the financial assessment for their first three years in care. It also provides that the portion of the person's contribution based on the principal residence may be deferred for the duration of their lifetime. This is an optional element of the scheme termed the Nursing Home Loan.

It is not a requirement of the scheme that a person's property be insured in order to be taken into account during the financial assessment or in order to be considered for the Nursing Home Loan. As such, the situation referred to by the Deputy does not have implications for the long-term operation of the scheme.

Services for People with Disabilities

Olivia Mitchell
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Olivia Mitchell
Question:
65 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide structured occupational therapy and or speech and language therapy for the pupils of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24109/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

James Reilly
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James Reilly
Question:
66 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will allow a person who is suffering from a personality disorder to be treated in the UK under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in view of the fact that there are no treatment options here; the reason there are no residential centres here to help persons with personality disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24112/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund currently arranges treatment for patients who have been waiting longest on surgical in-patient waiting lists, and in some cases, diagnostic procedures for public patients. Therefore the type of service to which the Deputy refers does not fall within the remit of the Fund.

There is some expertise within the mental health service for the treatment of personality disorders. In addition individuals can be referred by their consultant for treatment abroad using the S2 (or E112). The question of further developing the service here in line with ‘A Vision for Change' is a matter for the HSE.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
67 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the policy provisions that are in place to prevent deliberate overcharging in private nursing homes with regard to physical therapy, personal care and so on once a person has qualified under the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24127/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has to agree a price for long-term residential care with each private nursing home provider wishing to partake in the scheme. The services which fall within the scope of long-term residential care and which are covered by this agreed price are: nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person, bed and board, basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and laundry service.

A person who avails of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme should not be charged any additional fee over and above this agreed price, except where he or she chooses to obtain additional services over and above long-term residential care services, for example, hairdressing or the delivery of daily newspapers. Existing arrangements with regard to the provision of incontinence wear free of charge to residents in public and private nursing homes also remain in place.

A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In other words, a person can continue to receive goods and services in accordance with the terms of these other schemes regardless of whether they are in a private nursing home or elsewhere.

Finally, the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 specify that the registered provider shall agree a contract with the resident within one month of their admission. The contract must include details of the services to be provided for that resident and the fees to be charged. It should also outline any additional health, personal and social services to be paid for over and above those included in the price agreed with the NTPF, e.g. daily newspapers, hairdressing etc.

Youth Services

James Reilly
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James Reilly
Question:
68 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the application by Fingal Development Board for funding for youth cafés in Fingal and in particular for a youth café at a premises (details supplied) in County Dublin which Fingal County Council has purchased for community use and in respect of which a €100,000 grant application has been made for conversion to a youth cafe as per her policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24129/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the recently announced OMCYA Dormant Accounts Youth Café Funding Scheme which is being administered by POBAL on behalf of my Office. As the closing date for applications under this scheme is not until Friday June 11th next, no applications have yet been received or considered in relation to this scheme. All initial applications under this scheme will be forwarded to local County & City Development boards (CDBs) who will then submit a short-list of suitable applications to POBAL. Full details of the scheme are available on www.pobal.ie

Departmental Funding

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
69 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange to have a facility (details supplied) cleaned and painted. [24137/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
70 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will stop the proposed cuts to home help in Marino and Fairview, Dublin 3. [24142/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Departmental Investigations

James Reilly
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James Reilly
Question:
71 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide this Deputy with a copy of the report of a Health Information and Quality Authority investigation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24155/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I have been informed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) that no specific investigation has been conducted nor Report prepared into the particular circumstances of the case referred to by the Deputy. However the circumstances of the case are known to HIQA and helped inform the Authority's Report of the investigation into the quality and safety of services and supporting arrangements provided by the Health Service Executive at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis, which was published in April 2009. I understand that the Authority has been in communication with the Deputy in relation to the specific matters that he has raised.

Tobacco Control

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
72 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department has submitted information on the national focal points for tobacco control as required by point six of the European Council Recommendation on smoke free environments by the deadline of 30 May 2010; if so, the details of the focal points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24165/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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The national focal point for tobacco control is the Assistant Principal Officer in the Tobacco Control Unit in my Department, as notified to the European Commission.

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
73 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she plans, as previously indicated by her Department, to introduce mandatory pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24166/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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Section 6 of the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act, 2009 provides for regulations to facilitate the introduction of the combined text and photo warnings on tobacco products and the regulations are currently being drafted. The date for the introduction of the new warnings will be determined following consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

Mental Health Services

Christy O'Sullivan
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Christy O'Sullivan
Question:
74 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of the health budget allocated and spent on mental health for the years 2008, 2009, and to date in 2010; the way that compares with international figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24177/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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Following is the information requested by the Deputy in tabular form.

Year

2008

2009

2010*

€M

€M

€M

Mental Health Funding

1,043.816

1,006.682

976.964

Gross Non- Capital Health Expenditure

14,352.642

14,698.354

14,583.431

Mental Health Funding as a percentage of Gross Health Expenditure

7.27%

6.85%

6.70%

*Denotes Estimate.

Source: Revised Estimates for Public Services.

The figures contained in the table only reflect expenditure on specialist mental health services. Approximately 90% of public mental health services are provided at primary care level. Expenditure on these services is not captured in the table. Cross-national comparisons of funding are unreliable, as not all countries calculate mental health expenditure in the same way. While the percentage of total health funding spent on mental health is of interest, the principles of efficiency and effectiveness are also important and must apply in relation to the funding allocated to mental health services.

Christy O'Sullivan
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Christy O'Sullivan
Question:
75 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a recent report supplied to her Department by Amnesty International Ireland; her further views on the reports recommendations for a performance assessment framework in respect of mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24183/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I welcome the publication of Amnesty International Ireland's Report, Accountability in the Delivery of A Vision for Change. I regret however that my Department did not get the opportunity to input to the Report, which would I believe, have added considerable value to the project and to the knowledge of the Report’s authors in relation to mental health service issues.

My Department works on an ongoing collaborative basis with the HSE to further develop and refine performance measures across all service areas, including mental health, to ensure that they are as robust and meaningful as possible and reflect key priorities and international best practice as well as being comparable both within the EU and further afield.

Health Services

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
76 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when an application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24196/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
77 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24203/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
78 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [24209/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Organ Donation

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
79 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24212/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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Many countries in the European Union operate organ donor registers. However, the rates of deceased organ donation vary widely between Member States from 1.1 to 34.4 deceased organ donors per million of population. Therefore, it is difficult to demonstrate the effectiveness of a donor register as a means to increasing organ donation.

Ireland consistently performs above the average EU rate of organ donation. In 2008, Ireland's annual rate was 18.4 organ donors per million of population, compared to the EU rate of 18.2. In 2009, Ireland significantly increased its level of organ donation to 20 organ donors per million of population, which is expected to again place it above the average EU rate.

Notwithstanding this performance, options to further improve organ donation should be open to consideration. With this in mind, I agreed with the Health Service Executive, as part of its 2010 Service Plan, that it will establish an organ donation and transplantation unit within its existing national structures and resources. This unit will provide a national focal point for reporting, monitoring and assessing organ donation and transplantation activities. It is appropriate that these functions be carried out at a national level, on the basis of regular, comprehensive performance data provided by all the transplant centres. This approach will provide a sound basis for evaluating performance and examining other issues related to transplantation.

Hospital Services

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
80 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time protocols regarding children in need of surgery for the condition scoliosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24225/10]

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
81 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the after care policy here for persons who have undergone surgery for the condition scoliosis abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24226/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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Ì propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.

The treatment provided to a patient is a matter for clinical decision, in consultation with the patient, where appropriate, and his or her family. Cases are reviewed by the relevant clinical team on a regular basis and surgery and other treatment is determined and prioritised according to clinical need.

In relation to public patients who are referred for surgical treatment abroad, arrangements are made for appropriate ongoing care by the referring consultant, in conjunction with the hospital in which the procedure has been carried out.

Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
82 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the average number of cases allocated to social workers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24237/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it again with me in due course.

Health Service Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
83 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of locum social workers employed by the Health Service Executive to cover social workers on sick leave for more than three weeks during each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24238/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it again with me in due course.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
84 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers who have taken sick leave for longer than three weeks for each of the past five years. [24239/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it again with me in due course.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
85 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers who have taken maternity leave during each of the past five years; the number of locum social workers who have been employed to cover maternity leave during each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24240/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it again with me in due course.

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
86 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if children who had been in care and subsequently died at home were included in their audit of child deaths in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24241/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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The Independent Review Group on Child Deaths (IRGCD) was established in March 2010to examine the results of completed reviews of deaths of children in care over the last ten years. The Group is composed of Ms Norah Gibbons and Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. A third independent person of international standing will be appointed once the Group has completed an initial examination of documentation received from the HSE. The Group has been asked to complete its work within a six months timeframe and by year end at the latest. The Report of the Review Group will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published.

The categories of deaths to be reported on are as follows: (i) children in care; (ii) children known to the HSE child protection system; (iii) young adults (up to 21 years of age) who were in the care of the HSE in the period immediately prior to their 18th birthday or were in receipt of aftercare services under Section 45 of the Child Care Act, 1991. These include the category identified by the Deputy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
87 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive intend to conduct an audit of cases where children who had been in care were returned to their pre-care home and suffered injury, neglect, abuse, or who died; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24242/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
88 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive plan to conduct an audit of children who died in care for the decade previous to the current audit and the decade prior to that; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24243/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action in the public service by members of IMPACT, the HSE is not in a position to provide a response to this Parliamentary Question within the normal timeframe.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
89 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of the 444 children missing from the care system who are presumed dead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24244/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action in the public service by members of IMPACT, the HSE is not in a position to provide a response to this Parliamentary Question within the normal timeframe.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
90 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of meetings that have taken place between the Health Service Executive and the Gardaí in respect of children who have gone missing from the care system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24245/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
91 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have had multiple entries into the care system; and the reasons for these entries. [24246/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
92 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have received aftercare from the Health Service Executive during each of the past five years; and the number of persons who have been monitored upon leaving aftercare during each of the past five years. [24247/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
93 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in care who have had multiple changes of social workers during each of the past five years. [24248/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 93, inclusive, together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action in the public service by members of IMPACT, the HSE is not in a position to provide a response to this Parliamentary Question within the normal timeframe.

Information and Response Systems

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
94 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps taken by the Health Service Executive to establish a rapid response system here, that covers both sea and airports; the steps taken to establish a two-way information and response system in co-operation with authorities in the north of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24249/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with the HSE in due course.

Child Care Services

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
95 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if additional funding will be provided for child care facilities (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if she will provide clarification regarding the funding of this facility; and if an error has been made regarding the allocation of this vital funding. [24254/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. I understand that the child care facility referred to by the Deputy is participating in the new ECCE scheme and that to date capitation funding in the region of €95,000 has been allocated by my Office to the facility to enable it to provide the free pre-school year. As the query relates to the withdrawal of funding previously received by the service from the Health Service Executive (HSE), I asked for enquiries to be made in this matter. However, I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the HSE it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Medical Cards

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
96 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24261/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
97 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the provision of dentures and teeth cleaning have been withdrawn under the medical card scheme; if she will restore provision of same to medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24279/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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The Government's decision to limit the funding available to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was made in view of the current position of the public finances and the 60% increase in expenditure in the DTSS over the past five years. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has introduced measures to contain DTSS expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million.

The provision and repair of dentures has not been withdrawn but will be provided in cases of clinical emergency. Under the new measures the range of treatments available are being prioritised. These measures have been introduced to protect access to emergency dental care for medical card holders and to safeguard services for children and special needs groups. The HSE will monitor the ongoing effect of these changes from a clinical and budgetary perspective. The dental and oral health services currently provided through the HSE Public Dental Service will not be affected by these changes to the DTSS.

Health Service Staff

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
98 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a number of advance paramedics here who are suitably qualified and in view of the fact that it is estimated to cost €100,000 to train each paramedic to the advanced paramedic standard; the number of advanced paramedics likely to be needed over the next few years; if the existing cohort of advanced paramedics are sufficient for the proposed service in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24304/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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As indicated to the Deputy in my previous response, it was not possible to answer the original question due to industrial action. This industrial action currently remains in place and continues to affect the provision of substantive replies to certain Parliamentary Questions. If the matter raised continues to be of concern, it will be necessary for the Deputy to resubmit the original question again when the current industrial action has been resolved.

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
99 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed by the Health Service Executive to have support such as multi-task attendants and other support staff in hospitals and public nursing homes replaced by outsourcing the jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24305/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
100 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received any speech therapy to date from the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24306/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Care of the Elderly

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
101 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the Community Hospital and Nursing Home, Belmullet, County Mayo; the proposals for the future of this hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24307/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Services for People with Disabilities

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
102 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no maintenance dental service available to disabled persons in County Galway and in particular to persons with cerebral palsy; if her attention has been brought that the dental service is limited to extractions where there is great pain; if her further attention has been drawn this stress and anxiety this causes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24308/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
103 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not in receipt of physiotherapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24320/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. However, I would like to advise the Deputy that the scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the hospital in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the hospital.

Departmental Investigations

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
104 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the non-statutory report into the death of a person (details supplied) is incorporated into the proposed emergency legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24362/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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The Health Service Executive engaged Counsel in 2007 to carry out the Non-Statutory Inquiry referred to by the Deputy. The Inquiry's Report was delivered to the HSE in October 2009. Following receipt of the report two of the parties requested that they be allowed make further submissions and these requests were granted. These submissions were made in early 2010 and were considered by the Inquiry. I understand that the Executive is engaged in a fair procedures exercise which it intends to complete without undue delay. The question of the dissemination of the Report is a matter for the Executive, which has indicated its intention to publish it. It is not anticipated that this legislation will be required in these circumstances.

Hospitals Building Programme

Catherine Byrne
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Catherine Byrne
Question:
105 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the new national children’s hospital project; the budget for this project; when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24379/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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My objective, and that of the Government, is to ensure the provision of a world-class hospital to serve the children of this country. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and the HSE are making very good progress in their work to bring this important project to fruition. The Integrated Design Team, appointed in Oct 2009, completed the concept designs for the new children's hospital and the Ambulatory & Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght in February 2010. The tendering process for the enabling works for the ceded site on Eccles Street has commenced. This work is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2010 subject to planning permission being secured.

The HSE have indicated that the capital development cost of the hospital will be approximately €750m. It is intended that €400m of this funding will be provided from the Exchequer for the hospital build. The remainder will be raised from other sources, including philanthropic contributions. To date, €21.8m has been expended on the project. I am very pleased to note that the planning of the new hospital is proceeding on schedule and due to be operational by the end of 2014.

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
106 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the details and outcome of the past three reviews by her Department’s governance support division of compliance by her Department’s State bodies with the code of practice, in particular to name the State bodies that have not achieved full compliance; the reason for same; the action taken by her; the results of same. [24390/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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Agencies established under the remit of my Department are required to comply with this Department's Frameworks for Corporate and Financial Governance. The two Frameworks (one for regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department and one for the agencies funded by the Department) are supplementary to statutory requirements and to Government approved guidelines including the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

All Agencies meet their legal and financial obligations with regard to control, compliance and internal risk processes linked to their requirements to publish Audited Accounts. Broader agency best practice relating to non statutory governance provisions are in place to varying but increasingly improved standards. Officials of my Department ensure that the Frameworks for health sector agencies is adhered to by monitoring progress on an ongoing basis.

Mental Health Services

Alan Shatter
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Alan Shatter
Question:
107 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, taken by her with regard to concerns expressed to her about the alleged substandard consultant and management within the Brothers of Charity southern service, child and adolescent mental health services; if her attention has been drawn to the reason for the Health Service Executive engaging a recruitment agency to employ on a short-term basis a number of professionals to form a multidisciplinary team to undertake the assessment of children on the waiting list of south Lee team A; if she has investigated the reason the waiting list is currently three years despite there being no such waiting list in the neighbouring geographic area of south Lee team B; the number of psychologists or others who have reported to her that there are serious clinical and managerial inadequacies in the provision of this service; and the further reason nothing has happened for a period of 12 months to resolve this problem to the detriment of the children on the waiting lists in need of mental health services. [24397/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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The Health Service Executive and the Mental Health Commission have been asked to investigate the issues raised by the Deputy as a matter of urgency. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Child Abuse

Alan Shatter
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Alan Shatter
Question:
108 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that individuals acting as children’s officers in local sports clubs are concerned that should they make any report of possible abuse of a child to the Health Service Executive in accordance with the child protection guidelines, there is no certainty that any such report made by them will be followed up; there is no structure in place to inform them of the action taken pursuant to any such report made; there is widespread concern that as a consequence of the HSE failing to properly assess or follow up children at risk they could in future years be held responsible for the failings of the HSE. [24398/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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The Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children clearly state that the Children and Family Social Services of the HSE should always be informed when a person has reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been abused, or is being abused, or is at risk of abuse. The ability of the Children and Family Social Services of the HSE or An Garda Síochána to assess suspicions or allegations of child abuse will depend on the amount and quality of information conveyed to them by the people reporting concerns. It is critical that there is a clear understanding of professional and legal responsibilities with regard to confidentiality and the exchange of information. The Children First Guidelines state that “all information regarding concern or assessment of child abuse should be shared on ‘a need to know’ basis in the interests of the child”.

The Protections for Persons reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998 makes provision for the protection from civil liability of persons who have communicated child abuse ‘reasonably and in good faith' to designated officers of the HSE or to any member of An Garda Síochána. This protection applies to organisations as well as to individuals. This means that even if a communicated suspicion of child abuse proves unfounded, a plaintiff who took an action would have to prove that the person who communicated the concern had not acted reasonably and in good faith in making the report.

I am currently finalising proposals for Government in which I will set out a framework for improved implementation of the Children First Guidelines. The framework will take into account the position of sports clubs and other voluntary organisations working with children. The purpose will be to ensure that the Guidelines are effectively and consistently implemented across each sector, supported by a particular focus on inspection and audit of compliance.

Community Welfare

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
109 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the refusal by the community welfare officer of further assistance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [24432/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Medical Cards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
110 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 has been granted a medical card. [24433/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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As indicated to the Deputy in my previous responses, it was not possible to answer the original questions due to industrial action. This industrial action currently remains in place and continues to affect the provision of substantive replies to certain Parliamentary Questions. If the matter raised continues to be of concern, it will be necessary for the Deputy to resubmit the original question again when the current industrial action has been resolved.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Michael Moynihan
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Michael Moynihan
Question:
111 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will issue on an application for the nursing home support scheme in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [24437/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if home help or assistance from a district nurse will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [24438/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
113 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the budget provided for the home help scheme for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in tabular form; the number of home helps employed; the number of home help hours provided for these years on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24520/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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The information in relation to the Home Help service, currently available within my Department, is set out in the following table.

Activity

2006

2007

2008

2009

Number clients in receipt of Home Help Service at year end

49,578

54,736

55,366

53,791

Hours Provided

10.8m

11.78m

11.96m

11.97m

Funding €m

185.4

206.4

211

211

The HSE Service Plan 2010 commits the Executive to provide 11.98 million Home Help hours this year. The funding available for this service in 2010 is unchanged from 2009 i.e. €211 million. I wish to advise the Deputy that, due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive, it is not possible for the Executive to supply the other detailed information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
114 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the budget provided in the south Lee area for the home help scheme for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the number of home helps employed; the number of home help hours provided in the south Lee area for each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24521/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Care of the Elderly

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
115 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the supports that are available for families who look after Alzheimer’s suffers; if there are any plans to provide extra resources to this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24522/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Services

Bernard Allen
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Bernard Allen
Question:
116 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [24542/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Jim O'Keeffe
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Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
117 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on orthopaedic waiting lists at Cork University Hospital for consultant appointments and surgical procedures; and the steps proposed to deal with delays. [24556/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with the HSE again in due course.

Mental Health Services

Charles Flanagan
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Charles Flanagan
Question:
118 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 9 March 2010, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the child psychiatry service in counties Laois and Offaly is currently suspended to all routine referrals, due to a backlog in work and very limited resources; the number of referrals on the waiting list; the number of persons who have been informed that they cannot be placed on the waiting list; the steps she proposes to take to deal with this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24557/10]

Charles Flanagan
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Charles Flanagan
Question:
119 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 9 March 2010 regarding child psychiatry services in counties Laois and Offaly and the backlog of work and very limited resources, if she is now in a position to reply thereto. [24558/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
120 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements that are in place to implement policy in relation to determining and approving the remuneration of each chief executive officer and managing director under the auspices of her Department; the salary of each such chief executive officer and managing director; if such arrangements have been breached in the past three years and the person involved; if she has taken any action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24601/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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My Department approves the remuneration of CEOs of the State-sponsored bodies under its aegis and, from time to time, notifies the bodies concerned of adjustments resulting from the terms of national pay agreements and, where applicable, recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. In January of this year, the Department conveyed detailed instructions to its non-commercial State-sponsored bodies on the application of pay reductions to Chief Executive Officers of such bodies with effect from 1 January 2010 in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 (No. 41 of 2009).

My Department's agencies are required to comply with the Department's Frameworks for Corporate and Financial Governance. The two Frameworks (one for regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department and one for the agencies funded by the Department) are supplementary to statutory requirements and to Government approved guidelines including the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

Specifically, the Code of Practice requires Chairpersons and Boards of all State bodies to implement Government policy in relation to the total remuneration of the Chief Executive/Managing Director. Arrangements put in place by a relevant Department or the Department of Finance for determining and approving the remuneration of the Chief Executive/Managing Director must also be implemented and adhered to. The review and appraisal of the degree of compliance with legislation and with requirements centrally (e.g. by Government, the Department of Fiance and my Department) is included in the objectives of an Agency's internal audit function as set out in my Department's Frameworks for Corporate and Financial Governance.

Officials of my Department ensure that the Frameworks for health sector agencies are adhered to by monitoring progress on an ongoing basis.

Over the past three years, my Department has dealt with two specific cases where it came to light that the ceo of an agency under its aegis was being paid a higher basic salary than the approved rate. In the first case (National Treatment Purchase Fund), the position was subsequently regularised with the approval of the Department of Finance. In the other case (National Cancer Screening Service), the matter has yet to be brought to finality.

A table outlining the salaries of the CEOs is currently being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.

Departmental Expenditure

Mary Upton
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Mary Upton
Question:
121 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if additional funding has been allocated to Beechpark Services for approved schools; the number of schools; which approved schools are included; and if a timeline has been set for approved schools including a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6 to move forward. [24607/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Howlin
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Brendan Howlin
Question:
122 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patients in the south east, including a person (details supplied) must wait two to three years for an appointment with a hospital-based orthopaedic consultant; her views on whether this constitutes an acceptable level of service for patients who are often in severe pain and sometimes immobilised with orthopaedic complaints; the steps that are being taken by her and the Health Service Executive to ensure that this service is substantially improved without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24615/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
123 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be called for a procedure. [24616/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested.

However, I would like to advise the Deputy that the scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.

Adoption Services

Michael McGrath
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Michael McGrath
Question:
124 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the review of the Helping Hands Adoption Agency; and when she expects the review to be completed. [24622/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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The matters raised by the Deputy relate to an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Adoption Board which is an independent quasi judicial statutory body. I have asked the Board to consider these issues with a view to providing the information requested directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
125 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will deploy graduate-employment programmes for graduate nursing staff at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, in view of the fact that there is a shortage of nursing staff at Letterkenny General Hospital and that the Health Service Executive spent €15.6 million on the education of nurses at Letterkenny Institute of Technology in 2004 to 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24637/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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This year, the HSE is required to achieve a net reduction of 1,520 (or 1.4%) in its employment levels. Corresponding reductions will be required in 2011 and 2012 to achieve an overall reduction of 6,000 between March 2009 and December 2012. These reductions are an essential and unavoidable part of the measures being taken by the Government to address the gap between revenue and expenditure.

While there is provision in the HSE's Employment Control Framework for some exemptions and exceptions these are limited because of the need to achieve the required payroll savings. The alternative would be to reduce services in order to secure the necessary expenditure reductions which I assume the Deputy would not favour.

I recognise that the employment controls introduced by the Government will obviously impact on newly qualified nurses. However, the only way to ensure we have a sustainable health service in the future is to take firm action now to address the budgetary imbalance.

Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
126 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason home help hours have been reduced to two hours per week in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will intervene in this case in view of the fact that the person has no family living in Ireland and is dependent on home help for assistance with day to day chores. [24643/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl
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Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:
127 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider correspondence regarding a person (details supplied); if the needs assessment which is required will be expedited by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24659/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
128 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the valuation of property is valued as of the date of transfer rather than the present day valuation in respect of the fair deal scheme and in the case of the family home being transferred to a family member within the past five years; her views on whether this is fair; and the statutory basis for same. [24661/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)
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The five year anti-avoidance mechanism is necessary in order to ensure that the scheme is fair to all and financially sustainable. The inclusion of transferred assets in the financial assessment is not a new measure. Transferred assets were also taken into account under the Subvention Scheme which was introduced by way of Regulations in 1993 and established in primary legislation in the Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Act 2007.

Transferred assets are taken into account under the financial assessment using the valuation at date of transfer because this is the amount that could have been realised from the sale of the asset at the time. The financial sustainability of the scheme is underpinned by the principle that applicants will contribute according to their means, which includes a percentage of their assets. To allow the transfer of assets prior to application would therefore undermine the entire scheme. The legal provision is contained in Schedule 1 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.

Medical Cards

Beverley Flynn
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Beverley Flynn
Question:
129 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 has not yet received notification of whether their renewal application for a medical card has been successful. [24682/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Health Service Staff

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
130 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if a second dermatologist has been appointed in the mid-west; if not, when the embargo of that post will be lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24690/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Hospital Services

Olwyn Enright
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Olwyn Enright
Question:
131 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive an appointment at the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24693/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would like to invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Accident and Emergency Services

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
132 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on waiving the accident and emergency charge for persons who attend A&E as a result of being victims of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24786/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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The Health (Out-Patient Charges) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008, provide for a statutory charge of €100 for attendance at Accident and Emergency Departments. This charge is levied only for persons who attend at Accident and Emergency Departments without a referral note from their doctor and applies only for the first visit of any episode of care. This applies to everyone receiving treatment in a public hospital with the exception of, inter alia, persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks and children suffering from prescribed long term diseases.

There are no plans at present to exempt any further category of persons from the A&E charge.

Hospital Services

Mary Wallace
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Mary Wallace
Question:
133 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason that the car park at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 has a parking ticket and clamping system in operation (details supplied); if she will raise the issue with the Health Service Executive with a view to considering a barrier system where persons pay at the barrier when exiting the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24790/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would like to invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Willie Penrose
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Willie Penrose
Question:
134 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24829/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Road Network

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
135 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the financial allocation to each local authority for road maintenance on a per kilometre basis for each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24298/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department.The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

Regional and local road grants are allocated under a number of grant categories. The maintenance grant categories are the discretionary maintenance and restoration maintenance grants and these are calculated by reference to length of road. Funding is also provided to local authorities under a number of other grant categories such as Improvement Grants, Strategic Grants, Specific Improvement Grants and Low Cost Safety Improvement Grants. Greater flexibility was given to local authorities in 2010 in the use of Improvement Grant monies.

Details of the grant allocations per kilometre to each county council under these maintenance grant categories, for each of the past ten years, are set out in the table below.

Table: Allocation per km for maintenance grants for regional and local roads

LOCAL AUTHORITY

2001 allocation

2002 allocation

2003 allocation

2004 allocation

2005 allocation

€

€

€

€

€

Carlow County Council

592

819

819

909

975

Cavan County Council

613

848

848

909

975

Clare County Council

611

846

846

909

975

Cork County Council

617

854

854

909

975

Donegal County Council

614

850

850

909

975

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

1,129

1,561

1,561

1,817

1,948

Fingal County Council

863

1,195

1,195

1,364

1,463

Galway County Council

615

851

851

909

975

Kerry County Council

616

853

853

909

975

Kildare County Council

615

852

852

910

975

Kilkenny County Council

616

853

853

909

975

Laois County Council

608

841

841

909

975

Leitrim County Council

633

877

877

909

975

Limerick County Council

614

850

850

909

975

Longford County Council

598

827

827

909

975

Louth County Council

616

853

853

909

975

Mayo County Council

605

837

837

909

975

Meath County Council

612

848

848

909

975

Monaghan County Council

614

850

850

909

975

North Tipperary County Council

622

861

861

909

975

Offaly County Council

583

807

807

909

975

Roscommon County Council

663

917

917

909

975

Sligo County Council

629

870

870

909

975

South Dublin County Council

826

1,144

1,144

1,364

1,462

South Tipperary County Council

609

842

842

909

975

Waterford County Council

623

862

862

909

975

Westmeath County Council

614

850

850

909

975

Wexford County Council

618

856

856

909

975

Wicklow County Council

610

844

844

909

975

LOCAL AUTHORITY

2006 allocation

2007 allocation

2008 allocation

2009 allocation

2010 allocation

€

€

€

€

€

Carlow County Council

1,166

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Cavan County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Clare County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Cork County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Donegal County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

2,328

2,483

2,572

2,572

2,492

Fingal County Council

1,748

1,863

1,931

1,931

1,871

Galway County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Kerry County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Kildare County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Kilkenny County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Laois County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Leitrim County Council

1,165

1,243

1,287

1,287

1,247

Limerick County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Longford County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Louth County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Mayo County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Meath County Council

1,165

1,242

1,288

1,288

1,247

Monaghan County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

North Tipperary County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Offaly County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Roscommon County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Sligo County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

South Dublin County Council

1,747

1,862

1,929

1,929

1,870

South Tipperary County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Waterford County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Westmeath County Council

1,165

1,242

1,286

1,286

1,247

Wexford County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Wicklow County Council

1,165

1,242

1,287

1,287

1,247

Duty Free Sales

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
136 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the recent closure of a duty free outlet in the area designated as the US Pre-Clearance Area at Shannon Airport; the reason for this closure; the efforts that are being made in conjunction with the US Government to resolve this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24113/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
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This is a matter that falls within the operational responsibilities of the Dublin and Shannon Airport Authorities.

However, I understand that a retail shop for passengers is open and fully operational within the U.S. preclearance area in Shannon Airport and that its operating procedures have been agreed with the local U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff. I understand that initially the shop operated as a temporary facility and after a successful trial period a new shop was constructed.

Following this, there was a very short period of time when the shop was not open to allow CBP staff to review the operation and to certify that their requirements with regard to U.S. customs were met.

State Airports

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
137 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the annual liquid confiscation levels per tonne for each Irish Airport for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24207/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
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Carriage of liquids by those intending to travel by air is governed by Regulation (EC) 300 / 2008, Regulation (EU) 185/2010 and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme. The amounts of liquids being confiscated at Irish airports are an operational matter for the relevant airport authorities.

Motor Vehicle Registration

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
138 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the reason the responsibility for signing the statutory declaration for vehicle registration and licensing has moved from the competency of Peace Commissioner to Commissioner of Oaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
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My Department through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) maintains a record of the ‘Registered Owners' of motor vehicles. Article 10 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 to 2008 sets out the procedures in respect of the notification and recording of changes of vehicle ownership through the completion of the relevant portion of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC).

To cater for isolated instances where the legal requirements cannot be complied with because the VRC is not available or cannot be produced for genuine reasons my Department, through administrative process, accepts a declaration that ownership of a vehicle has changed in the form of a statutory declaration sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, notaries public or a Peace Commissioner.

The categories of person who are authorized to sign the declarations have not changed.

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
139 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the details and outcome of the past three reviews by his Department’s Governance Support Division of compliance by his Department’s State bodies with the code of practice, in particular to name the State bodies that have not achieved full compliance; the reason for same; the action taken by him; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24394/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)
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Details of the Review carried out in late 2009 were given in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 1st June 2010.

Details of the reviews carried out previously to this are set out below:

The key findings of a review completed in February 2008 on compliance with the code of practice were that Department's monitoring divisions reported that 21 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department were compliant. The 10 Harbour Authorities were not reported as being compliant. A review completed in late 2008 considered the level of compliance with the Code of Practice as satisfactory. It reported that deficiencies identified were being addressed and that the recent ‘Change in Tone' corporate governance initiative by the Minister had set the scene for improved standards of reporting and compliance for 2009 onwards.

The Review noted that issues relating to compliance with the Code of Practice by Port Companies had been the subject of a separate audit and that issues identified were being addressed by the relevant Divisions within the Department. It further noted that the development of a standard reporting template by the Department for use by chairpersons should achieve better standards in reporting and compliance by the Port Companies.

The Review reported that a delay in completing audits by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General were a serious barrier for some Bodies in meeting their reporting deadlines under the Code of Practice. The Review referenced the National Roads Authority by way of example.

In September 2007 the Department reviewed if all Bodies under the Department's remit were in compliance with Paragraph 10.2 of the 2001 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

This provision required the Chairperson of each Body to confirm, inter alia, in his or her annual report to the Minister that the Code of Practice had been adopted and was being complied with.

At the same time, the Department also reviewed the position regarding the establishment of an internal audit function in the agencies as required under Section 3 of the Code of Practice.

In relation to confirmation by the Chairperson, the review found that confirmation had been received in all, except two cases. In the two cases involved, a response from the relevant Division in the Department was awaited in relation to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and the Commission for Taxi Regulation regarding the compliance confirmation and the internal audit function. In relation to the internal audit function, the review noted that all Bodies had an internal audit function in place with the exception of a number of Port companies where internal audit units were not established (Drogheda, Waterford, Wicklow, Dundalk and New Ross). The review noted that these five did have an Audit Committee in place.

The Review recognised that the requirement for a properly constituted internal audit function may present difficulties for some of the very small State bodies and noted that in some cases alternative approaches were being examined in consultation with the Department's Internal Audit Unit. The revised Code of Practice, published in May 2009, subsequently provided the opportunity for greater flexibility in relation to the internal function audit for smaller State Bodies.

Fergus O'Dowd

Sector	Organisation/Function	Numbers
Judiciary	Chief Justice	1
	President of the High Court	1
	Judge of the Supreme Court	7
	President of the Circuit Court	1
	Judge of the High Court	35
Health Services Executive	Chief Executive Officer	1
	Master Consultant	*
	Academic Consultants	*
	Clinical Directors	*
Education	President of UCC	1
Non Commercial State Sponsored Bodies	CEO of National Roads Authority and Director General of Science Foundation Ireland	2
Commercial State Bodies	Chief Executive Officer Coillte Teoranta, ESB, Bord na Móna, Bord Gáis Éireann, An Post, RTE, VHI, Bus Átha Cliath, Córas Iompair Éireann, Dublin Airport Authority, Iarnród Éireann, Irish Aviation Authority.	12
Financial Institutions	EBS-Chief Executive Officer	1
	EBS –Executive Directors	2
	Anglo Irish Bank – Executive Director	1
	Anglo Irish Bank – Senior Management	17
	INBS – Executive Directors	2
	INBS – Senior Management	1

GRADES	30 APRIL 2010
NON INDUSTRIAL CIVIL SERVANTS — FTE
SECRETARY GENERAL RELATED GRADES	35.00
DEPUTY SECRETARY RELATED GRADES	16.00
ASSISTANT SECRETARY RELATED GRADES	229.00
PO RELATED GRADES	1,295.55
AP RELATED GRADE	3,575.67
HEO RELATED GRADES	3,678.19
AO RELATED GRADES	2,065.69
EO RELATED GRADES	6,409.57
SO REALATED GRADES	1,597.60
CO RELATED GRADES	11,263.34
SERVICE OFFICER RELATED GRADES	1,155.01
MISC GRADES	88.56
TOTAL NON INDUSTRIAL GRADES	31,409.18
GENERAL SERVICE GRADES INCLUDED IN TOTAL	24,056.38
INDUSTRIAL GRADES	1,690.72
FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Local Recruits Serving Abroad)	300
EDUCATION (staff outside main Departmental records)	79
PRISONS, NATIONAL GALLERY and CPSA	3,647.37
Total	37,126.27

From	To	Numbers
€	€
—	20,000	20,658
20,000	30,000	6,437
30,000	40,000	2,336
40,000	50,000	1,038
50,000	60,000	537
60,000	70,000	371
70,000	80,000	181
80,000	90,000	109
90,000	100,000	58
100,000	150,000	69
Over	150,000	12
Total		31,806

	Table C4: Retail Clearing Credit Institutions		Table 5: Non-Clearing with Predominantly Domestic Business Credit Institutions
	Assets: Item 5: Loans to other residents	Liabilities: Item 5: Deposits from other residents	Loans-to-Deposits Ratio	Assets: Item 5: Loans to other residents	Liabilities: Item 5: Deposits from other residents	Loans-to-Deposits Ratio
	€ million	€ million		€ million	€ million
30/05/2008	228,157	127,578	1.79	253,852	99,310	2.56
30/06/2008	235,094	127,605	1.84	253,612	99,399	2.55
31/07/2008	235,886	127,038	1.86	255,518	101,044	2.53
29/08/2008	237,317	130,579	1.82	260,074	105,672	2.46
30/09/2008	237,814	130,815	1.82	262,064	99,260	2.64
31/10/2008	248,157	139,342	1.78	267,494	89,588	2.99
28/11/2008	253,647	134,798	1.88	265,239	87,783	3.02
31/12/2008	251,849	137,701	1.83	239,334	82,489	2.90
30/01/2009	250,868	133,492	1.88	241,018	79,078	3.05
27/02/2009	251,822	135,595	1.86	240,551	79,725	3.02
31/03/2009	249,427	134,378	1.86	233,776	76,022	3.08
30/04/2009	248,503	134,963	1.84	233,477	76,801	3.04
29/05/2009	248,602	134,754	1.84	230,194	77,333	2.98
30/06/2009	249,254	137,303	1.82	228,951	77,349	2.96
31/07/2009	246,368	139,735	1.76	227,411	76,663	2.97
31/08/2009	246,411	141,970	1.74	224,298	76,506	2.93
30/09/2009	243,525	138,519	1.76	221,580	76,315	2.90
30/10/2009	241,806	139,260	1.74	220,202	77,762	2.83
30/11/2009	243,122	132,194	1.84	218,960	76,977	2.84
31/12/2009	242,181	131,732	1.84	212,594	76,328	2.79
29/01/2010	240,678	128,067	1.88	213,401	75,750	2.82
26/02/2010	245,756	132,094	1.86	206,593	74,351	2.78
31/03/2010	242,636	131,878	1.84	205,714	72,914	2.82
30/04/2010	241,069	131,325	1.83	204,452	71,293	2.86

Earnings	Per Cent
Earnings up to 15,000	Exempt
Earnings between 15,000 and 20,000	5 per cent
Earnings between 20,000 and 60,000	10 per cent
Earnings over 60,000	10.5 per cent

Schemes	Termination Date
Urban Renewal 1994	30 April 1999
Temple Bar Area	31 December 1999
Seaside Resort	31 December 1999
Islands	31 December 1999
Customs House Dock	30 June 2000
Enterprise Areas	31 December 2000
Countrywide Refurbishment	31 July 2008
Urban Renewal 1999	31 July 2008
Town Renewal	31 July 2008
Rural Renewal	31 July 2008
Multi-storey Car Parks	31 July 2008
Living over the Shop	31 July 2008
Park and Ride	31 July 2008
Third Level Buildings	31 July 2008
Qualifying Sports Injury Clinics	31 July 2008
Hotels continue to qualify for capital allowances but over 25 years instead of over 7 years.	31 July 2008
Holiday Cottages	31 July 2008
Student Accommodation	31 July 2008
Nursing Homes	30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011
Housing for elderly/infirm	30 April 2010
Convalescent Homes	30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011
Hospitals	30 June 2010 or 30 December 2013
Mental Health Centres	30 June 2010 or 30 June 2011
Mid-Shannon Corridor Tourism Infrastructure Scheme	31 May 2013
Childcare Buildings	31 March 2011 or 31 March 2012 (Finance Bill 2010)
Specialist Palliative Care Units	Scheme awaiting Commencement Order

Schemes	2007 (note 2)	2008 (notes 2 & 3)
	Amount Claimed	Tax Forgone	Amount Claimed	Tax Forgone
	€m	€m	€m	€m
Urban Renewal	280.0	109.3	224.6	84.5
Town Renewal	86.1	34.6	60.5	23.7
Seaside Resorts	20.3	8.0	14.5	5.7
Rural Renewal	121.9	48.5	84.6	34.2
Multi-storey car parks	24.0	9.6	16.8	6.6
Living over the Shop	8.0	3.0	6.1	2.5
Enterprise Areas	7.0	2.8	6.2	2.5
Park & Ride	3.3	1.4	1.7	0.7
Holiday Cottages	30.7	12.4	26.8	10.8
Hotels	307.1	118.0	300.6	114.7
Nursing Homes	45.3	18.3	47.6	19.4
Housing for the Elderly/Infirm	6.3	2.6	7.4	3.0
Hostels	1.76	0.72	1.62	0.66
Guest Houses	0.06	0.02	0.26	0.11
Convalescent Homes	1.2	0.5	1.3	0.5
Qualifying (Private) Hospitals	29.3	12.0	28.9	11.8
Qualifying Sports Injury Clinics	4.3	1.8	3.7	1.5
Buildings used for childcare purposes	24.2	9.8	29.9	12.0
Mental Health Centres	0.3	0.1	0.2	0.0
Student Accommodation	108.7	42.0	58.0	22.7
Registered Caravan Parks	N/A	N/A	1.5	0.6

County	Island
Cork	Bere, Clear, Dursey, Hare, Long, Sherkin, Whiddy
Donegal	Arranmore, Inishbofin, Inishfree, Tory
Galway	Inishbofin, Inisheer, Inishmaan, Inishmore
Limerick	Foynes
Mayo	Claggan, Clare, Inishbiggle, Inishcottle, Inishlyre, Inishturk
Sligo	Coney

County	Resort (note)
Clare	Kilkee, Lahinch
Cork	Clonakilty, Youghal
Donegal	Bundoran
Galway	Salthill
Kerry	Ballybunion
Louth	Clogherhead
Mayo	Achill, Westport
Meath	Bettystown, Laytown, Mosney
Sligo	Enniscrone
Waterford	Tramore
Wexford	Courttown
Wicklow	Arklow

Areas Designated
City/County	Area/Town
Cork	Blackpool/Shandon, City Docks Area
Dublin	Ballymun, HARP, Inchicore/Kilmainham, Liberties/Coombe, North East Inner City, Millenium/O’Connell Street
Galway	3 Suburban Local Authority Estates
Limerick	1 Large Central Area
Waterford	Periphery of commercial centre
Carlow	Carlow
Clare	Shannon
Cork	Bandon, Cobh, Mallow (N), passage West (S)/Glenbrook
Donegal	Buncrana
Dublin	Dun Laoghaire, Balbriggan, North West Blanchardstown, North Clondalkin, Tallaght
Galway	Tuam
Kerry	Tralee
Kildare	Athy, Kildare
Kilkenny	Kilkenny
Laois	Portlaoise
Limerick	Newcastlewest
Longford	Longford
Louth	Drogheda, Dundalk
Mayo	Ballina
Meath	Navan
Monaghan	Monaghan
Offaly	Birr, Tullamore, Clara
Sligo	Sligo
Tipperary	Roscrea, Thurles, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary
Waterford	Dungarvan
Wexford	Athlone, Mullingar
Wicklow	Arklow, Wicklow

County	Area — District Electoral Divisions
Cavan	Arvagh, Springfield, Killashandra, Milltown, Carrafin, Grilly, Kilconny, Belturbet Urban, Ardue, Carn, Bilberry, Diamond, Doogary, Lissanover, Ballymagauran, Ballyconnell, Bawnboy, Templeport, Benbrack, Pedara Vohers, Tircahan, Swanlinbar, Kinawley, Derrynananta, Dunmakeever, Dowra, Derrylahan, Tuam, Killinagh, Eskey, Teebane, Scrabby, Loughdawan, Bruce Hall, Drumcarban, Corr, Crossdoney, and Killykeen.
Leitrim	The administrative county of Leitrim.
Longford	The administrative county of Longford.
Roscommon	Ballintober, Castleheen, Carrowduff, Kilbride North, Lissonuffy, Killavackan, Termonbarry, Roosky, Kilglass North, Kilglass South, Bumlin, Cloonfinlough, Killurkin (in Roscommon Rural District), Strokestown, Annaghmore, Tulsk, Coolougher, Ballinlough, Kiltullagh, Cloonflower, Artagh South, Artagh North, Ballaghaderreen, Edmondstown, Loughglinn, Buckhill, Fairymount, Castlereagh, Frenchpark, Bellengare, Castleplunket, Baslick, Breedoge, Altnagowlan, Lough Allen, Ballyfarnan, Keadue, Aghafin, Ballyformoyle, Crossna, Kilbryan, Boyle Rural, Boyle Urban, Tivannagh, Rushfield, Tumna North, Tumna South, Killurkin (in Boyle No.1 Rural District), Oakport, Rockingham, Danesfort, Cloonteem, Kilmore, Elia, Ballygarden, Aughrim East, Aughrim West, Creeve (in Boyle No. 1 Rural District), Creeve (in Roscommon Rural District), Elphin, Rossmore, Cloonyquinn, Ogulla, Mantua, Lisgarve, Kilmacumsy, Kilcolgan, Estersnow, Croghan, Killummod, Cregga, Cloonygormican, Kilbride South, Kilgefin, Cloontuskert, Drumdaff, and Kilteevan.
Sligo	Ballintogher East, Ballynakill, Lisconny, Drumfin, Ballymote, Cloonoghill, Leitrim, Tobercurry, Kilturra, Cuilmore, Kilfree, Coolavin, Killaraght, Templevanny, Aghanagh, Kilmactranny, Ballynashee, Shancough, Drumcolumb, Riverstown, Lakeview, Bricklieve, Drumrat, Toomour, Kilshalvy, Killdoon, Streamstown, Cartron, Coolaney, Owenmore, Temple, Annagh, Carrickbannagher, Collooney, and Ballintogher West.

County	Towns
Carlow	Hacketstown, Muinbheag, Tinnahinch/Graiguenamanagh, Tullow
Cavan	Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan, Cootehill
Clare	Ennistymon, Milltown Malbay, Kilrush, Scarriff, Sixmilebridge,
Cork	Bantry, Charelville (Rathluirc), Cloyne, Doberaile, Fermoy, Kanturk, Skibbereen,
Donegal	Ardara, Ballybofey- Stranolar, Ballyshannon, Moville, Ramelton,
Galway	Ballygar, Clifden, Headford, Loughrea, Portumna
Kerry	Caherciveen, Castleisland, Killorglin, Listowel
Kildare	Castledermot, Kilcock, Kilcullen, Monasterevan, Rathangan
Kilkenny	Callan, Castlecomer, Pilltown, Thomastown, Urlingford
Laois	Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portarlington, Rathdowney
Limerick	Abbeyfeale, Castleconnell, Croom, Kilmallock, Rathkeale
Lough	Ardee, Carlingford, Castlebellingham, Dubleer
Mayo	Ballinrobe, Belmullet, Claremorris, Foxford, Newport
Meath	Duleek, Kells, Oldcasrle, Trim
Monaghan	Ballybay, Castleblayney, Clones
Offaly	Banagher, Clara, Edenderry, Ferbane,
Roscommon	Roscommon
Sligo	Bellaghy-Charlestown, Rosses Point
Tipperary N.R.	Borrisokane, Littleton, Nenagh, Templemore
Tipperary S.R.	Cahir, Cashel, Fethard, Killenaule
Waterford	Cappoquin, Kilmacthomas, Portlaw, Tallow
Westmeath	Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, Moate
Wexford	Bunclody, Ferns, Gorey, Taghmon
Wicklow	Baltinglass, Carnew, Dunlavin, Tinahely

Year	City	Designated Areas
2004	Cork	Qualifying Streets
2004	Dublin	Qualifying Streets
2004	Galway	Qualifying Streets
2004	Limerick	Qualifying Streets
2004	Waterford	Qualifying Streets
2007	Cork	Qualifying Streets
2007	Dublin	Qualifying Streets
2007	Galway	Qualifying Streets
2007	Limerick	Qualifying Streets
2007	Waterford	Qualifying Streets

Activity	2006	2007	2008	2009
Number clients in receipt of Home Help Service at year end	49,578	54,736	55,366	53,791
Hours Provided	10.8m	11.78m	11.96m	11.97m
Funding €m	185.4	206.4	211	211

LOCAL AUTHORITY	2001 allocation	2002 allocation	2003 allocation	2004 allocation	2005 allocation
	€	€	€	€	€
Carlow County Council	592	819	819	909	975
Cavan County Council	613	848	848	909	975
Clare County Council	611	846	846	909	975
Cork County Council	617	854	854	909	975
Donegal County Council	614	850	850	909	975
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council	1,129	1,561	1,561	1,817	1,948
Fingal County Council	863	1,195	1,195	1,364	1,463
Galway County Council	615	851	851	909	975
Kerry County Council	616	853	853	909	975
Kildare County Council	615	852	852	910	975
Kilkenny County Council	616	853	853	909	975
Laois County Council	608	841	841	909	975
Leitrim County Council	633	877	877	909	975
Limerick County Council	614	850	850	909	975
Longford County Council	598	827	827	909	975
Louth County Council	616	853	853	909	975
Mayo County Council	605	837	837	909	975
Meath County Council	612	848	848	909	975
Monaghan County Council	614	850	850	909	975
North Tipperary County Council	622	861	861	909	975
Offaly County Council	583	807	807	909	975
Roscommon County Council	663	917	917	909	975
Sligo County Council	629	870	870	909	975
South Dublin County Council	826	1,144	1,144	1,364	1,462
South Tipperary County Council	609	842	842	909	975
Waterford County Council	623	862	862	909	975
Westmeath County Council	614	850	850	909	975
Wexford County Council	618	856	856	909	975
Wicklow County Council	610	844	844	909	975

LOCAL AUTHORITY	2006 allocation	2007 allocation	2008 allocation	2009 allocation	2010 allocation
	€	€	€	€	€
Carlow County Council	1,166	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Cavan County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Clare County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Cork County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Donegal County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council	2,328	2,483	2,572	2,572	2,492
Fingal County Council	1,748	1,863	1,931	1,931	1,871
Galway County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Kerry County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Kildare County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Kilkenny County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Laois County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Leitrim County Council	1,165	1,243	1,287	1,287	1,247
Limerick County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Longford County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Louth County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Mayo County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Meath County Council	1,165	1,242	1,288	1,288	1,247
Monaghan County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
North Tipperary County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Offaly County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Roscommon County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Sligo County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
South Dublin County Council	1,747	1,862	1,929	1,929	1,870
South Tipperary County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Waterford County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Westmeath County Council	1,165	1,242	1,286	1,286	1,247
Wexford County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247
Wicklow County Council	1,165	1,242	1,287	1,287	1,247

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 9 Jun 2010

Written Answers.

Income Levels

Olivia Mitchell

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Unemployment Levels

Arthur Morgan

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Expo 2010 Shanghai

Noel Ahern

Work Permits

Maureen O'Sullivan

EU Directives

Michael Fitzpatrick

Work Permits

Finian McGrath

Advertising Agencies

Liz McManus

Israeli Imports

Sean Sherlock

Departmental Expenditure

Leo Varadkar

Job Protection

Terence Flanagan

Job Creation

Charles Flanagan

Departmental Staff

Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Industrial Development

Brian O'Shea

Employment Rights

Finian McGrath

Small and Medium Enterprises

Lucinda Creighton

Lucinda Creighton

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

Work Permits

Olivia Mitchell

Job Protection

Mary Wallace

Work Permits

Denis Naughten

Flood Relief

Mary Wallace

EU Directives

Seán Barrett

Tax Code

Jimmy Deenihan

Public Service Numbers

Joan Burton

National Lottery Funding

Kieran O'Donnell

Credit Union Sector

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Tax Collection

Ned O'Keeffe

Joe McHugh

Departmental Properties

John O'Mahony

Tax Yield

Michael Ring

Departmental Expenditure

Ruairí Quinn

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Remuneration Rates

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 2010