Written Answers

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

Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, answered orally.

Questions Nos. 10 to 99, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 100 to 111, inclusive, answered orally.

Telecommunications Services

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

112 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools who have not availed of the broadband service being offered by her Department; the reason they have not availed of same; the name, address and roll number of each school which has availed of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33505/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Conor Lenihan)

There are 3,848 broadband connections under the Schools Broadband Programme. In addition 78 schools are connected under the joint initiative with the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources to provide post primary schools with 100Mbp/s and 7 schools are connected under the NCTE Hermes project which links participating primary schools to a central server and network which controls the ICT infrastructure in each school utilising broadband connectivity and thin client architecture.

Forty-six schools are due to be connected shortly and these are made up of new schools, schools where building works may have delayed the install or schools that have moved location and need to be installed in the new location.

Seventy-one schools have declined a connection from the Department, while I do not have a break down of their reasons, I understand that schools may have made their own internet connection arrangements. There is no obligation on schools to avail of a connection provided by the Department and schools are free to source their broadband from the market should they so chose. All of these schools are also free to avail of a connection provided by the Department anytime in the future.

However I would encourage schools to avail of an internet service under the Schools Broadband Programme, as under the Programme connectivity to the internet is routed through a National Broadband Network, which has been developed by HEAnet — the National Education and Research Network provider. HEAnet has established a Network Operations Centre to channel and control the broadband access to schools, and it provides centrally managed services for schools such as security, anti-spam/anti-virus and content filtering. Access to resources such as on-line versions of Britannica and World Book are also only available through the Schools Broadband Network.

A national helpdesk has been established to interface between the network, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the schools, and to provide schools with on-going advice and assistance. This helpdesk is managed by the NCTE. Schools who use a service provider not contracted to the Department do not have access to these services, protections and support. Those schools not on the network are still free to contact the service desk for general advice.

The roll out of the new broadband contracts is nearing completion and as a result the number of schools on satellite is being reduced by over 50%.

The detailed information requested by the Deputy in relation to the name and roll number for each school in the programme will be forwarded shortly.

FÁS Training Programmes

Enda Kenny

Question:

113 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of students awaiting clarification on their certificates arising from the investigation into malpractice by contracted training providers engaged by FÁS; the potential loss of funds to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33533/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Following an internal audit report, which found irregularities in the delivery of its contracted training FÁS has been reviewing the training that it contracts for the unemployed. A number of issues of concern have arisen and FÁS is dealing with them in order to ensure that learners get the training and certification that they deserve while minimising the costs to the agency.

FÁS has identified a total of 54 training courses, all delivered in its North-East region, involving 968 course participants and 1719 certificates where certain issues remain outstanding before final certification can proceed. FÁS is working with the contractors concerned to resolve these matters and I understand from FÁS that these certificates will be issued shortly. No costs to date have been incurred to FÁS as a result of these certification matters and FÁS does not anticipate bearing any further costs.

The new Board of FÁS, together with the Director General, who also serves on the Board as an ex-officio member, are putting in place new procedures and practices to ensure that instances like this should not recur. These include:

A new system to upgrade training standards is being rolled out with an emphasis on more robust and frequent monitoring of FÁS training and assessment systems.

New contracted training procedures and revised contracts including more robust sanctions for non-compliance have been developed and agreed which are due to commence this month.

A revised tender framework with the aim of raising the quality of the training offered to FÁS clients is being introduced.

A new assessment marking scheme will be introduced in the first half of 2011 which will align FÁS's marking and grading criteria with FETAC requirements.

Numeracy Levels

Joe Carey

Question:

114 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take on foot of the recent survey published by the National Adult Literacy Agency which points to the difficulty many persons have with basic maths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33592/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I am very aware of the challenges we face in dealing with the kinds of basic skills needs which were identified in the NALA survey referred to by the Deputy. The provision of numeracy to children and adults is already a key feature of measures to address educational disadvantage and it also forms a key element of second chance and further education and training programmes, especially for those with low levels of skills.

VECs delivery numeracy tuition as part of the adult literacy and community education scheme. Funding for adult literacy has increased from €1 million in 1997 to €30 million in 2010 and the number of participants increased from 5,000 to 50,000 in the same period. Overall, in 2009, over 130,000 participants took part in a range of part-time further education programmes at Levels 1-4 on the NFQ, where core skills like literacy, numeracy and ICT are a fundamental part of the courses. New awards in this area have also been developed at Levels 1 and 2 in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Within the Intensive Tuition in Adult Basic Education (ITABE) programme, numeracy is specifically referenced as part of the curriculum and assessment system. My Department funded NALA to produce a "curriculum guide" for ITABE which includes a numeracy section and my Department also provides funds to the Literacy Development Centre in Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to develop courses for literacy practitioners, including a specific numeracy module.

At second level, my Department is implementing Project Maths, a major programme of reform designed to encourage better understanding of mathematics. In 2010, the first cohort of students in Project Maths pilot schools sat the Leaving Certificate and the results were very encouraging and it is currently being rolled out to all schools. Some €3m was provided for Project Maths in 2009 and of the order €4m is being invested in professional development of teachers in 2010.

In the junior cycle itself, a more investigative approach is used to build on and extend students' experience of mathematics. In primary schools, a bridging framework that links mathematics to topics in the Junior Certificate mathematics syllabuses is being developed. Promoting proficiency in numeracy is also a core objective of a range of measures under the DEIS Action Plan.

All of this shows that my Department is very engaged with addressing issues around numeracy and I will continue to work to address these issues.

Third Level Fees

James Bannon

Question:

115 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has received a report from the Higher Education Authority relating to the use of the student services fee by third level institutions; the findings of that report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33579/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) review of the use of the student service charge by HEA institutions has now been completed and a report has been submitted to me. The report covers income and expenditure associated with the charge, internal allocation processes for same, arrangements for accounting for the charge additional charges that are levied on students outside the charge.

Officials from my Department are following up with the HEA in relation to aspects of the report and its findings in more detail. It is envisaged the outcome of the review will lead to the adoption of accounting policies that can be applied in a consistent manner across the sectors and between institutions and to an examination and updating of the HEA's Framework of Good Practice for the Provision of Student Services.

Subject to its detailed consideration, it will be my intention to make the report available more generally in due course.

Departmental Agencies

Liz McManus

Question:

116 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the restructuring of FÁS; when the board of FÁS is expected to present a new blueprint for the future direction of the agency to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33486/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

On 23 March, 2010, the Taoiseach announced to the Dáil a number of Ministerial and Departmental changes designed to ensure closer alignment of the Government's economic objectives to the administrative functions of its departments and agencies. As part of these changes the Employment Programmes and Services and Skills Training (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order of 2010, which came into force on 1 May 2010, reallocated responsibility for FÁS as an Agency and its funding related to training and skills from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to the Department of Education and Skills. Responsibility for the employment service and community service activities of FÁS and its related funding has also transferred to my Department. However, following the enactment of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 in late July, the Department of Social Protection will, following commencement of the relevant sections, assume overall responsibility for the policy and funding of FÁS employment programmes and employment services.

I understand that my colleague the Minister for Social Protection intends to bring forward more detailed legislative proposals at an early date to provide for the full integration of the FÁS employment programmes and employment services with his Department.

The Board of FÁS is currently working on its strategy for the FÁS organisation for the future and will present it to my Department shortly.

Higher Education Grants

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

117 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to handle the delay in processing of student maintenance grants. [33610/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

126 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm whether a delay will occur with regards to the processing of student maintenance grants. [33609/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 126 together.

The process of paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC.

The timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been received.

This year's student grant schemes include a number of significant administrative and service improvements aimed at addressing the issue of delays which include an initial roll-out of a new on-line grant application system. The new system, introduced in both Irish and English, is already now operating in 11 grant awarding authorities. Building on this initial phase for the current academic year, the ultimate aim will be to make it available to all applicants nationally.

The on-line system is part of a package of administrative and service improvements brought to the Student Grant Schemes this year. Key among the other changes are a complete overhaul of the grant application form, streamlined administrative processes, advance payments to awarding authorities and, most importantly, the publication of the grant schemes some two months earlier than last year.

Departmental Expenditure

Pat Breen

Question:

118 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the areas of her departmental expenditure that will be exempt from impending budgetary considerations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33584/10]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

131 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in view of the recent OECD Education at a Glance report which showed that Ireland ranks fourth from the bottom of the OECD countries in terms of expenditure on education, if she intends the education budget to be cut in this year’s budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33614/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 131 together.

The Government will consider all proposals relating to public expenditure in the context of the forthcoming Budget. The Government has already made it clear in this regard that difficult decisions will be necessary across the broad spectrum of expenditure in order to secure the significant level of savings required. The components of the Education budget are currently being examined as part of this process.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

119 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in view of the recent figures published by her Department which show that 106,000 children remain in classes of 30 or more, the action she will take on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33608/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains information relating to class size in primary schools for the 2009-2010 school year. The information includes the number of pupils in each class and the number of pupils in each class size range.

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department for the current school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes.

Pupil numbers at both primary and post-primary level continue to increase and this results in an increased requirement for additional teachers for the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding the difficult budgetary climate the Government has tried, as best as possible, to protect the front line services in the education sector through continuing to allow schools to recruit additional teachers notwithstanding the general moratorium on public sector recruitment. The Deputy will be aware that the renewed Programme for Government commits the Government to no further increase in the pupil teacher ratio in primary and second level schools for the lifetime of this Government and also the provision of 500 additional teaching posts between primary and second levels over a three year period.

Special Educational Needs

Ulick Burke

Question:

120 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have now been reviewed by the National Council for Special Education; when the review of special needs assistants will be complete; the number of special needs assistants that have been withdrawn to date at primary and post primary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33588/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published its report on the Review of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation to Schools April 2009-March 2010 on its website www.ncse.ie.

The NSCE has since carried out a number of further reviews of SNA allocation of schools, bringing the total number of schools reviewed as at September 2010 to 3,058. Of this number, 2,363 were primary schools, 588 post-primary schools and 107 were special schools.

Of 2,363 primary schools reviewed 1,261 schools had no change in their SNA level, 704 had a decrease in SNA level, and 398 schools had an increase in their SNA level.

Of 588 primary schools reviewed 304 schools had no change in their SNA level, 158 had a decrease in SNA level, and 126 schools had an increase in their SNA level.

Of 107 special schools reviewed 57 schools had no change in their SNA level, 29 had a decrease in SNA level, and 21 schools had an increase in their SNA level.

There are currently in excess of 10,000 SNAs in schools compared with just 300 in 1997.

SNA posts may be reduced in schools, on review, where the pupils for whom SNA posts were originally allocated had left the school or because the pupils' care needs had diminished over time.

However, I wish to emphasise that the criteria governing the allocation of SNA posts has not changed, and that SNA posts continue to be retained, and new posts sanctioned, where the care needs of pupils meet the criteria for the scheme.

The full updated report will be published by the NCSE shortly on its website www.ncse.ie.

A small number of schools remain to be reviewed and the NCSE has indicated that these will be reviewed early in the 2010/11 academic year.

I wish to confirm for the Deputy that my Department is very supportive of the SNA scheme. It has been a key factor in both ensuring the successful integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream education and providing support to pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes. The SNA scheme will continue to be supported and the NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and resources will continue to be allocated to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.

Further Education

Martin Ferris

Question:

121 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will lift the cap on post leaving certificate places in order to allow post leaving certificate applicants this year to take up training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33612/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

For the 2009/2010 academic year the number of approved PLC places available nationwide was increased by 1,500 to 31,688 and this level of provision is being maintained for the current academic year (2010/2011). In 2009/2010, VECs enrolled over 38,600 learners which is a commendable achievement and one which I hope can be maintained for the current academic year.

The overall number of approved PLC places is set at its current level because there is a continuing requirement to plan and control numbers and to manage expenditure within the context of overall educational policy and provision.

Early School Leavers

Arthur Morgan

Question:

122 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will be announcing any new measures to combat early school leaving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33615/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school leaving. Enhancing attendance, progression, retention and attainment are central elements of DEIS, the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. The DEIS plan was launched in 2005 and currently includes some 879 Schools serving the most disadvantaged communities in the Country.

The School Completion Programme (SCP) is an important component of my Department's strategy to target children and young people who are at risk of early school leaving. The programme currently targets approximately 36,000 young people between the ages of 4 and 18 years and supports 468 primary and 223 post-primary schools in 124 Programme sites across 26 counties. The programme is designed to directly target those in danger of dropping out of the education system and favours an integrated cross-community and cross-sectoral approach based on the development of local strategies to ensure maximum participation levels in the education process.

The main aims of the School Completion Programme are:

To retain young people in the formal education system, or equivalent, to successful completion of the Senior Cycle;

To improve the quality of participation and educational attainment of targeted children and young people in the educational process;

To bring together all local stakeholders (home, school, youth and community/statutory and voluntary) to tackle early school leaving;

To offer positive supports in primary and post-primary schools towards the alleviation of educational disadvantage;

To influence in a positive way policies relating to the alleviation of early school leaving in the school system.

€31 million has been allocated to the School Completion Programme in 2010. Funding is provided to projects to devise and implement strategies for the whole-school, for individual students and those who are already outside of the formal system. Provision includes in-school, after-school, out-of-school and holiday time supports to enhance the young person's readiness to benefit from education.

Since September, 2009, the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) has been extended to bring together the School Completion Programme (SCP), the Home School Community Liaison Service (HSCL), the National Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers (VTST) under one common management team. The underlying rationale for this new single strategic approach, acknowledging and utilising the combined strengths and capacities of the four services, is to deliver better outcomes for children, families and schools. Combining these four services to deliver a composite service at national, regional and local levels is a positive development and one that will in time realise significant benefits.

My Department has asked the NEWB to bring forward recommendations for a "single strategic approach" to delivery of all services to establish improvements in identifying children at risk of early school leaving or of developing poor attendance profiles. This will lead to earlier response rates. The new approach should also provide improvements in developing local and national responses to tackling attendance and early school leaving.

My Department makes alternative provision for young people in the 15-20 age group who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training. The Youthreach programme, which is operated by the VECs, is an integrated programme of education, training and work experience introduced jointly with FÁS in 1989.

While the problem of early school leaving continues to be a major concern, improvements in the numbers of students leaving school early have been recorded in recent years. The latest Retention Report published by my Department last November shows yearly improvements in retention rates — rising from an estimated 81% to 85% for entrants to second level in 1996 and 2001 respectively. Retention rates of pupils in Second-Level School Cohort can be found on my Department's website — www.education.ie

I will continue to prioritise spending in favour of those from marginalised and disadvantaged communities and I will sustain the commitment to improve the delivery of services to schools and communities to enable them to enhance the educational experience for all of their pupils.

School Transport

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

123 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the review of school catchment boundaries; and if this will deal with anomalies in the system which are causing concern to and hardship for many families. [33513/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

As the Deputy is aware, School Transport was approved by Government as a topic for inclusion as part of the 2009-2011 round of Value for Money Reviews.

This review looked at the original objectives of the scheme, whether these objectives remain valid today, the extent to which the objectives are being achieved, and whether there are possibilities for economies or efficiencies that would improve the value for money of the scheme. In this context, the review also looked at fundamental issues such as eligibility criteria and catchment boundaries, with a view to achieving efficiencies and value for money in the Scheme.

The report of the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme is currently being finalised.

Special Educational Needs

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

124 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider issuing a moratorium on the changes proposed by applied behaviour analysis schools pending wider consultation and further assessment. [33607/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

343 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will carry out a full assessment of all applied behavioural analysis schools before proceeding further with the changes to education for children with autism which schools have been required to adopt; if she will ensure full consultation with schools and parents to ensure the best and most appropriate education for children with autism, recognising their varying needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33761/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 343 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the 2007 Programme for Government committed to the long-term funding for the centres in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported as primary schools for children with autism.

Agreement on transitional arrangements for the pilot centres was reached following a long process of discussions and engagement with the representative body of the pilot centres. Each of the centres has now applied for special school status. I am pleased to advise you that I have been able to respond positively to applications and all, but one, of the centres have now been granted recognition as special schools for children with autism. The application from the remaining centre is currently being processed.

I fully appreciate that change in any organisation can cause concern and anxiety. This is particularly true when the organisation is a centre catering for children with special educational needs. However, I understand that each of the centres engaged with parents and staff before applying for special school status.

Managers have been appointed by the schools to manage the transitional process. As part of this process, my Department is arranging for training in a range of autism-specific interventions for the new Principals and Teachers once they have been appointed. In addition, training is being provided for the Managers and the new Boards of Management. It is my intention to continue to support the transitional process.

My Department's Inspectorate carried out an evaluation of educational provision for children with autistic spectrum disorders some years ago. A copy of this report is available on my Department's website www.education.gov.ie. Part of this review evaluated the centres funded under my Department's ABA Pilot Scheme.

Departmental Funding

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

125 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the recent discussions she has had with Protestant schools regarding their budgetary constraints; the action she will take to alleviate these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33602/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting education in schools under Protestant management, while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

In this regard, I had a useful meeting with Protestant educational representatives on 9 September. At the conclusion of this meeting, we agreed to continue our discussions on funding issues pertaining to Protestant fee-charging schools.

I am committed to continuing this engagement with members of the Protestant community, as I believe that these issues are best resolved collaboratively.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 117.

Teaching Qualifications

Martin Ferris

Question:

127 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way she intends to address the situation whereby unqualified persons can take on substitution cover in schools. [33611/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

This is now reflected in Circular 40/2010 which my Department issued earlier this year. Under its terms, schools are directed to ensure that teachers proposed for appointment to publicly paid posts must be registered with the Teaching Council and have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which they are proposed. Where an employer can satisfactorily demonstrate that every reasonable effort has been made to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher, an unqualified and/or unregistered person may be recruited pending the recruitment of an appropriately qualified and registered teacher and this provision must be inserted in the employment contract. The employer must repeat the process to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher within the period of any such contract and in any event within the school year.

School Accommodation

David Stanton

Question:

128 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the correspondence and discussions she has had with a school (details supplied) over the past two years following a meeting in November 2008 in relation to the provision of additional permanent accommodation for the school; the consideration she has given to the school’s proposal as to the way that this permanent accommodation can be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33514/10]

Sean Sherlock

Question:

199 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will facilitate a meeting with a member of her Department’s building unit and representatives of a school (details supplied) in County Cork in which 80% of pupils are housed in prefabs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32815/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 199 together.

My Department is in receipt of a major capital application for an extension from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2.2 rating.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

The Department has received the proposal from the school and officials in my Department will contact the school shortly in this regard.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans, if any, to ensure that an improved pupil-teacher ratio is achieved with particular reference to schools or areas throughout the country which have been identified as being in need of attention in this regard; the number of schools currently registering or likely to register a higher pupil-teacher ratio than in previous years; the location of such schools; when she expects to address the issues arising; the extent to which she has received correspondence or representations from school authorities in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33647/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Pupil numbers at both primary and post-primary level continue to increase and this results in an increased requirement for additional teachers for the foreseeable future. The Deputy will be aware that the renewed Programme for Government commits the Government to no further increase in the pupil teacher ratio in primary and second level schools for the lifetime of this Government. The renewed Programme for Government also provides for 500 teaching posts to schools over the next three years over and above additional posts that will arise due to demographic increases. The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools who are dissatisfied with their staffing allocation. The appeals criteria are outlined in the published staffing schedule which is available on my Department's website.

The final staffing position for all schools will ultimately not be known until the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed for mainstream classroom teachers and any appeals to the Staffing Appeals Boards will have been considered. The appellate process is particularly relevant at post-primary level where any specific curricular needs of the school concerned are considered.

Extensive statistical information is available on my Department's website in relation to class sizes and pupil-teacher ratios. It is early to speculate at this stage on the pupil-teacher ratio trend for the 2010-2011 school year. However I would not expect it to be significantly different from recent years because, notwithstanding the general moratorium on public sector recruitment, the Government has agreed to allow schools to increase their teacher numbers to cater for demographic growth.

It is also important to note that from an educational perspective numerous influential reports have highlighted the fact that teacher quality is the single most important factor — far and above anything else — in improving educational outcomes for children.

Psychological Service

Emmet Stagg

Question:

130 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has met with representatives of the Children’s Mental Health Coalition; her policy on identifying and supporting students in schools who suffer from mental health problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33510/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I have not met the Children's Mental Health Coalition, but my colleague Mr. Barry Andrews T.D Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and officials of my Department have done so. I am aware of the manifesto of the Children's Mental Health Coalition, which recommends the provision of guidelines to schools on mental health, the expansion of the Social Personal and Health Education support team, and the delivery of SPHE in every school year.

The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle since 2003 and is designed to promote positive mental health. It is already supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and advice for schools and a resource directory. Its aim is to foster personal development, health and well being of children, to help them create and maintain supportive relationships, and develop the skills and attitudes for responsible citizenship. SPHE is designed for implementation in the context of a caring whole-school approach which is supported by the pastoral care structures in schools.

The implementation of the SPHE curriculum has been supported by national programmes of professional development for teachers at primary and post primary level provided by the curriculum support services. These services continue to be maintained, but my Department is not in a position to expand them at the present time.

Schools also use Mental Health Matters, a resource pack on mental health for 14 to 18 year olds developed by Mental Health Ireland on an optional basis as a module in the Transition Year Programme, an element of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme, a component of the SPHE programme or an element of other subjects such as Religion or Home Economics.

All post-primary schools also provide a guidance and counselling service for their students and they receive ex-quota hours from the Department for this provision. The service includes the provision of individual guidance and counselling for students either at critical stages in their education or at times of personal crisis.

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) operating within my Department provides a range of services both direct and indirect which support the personal, social and educational development of all children in primary and post-primary schools. NEPS also liaises with HSE services as appropriate in its service to schools.

My Department's commitment to the NEPS service has been recently reiterated within the Renewed Programme for Government which commits to an overall expansion of NEPS psychologist numbers to 210. Through these initiatives, our school system works hard to promote positive mental health among students.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 118.

School Accommodation

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabricated structures currently in use at primary and second level schools on a county basis here; the number of such structures put in place in each of the past three years to date in 2010; the cost involved in each case; the extent to which consideration is being given to the provision of permanent structures to replace such buildings in the current and future years with particular reference to the need to alleviate overcrowding, excessive class sizes and poor pupil-teacher ratios; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33613/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I set out below for the Deputies information:

Table (A) outlining the number of rented prefabs in place in 2010, and those that were in place in 2009 in primary and post primary schools and the annual rental costs involved on a county by county basis. The information for 2008 is not readily available.

Table (B) outlining prefabricated structures purchased for schools since 2008 and the costs involved on a county by county basis. My Department does not currently hold information on purchased prefabs in situ in schools pre 2008. A new inventory of accommodation, both temporary and permanent, has gone live on the Esinet portal and data collection has commenced. The data obtained will supplement the information held on the Department’s existing databases, particularly with regard to purchased prefabricated accommodation that was in place prior to January 2008 and create a more complete picture of the use of prefabricated accommodation in schools.

Table (C) outlining the number of rented prefabs sanctioned for each of the past 3 years. Please note that numbers of prefabs listed refer to prefabricated "units" and may consist of one or more classrooms.

The overall policy goal of my Department is to ensure the highest standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population and competing pressure on the capital budget available to my Department, it is necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet the accommodation needs of schools. This temporary accommodation is suitable for use as classroom accommodation. It is important, when additional teacher posts are sanctioned by my Department, that schools are facilitated to appoint and accommodate them as soon as possible.

With regard to consideration being given to the provision of permanent structures to replace such buildings, a change in policy implemented by my Department is to provide devolved grant aid for the purchase (rather than rental) of additional accommodation where the need for such accommodation is likely to exist for more than 3 years. Furthermore, since July 2008, it is also policy to offer schools being approved for devolved grant aid for additional accommodation the option to use their capital grant aid to build a permanent classroom(s) rather than purchase a prefab. These policies will reduce the usage of prefabricated accommodation and, particularly, the incidence of long-term rental of prefabs.

My Department has engaged a specialist firm to develop new procedures and systems for the provision of temporary accommodation with a view to achieving best value for money. The review is well under way and incorporates the development of standard specifications for temporary accommodation, the development of new contractual terms to incorporate buy-out and relocation options to cater for individual local circumstances and appropriately protect the interests of the Department and school authorities.

Table A: Details of Rented Prefabricated Structures by County
Rented Prefabs by County as at September 2010
County	Primary	Post-Primary	Annual Rental
2010	Prefab No’s	Prefab No’s	B + C For 2010
			€
Carlow	13	6	292,482.30
Cavan	27	2	395,589.68
Clare	64	0	710,364.52
Cork	227	9	3,146,740.91
Dublin	268	21	5,592,530.83
Donegal	52	5	783,984.87
Galway	132	14	1,731,927.10
Kerry	32	0	348,877.44
Kilkenny	21	0	210,945.91
Kildare	116	0	1,568,533.20
Laois	35	0	537,244.81
Leitrim	10	0	141,360.24
Limerick	61	0	625,137.56
Longford	12	0	186,025.04
Louth	83	8	1,370,775.72
Mayo	52	4	527,575.39
Meath	124	1	1,993,870.82
Monaghan	13	4	210,341.66
Offaly	16	6	322,255.58
Roscommon	14	0	123,580.55
Sligo	25	0	260,713.05
Tipperary	40	0	488,216.67
Waterford	50	12	712,073.42
Westmeath	30	0	387,420.58
Wexford	74	1	773,498.57
Wicklow	58	8	756,996.14
Total No. of Prefab Units	1,649	101	24,199,062.56

Rented Prefabs by County as at December 2009
County	Primary	Post-Primary	Annual Rental
2009	Prefab No’s	Prefab No’s	B + C For 2009
			€
Carlow	18	6	340,870.90
Cavan	29	2	429,064.32
Clare	70	0	799,620.39
Cork	224	9	3,136,775.72
Dublin	300	19	5,092,708.37
Donegal	71	5	1,098,023.05
Galway	139	14	1,845,426.22
Kerry	33	0	394,186.77
Kilkenny	22	0	243,892.63
Kildare	135	8	1,903,481.59
Laois	38	0	581,795.54
Leitrim	10	0	167,000.48
Limerick	63	0	660,114.50
Longford	13	0	199,343.04
Louth	77	1	1,180,085.31
Mayo	60	4	582,006.68
Meath	134	1	2,105,972.20
Monaghan	14	4	223,340.76
Offaly	22	3	414,060.88
Roscommon	14	2	153,216.46
Sligo	26	0	295,063.23
Tipperary	43	0	524,773.61
Waterford	51	12	790,620.14
Westmeath	31	0	436,683.09
Wexford	82	1	890,695.26
Wicklow	61	8	758,427.54
Total No. of Prefab Units	1,780	99	25,247,248.68

Table B: Purchased Prefabs 2008, 2009, 2010
County	Primary	Post-Primary	Combined Cost
2008	No. of Prefabs	No. of Prefabs	For B + C
			€
Carlow	3	0	360,000.00
Cavan	6	0	692,725.00
Clare	15	0	1,316,912.00
Cork	24	11	3,102,914.00
Donegal	4	8	1,430,480.00
Dublin	43	3	4,367,633.00
Galway	12	5	2,268,768.00
Kerry	4	1	591,673.00
Kildare	9	5	2,484,723.00
Kilkenny	5	0	520,000.00
Laois	8	0	589,557.00
Leitrim	0	0	0.00
Limerick	5	3	746,270.00
Longford	3	0	360,000.00
Louth	11	1	1,509,594.00
Mayo	3	1	420,000.00
Meath	30	3	4,227,265.00
Monaghan	1	2	270,000.00
Offaly	6	2	696,828.00
Roscommon	2	0	250,944.00
Sligo	3	4	598,573.00
Tipperary	4	3	636,625.00
Waterford	4	9	1,086,599.00
Westmeath	8	7	1,367,466.00
Wexford	6	0	612,667.00
Wicklow	3	0	306,800.00
Total No. of Prefab Units	222	68	30,815,016.00

County	Primary	Post-Primary	Combined Cost
2009	No. of Prefabs	No. of Prefabs	For B + C
			€
Carlow	1	0	50,000.00
Cavan	2	0	73,060.00
Clare	2	0	199,361.00
Cork	11	8	1,416,399.00
Donegal	6	4	629,372.00
Dublin	17	16	2,492,570.00
Galway	8	7	1,090,984.00
Kerry	0	3	119,437.00
Kildare	3	0	243,822.00
Kilkenny	2	8	851,793.00
Laois	14	0	774,581.00
Leitrim	0	1	41,701.00
Limerick	4	1	265,734.00
Longford	3	0	190,750.00
Louth	2	0	198,745.00
Mayo	2	0	119,000.00
Meath	7	2	670,000.00
Monaghan	4	4	440,666.00
Offaly	3	0	300,000.00
Roscommon	0	0	0.00
Sligo	1	5	140,261.00
Tipperary	2	0	108,091.00
Waterford	4	0	346,987.00
Westmeath	2	1	230,208.00
Wexford	0	6	198,141.00
Wicklow	2	0	109,874.00
Total No. of Prefab Units	102	66	11,301,537.00

County	Primary	Post-Primary	Combined Cost
2010–To Sept 2010	No. of Prefabs	No. of Prefabs	For B + C
			€
Carlow	1	0	52,665.00
Cavan	1	0	130,000.00
Clare	0	0	0.00
Cork	7	6	949,704.00
Donegal	1	2	107,211.00
Dublin	16	6	1,714,479.00
Galway	6	0	682,452.00
Kerry	5	0	324,732.00
Kildare	0	0	0.00
Kilkenny	0	0	0.00
Laois	1	0	38,952.00
Leitrim	1	2	127,382.00
Limerick	4	0	364,109.00
Longford	7	0	371,382.00
Louth	3	2	440,000.00
Mayo	0	4	280,000.00
Meath	6	4	624,207.00
Monaghan	4	0	206,557.00
Offaly	0	0	0.00
Roscommon	0	0	0.00
Sligo	0	1	111,336.00
Tipperary	0	0	0.00
Waterford	0	0	0.00
Westmeath	0	0	0.00
Wexford	2	0	150,000.00
Wicklow	0	0	0.00
Total No. of Prefab Units	65	27	6,675,168.00

Table C — Rentals Sanctioned (3 Years) and Costs Involved
Primary And Post-Primary Schools
Year	Number of Prefab	Annual Rental
	Rentals Sanctioned	Cost For Prefabs Sanctioned
		€
2010	23	347,566.69
2009	49	632,462.92
2008	246	5,388,618.33

Community Employment Schemes

Seymour Crawford

Question:

133 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the possibility of increasing the number of personnel involved in community type work through FÁS or any other structure in view of the fact that there are now almost 440,000 persons unemployed; if she agrees with the fact that it would not only be in the interests of the participants to have the opportunity to work 19 to 20 hours per week, but it would also improve the services available to the elderly, disabled and communities in general; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28662/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The aim of the Community Employment Programme (CE) remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance and develop both their technical and personal skills.

Within current budgetary constraints, the number of places on CE have been increased to 23,300 in 2010. In delivering these places, FÁS will continue to operate flexibly in the management of this allocation in order to maximise progression to the labour market while at the same time facilitating the support of community services.

Computerisation Programme

Deirdre Clune

Question:

134 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to improve information and communications technology facilities in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32874/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The ICT in Schools Programme commenced in 1998 and since then €243m has been invested in the Programme. The Programme has addressed four broad areas.

Firstly, the provision of essential ICT infrastructure and networking within schools. Secondly, the provision of access to broadband connectivity to schools. Thirdly, up-skilling teachers' ICT skills and finally, integrating ICT within the curriculum and providing curriculum relevant digital content and software.

In November 2009, the "Smart Schools = Smart Economy" Report was published. This report builds on the 2008 strategy group report, and contains relevant recommendations in the context of how best to realise the potential of ICT use in schools. A Steering Group was established to oversee and advise on the implementation of the recommendations. Following the publication of the Smart Schools Report, €22m in ICT grants was provided to primary schools. A similar amount will issue shortly to post primary schools. In addition to the provision of ICT hardware there are significant developments on all aspects of the ICT in Schools Programme. The National Centre for Technology in Education contributes to the ICT in Schools Programme in several key respects. Under its Teaching Skills Initiative, the NCTE offers a range of ICT related training programmes. An estimated 12,000 training places were provided in 2009. Scoilnet, the national portal for digital content in Irish Education provides a central resource to teachers, pupils and parents, offering access to a growing repository of advice and information.

In relation to Broadband for schools, since the commencement of the rollout of phase II in 2009 there has already been over a 50% increase in aggregate bandwidth usage, this is due to improved bandwidth speeds being made available to schools and the substantial reduction in the number of schools who are connected via satellite.

My Department is working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in a pilot project to roll out 100 megabits broadband connectivity to 78 post primary schools. All 78 schools are now connected. The availability of 100 megabits will enable students to learn and collaborate on-line and will provide potential for new forms of collaboration between schools.

My Department will continue to implement the ambitious ICT in Schools Programme which will ensure that our schools are making the best use of ICT in teaching and learning.

State Examinations

Deirdre Clune

Question:

135 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to introduce a system for the awarding of CAO bonus points for Leaving Certificate maths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32873/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Report of the Innovation Task Force recommended that bonus points for Higher Level Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate should be announced now, for implementation from 2012 onwards, so that students beginning their Leaving certificate can make informed decisions about subject and level choice. I indicated my own view at the time of the desirability of sending a clear signal to our second level students about the introduction of CAO bonus points for achievement in Leaving Certificate mathematics at higher level.

Legally, the criteria for admission to higher education institutions are matters for decision by the institutions themselves. The Academic Councils of these institutions determine the admission arrangements for students.

I wrote to the President of the Irish Universities Association, the Chairman of Institutes of Technology Ireland and the President of the Dublin Institute of Technology asking them to give early and favourable consideration to the matter in the context of a suitably devised bonus points system which will successfully encourage more students to study higher level maths.

The Council of Registrars of IOTs has since indicated it is in favour of bonus points for Maths provided they are implemented across the system. Many, but not all of the universities, have also indicated their support for this. The Irish Universities Association is working to promote a co-ordinated approach to the issue across the sector, and will keep me informed of developments.

In the meantime, I have indicated in my Press Statement of 18 August that students who are entering senior cycle in September should be aware of the possibility of additional benefits of taking mathematics at higher level in terms of CAO applications from 2012 onwards and should take this possibility into account in making their Leaving Certificate subject choices.

Schools Building Projects

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

136 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when the design team for the extension to a community school (details supplied) in County Cork will be appointed; and if her attention has been drawn to the need to complete this extension for a school which was built for 450 pupils and now has more than 700 pupils. [33037/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The project referred to by the Deputy was included in the announcement earlier this year for the appointment of a design team. Since then, the National Council for Special Education has advised my Department of the need for an ASD Unit at post-primary level in that catchment area.

A revised Schedule of Accommodation which includes accommodation for an ASD Unit issued to the school at the end of August.

The tender process for appointment of a design team will commence shortly as part of a bundle of schools tendering in the coming weeks.

Educational Qualifications

Arthur Morgan

Question:

137 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Taoiseach the number of persons in the State with no formal educational qualifications as compared to other jurisdictions; the number of persons in the State with a third level qualification as compared to other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31947/10]

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

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Ireland and similar surveys across the EU collect information on the highest level of education attained by individuals. The group normally used for these comparisons is adults aged 25-64 years inclusive. Those aged under 25 years are not included as large numbers of people aged under 25 will not have completed their full-time education and thus cannot be meaningfully compared.

The EU Commission (Eurostat) collate data from the different EU surveys and regularly publish estimates.

Table 1 below presents the percentage of those aged 25-64 whose highest level of education attained is a third level qualification (ISCED 5-6). Table 2 presents the percentage of those aged 25-64 whose highest level of education attained is lower secondary level or lower (ISCED 0-2) which is the lowest level of education for which comparable EU data has been published. Data in both tables is presented for the period 2004 to 2009.

Table 1: Percentage of those aged 25 to 64 inclusive whose highest level of education attained is a third level qualification
	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Belgium	29.8	31.0	31.8	32.1	32.3	33.4
Bulgaria	21.4	21.6	21.9	22.4	22.8	23.0
Czech Republic	12.3	13.0	13.5	13.7	14.5	15.5
Denmark	32.3	33.5	34.7	31.2	33.7	33.3
Germany (including ex-GDR from 1991)	23.8	24.6	23.9	24.3	25.3	26.3
Estonia	31.5	33.3	33.3	33.3	34.3	36.0
Ireland	27.8	28.4	30.0	31.2	32.7	34.7
Greece	20.6	20.6	21.5	22.0	22.6	22.8
Spain	26.4	28.2	28.5	29.0	29.2	29.7
France	24.1	25.4	26.1	26.7	27.3	28.7
Italy	11.4	12.2	12.9	13.6	14.4	14.5
Cyprus	29.4	28.8	30.5	33.1	34.5	34.1
Latvia	19.4	20.5	21.1	22.5	25.2	26.1
Lithuania	24.2	26.3	26.8	28.9	30.4	31.0
Luxembourg (Grand-Duché)	23.7	26.5	24.0	26.5	27.7	34.0
Hungary	16.6	17.1	17.7	18.0	19.2	19.9
Malta	11.0	11.4	12.0	12.6	13.1	13.2
Netherlands	29.0	29.8	29.9	30.5	31.9	32.5
Austria	18.8	17.8	17.6	17.6	18.1	19.0
Poland	15.3	16.8	17.9	18.7	19.6	21.2
Portugal	12.6	12.8	13.5	13.7	14.3	14.7
Romania	10.4	11.1	11.7	12.0	12.8	13.2
Slovenia	18.8	20.2	21.4	22.2	22.6	23.3
Slovakia	12.8	14.0	14.5	14.4	14.8	15.8
Finland	34.0	34.6	35.1	36.4	36.6	37.3
Sweden	27.9	29.0	30.4	31.1	31.8	32.9
United Kingdom	28.0	28.5	29.5	30.6	31.8	33.1
Norway	31.9	32.6	33.1	34.4	35.4	35.8
Switzerland	28.1	28.7	29.8	31.3	33.6	35.2
Croatia	16.2	16.0	16.2	16.2	16.6	17.7
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the	*	*	13.1	14.2	13.4	14.8
Turkey	*	*	9.8	10.2	10.9	11.5

*Not available.

Table 2: Percentage of those aged 25 to 64 inclusive whose highest level of education attained is lower secondary level or below
	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Belgium	36.4	33.9	33.1	32.0	30.4	29.4
Bulgaria	28.4	27.5	24.5	22.6	22.5	22.1
Czech Republic	11.0	10.1	9.7	9.5	9.1	8.6
Denmark	18.6	19.0	18.3	23.8	21.9	23.0
Germany (including ex-GDR from 1991)	15.4	16.9	16.7	15.6	14.6	14.5
Estonia	11.1	10.9	11.5	10.9	11.5	11.1
Ireland	36.4	34.6	32.9	31.4	29.5	27.5
Greece	41.3	40.0	41.0	40.2	38.9	38.8
Spain	55.0	51.5	50.6	49.6	49.0	48.5
France	34.5	33.3	32.7	31.5	30.4	29.6
Italy	51.1	49.6	48.7	47.7	46.7	45.7
Cyprus	35.6	33.4	30.5	27.9	26.9	27.6
Latvia	16.0	15.5	15.5	15.0	14.2	13.2
Lithuania	13.3	12.4	11.7	11.1	9.4	8.7
Luxembourg (Grand-Duché)	36.8	34.1	34.5	34.2	32.1	22.1
Hungary	24.9	23.6	21.9	20.8	20.3	19.4
Malta	76.8	74.7	73.9	73.3	72.5	72.3
Netherlands	28.9	27.9	27.3	26.5	26.5	26.4
Austria	20.1	19.4	19.7	19.9	19.0	18.1
Poland	16.6	15.2	14.2	13.7	12.9	12.0
Portugal	74.7	73.5	72.4	72.5	71.8	70.1
Romania	28.8	26.9	25.8	25.0	24.7	25.3
Slovenia	20.7	19.7	18.4	18.2	18.0	16.7
Slovakia	13.4	12.1	11.2	10.9	10.1	9.1
Finland	22.4	21.2	20.4	19.5	18.9	18.0
Sweden	17.0	16.4	21.0	20.5	19.9	19.2
United Kingdom	28.4	27.3	26.1	25.4	26.4	25.2
Norway	12.7	11.8	21.5	21.3	20.0	19.4
Switzerland	17.5	17.0	14.8	14.0	13.2	13.1
Croatia	28.6	27.2	25.9	24.7	24.1	23.2
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the	*	*	42.4	39.5	40.8	38.8
Turkey	*	*	73.9	73.4	72.6	71.8

*Not Available.

Overseas Visitors

Deirdre Clune

Question:

138 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Taoiseach the number of overseas visitors in each month since the introduction of the €10 travel tax in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32498/10]

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

Data on overseas travel to Ireland is published in the CSO's Overseas Travel release. These results are based on the CSO's Country of Residence Survey, which is carried out continuously at airports and ports in the Republic of Ireland. The results of the survey are expressed in terms of the number of "trips" rather than the number of "visitors" which was requested by the Deputy.

The travel tax was levied in respect of every departure of a passenger on an aircraft from an Irish airport on or after 30 March 2009. The most recently published figures are for June 2010. The next release of the Overseas Travel is scheduled for late November 2010 and will contain the figures for July, August and September.

The following table shows numbers of trips to Ireland classified by air and sea passengers, from March 2009 to June 2010.

Table: Overseas Trips to Ireland by Mode of travel
Period	Trips to Ireland	Trips to Ireland
		Air	Sea
2009
March*	532,800	487,500	45,300
April	607,800	535,200	72,600
May	657,500	573,900	83,600
June	636,600	555,200	81,400
July	759,600	648,600	111,100
August	823,100	667,400	155,700
September	594,600	517,400	77,200
October	551,300	485,500	65,900
November	421,200	388,900	32,200
December	473,600	419,600	54,000

2010
January	313,800	285,900	27,900
February	336,800	307,000	29,800
March	434,200	386,100	48,100
April**	438,900	339,100	99,800
May**	502,500	417,500	84,900
June	600,300	502,900	97,400

Source: CSO Overseas Travel Survey.

*Travel tax was levied in respect of every departure of a passenger on an aircraft from an Irish airport on or after 30 March 2009.

**Extensive disruption occurred in April and early May due to closures of Irish airspace due to volcanic ash.

European Economic and Social Committee

Mattie McGrath

Question:

139 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the persons BirdWatch Ireland represents; the number of members in that organisation; if he will confirm their capacity for economic and social research and analysis to justify their replacing the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association representative to the European Economic and Social Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33796/10]

Mattie McGrath

Question:

140 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when it was decided that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers representative to the European Economic and Social Council would be reallocated to a representative of BirdWatch Ireland; the person who made this decision; the reason it was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31713/10]

Mattie McGrath

Question:

141 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of whom BirdWatch Ireland represents; the number of members of same; their capacity for economic and social research and analysis to justify their replacing the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers representative to the European Economic and Social Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31715/10]

Andrew Doyle

Question:

143 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach his views on the reduction of farming representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee in favour of an environmental representative from BirdWatch Ireland; if representations were made to him with regard to this change; the nominations he proposed for the EESC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31348/10]

Andrew Doyle

Question:

150 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach the reason a change has been made to the structure of the European Economic and Social Committee, reducing the number of farming representatives from two to one; the basis on which this decision was made; whose interests it serves to replace a representative from the farming community with a representative of BirdWatch Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31776/10]

Mattie McGrath

Question:

166 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the date on which it was decided that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association representative to the European Economic and Social Committee would be reallocated to a representative of BirdWatch Ireland; the person that made this decision; the reason it was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33793/10]

Mattie McGrath

Question:

167 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the persons or organisations that BirdWatch Ireland represents; the number of members it has; their capacity for economic and social research and analysis to justify their replacing the ICMSA representative to the European Economic and Social Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33795/10]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, 143, 150, 166 and 167, inclusive, together.

In June 2010 the Government sought nominations to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) from the social partners in line with long-established practice.

Ireland has nine places on the EESC and our nominations are divided equally between the three constituent Groups of the EESC: Employers; Employees; and Various Interests. The nominations were forwarded by the Government to the Secretariat of the European Council.

The Various Interests Group on the EESC comprises representatives of a wide variety of organisations, including non-governmental organisations, farmers' organisations, co-operatives and non-profit associations, and environmental organisations. The EESC is mandated to consider environmental issues and environmental sustainability is a key focus of European policy. Other countries have long had environmental organisation representatives among their nominees.

For the first time, Ireland's nominees to the Various Interests Group of the EESC included a representative from the Environmental Pillar. This change reflects the decision which was taken by Government last year to create a fifth Pillar of Social Partnership to represent Environmental concerns and was not in response to representations received.

The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership consists of twenty seven organisations with a diverse range of interests. The Environmental Pillar selected an employee of BirdWatch Ireland as its nominee on the Committee. She is therefore a representative of the twenty seven organisations in the Environmental Pillar and environmental interests more generally. The Environmental Pillar representative will be able to draw on the combined capacity for economic, social and environmental research and analysis of the constituent members of the Pillar and its secretariat. Information on the membership of BirdWatch Ireland and its objectives may be obtained directly from that organisation.

Given that there is an overall limit of nine Irish places, it was necessary to reduce the nominations from the Farming Pillar from two to one. This change to the composition of the Irish representation on the EESC does not reflect any diminution of the Government's commitment to the agricultural industry. The farming sector is an extremely important part of the Irish economy and the Government continues to strongly support its development at national and EU level. The Food Harvest 2020 Strategy sets out a roadmap for the agricultural industry and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is chairing a high level group to oversee its implementation.

It is also important to note that the Farming Pillar of social partnership and farming interests continue to be represented on the EESC through a representative of the Irish Farmers' Association.

Dáil Reform

Joe Carey

Question:

142 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Taoiseach if he intends to publish proposals on Dáil reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31758/10]

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

The proposals agreed at Government were brought before the relevant forum of the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform.

Work is ongoing with the various Party representatives on this Sub-Committee with a view to achieving the highest possible level of cross-party consensus in relation to proposals for the reform of Dáil procedures.

I do not believe that publication of the Government's proposals at this point in time would in any way help to expedite the achievement of that consensus.

Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 139.

Job Creation

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. In line with EU requirements the QNHS collects sector of employment information according to the standard EU classification (NACE). The sectors for which data is requested cannot be specifically identified within the NACE classification. The table below shows the number of persons employed in quarter 2 of each year from 2005 to 2010 and the overall change over the period classified by NACE sector as published by the CSO.

Tourism related employment would be spread across sectors (primarily Accommodation and food service activities and Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities) while energy employment (Industry), communications employment (Information and communication) and sports employment (Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities) would in the main be sub-sectors of sectors for which estimates are currently published.

It must also be noted that the table shows the overall number of persons employed at the given points in time. Changes in this stock level cannot be directly interpreted as being a number of jobs created as it is the net change occurring which will be impacted by both new jobs created and jobs lost in the sector in question. Data on number of jobs created is not available from existing data sources.

Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by sex and NACE Rev. 2 Economic Sector, Quarter 2 2005 – Quarter 2 2010
		’000
Economic sector (NACE Rev. 2)	Apr-Jun ’05	Apr-Jun ’06	Apr-Jun ’07	Apr-Jun ’08	Apr-Jun ’09	Apr-Jun ’10	Change ’05-’10
		All persons
A	Agriculture, forestry and fishing	109.8	108.9	108.5	114.8	97.2	84.9	-24.9
B-E	Industry	286.9	293.9	299.0	287.3	258.3	240.1	-46.8
F	Construction	227.5	251.6	269.9	241.4	155.4	125.3	-102.2
G	Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	268.7	282.1	297.2	307.3	277.7	269.1	0.4
H	Transportation and storage	90.9	94.2	93.5	92.9	94.6	89.7	-1.2
I	Accommodation and food service activities	116.9	124.8	130.6	125.4	119.8	119.8	2.9
J	Information and communication	65.5	69.8	70.5	71.1	73.5	74.1	8.6
K-L	Financial, insurance and real estate activities	92.2	94.3	101.1	105.1	108.7	103.2	11.0
M	Professional, scientific and technical activities	96.2	101.9	109.8	116.6	102.6	100.9	4.7
N	Administrative and support service activities	66.9	70.3	78.3	76.3	65.9	61.3	-5.6
O	Public administration and defence; compulsory social security	98.8	102.4	102.3	102.7	107.7	107.8	9.0
P	Education	126.1	136.3	141.5	146.3	150.4	149.8	23.7
Q	Human health and social work activities	185.6	200.5	210.3	220.8	227.8	234.9	49.3
R-U	Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities	112.7	103.8	101.4	104.7	98.7	98.1	-14.6
Total persons	1,944.6	2,034.9	2,113.9	2,112.8	1,938.5	1,859.1	-85.5

Data may be subject to future revision.

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

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

Source: Quarterly National Houehold Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Departmental Expenditure

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

149 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Taoiseach the amount awarded by his Department to any of the organisations involved in social partnership for each of the years from 2004 to date in 2010; the details of such payments; the amount awarded and the details of such payments by each of the agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31775/10]

The Taoiseach

The table below details payments made by my Department and bodies under its aegis to organisations involved in Social Partnership from 2004 to end of August 2010.

Year	Organisation	Details	€
2004	Irish Congress of Trade Unions	ICTU Launch of Information Campaign during the Irish Presidency 2004	20,000
2007	Age Action Ireland Limited	Payment of Grant from Information Society and eInclusion Fund (Access Skills and Content Initiative)*	139,924.40
	Irish Congress of Trade Unions	Production of 1907 Dockers & Carters Strike in Belfast — funded through the Commemoration Initiative*	10,000.00
	The Wheel (Rotha Teoranta)	Payment of grant from Information Society and eInclusion Fund (Access Skills and Content Initiative)*	113,279.00
	Macra na Feirme	Sponsorship of National Debating Competition by the National Forum on Europe	10,000.00
	Building and Allied Trade Union (BATU)	Pilot project on Alternative Dispute Resolution in the construction sector funded through the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP)	†21,000.00
2008	Age Action Ireland	Payment of grant under ASC fund (Access Skills and Content Initiative)*	17,546.60
	Macra na Feirme	Sponsorship of National Debating Competition (May 2008) by the National Forum on Europe	5,000.00

†While €21,000 was allocated by the NCPP to this project, actual expenditure to date has been €5,420.00.

*These grants were made as part of a scheme of grants for which applications were publicly invited and accessed by reference to stated criteria.

Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 139.

Census Information

Leo Varadkar

Question:

151 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the age distribution of the population in each electoral district of Dublin West in the latest revision; the distribution by social class in each electoral district; the distribution of permanent private households by year their house was built in each electoral district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31794/10]

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

The Census 2006 results were made available for Dáil constituencies as defined by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 16) Act 2005 which was in force at the time of the census. It is only possible to provide Census 2006 information for a revised constituency where it is defined in terms of complete electoral divisions. As this is not the case for Dublin West as detailed in the Report on Dail and European Parliament Constituencies 2007 the information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Migration Statistics

Richard Bruton

Question:

152 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the estimated age profile of inward migration and of outward migration and of net migration flows in each of the past five years. [31821/10]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is in set out in the following table which was taken from the Annual Population and Migration Release, published in respect of Mid-April each year. The table distinguishes immigrants and emigrants by Sex and Age Group for the years 2006-2010.

Estimated Migration classified by Age Group, 2006 – 2010¹
Age groups	0 – 14	15 – 24	25 – 44	45 – 64	65 and over	Total
	Persons
	Immigrants (000)
Year ending April
2006	11.5	31.6	57.2	6.1	1.4	107.8
2007	11.7	30.3	59.8	6.9	0.9	109.5
2008	13.6	23.7	39.2	5.8	1.5	83.8
2009	5.9	16.3	29.8	3.9	1.4	57.3
2010	3.6	8.2	14.6	3.0	1.4	30.8
	Emigrants (000)
Year ending April
2006	2.2	15.9	14.2	2.0	1.6	36.0
2007	1.3	16.6	19.3	2.7	2.3	42.2
2008	1.5	18.2	20.3	2.6	2.8	45.3
2009	1.2	28.8	30.4	2.6	2.0	65.1
2010	1.2	28.2	29.9	3.5	2.5	65.3
	Net Migration (000)
Year ending April
2006	9.3	15.7	43.0	4.1	-0.2	71.8
2007	10.4	13.7	40.5	4.2	-1.4	67.3
2008	12.1	5.5	18.9	3.2	-1.3	38.5
2009	4.7	-12.5	-0.6	1.3	-0.6	-7.8
2010	2.4	-20.0	-15.3	-0.5	-1.1	-34.5

12007-2010 are preliminary.

Foreign Nationals Data

Richard Bruton

Question:

153 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of persons over 15 years of age who are not Irish citizens who were at work, unemployed, students or engaged in home duties in each of the past five years in different age groups. [31822/10]

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

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates relating to the labour force. Due to difficulties in accurately capturing the number of non-Irish nationals in the state through the QNHS estimates relating to nationality, particularly those involving lower orders of magnitude, must be seen as tentative.

The data requested by the Deputy in relation to non-Irish nationals classified by Principal Economic Status and age group in respect of the second quarter 2006 to second quarter 2010 inclusive are presented in the table below:

Non-Irish nationals aged 15 years and over classified by Principal Economic Status and age group, Q2 2006
	’000
Principal Economic	Age Group
Status	15-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+	Total
At work	45.6	120.2	56.4	24.2	9.2	1.1	256.8
Unemployed	4.8	8.0	4.9	2.6	1.0	*	21.4
Student	22.4	8.6	1.0	*	*	*	32.9
Home duties	3.1	17.3	11.2	3.7	3.6	3.6	42.5
Total persons	75.9	154.2	73.5	31.3	13.9	4.8	353.6

Non-Irish nationals aged 15 years and over classified by Principal Economic Status and age group, Q2 2007
	’000
Principal Economic	Age Group
Status	15-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+	Total
At work	49.8	151.8	67.1	27.1	10.2	*	306.6
Unemployed	4.6	8.7	4.8	2.3	*	*	20.8
Student	22.1	9.4	2.9	*	*	*	34.7
Home duties	4.1	20.2	13.8	4.4	3.6	3.9	50.0
Total persons	80.5	190.1	88.7	33.9	14.1	4.6	412.0

Non-Irish nationals aged 15 years and over classified by Principal Economic Status and age group, Q2 2008
	’000
Principal Economic	Age Group
Status	15-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+	Total
At work	45.8	157.1	72.6	32.0	12.6	1.0	321.1
Unemployed	6.2	10.5	6.3	2.5	1.5	*	26.9
Student	25.0	13.2	3.1	*	*	*	42.1
Home duties	5.2	23.3	14.8	6.2	5.2	4.9	59.6
Total persons	82.2	204.1	96.8	41.4	19.4	5.9	449.8

Non-Irish nationals aged 15 years and over classified by Principal Economic Status and age group, Q2 2009
	’000
Principal Economic	Age Group
Status	15-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+	Total
At work	30.6	131.0	62.8	32.4	10.9	1.0	268.7
Unemployed	7.1	23.3	14.4	6.8	2.8	*	54.5
Student	25.8	8.6	1.9	*	*	*	36.7
Home duties	3.4	22.0	15.4	6.4	5.5	5.2	57.8
Total persons	66.9	184.9	94.5	46.0	19.3	6.2	417.8

Non Irish nationals aged 15 years and over classified by Principal Economic Status and age group, Q2 2010
	’000
Principal Economic	Age Group
Status	15-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65+	Total
At work	18.5	112.2	58.9	25.3	9.7	*	225.1
Unemployed	4.7	21.9	13.0	8.1	2.3	*	50.0
Student	28.1	8.0	2.4	1.2	*	*	39.8
Home duties	4.4	19.5	15.4	6.4	3.1	3.6	52.4
Total persons	55.6	161.6	89.8	41.0	15.1	4.2	367.3

*Population estimates of less than 1,000 are deemed too small for publication purposes due to reliability concerns.

Sampling or other survey errors are greater in respect of smaller estimates.

Data may be subject to future revision.

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

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Migration Flows

Richard Bruton

Question:

154 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the gross inward and outward migration flows for Irish citizens and for non-Irish citizens in each of the past five years. [31823/10]

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

The information requested by the Deputy is in set out in the following table which was taken from the annual Population and Migration Release, published in respect of Mid-April each year. The table distinguishes immigrants and emigrants by Irish and non-Irish nationality for the years 2006 to 2010.

Estimated Immigration and Emigration (Persons in April) by Year¹ and Nationality
	Immigrants (000)	Emigrants (000)
	Irish	Non Irish	Total	Irish	Non Irish	Total
2006	18.9	88.9	107.8	15.3	20.7	36.0
2007	20.0	89.5	109.5	13.1	29.1	42.2
2008	16.2	67.6	83.8	13.4	31.9	45.3
2009	18.4	38.9	57.3	18.4	46.7	65.1
2010	13.3	17.5	30.8	27.7	37.6	65.3

12007 to 2010 are preliminary.

Employment Levels

Richard Bruton

Question:

155 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the employment rate that is the percentage of the total population at work; the unemployment rate that is the percentage of the labour force out of work at different levels of completed education, primary, secondary, third level, fourth and different age categories. [31824/10]

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

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates relating to the labour force.

The most recent figures available are for Quarter 2 2010.

The table below presents estimates of the employment and the unemployment rates of persons aged 15 and over classified by age group and highest level of education attained. It should be noted that the employment rates presented for all persons aged 15 and over at the end of the table will not match published employment rates as presented in table 12 of the quarterly QNHS release as the published rates refer to the population aged 15-64 in line with international convention.

Employment and unemployment rates¹ for persons aged 15 and over, classified by age group and the highest level of education attained, April-June 2010
	Highest education level attained	Employment rate	Unemployment rate
		%	%
All persons aged 15 to 24	Primary or below	3.3	41.5
	Lower secondary	11.2	45.4
	Higher secondary	42.4	26.9
	Post leaving cert	52.9	33.3
	Third level non-honours degree	57.8	21.2
	Third level honours degree or above	66.0	18.6
	Other including not stated	40.6	*
	Total persons aged 15 to 24	30.8	28.7
All persons aged 25 to 34	Primary or below	26.6	42.5
	Lower secondary	44.7	33.9
	Higher secondary	67.5	17.6
	Post leaving cert	69.0	20.7
	Third level non-honours degree	80.9	9.4
	Third level honours degree or above	85.4	6.8
	Other including not stated	66.3	13.7
	Total persons aged 25 to 34	71.7	14.6
All persons aged 35 to 44	Primary or below	39.5	26.1
	Lower secondary	59.4	20.4
	Higher secondary	67.5	13.3
	Post leaving cert	70.5	13.3
	Third level non-honours degree	77.2	8.9
	Third level honours degree or above	85.1	5.8
	Other including not stated	59.9	16.8
	Total persons aged 35 to 44	70.7	12.0
All persons aged 45 to 54	Primary or below	43.3	21.0
	Lower secondary	59.4	16.4
	Higher secondary	73.0	8.1
	Post leaving cert	70.0	13.0
	Third level non-honours degree	82.5	6.4
	Third level honours degree or above	86.9	4.1
	Other including not stated	64.0	12.9
	Total persons aged 45 to 54	69.6	10.4
All persons aged 55 to 64	Primary or below	35.6	11.2
	Lower secondary	49.9	10.5
	Higher secondary	57.1	4.9
	Post leaving cert	52.7	13.5
	Third level non-honours degree	62.4	5.1
	Third level honours degree or above	69.4	3.6
	Other including not stated	47.8	*
	Total persons aged 55 to 64	50.7	8.3
All persons aged 65 and over	Primary or below	6.2	*
	Lower secondary	9.4	*
	Higher secondary	10.5	*
	Post leaving cert	12.5	*
	Third level non-honours degree	10.9	*
	Third level honours degree or above	18.7	*
	Other including not stated	*	*
	Total persons aged 65 and over	8.7	*
All persons aged 15 and over	Primary or below	19.4	18.2
	Lower secondary	36.7	22.4
	Higher secondary	57.0	15.3
	Post leaving cert	61.7	17.5
	Third level non-honours degree	71.5	8.9
	Third level honours degree or above	78.8	6.6
	Other including not stated	56.6	14.4
	Total persons aged 15 and over	52.9	13.6

*Population estimates of less than 1,000 are deemed too small for publication purposes due to reliability concerns.

1The employment rate represents the percentage of the population (or sub-population) that is in employment. The unemployment rate, on the other hand, represents the percentage of the labour force that are unemployed in any given population.

Data may be subject to future revision.

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

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Earnings Data

Richard Bruton

Question:

156 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the average earnings level of persons at different levels of completed education and different sectors, that is industrial, private services and public services. [31825/10]

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

The Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS) is the official source of short term statistics on earnings and data is presented relating to average earnings in different economic sectors. The latest published data is for the first quarter of 2010 and this data is presented in table 1 below. It can be noted that EHECS does not collect information on the educational level of employees.

Information of that nature is collected through the National Employment Survey (NES) which attempts to highlight differences in earnings levels according to different characteristics of employees. The latest published data from the NES is for 2007. Table 2 below shows the average earnings of persons at different levels of completed education as of 2007 distinguished by gender and public/private sector.

Table 1: Average weekly and average hourly earnings by sector, Quarter 1 2010 (EHECS)
NACE Economic Sector	Average Earnings per Week	Average Hourly earnings
	€	€
Industry (B to E)	800.16	22.13
Construction (F)	726.88	20.46
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G)	483.59	16.47
Transportation and storage (H)	680.15	19.21
Accommodation and food service activities (I)	316.91	12.67
Information and communication (J)	905.96	25.70
Financial, insurance and real estate activities (K, L)	1,013.59	30.53
Professional, scientific and technical activities (M)	856.30	26.50
Administrative and support service activities (N)	490.55	16.53
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (O)	925.32	26.58
Education (P)	809.24	33.96
Human health and social work activities (Q)	699.06	24.02
Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities (R, S)	451.51	15.98
All NACE economic sectors	682.91	22.10
Private Sector	614.02	19.80
Public Sector	882.24	28.87

*Preliminary Estimates.

Table 2: Average hourly earnings by educational attainment, private/public sector status¹ and sex, October 2007
Level of educational attainment	Private sector	Public sector¹	Total
	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
	€	€	€	€	€	€	€	€	€
Primary or lower secondary	16.71	12.64	15.17	20.29	18.28	19.30	17.26	13.90	15.92
Higher secondary	17.48	14.54	16.14	22.65	19.68	20.95	18.16	15.70	16.97
Post leaving certificate	19.16	14.49	17.65	24.04	19.17	21.38	19.71	15.62	18.25
Third level non degree	21.53	17.27	19.10	27.59	22.49	23.91	22.62	18.84	20.32
Third level degree or higher	27.82	20.82	24.41	39.22	33.26	35.11	30.86	26.54	28.42
Total	19.77	15.94	18.07	28.17	25.79	26.67	21.17	18.91	20.08

1Public Sector including semi-state companies. See background notes for further information.

Economic Dependency Ratios

Arthur Morgan

Question:

157 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Taoiseach the economic dependency ratio here for each of the past ten years; the economic dependency ratio on a county basis; the economic dependency ratio as compared to other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31979/10]

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

The information requested by the Deputy regarding dependency ratios is not available at a county level for each of the past ten years. However, the breakdown is available at a NUTS3 level and is set out below. The data was derived from the annual Population and Migration Estimates releases, published in respect of Mid-April each year. For comparison purposes an additional table detailing dependency ratios in the European Union is set out below.

Dependency ratios in Ireland by NUTS3, 2000 – 2010¹
	Dependency ratios	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
		percentage
State	Young dependency	32.6	32.0	31.2	30.9	30.7	30.3	29.8	29.6	30.1	31.0	31.9
	Old dependency	16.7	16.6	16.4	16.3	16.3	16.3	15.9	15.8	15.9	16.3	17.0
	Total dependency	49.4	48.5	47.6	47.2	47.0	46.5	45.7	45.4	46.0	47.3	48.9
Border	Young dependency	35.7	35.1	34.7	34.0	33.3	33.1	32.7	32.2	32.5	32.9	33.6
	Old dependency	19.8	19.5	19.2	18.9	18.7	18.7	18.1	17.9	18.1	18.4	18.3
	Total dependency	55.5	54.6	53.9	53.0	52.0	51.7	50.9	50.2	50.6	51.3	51.9
Dublin	Young dependency	28.9	28.2	27.1	26.9	26.8	26.4	25.9	25.8	26.5	27.6	29.0
	Old dependency	14.4	14.4	14.4	14.4	14.5	14.6	14.5	14.3	14.5	14.9	16.0
	Total dependency	43.3	42.6	41.5	41.3	41.4	41.1	40.4	40.0	41.0	42.5	45.0
Mid-East	Young dependency	35.1	34.4	34.2	33.7	33.6	33.4	32.9	33.0	33.7	34.7	35.6
	Old dependency	12.4	12.2	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.7	11.5	11.5	11.7	12.2	12.6
	Total dependency	47.5	46.6	46.2	45.6	45.4	45.1	44.4	44.5	45.4	47.0	48.2
Midland	Young dependency	36.3	35.6	35.2	34.9	34.8	34.2	33.4	33.3	33.7	34.6	35.7
	Old dependency	18.2	18.0	17.8	17.5	17.2	17.0	16.5	16.2	16.3	16.9	17.5
	Total dependency	54.5	53.6	53.0	52.4	52.0	51.2	49.9	49.5	50.0	51.5	53.2
Mid-West	Young dependency	33.1	32.3	31.5	31.5	31.3	31.0	30.4	30.3	30.7	31.4	31.9
	Old dependency	17.4	17.3	17.3	17.3	17.4	17.2	16.9	16.8	16.7	17.3	17.6
	Total dependency	50.6	49.6	48.9	48.7	48.8	48.2	47.3	47.1	47.4	48.6	49.5
South-East	Young dependency	34.6	34.0	33.5	33.3	33.1	32.6	31.9	31.6	31.9	32.6	33.3
	Old dependency	18.0	17.8	17.8	17.8	17.9	17.8	17.4	17.4	17.5	18.0	18.7
	Total dependency	52.7	51.8	51.2	51.1	51.0	50.5	49.3	49.0	49.4	50.6	52.0
South-West	Young dependency	32.2	31.6	30.9	30.7	30.4	29.8	29.4	29.3	29.5	30.3	31.2
	Old dependency	17.9	17.9	17.8	17.8	17.8	17.6	17.1	16.9	17.0	17.5	18.3
	Total dependency	50.1	49.5	48.6	48.5	48.2	47.4	46.6	46.2	46.5	47.8	49.5
West	Young dependency	34.4	33.4	32.0	31.3	30.9	30.2	30.1	29.7	30.1	30.6	31.4
	Old dependency	20.9	20.5	19.6	19.3	19.1	18.7	18.3	18.2	18.3	18.6	18.7
	Total dependency	55.3	53.9	51.6	50.6	50.1	49.0	48.4	47.9	48.4	49.2	50.1

1Data for years 2000-2005 is based on the de facto definition of population while data for years 2006-2010 is based on the usual resident concept.

Dependency ratio for the European Union for 1st January 2009 (data sourced from Eurostat with the exception of the UK, see footnote)
Geography	Young dependency	Old dependency	Total dependency
	%	%	%
European Union (27 countries)	22.8	25.6	48.4
Belgium*
Bulgaria	19.4	25.2	44.6
Czech Republic	19.9	20.9	40.8
Denmark	27.8	24.1	51.9
Germany (including ex-GDR)	20.6	30.6	51.1
Estonia	22.0	25.2	47.2
Greece	21.4	27.9	49.3
Spain	21.5	24.2	45.8
France	28.5	25.4	53.8
Italy	21.4	30.5	51.9
Cyprus	24.4	18.1	42.5
Latvia	19.9	25.0	44.9
Lithuania	21.9	23.2	45.1
Luxembourg (Grand-Duché)	26.4	20.4	46.8
Hungary	21.6	21.5	43.2
Malta	22.6	19.6	42.2
Netherlands	26.4	22.3	48.6
Austria	22.4	25.7	48.1
Poland	21.5	18.9	40.4
Portugal	22.8	23.7	46.4
Romania	21.7	21.3	43.0
Slovenia	20.1	23.6	43.7
Slovakia	21.3	16.7	38.0
Finland	25.2	25.2	50.3
Sweden	25.4	27.1	52.5
England¹	26.5	24.6	51.1
Wales¹	26.4	28.3	54.7
Scotland¹	24.5	25.0	49.5
Northern Ireland¹	30.3	21.6	52.0

1Dependency ratios in the UK are based on mid 2009 population estimates sourced from the Office of National Statistics, UK.

*No data available for Belgium on Eurostat website.

The young and old dependency ratios are derived by expressing the young population (aged 0-14 years) and the old population (aged 65 years and over) as percentages of the population of working age (15-64 years).

The total dependency ratio is the sum of the young and old ratios.

Departmental Funding

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

158 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he has received a request for financial assistance from an organisation (details supplied) to help fund participation by the Artane Boys Band in events to commemorate World War I at the Island of Ireland Peace Park, Belgium, later this year; if his Department is in a position to assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32022/10]

The Taoiseach

My Department has received correspondence from A Journey of Remembering seeking funding towards the cost of a possible visit by the Artane Boys Band to the Island of Ireland Peace Park, Belgium, the Somme, France and a number of other places of historical interest.

My Department has been in contact with this organisation to seek further details regarding the proposal. The request will be considered in due course for funding under the Commemoration Initiatives Fund which is administered by my Department.

Earnings Data

Damien English

Question:

159 Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the average industrial wage for persons in the State for each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 with a breakdown for each year for male and female employees in tabular form. [32265/10]

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

The Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS) is the official source of short term earnings data. Through this survey data is only collected at the level of the enterprise (i.e. each enterprise makes one return indicating overall earnings, numbers of employees and hours worked for the enterprise as a whole) so estimates cannot be broken down by gender. The latest published data is for the first quarter of 2010.

Table 1 below presents the overall annual average earnings of production, transport and other manual workers in the industrial sector for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. As the level of earnings will vary across the year a meaningful annual average cannot at this stage be estimated for 2010. For an indication of the latest trend table 2 shows average weekly earnings for this group of workers in the first quarter of each year from 2007 to 2010.

Table 1: Annual Average Industrial Earnings 2007-2009
NACE Industry B-E
Production, transport and other manual workers
Year	€
2007	32,730
2008	34,720
2009*	33,865

*Preliminary Estimate.

Table 2: Average Weekly Industrial Earnings, Quarter 1 2007- Quarter 1 2010
NACE Industry B-E
Production, transport and other manual workers
Quarter	€
Q1 2007	606.39
Q1 2008	632.47
Q1 2009	620.35
Q1 2010*	619.29

*Preliminary Estimate.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar

Question:

160 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32280/10]

The Taoiseach

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost to my Department of salaries and expenses for staff employed in my Constituency Office, the Constituency Office of the Ministers of State in my Department and those of my predecessor and the Ministers of State attached to my Department from June 2007 to date are set out in the following tables.

The tables also provide details of the miscellaneous costs attributed to Constituency Offices such as stationery and office equipment consumables, but it should be noted that the costs such as utilities and general services are not apportioned on an individual office basis but cover the whole Department.

My Department does not hold information on office space occupied by Constituency Offices based outside my Department and estimated values of office space for Constituency Offices, whether based in my Department or elsewhere, are also not available.

Mr. Dick Roche T.D. is Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs. Mr. Dara Calleary T.D. was appointed Minister of State at my Department with special responsibility for Public Transformation on 23rd March, 2010. Neither of these Ministers of State have constituency offices based in my Department.

Former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern
Period	WTE	Grade	Salary & Expenses	Location of Constituency Office	Size of Constituency Office in Dept of the Taoiseach	Miscellaneous Constituency Office Costs
			€			€
14/06/07 – 31/12/07	1	Personal Assistant	37,898	1. Dept of the Taoiseach	82 sq metres	8,090.54
	1	Personal Assistant	33,942
	1	Personal Secretary	23,647
	1	Executive Officer	23,005
	1	Clerical Officer	20,085
	1	Clerical Officer	16,584
	1	Clerical Officer	19,755
	1	Clerical Officer	17,796
1/1/08 – 06/05/08	1	Personal Assistant	25,377		82 sq metres	9,112.91
	1	Personal Assistant	20,349
	1	Personal Secretary	10,006
	1	Executive Officer	20,006
	1	Clerical Officer	9,195
	1	Clerical Officer	11,474
	1	Clerical Officer	14,974
	1	Clerical Officer	4,731
07/05/08 – 31/12/08		Nil			Nil	Nil
01/01/09 – 31/12/09		Nil			Nil	Nil

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen
Period	WTE	Grade	Salary & Expenses	Location of Constituency Office	Size of Constituency Office in Dept of the Taoiseach	Miscellaneous Constituency Office Costs
			€			€
07/05/08 to 31/12/08	1	Personal Assistant	32,452	1. Dept of the Taoiseach	54 sq metres	6,789.94
	1	Personal Assistant	30,220	2. Tullamore
	1	Office Manager	40,327
	1	Personal Secretary	23,570
	1	Personal Secretary	23,294
	1	Personal Assistant	33,351
	1	Clerical Officer	13,700
	1	Clerical Officer	8,458
01/01/09 to 31/12/09	1	Personal Assistant	51,684		54 sq metres	10,335.33
	1	Personal Assistant	48,382
	1	Office Manager	67,526
	1	Personal Secretary	40,197
	1	Personal Secretary	40,039
	1	Personal Assistant	56,160
	1	Clerical Officer	16,868
01/01/10 – 31/08/10	1	Personal Assistant	34,340		54 sq metres	6,409.74
	1	Personal Assistant	33,053
	1	Office Manager	42,605
	1	Personal Secretary	27,964
	1	Personal Secretary	26,897
	1	Personal Assistant	34,950

Former Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt
Period	WTE	Grade	Salary & Expenses	Location of Constituency Office	Size of Constituency Office in Dept of the Taoiseach	Miscellaneous Constituency Office Costs
			€			€
14/06/07 – 31/12/07	1	Personal Assistant	27,794	Dept of the Taoiseach	48 sq metres	1,408.94
	1	Personal Assistant	26,555
	1	Staff Officer	22,541
	1	Staff Officer	23,091
01/01/08 to 06/05/08	1	Personal Assistant	47,201		48 sq metres	1,366.96
	1	Personal Assistant	15,938
	1	Staff Officer	13,882
	1	Staff Officer	10,000
07/05/08 – 31/12/08		Nil			Nil	Nil
01/01/09 – 31/12/09		Nil			Nil	Nil

Former Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey
Period	WTE	Grade	Salary & Expenses	Location of Constituency Office	Size of Constituency Office in Dept of the Taoiseach	Miscellaneous Constituency Office Costs
			€			€
07/05/08 to 31/12/08	1.0	Personal Assistant	31,623	1. Dept of the Taoiseach	48 sq metres	1,406.22
	0.5	Secretarial Assistant	16,494	2. Finglas
	0.5	Secretarial Assistant	15,929
	1.0	Clerical Officer	14,231
	1.0	Staff Officer	18,000
01/01/09 to 31/12/09	1.0	Personal Assistant	48,027		48 sq metres	216.56
	0.5	Secretarial Assistant	24,897
	0.5	Secretarial Assistant	24,305
	1.0	Clerical Officer	24,397
	1.0	Staff Officer	44,494
01/01/10 to 23/03/10	1.0	Personal Assistant	12,415		48 sq metres	108.28
	0.5	Secretarial Assistant	7,163
	0.5	Secretarial Assistant	6,824
	1.0	Clerical Officer	6,064
	1.0	Staff Officer	11,462

Minister of State and Chief Whip, John Curran
Period	WTE	Grade	Salary & Expenses	Location of Constituency Office	Size of Constituency Office in Dept of the Taoiseach	Miscellaneous Constituency Office Costs
			€			€
24/03/10 to date	1.0	Personal Assistant	22,571	1.Dept. of the Taoiseach	24 sq. metres	1,637.23
	0.5	Personal Secretary	10,668	2. Clondalkin
	0.5	Personal Secretary	10,844
	1.0	Staff Officer	16,301

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes

Question:

161 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Taoiseach the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented; if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32842/10]

Brian Hayes

Question:

162 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Taoiseach in respect of the offices and properties which his Department is currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32857/10]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

My Department does not currently rent any offices or property.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department, occupies office space rented by the OPW, which is responsible for all aspects of rental arrangements.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal

Richard Bruton

Question:

163 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on economic renewal has met in 2010. [33616/10]

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal which I chair has met 4 times this year and is due to meet again on 13th October 2010.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes

Question:

164 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Taoiseach the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33644/10]

The Taoiseach

The table below details the amount spent by my Department from 2007 to end June 2010 on all communication devices (mobile phones, blackberries, and mobile connect cards).

Year	2007	2008	2009	Jan – June 2010
Mobile Phones	€170,013.86	€197,524.49	€105,772.14	€41,979.24

Seventy-nine staff in my Department have communication devices for official use. In 2008 my Department entered into a contract with Vodafone Ireland Limited under the mobile telecommunications framework, which ended this month. The Department is currently preparing a tender for a new contract for the provision of this service.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton

Question:

165 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33710/10]

The Taoiseach

Statistics in relation to whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff numbers employed in my Department are compiled at the end of each calendar month. On 31st August, 2010, there were 190.76 WTE staff employed in my Department. The table beneath provides a breakdown by grade.

Grade	Number of WTEs Employed
Secretary General	1.00
Assistant Secretary	4.00
Principal Officer	14.60
Assistant Principal	21.35
Higher Executive Officer	21.90
Administrative Officer	9.00
Executive Officer	18.90
Staff Officer	8.93
Clerical Officer	38.50
SVO (Support Staff)	19.58
Contract staff (including Political staff)	33.00
Total	190.76

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only body under the aegis of my Department. The table beneath provides the most up to date breakdown available of the numbers employed in NESDO by grade equivalents.

Grade	Number of WTEs Employed (Grade Equivalents)
Chief Officer/Director	1.0
Senior Policy Analysts	3.0
Senior Economist	1.0
Former Director NCPP	1.0
Policy Analysts	5.0
Economists	2.0
Head of Administration (Assistant Principal)	1.0
Administration (Higher Executive)	1.0
Executive Secretary	1.0
Administration (Executive)	1.6
Administration (Clerical Officer)	1.8
Accounts	1.0
Total	20.4

Questions Nos. 166 and 167 answered with Question No. 139.

Departmental Programmes

Richard Bruton

Question:

168 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding implementing a work experience scheme as announced in the supplementary budget on 7 April 2009; the eligibility for this scheme; the places available; the location of these places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31785/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

In last year's Supplementary Budget, the Work Placement Programme was announced. This Programme was launched in May 2009 and it provides up to 9 months work experience for unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. While the programme is voluntary and unpaid, participants may be able retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placement, subject to the rules of the Department of Social Protection.

The following are the criteria for the Work Placement Programme:

Stream 1 (graduate stream)

All unemployed graduates will be eligible to apply to participate in the Work Placement Programme provided they meet the other criteria. Unemployed graduates who are not receiving a social welfare payment will also be eligible to apply.

Graduates must have attained a full award at level 7 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Stream 2 (non-graduates)

This stream will be open to all individuals who do not possess a full award at level 7 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Unemployed individuals who are not receiving a social welfare payment are eligible to apply.

250 places will be ring-fenced for under 34s.

Other Participant Criteria applying to participants irrespective of Stream Individuals in receipt of a Jobseekers Benefit (JB) payment will now be eligible to apply and participate on the Work Placement Programme (WPP). Where a person exhausts their entitlement to JB while participating on a WPP they can apply for a Jobseekers Allowance (JA) payment, which is subject to satisfying a means test. It should be noted that a participant who is not eligible for a Jobseekers Allowance and has exhausted their entitlement to Jobseekers Benefit would then not receive a social welfare payment.

Individuals in receipt of other Social welfare allowances/payments will be eligible to participate in the Programme, in accordance with existing arrangements. These include the following:

Disability Allowance,

Blind Pension,

Invalidity Pension,

Illness Benefit or Lone parents allowance.

Individuals in receipt of a disability or illness payment must get written approval from the Department of Social Protection to do rehabilitative work while participating in the Work Placement Programme and to retain their disability payment. This may involve a doctor certifying that the work placement will be rehabilitative.

Individuals in these categories will be directed by FÁS to the Department of Social Protection in the first instance and then once approval has been granted they will be eligible to participate in the programme.

The period for which participants have to be in receipt of a Social welfare payment in order to be eligible has been reduced to 3 months. Periods spent on FÁS training programmes for individuals who were in receipt of Social Welfare payments prior to the commencement of the training will count in relation to the Work Placement Programme's qualifying period.

The placement will be for a maximum nine-month period.

Local FÁS offices will be the first point of contact for those interested in the Programme.

FÁS will refer potential participants to providers. On referral from FÁS, the provider of the work experience may interview potential participants.

The Department of Social Protection will continue to pay social welfare entitlements to participants on the Programme for the duration that their entitlement exists.

Criteria for Providers of Placements:

The Work Placement Programme will be open to all sectors of the economy including:

The private sector,

The public sector,

The community and voluntary sector.

Firms that have had redundancies in the last three months are not eligible to participate. However, where there is no direct displacement of an employee, and the level of redundancies in the last three months were less than 5% of the workforce, these firms will be eligible to participate.

Provider applicants will only be considered if the business is a legal entity.

The Work Placement Programme will be available to most providers irrespective of their number of employees. However, in order to qualify providers must employ at least one employee. The number of places a provider can avail of is dependent on the number of employees they have.

Number of Employees Number of WPP Placements

1-10 employees: 1 Place.

11-20 employees: 2 Places.

21-30 employees: 3 Places.

30 + employees: 10% of their workforce to a maximum of 25 places whichever is the smaller.

The placement will be for a maximum nine-month period.

Prospective providers shall register with FÁS.

On referral from FÁS, the provider of the work experience may interview potential participants.

The placement will not be provided to fill an existing vacancy.

The placement will not be provided to displace an existing employee.

Providers must have Public and Employers' liability insurance and this must cover the participant on the work placement.

Providers must confirm that their company is fully compliant with current workplace health and safety and all other legal requirements.

The following table provides a breakdown of the posts approved, and currently being advertised under the Programme as at 23rd September 2010.

FÁS Region	Areas/Counties	Graduate Posts (WPP1)	Non-Graduate Posts (WPP2)	Total Posts
Dublin Central	Baggot Court, D’Olier House, Parnell Street, Ballyfermot, Cabra	94	65	159
Dublin South	Rathfarnham, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown	67	81	148
Dublin North	Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Finglas	51	68	119
Midlands	Kildare, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath	52	67	119
Mid-West	Clare, Limerick, Tipperary	54	32	86
North-East	Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan	47	46	93
North-West	Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo	11	34	45
South-East	Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow	55	80	135
South-West	Cork, Kerry	81	74	155
West	Galway, Mayo, Roscommon	31	41	72
Total		543	588	1,131

Community Employment Schemes

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

169 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether lone parents and persons with disabilities face substantial challenges in accessing employment and learning; her further views that community employment schemes provide real opportunities regarding employment and training and that she will commit to continuing the payment of one-parent family allowance and disability to persons on community employment schemes. [31801/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Following a review of how FÁS might better support those in receipt of One Parent Family payments, barriers to employment were identified in a number of areas. In addition, a FÁS internal cross-divisional review group in 2008 determined that persons in receipt of a One Parent Family Payment should be able to access FÁS services in a seamless way so that they can avail of access, transfer and progression options through, and across programmes as their training needs dictate.

Towards this end a Social Inclusion Model has been developed and approved for testing by the Board of FÁS following consultations with relevant stakeholders including the Department of Social Protection and the Irish Vocational Education Association. The Social Inclusion Model was tested in 2009 with four groups of lone parents and a final evaluation is pending.

In regard to child care in particular, it is anticipated that the new Child care Employment and Training Support (CETS) Scheme recently introduced by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will help to further remove a significant barrier to the participation of lone parents in employment and learning through the provision of almost 3,000 full-time equivalent child care places for FÁS and VEC clients.

The aim of the Community Employment Programme remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The programme is funded and managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.

Departmental Programmes

Deirdre Clune

Question:

170 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the implementation of the work place programme for graduates including the number of graduates accommodated; her future plans for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31978/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The programme is voluntary and unpaid, while participants on the programme may be able retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placement subject to the rules of the Department of Social Protection.

As of 16th September 1,860 people had commenced a placement under the Work Placement Programme. 918 had taken up graduate placements and 942 commenced non-graduate placements.

The Work Placement Programme will continue to provide a vital opportunity for the unemployed, including unemployed graduates to gain valuable work experience that will keep them closer to the labour market and will assist them in securing employment in the future.

Pat Breen

Question:

171 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views regarding the contribution being made by participants in job initiative schemes to their local communities; if she supports these schemes and if funding will continue for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32068/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Job Initiative (JI) programme was launched in July 1996 and continues to provide full-time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, who were unemployed for five years or more, and in receipt of social welfare payments over that qualifying period before entering the programme.

The main purpose of JI is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. FÁS operates the programme with a dedicated budget of €34.5 million for 2010. There are currently 1,329 participants, with this number decreasing annually due to retirement and other reasons.

Following changes introduced in 2004 by the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, contracts for existing JI participants are renewed, allowing them the option to continue until they are 65 years of age. There is no recruitment to the programme due to this change.

JI participants are involved in a wide range of useful community services, including after-school care, breakfast clubs, homework clubs, gardening and security services. In addition, JI projects provide jobs in the social economy in administration and maintenance. The areas supported by these workers include community centres, creches, enterprise centres and parish properties.

Community Employment Schemes

Róisín Shortall

Question:

172 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the terms of reference relating to the review of the community employment scheme; when the review commenced and the month it is scheduled to be completed; and the person or persons undertaking this review. [32888/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The last review of the Community Employment programme was carried out by Forfás in early 2009 as part of a wider review of Labour Market Programmes. The Forfás report, entitled A Review of Labour Market Programmes, was published in February, 2010.

FÁS Training Programmes

Seán Power

Question:

173 Deputy Seán Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason FÁS has withdrawn its support for a scheme (details supplied); if she will guarantee that every effort will be made to provide the necessary funding to allow the course continue in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32971/10]

Jack Wall

Question:

175 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the position of the FÁS funding for courses in the Racing Academy Centre of Education school in Kildare has been investigated by her; if so the actions or meetings that she proposes or the plans that she has to address the issues that have been raised given the importance to sport of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33291/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 175 together.

FÁS has met with all parties concerned including RACE, Horse Racing Ireland and the local VEC. As a result of the discussions, agreement has been reached to enable delivery of the training course in question which I understand will commence very shortly.

Agreement was also reached by all parties on the need to carry out a full review of the training course. I understand that the review will be carried out with a view to its completion by the end of this year.

European Globalisation Fund

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

174 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the status of the application for funding from the EU’s Globalisation Fund for former SRT workers; if she has been informed that the EU Commission has agreed in principle to approve a globalisation fund award for ex-SRT workers and to provide the proposed magnitude of this award; the way in which globalisation funding would be dispersed to ex-SRT workers and if the structures are in place to facilitate potential EU funding for former SRT employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33154/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

On 22nd September 2010 the European Commission announced its approval of an application from Ireland for European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) co-financing assistance in support of redundant workers formerly employed at the S R Technics aircraft maintenance facility at Dublin airport.

The EGF application is for a total of €11.46m of which the EU contribution sought is €7.45m. The application remains to be approved by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

In the interim national funding, in anticipation of subsequent EU reimbursement up to specified limits, is being provided for the continued roll-out of measures across a wide range of service providers currently which former S R Technics workers may avail of. These measures include occupational guidance, training, educational opportunities and enterprise supports.

For example, last week the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Lifelong Learning, announced a new programme which commenced earlier this week to facilitate former S R Technics apprentices to complete the on-the-job phases of their apprenticeships with the Air Corps which will be co-financed with EGF support.

Tenders have been received under a public tendering exercise for a national coordinator for EGF implementation and this process will be brought to completion shortly. In the interim all State agencies and relevant educational bodies involved in service provision for redundant S R Technics workers have met to discuss how the current measures available can be intensified for the remaining period of anticipated EGF funding.

It is intended that an information event, such as was previously run last December, will be run in the next few weeks to fully inform redundant S R Technics workers of the services being made available. All eligible redundant workers will be contacted individually in this regard.

Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 173.

Dan Neville

Question:

176 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33467/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The formal decision of the European budgetary authorities stipulates that the financial contribution from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund approved in support of redundant workers at the Dell plant in Raheen, Co. Limerick and ancillary enterprises must be spent before 29th June 2011. The Fund, including national contributions, may finance measures put in place to assist eligible redundant workers since the announcement of their redundancy in early 2009.

The emphasis in implementing measures supported by the Fund remains focused on the continued provision of supports to individual redundant workers in the areas of upskilling, retraining, educational opportunities and enterprise supports rather than on a total expenditure figure.

Community Employment Schemes

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

177 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of one-parent payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of a medical card. [33736/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

As of 27th September 2010 there are 4,676 people registered as lone parents on Community Employment (CE) schemes. Since it is not relevant to their CE participation, FÁS does not record information concerning participants in receipt of a Medical Card.

FÁS Training Programmes

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

178 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the problems affecting many apprentices, who have been let go by their employers, throughout the country who are unable to complete their apprenticeships; and the steps she is taking to deal with this issue. [33758/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Currently, 7,681 of a total of 18,494 apprentices are registered by FÁS as being redundant. Of this number, 4,392 can progress in their apprenticeship having reached the minimum qualifying standard while 3,289 must first successfully pass their outstanding assessment(s).

FÁS has introduced a number of measures to date which have assisted over 4,000 redundant apprentices with on and off-the-job training.

The rules for off-the-job training have been amended to permit redundant apprentices to progress to their next off-the-job training phases. To date, 2,454 have completed off-the-job training and 1,133 are currently attending off-the-job training. It is currently estimated that 3,587 redundant apprentices will benefit in 2010.

The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme was introduced in April 2010 to provide opportunities to redundant apprentices to complete on-the-job training at Phase 3, 5 and 7. The scheme provides a weekly subsidy of €250 to the employer towards employment costs. To date 240 have commenced their on-the-job training phase, of whom 14 have completed the relevant phase.

ESB Networks are providing on-the-job training to 252 eligible redundant electrical and motor mechanics apprentices in 2010. To date, 189 redundant apprentices have completed the training with 63 currently in training with ESB Networks.

FÁS has also developed Phase 7 Equivalent off-the-job assessments for redundant apprentices for the trades of Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plumbing, Brick & Stonelaying and Cabinet Making, where Phase 7 assessments cannot be undertaken on-the-job. Currently, 87 redundant apprentices have completed the assessments and a further 46 are scheduled to take the assessments.

Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing specific skills training courses and evening courses available at FÁS Training Centres to enhance their employable skills. Some 1,133 programmes have been availed of by redundant apprentices so far this year.

Under the EU Leonardo Da Vinci III Life Long Learning Programme, Léargas in collaboration with FÁS, has supported 25 redundant apprentices to complete on-the-job training overseas. 18 redundant apprentices are currently in on-the-job training overseas and 17 redundant apprentices will be scheduled for on-the-job training in the first half of 2011.

FÁS, in consultation with the Department, continues to examine further potential measures to facilitate the progression and completion of apprenticeships. One such innovative approach was the taking on of a number of former S.R. Technics apprentices by the Air Corps on a programme commencing earlier this week, to enable them to complete Phases 5 and 7 of their specialist on-the-job training.

School Staffing

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

179 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider correspondence (details supplied) in relation to staffing levels at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will accede to the appointment of additional teacher requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34230/10]

Seán Power

Question:

340 Deputy Seán Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allocated an additional teacher in view of the increase in pupil numbers at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33686/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 340 together.

The number of mainstream class teachers appropriate to a school for the current school year is determined by reference to the school's valid enrolment on 30 September, 2009 in accordance with the staffing schedule (Primary Circular 0021/2010) which is available on my Department's website. The additional posts in the renewed Programme for Government enabled some improvement to be made to the staffing schedule. The schedule is a transparent and clear way of ensuring that schools are treated consistently and fairly and know where they stand. Within the terms of the staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.

It is also open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule (Primary Circular 0021/2010).

Third Level Staff

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

180 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 29 June 2010 if she will provide a breakdown of academic and non-academic staff employed, for each individual institution, in all of the seven universities, all Higher Education Authority designated colleges and all the institutes of technology during the periods December 2008, December 2009 and March 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31887/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

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

As the figures show there has been a reduction in staffing across the institutions since the introduction of the Government's recruitment and promotion moratorium. The total number of whole time equivalent staff employed in the third level institutions in question has decreased from 20,545 at 31 December, 2008 to 19,469 at 31 March, 2010 — a reduction of 1,076 (5.2%) in whole-time equivalents.

The purpose of the recruitment and promotion moratorium is to facilitate a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff serving and to contribute significant and ongoing savings to the Exchequer. In applying this moratorium generally, teaching and research activities in the education sector have been afforded significant exemptions relative to other areas of public expenditure. Nonetheless, the Deputy will appreciate that the sector has to contribute towards overall public sector numbers reductions.

In the area of higher education, the Government agreed that an employment control framework be developed to provide for the application of the moratorium arrangements to higher education institutions, subject to the continued oversight and review by the HEA and both my Department and the Department of Finance. The Government is anxious to continue to work with the publicly funded higher education institutions in achieving necessary reductions in public expenditure within the sector as an essential part of overall budgetary strategy. The employment control framework aims to enable this while providing a greater flexibility around recruitment in the filling of posts. The current framework, covering the period up to 31 December, 2010, requires the higher education institutions to achieve a minimum 6% reduction in the number of overall core staff by the end of 2010 as compared with the numbers in place at 31 December 2008. Arrangements to apply thereafter will be communicated in due course.

It is a matter for the individual higher education institutions to manage their staffing resources in the context of implementing the framework.

University and other designated HEA Colleges — Academic — V — Non Academic
	UCD	UCC	NUIG	NUIM	TCD	UL	DCU	MIC	SPD	NCAD	MDI	St Ang	Total
December 2008
Academic	1,190.03	781.30	780.54	262.00	757.92	522.00	501.77	136.31	145.50	78.00	27.00	58.00	5,240.37
Non-Academic	1,561.69	1,130.70	889.80	319.00	1,133.79	577.00	441.66	129.00	81.45	72.20	19.35	60.00	6,415.64

December 2009
Academic	1084.49	742.11	757.12	255.50	709.76	510.20	484.80	134.09	141.00	73.20	26.00	52.50	4,970.77
Non-Academic	1,483.44	1,081.14	841.53	308.50	1,092.54	555.00	426.10	133.36	79.05	74.30	17.35	57.50	6,149.81

March 2010
Academic	1,060.54	739.38	755.59	255.50	698.89	506.60	487.80	134.09	128.30	67.60	26.00	52.50	4,912.79
Non-Academic	1,479.48	1,059.55	841.66	308.50	1,083.80	550.78	423.66	133.36	77.05	73.20	17.35	53.50	6,101.89

Institutes of Technology Staff — Academic — V — Non Academic
	Athlone	ITB	Carlow	Cork	Dublin	Dundalk	DLIADT	GMIT	LKIT	LIT	Sligo	Tallaght	Tralee	WIT	Total
December 2008
Academic	272.20	119.93	221.79	656.17	953.73	299.50	128.33	394.05	197.53	307.73	301.00	211.58	226.10	579.38	4,869.00
Non-Academic	274.3	82.67	157.01	353.49	1,172.37	243.9	87.88	311.53	143.72	200.57	187.00	156.03	141.8	508.42	4,020.7

December 2009
Academic	255.49	134.42	211.62	608.34	1,110.91	290.75	119.72	372.14	177.66	307.26	294.00	208.21	211.62	540.41	4,842.55
Non-Academic	248.79	83.13	146.09	346.73	940.39	231.61	86.27	297.29	177.62	200.30	176.00	148.02	131.28	423.35	3,636.9

March 2010
Academic	261.95	131.83	208.77	612.2	1,117.85	286.75	119.72	372.1	187.13	304.91	294.00	203.68	212.26	528.48	4,841.6
Non-Academic	245.00	81.13	143.49	344.36	943.9	229.86	87.76	300.82	166.25	198.15	175.00	147.26	125.63	424.84	3,613.5

The above figures for March are the final figures for the quarter — figures provided in reply PQ No 559/26/6/2010 were provisional pending receipt of completed returns.

Schools Building Projects

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

181 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when the proposed new school (details supplied) will receive the go-ahead for architectural planning in view of the fact that the school is now urgently required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31913/10]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

222 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond positively to a request from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31912/10]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

233 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the building unit in her Department has received a proposal from a school (details supplied) to rent a vacant school premises while awaiting funding to construct a new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32012/10]

Alan Shatter

Question:

249 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will grant to the board of a school (details supplied) the necessary permission to allow it move, on a temporary basis, to an alternative school building (details supplied) which more adequately caters for the needs of the pupils; if any progress has been made in relation to the provision of a new permanent school building for said school in view of the fact that the school is currently operating from split-locations. [32187/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 222, 233 and 249 together.

My Department recently advised the school authority that it is not in a position to grant aid the relocation of the school in question to another property. In reaching this decision, my Department considered the costs associated with a relocation together with the fact that a building project is being advanced which will provide a permanent solution to the long-term accommodation needs of the school. The school has since indicated to my Department that it intends appealing this decision and will be seeking an improved rental quotation from the landlord of the property in question. Any further correspondence received from the school will be considered by my Department.

I am pleased to confirm to the Deputies that the school was one of the school building projects announced by the then Minister for Education and Science in February 2010 to begin the design process and appoint design teams in the last quarter of 2010. My Department has advised the school authority that it will be in contact with the school in due course regarding the appointment of a design team.

State Examinations

Mary Wallace

Question:

182 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the results of the leaving certificate given to students in August each year can have an added column showing the points achieved for each subject in view of the fact that this could eliminate added stress for the students when trying to calculate their points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31933/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examinations and issuing the results of examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Question:

183 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in respect of any State owned enterprise under the aegis of her Department, when it received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31958/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department has a number of non commercial agencies under its aegis, none of which are categorised as state owned enterprises, i.e. established as a legal entity (company) by government to operate in commercial affairs.

With respect to these non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department I can confirm that to date seven bodies have submitted 2009 annual reports to my Department.

The relevant line sections in my Department are actively liaising with the remainder of the bodies who are required to provide relevant documentation relating to corporate governance, including annual reports in respect of 2009.

Educational Provision

Deirdre Clune

Question:

184 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide an all-Irish secondary school, Gaelcholaiste, in Carrigaline, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32000/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The most recent projections used by my Department would see the projected enrolments at post-primary level increase from the current total enrolment (excluding PLCs) of circa 312,200 pupils to an expected enrolment circa 328,700 pupils by the year 2016. Meeting this level of significant increased demand for education services will be a major challenge.

It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the Carrigaline area, including the case for the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school will be considered in this context.

In addition to this I have recently announced the setting up of a new framework in relation to the establishment of new second-level schools and their patronage, whereby an expert Group to be known as the Second-Level Patronage Advisory Group will consider applications for new schools and advise me in relation to those applications, having undertaken survey work of parental views and using the criteria to be set down.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

School Transport

Arthur Morgan

Question:

185 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of buses more than 20 years old that are under contract for transporting children in the State; the number of buses that are more than 20 years old that are used for transporting children to school in County Louth; if there is any provision regarding the use of a bus that is more than 20 years old when applying for a contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32008/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department has advised that there are over 3,000 vehicles engaged under contract daily to provide school transport services.

Under the School Transport Scheme, Bus Éireann has set a goal to withdraw buses from daily service at 20 years. Where buses over 20 years are in use, it is an exceptional short-term measure and the buses involved are checked to ensure that they continue to meet all statutory requirements and are also subject to independent vehicle checks conducted by external experts on behalf of Bus Éireann.

Bus Éireann has advised that there are currently less than twenty buses over 20 years under contract nationally.

In County Louth there are two buses over twenty years under contract and there is an understanding that both these vehicles will be replaced by younger buses by the end of this year.

In addition to the 3,000 vehicles engaged under contract, Bus Éireann uses approximately 600 of its own buses to provide school transport services. Of these, five buses are over 20 years.

Third Level Fees

Pat Breen

Question:

186 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the situation regarding the payment of registration fees in third level colleges for families who do not qualify for a grant; her plans to encourage universities to allow for payments of these fees in instalments over a set period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32148/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Student Services Charge is levied by the Higher Education institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services. All students who are eligible under the means tested student support schemes do not have to pay this charge. The charge is paid on their behalf under my Department's student grant schemes by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees in addition to any maintenance grant and tuition fee grant they are entitled to.

The position is that the Higher Education institutions are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs, for which the Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible. The arrangements for the collection of the charge are a matter for each individual institution and accordingly I do not have a role in this matter. However, I am confident that higher education institutions are dealing with students on this matter in a sensitive and compassionate manner.

Students in need of help due to particular financial hardship may apply to the Access Officer in their institution for support from the Student Assistance Fund.

School Curriculum

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

187 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that gaelscoils in Gaeltacht areas are able to postpone the teaching of English during junior and senior infants; if she is willing to accommodate the wishes of parents and teachers in Gaeltacht areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32163/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Department of Education and Science issued a circular to Irish-medium schools in 2007 stating that the teaching of English could not be delayed beyond the end of the first term in Junior Infants. The circular was the subject of an application for judicial review by An Foras Pátrúnachta and two Gaelscoileanna.

Having considered submissions regarding proposals to prescribe the primary school curriculum by regulation and following discussions with Irish language interests, the Department is proposing to proceed by introducing a regulation that will prescribe the primary curriculum. The regulation will stipulate that the teaching of English may be delayed in Irish-medium schools up to the end of the first term of senior infants, subject to the approval of the school's board of management and following consultation with the patron, teachers and parents' association. The Minister intends to provide a copy of the draft regulation to the education partners and Irish language organisations shortly, prior to laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This will be done when legal work on the preparation of the regulation is completed.

Tax Code

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

188 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if persons who were employed to correct examination papers for the State Examinations Commission are liable to pay the public sector pension levy; if she will issue a directive that these staff should not be liable for the pension levy in view of the fact that the sums involved are less than the €10,000 minimum threshold; if she will acknowledge that these staff are temporary and will never receive a public sector pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32168/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including the payment of examiners and superintendents.

Persons engaged by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) on contract work in the conduct of the examinations (such as superintendents, examiners, etc) are liable to the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) if they meet the conditions of eligibility as set down in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Therefore if they are public servants and members of public service pension schemes or if they are in receipt of pension or in receipt of benefit in lieu of membership of a public service pension scheme, they are liable to have PRD applied to their examinations earnings. The treatment of PRD by the State Examinations Commissions is in line with the legislation and instructions from the Department of Finance.

The thresholds for application of the different rates of PRD are calculated on an individual's overall reckonable earnings. The instructions issued by the Department of Finance to Departments and agencies in 2009 indicate that eligible persons in subsidiary public service employment should have the top rate of PRD applied to those subsidiary earnings.

I understand that a PRD deduction is not made by SEC where an examiner is not a public servant or eligible to benefit from a public service pension scheme or a benefit in lieu. However, the majority of examiners are either serving or retired teachers to whom a PRD deduction applies under the Act. The fact that examination earnings are not pensionable does not alter this position under the Acts.

The application of PRD to examinations contract earnings reflects the reality that most persons engaged on examinations contract work are members of the teaching profession. While the sums that they receive from the SEC may be under the PRD minimum threshold of €15,000 per annum, their overall public service earnings would be far in excess of this amount. In order to ensure that the Exchequer receives the correct benefit of this deduction the SEC generally applies PRD at the top rate of 10.5% to examinations contract work.

All contract personnel have been provided with clear information on how the deduction applies and have had an opportunity to notify the SEC that they are exempt from the deduction or that a lower rate of PRD should apply. For example a retired teacher already in receipt of a teacher's pension has the option of nominating the SEC as their main employer in which case PRD applies only to their examinations earnings.

The majority of those employed on contract work on the certificate examinations are members of the teaching profession. While their examinations earnings may not be pensionable, they will receive a public service pension on retirement, and accordingly, the PRD deduction applies to their subsidiary public service employment earnings under the Act.

Departmental Programmes

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

189 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the number of training places made available in County Cork under the labour market activation fund 2010 since its commencement; if she will list the groups from the private sector, the public sector, the community sector and the voluntary sector who have been approved to carry out the training programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32174/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

No Cork-based projects were among those selected for funding under the Labour Market Activation Fund, 2010. However, a number of projects based elsewhere in the country are providing multi-region programmes that include course places for unemployed people in Cork. As a number of these projects are currently involved in recruiting participants for their programmes, it is not yet possible to quantify the actual number of places that will be filled by unemployed people from Cork City and County.

School Transport

John Deasy

Question:

190 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason the route of the school transport service to Waterford, serving the Brownstown area of Dunmore East, County Waterford, has been changed; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this route has been in use for more than 40 years and the new route results in many children having to travel many additional miles to meet the bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32202/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre.

The scheme is not designed to facilitate children who attend a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their local post-primary centre have been catered for. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.

In the course of the 2009/10 school year a number of parents residing in the Brownstown area contacted my Department regarding the availability of seats on the bus servicing the area and the route travelled by this bus.

During the summer break, Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department reviewed the school transport services for the Brownstown area. Part of this review included an assessment of the number and location of eligible pupils and the routing and time tabling of the existing service.

A service has now been established to cater for eligible pupils and the families in question have been notified.

School Provision

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

191 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the Knocklyon area of County Dublin has been included in the 40 locations of highest population growth in which school accommodation requirements are being examined; and if it has been included, is that assessment complete and the result of same. [32236/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. The study indicated that the requirement for additional primary provision in the short to medium term is likely to be greatest in more than 40 identified locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. Knocklyon was not included in these initial identified areas.

The most recent projections used by my Department would see the projected enrolments at primary level increase from the current total enrolment of circa 505,600 pupils to an expected enrolment circa 563,300 pupils by the year 2016. Meeting this level of significant increased demand for education services will be a major challenge.

It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic trends to determine the level of additional provision which will be required into the future. Overall requirements in the Knocklyon area will be considered in this context.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

School Enrolments

Michael Noonan

Question:

192 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a student (details supplied) has failed to procure a place in any secondary school in Limerick, despite applying for a place in all nine listed schools under the common application system; if she will intervene so that they may gain entry to their first choice school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32246/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the decisions made by schools in such matters. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

The Deputy may be aware that a Common Application System was agreed between the Patrons/Trustees and principals of the post-primary schools in Limerick City. This system has been facilitated through the Limerick Education Centre with support from my Department. This administrative system ensures that a co-ordinated approach can be taken to enrolments in the area.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department.

The National Educational Welfare Board is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place or temporary educational provision for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.

Higher Education Grants

Damien English

Question:

193 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of higher education grant applications made to date by the students for 2010/2011; the number of applications that have been processed; the number of applications that have been successful; the number of applications that have been paid out to students; the number of outstanding applications to be processed; if she would provide a breakdown for each awarding body in the State in tabular form and when she expects each awarding body to complete the higher education grants process. [32251/10]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

310 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of grant applications received and the number which have been processed for each local authority and VEC here on a county basis in tabular form. [33334/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 310 together.

The following table details the latest information on the number of new applications received by the awarding authorities. The information has been supplied to my Department by the local authorities and the Vocational Education Committees.

Information in relation to the number of new applications processed, awarded and paid is not yet available. This information has been requested from the awarding authorities and will be forwarded to the Deputies when it has been received.

Local Authorities 2010/11 New Applications received as at 10 Sep 2010	VEC 2010/11 New Applications received as at 10 Sep 2010
Name Of Local Authority	Number of New Applications	Name of VEC	Number of New Applications
Carlow	217	Carlow	347
Cavan	255	Cavan	1,024
Clare	622	Clare	503
Cork City	542	Cork City	932
Cork Co	1,491	Cork Co	2,054
Donegal	658	Donegal	2,014
Dublin City	3,757	CDVEC	1,929
Dún Laoghaire	587	Dún Laoghaire VEC	333
Fingal Co Co	845	Co Dublin VEC	1,827
Dublin South Co Co	645	Galway City	415
Galway Co	2,332	Galway Co	1,650
Kerry	651	Kerry	1,591
Kildare	939	Kildare	1,080
Kilkenny	344	Kilkenny	681
Laois	350	Laois	580
Leitrim	194	Leitrim	371
Limerick City	256	Limerick City	438
Limerick Co Co	639	Limerick Co	869
Longford	189	Longford	653
Louth	490	Louth	695
Mayo	572	Mayo	1,319
Meath	583	Meath	1,119
Monaghan	230	Monaghan	779
Offaly	253	Offaly	674
Roscommon	368	Roscommon	615
Sligo	249	Sligo	849
Tipperay NR	281	Tipperary NR	822
Tipperary SR	411	Tipperary SR	674
Waterford City	186	Waterford City	541
Waterford Co	416	Waterford Co	442
Westmeath	370	Westmeath	1,578
Wexford	438	Wexford	1,552
Wicklow	763	Wicklow	897
Total	21,123	Total	31,847

Awarding Authority	New Applications
Local Authorities	21,123
VECs	31,847
OVERALL TOTAL	52,970

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar

Question:

194 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in her, or if applicable her predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if she will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if she will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32272/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I currently have 6 full time equivalent (FTE) constituency office staff as follows:

1 Personal Assistant;

1 Personal Secretary;

1 Higher Executive Officer;

1 Staff Officer;

1 Clerical Officer;

1 Temporary Clerical Officer.

My predecessor had 5.8 constituency office staff.

The total anticipated annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses for 2010 is €254,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2009 was €262,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2008 was €247,000.

The cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses from 14th June to end June 2007 was €119,000.

The Minister of State attached to this Department has 3.8 (FTE) constituency office staff as follows:

1 Personal Assistant;

1 Personal Secretary;

1 Staff Officer (0.8);

1 Clerical Officer.

The total anticipated annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses for 2010 is €178,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2009 was €198,000.

The total annual cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses in 2008 was €151,000.

The cost in terms of salaries, allowances, overtime and expenses from 14th June to end June 2007 was €111,000.

These staffing levels are within the Department of Finance Guidelines for the staff of the Private and Constituency offices of a Minister and Minister of State. The salaries paid to the Civil Servants are in accordance with the Department of Finance salary scales for the relevant grades. The salaries paid to the non-civil servant staff are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff. Travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with the relevant Department of Finance Circular.

My local constituency office is situated in Donegal town, my predecessor's is in Ballincollig, Co. Cork and my Minister of State's is in Artane, Co. Dublin. As the Deputy will be aware Ministers and Ministers of State avail of the Parliamentary Standard Allowance which is expended in accordance with Oireachtas regulations.

The constituency office accommodation provided to myself and the Minister of State attached to my Department is in the state owned Dublin headquarters of this Department in Marlborough Street. The office space dedicated for this purpose for the period in question is a total 780 square feet approximately. A breakdown of the utility costs for the two offices in question is not available and is included in the overall running costs of the Department.

Higher Education Grants

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

195 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a decision by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee not to award a person (details supplied) a student grant; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the course this person is intending to pursue is listed as an accepted course on the studentfinance.ie website; if she will note that the further education college involved offers a unique number of Level 8 courses due to its expertise in the media and arts; if she will instruct her officials to award this person a grant. [32358/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department has received an appeal from the candidate referred to by the Deputy which is currently under review and it is anticipated a reply will issue to the student shortly.

Institutes of Technology

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

196 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid in allowances and stipends to members of governing bodies in the institutes of technology; if she will provide the amount paid in allowances to chairpersons of each board over the last three years in tabular format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32405/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Members of the Governing Bodies of Institutes of Technology do not receive remuneration but are entitled to claim travel and subsistence on the same basis as the arrangements in the higher education sector and the public service.

The Institutes of Technology are statutory bodies established under the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Under the terms of these Acts, the governance and day-to-day activities of the institutes are matters for which the Governing Bodies and the management of the institutes are responsible. Accordingly my Department does not collect details of travel and subsistence payments to members of the Governing Bodies.

School Curriculum

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

197 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if there are grounds for exemption for a person (details attached) in County Dublin in studying Irish in view of the fact that they have had very little tuition in Irish while in national school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32428/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As part of the post primary school curriculum Irish is a compulsory subject. Department circular M10/94 applies to post primary schools funded by my Department and sets out the conditions under which an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted to post primary pupils. Under the terms of this circular, delegated authority to grant exemptions from Irish, within the conditions laid down, is vested in school management.

With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the position is that the pupil's parents/guardians should make a written application to the management of the school in which the pupil is enrolled, clearly stating the grounds on which they are seeking an exemption from the study of Irish.

School Transport

Emmet Stagg

Question:

198 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school transport service is provided to primary school pupils (details supplied) from Johnstown, County Kildare (details supplied). [32513/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest national school as determined by my Department are eligible for free school transport.

The position in this case is that the pupils referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy are not attending their nearest national school and therefore are not eligible for free school transport.

It is open to pupils who are not attending their nearest school to apply for concessionary transport to the school which they are attending. Concessionary transport is offered subject to a number of terms and conditions, including the availability of spare seating on an existing service.

In this case, Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that there are no spare seats on the existing service.

Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 128.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes

Question:

200 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in respect of the offices and properties which her Department are currently renting, if she would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32849/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The renting/leasing of Government offices and properties is the responsibility of the Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments. The number, terms and cost of the leases is a matter for the OPW.

Schools Building Projects

Joe McHugh

Question:

201 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of school building projects applications in County Donegal; the status of each application; if she will present estimated completion dates for each project or category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33062/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to inform the Deputy that information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the Co. Donegal projects referred to by him, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

For the Deputy's convenience, a list of applications for major capital projects for Co. Donegal schools is set out as follows for ease of reference. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of these projects at this time.

Applications For Major Capital Funding Co. Donegal
County	School Roll No.	School Name	Current Status	Application For	Provisional Band Rating
Donegal	01733B	Ardara Mixed N S Ardara (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	03294L	S N Caiseal Na Gcorr Gort A Choirce (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	04809A	Scoil An Aingil Choimheadai An Cheididh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	09009Q	Rockfield Ns, Ballyshannon, (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 4
Donegal	11843O	S N Neill Mor Killybegs (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 1
Donegal	12077E	Scoil Naomh Fiachra Letterkenny (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 1
Donegal	15770K	S N Naomh Naille Na Caologa (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	16138S	Raphoe Central N S Raphoe (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	16608G	Killybegs Common N S The Commons (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	16819T	S N Gort An Choirce Leitir Ceanainn (Donegal)	Application	New School	Band 2
Donegal	16821G	Clochar Padraig Naofa Carndonagh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	16836T	Naomh Bhrigid NS, Carndonagh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	16837V	S N Duchoraidh Duchoraidh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	16850N	St Garvan’S N.S. Drum Halla (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	17040G	Sn Naomh Samhthann Drumdoit (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	17057A	Dromcaoin Bealach Fheid Dromcaoin (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	17241Q	S N Domhnach Mor Castlefin (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	17260U	Scoil An Leinbh Iosa Killymard (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	17704H	SN Fhionnain, Falcarragh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 4
Donegal	17721H	Scoil Treasa Naofa Malainn (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	17828C	Scoil Adhamhnain Rathbhoth (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	17945G	Scoil Naomh Chaitriona, Ballyshannon	Awaiting Appointment of Design Team	New School	Band 2
Donegal	18058H	Scoil Naomh Seosamh Rathdomhnaill (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	18129E	Scoil Naomh Peadar (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	18131O	S N Muire Gan Smal Ard Aratha (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	18251B	Ayr Hill N S Ramelton Ramelton (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	18286U	S N Na Hacrai Ailt An Chorrain (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	18371L	Scoil Mhuire An Craosloch (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	18520C	Scoil Phadraig Rath Seinche (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2

Applications For Major Capital Funding Co. Donegal —*continued*
County	School Roll No.	School Name	Current Status	Application For	Provisional Band Rating
Donegal	18605K	Scoil Naomh Padraig Boys Carndonagh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	18737E	Scoil Bhride, Conmhagh, Lifford, (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	19009W	Craanford N S Craanford (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	19228L	S N Naomh Brid Na Dunaibh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	19310T	Scoil Naomh Earnan (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	19313C	Glenswilly National School, Newmills, Letterkenny	Awaiting Appointment of Design Team	Extension/Refurb	Band 1
Donegal	19518U	S N Naomh Baoithin Sc Naomh Baoithin (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	19686S	St Macartans Central Bundoran (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 3
Donegal	19927O	Scoil Mhuire B & C, Stranorlar	Awaiting Appointment of Design Team	New School	Band 1
Donegal	19959E	Scoil Naomh Fionan Whitecastle (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	19967D	Scoil Iosagain, Buncrana	Awaiting Appointment of Design Team	Extension/Refurb	Band 1
Donegal	20096E	Gaelscoil Na Gceithre Maistri Baile Dun Na Ngall (Donegal)	Application	New School	Band 2
Donegal	20097G	Gaelscoil Bhun Crannach Bun Crannach (Donegal)	Application	New School	Band 2
Donegal	20235P	Letterkenny ETNS (Donegal)	Application	New School	Band 1
Donegal	62770C	Scoil Mhuire Secondary School St. Oran’S Road (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	62861F	St Columbas College Stranorlar (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	71140Q	Crana College Crana Road (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 1
Donegal	71230R	Deele College Raphoe (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	71244F	Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	76084L	Moville Community College Carrownaff (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	81011L	The Royal And Prior School Raphoe (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	91406R	Carndonagh Community School Carndonagh (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	91407T	Rosses Community School Dungloe (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	91408V	Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola An Fálcarrach (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	91409A	Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair Doirí Beaga (Donegal)	Application	Extension/Refurb	Band 2
Donegal	ED40023	Donegal Education Centre Donegal	Application	New School	Band 2

Higher Education Grants

Noel Ahern

Question:

202 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the State assistance available to mature student who has gone back to study a degree course full time (details supplied); if they qualify for normal university grants; if part-time earnings of their spouse will be taken into account; if they are entitled to any retraining grant; and the tax allowances against fees and other expenses can be claimed. [33077/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Eligibility for grant assistance is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC to establish. Students should apply to their local authority or VEC to establish their eligibility.

Students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

The assessment of means under my Department's third level student grant schemes is based on gross income from all sources, with specified social welfare and health service executive payments being excluded from the calculation. In the case of applicants classed as independent mature students, their own earnings and those of their spouse are normally subject to assessment.

Where students do not qualify to have tuition fees paid on their behalf, tax relief is available at the standard rate of tax for tuition fees paid in respect of approved full/part-time courses in both private and publicly funded third level colleges and universities. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.

Third Level Schemes

Noel Ahern

Question:

203 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify matters in relation to the higher education access route; if she controls the policy issues on this scheme; the person who sets the rules criteria; the reason the scheme does not allow for change of family income status in the current year as the normal grant scheme do; the options open to a student whose parent (details supplied) has become unemployed; and if they proceed this year to university, can they claim the higher education access route financial benefits next year or can they defer entry to college this year and avail of all grants and financial benefits next year. [33083/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves. The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance.

FÁS Training Courses

Willie Penrose

Question:

204 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views of the findings of the Forfás review of labour market programmes which found that 41% of those on the local training initiative run by FÁS were under 25 years of age and that only 56% were in receipt of social welfare prior to commencing training despite the fact that the programme was established to focus on responding to the training needs of socially excluded marginalised clients, primarily those aged between 16 and 25 years; the measures that she will take to refocus this programme on disadvantaged young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25219/10]

Willie Penrose

Question:

295 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the findings of the Forfás review of labour market programmes, in particular the findings which indicated that some of the programmes were not sufficiently focused on training persons on the live register; the actions she plans to take and by when in response to the recommendations to the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25218/10]

Willie Penrose

Question:

296 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the findings of the Forfás review of labour market programmes which found that the bridging foundation programme run by FÁS is not aligned to the target cohort, that there is relatively low progression and certification awards were low; the action she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25220/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 295 and 296 together.

The Review of Labour Market Programmes, carried out by FORFÁS on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and published in February this year, made several recommendations aimed at ensuring that labour market programmes run by FÁS and Skillnets will better deliver on labour market objectives. The programmes examined by FORFÁS were developed at various times to respond to identified needs for training or skills in the labour market. As such they are subject to ongoing review and modification. Where applicable the recommendations are being taken on board by both organisations in formulating their strategy and provision of programmes, within the context of their own specific remits.

The Government has also made several decisions, which have had a direct impact on the programmes being provided to the unemployed. In Budget 2010, the Government announced that FÁS training allowances would be aligned to a person's entitlement to supports for jobseekers and Department of Social and Family Affairs rules.

In addition, in order to minimise the drift into very long-term unemployment and in response to concerns that certain individuals who, without special attention, are likely to be most at risk of becoming distant from the labour market, the Government decided to prioritise four cohorts of the unemployed for support. These are as follows:

People with low skills or education levels,

People who are on the Live Register for over one year;

People who are under 35 years of age,

People who were previously employed in sectors that have been most affected by restructuring and where recovery to near previous levels is not in prospect in the short to medium term (mainly construction, manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade).

As a result of this decision, my Department instructed FÁS that at least 80% of its training and work experience places for the unemployed must be offered to an individual from one of the priority cohorts. As of the end of June 2010, over 90% of FÁS trainees come from the priority cohorts and the overall target is being exceed for each individual programme. This decision has resulted in FÁS placing an enhanced focus on delivering training to those on the Live Register to improve their chances of securing employment. In addition FÁS training provision continues to be updated so that it meets employers skills requirements at a local and a national level.

In 2010 Skillnets has been providing for the inclusion in its training networks programme (TNP) of limited numbers of unemployed persons with the emphasis, where possible, on the priority cohorts on the live register. To date, the numbers of unemployed persons participating under the TNP have been limited to ensure the focus on enterprise-led training is maintained to the benefit of both employed and unemployed participants.

College Courses Accreditation

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

205 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the action she will take regarding a college (details supplied) in Dublin 2 which is not complying with standards set by the Psychological Society of Ireland, leading to withdrawal of its BA degree in psychology, leaving many students with non-credited degrees or unable to complete their degree; under whose remit is this college and other private colleges on the CAO system who have HETAC creditation. [33248/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Professional bodies, such as the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), operate independently in accrediting the programmes of higher education institutions. Such programmes would also have academic accreditation from an awarding body such as a university or the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC). While academic and professional bodies work together to co-ordinate their accreditation activities, it is common for there to be some divergence in requirements.

HETAC accredits a number of programmes offered by the provider in question. All providers offering HETAC awards are subject to external quality assurance review of their institutions. The college in question was recently the subject of an Institutional Review carried out by HETAC, and the report published following this review made several recommendations to the college. The implementation of these recommendations will be monitored by HETAC.

The CAO is a private body and receives no State funding. The higher education institutions have delegated to the CAO the task of processing centrally applications for admission to their first year undergraduate courses. Neither my Department nor HETAC has any role to play in relation to the operation of the CAO.

As the provider in question receives no state funding, my Department does not have a direct role in this matter. I understand that HETAC has played a key role in making alternative arrangements available to the students involved.

Irish Language

Michael Creed

Question:

206 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she intends to proceed with the establishment of Ionad Oideachais Náisiúnta at a location (details supplied) in County Cork. [33319/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my predecessor Minister Hanafin announced in March 2007 that a support and development initiative for the Irish language under the aegis of An Chomhaire um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta would be located at Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Bhúirne and that four additional staff would be assigned to An Chomairle for this purpose. The intention was to provide a key resource that will support and contribute to a national strategy for Irish at all levels of the education system. The capital costs were to be funded by Udaras na Gaeltachta. The commitment to proceed with the centre has been reiterated in the context of the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.

My Department is not in a position to proceed with this initiative in the current budgetary climate. However, the matter will be kept under review, and it is the intention that the project will proceed as soon as resources allow.

Higher Education Grants

Tom Hayes

Question:

207 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken in relation to an issue with students being refused higher education grants for courses run by the vocational education committees due to a technical issue between the VECs and her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33325/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

From September 2010, as announced in the Budget, all new applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, will be ineligible for student maintenance grants. The decision was taken to discontinue the practice of allowing students progressing to a new course to hold both the BTEA and a student maintenance grant simultaneously as this represents a duplication of income support payments. This measure was recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. However, the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable to colleges for the students concerned will continue to be met for these students by the Exchequer, subject to the means test and other grant eligibility requirements.

Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the relevant grant schemes.

This means that, where an applicant enrolled on two-year course in the 2009/2010 academic year, the student in question will continue to be eligible for consideration for both the BTEA or VTOS allowance and the student maintenance grant for the 2010/11 academic year. If the student enrolled on a one-year course in the 2009/2010 academic year and is commencing a further one-year course in 2010/11, the applicant will be ineligible to hold both payments as he/she will be moving to a new course.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant assessing authority, i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the assessing authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal.

Individual local authorities and VECs have been issued with detailed advice by my Department on the operation of the aspects of the schemes referred to by the Deputy. In addition, comprehensive information for students on financial support for further and higher education in 2010/11 for those on social welfare or BTEA has been made available on the studentfinance.ie website, including detailed case studies. This information was developed by my Department in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection, the National Access Office of the HEA, AMA — the third level Access Officers' network, Citizens Information and USI, the Union of Students in Ireland.

Education Projects

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

208 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to resolve the situation of the mainstreamed projects under her Department some of which remain to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28750/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Officials of my Department have held discussions with officials in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) to determine whether projects which involve a significant element of youth work might be more appropriate to that office. The OMCYA has now formally agreed to the transfer of 21 of the projects to the OMCYA as they are considered to be more appropriately related to the specific youth work activities of that Office.

In relation to a number of other projects it has been decided, following consideration, to integrate them with local School Completion Programme projects which are funded under the provision for Social Inclusion measures and supports.

Decisions on the future location of the administration of the remaining small number of projects have not, as yet, been taken. These are currently under review.

Public Service Agreement

Implementation of the Agreement will take place under the aegis of the Public Service Agreement Implementation Body. In turn, arrangements are being put in place to facilitate implementation in each sector including the Education sector.

Officials of my Department have had engagements with a number of unions about the specific commitments contained in the Agreement. Not all unions have accepted the Public Service Agreement, and this poses particular difficulties in the Education sector.

Officials of my Department met recently with the Public Service Agreement Implementation Body to discuss the strategy for implementation of the Agreement in the Education sector. My Department is at present in the process of responding to a request from that body for initial implementation plans for the sector.

Schools Building Projects

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

216 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when she will be able to give the go ahead for a new second level school (details supplied) in County Westmeath in view of the fact that it is a long process; and when can this process commence. [33692/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding to construct a new school on a greenfield site. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating.

The filling of these posts will be notified by the relevant post-primary schools to the Department over the coming weeks. Applications for alleviation have also been received from over 110 primary schools and these are currently being examined and prioritised and the schools will be advised of the outcome in the coming weeks.

FÁS Training Programmes

James Bannon

Question:

220 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford is not being facilitated with a second and third year with FÁS on the Longford suburbs scheme. [31757/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

As Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills I do not have a role in the administration of individual cases. The administration of individual cases is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act 1987.

Eligibility to participate on a CE scheme is linked to the length of time a person is in receipt of Social Welfare benefits. However, the local FÁS office assists all jobseekers who wish to attend a training course.

Schools Refurbishment

Denis Naughten

Question:

221 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 636 of 6 July 2010 the position regarding the schools appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31875/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department received an appeal from the school to which the Deputy refers in respect of their Summer Works Scheme application. The appeal has been considered and I am happy to inform the Deputy that the school has been approved funding towards external works. A letter dated 19th July 2010 was issued to the school authority informing them of the decision.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 181.

Departmental Programmes

Terence Flanagan

Question:

223 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31946/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Programme, referred to by the Deputy, is operated by the Northside Partnership and encourages the participation of young people from the Dublin 17 area in education to the highest levels possible.

Enhancing attendance, progression, retention and attainment are central elements of Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) — the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. Targeted interventions include Home School Community Liaison services, additional funding for pupils at risk of early school leaving, alternative curricular options and the School Completion Programme. The School Completion Programme is an initiative with a broad-based approach which my Department has adopted to tackle early school leaving.

My Department currently targets the Dublin 17 area through the School Completion Programme. This programme aims to have a positive impact on levels of pupil retention in primary and second level schools and on the number of pupils who successfully complete the Senior Cycle, or equivalent. The Programme entails targeting individual young people of school-going age, both in and out of school, and arranging supports to address inequalities in education access, participation and outcomes. In Dublin 17 five primary schools and one post-primary school participate in the School Completion Programme (SCP). An allocation of €316,340 was made to this SCP in 2009/10.

This funding allocation is additional to regular funding. A second SCP in Dublin 17 is a targeted education initiative for teenage Travellers who do not enrol in mainstream second-level education. The funding allocation for this initiative in 2009/10 was €97,670.

The National Educational Welfare Board was established under the Education Welfare Act, 2000, to monitor attendance and help to get young people back to school. The remit of the Board was expanded in 2009 to include responsibility for the Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers (VTST), the Home School Community Liaison Service (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP) as well as the National Educational Welfare Service (EWS) under one common management team. The new integrated approach will provide for better targeting of children who are not benefiting from education. It will ensure that these children are properly supported to maximise their educational potential through improved attendance at and participation in school. It also provides new opportunities for enhanced support for parents and families.

Schools Curriculum

Arthur Morgan

Question:

224 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to include politics as an examinable subject in the secondary school curriculum; her further plans to introduce politics in the second level curriculum outside of the current civic, social and political education course; the timeline for implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31950/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has been progressing the development of a new subject "Politics and Society", which is proposed as an optional examinable full subject in the Leaving Certificate. A draft syllabus has been developed by the Council and was published for consultation. The syllabus is currently being revised in the light of the feedback. After this process has been completed, the Council's formal proposals on the matter will be submitted to me, and will be considered in the light of overall system needs and priorities.

It should be noted that education for citizenship is covered extensively in the curriculum for primary schools as part of Social Personal and Health Education, and History, Geography and Science. At second level, these themes are continued, and Civic Social and Political Education is a mandatory subject for all pupils in the junior cycle. It is examined in the Junior Certificate by means of a written terminal examination and an innovative action project which is designed to give students a practical experience of active citizenship.

Higher Education Grants

Brendan Howlin

Question:

225 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that students who reside long distances from third level institutions are financially disadvantaged by virtue of travelling expenses compared with those residing in close proximity to college campuses; if this was considered in the decision to withhold maintenance funding from students on back to education allowance; the steps she will take to address this inequality of opportunity for students from Wexford and from other counties without ready access to the full range of third level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31970/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Student grants are payable to eligible students at either what is known as an adjacent or a non-adjacent rate. These rates of grant take into consideration that additional expenses may accrue for students whose home address is a significant distance from the institution they attend.

The adjacent rate of grant, which ranges from €330 to €2,680 depending on individual circumstances, is payable where a student's normal residence is 24 Kilometres or less from the college which he/she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of grant, which ranges from €810 to €6,355 again, depending on individual circumstances, is payable in all other cases.

Students in need of extra help due to particular financial circumstances may apply to the Access Officer in their institution for support from the Student Assistance Fund.

In the last Budget, a decision was taken to discontinue the practice of allowing students progressing to a new course to hold both the BTEA and a student maintenance grant simultaneously as this represents a duplication of income support payments. This measure was recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. However, the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable to colleges for the students concerned will continue to be met for these students by the Exchequer, subject to the means test and other grant eligibility requirements.

Students currently in receipt of the BTEA and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the relevant grant schemes.

The BTEA is a Department of Social Protection second-chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and therefore, their prospects of returning to the workforce. Eligibility for, and the payment structure of the BTEA is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection and is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social protection.

School Staffing

Brendan Howlin

Question:

226 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 415 of 27 April 2010, if the draft contract for unqualified or incompletely qualified teachers has been sent to the staff side or when it will be sent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31972/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

A draft contract of indefinite duration and draft fixed term contracts for unqualified individuals employed in teaching posts were recently sent to the Staff side for their views.

When the consultation process is completed, it is intended to issue the final contract for use by schools and VECs.

Site Acquisitions

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

227 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will give an update, in tabular form, of all school sites purchased by the Department of Education and Skills between 2005 and 2008; the price paid for each site; the address and location of each site; the name of the vendor of each site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31973/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

229 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update, in tabular form, of all school sites purchased by the Department of Education and Skills between 2005 and 2008; the price paid for each site; the size of each site; the address and location of each site; the name of the vendor of each site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32003/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

231 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update, in tabular form, of all school sites purchased by the Department of Education and Skills between 2005 and 2008; the price paid for each site, the size of each site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32005/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 227, 229 and 231 together.

As requested by the Deputy I have set out as follows a spreadsheet which provides the details of the sites acquired by my Department between 2005 and 2008.

Sites Acquired by Department of Education & Skills from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008
County	Site Location	School	Roll No.	Size (ac)	Sale Closed	Cost	Vendor
Cork	Passage West Maulbaun	Star of the Sea NS	20105C	3.42a	2005	€650,543.00	Cork County Council, County Hall, Carrigrohane Rd., Cork
Cork	Carhookeal, Mallow,Co. Cork	Gaelscoil Thomáis Daibhais, Mallow, Co. cork	19886D	1.5a	2005	€31,743.45	Co. Cork V.E.C.QC House, Cork Business & Technology Park, Model Farm Rd., Cork
Dublin	Sandyford	G.S.Taobh na Coille	20020R	2.88a	2005	€3,268,800	Castlethorn Construction, Avondale Business Park, Carysford Ave., Blackrock
Galway	Clybaun rd.	Knocknacara N.S.	20108	2.0a	2005	€1,616,470.00	Galway City Council, City Hall College, Galway
Galway	Carrowmanagh, Oughterard	Amalgamation of Scoil an Clochair 13439 & Scoil Chumin Naofa 04786 boys	20199O	1.44a	2005	€200,000.00	Mr. Ml. C. Burke 42 Westbrook, Barna Co. Galway
Kildare	Castledermot	Castledermot Mixed School	19786	2.92a	2005	€488,000.00	Joseph & Anatasia Farrell, Coolane, Castledermot, Co. Kildare
Kilkenny	Thomastown	Thomastown N.S	17657B/new 20272V	2.13a	2005	€176,790.00	Ossary Diocesan Trust, Sion House. Sion Rd., Kilkenny
Mayo	Claremorris	Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca, Claremorris	19972	1.75a	2005	€65,000.00	Bridie Cosgrove, Loughanamon, Claremorris
Monaghan	Clontibbert	Clontibbert N.S.	10751	1.5a	2005	€98,400.00	Robert Falls, Monaghan
Waterford	Dromin Woodtown	Property known as Rosminians School	N/A	1.08a	2005	€7,110,533.32	Very Rev. Joseph O’Reilly, Rosminian Fathers, Grace Park Gardens, Drumcondra, Dublin
Kildare	Crockanure Glebe, Dunmurray, Co. Kildare	Amalgamation of St. Josephs Academy 61700W, Pres. Sec. School 61701B & Vocational School 70690A	91530S	12.56a	2005	€3,830,800.00	Mr. Peter Conlon, Bishopsland House, Kildare
Cork	Rathcormack	Rathcormack N.S	17609	3.95a	2006	€1,107,008.00	Mrs Mgt. Hegarty, Rathcormack, Co. Cork
Cork	Tawnies Lower, Clonakilty, Co. Cork	Gaelscoil Chloich na Coillte	20006A	2.762a	2006	€625,000.00	Cork Co. Council, County Hall, Cork
Dublin	Ballyogan Sandyford	Holy Trinity NS, Sandyford	20190T	2.5a	2006	€2,841,076.00	Viscount Securities & Killiney Estates Limited, The Gallops, Sandyford
Dublin	Ongar/Castaheany, Ongar Village, Fingal, Co. Dublin	Castaheany 20186F Educate Together N.S, St Benedicts 20231H	20186/20231	4a	2006	€8,048,000.00	Fingal Co. Council, County Hall, Swords, Co. Dublin

Sites Acquired by Department of Education & Skills from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008— continuded
County	Site Location	School	Roll No.	Size (ac)	Sale Closed	Cost	Vendor
Dublin	Littlepace, Castaheany	Mary Mother of Hope, Castaheany	20137p20309S Junior	0.8a	2006	€800,000.00	Seamus Ross, C/O The Mall, Main St, Lucan, Co. Dublin
Dublin	The Coombe,	St. Brigids N.S.	16786H	0.642a	2006	€2,000,000.00	Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin
Kerry	St. BrendansBlennerville (O’Shea site), Tralee	St. Brendans N.S, Blennerville	16898	1.2a	2006	€240,000.00	James and Mary O’Shea, Tonevane, Blennerville, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Kerry	St. Brendans, Blennerville (Parish site), Tralee	St. Brendans N.S Blennerville	16898	0.5a	2006	€105,000.00	St. Brendans Trust, Bishops House, Kilarney, Co. Kerry
Kildare	Ardlough Straffan, Co. Kildare	St. Annes Ardlough N.S	17674	2.99a	2006	€550,000.00	Sean Harris, Tipperstown House, Straffan, Co. Kildare
Galway	Cahergal (portion)1	Cahergal NS	17807	2..54a	2006	€180,000.00	John & Rita McGrath, Clougherboy, Tuam, Co. Galway
Louth	Mell	Mell N.S.	18069	2.5a	2006	€1,000,000.00	Drogheda Borough Council, Fair Street, Co. Louth
Laois	Dysartbeagh Mountrath	Mountrath Community School	91550	6.0a	2006	€480,000.00	John MacInerney, Bawnbush, Mountrath
Mayo	Demesne, Westport	G.S. na Cruaiche	20046	2.5a	2006	€825,000.00	Westport Town Council, Altamot St., Westport
Waterford	Tramore	Amalgamation of CBS Tramore 64923 & Stella Maris Secondary School 64922	91520	14.1a	2006	€4,117,200.00	Michael Morrissey, Manor House, Priests Road, Tramore, Co. Waterford
Offaly (Portion see 2007)	Ferbane	Gallen Community School	91515W	4.84a	2006	€470,000.00	St. Mels Diocesan Trust
Dublin	Glasthule Dublin	Pres Bros Glasthule, R.N.60200U, To house Harold N.S. 20141G & Carmona Spec. Sch. 20120A	20141G20120A	1a + Buildings	2007	€7,000,000.00	Trustees of the Presentation Brothers, Mount St. Josephs, Blarney Road, Cork
Clare	Ennistymon	Ennistymon	N/A	14.8a	2007	Redress Valuation €980,000.00	Sisters of Mercy Western Province, Stewardship Office, Society Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Cork	Foxwood Rochestown, Co. Cork	Rochestown N.S., Scoil Padraig Naofa	20225 no changed to 20335T	3a	2007	€3,972,500.00	O’Brien & O’Flynn, Doughcloyne, Vicars Rd., Cork

Sites Acquired by Department of Education & Skills from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008
County	Site Location	School	Roll No.	Size (ac)	Sale Closed	Cost	Vendor
Dublin	Loughlinstown	Archbishop McQuaid Senior School, (housing Ballyowen Meadows Sp. Sch temp.R. N. 19355)	19816F	4.6a	2007	€10,440,000.00	St. Lawrence O’Toole, Diocesan Trust. Archbishop’s House, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Dublin	Ongar/Castaheany, Ongar Village, Fingal, Co. Dublin	Castaheany Educate Together N.S	20186 20231	1.864a Portion	2007	€5,675,000.00	King of the Castle, The Gables, Torquay Rd, Foxrock, Dublin 18 (for access)
Dublin	Adamstown	Adamstowm Educate Tog.	20268 20194	3.122a	2007	€1,771,735 .00	Castlethorn Construction, Avondale Business Park, Carysfort Ave., Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Dublin	Balbriggan NS (Flemington/Bremore site)	Dublin	20202A (20269J)	4.5a (3.5a + 1.00a)	2007	€6,977,361.00	Fingal Co. Council, County Hall Swords, Co. Dublin
Galway	Carna	Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara	91411K	7.12a	2007	Redress Valuation €175,000.00	Sisters of Mercy,Tuam (building 1975) (7.12 under redress) 2007 Co. Galway
Galway	Killimor and Boleybeg	Killimore NS	08512U	2.96a	2007	€525,000.00	Carol Hanney, 1 Corbawn Close, Shankill, Co. Dublin
Kildare	Bawnog’s Kilcock	Scoil Úi Riada G.S.	19897I	6.0a	2007	Valued €2.95M	Kildare Co. Councilexchangefor existing site of G.S.(Minister owned) in Town
Kilkenny	Thomastown (1) — Convent site	Thomastown	17657new 20272V	2.58a	2007	€196,890.00	Sisters of Mercy, Stewardship Office, Bishops St., Cork
Leitrim	Mohill, Co. Leitrim.	Mohill Community Collegesee comment	76089	12.5a	2007	Redress Valuation €520,000.00	Srs of Mercy Westerm Province Ltd.(Ardagh & Clonmacnoise Diocse), Co. Ltd., Society St. Ballinasloe
Leitrim	Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim	St. Feilims, Lady of Fatima & VEC school	91519H	3.8a (1) 3.1a (2) 6.9a(a)	2007	€1,147,500.00 (1) €0,959,940.00 (2) € 2,107,440.00	(1) Mr. Cathal Sharpley, Ballinamore (2) Mr. Francis McTague, Ballinamore
Limerick	Lisgaugh, Doon	Doon	68076Q	17.0a	2007	Redress Valuation €640,000.00	Mercy Trust S.C.P. Ltd. Loreto House, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Sites Acquired by Department of Education & Skills from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008
County	Site Location	School	Roll No.	Size (ac)	Sale Closed	Cost	Vendor
Louth	Eden View, Mornington Road, Drogheda	Le Cheile Educate Together NS	20146Q	2.77a	2007	€1,000,000.00	Drogheda Grammar School Ltd., Mornington Rd., Drogheda, Co. Louth
Mayo	Carrowkennedy, Liscarney	Carrowkennedy N.S.	15866A	2a	2007	€150,000.00	Patrick & Bernadette McDonnell, Carrowrevagh, Liscarney, Westport, Co. Mayo
Mayo	Carrowbeg, Claremorris	Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca	19972T	0.54a0.22a0.76a	2007	€25,395.00	St. Jarlaths Diocesan Trust, Archbishops House, Co. Galway
Meath	Rooske Rd., Dunboyne, Co Meath	G.S. Tulach na nÓg	20082Q	2.5a	2007	€1,100,000.00	Menolly Homes, 4 The Mall, Main StLucan, Co. Dublin
Meath	Laytown, Bettystown	Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Col na hInse Post Primary	2021676103A	20.6a	2007	€8,975,000.00	Mr.Thomas Durcan, 79 Ternure Rd., East, Ternure, Dn. 6
Meath	Athboy	Athboy Community School	91517D	6.889a	2007	€603,600.00	Mr. Paddy Cassidy, Fosterfields, Athboy, Co. Meath
Meath	Athboy	Athboy Community School	91517D	0.969a	2007	€34,500.00	Mr. Dermot Cassidy, Fosterfields, Athboy, Co. Meath
Meath	Eureka, Kells	Eureka Secondary School	64410F	11.5a	2007	Redress Valuation €825,000.00	John Jarlath Heneghan & Others, 274 North Circular Rd., Dublin
Offaly (portion see 2006)	Ferbane	Gallen Community School	91515W	5.75a	2007	€1.00	Co Offaly V.E.C, O’Connor Square Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Roscommon	Rathcroghan	Rathcroghan	17094	1.5a	2007	€155,000.00	John Kelly, Fossabeg, Scariff, Co. Clare
Dublin	Littlepace Castaheany	Mary Mother of Hope, Castaheany	20137P20309S	1.17a	2008	€4,347,050.00	Fingal County Council
Dublin	Glasnevin	North Dublin MDNS Project	19845M	2	2008	€76,184.30	Leased from Trustees of D.C.U. Educational Trust
Galway	Cahergal (portion) 2 existing school	Cahergal NS	17807R	0.5 a	2008	€500.00	St. Jarlath’s Diocesan Trust
Galway	Glenamaddy	Glenamaddy	Former R.N.63011J	7.076A	2008	RedressValuation €600,000.00	Sisters of Mercy (Western Province)
Kildare	Sallins Road, Naas	Scoil Bhride	20114	5 acres	2008	€10.00	Lehmex International Limited, Osberstown, Naas
Kildare	Kill Hill, Kill, Co. Kildare	St. Brigids N.S.	17662R	2.463a 0.650a 3.113a	2008	€471,000.00	Michael McHugh & McCourt Investments, The Court, Kilbride, Co. Meath

Sites Acquired by Department of Education & Skills from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008
County	Site Location	School	Roll No.	Size (ac)	Sale Closed	Cost	Vendor
Louth	Aston Gate,Drogheda,Co. Louth	Aston Village Educate Together	20294I	3.09a	2008	€2,104,290.00	Manor Park Homebuilders Ltd., The Gables, Torqay Road, Foxrock Dn. 18
Offaly	Lystonvale, Collins Lane, Tullamore	Tullamore Educate Togeether	20189L	4.8 acres	2008	€3,000,000.00	Lystonvale Ltdone Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrae, DN2
Roscommon	Demesne Castlerea	Castlerea, Community School, Playing fields	91493P	7.66	2008	€127,354.72	Co. Roscommon, V.E.C, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon
Westmeath	Grange, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath	Educate Together	20188J	2.88A	2008	€1,800,000	Westmeath Co. Co. County Buildings, Mullingar
Wexford	Enniscorthy	Enniscorthy DAUGS Inis Corthaidh, St. Patrick’s Special School	20298Q 20057R 19240B	12.03a	2008	€4,027,485.00	Charles Kavanagh, Drumgoold House, Drumgoolde, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Wexford	Creagh Demense, Gorey	Ed. Tog. Gorey RN 20214H and GS Mhoshiolog 20165U and Gorey CS 76127D	20214H & 20165U, 76127D	18.21 acres	2008	€10,015,500.00	Wexford Co. Co., County Hall, Wexford
Wicklow	Greystones	GS na Clocha Liath & Greystones ET + Post Primary School	20310C & 20300A	17.33 Acres	2008	€15,291,750.00	Vendors: (1) Newlyn Group & (2) George McGarry, Robert Kehoe and Christopher Dowling
Wicklow	Powerscourt	Powerscourt NS, Enniskerry	09760V	1.7 Acres	2008	€561,825.00	Powerscourt Estates, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow

Joanna Tuffy

The new entry process for admission to medical schools arose from a recommendation of the Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education & Training (the Fottrell report). This report formed the basis for a programme of reform and expansion of medical education and training in Ireland that was approved by the Government in 2006. Following this a group of representatives from the Medical Schools and University Admissions Offices was established to examine the implementation of revised entry criteria, having regard to the Fottrell recommendation that entry to undergraduate medical education programmes should not be exclusively coupled with Leaving Cert. performance. It was ultimately decided by the medical schools that from 2009 entry to the undergraduate medical programme would be based on combination of Leaving Cert results and performance in an independent admissions test (HPAT) designed to measure students' problem solving, understanding and reasoning skills.

As this is only the second year of operation of the new entry mechanism, it would be premature to seek to form any firm conclusions in relation to its impact. I understand that a research group comprising representation from the Council of Deans of Faculties with Medical Schools of Ireland (CDFMSI), admission officers, the Central Applications Office, Irish medical education experts and international advisers has been convened for the purpose of ongoing evaluation of the entry process. This group will examine the concurrent and predictive validity of the new entry mechanisms as well as the impact on the socio-demographic composition of successful medical school entrants. The work of this group will inform a review of the new mechanism which will be undertaken within 3 years of its introduction.

School Accommodation

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

235 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No 91 of 10 June 2010, the position regarding a new school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32015/10]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

242 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the status of a school building project (details supplied) in County Louth; if she will prioritise this project in view of the fact that it is situated in a rapidly expanding centre of population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32064/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 242 together.

A project to provide permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputies involves the acquisition of a site. I am pleased to advise the Deputies that contracts for the provision of a site are now being exchanged and my Department understands that the Chief State Solicitor's Office are in contact with their counterparts to close the exchange of the contracts.

The progression of a building project for the school from initial design stage through to construction phase will then be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for the school at this time.

Educational Materials

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

236 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her response to a communication (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32017/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level, and I have no plans to regulate this area.

Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over-frequent changes to textbooks, primarily in order to minimise increases in the cost burden for parents. However, textbooks have to be changed periodically to enable teachers to keep their students' work educationally stimulating and to ensure that content and methodology are kept up to date. School authorities have been advised that books should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary.

The Deputy will be aware that the Renewed Programme for Government provides for funding to be made available to allow schools to provide grant assistance for books. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that €14.65m for grant assistance for books is being made available in 2010 for schools at primary and second level. Schools are encouraged to put in place book rental schemes, as this is the most effective means of reducing costs for all parents.

Given the range of subjects, programmes, class groups and levels across the education system, and the wide variety of sources from which educational materials can be drawn in the Information Society, it is not feasible for my Department to assume a central tendering function for each textbook. To do so would stifle choice for schools and the opportunity to ensure that they can access the most suitable resources to meet their respective needs.

University Staff

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

237 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that the recruitment process for a position at a university (details supplied) was complied with in accordance with best practice; if she will ensure that the current recruitment process is restarted and that proper procedures are adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32023/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Under the Universities Act 1997 universities are autonomous statutory bodies and academically independent institutions. As provided for in the Act the recruitment and appointment of staff, including the determination of selection procedures, is the responsibility of the university's management authorities.

Telecommunications Services

Damien English

Question:

238 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of the level of broadband connectivity of schools in County Meath; the number of schools that have access to high speed broadband; the number of schools that have access to satellite connections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32024/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

There is a total of 120 schools in Co Meath connected through the schools broadband programme. The broadband connections are broken down as follows:

ADSL: 79;

Wireless: 7;

Satellite: 32.

100Mbit/s pilot project — post primary schools: 2 (this is out of a total of 78 schools nationwide)

School Accommodation

Damien English

Question:

239 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills to report on the progress on the provision of a secondary school for Enfield in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32047/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Deputy may be aware that under the Area Development Plan for the N4/M4 corridor, published by the Commission on School Accommodation in May 2005, provision of a new post primary school for Enfield is recommended post 2011.

Overall post-primary requirements in the Enfield area, including the case for the provision of a new post-primary school will be considered in this context.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Higher Education Schemes

Finian McGrath

Question:

240 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied). [32049/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third-level admissions scheme for students with a disability. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves.

The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance.

School Accommodation

Phil Hogan

Question:

241 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if further funding will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Carlow to provide a necessary extension to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32062/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a grant in June 2009 to replace temporary accommodation. The school management authorities were advised that they could utilise this grant to purchase replacement temporary accommodation or to build a permanent structure. I understand that the school authorities have decided to provide a permanent structure.

Additional funding has recently been approved for the school in question to provide ancillary accommodation and universal access toilet.

Question No. 242 answered with Question No. 235.

Labour Activation Fund

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

243 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to re-open the tender process in the future for the labour market activation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32106/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

My Department has completed the process for public procurement of training and education programmes for the unemployed under the Labour Activation Fund 2010. No grounds exist for the re-opening of this process. The question of whether another process of public procurement of such programmes will be undertaken will be considered as part of the Budget 2011 preparations.

Special Educational Needs

Finian McGrath

Question:

244 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied). [32116/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in all mainstream and special schools. This includes determining the level of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support in schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support.

The NCSE is committed to exercising its role in relation to the allocation of teaching hours and Special Needs Assistants to schools to support the education of children with special educational needs in a way that is fair, consistent and transparent. The NCSE has introduced an appeals procedure which can now be viewed in full on its website — www.ncse.ie.

It is open to a school to appeal a SENO's decision under this appeals process.

Finian McGrath

Question:

245 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the special needs assistants who were laid off over the summer. [32118/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating resource teachers and SNAs to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The allocation for any school and any adjustments to that allocation depends on a number of factors such as the number of pupils with care/medical needs leaving, the number of new pupils and the changing needs of the pupils. While SNA posts may be allocated to schools in line with my Department's criteria, SNA posts may also be suppressed where a child may leave or move school, or may achieve a greater level of independence.

A Special Needs Assistant whose post is surplus to the approved allocation to the school may be entitled to a redundancy payment under the terms of circular 58/2006 — titled Redundancy Arrangements for Special Need Assistants. Support to SNAs who may have been made redundant is provided for within the terms of this scheme.

Higher Education Grants

Pat Breen

Question:

246 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will be eligible for a third level education grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32120/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. Depending on the nature of the course to be pursued, this will be either a student's local authority or VEC.

As a decision on grant entitlement can only be taken on foot of a fully completed application form and the necessary supporting documentation, it is in the student's best interests to submit these to the relevant grant awarding authority immediately. It may be helpful to the student to access the studentfinance.ie website to ascertain which grant awarding authority is appropriate to her situation. Application forms are also available on this website.

School Staffing

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

247 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding untrained substitute primary teachers in view of the establishment of the Teaching Council; the reason these teachers need to register with the council; if the Teaching Council is designed to eliminate substitute teachers from the education system; if there are any supports in place to enable these untrained teachers to become formally qualified teachers; if these untrained teachers have any entitlement to pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32179/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

This is now reflected in Circular 40/2010 which my Department issued earlier this year. Under its terms, schools are directed to ensure that teachers proposed for appointment to publicly paid posts must be registered with the Teaching Council and have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which they are proposed. Where an employer can satisfactorily demonstrate that every reasonable effort has been made to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher, an unqualified and/or unregistered person may be recruited pending the recruitment of an appropriately qualified and registered teacher and this provision must be inserted in the employment contract. The employer shall repeat the process to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher within the period of any such contract and in any event within the school year. The person recruited will be remunerated at the unqualified rate.

As the Deputy is aware, the Teaching Council was established under the Teaching Council Act 2001, in March 2006 to promote teaching as a profession and the professional development of teachers, to maintain and improve the quality of teaching in the State, to provide for the establishment of standards, policies and procedures for the education and training of teachers, and to provide for the registration and regulation of teachers and to enhance professional standards and competence.

As it is desirable that there be a fully trained professional body of teachers the Teaching Council aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of teaching, learning and professional conduct in our schools.

In common with most self-regulated professions, the Teaching Council has established and maintains a register of its members, as provided for under Part 3 of the Teaching Council Act 2001. The register of teachers is intended to function as the main regulatory instrument of the Teaching Council. It stands as a verifiable expression of the standard of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence that teachers aspire to have and maintain. To be registered, a teacher must have attained a satisfactory level of professional qualification and training. Thus, the register is intended to act as a statement of the standards required of teachers. Only persons who reach these standards will be able to work as teachers in State funded positions, except in limited time bound circumstances.

In recent years the supply of qualified teachers has increased thus reducing the need for schools to employ unqualified teachers.

Persons who were not qualified but were employed as a teacher in a recognised school, and paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, or eligible to be so employed on establishment of the Teaching Council were allowed to become registered under Section 31(2) of the Teaching Council Act 2001.

For these persons, and others who may have worked as substitute teachers on a temporary basis, it is possible to become formally qualified through a Postgraduate Diploma in Education held in the four publicly-funded Colleges of Education, and the private college, Hibernia, for the purpose of enabling third level graduates to qualify as primary teachers. Persons who successfully complete this course may be registered by the Teaching Council as qualified for service in the State's primary schools.

Under the primary school teachers pension scheme the service of persons employed in primary schools in an untrained capacity is pensionable on an ongoing basis where that service is given from 1 September 2001, subject to payment of appropriate pension contributions. In addition persons giving service on or after that date, may also reckon service given prior to 1 September 2001 for pension purposes subject to satisfying certain thresholds, terms and conditions including verification of the service and payment of appropriate pension contributions.

Brian Hayes

Question:

248 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of classes in primary schools in the Dublin 24, Dublin 12 and Dublin 6w postal areas in which there are classes of 30 pupils or more, and that this information be broken down on a school by school basis in the areas mentioned following the publication by her Department of last year’s school census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32184/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Data on primary schools is not available by Dublin postal code.

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department for the 2009-2010 school year was the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2008. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes.

The Deputy will be aware that the renewed Programme for Government commits the Government to no further increase in the pupil teacher ratio in primary and second level schools for the lifetime of this Government. The renewed Programme for Government also provides for 500 teaching posts to schools over the next three years over and above additional posts that will arise due to demographic increases.

Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 181.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

As of 16th September 1,860 people had commenced a placement under the Work Placement Programme. 918 had taken up graduate placements and 942 commenced non-graduate placements.

The following table provides a breakdown of the figures by graduates and non-graduates as at 16th September.

FÁS Region	Areas/Counties	Graduate (WPP1) Commencements	Non-Graduate (WPP2) Commencements	Total Commencements
Dublin Central	Baggot Court, D’Olier House, Parnell Street, Ballyfermot, Cabra	176	81	257
Dublin South	Rathfarnham, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown	105	106	211
Dublin North	Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Finglas	82	162	244
Midlands	Kildare, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath	56	100	156
Mid-West	Clare, Limerick, Tipperary	68	62	130
North-East	Cavan, Louth ,Meath, Monaghan	74	68	142
North-West	Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo	24	45	69
South-East	Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow	89	108	197
South-West	Cork, Kerry	144	118	262
West	Galway, Mayo, Roscommon	100	92	192
Total		918	942	1,860

Employment Support Services

Leo Varadkar

Question:

256 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the technical employment support grant was introduced; the number of such grants made in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32226/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Technical Employment support Grant (TESG) was introduced in 2006.

The TESG is used where a FÁS Employment Services Officer, during the course of a guidance interview, identifies that a particular category of jobseeker has a support need in order to enter/re-enter the labour market, and that this need cannot be met by FÁS directly or any other State provider within a reasonable period of time or location.

Where support is provided through the TESG, the programme should be accredited up to (and including) FETAC level 6 or equivalent awards on Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). In addition, the Provider is to be a certified approved provider under the NFQ.

Should a training intervention be identified that is not within the NFQ, this may be approved by the local FÁS Employment Services Manager. Grants for programmes not on the NFQ will only be approved for other ‘legitimately' certified or ‘approved' programmes.

In 2009 in excess of 12,000 grants were approved and at the end of August 2010, 11,291 grants have been approved.

School Enrolments

Michael Noonan

Question:

257 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will assist in securing a suitable secondary school place for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32231/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

The Deputy may be aware that a Common Application System was agreed between the Patrons / Trustees and principals of the post-primary schools in Limerick City. This system has been facilitated through the Limerick Education Centre with support from my Department. This administrative system ensures that a coordinated approach can be taken to enrolments in the area.

School Accommodation

Phil Hogan

Question:

258 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a further grant can be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to cover the costs of the extension of badly needed classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32235/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a grant in April of this year to provide an additional mainstream classroom. The school management authorities were advised that they could utilise this grant to purchase temporary accommodation or to build a permanent structure. I understand that the school authorities have decided to provide a permanent structure.

Additional funding has been allocated to the school authorities to provide a pedestrian ramp at the school.

Schools Building Projects

Tom Hayes

Question:

259 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building funding application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32243/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

In 2004, agreement was reached to amalgamate the school referred to by the Deputy and one other primary school in the town. An application was made for capital funding towards the amalgamation project. It was assessed and the project was assigned a band rating of 1.4.

A technical inspection was carried out on the existing school buildings to determine which would be suitable to facilitate the amalgamated school. The report produced following this inspection concluded that the most suitable building to facilitate the amalgamation would be the girls' school. It also found that an additional portion of land would be required from the Sisters of Mercy to facilitate the development. The Sisters of Mercy have indicated that they would, in principle, be disposed to selling land to the Department to facilitate the proposed works.

The progression of this building project and the acquisition of the additional land required to facilitate the amalgamation, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Site Acquisitions

Tom Hayes

Question:

260 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the purchase of a site for the building of a new school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when this will be approved and progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32244/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has reached agreement, in principle, subject to contract with the County Council. Once this acquisition is concluded, the proposed building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.

Third Level Sector

Damien English

Question:

261 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide a third level education campus in County Meath in order to allow the people living there to advance their skills base for the knowledge society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32249/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

There are no plans to develop any new higher education institutions at this time. As the Deputy may be aware, a new national strategy for higher education has been under development by a high level group chaired by Dr Colin Hunt. The question of how Ireland's higher education system should be configured to best meet the challenges of the next two decades has been under consideration as part of this work. I have now been presented with the Group's report and will be consulting with my Government colleagues in relation to its findings in the coming weeks.

Special Educational Needs

Finian McGrath

Question:

262 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied). [32267/10]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

301 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements that were made for the education of the 24 children who turned up to start school at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 and were told that there was not a place for them there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33143/10]

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

307 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm contact with a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of staffing issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33244/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 301 and 307 together.

The Deputies will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support.

The Deputies will also be aware that the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools.

The NCSE has advised my Department that the school concerned had sufficient teaching resources in place to cater for the special educational needs of all of the pupils proposed for enrolment at the beginning of the school year. I understand that the NCSE is actively engaging with the school authorities to ensure that any outstanding applications for support will be processed once the appropriate information has been provided to the school's assigned Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).

I can confirm that my Department has been in contact with the school in question, by letter of 3rd September, to clarify issues raised by them in relation to the school's enrolment policy and also to advise of the role of the NCSE regarding the determination of support levels for pupils with special educational needs in special schools.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

I wish to assure the Deputies that supports will continue to be made available to schools which have enrolled pupils who qualify for such support and children with special educational needs will continue to have access to an appropriate education in line with my Department's policy.

Educational Materials

Finian McGrath

Question:

263 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the proposals on a book rental scheme (details supplied) in all second level schools. [32283/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to advise the Deputy that I have consistently encouraged schools to put in place book rental schemes as the most effective means of lowering costs for all parents.

In accordance with the Renewed Programme for Government, my Department issued funding to schools in June to enable them to provide assistance for school books.

Details of the funding were notified to schools by circulars 0041/2010 (second level) and 0043/2010 (first level), which are available on my Department's website. In these circulars, schools were urged to use this funding to establish book rental schemes.

In total, €14.6 Million issued to schools. Funding was allocated as follows:

€11 per pupil in primary schools;

€21 per pupil in primary schools within the Delivering Equality in Schools (DEIS) scheme;

€24 per pupil in post-primary; or

€39 per pupil in post-primary schools within the DEIS scheme.

In the majority of cases, my Department does not have a role in recommending, endorsing or approving textbooks. Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use are taken at school level.

Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over-frequent changes, primarily in order to minimise increases in the cost burden for parents. School authorities have been advised that books should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary.

FÁS Training Programmes

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

264 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will explain the role of FÁS in providing the training to become a certified Shotfirers and Explosives Supervisors under Statutory Instrument 28 of 2008; if she will indicate if FÁS has a role in the assessment of persons with these qualifications; if she is satisfied that there is no conflict of interest for FÁS if it certifies and audits these qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32359/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Responsibility for the administration of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and the Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) resides with FÁS as set out in Statutory Instrument 504 of 2006 — The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 (Schedule 4) and Statutory Instrument 28 of 2008 — The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations 2008 (Schedule 1).

Shotfiring is one of the specified tasks under both the CSCS and QSCS while explosives supervision is specified under the QSCS.

Training and assessment programmes for the CSCS and the QSCS were developed by FÁS, in consultation with the respective industries. FÁS does not deliver any programmes in shotfiring or explosives supervision. These programmes can only be delivered by approved training organisations which are registered on the FÁS/Enterprise Ireland National Register of Trainers.

FÁS does not certify these programmes but does, in accordance with its quality assurance arrangements with FETAC, process requests from approved training organizations for FETAC certification.

Under these schemes, FÁS is required to issue registration cards for specified tasks following successful completion of the relevant training, assessment and certification. Registration cards are issued on the basis of the relevant FETAC award or a recognised equivalent to the FETAC award including a recognised equivalent award in another Member State of the European Communities.

Schools Building Projects

Denis Naughten

Question:

265 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a primary school building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32415/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers applied to my Department for major capital works. The application was assessed in accordance with published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and assigned a band 2 rating.

The project was included in the Ministerial announcement on 16 February 2010 to appoint a design team this year.

Subsequently, the Department's technical staff conducted a site suitability assessment in May of this year and some issues raised as a result of the visit are now being addressed with the school authority.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

266 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will indicate when work will commence on the new school (details supplied) in Passage West, County Cork; the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32427/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

This project is currently at an advanced stage of the tender process. Assuming no issues arise, it is envisaged that the project will progress to construction in quarter 4 of this year.

School Enrolments

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

267 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the shortfall in secondary school places in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 16 and if she has any plans to deal with the unmet demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32429/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the area referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this context.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

FÁS Training Programmes

Leo Varadkar

Question:

268 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 28 January 2010 if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 applying for the technical employment support grant to apply for a course to see if they are eligible to receive the maximum level of support referred to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32430/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

At the end of May 2010 it was decided to adjust the funding available through the Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) from €950 to €500 in order to maximize the number of clients who could benefit from this support. In 2009 in excess of 12,000 grants were approved and at the end of August 2010, 11,291 grants have been approved.

The Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) is used where a FÁS Employment Services Officer, during the course of a guidance interview, identifies that a particular category of jobseeker has a support need in order to enter/re-enter the labour market, and that this need cannot be met by FÁS directly or any other state provider within a reasonable period of time or location. A fund of up to €500 per jobseeker or 100% of the cost of the programme, whichever is the lesser amount, may be available for qualifying jobseekers. The TESG grant should not be combined with Department of Social Protection grants and/or the Local Employment Service Mediator Fund grants.

The programme should be accredited up to and including FETAC level 6 or equivalent awards on Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and the Provider is to be a certified approved provider under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Should a training intervention be identified that is not within the NFQ, this may be approved by the local FÁS Employment Services Manager. Grants for programmes not on the NFQ will only be approved for other ‘legitimately' certified or ‘approved' programmes.

The administration of individual cases is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act 1987.

Under the terms of the scheme, concessionary fare-paying transport is the most that can be offered to the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied.

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

Question:

272 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on an application for a new school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the current status of this application and the advice as to the way in which the school management might progress its application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32503/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is now available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project at the school in question at this time.

Physical Education Facilities

Tom Hayes

Question:

273 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for funding for a school physical education hall in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32522/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for major capital funding for a PE Hall. The application was assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band rating of 4.

The published prioritisation criteria were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

Special Educational Needs

Deirdre Clune

Question:

274 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants in schools in Cork county and city in September of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32523/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I have arranged for the details requested by the Deputy in relation to pupils in receipt of SNA support to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Site Acquisitions

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

276 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be able to relocate to a permanent site and modern school building; if she will provide an update on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32525/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department is aware of the need for additional school accommodation in the general area referred to by the Deputy. With this in mind my Department is engaged in the process of acquiring a site and to this end has applied for planning permission as part of the exchange of contracts. The future Patronage of any schools constructed on this property will be in the context of the educational demand in the area and the outcome of the application for planning permission. When the acquisition of a suitable site is concluded, the proposed building project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.

School Transport

As part of Budget 2010, it was announced that the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) would explore, with my Department and FÁS, the potential to rationalise child care support schemes with the objective of delivering improved supports in a more efficient, transparent and equitable way.

Following discussions, the OMCYA established the Childcare Education and Training Scheme (CETS). The CETS commenced in September 2010 and is designed to provide free child care places to participants in a range of full-time and part-time VEC further education and FÁS training programmes. Under the previous child care support schemes, parents received a partial subsidy of child care costs.

In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, officials in my Department have been in contact with the relevant VEC and the OMCYA in order to resolve this issue. I should note that the CETS is open to participants on the same range of programmes that the previous schemes had provided for, which includes participants in the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS).

The operation of the CETS will be kept under review by the OMCYA and my Department.

School Accommodation

Dan Neville

Question:

283 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the funding for the much needed new portakabin classroom at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32921/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding was recently approved to provide a permanent structure to replace the current temporary accommodation at the school in question.

Schools Building Projects

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

284 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the commencement date and timeframe for completion of construction of the permanent school building for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32955/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The project to which the Deputy refers was tendered as a design and build project. A contractor was appointed during the summer and planning permission is due to be lodged shortly. Subject to receipt of the necessary statutory approvals, it is envisaged that the project will commence construction in early 2011 and will take circa 16 months to complete.

School Enrolments

Seán Power

Question:

285 Deputy Seán Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide information (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32970/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table. The number of pupils enrolled in each school in 2009/2010 is available by county in the Search for a School area of my Department's website, www.education.gov.ie.

Pupils attending schools in Co. Kildare
	Mainstream National Schools	Special National Schools	Second Level Schools
2000	19,263	188	13,721
2001	19,360	188	13,460
2002	19,859	168	13,185
2003	20,447	167	13,044
2004	20,971	161	13,037
2005	21,504	155	13,091
2006	22,298	160	13,254
2007	23,469	183	13,439
2008	24,786	184	13,878
2009	25,811	183	14,244
2010	26,590	181	14,806

Higher Education Grants

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

286 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the assistance or grants that can or will be offered to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32987/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Where the assessing authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal.

No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

The candidate referred to by the Deputy should apply, if they have not already done so, to their local authority/VEC to establish eligibility for the course they are applying to do.

Special Educational Needs

Damien English

Question:

287 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an application in respect of a grant for a Heathfield chair in respect of a child (details supplied), in County Meath; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33026/10]

As of 20 September 2010, there are 376 persons under 25 years of age on Community Employment schemes.

Departmental Programmes

Willie Penrose

Question:

291 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of places filled by young persons under 25 years on the work placement programme in line with the commitment to ring-fence 250 places for young persons under 25 years when the scheme was announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25214/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Work Placement Programme provides unemployed individuals with the opportunity to secure work experience for up to nine months. The programme includes the provision to ring-fence 250 places for under 25s. Participation on the programme is voluntary and unpaid while participants on the programme may be entitled to maintain their social welfare entitlements subject to the rules of the Department of Social Protection. This Programme is designed to address an identified gap in policy provision for those unemployed people who need more experience to make them more attractive to employers. This will assist them in securing paid employment in the future.

As of 16th September 1,860 people had commenced a placement under the Work Placement Programme. 918 had taken up graduate placements and 942 commenced non-graduate placements.

The total number of places filled by young persons under 25 years old on the programme is 563. This includes 294 on the graduate stream and 269 on the non-graduate stream.

Employment Support Services

Willie Penrose

Question:

292 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have been supported by the FÁS EURES service in 2008 and in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25215/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

EURES assisted 23,306 persons in 2008, broken down as 21,600 jobseekers and 1,706 employers or their representatives. The 2009 figures were 21,012, of which 19,736 were jobseekers and 1,276 were employers.

This assistance includes advice and counselling to mobile European workers (Irish and other EU/EEA nationals) and work placement in Ireland and Europe. Assistance was given to Irish employers on recruiting non-Irish workers to Ireland (where specific skills needs are not available in Ireland, e.g. language) and to European based employers interested in recruiting Irish and non-Irish workers based in Ireland for work opportunities in the wider European labour market.

In addition, in 2008 and 2009 FÁS /EURES held public advice and employment events in the following locations (numbers attending are in brackets):

2008 Employment and Advice Fairs:

Construction — Limerick (500)

Construction — Dublin (2000)

Construction — Cork (2500)

2009 Employment and Advice Fairs:

Dublin (1600)

Dundalk (1500)

Galway (1000)

Sligo (500)

Waterford (1500)

Limerick — dedicated Polish event (82)

Departmental Agencies

Willie Penrose

Question:

293 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of complaints received by FÁS from clients in 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25216/10]

Willie Penrose

Question:

294 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of complaints received by FÁS from clients in 2007, 2008 and 2009 which were referred to the FÁS client services commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25217/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together.

The following table lists the number of complaints received by the FÁS Client Services Co-ordinator and the number of complaints referred on to the Client Services Commissioner.

Year	Number of Complaints	No of Complaints referred to Client Service Commissioner
2007	129	3
2008	161	2
2009	190	6

Questions Nos. 295 and 296 answered with Question No. 204.

Schools Building Projects

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

297 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a new second level school to replace a college (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33088/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Under the student maintenance grant schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for financial assistance where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to residence, means, age, nationality and previous academic attainment.

For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or guardians, dependent mature students or as independent mature students. A mature student is defined as a person of not less than 23 years of age in the year of entry to an approved course. An independent mature student is defined as a mature student who was not ordinarily resident with his or her parents from the October preceding entry to an approved course.

When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the schemes specify that parental income must be taken into account. Independent mature students, on the other hand, are assessed without reference to their parents' income. The reckonable income of an independent mature student is that of the candidate only and of his or her spouse where appropriate.

The Student Support Bill will provide the Minister with the power to regulate for different classes of applicants. This power would enable me, if there were compelling reasons and adequate resources to do so, to consider the circumstances where a student could be assessed without reference to parental income. The Deputy will appreciate that any extension of the provision of assessment as an independent mature student would have to be carefully considered to ensure it is highly targeted at very specific circumstances where students could demonstrate that they have been genuinely self-supporting and living independently for a period before the commencement of their studies.

Question No. 301 answered with Question No. 262.

Special Educational Needs

Michael Ring

Under the terms of my Department's Free Fee Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved institution. The main conditions are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. Students with official refugee status in the State who meet the criteria of the scheme may also be considered under the Free Fees Initiative. Any such amendment to the residency rule as requested by the Deputy could not apply in isolation to returning Irish emigrants as the scheme must be applied to all EU/EEA/Swiss nationals on the same basis.

The assessment of eligibility under the Free Fees Initiative in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme. I have no plans to amend the residency rule of the scheme.

Where undergraduate students do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Free Fees initiative such students must pay the appropriate tuition fee as determined by the third level institution. However, tax relief, can be claimed for tuition fees paid in respect of approved undergraduate courses at approved colleges of higher education in the State and any other E.U. Member State.

Child Care Services

A report of the technical assessment has been prepared recently and is under consideration.

Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 193.

Higher Education Grants

Arthur Morgan

Question:

311 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to issue a directive to all third level institutions ordering the temporary registration of all grant applicants until such a time as the grant has been fully processed. [33335/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Admissions to third level institutions and the registration of students in this regard is, in the first instance, a matter for the institutions themselves. However, I have asked the Higher Education Authority to request that institutions exercise the maximum flexibility in respect of the payment of the student services charge for those still awaiting a decision on grant applications and I understand that the institutions are operating on this basis.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

312 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will deploy additional staff in local authorities and vocational educational committees in order to process grant applications in a timely manner in order to avoid delays such as that which occurred at the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year. [33336/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Deputy will be aware of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector.

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the staffing requirement in each local authority area is a matter for the relevant Manager, who is required to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he/she is responsible.

In respect of Vocational Education Committees, positions other than teacher and SNA posts in schools, and teacher equivalents that are directly providing tuition to pupils in schools, in special programmes or in an adult and further education, are comprehended by this decision. It is a matter for each VEC to implement work prioritisation across different functions, and to deploy available staff to execute those functions.

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

Question:

313 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a building project proposed at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the announcement made regarding this project will be honoured; if the funding required will be provided part of budget 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33368/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for capital funding towards an extension and refurbishment works. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2.1 rating.

There are four band ratings under the prioritisation criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including this project, is now available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

School Transport

John McGuinness

Question:

314 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will expedite a response. [33370/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, made a late application for school transport for the current year. The service in question is operating to capacity but Bus Éireann has further advised that this pupil can be facilitated on another service and in this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office.

Higher Education Strategy

Brian O'Shea

Question:

315 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when the Hunt report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33393/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The High Level Group which was established to develop a new national strategy for higher education has now completed its work and I have received a copy of its report from the Chairman. I will be consulting with my Government colleagues in relation to the report in the coming weeks and the timeframe for the publication of the report will be decided in that context.

Special Educational Needs

Joe Carey

Question:

316 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on plans to develop a dedicated autistic spectrum disorder unit in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33405/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy is aware, the Department is in receipt of an application for large scale capital funding which includes the provision of an ASD Unit for a school in County Clare. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 1 rating.

In the meantime, the school has been provided with temporary accommodation to meet its needs.

School Transport

Paul Kehoe

Question:

317 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if assistance can be offered to the families (details supplied) in getting a school bus ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33408/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Schemes on behalf of my Department has advised that the service in the area in question is operating to capacity. However, arrangements are being made to ensure that all eligible pupils will be provided with a reasonable level of service.

In this regard the families referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office.

Questions Nos. 318 to 320, inclusive, answered with Question No. 275.

Teaching Qualifications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

321 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed, for any length of time in teaching positions for which they did not hold appropriate qualifications in the school years 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and to date in 2010-2011, at primary and secondary levels. [33469/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Teachers in primary and second level schools are employed by the managerial authorities of the schools.

The managerial authorities were advised by Circular Letter in May 2010 of the teacher registration and qualification requirements for appointment to primary and second level schools.

The terms of the Circular (Circular Letter 40/2010) provide that school authorities, as employers, ensure that teachers proposed for appointment to teaching posts for which salary grant is being sought must be:

1. Registered with the Teaching Council in accordance with Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001

and

2. Have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which s/he is proposed.

The Circular allows for two exceptions to apply:

a) Where an employer can satisfactorily demonstrate that every reasonable effort has been made to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher, an unqualified and/or unregistered person may be recruited pending the recruitment of an appropriately qualified and registered teacher and this provision must be inserted in the employment contract. The employer shall repeat the process to recruit an appropriately qualified and registered teacher within the period of any such contract and in any event within the school year. The person recruited will be remunerated at the unqualified rate.

b) In the case of an appointee who has applied to the Teaching Council, remuneration will be at the rate for unqualified persons pending the decision of the Council. This provision must be inserted in the employment contract. When registration for the sector and recognition of qualifications for the purpose of the post is achieved then incremental salary will be allowed from the date of registration. Otherwise the employer shall repeat the recruitment process within the school year. (A copy of the full Circular Letter is attached for the information of the Deputy).

In the 2009/10 school year 129 primary and 33 post-primary unqualified staff were employed on contract for the school year. Information for the current school year is not yet available as Boards of Management are continuing to make appointments and they are being processed by my Department at present.

Circular 0040/2010

To: The Managerial Authorities of Recognised Primary, Secondary, Community, and Comprehensive Schools

and

The Chief Executive Officers of Vocational Education Committees

Teacher Recruitment

Registration and Qualifications

The Minister for Education and Skills, in accordance with the authority conferred by section 24 of the Education Act 1998, directs that school authorities, as employers, ensure that teachers proposed for appointment to teaching posts for which salary grant is being sought must be

1. Registered with the Teaching Council in accordance with Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001

And

2. Have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which s/he is proposed

The following exceptions will apply

Special Schools

The position remains that special schools must recruit teachers qualified to teach in primary schools except in the case of special schools that cater for pupils of post-primary age where it is sanctioned by this Department as being appropriate to appoint teachers with other qualifications.

Conditional Registration

A teacher conditionally registered with the Teaching Council will be remunerated on the teachers incremental salary scale. This is conditional on continued compliance with the terms of registration within the period prescribed by the Teaching Council and this condition must be inserted in the employment contract. In the event that conditional registration lapses then from that date, remuneration will be at the rate for unqualified persons and the employer shall repeat the recruitment process within the school year.

Application

The terms of this circular are applicable to all new appointments from 1st September, 2010.

This circular supersedes all previous circulars, memoranda, rules and regulations in relation to this area including Circular 24/00.

Matters relating to registration of teachers are appropriate to the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Email: info@teachingcouncil.ie

Please ensure that copies of this circular are provided to all members of the Board of Management/Vocational Education Committee and its contents are brought to the attention of all teachers in your employment including those on leave of absence.

This circular can be accessed on the Department's website under www.education.ie Home — Education Personnel — Post-Primary/Primary — Circulars and Information Booklets — Recruitment Policies.

All enquiries regarding this circular should be e-mailed to: teachersna@education.gov.ie

D. Tattan

Principal Officer

Schools Division

May, 2010

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

322 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to amend the Teaching Council Acts and regulations to strengthen enforcement of the requirement that unqualified and unregistered teachers can be hired only where there is no qualified and registered teacher available. [33470/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

It is the policy of my Department that only qualified personnel should be employed by schools. Unqualified personnel should not be appointed except in exceptional circumstances and then only when all avenues for recruiting qualified personnel have been exhausted and even then only for quite limited time periods. It is for this reason that Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 is to be amended. These amendments are contained in the Education (Amendment) Bill which was published yesterday. The amendment of the section will include provision for it to be regulated that a school may only employ unregistered personnel on a time limited basis in exceptional circumstances.

Special Educational Needs

Olwyn Enright

Question:

323 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the purposes for which the additional capitation grant for special needs students can be used; if it is intended to relate specifically to the pupil in relation to whom it was obtained or if it can be used for general school purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33522/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. Increases in recent years in these enhanced rates have brought the top rate up to almost €1,000 per pupil.

Schools have flexibility and discretion on how to target funding to the school's own priorities, based on its knowledge and understanding of the needs of the students it serves.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes

Question:

324 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount her Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33636/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The following are the amounts spent by my Department over each of the last three years and the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills:

2007: €189,472.60;

2008: €173,039.57;

2009: €148,226.70;

2010: €66,310.85.

524 official mobile phones are currently in use by staff in my Department. My Department has a significant number of staff who provide services to schools around the country and are therefore not office base, such staff include the Inspectorate and Psychologists in the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

An additional 88 mobile phones are provided for use by the Visiting Teachers Service who require them in the course of their duties.

The mobile phone operator currently holding the contract for supplying this service to my Department is Vodafone. The contract was awarded to Vodafone in June 2009 and was tendered for under the Government Framework Agreement.

Cycle to Work Scheme

John O'Mahony

Question:

325 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the changes she has made to the administration of the cycle to work scheme; the reasons for making the changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33648/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The revised arrangements for the administration of the Cycle to Work Scheme in 2011 and subsequent years for the teaching and non teaching staff of Primary, Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools paid on payrolls operated by my Department are outlined in Circular Letter number 46/2010. The terms of the scheme for staff employed and paid by Vocational Education Committees are outlined in Circular Letter number 51/2010.

Under the terms of the revised scheme, eligible staff employed in the 2010/2011 school year have three application date options to submit applications to join the scheme. Applicants can only apply for the scheme under one of the options.

The closing dates for the different options are the 7th January, 7th March, and 23rd April, 2011. Salary deductions will commence during the months February, April and May respectively for the three options.

The changes were introduced as the feedback received on the 2010 scheme highlighted the need for more flexibility and an extended application period to allow eligible staff in schools avail of the benefits of the "Cycle to Work" scheme.

Copies of the Circulars are set out below for your information.

Circular Letter 0051/2010

To the Chief Executive Officer of each Vocational Education Committee

Cycle to Work Scheme

For 2011 and Subsequent Years

1 INTRODUCTION

The Minister for Education and Science wishes to inform CEOs of the Cycle to Work Scheme for 2011 and subsequent years. The scheme will apply to all staff employed by VECs.

Legislation was introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 which allows an employer to incur the expense of providing an employee with a new bicycle1 without the employee being liable for benefit-in-kind taxation. The legislation also permits the benefit-in-kind tax exemption to apply in the context of salary sacrifice, that is, where an employee agreed to forego or sacrifice part of his/her salary in lieu of the provision of new bicycle by the employer. The employee will not pay tax, PRSI, income levy or pension related deduction on the remuneration sacrificed.

The scheme allows an employer to purchase a new bicycle and/or bicycle safety equipment up to a value of €1,000 once every 5 years on behalf of an employee.

A guidance note on the scheme including a series of Questions and Answers provided by the Revenue Commissioners can be found at:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/law/bik-exemption-for-bicycles.pdf

The scheme applies only to new bicycles and bicycle safety equipment purchased from approved suppliers. [A list of suppliers is available on the OPW web site at:

http://www.opw.ie/en/OurBusinessUnits/GovernmentSuppliesAgency/Cycle-to-WorkScheme/.]

1The scheme also applies to safety equipment relating to cycling.

2 REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHEME

Salary sacrifice by an employee in respect of the bicycle will be acceptable to the Revenue Commissioners as being effective for tax purposes under the following conditions:

1. There must be a bona fide and enforceable alteration to the terms and conditions of employment, i.e. exercising a choice of benefit instead of salary.

2. The alteration must not be retrospective and must be evidenced in writing.

3. There must be no entitlement to exchange the benefit for cash;

4. The choice exercised (i.e. benefit instead of cash) cannot be made more frequently than once in a five-year period

5. The choice exercised must be irrevocable for the relevant year for which it is made.

The salary sacrifice will have no impact on pension contributions or on pension benefits.

3 APPLICATION FOR THE SCHEME

There are three application options for the scheme between January and April and applicants should apply for the scheme under one of these options. Completed applications must be forwarded to the administration office in the appropriate VEC no later than the dates specified below.

Application Option	Closing date for receipt of applications
Option 1	07th January
Option 2	07th March
Option 3	23rd April

Individuals wishing to avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme are required to:

1. Complete an Application Form (Appendix 1) which outlines the items to be purchased, and

2. Sign the Salary Deduction Authorisation Form (Appendix 2) and

3. Read and agree to the conditions governing the scheme (Appendix 3).

The Department recommends that, if possible, the forms were made available to staff on the each VEC's website.

The application must be completed in conjunction with the supplier. It will contain information on the new bicycle/cycle safety equipment supplied and the details of the supplier. The supplier must attach the relevant invoice. The supplier must also accept that the payment from the VEC will be made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) only.

4. SALARY DEDUCTION

The Salary Deduction Authorisation Form will set out the salary sacrifice for the items requested.

Salary deductions should commence during the month specified below for the three options:

Application Option	Commencement date for salary deductions
Option 1	February
Option 2	April
Option 3	May

All salary deductions must be completed by the last payroll in November, therefore salary deductions under options 2 and 3 will be spread over a reduced number of salary payments. In the case of applicants employed under a regular part time contract due to expire in August, deductions should be completed by the last payroll in August. An employee may alternatively opt to complete salary deductions over a shorter period

Once the salary deduction arrangements have been put in place, the bicycle / cycle safety equipment may be collected from the supplier.

5. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION

You are requested to bring the contents of this Circular to the attention of all staff in your VEC. This circular can be accessed on the Department of Education and Skills web page:www.education.ie.

6. QUERIES

Queries regarding the operation of this scheme should be directed by email to the VEC Financial and Administrative Personnel Section at: financialvec@education.gov.ie.

7. PREVIOUS CIRCULAR

This circular supersedes circular 0063/2009.

M. Ryan.

Principal Officer.

VEC Financial and Administrative Personnel

August 2010

Appendix 1

Cycle to Work Scheme

Application Form

To: Cycle to Work Scheme

Enter VEC address

Please clearly mark envelope “Cycle to Work Scheme”

Please circle as appropriate:

Current post: Teacher or Non teaching staff

1 Employee Personnel Details

Name: (as on payslip) _________

Home Address _______________________

_______________________

Contact Telephone No.____ School roll number______

PPS No.: (as on payslip)

Payroll No.: (as on payslip)

2 Supplier details

Supplier Name ___________ VAT Number _______

2.1 Supplier Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) details:

Number _________ Expiry Date _________

2.2 Supplier’s Bank details for EFT Payment:

Bank Account No.

Bank Sort Code

Bank Name & Address _________________

__________________

Please ensure that the bank account is within the Republic of Ireland and will support the Electronic Money Transfer System.

3 Details of Bicycle/Cycle Equipment Ordered

Goods	Description	Price inclusive of VAT
Bicycle
Cycle helmet conforming to European standard EN1078
Bells and bulb horn
Lights including dynamo packs
Mirrors and mudguards
Cycle clips and dress guards
Panniers, luggage carriers and straps
Locks and chains
Pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits and tyre sealant
Reflective clothing along with white front reflectors and spoke reflectors
Total

Attach Invoice For Bicycle/Cycle Equipment of Total Ordered.

Appendix 2

Cycle to Work Scheme

Salary Deduction Authorisation Form

I hereby authorise a salary sacrifice of €_________as per invoice of my annual basic salary in lieu of the provision of new bicycle/cycle safety equipment by enter name of VEC VEC. I realise that this arrangement will operate until the salary sacrifice has been recouped and that the deductions will be reflected in my pay slips over one of the periods below (please indicate your selected deduction period):

February to November		April to November		May to November
February to August *		April to August*		May to August*

*August in the case of applicants employed under a fixed term or regular part time contract due to expire in August.

I declare that the bicycle/cycle safety equipment supplied under this scheme is for my personal use and will be used primarily for qualifying journeys, i.e. journeys to or from work and/or between places of work and that such use is subject to any rules or conditions that are in force concerning the operation and use of the equipment.

I understand that I should use the bicycle in line with all rules and regulations as set out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and make use of proper cycle safety equipment at all times.2

I have read and I agree to Cycle-to–Work Scheme conditions and circular 0051/2010

____________________________

2Please see RSA web site http//www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-pedestrians-cyclists-motorcyclists/index.html.

To be completed by an employee who wishes to complete the salary deductions over a shorter period;

I wish to complete the salary deductions over one of the following shorter periods:

Start Date	End Date — Please specify
February
April
May

NAME _______________

BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE

PPSN ______________

Signed: __________ Date:

____________

Data Protection

Name of VEC will treat all personal data you provide on this form as confidential and will use it solely for the purpose intended. The information will only be disclosed as permitted by law or for the purposes listed in the VEC’s registration with the Data Protection Commissioner — REF 10764/A

If the information you have provided is to be used for purposes other than outlined in the VEC’s registration with the DPC your permission will be sought.

Appendix 3

Cycle to Work Scheme Conditions

1. The applicant must be employed in a Permanent, Contract of Indefinite Duration (C.I.D), fixed term, or Regular Part Time capacity at the date of application. The employment must be capable of lasting until the salary sacrifice has been recouped. It is not possible for casual or non casual employees to avail of the scheme.

2. The employee must sacrifice or forego part of his/her annual basic salary in lieu of the provision of new bicycle/cycle safety equipment by the VEC. This arrangement will operate until the salary sacrifice has been recouped and this will be reflected in his/her pay slips over that period.

3. The new bicycle/cycle safety equipment acquired under the scheme must be used primarily for the purpose of transport to or from work and/or traveling between work places.

4. When purchasing a new bicycle, the employee must be aware that the National Safety Authority of Ireland implements on behalf of the European Commission certain bicycle safety standards. Bicycles that comply with such standards are presumed to comply with the EU General Product Safety Directive 2001/96/EC which lays down an obligation on producers to place safe products on the market. The relevant standards are;

I.S. EN14764:2006 — city and trekking bikes,

I.S. EN14766:2006 — mountain bikes,

I.S. EN14781:2006 — racing bicycles.

More information on these matters can be accessed athttp://www.nsai.ie

5. The employee will not be able to cease his or her participation in the scheme prior to the expiry of the salary sacrifice arrangement, except in cases of termination of employment. Where employment is terminated before the expiration of the salary sacrifice arrangement, the employee must pay the balance due to the VEC, which may be deducted from any outstanding payment due in termination of the employment. Where this is not possible, it may be then necessary for the VEC to recover the balance due from the employee.

6. Participation in the scheme will be limited to once in each five-year period. Accordingly any person who availed of the scheme in 2010 under the terms of Circular 0063/2009 cannot re-apply in 2011.

7. The scheme applies only to new bicycle/cycle safety equipment purchased from approved providers. A full list of providers is available from the OPW website:

http://www.opw.ie/en/ourbusiness units/governmentsuppliesagency/cycletoworkscheme/.

8. The payment for the bicycle/cycle safety equipment will be made to the supplier by the VEC. It will be a requirement of the scheme for participating suppliers that all warranties relating to the bicycle/bicycle safety equipment will be for the benefit of the employee and all issues arising in relation to the warranties will remain between the employee and the supplier.

9. The processing of applications will only commence after the closing date for each application option. At the time of purchasing the bicycle or safety equipment the supplier should be advised that payment will only issue subsequent to the closing date.

10. The employee acknowledges that the VEC is not responsible or liable for the security, disposal, maintenance, repair and use of the bicycle or bicycle safety equipment.

11. The VEC accepts no responsibility for misuse of bicycles or equipment by the employees and asserts that bicycles and bicycle safety equipment acquired by virtue of the scheme are strictly non transferable.

Circular Letter 46/2010

To the Management Authorities of Primary, Secondary,

Community and Comprehensive Schools

Cycle to Work Scheme

For 2011 and Subsequent Years

4 INTRODUCTION

The Minister for Education and Skills wishes to inform management authorities of Primary, Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools of the Cycle to Work Scheme for 2011 and subsequent years. The scheme will apply to teachers, special needs assistants, clerical officers, caretakers and child care workers paid on payrolls operated by the Department of Education and Skills as paymaster.

Legislation was introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 which allows an employer to incur the expense of providing an employee with a new bicycle3 without the employee being liable for benefit-in-kind taxation. The Legislation also permits the benefit-in-kind tax exemption to apply in the context of salary sacrifice, that is, where an employee agreed to forego or sacrifice part of his/her salary in lieu of the provision of new bicycle by the employer. The employee will not pay tax, PRSI, income levy or pension related deduction on the remuneration sacrificed.

1The scheme also applies to safety equipment relating to cycling.

The scheme allows an employer to purchase a new bicycle and/or bicycle safety equipment up to a value of €1,000 once every 5 years on behalf of an employee.

A guidance note on the scheme including a series of Questions and Answers provided by the Revenue Commissioners can be found at:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/law/bik-exemption-for-bicycles.pdf

The scheme applies only to new bicycles and bicycle safety equipment purchased from approved suppliers. [A list of suppliers is available on the OPW web site at

http://www.opw.ie/en/OurBusinessUnits/GovernmentSuppliesAgency/Cycle-to-WorkScheme/.]

For the purpose of the Cycle to Work Scheme, any reference to employer in this circular can be taken as a direct reference to the Department of Education and Skills, as paymaster. Any reference to employee relates to the individual primary or second level teacher, special needs assistant, clerical officer, caretaker or child care worker.

5 REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHEME

Salary sacrifice by an employee in respect of the bicycle will be acceptable to the Revenue Commissioners as being effective for tax purposes under the following conditions:

6. There must be a bona fide and enforceable alteration to the terms and conditions of employment, i.e. exercising a choice of benefit instead of salary.

7. The alteration must not be retrospective and must be evidenced in writing.

8. There must be no entitlement to exchange the benefit for cash;

9. The choice exercised (i.e. benefit instead of cash) cannot be made more frequently than once in a five-year period

10. The choice exercised must be irrevocable for the relevant year for which it is made.

The salary sacrifice will have no impact on pension contributions or on pension benefits.

6 APPLICATION FOR THE SCHEME

There are three application options for the scheme between January and April and applicants may apply for the scheme under one of these options. Completed applications must be forwarded to the appropriate Payroll Section in the Department of Education and Skills, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath no later than the dates specified below

Application option	Closing date for receipt of applications
Option 1	07th January
Option 2	07th March
Option 3	23rd April

Individuals wishing to avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme will be required to:

4. Complete an Application Form (Appendix 1) which outlines the items to be purchased,

5. Sign the Salary Deduction Authorisation Form (Appendix 2) and

6. Read and agree to the conditions governing the scheme (Appendix 3).

These forms can be downloaded directly from this Department's website,www.education.gov.ie in the Section “Education Personnel”, “Payroll”, “General Payroll Information”.

The application must be completed in conjunction with the supplier. It will contain information on the new bicycle/cycle safety equipment supplied and the details of the supplier. The supplier must attach the relevant invoice. The supplier must also accept that the payment from the Department will be made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) only.

4. SALARY DEDUCTION

The Salary Deduction Authorisation Form will set out the salary sacrifice for the items requested.

Salary deductions will commence during the month specified below for the three options:

Application option	Commencement date for salary deductions
Option 1	February
Option 2	April
Option 3	May

All salary deductions must be completed by the last payroll in November, therefore salary deductions under options 2 and 3 will be spread over a reduced number of salary payments. In the case of applicants employed under a regular part time contract due to expire in August, deductions must be completed by the last payroll in August. An employee may alternatively opt to complete salary deductions over a shorter period

Once the salary deduction arrangements have been put in place, the bicycle/cycle safety equipment may be collected from the supplier.

5. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION

Management authorities are requested to bring the contents of this Circular to the attention of all teachers, special needs assistants, clerical officers, caretakers and child care workers in their schools paid on payrolls operated by the Department of Education and Skills as paymaster. This circular can be accessed on the Department of Education and Skills web page: www.education.ie.

6. QUERIES

Queries regarding the operation of this scheme should be directed by email to the appropriate Payroll area:

primtch_payroll@education.gov.ie

pppayroll@education.gov.ie

NTSPayroll@education.gov.ie

7. PREVIOUS CIRCULAR

This circular supersedes circular 54/2009.

P. Maloney.

Principal Officer.

August 2010.

Appendix 1

Cycle to Work Scheme

Application Form

To: Cycle to Work Scheme

Payroll Division

Department of Education and Skills,

Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Please clearly mark envelope “Cycle to Work Scheme” and “Primary Payroll”, “Post

Primary Payroll” or “Non Teaching Staff Payroll” as appropriate.

Please circle as appropriate:

Current post: Teacher or Non teaching staff

Sector: Primary or Post Primary

1 Employee Personnel Details

Name: (as on payslip) _________

Home Address _______________________

_______________________

Contact Telephone No.____ School roll number ______

PPS No.: (as on payslip)

Payroll No.: (as on payslip)

2 Supplier details

Supplier Name ___________ VAT Number _______

2.1 Supplier Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) details:

Number _________ Expiry Date _________

2.2 Supplier’s Bank details for EFT Payment:

Bank Account No.

Bank Sort Code

Bank Name & Address _________________

__________________

Please ensure that the bank account is within the Republic of Ireland and will support the Electronic Money Transfer System.

3 Details of Bicycle /Cycle Equipment Ordered

Goods	Description	Price inclusive of VAT
Bicycle
Cycle helmet conforming to European standard EN1078
Bells and bulb horn
Lights including dynamo packs
Mirrors and mudguards
Cycle clips and dress guards
Panniers, luggage carriers and straps
Locks and chains
Pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits and tyre sealant
Reflective clothing along with white front reflectors and spoke reflectors
Total

Attach Invoice For Bicycle/Cycle Equipment of Total Ordered.

Appendix 2

Cycle to Work Scheme

Salary Deduction Authorisation Form

I hereby authorise a salary sacrifice of €_________as per invoice of my annual basic salary in lieu of the provision of new bicycle/cycle safety equipment by the Department of Education and Skills. I realise that this arrangement will operate until the salary sacrifice has been recouped and that the deductions will be reflected in my pay slips over one of the periods below, please indicate your selected deduction period;

February to November		April to November		May to November
February to August*		April to August*		May to August *

*August in the case of applicants employed under a fixed term or regular part time contract due to expire in August.

I understand that I should use the bicycle in line with all rules and regulations as set out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and make use of proper cycle safety equipment at all times.4

I have read and I agree to Cycle-to-Work Scheme conditions and circular 0046/2010.

To be completed by an employee who wishes to complete the salary deductions over a shorter period;

I wish to complete the salary deductions over one of the following shorter periods:

Start date	End date — Please specify
February
April
May

NAME _________________

BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE

PPSN ________________

Signed: ___________ Date: __________

Data Protection

The Department of Education and Skills will treat all personal data you provide on this form as confidential and will use it solely for the purpose intended. The information will only be disclosed as permitted by law or for the purposes listed in the Departments registration with the Data Protection Commissioner — REF 10764/A

If the information you have provided is to be used for purposes other than outlined in the Departments registration with the DPC your permission will be sought.

Appendix 3

Cycle to Work Scheme Conditions

2. The employee must sacrifice or forego part of his/her annual basic salary in lieu of the provision of new bicycle/cycle safety equipment by the Department. This arrangement will operate until the salary sacrifice has been recouped and this will be reflected in his/her pay slips over that period.

3. The new bicycle/cycle safety equipment acquired under the scheme must be used primarily for the purpose of transport to or from work and/or traveling between work places.

4Please see RSA web site http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-pedestrians-cyclists-motorcyclists/index.html.

I.S. EN14764:2006 — city and trekking bikes,

I.S. EN14766:2006 — mountain bikes,

I.S. EN14781:2006 — racing bicycles.

More information on these matters can be accessed at http://www.nsai.ie

5. The employee will not be able to cease his or her participation in the scheme prior to the expiry of the salary sacrifice arrangement, except in cases of termination of employment. Where employment is terminated before the expiration of the salary sacrifice arrangement, the employee must pay the balance due to the Department of Education and Skills, which may be deducted from any outstanding payment due in termination of the employment. Where this is not possible, it may be then necessary for the Department of Education and Skills to recover the balance due from the employee under the terms of Circular: Pay 045/2010: Policy and Procedures for dealing with Overpayment of Salary/Allowances.

6. Participation in the scheme is limited to once in each five year period. Accordingly any person who availed of the scheme in 2010 under the terms of Circular 54/2009 cannot re-apply in 2011.

7. The scheme applies only to new bicycle/cycle safety equipment purchased from approved providers. A full list of providers is available from the OPW website:http://www.opw.ie/en/OurBusinessUnits/GovernmentSuppliesAgency/Cycle-to-WorkScheme/.

8. The payment for the bicycle/cycle safety equipment will be made to the supplier by the Department. It will be a requirement of the scheme for participating suppliers that all warranties relating to the bicycle/bicycle safety equipment will be for the benefit of the employee and all issues arising in relation to the warranties will remain between the employee and the supplier.

9. The processing of applications will only commence after the closing date for each application option At the time of purchasing the bicycle or safety equipment the supplier should be advised that payment will only issue subsequent to the closing date.

10. The employee acknowledges that the Department of Education and Skills is not responsible or liable for the security, disposal, maintenance, repair and use of the bicycle or bicycle safety equipment.

11. The Department of Education and Skills accepts no responsibility for misuse of bicycles or equipment by the employees and asserts that bicycles and bicycle safety equipment acquired by virtue of the scheme are strictly non transferable.

Special Educational Needs

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

326 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a special needs assistant will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33651/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Languages Programme

Mary Upton

Question:

327 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to develop a language policy to ensure that our tourism industry takes account of the global tourism trends for the 21st century which highlight strong tourism growth in non-traditional markets; if she accepts that it is vital for Ireland to be at a competitive advantage in terms of the services provided to foreign tourists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27240/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to inform the Deputy that I am aware of the importance of the role of languages in today's tourist industry.

In 2004 the Department invited the Council of Europe Language Policy Division to develop a Language Education Policy Profile for Ireland. The Council of Europe offers member States assistance in carrying out analyses of their language education policies with the assistance of a team of international experts. The Profile was published in 2007. It recommended that Ireland should develop a national languages strategy. Its remit would cover such areas as: the place and role of languages in society; possible scenarios for the integration of languages in the education system and the implications for curriculum development, teacher education etc.; language provision at second level; structures or measures to provide ongoing advice on language policy.

A Working Group has developed a draft languages policy for internal submission to the Department preparatory to a wider consultation phase.

Questions Nos. 328 to 339, inclusive, answered with Question No. 209.

Question No. 340 answered with Question No. 179.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton

Question:

341 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed in her Department by grade; the number of agencies under her remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33702/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The number of persons employed in my Department by grade is set out in the following table 1.

The 22 non-commercial agencies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the following table 2. The information in relation to the number of staff employed in each agency by grade is not readily available but I have requested officials of my Department to compile this information and forward it to you as soon as possible.

Table 1
Grade	Headcount	FTE
Administrative Grades
Secretary General	1.00	1.00
Assistant Secretary General	8.00	8.00
Principal Officers	40.00	39.40
Assistant Principal	94.00	92.10
Higher Executive Officers	162.00	150.33
AO	7.00	6.80
Executive Officer	293.00	262.44
Staff Officer	46.00	40.13
Clerical Officer	340.00	312.91
Secretarial Assistant	2.00	2.00
Personal Secretary	2.00	2.00
Total	995.00	917.11
Non-Administrative Grades
Chief Inspector	1.00	1.00
Assistant Chief Inspector	7.00	7.00
Divisional Inspector (Primary)	29.00	29.00
Senior Inspector (Post Primary)	32.00	31.60
District Inspector (Primary)	33.00	33.00
Post Primary Inspector	30.00	29.80
Director of NEPS	1.00	1.00
Regional Director (NEPS)	4.00	4.00
Senior Psychologist	45.00	41.93
Psychologist	107.00	103.93
Manager (Planning and Building Unit)	3.00	3.00
Senior Architect	5.00	4.73
Architect	5.00	4.33
Engineer	3.00	3.00
Quantity Surveyor	4.00	4.00
Architectural Assistant	10.00	10.00
Advisory Counsel	2.00	2.00
Auditor	1.00	1.00
Senior Statistician	1.00	1.00
Statistician	2.00	2.00
Early Education Specialist	1.00	1.00
Solicitor	1.00	1.00
Accountant	5.00	5.00
Services Officer	20.00	19.00
General Operative	1.00	1.00
Supervisor of Cleaners	1.00	1.00
Cleaner	12.00	12.00
Telephonist	1.00	1.00
Civilian Drivers	2.00	1.00
	369.00	359.32

Table 2
	Non commercial agencies under the aegis of the Department
1	An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
2	Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse
3	Education Finance Board
4	FÁS
5	Further Education and Training Awards Council
6	Grangegorman Development Agency
7	Higher Education and Training Awards Council
8	Higher Education Authority
9	Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
10	Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
11	Léargas — The Exchange Bureau
12	National Centre for Technology in Education
13	National Centre Guidance in Education
14	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
15	National Council for Special Education
16	National Educational Welfare Board
17	National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
18	Residential Institution Redress Board
19	Residential Institutions Review Committee
20	Skillnets Ltd
21	State Examinations Commission
22	The Teaching Council

Note 1: The Irish Research Councils are under the aegis of the HEA.

Note 2: The NCGE is a sub-committee of Léargas.

Schools Building Projects

Brian Hayes

Question:

342 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of contracts awarded under the school building programme for each of the past three years that have been awarded to companies based outside of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33749/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The number of contracts awarded under the school building programme for the past three years to companies based outside the State is as follows:

2008 — 13;

2009 — 3;

2010 — 2.

Question No. 343 answered with Question No. 124.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

344 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for major capital works for a primary school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33762/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have signed contracts for the site in question. The contracts are conditional on my Department obtaining a final grant of Planning Permission. My Department recently published the newspaper advertisement necessary to precede a planning application and submitted the planning application to the Local Authority.

Departmental Expenditure

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

345 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount of the capital programme that has been expended to date in 2010; if she anticipates that there will be a carryover of funding to 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33815/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Expenditure of the 2010 capital programme (Primary, Post-Primary, Third-Level and PPPs) amounted to €343.6m as of 24 September 2010. At this stage it is not anticipated that there will be a carryover of capital funding into 2011.

School Staffing

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

346 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of mainstream, resource and language support teachers employed at primary level and post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33816/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level for the current school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools who are dissatisfied with their staffing allocation. The appeals criteria are outlined in the published staffing schedule which is available on my Department's website.

The final staffing position for all schools will ultimately not be known until later in the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed for mainstream classroom teachers and any appeals to the Staffing Appeals Boards will have been considered. The appellate process is particularly relevant at post-primary level where any specific curricular needs of the school concerned are considered.

The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the last school year is as follows:

Post-primary level: 20,864 mainstream posts: 2,776 resource/special needs posts: 365 EAL (English as an additional language) posts:

Primary level: 20,365 mainstream posts: 6,370 resource/learning support posts:

1,180 EAL (English as an additional language) posts.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

347 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of unqualified personnel employed at primary and post-primary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33817/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Teachers in primary and second level schools are employed by the managerial authorities of the schools.

The managerial authorities were advised by Circular Letter in May 2010 of the teacher registration and qualification requirements for appointment to primary and second level schools.

1. Registered with the Teaching Council in accordance with Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001 and

2. Have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which s/he is proposed.

The Circular allows for two exceptions to apply:

Information for the current school year on the number of unqualified personnel employed is not yet available as Boards of Management are continuing to make appointments and they are being processed by my Department at present.

Circular 0040/2010

To: The Managerial Authorities of Recognised Primary, Secondary, Community, and Comprehensive Schools

and

The Chief Executive Officers of Vocational Education Committees

Teacher Recruitment

Registration and Qualifications

1. Registered with the Teaching Council in accordance with Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001

And

2. Have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which s/he is proposed

The following exceptions will apply:

Special Schools

Conditional Registration

Application

The terms of this circular are applicable to all new appointments from 1st September, 2010.

This circular supersedes all previous circulars, memoranda, rules and regulations in relation to this area including Circular 24/00.

Matters relating to registration of teachers are appropriate to the Teaching Council, Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Email: info@teachingcouncil.ie

This circular can be accessed on the Department's website underwww.education.ie Home — Education Personnel — Post-Primary/Primary — Circulars and Information Booklets — Recruitment Policies.

All enquiries regarding this circular should be e-mailed to:teachersna@education.gov.ie

D. Tattan	P. Maloney
Principal Officer	Principal Officer
Schools Division	Payroll Division
May, 2010	May, 2010.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

348 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers engaged by schools on a temporary contractual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33818/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

There are currently nineteen retired teachers employed on a contractual basis in the voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive sectors and paid on my Department payroll.

The numbers of retired primary teachers employed on a contractual basis is not currently available but I will arrange for the information to be forwarded to you as soon as it becomes available.

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

349 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount that has been spent by her on architectural fees for school buildings during each of the past three years; the number of schools that have benefited each year from this expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33819/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated within my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

School Accommodation

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

350 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount that has been spent on temporary accommodation to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33820/10]

Project Maths began in all second level schools from September 2010. The Project Maths initiative is designed to encourage better understanding of Maths, to reinforce the practical relevance of maths to everyday life, and to ensure better continuity between primary and second level, and junior and senior cycle. A key objective is to improve attainment levels in maths and to encourage more students to take the subject at higher level.

The initiative started in 2008 in 24 schools, and the experience in the project schools is informing the national mainstreaming of the initiative. A national programme of professional development for all teachers began in 2009, and will continue to at least 2013.

The NCCA website www.ncca.ie. sets out the draft syllabus for Strands 1, 2, 3 and 4 at junior and senior cycle, a draft common Mathematics course for the first year in junior cycle, and a Geometry course. The website www.ProjectMaths.ie sets out additional supports in the form of teaching and learning plans, a forum for teachers, and additional resources. These resources will expand over time. Overall, the changes will be implemented in 5 strands of mathematics over a 3 year period.

Project Maths is being supported by intensive investment in professional development for teachers, with some €5m being invested in this area in 2010.

Higher Education Grants

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

354 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if there have been any changes to the eligibility criteria for those seeking a maintenance grant or tuition support for a postgraduate course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33824/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

In July 2009 my predecessor gave notice that, with effect from the start of the 2010/11 academic year, a number of changes to the student grant schemes would be introduced. These included:

Some social welfare allowances, including the Back to Education Allowance which had been excluded in the means-testing process, will be included as reckonable income in assessing eligibility for student grants;

The income tax adjustment for farm stock relief will be disregarded in calculating reckonable income for means-testing purposes;

The residency requirement in the State for grant eligibility will be increased from one year to three out of the past five years for the student — a move that's in line with provisions already outlined in the Student Support Bill;

The duration of the break in studies required for re-entry as an independently assessed mature student will be increased from one year to three years.

In addition, from September 2010, as announced in the Budget, all new applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance for all schemes and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, will be ineligible for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and any fees payable to colleges will continue to be met, for eligible students, by the Exchequer on their behalf. They should apply to their assessing authority to have their eligibility assessed.

Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course, provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the scheme. Students progressing to a new course, with effect from 2010/11, will no longer be eligible for student maintenance grants but can apply for assistance towards the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable.

These changes are applicable to all students, including postgraduate students. Students should apply to their local authority or VEC to establish their eligibility.

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

355 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with special needs partially integrated into classes with 30 students or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33825/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Departmental Circular 09/99 states that schools must make arrangements for the appropriate integration of children with special educational needs attending special classes into mainstream classes according to their level of needs and attainments. My Department does not hold details of the number of students with special educational needs who are partially integrated into classes.

Departmental Expenditure

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

356 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of recommendations accepted, implemented and savings achieved to date in 2010 by her arising out of the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33826/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The recommendations made in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes were fully assessed and considered by my Department. The recommendations which were incorporated in Budget 2010, together with estimated savings yields for 2010 where relevant, are set out in the following table.

The recommendations made by the Special Group will be further considered and will assist in the context of agreeing the expenditure allocation for my Department for 2011 and future years.

Department of Education and Skills
Implementation of recommendations of report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes	Comment regarding allocation for 2010	2010 Saving
		€m
Staffing efficiencies in the primary/post-primary sectors	Savings from cessation of supply teacher scheme at primary level and changes to uncertified sick leave for teachers. (There was also a further reduction of €20m arising from an estimating reduction in light of the projected 2009 outturn).	1.4
Reduction in the number of Special Needs Assistants	A Nationwide review of SNA posts undertaken by the National Council for Special Education has resulted in an overall net reduction of some 439 SNA posts to date (when account is taken for reductions as a result of students having left school and diminishing care needs of other students, offset by allocations in respect of new students). However, the net change in 2010 numbers over 2009 will not be known until the impact of increases for demographics is known at end of year.
Integration of Senior Traveller Training	Reduction of 300 in number of Senior Traveller Training places	1.0
Staffing efficiencies across third level sector	Savings estimated in respect of pay and non-pay efficiencies	50.0
Merge Higher Education Authority (HEA) into the Department of Education and Science	No merger but HEA allocation reduced	0.8
Reduction in the allocation for teacher training colleges	Savings estimated in relation to pre-service teacher education	3.0
Reduction in the allocation for Research and Development	Partial reduction	4.0
Reduction in the allocation to the Strategic Innovation Fund	Partial reduction	8.0
Reduction in the allocation to Student Support Grant	5% reduction in rates of student grants and scholarships applied, providing €10m in savings. Further €4m in savings effected by removal of eligibility for student support grants from recipients of Back to Education Allowance and certain persons pursuing PLC courses. (Note — overall allocation for student supports for 2010 was increased to take account of an anticipated increase in the number of eligible students at third level).	14.0
Reduce allocation to school transport	Partial reduction	4.0
Reduce allocation for teacher in-service training & funding for education centres	Savings and efficiencies effected in relation to teacher in-service education support	10.4
Absorb National Council for Special Education (NCSE) into the Department of Education and Science	NCSE not absorbed but allocation reduced	2.3
Reduce allocation to certain Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) Projects	Funding for 2010 reduced	1.2
Reduction in allocation for National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Funding for 2010 reduced	0.9
Discontinue National University of Ireland and transfer functions	Bill to establish a new qualifications and quality assurance agency for the further and higher education sectors is being prepared. The NUI will be discontinued as part of this process.

Schools Refurbishment

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

357 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have applied for funding for a rain harvesting facility under the summer works scheme 2010; the number that were successful in their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33827/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy will be aware, applications were invited under the Summer Works Scheme 2010 for specified water conservation measures. In excess of 1,800 applications were received.

I hope to announce details of the successful applicants later this year.

The specific water conservation measures were: urinal controls; cistern displacement devices; variable flushing devices; push type percussion spray taps and thermostatic mixing valves. Rain water harvesting was not a category under the Summer Works Scheme in 2010. Therefore, applications for funding for rainwater harvesting facilities were not approved.

Rainwater harvesting systems were first introduced for major school building projects in 2008. Since then all major school building projects, where site conditions and circumstances allow and where economically viable to do so, can incorporate a rainwater harvesting system into their brief.

While fitting the systems in new schools during construction is relatively straightforward, retrofitting them in existing schools is much more difficult and expensive because of the various dedicated pipe work systems both within the building and externally underground and the amount of making good work that is required in each instance.

For existing buildings it is more cost effective to minimise the demand for water firstly through installing push type spray taps, low flushing toilets, urinal controls, repairing leaks etc.

State Examinations

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

358 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who had previously indicated that they would sit the higher level mathematics paper in the 2010 leaving certificate and then opted for the ordinary level paper on the day of the examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33828/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Schools Recognition

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

359 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she has reviewed temporary recognition of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with the objective of permanent recognition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33839/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school to which the Deputy refers currently operates with provisional recognition and has applied to my Department for permanent recognition status.

My Department is prepared to consider the school's application subject to conditions as set out in a letter that issued to the school authority in June 2010 which included a requirement for an enrolment figure of not less than 150 pupils for the 2010/2011 school year and a satisfactory report from the Inspectorate as to the continued viability and operation of the school.

Arrangements will shortly be made for an Inspector to visit the school. The question of permanent recognition will be considered following receipt and consideration of the Inspector's Report. The school authority will then be informed of the outcome of this process.

Schools Building Projects

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

360 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be ready for occupation; if the projected completion date is in line with previous expectations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33840/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 369 and 371 to 373, inclusive, together.

I can confirm that the schools to which the Deputy refers have made applications to my Department for large scale capital funding. The applications have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the projects referred to by the Deputy, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including these projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at the schools in question at this time.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

370 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when an application was first made by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of an application for large scale capital; the progress of same on a yearly basis since application was submitted to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33850/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The school to which the Deputy refers originally applied to my Department for large scale capital funding in 2001.

The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale capital projects and has been assigned a Band 2 rating.

Information in respect of the current school building programme along with assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

Where the assessing authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal.

No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

Site Acquisitions

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

377 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be able to build a permanent school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33899/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department is currently in negotiations regarding the acquisition of a suitable site for the school in question.

The progression of a project from site acquisition and initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of a project for the school at this time.

Schools Building Projects

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

378 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered the feasibility of a new second level Irish language school (Details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33900/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the area in Co. Louth referred to by the Deputy, including the case for the provision of a new second level all Irish language school will be considered in this context.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

FÁS Training Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

379 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 11 March 2010, when a reply will issue. [33968/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

380 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 11 March 2010, when a reply will issue. [33969/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

A detailed follow up to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 89 and 90 of 11 March 2010, is currently being finalised and it will be issued shortly to the Deputy.

Third Level Staffing

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

381 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reasons for the promotion of a number of academic staff at a third level institution (details supplied); if she will furnish the number of academic staff promoted at Ireland’s seven universities in the years 2008 to 2010, inclusive; and the reasons for these promotions. [33992/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector is to facilitate a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff serving in the public sector and is intended to contribute significant and ongoing savings to the Exchequer. In the higher education sector, the Government agreed that an employment control framework (ECF) be put in place to provide for the application of the moratorium arrangements in the sector, subject to the continued oversight and review by the HEA and both my Department and the Department of Finance. The ECF aims to provide institutions with a greater flexibility around recruitment in the filling of posts, on the basis of meeting a required overall reduction in posts. All such institutions have confirmed to the HEA that the targeted reductions in staff numbers to end December 2010 will be achieved.

It is a matter for the individual higher education institutions, including the institution referred to by the Deputy, to manage their staffing resources in the context of implementing the framework. In this regard, my Department and the HEA are aware of a specific operational issue in the institution, referred to by the Deputy, relating to the decision by the Board in the University to promote a number of academic staff. The University concerned has indicated that the promotions are in title only for the duration of the current Employment Control Framework. This decision apparently was made in the context of recommendations from an internal promotions process that commenced in November 2008 before the moratorium was implemented in April 2009.

The HEA has written to the University concerned to notify them that these appointments amounted to a breach of the terms of the current ECF, to request the withdrawal of the award of these promotions until further notice and to notify them that if this was not possible due to contractual or other issues, the imposition of appropriate penalties would be considered further. A response from the university concerned will be considered at a forthcoming meeting of the Employment Control Framework Monitoring Committee which consists of representatives of the HEA, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Finance. I understand from the HEA that they are not aware of any other academic promotions of this nature that have been made under the moratorium/ECF.

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

382 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the remuneration awarded to the 14 board members of the National Qualifications authority in the years 2007 to 2010 inclusive. [33996/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The 14 members receive no remuneration for serving on the board of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.

Special Educational Needs

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

383 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the new provisions she intends to make to address the educational needs in full of children with Aspergers, Autism, ADD and ADHD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34010/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Deputy will be aware of my Department's commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with special needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs.

Children with special educational needs, including the specific conditions mentioned by the Deputy, have a range of placement options available to them. Many pupils with special needs, including those mentioned by the Deputy, attend mainstream schools alongside their peers. Depending on the extent of their special educational need, these pupils may receive support from the school's Learning Support teacher and/or additional tuition hours provided by a Resource teacher. In addition, schools with pupils enrolled who have significant care needs, can apply for additional support through the Special Needs Assistant scheme.

Other pupils with special educational needs attend a special class attached to a mainstream school while some pupils attend a special school. These pupils are supported through lower pupil teacher ratios and, where necessary, special needs assistants. The Deputy will be aware that the expansion in the network of autism-specific special classes in schools has been a key priority in recent years. My Department also funds assistive technology and/or specialist equipment and special school transport arrangements for pupils with special educational needs.

The Deputy will also be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating supports to schools to support children with special educational needs. Schools, which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs that are eligible for such support, apply to the NCSE for the allocation of the necessary resources.

Psychological Service

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

384 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to meet for psychological assessment needs at all schools here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34011/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy will be aware all primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA, whereby the school can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved and paid for by NEPS.

In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS encourages a staged assessment process, whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with their assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts, will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.

Children who manifest very special or urgent needs in school and who have not been previously assessed by a psychologist and are brought to the attention of a NEPS psychologist by the Principal teacher will usually be assessed by the psychologist within that school term. Normally, principals of schools prioritise those children in need of psychological assessment in consultation with the assigned psychologist.

In the case of schools that do not currently have dedicated NEPS psychologists assigned to them, as I already mentioned, such schools have access to psychological assessments through the SCPA. Under this Scheme, schools can commission assessments from a member of the panel of private practitioners approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees directly to the psychologist concerned.

The Deputy will no doubt be aware of the undertaking within the Renewed Programme for Government to an overall expansion of NEPS psychologist numbers to 210, currently NEPS staffing numbers stand at 157. While 11 new recruits have been brought into the NEPS service in the past year a similar number have been lost to the service in that time due to resignation or retirement.

However I can inform the Deputy that my Department and the Public Appointments Service (PAS), following the organisation of a competition and interview process earlier this year, has put in place a new recruitment panel for NEPS. PAS is currently poling candidates for an initial intake of 20 psychologists which it is hoped will, following the required Garda vetting process, be available for intake into NEPS by years end or early in the new year. It is also envisaged that the remainder of the required intake, to the level of that committed to in the Renewed Programme for Government, will receive similar offers shortly thereafter.

This targeted expansion will allow for the assignment of a NEPS psychologist to all primary and post-primary schools and pupils nationally.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

385 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to address the issue of high class numbers throughout the educational system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34012/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

School Accommodation

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

386 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she intends to replace the current policy of utilising temporary or prefabricated structures to accommodate children at primary and second level with the provision of permanent structures thereby achieving a cost effective benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34013/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The policy of my Department on utilising temporary or prefabricated structures to accommodate students depends on a number of factors including:

Whether the school has permanent recognition or is provisionally recognised. Many schools, when first established, are given provisional recognition and only obtain permanent recognition when they have proved that they are viable.

If the need is deemed short term, the policy is generally to approve temporary rental of accommodation. For example, a school may require a temporary building while it is awaiting the completion of construction of a permanent building.

Immediacy of requirement. In some cases, a school needs accommodation at very short notice and this can only be provided through temporary or prefabricated accommodation, due to the length of time required to design, obtain statutory approvals and construct a permanent structure.

As the Deputy may be aware, where a need for additional accommodation is likely to exist for three years or more, it is my Department's practice to offer schools grant aid which can be used to construct a permanent structure, rather than using the grant aid to purchase or rent temporary accommodation.

Question:

389 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total requirement in respect of special needs assistants as set out by the various school authorities and or parents as conveyed to her Department; her proposals or intentions, if any, to meet these requirements with a view to ensuring that children may not be permanently disadvantaged due to lack of adequate facilities in their early years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34016/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

390 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of children currently requiring remedial, resource or special needs teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34017/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

391 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total number of special needs teachers currently employed; the number required having regard to submissions made by the various school authorities; her intentions or proposals to meet such requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34018/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 391, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The NCSE is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. Additional teaching and SNA supports are allocated as necessary by the NCSE in line with my Department's policy to support children with special educational needs. Schools, which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs that are eligible for such support, apply to the NCSE for the allocation of the necessary resources. The NCSE has outlined the processes involved in the consideration of applications for special needs supports in its Circular 01/05 which is available on www.ncse.ie.

Such resources are allocated by the NCSE, in accordance with my Departments policy, on a demand driven basis. Therefore, schools which have enrolled students who qualify for additional special educational support are not denied such resources due to any overall budgetary or staffing number ceiling. In addition to resource teaching support, each school has access to learning support. My Department does not retain information on the numbers of children who require learning support, resource or special needs teaching. There are currently over 9,000 resource and learning support teachers employed in mainstream schools, over 500 teachers in special classes and over 1,100 special school teachers.

In total there are over 20,000 staff in our schools working solely with children with special needs, including approximately 10,000 Special Needs Assistants — compared with just 300 in 1997.

This commitment reflects my Departments policy in relation to providing for a continuum of educational provision that promotes the maximum level of inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, within their locality, or where necessary to support students in special classes or schools. As well as this significant increase in the numbers of additional teachers and SNAs directly providing appropriate education and care supports for children with special educational needs, much investment has taken place in the provision of transport, specialist school accommodation, assistive technology and specialist equipment.

I want to take this opportunity to emphasise that priority will continue to be given to provision for children with special educational needs. Significant progress has been achieved in recent years, which has seen a huge increase in resources for pupil's with special educational needs. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers. Along with all other areas of expenditure, provision is dependent on the resources available to the Government.

School Enrolments

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

392 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total number of pupils currently attending at primary schools throughout the country at present; and the number attending in the 2004-05 academic year. [34019/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The 2010/2011 National School Annual Census has yet to take place. In 2009/2010 there were 499,093 pupils attending mainstream National Schools and 6,905 attending Special Schools. There were 442,677 pupils attending mainstream National Schools and 6,621 attending Special Schools in 2004/2005.

School Staffing

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

393 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the total number of teachers currently employed at primary level; the number employed in the 2004-05 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34020/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The public sector numbers for the 2009-2010 school year were 31,880 primary teachers. The corresponding figure for the 2004/05 school year was 26,282 primary teachers.

School Accommodation

David Stanton

Question:

394 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 687 to 689, inclusive, of 6 July 2010 and No. 274 of 30 June 2010, if she will advise if the figure of 38 new primary classrooms will be required in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill areas of east Cork to cater for increased enrolments up to the school year 2014/2015; the steps she will take to address the future classroom deficit at primary schools in the east Cork area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34096/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social Protection and with reference to recent schools' enrolment data.

School accommodation requirements in the Midleton/Carrigtwohill area have been considered as part of this detailed study of the identified areas, which indicates that in the range of 38 additional primary classrooms may be required across that area to cater for increased enrolments up to the school year 2014/15.

My Department is considering options to meet the deficit identified. As part of this approach, as the Deputy will be aware, my Department is engaged in the process of acquiring a site subject to planning for a proposed educational campus of two 16-classroom schools.

The following table provides a breakdown of rental payments made to the school referred to by the Deputy from 2007 to date.

Midleton Educate Together 20336V
Year	Land & Buildings	Prefabs	Total
	€	€	€
2007	No rentals	No rentals	No rentals
2008	41,825.00	6,050.00	47,875.00
2009	10,384.62	37,830.07	48,214.69
2010	20,769.23	24,414.37	45,183.60

Schools Building Projects

David Stanton

Question:

398 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for planning permission for new primary and second level schools respectively made in her Department’s name each year since 2007; the locations for which these applications were made; the details of which of these planning permission applications were approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34100/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

Applications for planning permission are made in my Department's name only in cases where the site is owned by my Department. In the large majority of projects, the site is not owned by my Department and, in those cases, the application for planning permission is made in the name of the Board of Management of the school.

In 2010, there were 21 planning applications relating to primary level and 3 planning applications relating to post-primary level lodged in my Department's name.

In 2009, there were 11 planning applications relating to primary level lodged in my Departments name. There were no planning applications relating to post-primary level lodged in my Department's name in 2009.

In 2008, there were 27 planning applications relating to primary level lodged in my Department's name. There were no planning applications relating to post-primary level lodged in my Department's name in 2008.

In 2007, there were 9 planning applications relating to primary level and 2 planning applications relating to post-primary level lodged in my Department's name.

The information requested by the Deputy on each of these planning applications is contained in the following tabular statement.

2010 Dept of Education & Skills Planning Permission Applications — Primary Schools
Roll No	School	County	Decision
20252P	GS Bhaile Brigín, Castlelands	Dublin	Granted
20282B	Bracken ETNS Castlelands	Dublin	Granted
06209J	Model School, Athy	Kildare	Granted
08512U	Iomair NS, Killimor	Galway	Granted
12372G & 16741I & 17457Q	Michael Street NS and CBS NS and Naomh Iosaf NS, New Ross	Wexford	Granted
15315J	St. Georges National School, Balbriggan, Dublin 15	Dublin	Granted
16705E	Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Athy	Kildare	Granted
16819T	S.N. Gort an Choirce, Donegal	Donegal	Pending
17609N	Rathcormac NS, Cork	Cork	Granted
19858V	Gaelscoil Dara, Galway City	Galway	Granted
19971R	Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Letterkenny	Donegal	Granted
20105C	Star of the Sea Primary School, Passage West	Cork	Granted
20161M	Donabate\Portrane ET	Dublin	Granted
20192A	Scoil Atha Í, Athy	Kildare	Granted
20201V	Tyrrelstown ET, Powerstown Road	Dublin	Granted
20271T	Sc Naomh Uilig Rickardstown, Newbridge (Phase II)	Kildare	Granted
20294I	Aston Village ET, Drogheda	Louth	Granted
20303G	Lucan East ET, Clonburris	Dublin	Granted
20347D	Portlaoise ETNS, Railway St., Portlaoise, Co. Laois (exemption)	Laois	Granted
20348F	Holywell ETNS, Swords, Co. Dublin	Dublin	Granted
TBA	Two Primary Schools, Ballynacorra, Middleton	Cork	Pending

Special Educational Needs

Michael Noonan

Question:

399 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a one to one special needs assistant will be provided for a pupil (details supplied) at a school in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34114/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I have arranged for the details supplied to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Tax Collection

Joe McHugh

Question:

400 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the reason a private company has been contracted to carry out a public service (details supplied); if he will respond to a concern that this requires the company to collect personal information such as PPS, VAT numbers, proof of ID and so on; if he will confirm that this contract was also offered to Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32245/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that on the introduction of vehicle registration tax (VRT) on 1 January 1993, there was a requirement for all vehicles to be presented for examination prior to registration. However, by the early years of this decade, the Revenue Commissioners had adopted a risk-based approach to the registration of vehicles, thus eliminating the need for all vehicles, save those that posed a serious risk of loss to the Exchequer, to be examined prior to registration. While this risk-based approach proved satisfactory to protect the VRT yield, it meant that a significant number of the used vehicles entering the State were being registered in the State without prior examination.

The Deputy will be aware that Revenue, as the registration authority for the State, also has a responsibility to ensure that all vehicles presented for registration are registered correctly. This responsibility became more onerous with the transposition into Irish law in March 2009 of EU Directive 2007/46/EC, which laid down minimum European vehicle standards as a pre-condition for registration. While the Directive impacts only on new passenger cars at present, its scope will be extended to all vehicles by 2014. Additionally, other EU Directives will extend obligations on the registration authorities of all Member States to examine all vehicles prior to registration.

In addition to the EU vehicle inspection requirements mentioned above, concerns were raised by members of the Oireachtas and stakeholders in the National Fleet Management Group (namely, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Transport and the Revenue Commissioners) regarding the provenance and safety of some of the used vehicles presented for registration.

Taking the above factors into account, and bearing in mind that examination of vehicles is by no means the optimum use of the Revenue Commissioners' scarce resources whose core work is the assessment and collection of taxes and duties, the Government decided to make legislative provision to allow for the appointment of a competent person to carry out a pre-registration examination on all vehicles presented for registration. The intention of the relevant law is to ensure that all the conditions necessary for the registration of a vehicle and the proper administration of VRT are complied with before a vehicle may be registered in the State.

Thus, section 131 of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended by section 104 of the Finance Act 2010) provided for the appointment of a "competent person” to carry out certain functions relating to the registration of vehicles in the State on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners, while section 109 of the Finance Act 2010 provided for the authorisation of such competent person in respect of the collection and payment of the tax to the Revenue Commissioners.

Following a competitive procurement process carried out during 2008, in accordance with the public sector procurement rules, Applus Car Testing Limited (who also have responsibility for the operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS)) were appointed and authorised to carry out specified registration functions in relation to the operation of VRT and have been performing those functions in the State since 1 September 2010.

The requirement to present personal identification at an NCTS centre when registering a vehicle ensures that the person presenting a vehicle for registration is accountable for the vehicle. It also ensures that the registration and ownership details for the register of the national fleet of vehicles are as accurate as possible at the time of first registration in the State. It should be noted that a clause regarding taxpayer confidentiality was included in the letter of appointment issued by the Revenue Commissioners to Applus Car Testing Limited. Accordingly, details relating to taxpayers held by that company may not be used for any purpose other than one relating to the registration of vehicles.

Decentralisation Programme

Jack Wall

Question:

401 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the decentralisation programme for his Department; if all contracts are signed in regard to the maintenance and upkeep of the property; if there are any outstanding issues in regard to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33298/10]

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

Construction of the new Department of Defence Headquarters at Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare has just been completed and it is expected that the building will be occupied by the Department in the next few weeks. Contracts for maintenance and upkeep of the building are being arranged and will be in place by the time the Department occupies the building.

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

Question:

402 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if PRSI, the health levy, and the income levy will be tax deductible for pension contribution purposes in addition to the standardised tax relief rate for pensions of 33% as proposed in the national pensions framework. [33441/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Tax relief on individual pension contributions is currently allowed at the taxpayer's marginal income tax rate, that is, at the standard or higher rate of income tax as appropriate in each case. The availability of tax relief at 33% to all taxpayers regardless of their marginal rate would result in a reduction in the tax relief on pension contributions available to higher rate taxpayers and an additional incentive to pension savings for standard rate taxpayers.

In the revised Programme for Government, the Government has committed to the introduction of a new pension savings incentive will be set at a rate equivalent to 33% tax relief rather than the existing marginal rate relief. This commitment is also included in the National Pensions Framework. The Framework also makes clear that PRSI and Health Levy relief on pension contributions will be in addition to the 33% rate of tax relief and the mechanism for delivering this relief will be developed during the implementation phase of the Framework.

Commercial Property Valuation

Joe Carey

Question:

403 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance his plans to expedite the revaluation of commercial properties as provided for in the Valuation Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33453/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Valuation Act, 2001 which came into effect on 2nd May, 2002, provides for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial property. This is a major project in nature and scale, all the more so given that such a nationwide exercise has not been undertaken since the mid-1800's.

The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters under the Valuation Act 2001, which includes the implementation of the revaluation programme on a nationwide basis.

The revaluation programme began in November 2005 in the South Dublin County Council area and has since been rolled out to the areas covered by Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils. The revaluation of South Dublin was completed in December 2007, Fingal was completed last year and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown will be completed this year (2010). In the next phase, it is intended to roll out the programme to further local authority areas in the coming months and the necessary process of consultation, as provided for under the Act, is underway in Dublin City and in the local authorities of Waterford, i.e. Waterford City and County Council and Dungarvan Town Council. Preliminary work is also underway on the revaluation of Limerick City.

The Commissioner is confident that the national revaluation programme can be delivered in a ten-year period, which accords with relevant provisions of the Act, but is actively reviewing options which might hold potential for delivery within a shorter timeframe.

Tax Code

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

404 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the reasons for new vehicle registration procedures from 1 September 2010 affecting persons wishing to register a vehicle; if he will consider providing a telephone service for persons wishing to estimate the open market selling price as the current on-line system does not include all types of vehicles and does not take into account persons not familiar with the Internet; his views on whether it would be helpful that persons wishing to register a car here should be able to receive an estimate open market selling price before committing to purchasing the vehicle. [33991/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

In addition to the EU vehicle inspection requirements mentioned above, concerns were raised by members of the Oireachtas and stakeholders in the National Fleet Management Group (namely, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, the Department of Transport and the Revenue Commissioners) regarding the provenance and safety of some of the used vehicles presented for registration.

Thus, section 131 of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended by section 104 of the Finance Act 2010) provided for the appointment of a "competent person” to carry out certain functions relating to the registration of vehicles in the State on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners, while section 109 of the Finance Act 2010 provided for the authorisation of such competent person in respect of the collection and payment of the tax to the Revenue Commissioners.

With regard to the acquisition of open market selling prices of vehicles prior to registration, the VRT calculator facility on the Revenue website www.revenue.ie currently provides an estimate of VRT liability for over 20,000 vehicle models and allows the vast majority of users to ascertain an estimated vehicle valuation and VRT liability prior to registration. However, due to the larger and more varied supply of vehicle models available in the UK (where most used vehicles acquired outside the State are sourced), it is not possible for Revenue to have a valuation for all models with different specifications that have not been previously registered in the State. Revenue is obliged to focus its resources on areas of greatest risk and is unable, currently, to allocate resources to conduct research and to provide a telephone consultancy for all vehicle models prior to registration particularly as the vast majority of such requests in the past, have proven speculative in nature.

It should be noted in the limited number of instances where Revenue are not in a position to provide a vehicle valuation on the VRT calculator prior to registration, persons can consult with the numerous professional car valuations services that are currently available. In this regard, car sales guides, car sales websites and vehicle dealerships in the State and in other jurisdictions represent a reliable source of information based on current values of vehicles.

Finally, all vehicle valuations whether sourced through the Revenue VRT Calculator or by other means are subject to the presentation of the vehicle at a NCTS centre, where the final valuation and VRT liability specific to the particular model will be confirmed by Revenue at the time of registration.

The Deputy will appreciate that an internet-based valuation system provides an efficient, fast and user-friendly facility which is accessible to a large proportion of the population of the State (either directly or indirectly).

Revenue have also confirmed that an enhanced VRT Calculator facility will be available from the end of November 2010.

Tax Collection

Joan Burton

Question:

405 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Revenue Commissioners failed to collect tax, interest and penalties in respect of non-operation of the tax system; if the Revenue Commissioners considered the case for prosecution, and if not, why not; and if it was considered for prosecution, the reason no action taken. [31704/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As the Deputy is aware, for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality, the Revenue Commissioners do not comment on individual cases.

However, I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that revenue audits are conducted in accordance with legislation and the published Code of Practice for Revenue Auditors.

The Code of Practice for Revenue Auditors contains details of the procedures to be followed in relation to the notification, conduct and finalisation of Revenue audits. Finalisation of Revenue audits includes the calculation of tax, interest and penalties, in accordance with criteria set out in the Code.

Question:

412 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if DIRT were increased by 5%. [31869/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Arthur Morgan

Question:

416 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if the current top rate of tax was increased from 41% to 42%. [31873/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2011 incomes, of changing the higher rate of tax by 1% would be approximately €180 million.

This figure is an estimate from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2008 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2011. It is therefore provisional and likely to be revised.

An Income Tax Ready Reckoner is available on my Department's website www.finance.gov.ie.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

417 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the return to the Exchequer in a full year if corporation tax was increased by 1% to 13.5%. [31874/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The yield in a full year to the Exchequer from increasing the current standard rate of Corporation Tax from 12.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent is tentatively estimated to be in the region of €235 million. The yield includes the effect of increasing the standard rate for manufacturing companies from 12.5% to 13.5%, with the termination of the 10% rate of Corporation Tax for these companies with effect from 31st December 2010.

This estimate does not take into account any possible behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of such an increase.

However, it should also be noted that Ireland's low Corporation Tax (CT) rate plays an important role in attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland thereby increasing employment here. We also must consider Ireland's place in the new enlarged EU where CT rates are low in some new member states. Ireland must continue to remain competitive in this environment. For these reasons there are no plans to increase our present low CT rate.

Garda Stations

Denis Naughten

Question:

418 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 6 July 2010 the position regarding this matter; when a tender will be placed; the expected completion date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31888/10]

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

The Commissioners of Public Works have selected a preferred contractor to carry out the redevelopment of Clonark Garda Station, Co. Roscommon. A formal Letter of Intent to place a contract has recently issued to the contractor concerned. Subject to the contractor meeting a number of requirements in relation to production of certain necessary documentation, it is expected that a formal contract will be entered into within the next two weeks and that construction will commence on site shortly thereafter.

The new facility at Clonark will be completed by mid 2011.

Banking Sector Regulation

Joan Burton

Question:

419 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made regarding compliance with the requirement to provide and promote basic bank accounts in accordance with the bank recapitalisation scheme announced on 21 December 2008; the outcome that has resulted from the Financial Regulator’s subsequent engagement with the recapitalised banks regarding the development of these accounts; if that engagement has resulted in a set of detailed criteria which basic bank accounts must meet and, if so, if he will specify those criteria; if any detailed targets have been set regarding the provision and promotion of basic bank accounts; the mechanisms that have been put in place to monitor the provision and promotion of basic bank accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31894/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

This commitment included in the Government's recapitalisation programme has been advanced in the first instance through the work of the Advisory Group on the National Payments Implementation Programme which examined as part of its work a number of important issues relating to the design, scope and provision of basic banking accounts in Ireland. The assessment and recommendations of the Advisory Group in this area are a very significant input into the design of a proposed strategy for promoting financial inclusion which is currently under development involving key stakeholders with relevant responsibilities.

Joan Burton

Question:

420 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that the provision and promotion of basic bank accounts is a condition of any further recapitalisation and or extension of the bank guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31895/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As part of the restructuring plan process currently underway with the European Commission it has been proposed that the domestic banking sector will be required to support and promote the availability of a basic bank account. This is to be done in the context of the implementation of the Government's strategy on financial inclusion in the State. Work has commenced on a review of the options available to achieve financial inclusion. The objective of the review will be to identify recommended actions to achieve a substantial reduction in financial exclusion over a 3-5 year period.

Financial Services Regulation

Joan Burton

Question:

421 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to cap interest rates on money lending transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31896/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

At present, 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, 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. They must provide the following information to their clients: * the method of repayment of the loan, and * details of all fees, related interest payments, charges and the cost per 100 euros borrowed.

They must also indicate prominently the high-cost nature of the loan on all loan documentation where the APR is 23% or higher. This disclosure must take the following form: ‘ Warning: This is a high-cost loan’

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.

I should add that one of the conclusions of the report on the ‘Licensed Moneylending Industry', published by the Financial Regulator in March 2007, was that the introduction of an interest ceiling for moneylenders may not achieve the objectives of lowering the cost of credit for consumers.

I would encourage consumers to shop around and consider all the different sources of loans that are available to them. 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 may 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.

Departmental Bodies

Joan Burton

Question:

422 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has completed consideration of the report from the advisory group convened to develop plans for a national payments implementation programme; if the advisory group addressed issues surrounding provision of a basic bank account; if so, the conclusion of the advisory group in this regard; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31897/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Deputy will be aware that the Government's policy is to promote the increased use of electronic payments throughout the economy, with the longer-term objective of significant reductions, over a number of years, in the volume of paper-based payments in use throughout the economy. This policy is fully aligned and is developing in tandem with market and regulatory developments at EU level, including the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the introduction of the Payment Services Directive from November 2009 and the introduction of the revised Electronic Money Directive from April 2011. In promoting this policy objective, the Government has reduced stamp duty on combined ATM cards from €10 to €5 in Budget 2009, building upon changes in the previous year's Budget. Stamp duty on cheques was also increased from 30 cent to 50 cent per cheque, to act as a further disincentive to cheque usage.

I indicated the need to establish new governance arrangements to further promote the development of electronic payments in our economy in Budget 2009. As part of this process, the National Payments Implementation Programme Advisory Group provided recommendations in a report submitted to me in July 2009 on the possible mechanisms and mandate to further promote the development of electronic payments.

The report presents a clear analysis of the current situation in Ireland concerning the use of different payments instruments. Part of the report addresses the continuing problem of the non-participation of a sizeable portion of the population in mainstream financial services. It found that approximately 10% of people still do not have access to an account that can make or receive payments and this situation has to be addressed to support financial inclusion. The report therefore recommends that a key part of a new National Payments Plan should be the implementation of a specific strategy to deal with all those who currently do not have any facility to make and receive electronic payments. I agree with this conclusion of the report.

By way of updating the Deputy on progress on the report of the National Payments Implementation Programme Advisory Group, there are ongoing discussions within my Department and with external stakeholders such as the Irish Payment Services Organisation (IPSO) on how the recommendations of the report can be successfully brought to fruition. Following the conclusion of these discussions, I would intend to bring proposals to Government on the priorities for a new national payments plan. At that point, I would also propose to publish the report.

In addition, discussions between my Department and the European Commission on a package of horizontal or sector measures to support the maintenance of competition in the banking market in Ireland will also impact on how this recommendation of the report will be implemented. One of the commitments agreed with the European Commission as part of the bank restructuring process is that the domestic banking sector will be required to support and promote the availability of a basic bank account.

Financial Services Regulation

Joan Burton

Question:

423 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if any prosecutions relating to legal or illegal money lending have been taken in the period January 2009 to May 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31898/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Public Service Expenditure

Arthur Morgan

Question:

427 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the proportion of gross domestic product spending on essential public services; the proportion of gross domestic product spending on essential public services in comparison with other EU 27 member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31922/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The question of what constitutes "essential public services" is, of course, to some degree a subjective matter, and I note that the Deputy has not defined his terms in this regard. However, the table below, which is extracted from the 2010 Revised Estimates Volume, published in February 2010, sets out the "functional classification" of Gross Current Voted Expenditure as a proportion of Gross National Product (which is a more appropriate indicator than Gross Domestic Product in Ireland's case) for each of the years 2006 to 2010. The table shows that expenditure on "Social Services" category — mainly Social Welfare, Health and Education — has increased from 22.1% of GNP in 2006 to an estimated 35% of GNP in 2010.

My Department does not maintain statistics on other EU countries, but I would direct the Deputy to the website of Eurostat, the EU statistics agency at http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat, which provides access to a large amount of EU wide information in this area.

Gross Current Expenditure Expressed as a Percentage (%) of Gross National Product
Functional Classification	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Economic Services
Industry and Labour (including NTF expenditure)		0.9%	0.9%	1.0%	1.1%	1.2%
Agriculture		0.9%	0.8%	0.9%	1.1%	1.0%
Fisheries and Forestry		0.0%	0.0%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Tourism		0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.2%	0.2%
	Subtotal	1.9%	1.9%	2.1%	2.4%	2.5%
Social Services
Health		8.2%	8.9%	9.9%	11.4%	11.4%
Education		4.8%	4.9%	5.5%	6.4%	6.3%
Social Welfare (including SIF expenditure)		8.9%	9.6%	11.5%	15.6%	16.3%
Housing		0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.2%	0.3%
Subsidies		0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%
	Subtotal	22.1%	23.7%	27.3%	33.9%	35.0%
Security
Defence		0.6%	0.6%	0.7%	0.8%	0.7%
Garda		0.8%	0.9%	1.0%	1.2%	1.1%
Prisons		0.2%	0.2%	0.3%	0.3%	0.3%
Legal, etc.		0.4%	0.4%	0.5%	0.4%	0.4%
	Subtotal	2.0%	2.2%	2.4%	2.6%	2.5%
Other		2.4%	2.4%	2.7%	2.9%	2.8%
Gross Current Expenditure on Services		28.4%	30.1%	34.5%	41.8%	42.4%
Less
Appropriations-in-Aid (including SIF and NTF expenditure)		6.9%	7.2%	8.2%	11.6%	11.2%
		0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Net Current Voted Expenditure		21.5%	22.9%	26.4%	30.3%	31.2%
Exchequer pay and pensions (a)	Net	10.6%	10.9%	12.1%	13.9%	13.4%
included in above	Gross	11.0%	11.3%	12.5%	15.0%	14.6%
GNP Figures* (€m)		152,529	161,244	154,596	133,175	129,100

*2006-2008 as per the CSO. 2009 and 2010 are Department of Finance estimates.

(a) Figures for Exchequer pay and pensions in 2009 and 2010 includes €61m and €63m, respectively, of ‘Payroll' expenditure previously recorded as ‘Non-pay' expenditure.

Exchequer Savings

Arthur Morgan

Question:

428 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the impact on the Exchequer of removing those previously below the tax net from the Government imposed levy. [31929/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the income levy and increasing the exemption threshold. It is estimated that an increase in the general, non-aged, income levy threshold from €15,028 per annum to €18,304 per annum would cost in the region of €55 million in a full year.

A Pre-Budget 2011 Income Tax Ready Reckoner is now available on my Department's website, www.finance.gov.ie.

Fiscal Policy

Arthur Morgan

Question:

429 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered introducing a wealth tax; and the potential return of a wealth tax in a full year levied at 1% on all assets over €1 million. [31930/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

All taxes and potential taxation measures are constantly reviewed in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) are, in effect, taxes on wealth, in that they are levied on an individual or company on the disposal of an asset (CGT) or the acquisition of an asset through gift or inheritance (CAT). However, they are not annual taxes on an individual's wealth, which is presumably what the Deputy has in mind. The rate of both of these taxes was increased to 25% in Supplementary Budget 2009.

The Deputy will be aware that I announced the introduction of a Domicile Levy in Budget 2010, the legislative provisions for which were contained in Finance Act 2010. The Levy is charged on an individual who is Irish-domiciled and an Irish citizen whose world-wide income exceeds €1m, whose Irish-located property is greater than €5m, and whose liability to Irish income tax was less than €200,000. The Levy applies for the tax year 2010 and is payable on a self-assessment basis on or before 31st October in the year, following the valuation date which is 31st December of each year. The amount of the levy is €200,000.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as they have no statistical basis for compiling estimates in relation to a potential wealth tax, it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy.

State-Owned Enterprises

Leo Varadkar

Question:

430 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance, in respect of any State-owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when it received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31961/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is as follows:

Anglo Irish Bank

The Annual Report and accounts for the 15 months ended 31 December 2009 was received in the Department of Finance on 31 March 2010. The Annual Report and Accounts the year ended 30 September 2008 was received in the Department on 19 February 2009. The Department does not approve the Annual Report of the Bank. The Bank was nationalised on 15 January 2009.

National Lottery

The Annual Report and accounts for 2009 was received by the Department of Finance on 5 May 2010 and presented by me as Minister for Finance to Government on 7 May 2010. The Annual Report and Accounts for 2008 were received by the Department of Finance on 6 March 2009 and presented to Government on 23 March 2009.

Tax Code

James Bannon

Question:

Question:

463 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the intentions of the Office of Public Works to erect a boundary fence to Castletown House and estate in Celbridge, County Kildare; the cost of this project; and if he will intervene directly with the OPW not to interfere with the public rights of way in this manner. [32981/10]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 463 together.

The Office of Public Works has spent considerable funds on the development of Castletown as a major national heritage site since its acquisition in 1994. These developments are ongoing, more recently with significant capital investment in conference and banqueting facilities and upgrading of the landscape funded by Fáilte Ireland. This investment recognises the potential Castletown holds both as a museum and as a venue for a range of cultural, state and social activities.

In recent time, there has been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour on the estate. Examples included fires being lit, irreparable damage done to trees, and expensive machinery set on fire. Native habitats have been destroyed with consequent loss of wildlife. The anti-social behaviour occurs mainly at night-time. The impact of these activities, on the protection of the House and Demesne, and the continued development of the property and the amenity value for all visitors, is most worrying. OPW is very concerned about late-night activities and vandalism to the grounds. Two recent and very serious incidents may leave the State open for claims. In the interest of safety and enjoyment of visitors and the protection of the national historic demesne, the OPW is now obliged to review its current policy of allowing local access to the estate outside of normal dawn to dusk hours.

With regard to the specific issues, raised in question 463, regarding a boundary fence, I am advised that the Office of Public Works is anxious to have clearly defined, delineated and protected boundaries between privately and publicly owned lands at Castletown Demesne.

By and large, Kildare County Council, rather than the Office of Public Works, owns most of the property along a line between the Castletown Demesne and private households. The OPW encourages the Council and local groups to agree all issues in relation to securing their common boundary and the erection of appropriate fencing. As a practical gesture and encouragement to these efforts, the OPW has indicated its willingness to contribute towards the cost of erecting an agreed boundary fence. The Office of Public Works would not interfere with any established rights of way.

State Property

John O'Mahony

Question:

435 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money spent refurbishing a court house (details supplied) in County Mayo since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32222/10]

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

The Commissioners of Public Works have expended a total of €4,347.05 on maintenance works at Ballinrobe Courthouse, on behalf of the Courts Service, since 2005.

Tax Code

471 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33094/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 436, 444 to 446, inclusive, 458 and 471 together.

Section 131 of the Finance Act 1992 requires that vehicles used by State residents must be registered. However, there are a number of occasions where an exemption from the payment of VRT tax may apply. One such exemption in respect of VRT and VAT, subject to certain conditions, is provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations. Statutory Instrument No. 353 of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 (Regulation 12) provides the requirements for Organisations to apply under this Scheme.

The named organisation may wish to examine whether it may be eligible under this Scheme. In that regard, it should contact the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Central Repayments Office, Freepost, M: TEK II Building, Armagh Road, Monaghan (Telephone 047 62100).

I have no plans at present to review the current VRT system, which has been in place since 1st July 2008.

Banking Sector Regulation

Michael Noonan

Question:

437 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if money placed on a fixed term deposit account in one of the covered banks continues to be guaranteed if the bank guarantee scheme is discontinued before the fixed term expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32232/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Under the ELG Scheme, term deposits with a term of 5 years or less which are made with one of the covered institutions after the institution joined the scheme and before midnight on 31 December 2010 will be guaranteed for their term. Any discontinuation of the Scheme in the future would have no effect on the guaranteed status of those deposits.

In addition, the Deputy should note that retail deposits of up to €100,000 per individual per institution are guaranteed under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which has no expiry date.

State Property

John O'Mahony

Question:

438 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money spent refurbishing the Court House in Easkey, County Sligo since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32238/10]

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

The Commissioners of Public Works carried out a comprehensive refurbishment project at Easkey Courthouse, Co. Sligo, in 2007, on behalf of the Courts Service, at a cost of €103,128.64 plus VAT.

Fiscal Policy

Joe McHugh

Question:

439 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance if official discussion with the office of the Stormont Minister for Finance and the British Chancellor of the Exchequer is part of his Department’s preparation for Budget 2011; if he will comment on Budget 2011 preparations in the context of the 2006 Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, Stand II of Good Friday Agreement; if he will acknowledge that this Bilateral Agreement prioritises and notes the following: taxation is an important factor in economic competitiveness; intervention to generate an improved regulatory environment including fiscal measures, achieving the right balance between competitive taxes and adequate provision of public goods is a challenge faced by both Governments, companies should be encouraged to redesign logistical strategies and treat Ireland as one commercial zone rather than two separate entities. [32247/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland Sammy Wilson and I have met on a number of occasions, usually on the margins of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary and SEUPB Sectoral meetings. We have discussed matters of mutual interest, including NAMA and the significant economic and public finance challenges facing both jurisdictions.

The NSMC meets regularly in Plenary and SEUPB Sectoral formats with the next Plenary and the SEUPB Sectoral scheduled for end November/December (dates to be confirmed).

In addition, the Government is in regular contact with its British counterparts including the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Irish Government is fully committed to restoring order to the public finances and is actively examining the next phase of its consolidation framework in the context of the ongoing Budget preparations. My Department will publish the Pre-Budget Outlook next month, which will provide an update on the economic and fiscal outlook. Budget 2011 will be presented to the Dáil on Tuesday, 7th December.

The Irish Government, of course, remains strongly committed to practical and mutual beneficial North/South cooperation and we continue to explore ways to advance our common interests.

Departmental Properties

Damien English

Question:

440 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance to list the premises that the State are renting or leasing in County Meath; the amount of ground rents paid for each of these premises; the persons to whom these rents are paid; the area in square metres for each property, in tabular form. [32262/10]

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

The following table schedules the Buildings that are currently being leased by the Office of Public Works in County Meath including associated floor area in Square Metres, the Rent per Annum and Landlord details:

Building Name	Address	Area Square Metres	Rent Per Annum	Landlord Details
			€
Kells SWO	Headfort Place	55.74	18,500.00	Con Sweeney, Headfort Place, Ceannanus Mor, Co Meath
Navan Office	Athlumney House	2,744.38	439,921.00	Thomas Lynch & Timothy Boland, Diamor, Crossakiel, Kells, Co Meath
Navan Office	Kilcairn	3,217.67	573,700.00	James Ring & Gerry O’Connor, Newgate, Navan, Co Meath
Navan Revenue Office	Abbey Road	2,672.63	575,360.00	McLoughlin Abbey, Road Partnership, 7 Academy Street, Navan, Co Meath
Navan SWO	Kennedy Road	938.78	230,000.00	Marie Cusack, Echo Gate, Dublin Road, Trim, Co Meath
Oldcastle Garda Station	The Square	108.18	22,000.00	James Naper, Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Co Meath
Trim National Council For Special Education	Mill Street	407.17	87,645.60	Meath Co Council, County Hall, Navan, Co Meath

Damien English

Question:

441 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the top 20 premises that the State is renting or leasing; the amount of rents paid for each of these premises; the person to whom these rents are paid, in tabular form. [32263/10]

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

The table below schedules the twenty building leases attracting the highest yearly rent, including Landlord details, as leased by the Office of Public Works:

Location	Building Name	Rent Per Annum	Landlord Details
		€
Dublin 02	Adelaide Road 29-31, Communications, Energy & Natural Resources	2,970,000.00	Anglo Irish Assurance Co Ltd, Heritage House, 23 St Stephen Gr., Dublin 2
Dublin 02	Molesworth Bldg Setanta Centre, Finance; Foreign Affairs; Transport; Oireachtas.	2,267,000.00	Irish Airlines Pensions Ltd & Ags (ROI) Pensions Nominees Ltd, Dublin Airport
Dublin 02	1 Lower Grand Canal Street***	1,995,000.00	Tom & Deirdre Jones, 1 Nutley Avenue, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Dublin 02	Harcourt Sq., Garda Block 2, Garda Síochána	1,832,500.00	Alvergold Limited, Scd House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4
Dublin 01	Parnell Sq, 13-15 Parnell House, Enterprise, Trade & Innovation	1,830,000.00	Alstead Securities, 48 Upper Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9
Dublin 02	Castleview Georges St., Revenue Commissioners	1,827,522.00	Silverwood Developments Ltd., 46-50 Sth Great Georges Street, Dublin 2
Dublin 02	Mount Street Lower 85-93 Revenue Commissioners	1,743,000.00	Lochlann Quinn, Fitzwilliam Suite, The Merrion Hotel, 21-24 Upr Merrion St., Dublin 2
Dublin 02	Adelaide Rd 65a (Davitt House), Enterprise, Trade & Innovation	1,680,000.00	Irish Life Assurance, Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1
Dublin 02	Mespil Road 43-49, Communication, Energy & Natural Resources	1,637,756.00	F A S P.O. Box 456 27/33 Upr Baggot Street, Dublin 4
Dublin 07	Navan Road Ashtowngate Revenue Commissioners	1,550,000.00	Friends First Life, Assurance Co Ltd Block H, Cherrywood Science & Tech Park, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin
Dublin 02	Bishops Square, Dept. Justice	1,525,000.00	Belltrap Ltd., Grattan Bridge House, 3 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7
Dublin 02	Bishops Square, Revenue Commissioners	1,495,500.00	Belltrap Ltd., Grattan Bridge House, 3 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7
Dublin 01	Parnell Sq 16, Dir. Corporate Enforcement, Dept. Social Protection, Nesdo.	1,493,644.72	Alstead Securities, 48 Upper Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9
Dublin 02	Pearse St 212-213, Oisín House, Dept. Social Protection	1,493,000.00	The Provost Fellows & Scholars Of Trinity College, Dublin 2
Dublin 02	Townsend St 157-164, Dept. Social Protection	1,370,000.00	Carlisle Trust Ltd., 48 Upper Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9
Dublin 07	Nth. King St. 90 Georges Court, Dir. Public Prosecutions	1,353,509.00	Danninger In Receivership, C/O Deloitte, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2.
Dublin 01	Irish Life Centre, Block 1, Valuations Office	1,335,000.00	Irish Life Assurance, Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1
Dublin 02	Harcourt Sq., Garda Block 3, Garda Síochána	1,300,000.00	Pecan Properties Ltd., Scd House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4
Dublin 02	Harcourt Sq., Garda Block 4, Garda Síochána	1,278,800.00	Anglo Irish Assurance Co Ltd., Heritage House, 23 St Stephen Gr., Dublin 2
Dublin 02	Harcourt Road 4-5, Comptroller & Auditor General; National Consumer Agency; OPW; Dept. Environment.	1,260,000.00	Halfpipe Limited, Milestone, Castlebellingham, Dundalk, Co Louth

*** Being Surrendered In September 2010.

Employment Statistics

Damien English

Question:

442 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the number of PAYE employees in the State; if he will provide a breakdown for each regional tax office; the way in which this compares to 2007, in tabular form. [32264/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the income tax years 2007 and 2008, the latest year for which the necessary detailed statistics are available, the number of income earners that were identified as being active on the PAYE record in respect of each of those years were 2,162,764 and 2,139,687 respectively.

A breakdown by reference to each tax region is as follows:

Tax Region	Income Earners
	2008	2007
Dublin	705,781	711,624
Border Midlands West	486,216	493,170
East and South East	507,351	512,130
South West	439,760	445,178
Large Cases Division	144	150
Unallocated	435	512
Total	2,139,687	2,162,764

The information is based on income returns on Revenue records at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes, representing about 96 per cent of all returns expected.

A married couple which has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.

The source of the information provided in relation to numbers and tax is the P35 end year returns filed by employers in respect of their employees together with the figures for numbers of PAYE taxpayers who are required to return an income tax return form 11 where non-PAYE income is greater than €3,174.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar

Question:

443 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32275/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

There are staff based in my constituency office in Castleknock, Dublin 15 and also in my Department on Merrion Street. Since my appointment as Minister for Finance on 7 May 2008 details of staffing are as follows:

2010
Grade	Number	Annual Salary Range	Location
Personal Assistant	1	€43,816 – €55,415	Merrion Street
Personal Secretary	1	€22,023 – €42,122 + 10% of salary paid as allowance.	Castleknock
Clerical Officer	2	€23,177 – €37,341	1 Castleknock, 1 Merrion Street

2009
Grade	Number	Annual Salary Range	Location
Personal Assistant	1	€46,558 – €59,097	Merrion Street
Personal Secretary	1	€23,181 – €44,727 + 10% of salary paid as allowance.	Castleknock
Executive Officer*	1	€30,566 – €48,405 + allowance of €12,227	Merrion Street
Clerical Officer	2	€24,397 – €39,558	1 Castleknock, 1 Merrion Street

*This officer is on loan from the Department of Justice and was promoted by them to Higher Executive Officer with effect from 9 February, 2009. The applicable salary range is €46,558 – €59,097 per annum.

This officer terminated in the Constituency Office on 19 July 2009.

From 7 May–31 December 2008
Grade	Number	Annual Salary Range	Location
Personal Assistant	1	€45,422 – €57,656	Merrion Street
Personal Secretary	1	€22,616 – €43,653 +10% of salary paid as allowance	Castleknock
Executive Officer	1	€29,820 – €47,321 + allowance of €11,929	Merrion Street
Clerical Officer	1	€23,802 – €38,593	Merrion Street

These pay rates were increased by 2.5% with effect from 1 September 2008 under Section 27.17 of Towards 2016 agreement.

I should point out that the staffing level in my Constituency Office is well below the Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices.

In relation to my predecessor Mr Brian Cowen T.D. staff were based in his Constituency Office in Tullamore and also in the Department in Merrion Street.

From 14 June 2007 to 6 May 2008 details of these staff are as follows:
Grade	Number	Annual Salary Range	Location
Personal Assistant	1	€44,314 – €56,250	Tullamore
Personal Secretary	1	€29,093 – €46,167	Tullamore
Executive Officer	1	€29,093 – €46,167	Merrion Street
Staff Officer	1	€33,258 – €44,407	Merrion Street
Clerical Officer	1	€23,221 – €37,652	Merrion Street

These pay rates were increased by 2.5% with effect from 1 March 2008 under Section 27.17 of Towards 2016 agreement.

The financial reporting system currently in use in my Department cannot provide the expenses details requested by the Deputy.

As the some of the constituency staff are accommodated within the Department's office in Merrion Street, it is not possible to estimate the costs requested by the Deputy in relation to expenditure on the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous as the costs would have been included in the overall costs of the Department.

A table which sets out the telephone costs for my constituency office, and that of my predecessor which were met from the Vote of my Department will be forwarded shortly.

The costs associated with the accommodation of 2 staff based at my constituency office are met from my own resources supplemented by the Constituency Office Maintenance allowance available to all Deputies. The same applied to my predecessor.

The Office of Public Works

I am advised by the Office of Public Works that in relation to the periods specified in the question Minister Noel Ahern and Minister Martin Mansergh have served as Ministers of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works. Minister Noel Ahern took up duty with responsibility for OPW on 13 June 2007 up to 13 May 2008. His constituency office was located within the OPW headquarters building at Stephen's Green, Dublin.

Within the period of his tenure five staff were employed as constituency staff for Minister Ahern:

(1) Constituency Personal Assistant

(1) Constituency Personal Secretary

(1) Executive Officer

(2) Clerical Officers

The Constituency Personal Assistant is paid at the equivalent level of the Higher Executive Officer salary scale. The Constituency Personal Secretary is paid at the equivalent level of the Executive Officer salary scale Higher Scale.

The salary ranges for these staff as at 13 May 2008 were as follows:

Grade	Annual salary range
Constituency Personal Assistant	€45,422 – €57,656
Constituency Personal Secretary	€22,064 – €42,571
Executive Officer	€31,394 – €51,773
Clerical Officer	€23,802 – €38,593
Clerical Officer	€23,802 – €38,593

The expenses costs for Minister Ahern's constituency staff in 2007 amounted to €1,040.08.

The expenses costs for Minister Ahern's constituency staff in 2008 amounted to €8,917.

As the constituency staff were accommodated within the Department's office in Stephen's Green, it is not possible to estimate the costs requested by the Deputy in relation to expenditure on the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous as the costs would have been included in the overall costs of the Stephen's Green office.

Minister Mansergh

Minister Martin Mansergh took up duty with responsibility for OPW on 14 May 2008 to date. The Minister's constituency offices are located as follows:

23A Bank Place, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary.

Denis Lacey Hall, The Mall, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

As neither office is on Departmental property the costs requested by the Deputy in relation to expenditure on the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous are not provided. However, the costs associated with the accommodation of the Minister's constituency staff were, until recent changes in the system, met by the Constituency Office Maintenance Allowance available to all Deputies supplemented by his own resources.

Within the period of his tenure two staff are employed as constituency staff for Minister Mansergh:

(1) Constituency Personal Assistant

(1) Constituency Personal Secretary

The Minister's Constituency Personal Assistant is based in the OPW headquarters building at Stephen's Green, Dublin. As mentioned previously there are no direct accommodation costs as the costs associated with the accommodation of the staff member are accommodated within the overall space available to the Department.

The current salary ranges for these staff is as follows:

Grade	Annual salary range
Constituency Personal Assistant	€46,558 – €59,097
Constituency Personal Secretary	€30,566 – €50,410

The expenses costs for Minister Mansergh's constituency staff are being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when available.

Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, answered with Question No. 436.

State Banking Sector

Arthur Morgan

Question:

447 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the numbers of staff in the funding bank and the asset recovery bank; the salary costs for these staff; the length of time these staff will be on these salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32400/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As the Deputy is aware, the Government announced on 8 September its proposals for the restructuring of Anglo Irish Bank.

The approach is to split the bank into two — an Asset Recovery Bank which would work out the bank's assets over time and a Funding Bank which would raise funds for the Asset Recovery Bank. The Statement also indicated that the Central Bank would determine the capital needs of the two institutions and announce its findings by October. As indicated above the detailed development of this broad outline is underway and it is intended to submit a detailed plan to the EU Commission for approval.

Until the detailed plan is further developed the Deputy will appreciate it is not possible to indicate the numbers of staff in each of the proposed banks or specific staff costs at this time. The staff costs will be determined by the number of staff required for each entity, the necessary skill sets and the appropriate market rates for such skills.

Flood Relief

Terence Flanagan

Question:

448 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32411/10]

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

Fingal County Council submitted an application for funding for mitigation works at the location referred to by the Deputy under the Coastal Minor Flood and Erosion Mitigation scheme administered by the Office of Public Works.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

451 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Finance the revenue brought in through the €10 travel tax in each month since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32497/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the air travel tax arising from travel undertaken in any month is payable by airline operators by the 23rd of the following month. Since the introduction of the air travel tax on 30 March 2009, it has yielded a total of €151.7 million.

The figures broken down on a monthly basis are as follows:

Month	2009	2010
	€m	€m
January		7.5
February		6.7
March		6.8
April		8.3
May	9.6	6.5
June	11.5	9.0
July	11.9	11.0
August	12.5	11.5
September	12.4
October	9.4
November	9.5
December	7.6
Total	84.4	67.3

Bank Charges

Michael Noonan

Question:

452 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the adverse impact of increased bank charges on business here; his plans to discuss these charges with the banks in which the State has a share holding with a view to reducing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32540/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Government operate an arm's length relationship with the banks in which the State has a shareholding and the commercial decisions on how best to operate the bank remains a matter for management and the board. I have no role in the setting or monitoring of bank charges. This responsibility lies with the Financial Regulator.

Indeed, under the Consumer Credit Act, 1995, banks must make a submission to the Financial Regulator if they wish to introduce or increase charges in respect of a service.

Tax Code

Dan Neville

Question:

453 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is entitled to a refund of tax or refund of income levy or refund of PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32552/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a claim for refund of tax paid in 2009 was processed in April 2010. No refund was found to be due and a Balancing Statement was issued to this effect on 1 April 2010.

An application form for refund of Income Levy was issued to the individual by Limerick Revenue District in June 2010. This form has not been returned to date. It is therefore not possible for the Revenue Commissioners to determine that person's current entitlement to such a refund.

An application form for a refund of PRSI has also issued to the individual from the Department of Social Protection.

When these are returned to the relevant areas they will be processed and any refund due will be forwarded to the taxpayer.

If the person in question has any further queries they should contact Mr Enda Malone, Limerick Revenue District, River House, Limerick. Telephone: 064 212782.

Tax Collection

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

454 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a tax refund will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32769/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that correspondence in relation to the person's tax position is still ongoing. The matter will be resolved as soon as possible.

Consumer Protection

Sean Sherlock

Question:

455 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the plans of certain financial institutions to raise the deposit required by a first time buyer to 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have no responsibility for determining the amount of the deposit which financial institutions require from first time buyers. That requirement is a commercial decision for each individual institution. In deciding on the amount of deposits that they require, I expect the lenders to act responsibly.

My role, as Minister for Finance, is to prepare draft legislation for the approval of the Oireachtas to provide an appropriate legislative framework for the regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer.

Both the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman play an important role in Consumer Protection.

The Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code (the Code) is applicable to all entities which the Financial Regulator regulates. Under the General Principles of the Code, all regulated firms are required to:

Act honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of the customer;

Make full disclosure of all relevant material information, including all charges, in a way that seeks to inform the customer; and

Seek to avoid conflicts of interest.

In addition, there are provisions in the Code, for the protection of those persons which are classified as ‘consumers' under the Code, which set specific requirements with which the regulated entity must comply in areas such as its terms of business, provision of information to the consumer, knowing the consumer and suitability.

Regulated entities are required to comply with the Code and the Financial Regulator will investigate any matter brought to its attention where it appears that these, or any other regulatory requirement, may have been breached by an entity.

The Deputy may wish to note that where a consumer has a complaint regarding his/her treatment which has not been resolved through the internal complaint resolutions systems of a regulated entity, the consumer may bring the matter to the attention of the Financial Services Ombudsman for investigation.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes

Question:

456 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented; if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32837/10]

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

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that the information requested will involve considerable analysis and correlation. OPW will revert directly to the Deputy as soon as the relevant data has been compiled.

Brian Hayes

Question:

457 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the offices and properties which his Department is currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32852/10]

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

Question No. 458 answered with Question No. 436.

Flood Relief

John O'Mahony

Question:

459 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money spent by his Department for flood alleviation to cope with last winter’s flooding; the locations at which the moneys were spent; the type of work carried out; if any drainage schemes are currently under way in the worst affected areas; if so the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32890/10]

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

In 2009 the Office of Public Works introduced the Minor Flood Works scheme to assist Local Authorities to address localised flood problems where a solution had been identified or could be readily identified. A total of € 11.434m has been allocated under the scheme in 2010 to date on foot of applications from Local Authorities, most of which relate to locations affected by flooding last winter. Details of the locations and the types of measures involved are given as follows. A small number of other applications are being considered, and further applications are being received on an ongoing basis. It is a matter for the Local Authorities to progress the mitigation measures in each case.

In addition, the OPW has recently initiated the process of undertaking major flood relief schemes on the Dunkellin and Clare Rivers in County Galway which are estimated to cost €4m and €8m respectively and have initiated a feasibility study at Bandon in County Cork. This is in addition to a number of major flood relief schemes in progress across the country, where in many cases the initial phase has already been completed with positive benefits.

Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Studies SchemeApproved Projects 2010
Local Authority	Project Location	Project Details	2010 Funding Allocation
			€
Carlow County Council	Ballymurphy, Tullow	Construct berms, retaining walls and drainage works	31,500
Cavan County Council	Crosskeys Bridge	Replace Bridge	72,000
Clare County Council	Gort Road Industrial Park, Ennis	Install culvert	300,000
	Ranaghan, Ruan	Flood mitigation works	36,000
	Ruan	Flood mitigation works	90,000
	Cloonbony	Upgrade Culvert	36,000
	Elm Park / Watery Road	Upgrade embankment and storm drain	135,000
Cork City Council	Cork City — Walls	Repairs and upgrading of quay walls	900,000
Cork County Council	Skibbereen	Study	120,000
	Clonakility	Channel capacity improvements	350,000
	The Glen, Glenbrook, Passage West	Study & remedial works	99,000
	Crookstown	Install flood walls & embankments	318,600
Donegal County Council	Eastend, Bundoran	Upgrading pipes	27,000
	Meenaniller, L-1363-2	Upgrading of pipes/culvert	73,044
	Meenaniller	Study	7,200
	An Seascann Beag, L-1263	Replacement of bridge	36,135
	An Seascann Beag, L-1263	Replacement of bridge	42,300
	Derrybeg	Bunding	27,000
	Derrybeg	Bunding	31,500
	Ard na gCeapairi, R257	Install culvert	29,700
	Cladyknit	Study	3,600
	Burnfoot River	Construct embankment, upgrade underground drainage	67,500
Galway County Council	Ahascragh	Channel cleaning	45,000
	Ballyglunin	Channel widening, upgrading culverts	60,000
	Crowe St., Gort	Channel maintenance and camera survey	36,000
Works to be undertaken by OPW on behalf of Council	Newtown, Abbeyknockmoy	Improvements to drainage system	250,000
	Cloonoo, Loughrea	Construct new channel	2,000
	Ballydavid, Athenry/ Clarin River	Channel maintenance, replace culvert, remove weir	90,000
	Ballinasloe Town Study	Study	9,000
	Turloughgarve, Corrandulla	Install culvert and construct new drain	16,200
Works to be undertaken by OPW on behalf of Council	Ferragh, Caherlistrane	Improvements to drainage	115,000
Works to be undertaken by OPW on behalf of Council	Gortbeg, Cahergal, Tuam	Improvements to drainage	49,000
	Caherduff, Gort Road	Clear & reinstate drain	5,400
	Ballinasloe Electoral Area:
	Kylemore, Laurencetown	Upgrade culvert	9,000
	Killevny, Laurencetown	Clear culverts and construct channel	4,050
	Poolboy, Ballinasloe	Upgrade culvert	19,800
	Crowsnest, Laurencetown	Upgrade culverts	9,000
	New Inn Village	Regrade stream & upgrade culvert	31,500
	Ballyglass,Kilconnell	Regrade stream & upgrade culvert	9,000
	Rathglass, New Inn	Upgrade culvert	13,500
	Corgerry Oughter, Menlough	Replacement of culverts, regrading of channels	16,200
	Rahins, Mountbellow	Replacement of culverts, regrading of channels	13,500
	Cloonrelagh, Mountbellew	Replacement of culverts, regrading of channels	11,250
	Derrymullen, Ballinasloe	Provide flood defence wall	315,000
	Derrymullen, Ballinasloe	Provide flood defence wall	45,200
	East Bridge, Ballinasloe	Provide channel	40,500
	Bride St, Loughrea	Provide pipe	31,500
	Cross St, Loughrea Town	Install gullies	67,500
	Ballyglass, Turloughmore	Install culvert	18,000
	Ballaun, Loughrea	Channel deepening, and clearance	67,500
	The Walks, Station Road, Loughrea	Clear channel obstructions	27,000
	Ryehill Demesne, Monivea	Upgrade culvert	14,400
	Bellayarha North	Replace existing culvert with larger capacity structure	9,000
	Caherlistrane	Install culvert, raise road level	27,000
	Knockanranny	Replace culvert	10,800
	Carraroe Area Office, Inverin	Install new culvert	5,850
	Mira	Detailed study	67,500
	Ballyglass South, Ballymoe	Provide drain	5,400
	N18 at Oranmore	Clearance of channel obstructions	14,400
Works to be undertaken by OPW on behalf of Council	Moylough Village	General maintenance of channel	170,000
	Kilcoona	Install culvert	4,500
	Castlegrove, Tuam	Improvements to drainage	21,420
Works to be jointly undertaken by OPW and Council	Oranmore	Channel maintenance, pipes, replacement of culverts	300,000
	Tarramud & Coldwood, Clarin River	Clearance of channel, upgrade of culverts	40,000
	Moneen, Cummer, Tuam	Install pipe	9,900
	Carheens Cross, Belclare	Install pipe	9,000
	(a) Thomastown, Belclare; (b) Treenbaun, Goldenpark; (c) Kilshanvy, Kilconly	Combined study	10,800
	Middlethird, Maree, Oranmore	Improve drainage system	15,840
	Lydican, Cregboy	Improve drainage	13,500
Works to be undertaken by OPW on behalf of Council	Ballyconlought, Headford	Piping of channel	23,000
	Lackagh Beg	New drainage system	13,500
	Cloonacauneen	New drainage system	13,500
	Cloonantleva Lower, Fohenagh	Replacement of culverts	18,000
	Esker, Ballymacward/Scarreth	Replace culvert, clean river	18,000
	Castleblakeney	Upgrade culvert	9,000
	Feagh East	Open up swallow hole, place grids on roadside	3,000
	Peake, Claregalway	Construct embankment	4,500
	Coolarne, Turloughmore	Install piping and ssociated works	112,500
Galway City Council	Two Mile Ditch	Construct pipeline and sump & provide mobile pump	27,000
	Menlo	Provide pipe / channel, together with pumping equipment	121,995
Kerry County Council	Milltown Village	Study	2,700
Kildare County Council	Butterstream, Clane	Construction of flood relief structures	356,142
	Ardclough	Construction / replacement of canal & road crossings	306,410
	Confey, Leixlip	Upgrade culvert	66,556
	Newtown, Kilcock	Construct overflow pipeline	237,912
	Sallins	Upgrade culvert, embankment	500,000
Kilkenny County Council	Thomastown	Site investigation	40,000
	Mullinavat	Channel clearance, construct walls, remove weir	36,000
	Callan	Construction of flood defence walls & embankments	270,000
	Graiguenamanagh	Channel clearance, construct wall	198,000
	Gowran	Provision of flood embankment and bridge arch, widening of channel	135,000
Laois County Council	Stradbally	Re-point walls, culvert works	14,400
Leitrim County Council	Glenfarne	General channel maintenance and provision of fencing	90,000
	Tawnylea	General channel maintenance and provision of fencing	27,000
	Greyfield	General channel maintenance and provision of fencing	28,000
	Leitrim Road / Park Lane, Carrick	Upgrading, cleaning and deepening of culverts & drains	220,860
Limerick County Council	Castleconnell / Montpelier	Provide embankments and mobile/ temporary measures	54,000
Longford County Council	Moygh, Ballymahon	Upgrade culvert	163,857
	Rathmore, Aughnacliffe	Channel cleaning/widening & levee construction	24,300
	Cloonagh	Upgrade culvert	13,779
Mayo County Council	Owenwee River, Westport	Drainage of river, repair weir & provide fencing	27,900
	Owenwee River, Westport	Culvert repair, road strengthening & provide fencing	24,300
	Derryguillinan, Cloghans	Install new culvert	31,500
	Dookinelly, Acill Island	Provide drain and roadside drainage	45,000
	Newport	Install box culvert, clear obstructions	63,000
Meath County Council	Swan River	Construct flood embankments	315,000
Monaghan County Council	Clones to Finn River	New bridges / channel maintenance	31,500
Offaly County Council	Ballymooney & Ballyknockan, Geashill	Upgrade culvert	90,000
	Moneygall	Construct drain	36,000
	Brosna Village	Upgrade culverts, ancillary works	54,000
	Ballyshane, Kinnity	Upgrade culvert	54,000
Roscommon County Council	Killukin River, Carrowreagh	Study	5,036
	Ballyglass River, Dysert	Study	3,987
	Strokestown	Study	18,000
	Elphin	Study	9,000
	Four Roads Area	Study	18,000
	Miltown, Castleplunkett	Study	2,250
	Lissalway, Castlerea	Study	2,700
	Knockalgtha	Study	2,070
	Grange	Study	1,800
	River Jiggy	Channel maintenance and upgrading of culverts	450,000
	Athleague Flood Alleviation	Construct weir and overflow channel & carry out channel maintenance	270,000
	Ballintober Village	Upgrade culvert	90,000
	Red Bridge, Drum	Install pipes	24,300
	Valeview, Castlerea	Upgrade pipe and associated works	54,000
Tipperary County Council (South)	Ardfinnan, Clonmel	Strengthening riverbank, raising embankment & removal of vegetation.	15,636
	Tivoli Heights, Clonmel	Installation of grill, construction of wing walls to culvert.	1,373
	Moangarriff, Clonmel	Channel improvements	30,600
	Railstown, Cashel	Widen Moyle Stream, repair bridges & culverts	45,360
	Red City Fethard	Upgrade culvert	52,920
	Carrigeen, Cahir	Improvements to Marshes Stream	26,325
	Toureen, Cahir	Installation of pipe and additional land drains	11,250
Tipperary County Council (North)	Barravie	Construct gullies and lay piping, upgrade existing pipe, clean out existing land drain	18,054
	Baynanagh, Toomevara	Remove wall, lay piping, construct inspection chambers and roadside gullies, provide fencing.	42,210
	Currabaha	Construct inspection chambers, upgrade existing land drainage pipe.	9,900
	Coolaholiga, Nenagh	Channel maintenance, replace culvert restore parapet walls and wing walls	24,000
Waterford County Council	Rathanny, Kill	Upsize existing bridge/culvert, re-shape riverbanks	19,800
	Ross Bridge, Rathgormack	Re-shape riverbanks, removal of gravel	5,400
	Lacken Bridge, Rathgormack	Prune trees, re-shape riverbanks, remove deposits at bridge eyes	13,500
	Clodiagh Bridge, Portlaw	Raise level of slip to river, form earth bund, construct flood proof gates	14,850
Westmeath County Council	River Gaine, Ballynagall, Mullingar	Install new pipe & culvert	54,000
	Iona Villas, Athlone	Flood defence embankments, emergency pumping stations	177,323
	The Strand, Athlone	Flood defence embankments, emergency pumping stations	288,748
Wexford County Council	Gorey	Bridge improvements, channel cleaning & regrading	450,000
Wicklow County Council	Boghill Road, Bray	Upgrade pipe & channel	135,000
	Mountain View, Boghall, Bray	Install pipe	67,500

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

With regard to the commercial scheme in question, NAMA informs me that it has not taken control of the property securing the loan and no loan has been enforced. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, NAMA is not permitted to disclose information on any of the borrowers whose loans have been acquired from participating institutions. Where property remains in the control of the borrower, the setting of rents is entirely a matter for the borrower and tenant.

I would also remind the Deputy that a ban on upward only rent review clauses came into effect on 28 February 2010 under a Ministerial Order signed by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform.

Tax Yield

Joe McHugh

Question:

467 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the indirect taxation returns from each county for the first half of 2010; for the third quarter of 2010; if he will provide the same information from the 2009 accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33063/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

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

This data is available only on the basis of a full calendar year. On that basis, corresponding information for the first half and third quarter for both years 2009 and 2010 is not available and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.

The following table sets out the estimated breakdown of net receipts for VAT (Domestic) for the year 2009, the latest year for which the information is available. Basic data is not recorded in such a manner as would enable a breakdown by county to be provided in respect of the yield from Customs, Excise and VAT at the point of Import, the other main components of indirect taxation.

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

Estimated breakdown of Vat (Domestic) collection by county for 2009.
County	2009
	€m
Carlow	59
Cavan	81
Clare	101
Donegal	116
Galway	278
Kerry	132
Kildare	314
Kilkenny	112
Laois	68
Leitrim	20
Limerick	206
Longford	25
Louth	185
Mayo	124
Meath	185
Monaghan	54
Offaly	66
Roscommon	44
Sligo	47
Tipperary	149
Waterford	101
Westmeath	91
Wexford	136
Wicklow	147
Dublin	5,453
Cork	881
Other/foreign	472
Totals	9,647

Tax Code

Arthur Morgan

Question:

468 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the way the current tax reliefs for mining and petrol exploration are applied and the cost to the State in a full year. [33069/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The tax code provides various allowances for investment in mining and petroleum exploration in recognition of the particular requirements and capital-intensive nature of these sectors of economic activity.

In relation to mining, allowances are available for capital expenditure incurred in

exploring for mineral deposits,

acquiring mineral deposits,

developing, constructing and operating a qualifying mine, and

rehabilitating a mine site following closure of a mine.

The allowances apply in respect of scheduled minerals as listed in section 672 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA), 1997 and are available to persons (usually companies) carrying on a trade of working a qualifying mine (i.e. a mine containing deposits of scheduled minerals). They are detailed in the following appendix.

In relation to petroleum, there are allowances available for capital expenditure in respect of exploration activities, abandonment and decommissioning of petroleum fields, and production and development of petroleum extraction facilities for the purposes of a petroleum trade.

Details of the various allowances available are outlined in the Appendix.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information from Corporation Tax returns is not recorded in such a way as to enable an estimate of the cost of the specific tax reliefs for mining and petroleum exploration companies to be compiled. In any event, it should be borne in mind that any potential cost should be viewed in the context of the overall purpose of these allowances, which taken together are aimed at encouraging economic activity in the mining and petroleum sectors.

I should add that profits from a trade of working minerals and profits from a trade in petroleum activities are each subject to Corporation Tax at the higher rate of 25% under section 21A TCA 1997. Provision is also made under section 683 TCA 1997 for a 25% tax charge under Case IV of Schedule D on the net proceeds of the sale of any deposit of scheduled minerals, including land comprising such a deposit.

Furthermore, the Finance Act 2008 introduced an additional Profit Resource Rent Tax in respect of any petroleum lease entered into by a petroleum company following on from an exploration licence awarded by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The new tax, which is applicable to petroleum profits which exceed certain defined levels and ranges from 5% to 15%, is in addition to the Corporation Tax rate of 25%.

APPENDIX

Capital Allowances for Mining and Petroleum Exploration

Allowances for mineral exploration expenditure

Under section 673 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997, a company may claim an allowance for the amount of exploration expenditure incurred in an accounting period and the allowance may be claimed whether or not a deposit of scheduled minerals is found as a result of the exploration expenditure. The allowance may be offset in full against profits of a mining trade in the accounting period in which the expenditure is incurred and any unused allowance may be carried forward for offset against future profits of the trade. An exploration company which is not carrying on a trade of working a qualifying mine may, by virtue of section 679, offset exploration expenditure against other profits of the company. A company incurring exploration expenditure may, under section 675, surrender any unused exploration allowances to an associate company within a group thereby enabling the associate company to claim the allowances against its profits from mining activities. Also, section 676 provides that where a company incurs exploration expenditure resulting in a finding of a scheduled mineral deposit and, without having worked the deposit and claimed any exploration allowance, sells the assets to another company, that other company may claim the allowance instead when it commences to work the mineral deposit.

Section 677 TCA 1997 provides that a company engaged in petroleum exploration activities may claim an additional investment allowance of 20% of exploration expenditure incurred by it in an accounting period. This means, in effect, that a company can obtain total allowances of 120% of the amount of exploration expenditure incurred. Unlike the allowance for exploration expenditure under section 673, the 20% investment allowance may not be surrendered to another group company.

Allowance for acquired scheduled mineral deposits

Section 680 TCA 1997 enables a company carrying on a mining trade to obtain a mineral depletion allowance in respect of capital expenditure incurred in acquiring deposits of scheduled minerals or land containing such deposits for the purposes of engaging in a mining trade. The allowance is spread, on a straight-line basis, over the estimated life of the mine subject to a maximum of 20 years. The amount of the allowance is equal to the total capital expenditure incurred in acquiring the deposits less the estimated residual value of the assets at the end of the useful life of the mine.

Allowance for mine development expenditure

Under section 673 TCA 1997, a company carrying on a mining trade can claim an allowance for capital expenditure on the development and construction of a qualifying mine. The allowance may be offset in full against profits of a mining trade in the accounting period in which the expenditure is incurred and any unused allowance may be carried forward for offset against future profits of the trade. The amount of the allowance is equal to the total capital expenditure incurred less the estimated residual value of the assets representing that expenditure when the mineral deposits are exhausted.

Allowances for Plant and Machinery

Companies carrying on a mining trade are entitled to the normal wear and tear allowances for plant and machinery under which expenditure is written off on a straight-line basis over 8 years. Also, under section 678 TCA 1997, there is an additional investment allowance available of 20% of expenditure on new plant and machinery (other than certain motor vehicles) acquired for the purposes of a mining trade. The allowance is made for the accounting period in which the expenditure is incurred and means, in effect, that a mining company can obtain total allowances of 120% of expenditure on such new plant and machinery.

Allowance for mine rehabilitation

Section 681 TCA 1997 provides relief for expenditure incurred in connection with the closure of a mine and the rehabilitation of the mine site in accordance with environmental planning requirements. Where such expenditure is incurred after the mine has closed it is treated as incurred on the date of closure so that it is allowable in the final accounting period of trading and, where the allowance generates a terminal loss, the excess allowance may be carried back and offset against trading profits of the previous three years. Alternatively, to facilitate a mining company making advance provision for mine closure costs while working a qualifying mine, an allowance is available for payments made by the company to a mine rehabilitation fund approved by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Subject to certain conditions, the allowance is computed on the basis of the total amount of scheduled payments spread over the estimated life of the mine.

Where any of the allowances referred to above are not used or fully used by a mining company in an accounting period, the unused amount may be carried forward and offset against profits of the company's mining trade in subsequent accounting periods.

Petroleum exploration allowances

Section 693 TCA 1997 provides for a 100% allowance for petroleum exploration expenditure against the profits of a petroleum trade and for recovery of such an allowance by way of a balancing charge where an asset representing such expenditure is realised. Section 694 allows a petroleum exploration company to surrender any unused exploration allowances to an associated company within a group thereby enabling the associate company to claim the allowances instead. This facility is similar to that available for the mining industry.

Section 695 provides for a 100% deduction for tax purposes in respect of expenditure in connection with the abandonment and decommissioning of a petroleum field in respect of which a licence has been granted by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The allowance is made for the accounting period in which the company incurred the expenditure. Provision is also made for a 3 year carry back of losses for tax purposes attributable to abandonment expenditure and for the carry forward to a new petroleum trade of any unused allowances for abandonment expenditure incurred in connection with a permanently discontinued trade.

There is also provision for an allowance of 100% of capital expenditure on production and development work in connection with a trade of working a relevant petroleum field under a lease granted by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following on from an exploration licence.

Where any of the petroleum allowances referred to above are not used or fully used by a petroleum company in an accounting period, the unused amount may be carried forward and offset against profits of the company's petroleum trade in subsequent accounting periods.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

469 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the cost outstanding of discontinued tax reliefs and the amount of these tax reliefs that are related to property. [33070/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information provided in tax returns on the annual amounts of claims for property based and other tax reliefs is not sufficiently detailed to provide a basis for deriving an estimate of the remaining legacy cost to the Exchequer. I am not therefore in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy.

Tax Collection

Jack Wall

Question:

470 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can be issued with a P21 for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

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

Question No. 471 answered with Question No. 436.

Tax Collection

Tax Code

Leo Varadkar

Question:

476 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of replacing the current stamp duty on residential properties with a new regime under which stamp duty is paid at 2%, 3% and 3.5% on all residential properties with no exceptions or exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33203/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

It is assumed that the Deputy is asking about the potential yield or cost of applying either a 2%, 3% or 3.5% charge to all transfers of residential property, with no exceptions or exemptions. This change would reduce the Stamp Duty payable on higher value properties but would increase it on lower value properties. It would also mean that first time buyers would pay Stamp Duty.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that based on the forecast residential Stamp Duty receipts for 2010, there would be a cost to the Exchequer by applying a 2% Stamp Duty rate or a 3% rate to all residential property transfers. In comparison, there would be an additional yield from applying a 3.5% rate.

The estimated full year cost of applying a 2% Stamp Duty to all residential property transfers would be €39 million; the full year cost from applying a 3% rate to all such transfers would be €2 million; and the full year additional yield from applying a 3.5% rate to all such transfers would be €16 million.

It is noted that this would reduce the Stamp Duty payable on higher value properties but would increase it on lower value properties. It would also involve first.

As Stamp Duty is very dependent on individual behaviour, any change in rate may not produce a corresponding increase or decrease in tax yield. Also, in current economic conditions any estimate of additional yield must be treated with caution.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

477 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would accrue by granting income tax relief on pension at the effective tax rate for each individual rather than the marginal or standard rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33194/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

An historical breakdown is available by tax rate of the tax relief claimed on contributions to personal pension plans — Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) — by the self-employed and others, to the extent that the contributions have been included in the personal tax returns of those taxpayers. The latest full historical data currently available in this regard is in respect of the tax year 2007.

A breakdown of the cost of tax relief on employee contributions to occupational pension schemes is not available by income tax rate, as tax returns by employers to the Revenue Commissioners of employee contributions to such schemes are not required for each individual employee and are aggregated at employer level.

There is, therefore, no statistical basis for providing full definitive figures.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

478 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the tax advantages, breaks, special reliefs and expenditures afforded to persons over the age of 65 years and the amount of revenue lost in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33162/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The following is a summary of the main tax reliefs and credits available to taxpayers aged 65 or over.

Taxpayers aged over 65 years have an entitlement to an age tax credit of €325 if single and €650 if married and either spouse is over 65.

An exemption from income tax of €20,000 for a single person aged 65 years or over or €40,000 for a married couple where either spouse is aged 65 years. There are increases for qualified children.

Rent relief for persons over 65 years. Relief of €4,000 per annum at the standard rate is available for a single person or €8,000 for a married couple or widowed person.

An income levy exemption applies for persons aged over 65 years whose aggregate income for the year of assessment is less than €20,000 or €40,000 in the case of a married couple where either is over 65 years.

DIRT exemption for persons aged 65 years and over.

Where agricultural land is leased by a person aged over 40 years then income up to a limit between €12,000 and €20,000 is exempt from tax.

Age-related tax credit (ARTC) in relation to private health insurance premiums.

The table below sets out the costs to the Exchequer of the aged-related tax reliefs to the extent that they are available for the years indicated.

Tax Relief for Aged Persons over 65	Estimated cost to the Exchequer
	€m
Age tax credit	34 (2007)
Age exemption	77 (2011)*
Rent relief	4.4 (2007)
Income levy exemption	7.5 (2011)*
DIRT exemption	Not available
Leasing of farm land	27 (2005)
Medical Insurance Premia	216 (2009)

*Provisional and subject to revision.

The costs for 2011 are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2008 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2011. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised.

The medical insurance premia tax credit is part of a scheme designed to address the issues covered by the Supreme Court judgment of 2008 that found against the risk equalisation scheme for the provision of private health insurance.

The scheme is two-fold, an age-related tax credit to compensate for the higher cost of insurance for older persons, which is funded by a levy on health insurance companies based on the number of people covered by policies underwritten by them. This scheme is a temporary measure for three years from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. It is intended that it will be revenue-neutral over its duration. Part of the cost of contributions to permanent health benefit schemes is not identifiable as a result of the move to a "net pay" basis for contributions by PAYE taxpayers from 6 April, 2001.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

479 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the cost of granting mortgage interest rate relief against income tax at 100 per cent up to a ceiling of €3,600 for a single person and €7,200 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33184/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Unfortunately, it was not possible to collate the information required for this answer in the time allowed. I will provide the Deputy with the answer in writing in the coming days.

Tax Yield

Leo Varadkar

Question:

480 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised by ending the exemption from Capital Gains Tax applied to principal primary residences; charging CGT on principle primary residences at a rate 12.5 per cent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33171/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as information on the value of capital gains arising from the disposal of principal private residences is not required in capital gains tax returns, there is no dedicated basis for separately identifying the yield that would arise from applying capital gains tax to sales of principal private residences. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

481 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised by treating capital gains and capital acquisitions as income to be taxed at the effective tax rate paid by the individual concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33157/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as there is no direct association on tax records between the effective rates of income tax and liability to Capital Acquisitions Tax and Capital Gains Tax, there is no basis on which a precise estimate of the impact on the tax yields from these sources from the change mentioned in the question could be ascertained.

On the basis that the effective rate of income tax broadly equates with the total tax liability as a percentage of total taxable income, it is not necessarily the case that the change in question would increase the yield.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

482 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be a net increase in revenue raised by abolishing employees PRSI and replacing it with a levy on all income of more than €200 per week (details supplied) unearned and earned and including social welfare payments at four per cent, five per cent and six per cent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33172/10]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

483 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be a net increase in revenue raised by abolishing employees PRSI and replacing it with a levy on all income of more than €100 per week (details supplied) unearned and earned and including social welfare payments at the following rates four per cent, five per cent and six per cent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33173/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together.

It is assumed that the levy proposed by the Deputy, would be chargeable on the same income definition to which Income Levy currently applies and on income over €100 and €200 per week, taken to mean €5,200 and €10,400 per annum respectively. It is also assumed that there are no other exemptions, thresholds or ceilings to reduce the yield.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated yields in respect of the levy proposed by the Deputy on incomes, earned and unearned, over €100 and over €200 per week and at the rates of 4%, 5% and 6% are set out in the table below.

Income per week	Estimated Full Year Yield
	@4%	@5%	@6%
Over €100	€2,680m	€3,350m	€4,025m
Over €200	€2,240m	€2,800m	€3,360m

These figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data from the 2008 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2011. They are therefore provisional and are likely to be revised.

As regards the application of such a charge to social welfare payments, I have been informed by the Department of Social Protection that without further clarification in relation to the question, it would be difficult to answer accurately. It is not clear, for example, whether the proposed charge would apply equally to a single individual in receipt of a personal rate social welfare payment or a person claiming and receiving a personal rate of payment and an additional allowance on behalf of a dependent. It is also not clear whether it would apply to secondary payments (e.g. rent supplement or fuel allowance). If the Deputy is willing to clarify the possible application of the levy to social welfare payments directly to the Department of Social Protection, I am informed that it may be possible to provide an answer.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

484 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the amount that has been raised by the carbon tax since its introduction and since the beginning of this calendar year; if he will provide a break down by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33176/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners the total receipts from the carbon tax for the period January to August 2010, is €136.2 million, i.e. €123.5 million from the carbon charge and an estimated €12.7 million in respect of VAT. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the VAT yield on a monthly basis. The breakdown of the carbon charge by month is outlined below. For the Deputy's information, receipts are on deferral mainly by one month. The €15 per tonne carbon tax on petrol and diesel from 10 December 2009 and was applied kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as ‘green diesel' or ‘agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and natural gas from 1 May 2010.

Month	€m
January	2.5
February	17.3
March	13.4
April	15.2
May	14.8
June	18.9
July	22.9
August	18.5
Total (carbon charge)	123.5

Vehicle Licensing

Leo Varadkar

Question:

485 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the number of cars licensed here in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of these for each year that are electric vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33222/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the gross number of new cars registered for VRT for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to end of July, and the number of which were electric and other alternative fuels are listed in the following table:

Year	VRT Registrations	Hybrid	FFV	Electric
2007	186,841	1,066	835	1
2008	151,948	1,217	2,735	5
2009	57,337	293	711	3
2010 (to end July)	74,557	631	2,304	17

Leo Varadkar

Question:

486 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the total number of electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles newly registered in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33205/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the table below indicates the gross number of new electric, hybrid and flexible fuel vehicles, including commercial vehicles, which were registered for VRT during 2009 and to the end of July 2010 (the most recent month available).

	Hybrid	FFV	Electric
Jan-Dec 2009	293	711	76
Jan-July 2010	633	2,304	71

Cycle to Work Scheme

Leo Varadkar

Question:

487 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the cycle to work tax incentive scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some persons who are paying income tax on a company car as a benefit in kind have also claimed tax relief on the basis that they are cycling to work; if he has carried out an analysis of retail prices for bicycles since the tax scheme was introduced and if retail prices have increased; if he has any concerns that a large number of bicycles bought are racing bikes or bikes that are being used for leisure purposes rather than cycling to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33210/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The legislation governing the benefit-in-kind exemption for expenditure incurred in the provision of a bicycle and/or bicycle safety equipment is contained in section 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

The legislation stipulates that to qualify for the exemption, the bicycle must be used for qualifying journeys, i.e. travelling to and from work or between work places. Employers must seek and retain a signed declaration from each employee availing of the exemption to the effect that the bicycle is for his or her own use and will be used for qualifying journeys.

There is no threshold on the number of days a bicycle must be used for qualifying journeys and the legislation recognises that there may be private usage in that it only requires that the bicycle must be used "mainly for qualifying journeys".

Where an individual has the use of a company car, that individual is chargeable to income tax in accordance with the provisions of section 121 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, in respect of the benefit arising, irrespective of whether or not he or she uses the car for travelling to and from work. Once the car is made available to him or her, the income tax charge arises.

It is, therefore, possible for a person to be subject to a benefit-in-kind income tax charge in respect of a company car, and also to qualify for the benefit-in-kind exemption for a bicycle under the cycle-to-work scheme.

The cycle to work scheme is subject to Revenue audit procedures with the obligation on employers to maintain all relevant records — delivery dockets, invoices, payments details, salary sacrifice agreements between employer and employee, and signed declarations from employees that the bicycle/bicycle safety equipment is for their own use and will be used for travelling to and from work or between work places.

The legislation does not differentiate between racing bicycles and other bicycles but there is a limit of €1,000 on the amount of expenditure that may qualify for the exemption. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on where bicycles provided under the scheme can be purchased. In this regard, employers and employees should shop around and satisfy themselves as to the value for money they are obtaining in their purchases. No evidence of retail price increases has been brought to my attention.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

488 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of the cycle to work scheme to date in 2010; the cost of the tax expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33211/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The cycle to work scheme came into operation on 1 January 2009.

With a view to keeping the scheme simple and reducing administration on the part of employers, there is no notification procedure for employers involved. Accordingly, the Revenue Commissioners do not have statistics on the uptake of the scheme. The scheme operates on a self-administration basis, and relief is automatically available provided the employer is satisfied that the conditions of their particular scheme meet the requirements of the legislation.

The purchase of bicycles and associated safety equipment by employers for employees or directors is subject to the normal Revenue audit procedure with the normal obligations on employers to maintain records (e.g. delivery dockets, invoices, payments details, etc.). The employer is also obliged to keep all salary sacrifice agreements entered into between the employer and employees/directors, together with all signed statements from employees/directors regarding use of the bicycles and safety equipment.

It was estimated at the time of the introduction of the scheme that approximately 7,000 employees would avail of it over the first five-year period of its operation at a cost of €0.4 million in a full year. The exemption may apply only once in any five year period in respect of any employee.

Financial Compensation

Michael Creed

Question:

489 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the proposals if any he has to honour his commitment to small shareholders in Anglo Irish Bank regarding their entitlement to financial compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33318/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As the Deputy may be aware, the Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Act 2009 provides that I shall appoint an Assessor at an appropriate time having regard to the public interest, to determine the fair and reasonable aggregate value, if any, of the transferred shares and extinguished rights and the consequent amount of compensation, if any, that may be payable to persons in respect of Anglo shares transferred and rights extinguished under the Act.

Work on the process to appoint an Assessor is well under way in my Department and it is expected that a competitive tendering process will commence. In the near future, I would also note that in considering the appropriate approach to filling the position of Assessor I will have regard to best practice internationally on such matters.

Tax Collection

Jack Wall

Question:

490 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can be furnished with a P21 balancing statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33333/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer is jointly assessed with her spouse for tax purposes. A PAYE Balancing Statement P21 for the year 2009 in respect of the couple's joint income issued to her spouse on 23 September 2010.

Fiscal Policy

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

491 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the sale of the EBS and its recapitalisation so far; if he has considered retaining the EBS in State ownership until the he can establish a strengthened mutual building society and cooperative model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33374/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Financial Regulator on 30 March 2010 determined that EBS must raise additional equity capital of at least €875 million by the end of 2010.

The State provided EBS in May 2010 with €100 million of capital through the issuance of Special Investment Shares. These Special Investment Shares give the Minister for Finance effective economic control of EBS. A Promissory Note to the value of €250 million was issued to EBS in June 2010 to enable it to meet its capital requirements as loans transfer to NAMA.

The State has committed to meet the remaining capital requirement, to the extent that private capital is not forthcoming. A range of options in relation to the future of EBS have been considered and arising from this consideration, expressions of interest in the Society were invited and a sale/investment process commenced in June 2010.

Interest in the society has since been expressed by a number of parties and proposals have been received. These are being examined by my Department and the NTMA. The outcome of this process should soon be known but it is too soon to anticipate any particular outcome.

Money Supply

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

492 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the measurement of the money supply, M3 and M4, in the economy here since 1997; if the Central Bank, Financial Regulator and his Department lacked key information when and as the money supply balanced upwards; if he will outline the changes he is making to ensure a more accurate future measurement of the broad money supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33375/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland are responsible for the compilation and publication of statistics on the money supply. The official measures of the monetary aggregates (M1, M2 and M3) are calculated monthly based on the statistical returns each monetary financial institution are statutorily obliged to submit to the Central Bank with regard to their offices resident in the State. M1 includes overnight deposits and currency in circulation. M2 is M1 plus longer term deposits up to 2 years maturity or redeemable at notice up to 3 months and Post Office Savings accounts. M3 is M2 plus repurchase agreements and certain marketable instruments issued by monetary financial institutions (MFIs).

Since 1999, the money supply definition has changed to be the Irish contribution to euro area money supply. The instruments listed above are those deposits placed by or instruments held by Irish and other euro area resident non-monetary financial institutions with MFIs resident in the State. These data are collected on a harmonised basis across the euro area, and in Ireland are collected from the full population of MFIs. M4 is not an official measure of money supply in the euro area. The Central Bank publishes the Irish contribution to euro area money supply on their website, where figures for the period since 2003 can be found.

The Central Bank has provided the following information for the period 1997 to 2002:

	M1^a	Headline y-y change-%	M3E	Headline y-y change-%	Adjusted y-y change-%^b
£ Million
1997
Jan-97	5,540	17.8	34,909	16.0	14.7
Feb-97	5,472	15.9	35,640	17.9	16.6
Mar-97	5,559	16.7	35,960	17.9	16.2
Apr-97	5,336	17.3	36,729	19.9	17.3
May-97	5,891	20.7	37,541	20.6	18.8
Jun-97	6,050	20.2	37,932	21.5	18.9
Jul-97	6,396	18.3	39,096	22.6	20.2
Aug-97	6,488	21.2	39,587	23.3	21.1
Sep-97	6,381	18.8	40,504	24.8	22.2
Oct-97	6,674	22.6	41,043	24.4	22.5
Nov-97	6,760	22.2	41,448	24.2	21.6
Dec-97	7,458	23.6	42,290	22.1	19.1

1998
Jan-98	7,090	24.7	42,800	22.6	20.4
Feb-98	7,111	26.5	42,888	20.3	18.6
Mar-98	7,221	25.4	43,129	19.9	19.0
Apr-98	7,523	29.0	43,839	19.4	18.5
May-98	7,745	26.9	44,702	19.1	18.1
Jun-98	7,845	25.2	44,923	18.4	19.7
Jul-98	7,932	24.0	45,994	17.6	18.9
Aug-98	8,034	23.8	47,216	19.3	19.2
Sep-98	8,275	29.7	47,217	16.6	18.4
Oct-98	8,633	29.4	48,734	18.7	19.4
Nov-98	8,831	30.6	49,211	18.7	20.0
Dec-98	9,394	26.0	49,614	17.3	18.1

a Break in series in July 1997 following the reclassification of credit institutions. M1 now includes non-governmentcurrent accounts of other credit institutions (building societies, State-sponsored financial institutions and TSB Bank).

b Adjusted for the effects of transactions between credit institutions and non-bank IFSC companies and valuation effects arising from the exchange-rate movements.

	M1	Headline y-y change-%	M2	Headline y-y change-%	M3	Headline y-y change-%
€ Million
1999
Jan-99	12,164	n.a.	67,271	n.a.	78,266	n.a.
Feb-99	12,362	n.a.	68,291	n.a.	79,808	n.a.
Mar-99	12,779	n.a.	68,572	n.a.	80,716	n.a.
Apr-99	13,325	n.a.	73,190	n.a.	85,565	n.a.
May-99	13,548	n.a.	73,989	n.a.	86,972	n.a.
Jun-99	14,376	n.a.	70,540	n.a.	83,098	n.a.
Jul-99	14,446	n.a.	70,133	n.a.	82,096	n.a.
Aug-99	14,675	n.a.	73,099	n.a.	86,350	n.a.
Sep-99	15,204	n.a.	74,216	n.a.	88,186	n.a.
Oct-99	15,406	n.a.	75,675	n.a.	91,528	n.a.
Nov-99	15,678	n.a.	76,459	n.a.	91,221	n.a.
Dec-99	17,360	n.a.	77,429	n.a.	91,046	n.a.

2000
Jan-00	16,374	34.6	81,051	20.5	93,946	20.0
Feb-00	16,298	31.8	81,418	19.2	95,169	19.2
Mar-00	16,885	32.1	82,017	19.6	95,805	18.7
Apr-00	16,611	24.7	83,481	14.1	97,812	14.3
May-00	16,744	23.6	84,294	13.9	98,893	13.7
Jun-00	17,318	20.5	84,415	19.7	98,086	18.0
Jul-00	18,325	26.9	84,448	20.4	97,296	18.5
Aug-00	17,875	21.8	88,087	20.5	102,343	18.5
Sep-00	18,460	21.4	87,817	18.3	102,289	16.0
Oct-00	19,002	23.3	89,692	18.5	105,853	15.7
Nov-00	18,511	18.1	89,586	17.2	106,498	16.7
Dec-00	19,615	13.0	87,129	12.5	104,399	14.7

2001
Jan-01	18,307	11.8	91,025	12.3	109,421	16.5
Feb-01	18,709	14.8	89,142	9.5	109,276	14.8
Mar-01	19,296	14.3	90,369	10.2	112,245	17.2
Apr-01	19,577	17.9	91,434	9.5	113,034	15.6
May-01	19,442	16.1	90,417	7.3	114,509	15.8
Jun-01	19,928	15.1	91,111	7.9	118,674	21.0
Jul-01	19,986	9.1	90,885	7.6	117,214	20.5
Aug-01	20,250	13.3	92,355	4.8	115,850	13.2
Sep-01	21,036	14.0	92,404	5.2	115,832	13.2
Oct-01	21,133	11.2	93,041	3.7	118,163	11.6
Nov-01	21,097	14.0	93,640	4.5	119,299	12.0
Dec-01	22,607	15.3	94,626	8.6	122,399	17.2

2002
Jan-02	21,461	17.2	96,882	6.4	124,745	14.0
Feb-02	20,729	10.8	95,880	7.6	124,389	13.8
Mar-02	21,513	11.5	97,095	7.4	125,488	11.8
Apr-02	21,422	9.4	97,527	6.7	126,521	11.9
May-02	21,804	12.1	98,528	9.0	129,980	13.5
Jun-02	22,742	14.1	97,722	7.3	128,158	8.0
Jul-02	22,657	13.4	103,100	13.4	135,390	15.5
Aug-02	23,020	13.7	103,911	12.5	132,772	14.6
Sep-02	23,412	11.3	103,395	11.9	132,361	14.3
Oct-02	24,038	13.7	104,437	12.2	134,352	13.7
Nov-02	23,831	13.0	103,519	10.5	133,162	11.6
Dec-02	25,176	11.4	105,506	11.5	133,772	9.3

Bank Systemic Risk Report

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

493 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if the 2006 Fitch Ratings Agency Report, which predated the economic crash here, was discussed at the Management Committee of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33376/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Bank Systemic Risk Report, which was published as part of a special report series by Fitch Ratings in February and September 2006.

The specific issues, in relation to the banking sector discussed in the report would have fallen within the remit of the Financial Regulator and the Central Bank. In that context, records from my Department indicate that this Report was not discussed at the Management Committee of the Department Finance.

The Deputy may wish to note that Fitch affirmed Ireland's AAA rating in October 2006.

Public Sector Reform

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

494 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider establishing a commission on high pay in the public and private sectors; his views on grant aided bodies including those that are largely manned by volunteers but which have senior management who are allegedly paid more than the Taoiseach, senior Ministers and judges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33377/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Office of the Paymaster General, which is part of my Department, pays pensions to retired Civil Servants as well as Ministerial, Judicial and other former office holders. Information relating to the value of individual pension payments, made by other public bodies, to other categories of retired public servants is retained by the relevant Minister or public body. The highest gross annual pension payable by the Office of the Paymaster Generals is €155,002.26. There is one payee entitled to this level of gross pension pay.

The following table outlines levels of gross pension pay, and the number of payees payable at each level, in €20,000 intervals. The table details statistics relating to retired payees only and does not include payments to surviving spouses (4577 payees). Also, voluntary surrenders of, either total or portion of pension payable, are not captured by the figures provided.

Level of gross annual pension payable	Number of Payees
Above €135,000	10
Between €115,000 and €134,999	39
Above €95,000 but less than €114,999	55
Above €75,000 but less than €94,999	175
Above €55,000 but less than €74,999	344
Above €35,000 but less than €54,999	2,077
Above €15,000 but less than €34,999	5,188
Below €15,000	5,798

National Asset Management Agency

Joe Carey

Question:

499 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the framework used to determine the provision of professional and associated fees of €2.48 billion in the National Asset Management Agency business plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33454/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Following clarification with the Deputy I understand that the information being sought is the total amount paid by my Department to consultants in each of the years 2005-2009 with detail by individual consultant to be provided for 2009. The following tables set out the information requested.

Year	Total Paid €’000
2005	€2,517
2006	€1,251
2007	€1,661
2008	€2,235
2009	€6,140

The amounts paid by individual consultant in 2009 were as follows:

	€
Arthur Cox	5,875,869
Mercer (Ireland) Ltd	3,308
Watson (Wyatt) Ltd	7,290
Hay Group Ireland Ltd	4,860
Life Strategies Ltd	32,805
Hay Group Ireland	215,937

Health Service Staff

Olwyn Enright

Question:

503 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance the criteria applied by his Department in considering the grant or refusal of an exemption by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33521/10]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

505 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the exemptions sought by the Health Service Executive, including job and grade, to the recruitment embargo outlining which exemptions were granted and which exemptions were refused in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33520/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 505 together.

The Employment Control Framework 2010-2012 for the Health Sector (Department of Health & Children, HSE and Voluntary Bodies) provides for an annual reduction of 1,520 whole time equivalents in the numbers employed. It allows the HSE to fill vacancies in specific exempted grades in key front line services and to create a limited number of new posts in those exempted grades. The exempted grades are:

Medical consultants;

Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist;

Clinical Psychologist and Counsellor;

Social Worker;

Emergency Medical Technician;

Psychiatric Nurses;

Public Health Nurse and Nurse Sponsorship Scheme;

National Cancer Control Programme specialist grades.

Provided that it is making satisfactory progress with its employment control framework targets, the HSE also has discretion to fill a limited number of posts on exceptional grounds to support the development of integrated health care and its transformation programme. There must be suppression of posts of equivalent value in non-frontline areas for each new exempted posts or each exception made.

Prior to the Employment Control Framework 2010-2012, the HSE required the specific approval of the Department of Health & Children in the first instance and then my Department to any exceptions. Details of exceptions requested and granted by my Department prior to the 2010-2012 framework were included in my response to PQ ref no: 21792/10 on Tuesday 25th May last and for your convenience are set out in the following table.

No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	HSE	Front line post	Senior Locum	0.6	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
2	Galway University Hospital	Critical management post	General Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	17/06/2009
3	HIQA	Level of expenditure on external advice	Legal Advisor (AP1)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
4	HIQA	Operational reasons	Regional Operations Manager (PO)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
5	HIQA	Value for money	Health Technology Assessment — AP1	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/07/2009
6	HIQA	Value for Money	HTA — Engineer Grade I	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/07/2009
7	HIQA	Value for Money	HTA — Engineer Grade III	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/07/2009
8	HSE	New HSE structure	Regional Operation Director (Assist Nat,. Dir)	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	07/07/2009
9	HSE	New HSE structure	Care Group (Assistant National Director)	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	07/07/2009
10	Mental Health Commission	Front line post	Consultant Psychiatrist	5	1. Yes, application was approved	5	31/07/2009
11	Mental Health Commission	Front line post	Assistant Inspector (Occupational Therapist)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
12	Mental Health Commission	Service reasons	Staff Officer (Temp Contract Renewal)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
13	National Treatment Purchase Fund	Fair Deal requirements	EO / HEO	6	1. Yes, application was approved	6	31/07/2009
14	Central Mental Hospital	Front line post	Mental Health Nurses	23	1. Yes, application was approved	23	31/08/2009
15	St Loman’s Hospital	Front line post	Mental Health Nurses	36	1. Yes, application was approved	36	31/08/2009
16	Temple Street Hospital	Critical nursing management post	Director of Nursing	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	20/10/2009
17	Galway University Hospital	Key post for flu pandemic	Chief Medical Scientist	1	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
18	HSE	Front line post	General Dental Surgeon	3	1. Yes, application was approved	2	25/11/2009	Sanction was only given for two of the three posts

No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
19	HSE	Front line post	Principal Environmental Health Officers	2	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
20	HSE	Front line post	Fire Prevention Officer	1	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
21	HSE	Front line post	Clinical Perfusionist Post	1	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
22	Children’s Hospital, Crumlin	Front line post	Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurses	5	1. Yes, application was approved	5	8/12/1009	The filling of these posts was to be met through redeployment first, and where this was not possible, suppression
23	Temple Street Hospital	Front line post	Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurses	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	8/12/1009	The filling of these posts was to be met through redeployment first, and where this was not possible, suppression
24	HSE	Development post for Primary Care Teams	Senior Dietician (Sligo/Leitrim/Cavan)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	18/01/2010
25	HSE — St. James, Dublin	Critical maintenance post	Maintenance Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	18/01/2010
26	HSE — St. Lukes Kilkenny	Front line post	Clinical Nurse Manager II	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	18/01/2010
27	An Bord Altranais	Front line post	Director of Operations	1	3. No decision to date	0
28	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Pharmacist Chief II	1	3. No decision to date	0
29	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Senior Pharmacist	3	3. No decision to date	0
30	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Grade IV (Inspection & Enforcement Unit)	1	3. No decision to date	0
31	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Solicitor — Grade VIII	1	3. No decision to date	0
32	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Head of Registration — Grade VII	1	3. No decision to date	0

Note: Includes HSE exemptions sought between May 2009 and January 2010. Under the Employment Control Framework 2010-2012, HSE exceptions under the moratorium are at the discretion of the HSE HR National Director.

Departmental Staff

Olwyn Enright

Question:

504 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance the criteria applied by his Department in considering the grant or refusal of an exemption by a Department or State Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33517/10]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

506 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the exemptions sought by each Department, including job and grade, to the recruitment embargo outlining which exemptions were granted and which exemptions were refused in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33519/10]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

507 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance if will provide a breakdown of the exemptions sought by each State Agency, including job and grade, to the recruitment embargo outlining which exemptions were granted and which exemptions were refused in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33518/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 504, 506 and 507 together.

The moratorium on recruitment and promotion was introduced by the Government at the end of March 2009. The moratorium allows for certain general exemptions in the Education and Health Sectors for the filling of certain key posts as well as for the Local Authorities in relation to certain key posts. Information in relation to the posts covered by these general exemptions may be sought from the relevant Ministers.

Departments have been implementing the moratorium in respect of themselves and the bodies under their aegis. However, where a Department feels that a post should be filled, in either the case of a civil service post or in relation to a public service post in a body under the aegis of the Department, it requires the sanction of the Minister for Finance for an exception to the moratorium. Requests for exceptions are not made in respect of every vacancy.

Each request for an exception is assessed on a case by case basis. Approval to fill posts is based on the business case made including consideration of, for example:

a. statutory posts which have to be filled for legal reasons;

b. in a number of instances failure to fill posts could result in a breach of EU/international regulations etc.

c. safety related posts where a failure to fill them could leave the state open to potential legal liabilities or for security reasons;

d. some specialist/technical posts which are required to ensure continuity of operations e.g. legal officers, laboratory staff, maritime safety, etc.;

e. to ensure continuity of essential services.

It should be noted that in accordance with the terms of the moratorium, exceptions can only be sought by Government Departments and Offices after all internal possibilities of reassigning staff, reorganising work, etc. have been exhausted. In addition, as part of the Employment Control Framework 2010-2012 for the Health Sector, the HSE has discretion to fill a limited number of posts on exceptional grounds to support the development of integrated health care and its transformation programme. There must be suppression of posts of equivalent value in non-frontline areas for each new exempted posts or each exception made.

Information on the individual exceptions sought by each Department in respect of Civil Service and Public Service posts is outlined in table 2 and table 3, respectively. Unless otherwise stated in the tables the information covers the period up to the 1st of September 2010.

Civil Service

Table 2 sets out the breakdown of exceptions to the moratorium which have been sought in respect of the Civil Service. Approximately 2,800 staff have left the Civil Service since the introduction of the moratorium in March 2009. To date, exceptions have been sought to fill 1,966 posts and of these 1,244 have been approved either in full or in part. However, only some 520 of these posts will in time involve recruitment of new staff. During this period the net reduction in civil service numbers has been 2,300, representing a decrease of some 6% on numbers serving numbers in the civil service. In addition sanction has also been given for some 276 temporary posts for Census 2011 and for various temporary ‘summer relief' type posts.

Public Service

Table 3 sets out the breakdown of exceptions to the moratorium which have been sought in respect of the wider Public Service. My Department has received 255 requests involving 1,919 posts. 182 requests have been sanctioned in full or in part in respect of 1,014 posts. 27 requests have been refused and a decision is pending in relation to 46 requests. Summary information by Department is set out in table 1.

Table 1
Public Service by Vote	No. of requests	Requests granted	Requests refused	Decision pending	No. of posts sought	No. of posts granted
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation	42	29	5	8	155	74
Social Protection	10	10	0	0	13	13
Defence	10	9	0	1	539	216
Tourism, Culture & Sport	18	12	6	0	19	13
Health	34	29	0	5	125	118
Transport	5	3	1	1	37	11
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food	15	7	2	6	163	93
Communications, Energy & Natural Resources	46	32	1	13	109	95
Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs	0	0	0	0	0	0
Education	40	32	5	3	403	251
Justice & Law Reform	10	9	0	1	292	120
Environment, Heritage & Local Government	25	10	7	8	65	10
Foreign Affairs	0	0	0	0	0	0
Finance	0	0	0	0	0	0
Taoiseach’s	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	255	182	27	46	1,919	1,014

Table 2: Civil Service
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
Courts Service	5 Legal Researchers	Legal Researchers	5	Approved	01-Jun-09	5	Approved but next 6 Tipstaff to be suppressed
	1 CO in Limerick from PAS CO panel	CO	1	Approved	18-Nov-09	1	1 CO from PAS
	1 CO in Waterford from PAS CO panel	CO	1	Approved	18-Nov-09	1	1 CO from PAS
	Dep Gen Solicitor (AP) acting to Gen Solicitor (PO) to be made substantive	Gen Solicitor	1	Approved	06-Nov-09	1	Sanctioned as substantive Gen Solicitor on basis of suppressing Dep Gen Solicitor post
	Tip staffs (criers and ushers) for judiciary	Tip Staff (criers and ushers)	5	Approved	11-Mar-10	5	Operational needs.
	Permanent Court messenger Galway	Court Messenger	1	Approved	21-Jan-10	1	Statutory requirements
	10 Judicial Fellowships to the High Court	Fellowships	10	Approved	16-Jun-10	10	Fellows considered to provide key support to the Judiciary
	4 Assistant Principal Officer posts in Dublin	Assistant Principal	4	Not Granted			3 to replace 4 normal retirements and 1 lateral transfer
	3 Executive Officers in Dublin	Executive Officer	3	Not Granted			2 to replace retirements and 1 to replace transfer
	1 Clerical Officer Wexford/Waterford	Clerical Officer	1	Not Granted			To replace staff member transferring to a Garda Station
	Service Officer with Allowance for Dublin	Service Officer	1	Not Granted			Vacancy created on retirement of incumbent
	1 Higher Executive Officer Wexford	HEO	1	Under Consideration
	1 Executive Officer Clonmel	EO	1	Under Consideration
	Judicial Secretaries	CO	2	Under Consideration

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
PRA	35 Technical Promotions	Examiner of Maps	35	Part Approved	During 2009	20	20 Mapping Draughtspersons promoted to next level. Old grade defunct while their new grade has big workload. Part Granted (no allowance for 15 staff)
	Deputy Registrar, Head of Operations (departmental grade, Director equivalent)	Deputy Registrar	1	Approved	09-Mar-10	1	Business Critical Post
	Mapping Advisor, (departmental grade, PO standard equivalent)	Mapping Advisor	1	Approved	09-Mar-10	1	Business Critical Post
	Personnel Officer, (PO standard)	PO	1	Approved	09-Mar-10	1	Business Critical Post
	2 AP higher and 2 AP std	AP	4	Part Approved	09-Mar-10	1	Promotions
	3 Service Officer Posts for Roscommon Office	Service Officer	3	Approved	11-Aug-10	3
JELR	CEO Legal Aid Board	CEO	1	Approved	28-Aug-09	1	Statutory Post, extension for a 5 year fixed term contract
	CEO Equality Authority	CEO	1	Approved	23-Apr-09	1	Statutory Post, extension for a 5 year fixed term contract
	Employment Assistance Officer (EAO)	Employment Assistance Officer	1	Approved	06-May-09	1	Existing Civil Servant, cost neutral
	Garda Inspectorate — 2 members	Garda Inspectorate	2	Approved	07-Aug-09	2	2 new members of Inspectorate sanctioned for a 2 year period
	Deputy Chief State Pathologist	Deputy Chief State Pathologist	1	Approved	07-Jul-09	1	Exception made to make temp contract established (see file )
	Head of IT	Head of IT	1	Approved	17-Feb-10	1	Acting up allowance for 1 year
	2 Legal Researchers -INIS/ORAC	Legal Researcher	2	Approved	02-Feb-10	2	Renewal of Contracts for 1 year
	Director General (Dep Sec)	DG	1	Part Approved	25-May-10	1	Approved at lower level.
	International Policy (Asst Sec)	Asst Sec	1	Suppressed	01-May-10	0	—

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	JELR ISER 10 PO posts	PO	8	Part Approved	—	4	—
	JELR shared services (Payroll Project Team 1 AP, 2 HEOs and 1 EO)	Eo to AP	5	Under Consideration	—	—	—
	JELR shared services (1 AP, 2 EOs and 2 Cos)	CO to AP	5	Under Consideration	—	—	—
Legal Aid Board	12 Junior Solicitors	Solicitors	12	Approved	15-Apr-10	12	Value for Money
Office of Data Protection Commissioner	Commissioner, 5 year contract	Asst Sec	1	Approved	26-May-10	1	Statutory Post, extension for a 5 year fixed term contract
	National Manager of Detention School Services		1	Under Consideration
	Deputy Director Probation Services		1	Refused
	1 Senior Legal Researcher		1	Under Consideration
	4 Legal Researchers		4	Under Consideration
	Senior Investigations Officer	AP	1	Refused
	3 Forensic Scientists Grade III		3	Refused
	2 Scientists		2	Refused
	Assistant Principal Probation Officer	AP	1	Refused
	Probation Officers		5	Refused
	3 Assistant Principal	AP	3	Part Approved	26-Aug-10	2	Business Critical Posts
	7 Executive Officers	EO	7	Part Approved	26-Aug-10	3	Business Critical Posts
	2 Senior Probation Officers	Senior Probation Officers	2	Approved	26-Aug-10	2	Business Critical Posts
	8 Probation Officers	Probation Officers	8	Approved	26-Aug-10	8	Business Critical Posts
	5 Community Service Supervisors	Community Service Supervisors	5	Part Approved	26-Aug-10	3	Business Critical Posts

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
Refugee Appeals Tribunal	Chairperson of Refugee Appeals Tribunal		1	Approved	30-Aug-10	1	Statutory Post
	Assnt Sec		1	Under consideration
Irish Prison Service	Renewal of Contract for the Director General	Director General	1	Approved	June 09	1	Renewal of 5 year contract
	Chief Officer competition	Chief Officer	1	Approved	31-Jul-09	1	Prison operational reasons.
	40 Recruit Prison Officers	Prison Officer	40	Approved	31-Jul-09	40	Prison operational reasons.
	3 Governor 1’s	Governor	3	Approved	31-Jul-09	3	Prison operational reasons.
	2 Governor 2 posts	Governor	2	Approved	20/10/09	2	Prison operational reasons.
	1 Governor 2 Post	Governor	1	Approved	20/10/09	1	Prison operational reasons.
	Recruit grade prison officers	Prison Officers	40	Part Approved	23-Oct-09	40	Prison operational reasons.
	Mandatory Drug Testing (Allowances)	—	2	Approved	13-Oct-09	2	Prison operational reasons.
	Governor posts	Governor	15	Approved	01-Feb-09	15	Prison operational reasons.
	Recruit grade prison officers	Prison Officer	40	Approved	22-Jan-10	40	38 recruit prison officers and 2 psychologists
	Assistant Chief Officer	Asst Chief Officer	15	Approved	11-Feb-10	1	—
	Governor III	Governor	1	Under Consideration			Required for Transformation Implementation Team
	Assistant Governor	Asst Gov	1	Under Consideration			Required for Transformation Implementation Team
	Assistant Principal	Assistant Principal	1	Under Consideration			Required for Transformation Implementation Team
	2 Clerical Officers	Clerical Officer	2	Under Consideration			Required for Transformation Implementation Team
	150 Prison Officers	Recruit Prison Officer	150	Approved	19-May-10	150	Prison operational reasons.
	14 promotions to Assistant Chief Officer	Assistant Chief Officer	14	Approved	05-Jul-10	14	Prison operational reasons.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Allowance for campus Governor	Governor 1	1
	1 Assistant Principal	AP	1	Under Consideration
	2 Clerical Officers	CO	2	Under Consideration
	9 Chief Officer I	Chief Officer I	9	Under Consideration
	9 Chief Officer II	Chief Officer II	9	Under Consideration
	Psychologists Grade II	Psychologists Grade II	2	Under Consideration
	4 Psychology Assistants	Psychology Assistants	4	Under Consideration
	10 Nurse Officer Posts	Nurse Officers	10	Under Consideration
	Coordinator of Education		1	Under Consideration
	5 Governor III posts	Governor III	5	Approved	15-Jul-10	5	Prison operational reasons.
	2 Governor I posts	Governor I	2	Approved	15-Jul-10	2	Prison operational reasons.
	1 Assistant Governor	Asst Gov	1	Approved	15-Jul-10	1	Prison operational reasons.
	Psychologists Grade II	Psychologists Grade II	2	Approved	03-Sep-10	2	Prison operational reasons.
	150 Prison Officers	Recruit Prison Officer	150	Part approved	27-Sep-10	80	Prison operational reasons.
Garda Civilians	Acting up allowances			Not Granted	—	—	—
	GPO head of HR strategy	PO	1	Not Granted	—	—	—
	Head of Garda Info Services centre	PO	1	Not Granted	—	—	—
	Head of Training unit Templemore	AP	1	Approved	12-Mar-10	1	1 year contract extension
	IT staff 9	Various	9	Not Granted	—	—	—
	31 staff for emergency call answering	CO	31	Under consideration		—	—
	35 Staff for Garda Vetting Unit	CO	35	Under consideration
D/E&S	Programme for Govt 22 Psychologist & 3 SENO staff	Psychologists/SENO	25	Approved	25-May-09	25	Extending a service and reducing spend on panel scheme
	Chief Inspector vacancy from retirement	Chief Inspector	1	Approved	Nov 09	1	Business Critical Post

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	A/Secretary post	Asst Secretary	2	Part Approved	08-Oct-09	1	Business Critical Post
	CEO of State Examinations Commission	Asst Secretary	1	Approved	08-Oct-09	1	Business Critical Post
	School Inspectorate	10 Retired School Inspectors	10	Approved	03-Feb-10	10
	NCCA	8 Education Officers (temp.)	8	Approved	22-Jun-10	8	Business Critical Post
	SEC	EAM (maths)	1	Approved	16-Sep-10	1	Specialist post
	NCCA	Director Curr. Assess.	1	Approved	22-Sep-10	1	Business Critical Post
D/Social Protection	New Management Board Structure	A/Sec and Director	4	Agree in principle to fill two of three A/Sec arising in ’09 and to replace over ’09 and ’10 four departing Directors by two /Secs.	Decision by Minister 8/10/09 to proceed. Sanction issued 19 April ’10 to appoint 2 A/Secs to replace 4 departing Directors.	4	Agreed to restructure responsibilities at Mgt Board level from 5 A/Sec and 5 Directors to 6 A/Sec and 1 Director.
	To fill vacancy resulting from retirement in Child Family & Supplementary Policy & Services	Asst Secretary	1	Approved	Oct-09	1	Business Critical Post
	Regional & Pensions Service Delivery	Asst Secretary	1	Approved	Oct-09	1	Business Critical Post
	General Register Office	Asst Secretary	1	Refused	—	0	—
	GPs required to operate med assessment scheme	Medical Assessors	4	Approved	09-Nov-09	4	Control function in monitoring validity of illness cases
	Dep Head for med assessment scheme	Deputy Chief Medical Advisor	1	Approved	13-Jul-09	1	To provide management level to ensure appropriate monitoring of illness cases
	Director — This is a statutory post	Chief Appeals Officer	1	Approved	23-Oct-09	1	Statutory Requirement to have Director in place
	Head of Office — renewal of contract	Pension Ombudsman	1	Approved	01-Apr-09	1	Statutory requirement to have Ombudsman in place

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	3 posts sanctioned for Buncrana Office Donegal	Service Officer	3	Approved	24-Aug-09	3	Not possible to recruit Service Officer staff locally or via CAF
	8 Buncrana Office Donegal	Staff Officer	8	Approved	06-Oct-09	8	Supervisory posts
	Promotions (Dundalk)	CO to SO	20	Approved	01-Jul-09	20	Reduce Live Register “waiting time” for new claimants
	Promotions Dundalk Initiative	CO to SO	25	Approved	23-Dec-09	25	Reduce Live Register “waiting time” for new claimants
	Sanction to run competition for PO post in Sligo	Principal Officer		Approved	18-Jan-10	1	No assignment to date
	Package of up to 100 posts being requested — 50 promotions in 2010 and 50 in 2011.	SO, EO and HEO, AP,	100	Part Approved	25-Mar-10	20	To deal with increases in the Live Register
	Social Welfare Appeals Officers (Retired)	AP	12	Approved	20-May-10	12	Backlog of Appeals office Claims requiring decisions
	Special Adviser to Minister	PO Standard	1	Approved	06-May-10	1	Ministerial appointments to D/SP
	Special Media Adviser to Minister	PO Standard	1	Approved	06-May-10	1	Ministerial appointments to D/SP
	Personal Assistant to Minister	HEO	1	Approved	06-May-10	1	Ministerial appointments to D/SP
	Personal Secretary to Minister	Personal Secretary	1	Approved	06-May-10	1	Ministerial appointments to D/SP
	Request to fill posts by internal competition	PO, AP and HEO	3	Approved	17-Aug-10	3	Essential to the maintenance of critical IT projects connected with increased workload arising from increases in the Live Register and also resulting from the integration of IT systems associated with transfers of functions to the D/SP. PO post is to be filled from existing internal panel while other 2 posts are to filled from redeployment if possible.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Medical Assessors	Medical Assessors			13-Jul-10		Approval given to run competition — additional sanction will be required to fill posts. The Medical Review and Assessment Services (MRAS) is the principal control mechanism for illness, disability and carer payment schemes administered by DSP.
	Filling of Senior Management Posts	1 Deputy Secretary and 1 Assistant Secretary	2	Under Consideration			Business Critical Posts
D/AFF	Filling of 2 A/Sec posts	Assistant Secretary	2	Part Approved	19-Mar-10	1
	Filling of vacancy in Direct Payment Schemes	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	10-Jul-09	1	Business Critical Post
	Senior Management, technical and scientific (45) to address skills deficits and ensure EU directives compliance	Various	45	Part Approved	19-Mar-10	21	—
	Statutory posts	Audit & Senior management	2	Approved	19-Mar-10	2	—
	Acting up allowance	HEO	1	Approved	2/10/09	1
	Senior Management and Technical Posts	Various	54	Part Approved	22-Sep-10	3	To cover financial risk re management of Programmes. Remainder of request still under consideration.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
D/EH&LG	To replace retiring and promoted Assistant Secretary	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	19/6/09	1	Business Critical Post
	Request for 35 posts, 14 via promotion and 21 via recruitment	various Tech and administrative grades	35	Part Approved	27/03/2010	22	8 Posts in the National Parks & Wildlife Service: 1 Grade 1 Inspector, 1 Grade 11 Inspector, 4 Grade 111 Inspectors, 2 Conservation Rangers. 6 Posts in Met Éireann: 1 Assistant Director, 1 Meteorologist, 4 Meteorological Officers 3 Other Professional/Technical Posts 1 Water Quality Inspector, 1 Principal Adviser (Environment Inspectorate), 1 Inspector Grade 111, 5 General Service Posts 1 Principal Officer, 2 Assistant Principals, 1 Administrative Officer, 1 Executive Officer.
	Met Eireann — Director	Director	1	Approved	18-Sep-09	1	Business Critical Post
	To replace Principal on loan	PO	1	Approved	29/1/10	1	Acting position
	To replace retired assistant secretary — Heritage Division	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	21-Apr-10	1	Business Critical Post — already deferred for 1 year
	Replace retiree	GIS Manager	1	Approved	10-Jun-10	1	Required technical post
Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
Labour Relations Commission	Reappointment of 2 Rights Commissioners	PO equivalent	2	Approved	28/04/2009	2	Non-discretionary volume of LRC cases and need to maintain state IR machinery.
DETI	Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and 2 Civilian Drivers for Minister of State Kelleher	HEO, EO, Civilian Driver	4	Approved	06/05/2009	4	Political Appointments
DETI	Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and 2 Civilian Drivers for Minister of State Lenihan	HEO, EO, Civilian Driver	4	Approved	12/05/2009	4	Political Appointments

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
ET&I (Labour Relations Commission)	Deputy Director of Conciliation Services	PO	1	Approved	29/5/2009	1	Business Critical Post in LRC necessary to maintain state IR machinery.
	Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and 2 Civilian Drivers for Minister of State Calleary	HEO, EO, Civilian Driver	4	Approved	09/06/2009	4	Political Appointments
ET&I (Labour Court)	Reappointment of 2 Members of Labour Court	N/A	2	Approved	02/06/2009	2	Statutory posts needed for operation of divisions of Labour Court
ET&I (Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement)	Part-time services of retired High Court Judge	High Court Judge	1	Approved	03/06/2009	1	To adjudicate on legal documents in Anglo Irish Bank investigation
ET&I (Labour Relations Commission)	Reappointment of 2 Rights Commissioners	PO equivalent	2	Approved	13/08/2009	2	Non-discretionary volume of LRC cases and need to maintain state IR machinery.
ET&I (National Employment Rights Authority)	Solicitor	Solicitor	1	Application was refused	10/09/2009	0
ET&I (Patents Office)	Request for higher duties allowances for 2 EOs	HEO	2	Approved	10/09/2009	2	Temporary replacements in Trademarks Division
ET&I	Renew contracts of 2 legal researchers	EO	2	Approved	16/09/2009	2	To provide research for drawing up Companies Consolidation bill. 2 EO posts to be suppressed for duration of temporary contract.
ET&I (Labour Court)	Deputy Chairman of Labour Court	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	31/01/2010	1	Statutory post. Filled by agreement by ICTU nominee.
ET&I	Additional 10 IT posts	HEO and EO	10	Partly approved	02-Jun-10	3	Critical ICT posts.
ET&I	Appointment of Legal Advisor on secondment from Office of AG	Legal Advisor	1	Approved	24-May-10	1	Critical legal skills requirement.
ET&I (Labour Court)	Filling of Ordinary member of Labour Court post	Principal Officer Higher	1	Approved	26-May-10	1	Statutory post. Filled by retention of member until new nomination is received.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation	Minister O’Keeffe’s Special Advisors	Principal Officer	2	Approved	18-May-10	2	Political Appointment
	Minister O’Keeffe’s Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	1	Approved	18-May-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister O’Keeffe’s Personal Secretary	Executive Officer	1	Approved	18-May-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister of State Lenihan’s Personal Secretary	Executive Officer	1	Approved	21-Jun-10	1	Political Appointment
	To give Acting Up to and AO for AP and consequentials to EO and CO	AP, HEO, EO	3	Under consideration
	To hold an internal competition to fill 2 AP posts	Assistant Principal	2	Under consideration
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation	To renew the contracts of 2 Legal Researchers		2	Approved	09-Aug-10	2	Contractors working on legislation
Labour Court	To re-appoint the Chairman and 2 Ordinary Members		3	Approved	19-Jul-10	3	Statutory posts.
Labour Relations Commission	Re-appointment of a Rights Commissioner		1	Approved	19-Jul-10	1	Statutory post
NERA	To fill Legal Advisor vacancy	Solicitor (AP)	1	Approved.	13-Sep-10	1	Critical post that will save expenditure on external legal services.
Enterprise, Trade and Innovation	To fill PO vacancies	PO	3	Under consideration
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation	Assistant Secretary post	Assistant Secretary	1	Under consideration			Ass Sec posts have reduced from 7 to 4 since April. Post in CSD area — arises due to retirement

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
NERA	To fill Accountant vacancy	Accountant Grade I	1	Under consideration
CEGA
	To start up and oversee new Irish SI translation unit.	Director	1	Approved	08/04/2009	1	Response to High Court ruling.
	To manage the translation of Statutory Instruments into Irish	Aistritheoir Grád II	1	Approved	08/04/2009	1	Response to High Court ruling.
	To manage the translation of Statutory Instruments into Irish	Aistritheoir Grád III	1	Approved	08/04/2009	1	Response to High Court ruling.
	Ministerial Staff	Personal Assistant (HEO)	1	Approved	06/05/2009	1	Political Appointment
	Ministerial Staff	Personal Secretary	1	Approved	06/05/2009	1	Political Appointment
	Ministerial Staff	Civilian Driver	1	Approved	30/04/2009	2	Political Appointment
	To translate documents into Irish for EU.	Detached National Expert	3	Approved	05/11/2009	3	Temporary fixed term contracts renewed for 1 year.
	To replace 2 Assistant Secretaries, one of whom had retired and the other promoted.	Assistant Secretary	2	Approved	23/04/2010 & 14/05/2010	2	Department was operating with only 1 Assistant Sec. Business critical post
Charitable, Donations and Bequests Office	To renew contract of Secretary to Commissioners.	Solicitor (AP)	1	Approved	11-Mar-10	1	Need for continuity during the changeover period leading to the setting up of the Charities Regulatory Authority.
National Advisory Committee on Drugs	To recruit researcher into drugs.	Researcher (AP)	1	Approved	11-Mar-10	1	Sanction granted to Health Research Board to recruit and second the Researcher to the NACD. Post considered a ‘Business Critical Post’.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Minister Carey’s Special Advisor	Principal Officer	1	Approved	19-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister Carey’s Media Advisor	Principal Officer	1	Approved	19-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister Carey’s Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	1	Approved	19-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister Carey’s Personal Secretary	Executive Officer	1	Approved	19-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister of State White’s Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	1	Approved	19-May-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister of State White’s Personal Secretary	Executive Officer	1	Approved	19-May-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister of State White’s Civilian Drivers	Civilian Driver	2	Approved	19-May-10	2	Political Appointment
	Ministerial Staff (Minister of State White)	Special Advisor	1	Approved	24-May-10	1	Political Appointment
	Additional Assistant Secretary Post	Assistant Secretary	1	Refused but Director post approved	22-Jul-10	1	Critical management post
Equality Authority	Filling of Legal Advisor post	PO	1	Under consideration
Finance	Banking specialist (temporary fixed term contract for 3 years)	Banking Specialist (Assistant Secretary level)	1	Approved	21/8/09	1	Urgent need for expertise in banking area.
	Package of IT posts.	1 ICT AP, 2 ICT E0s, 1 promotion EO to HEO (ICT)	4	Approved	23/12/09	4	Is in line with the ICT staffing recommendations made by the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes
	Assistant Secretary in CMOD	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	Jan 2010	1	Business Critical Post
	8 POs	Principal	8	Approved	12-Apr-10	8	Business Critical posts in situation where staffing levels were already below approved revised limits

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Director, Language Training Unit; higher duties allowance	Assistant Principal	1	Approved	01-Oct-09	1	Business Critical post
	Employee Assistance Officer	Higher Executive officer	1	Under consideration
	Second Secretary Financial Services Division	Second Secretary	1	Approved	21-Jul-10	1	Business critical post
Revenue	Promotion of 2 COs to EO	EO	2	Approved	24/6/09	2	Skilled staff. Newly commissioned Cutter to be launched and used in fight against illegal importation of drugs
	Package of 200 posts.	Various Grades	200	Approved	22/12/09	200	To fill key management, audit and policy posts to ensure effective tax collection through a mix of redeployment, internal promotion and open competition.
	To have internal competition for 2 CO positions in Print Room.	Clerical Officer	2	Approved	17-Feb-10	2	Open to Service Officers — regrading of 2 Service Officer posts to CO and filled by redeployment — with no overall increase in numbers.
	Completion of final 2 phases of 2003 Uplift Agreement i.e. uplift of 20 Tax Officers to EO; 28 Higher Tax Officers to HEO & 5 CO Programmers to EO JSA	Uplift of 20 Tax Officers to EO; 28 Higher Tax Officers to HEO & 5 CO Programmers to EO JSA	53	Approved	30-Mar-10	53	Revenue Integration to General Service grades. This was a legacy of the Revenue Agreement on Integration agreed with the Unions following the integration of Customs staff with Tax staff. End result is more effective casework management following targeted training.
	Revenue Solicitor and Asst Secretary post in Investigations and Prosecutions Division	Revenue Solicitor and Asst Secretary	2	Approved	22-Apr-10	2	Particular responsibilities attaching to each post.
	Creation of additional posts with allowances at Terminal 2 Dublin Airport	6 Eos, 12 Cos	18	Under consideration

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
Valuation Office	Promotions	Chief Superintendents of Mapping	2	Approved		2	Element of restructuring plan for VO.
	Higher Superintendents of Mapping	Higher Superintendents of Mapping	2	Approved		2	Element of restructuring plan for VO.
	Appeal Officer	Appeal Officer	1	Approved	01-Sep-09	1	Internal competition — no backfilling of resulting vacancies — overall numbers not affected.
	A minimum of 1 Asst Registrar (HEO) and 3 COs for Valuation Tribunal to deal with ongoing Tribunal Appeals arising from National Revaluation	1 Asst Registrar (HEO) and 3 COs	4	Approved	15-Apr-10	4	To ensure that the statutory deadlines for processing of appeals following the Revaluation process be met. Sanctioned on basis that an EO post be suppressed for 1 year, while an EO filled the HEO position on an acting up basis. 1 CO post to be filled on redeployment and the other 2 on temp contract for 11 mths each.
	3 Student Valuers	3 Student Valuers @ CO level	3	Approved	17-Jun-10	3	On 1 year contracts on 1st pt of the CO scale, replacing students
	To fill 2 Service Officer posts	Service Officer	2	Part Approved	01-Sep-10	1	Frontline post to be filled by redeployment.
C&AG	Vacancies at various Grades	4 PO, 4.7 AP, 14.5 HEO/EO, 1.7 CO (Total 24.9)	24.9	Approved	15-Mar-10	24.9	Extra responsibilities e.g. NAMA, new Accounting Standards, extra work on Revenue account
	1 Director of Audit	Assistant Sec level	1	Approved	30-Apr-10	1	Scale of operations and complex issues involved.
	Trainee Auditor to fill vacancies	Trainee Auditor	2	Approved	03-Aug-10	2	Temporary appointment to cover vacancy caused by secondment of a Detached National Expert to the EU, and relocation of other staff member.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
OPW	Upgrade	Architect	1	Refused	29/5/09	0
	To fill vacancies	Service Officers	3	Approved	22/6/09	3	No viable alternatives to filling vacancy
	Commissioner (Property Management Services)	Commissioner (Assistant Secretary)	1	Approved	26-Aug-09	1	To enable OPW to effectively deliver on the current demands for its services made by Government, other Departments and their agencies and the public.
	Recruit 16 graduates at a reduced salary to replace those finishing the Graduate Architect Training Scheme.	Architect training programme	16	Approved	14/08/09	16	Participation in scheme for 5 years, — reduced salaries and fees
	To fill vacancy in new section	Quantity Surveyor	1	Approved	08/12/09	1	NPPOU section in Trim
	To fill possible vacancy in Director of the Botanic Gardens pending decision on 3 yr career break for incumbent to assume major positions in US	Acting up Director of Botanic Gardens	1	Approved	01-Apr-10	1	Provided that the previous post of the new Acting Director remain unfilled for the duration of the Director’s absence on career break
	Filling of Management/Administration and Technical Posts	Various	142	Part Approved	24-Sep-10	2	Employee Assistance Officer and Payroll expert approved — business critical posts. Remainder of submission under consideration.
	National Procurement Service (NPS)	Various	21	Approved	04-Aug-10	21	Staffing of NPS — 12 Buyers, 2 solicitors, 1 analyst & 6 Admin, 1 Admin officer
Attorney General	Advisory Counsel Grade 111	Advisory Counsel Grade 111	1	Approved		1	Important legal post
	Head of Administration	Head of Administration	1	Approved	01-Jan-00	1	Principal post in charge of the office
	Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Grade 11	Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Grade 11	3	Approved		3	Important legal posts

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Advisory Counsel Grade 1 (Vacancy)	Assistant Secretary Level	1	Approved (acting-up basis for 3 yrs)	21-Sep-09	1	Business Critical Post
	Advisory Counsel Grade 11	Advisory Counsel Grade 11	1	Approved		1	Important legal post because of the workload in the office
	Dep Director	Deputy Secretary level	1	Approved	23-Feb-10	1	Business Critical Post (Internal TLAC type competition. Consequentials, if any, also sanctioned within ECF.)
	Advisory Counsel Grade 111	Advisory Counsel Grade 111	1	Approved		1	Important legal post because of the workload in the office
	Promotion AP to PO	PO	1	Approved		1
Chief State Solicitor	Solicitor	Solicitor	1	Approved	23-Jun-10	1	Official appointed on completion of apprenticeship
	Solicitor	Solicitor (temp.) NAMA	1	Approved	08-Jul-10	1	High Court NAMA case
	Promotion Law Clerk to Legal Executive	Legal Executive	2	Approved	31-Aug-10	2	Trainee scheme
Central Statistics Office	Assistant Director General	Assistant Director General	1	Approved	22-Oct-09	1	Business Critical Post -approved on the basis any resultant internal vacancy is suppressed
	Assistant Director General for Macroeconomic and Environment Divisions	Assistant Director General	1	Approved	Agreed by Minister 14 April 2010	1	Business Critical Post
	Senior Statistician	Senior Statistician	1	Approved	30-Apr-10	1	Business case
	EO	EO	2	Approved	23-Jun-10	2	To assist BIM decent.
Defence	Night watchman	Night Watchman	1	Approved		1	To provide security at the Galway premises
	Director of Military Prosecutions	Director of Military Prosecutions	1	Approved		1	Statutory post
	Assistant Principal/Senior Systems Analyst	Assistant Principal/Senior Systems Analyst	1	Approved		1	Sanctioned in Galway as a result of the suppression of a PO and the transfer of his duties to Dublin

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Head Services Officer	Head Services Officer	1	Approved		1	Needed for the decentralisation of premises to Newbridge
	Services Officer	Services Officer	1	Approved		1	—
	Director	Director	1	Approved		1	—
	Principal Officer	Principal Officer	1	Approved		1	—
	Special Adviser	Special Adviser	1	Approved	09-Apr-10	1	Ministerial staff
	Special Adviser	Special Adviser	1	Approved	16-Apr-10	1	Ministerial staff
	Personal Assistant	Personal Assistant	1	Approved	09-Apr-10	1	Ministerial staff
	Personal Secretary	Personal Secretary	1	Approved	09-Apr-10	1	Ministerial staff
	Principal Officer	Principal Officer	1	Approved	05-Aug-10	1	PO vacancy arising from appointment of Director
	Principal Officer	Principal Officer	1	Approved	05-Aug-10	1	Retirement of PO in Galway
	Assistant Principal	Assistant Principal	2	Approved	05-Aug-10	2	Arising from filling of PO posts
DPP	To fill retirement vacancy	Head of Directing Division (between Asst Sec and Dep Sec)	1	Approved	05-Jun-09	1	Business Critical Post
	Chief Prosecution Solicitor	Chief Prosecution Solicitor (between Asst Sec and Dep Sec)	1	Approved	02-Nov-09	1	Business Critical Post
	Internal Promotion to Deputy Chief Prosecution Solicitor	Deputy Chief Prosecution Solicitor	1	Approved	23-Apr-10	1	Business Critical Post
	Internal Promotion to PO	PO (higher)	1	Approved	23-Apr-10	1	Business Critical Post
	Legal Researcher (temp.)	Legal Researcher (temp.)	1	Approved	23-Apr-10		Business Critical Post
	Head of Admin (allowance)	Head of Admin (allowance)	1	Approved	23-Apr-10	1	Business Critical Post
Foreign Affairs	5 Third Secretaries	Third Secretaries	5	Approved		5	From the 2008 competition to provide for succession planning
	Assistant Secretary	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	19-Feb-10	1	Business Critical Post

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Counsellor and First Secretary	Counsellor and First Secretary	2	Approved		2	Business Critical Post
	Chairmanship of OSCE — temporary hiring of staff	3 Assistant Secretaries, 1 PO, 1 AP, 1 Third Sec, 2 Eos and 3 Clerical Officers	11	Under consideration			Business Critical posts essential to chairmanship of OSCE which has been approved by government
	staff in audit and control area of ODA	AP level dealing with audit, control and monitoring functions of ODA	10	Approved		10	Arises from FGS Irish Aid Management Review
	Special adviser to Minister	Special Adviser	1	Under consideration			Secondment from HEA
Taoiseach	Assistant Principal	Assistant Principal	1	Approved		1	Head of the IT Unit to be filled from redeployment
	Administrative Officers	Administrative Officers	3	Approved		3	For succession planning
	Special Adviser to Minister of State Curran, Chief Whip	Special Adviser	1	Approved	30-Apr-10	1	Transfer of staff to Minister from previous Dept
	Staff for Minister of State/Chief Personal Staff	PA & 2 x Worksharing Sec Assistants	2	Approved	06-May-10	2	Transfer of staff to Minister from previous Dept
	Special Advisor to Taoiseach	Special Adviser	1	Approved	15-Jun-10	1	Transfer from DFA
	Promotion HEO to AP	AP	1	Approved	15-Jun-10	1	Business Case
	Promotion AP to PO	PO	1	Approved	15-Jun-10	1	Business Case
Transport	Coastal Sector Unit Managers	Coastal Sector Unit Managers	3	Approved		3	Needed for health and safety reasons
	Operations and Training Officer in the coastal service	Operations and Training Officer in the coastal service	1	Approved		1	Needed for health and safety reasons
	Assistant Secretary Vacancy from retirement (Public Transport)	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	22-Oct-09	1	Key management level post
	A/Sec vacancy	Assistant Secretary	1	Refused			—
	Principal Officer	Principal Officer	2	Refused			To be filled from internal competition.

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Acting Up	Principal Officer	1	Approved	28-Feb-10	1	Pressures in connection with the setting up of the National Transport Authority
	Personal Staff for Minister for State Ciarán Cuffe T.D	1 x PA & 1 x Personal Sec	2	Approved	21-Apr-10	2
	Special Advisor for MoS Cuffe	Principal Officer	1	Approved	01-Jun-10	1	Political appointment
	Chief Maritime Accident Investigator	Principal Officer	1	Approved (originally approved Nov 09). Transport sought amendment to condition of sanction but original sanction stands.	18-Aug-10	1	Critical post in new National Transport Investigation Unit
	Filling of existing and forthcoming vacancies in the Irish Coast Guard.	Various from EO to PO	31	5 approved with redeployment condition: Manager Volunteer Services (AP1), Divisional Controller (AP), Shift Watch Keeping Officer (EOx3)	19-Aug-10	5	Critical posts in the Irish Coast Guard
	Filling of vacancies in the Marine Survey Office	various up to PO	11	2 approved with redeployment condition: Deputy Divisional Controller (AP), Surveyor in Charge (PO).	19-Aug-10	2	Critical posts in the Marine Survey Office
	Filling of PO post which had been deferred since Feb 2010	PO	1	Under consideration			Post has been deferred since Feb 2010- from Internal Panel
Health	DG of OMCYA	Deputy Secretary	1	Approved	23-Dec-09	1	Head of Office of Min for Children etc
	CEO Designate of Adoption Authority	Assistant Secretary level	1	Approved	01-Sep-10	1	Head of Adoption Authority as required under Adoption Act 2010
	Assessor of Youth Work	AP	1	Approved	30-Aug-10	1	Statutory Post
Tourism, Culture & Sport	Filling of two posts in Minister’s Constituency Office by transfers from other Departments	Executive Officer	2	Approved	20-May-10	2	Posts vital to the functioning of the Constituency Office
	Minister Hannifin’s Special Advisor	Principal Officer	1	Approved	27-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	Minister Hannifin’s Press Advisor	Higher Executive Officer	1	Approved	27-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Minister Hannifin’s Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	1	Approved	27-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Renewal of contract for Director in Culture Ireland	Assistant Principal	1	Approved		1	Critical function of the Dept. Government priority. Equivalent post to be suppressed.
	Minister Hannifin’s Personal Secretary	Executive Officer	1	Approved	27-Apr-10	1	Political Appointment
	Filling of PO vacancy	Principal Officer	1	Under consideration			Post is in CSD, which covers a wide area , and Dept already carrying other PO post which has not been filled
National Archives	Filling of vacancies to avoid the closure of the reading room	CO, EO and Service Officers	6	Part approved to fill 3 posts (1 CO and 2 Service Officers) by redeployment. Service Officers not available via redeployment so sanction given to recruit.	June/July/Aug 2010	3	Business critical, frontline posts.
Ombudsman	Senior Investigator	Principal Officer	1	Approved	30-Apr-10	1	Business critical management post.
State Laboratory	4 Student Analysts	Students	4	Approved	03-Aug-10	4	Temporary 7 month appointments
CENR	Assistant Secretary	Assistant Secretary	1	Approved	26-May-10	1	TLAC competition
	Temporary EO for 6 months	EO	1	Refused

Table 2: Civil Service —*continued*
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
	To suppress 2 CO posts and replace with 2 EO posts	EO	2	Approved	01-Jun-10	2	Business needs of Department
	AO vacancy filled	AO	1	Approved	01-Jun-10	1	Business needs of Department
National Gallery	Renewal of temporary contracts	Security Attendant	15	Under consideration
	Appointment of contractors to permanent posts	Security Attendant	7	Under consideration
	Regularise position of Head of Conservation	Engineer Grade II (AK I)	1	Under consideration
	To appoint staff on a fixed term basis for Master Development Plan	Head of Art Handling (HEO), MDP Project Manager (HEO), Paper Conservator (AKII), Painting Conservator (AKII), Art Handlers (x3)	7	Under consideration
	Filling of permanent positions	Head of Exhibitions (AK I), Senior Curator (AK I), HEO, EO, Website Administrator (AK II), IT Officer (CO)	6	Under consideration
			1,965.9		TOTAL	1,244

1The Deputy may wish to note that an Independent Review Panel of the Department of Finance, comprising 3 Members, has also been established, chaired by Mr. Rob Wright. A Chairperson has also been appointed to the Implementation group on the Croke Park Agreement.

Temporary Posts for CENSUS of Population 2011 [CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE]
Dept / Office Title	Exception Sought¹	Grade	No of Exceptions Sought Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Decision	Sanction Date	Exceptions Granted Promotion/ Recruitment Redeployment	Basis of Sanction
Central Statistics Office	Staff for the Household Budget Survey i.e. interviewers etc	Staff for the Household Budget Survey i.e. interviewers etc		Approved		85	These staff required for the Household Budget, Business Register and Annual Services Inquiry — 85 Temporary Contracts during 2009 & 2010
	ICT Executive Officer	ICT Executive Officer		Approved		2	Required for preparatory work on the Census of Population 2011
	Executive Officer	Executive Officer		Approved		4	Required for 18 months to work on the Census. Will be re-assigned to another department on completion of that work
	Clerical Officer	Clerical Officer		Approved		24	The CSO was asked to seek staff from other departments for a period of 10 months for Census of Agriculture work. In the event, staff were not available so sanction was later granted to appoint COs on temporary contract
	Statistician	Statistician		Approved		1	To work full time on an OECD ‘Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies’
	Executive Officer	Executive Officer		Approved		2	Also required for this programme
	Grades from Clerical Officer to Assistant Principal	Grades from Clerical Officer to Assistant Principal		Approved		158	These are internal CSO staff required from early 2010 to end 2011 to prepare for and finalise the Census 2011
	Census Liaison Officers, Regional Supervisors, Field Supervisors and Clerical Officers	Census Liaison Officers, Regional Supervisors, Field Supervisors and Clerical Officers		Under Consideration	—	—	—
	Temporary part-time enumerators	Temporary part-time enumerators		Under Consideration	—		—

Total posts approved for CSO (temps): 276.

Table 3 — Requests for Exceptions in the Public Service
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	DETE- Enterprise Ireland	Retirement	Manager	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	May-09	Retirement
2	DETE- Enterprise Ireland	Graduate	Graduate	16	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	16	May-09	16 graduate posts
3	DETE- Roscommon CEB	Vacancy	CEO	1	No	0	May-09	Vacancy
4	DETE Cork CEB	Replacing maternity leave	Administrative Officer	1	No	0	Jun-09	Replacing maternity leave
5	DETE — FAS DG	Statutory post	DG	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Jun-09	Statutory post
6	DETE -NCA Registrar	No vacancy	AP-HAD	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Jun-09	Registrar
7	DETE — Enterprise Ireland	Rollover of contract posts for overseas (4 sanctioned)	Various	53	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	4	Jun-09	Rollover of contract posts for overseas (4 sanctioned)
8	DETE -PIAB	Renewal of contract posts (5 sanctioned)	CO	6	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	5	Jul-09	Renewal of contract posts (5 sanctioned)
9	DETE -NCA student		Student	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Jun-09	Student
10	DETE — NCA	Retirement — Head of Corporate Services (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)	AP — STANDARD	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Aug-09	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)
11	DETE — NCA	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)	AP — STANDARD	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Aug-09	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)
12	DETE — NCA	Retirement — Commercial Practises Division (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)	HEO (x5)	5	Yes — on a permanent basis	5	Aug-09	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)
13	DETE — NCA	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)	EO (X3)	3	Yes — on a permanent basis	3	Aug-09	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)
14	DETE — NCA		CO (X2)	2	Yes — on a permanent basis	2	Aug-09

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
15	DETE — IAASA	Vacancy	Accountant	1	No	0	Aug-09	Vacancy
16	DETE — FAS	Decision of Rights Commissioner	Training Instructor	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Sep-09	Decision of rights Commissioner
17	DETE — Interreg — Tradelinks 2 project	new project	Project Manager	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Sep-09	new project
18	DETE — Interreg — Tradelinks 2 project	new project	Financial Administrator	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Sep-09	new project
19	DETE — Interreg — Tradelinks 2 project	new project	4 Regional Coordinators	4	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	4	Sep-09	new project
20	DETE — Interreg — Tradelinks 2 project	new project	4 Support Co-ordinators	4	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	4	Sep-09	new project
21	DETE — Competition Authority	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in the Public Service	Case Officer	1	No	0	Oct-09	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in the Public Service
22	DETE — FÁS	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)	ADG — Finance & IT	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Oct-09	Retirement (other than the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement)
23	DETE — Forfas	New project — Self Financing — Manager of European Space Research Office	Manager	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Dec-09	New project — Self Financing
24	DETE — PIAB	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in the Public Service	Legal Services Manager	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Jan-10	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in the Public Service
25	DETE- Enterprise Ireland	Temporary Overseas Contract posts	Contract Posts (Overseas Jan-Mar 10) — Various Grades	2	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	2	Feb-10	Temporary Overseas Contract posts
26	DETE — Enterprise Ireland	Support for Credit Review	CO	1	Yes — on a permanent basis	1	Mar-10	Support for Credit Review
27	DETE — Competition Authority	Request under consideration	Board Members 2	2	Request under consideration	0	Mar-10	Request under consideration
28	DETE — Competition Authority	Statutory post	Chairperson of Board	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Mar-10	Statutory post
29	DETE — SFI	City of Science Project	Project Manager	1	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	1	Mar-10	City of Science Project

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
30	DETE — SFI	City of Science Project	CO	1	No	0	May-10	PA for Dublin City of Science
31	DETE — FAS	Request under consideration		4	Request under consideration	0	Mar-10	Request under consideration
32	DETE — NSAI	Ongoing contracts	Various	4	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	4	Apr-10	Ongoing contracts
33	DETE — NCA		3 Student posts	3	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	3	May-10
34	DETI — Forfas	Request under consideration	PO	1	Request under consideration	0		Request under consideration
35	DETI — Competition Authority	internship	CO	2	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	2	Jun-10	Request under consideration
36	DETI — Competition Authority		Board Members 2	2	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	2	Jun-10
37	DETI _ IAASA		Various	3	Yes — on a temporary/acting basis	3	Sep-10
38	DETI — CEB	CEO	CEO	1	Request under consideration			Request under consideration
39	DETI — IDA		Various	4	Request under consideration			Request under consideration
40	DETI — Competition Authority	Chair/CEO Designate		1	Request under consideration			Request under consideration
41	DETI — NSAI		Certification Officer	1	Request under consideration			Request under consideration
42	DETI — Enterprise Ireland		Various	12	Request under consideration			Request under consideration

Department of Social Protection
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	Family Support Agency	To cover Term-time vacancies in front line mediation service — Portlaoise + Sligo		1	Yes	1
2	Family Support Agency	To cover Term-time vacancies in front line mediation service — Raheny + Wexford		0.8	Yes	0.8
3	Family Support Agency	Temporary appointment due to end June 2009 — Castlebar FMS office		0.5	Yes	0.5
4	Family Support Agency	Temporary appointment due to end June 2009 — Letterkenny office		0.4	Yes	0.4
5	Family Support Agency	Supervision + Management of Mediation Service in Southern and Westerns Regions — temporary appointment due to end June 09		1.6	Yes	1.6
6	Family Support Agency	Supervision + Management of Mediation Service in Southern and Westerns Regions — temporary appointment due to end January 10		1.6	Yes	1.6
7	Family Support Agency	To cover Shorter Working Year Scheme vacancies in front line mediation service — Letterkenny, Portlaoise, Sligo, Raheny, Athlone, Wexford & HQ		4.5	Yes	4.5
8	Family Support Agency	Temporary appointment due to end June 2010 — Castlebar FMS office		0.5	Yes	0.5
9	Family Support Agency	Temporary appointment due to end June 2010 — Letterkenny office		0.4	Yes	0.4
10	Citizens Information Board	Temporary ICT contracts due to end March 2010 — Dublin HQ		2	Yes	2

Department of Defence
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	Defence Forces	To retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies	Cadets and army/naval service recruits. Promotion across a range of ranks. Acting up appointments for overseas deployment.	529	Yes	207	July 2009 and November 2009	Recruitment of 42 cadets and promotions across a range of ranks. 100 acting up appointments.
2	Defence Forces	Retirement of Military Judge which is a statutory post	Colonel	1	Yes	1	April 2010	Statutory post
3	Defence Forces	Retirement of Director of Military Prosecutions which is a statutory post	Colonel	1	Yes	1	June 2009	Statutory post
4	Defence Forces	Civilian employees. Temporary post and extension of contract.	Pharmacist	2	Yes	2	July 2009
5	Defence Forces	Civilian employee contract extension.	Social Worker	1	Yes	1	July 2009
6	Defence Forces	Civilian Employee. Management of provision of electrical services.	Foreman	1	Yes	1
7	Defence Forces	Civilian employee to assist in the re-fit of Naval ships.	Welder	1	Yes	1	April 2010
8	Defence Forces	Filling of GOC Air Corps	Brigadier General	1	Decision Awaited			Decision Awaited
9	Defence Forces	Filling of DCOS (Operations) vacancy which is a statutory post	Major General	1	Yes	1	July 2010	Statutory post
10	Defence Forces	Civilian employee. Management of provision of social worker service for the Defence Forces.	Principal Social Worker	1	Yes	1	September 2010

Department of Tourism, Culture & Sport
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	National Library of Ireland	To fill Director post	Director	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	18/12/09	Statutory position
2	National Library of Ireland	2 vacancies due to retirement and internal promotion	Keeper, Asst Keeper	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	22/9/09	Due to the specialised nature of the work of the Library
3	Irish Sports Council	To fill Director post	CEO	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	14/5/09	Statutory position
4	Arts Council	To fill Director post	Director	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	20/8/09	Statutory position
5	Failte Ireland	temporary posts	Principal Officer (temporary)	1	4. Application was refused	0
6	Failte Ireland	temporary posts	Principal Officer (temporary)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	13/1/10	Payment of acting up allowance paid temporarily due to maternity leave
7	Failte Ireland	E Business manager	Assistant Principal	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	13/1/10	Post filled as a necessity for the development of the Tourism Sector
8	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	IT Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	19/11/09	Key post for the successful running of the National Concert Hall
9	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Financial Accountant	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	19/11/09	Key post for the successful running of the National Concert Hall
10	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Learn & Explore Administrative Assistant	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	19/11/09	Key post for the successful running of the National Concert Hall

Department of Tourism, Culture & Sport *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
11	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Graphic Designer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	19/11/09	Key post for the successful running of the National Concert Hall
12	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	On line Marketing Executive	1	4. Application was refused	0
13	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Lighting Technician/stage hand	1	4. Application was refused	0
14	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Box Office Cashier Supervisor	1	4. Application was refused	0
15	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Operations Assistant Manager	1	4. Application was refused	0
16	National Concert Hall	Fixed term contract post	Own Promotions Executive	1	4. Application was refused	0
17	Chester Beatty Library	To fill Director post	PO 1	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	29/3/10	Key post
18	Irish Film Board	To fill Chief Executive Post	CEO	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	1/9/2010	Statutory position

Department of Health
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	HSE	Front line post	Senior Locum	0.6	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
2	Galway University Hospital	Critical management post	General Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	17/06/2009
3	HIQA	Level of expenditure on external advice	Legal Advisor (AP1)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
4	HIQA	Operational reasons	Regional Operations Manager (PO)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
5	HIQA	Value for money	Health Technology Assessment — AP1	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/07/2009
6	HIQA	Value for Money	HTA — Engineer Grade I	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/07/2009
7	HIQA	Value for Money	HTA — Engineer Grade III	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/07/2009
8	HSE	New HSE structure	Regional Operation Director (Assist Nat,. Dir)	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	07/07/2009
9	HSE	New HSE structure	Care Group (Assistant National Director)	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	07/07/2009
10	Mental Health Commission	Front line post	Consultant Psychiatrist	5	1. Yes, application was approved	5	31/07/2009
11	Mental Health Commission	Front line post	Assistant Inspector (Occupational Therapist)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
12	Mental Health Commission	Service reasons	Staff Officer (Temp Contract Renewal)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/07/2009
13	National Treatment Purchase Fund	Fair Deal requirements	EO / HEO	6	1. Yes, application was approved	6	31/07/2009
14	Central Mental Hospital	Front line post	Mental Health Nurses	23	1. Yes, application was approved	23	31/08/2009
15	St Loman’s Hospital	Front line post	Mental Health Nurses	36	1. Yes, application was approved	36	31/08/2009
16	Temple Street Hospital	Critical nursing management post	Director of Nursing	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	20/10/2009

Department of Health *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
17	Galway University Hospital	Key post for flu pandemic	Chief Medical Scientist	1	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
18	HSE	Front line post	General Dental Surgeon	3	1. Yes, application was approved	2	25/11/2009	Sanction was only given for two of the three posts
19	HSE	Front line post	Principal Environmental Health Officers	2	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
20	HSE	Front line post	Fire Prevention Officer	1	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
21	HSE	Front line post	Clinical Perfusionist Post	1	3. No decision to date	0		Further info awaited
22	Children’s Hospital, Crumlin	Front line post	Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurses	5	1. Yes, application was approved	5	8/12/1009	The filling of these posts was to be met through redeployment first, and where this was not possible, suppression
23	Temple Street Hospital	Front line post	Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurses	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	8/12/1009	The filling of these posts was to be met through redeployment first, and where this was not possible, suppression
24	HSE	Development post for Primary Care Teams	Senior Dietician (Sligo/Leitrim/Cavan)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	18/01/2010
25	HSE — St. James, Dublin	Critical maintenance post	Maintenance Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	18/01/2010
26	HSE — St. Lukes Kilkenny	Front line post	Clinical Nurse Manager II	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	18/01/2010
27	An Bord Altranais	Front line post	Director of Operations	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	01/07/2010
28	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Pharmacist Chief II	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	01/07/2010

Department of Health *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
29	Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Front line post	Senior Pharmacist	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	01/07/2010
30	Food Safety Authority of Ireland	Critical to meeting statutory obligations / essential health & public safety requirements	Auditor — AP level	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	01/07/2010
31	Health and Social Care professions Council	Critical to meeting statutory obligations / essential health & public safety requirements	HEO	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	01/07/2010
32	Health and Social Care professions Council	Critical to meeting statutory obligations / essential health & public safety requirements	EO	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	01/07/2010
33	Mental Health Commission	Critical to meeting statutory obligations / essential health & public safety requirements	CO (temporary contract renewal)	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	01/07/2010
34	National Cancer Registry Board	Critical to meeting statutory obligations / essential health & public safety requirements	Statistician (Grade V)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	01/07/2010

Note: Includes HSE exemptions sought between May 2009 and January 2010. Under the Employment Control Framework 2010-2012, HSE exceptions under the moratorium under the moratorium are at the discretion of the HSE HR National Director.

Department of Transport
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	Road Safety Authority (RSA)	New Posts	Assistant Principals	3	not approved
		New Posts	Higher Executive Officers	3	not approved
		New Posts	Executive Officers	2	not approved
		New Posts	Clerical Officers	3	not approved
		New Posts	Vehicle Inspector	11	not approved
2	Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR)	Renew Contract	Principal Officer	1	Approved	1	Dec-09	Vacancy filled to meet statuary obligation
		Renew Contract	Assistant Principals	2	Approved	2	Dec-09	Vacancy filled to meet statuary obligation
		Renew Contract	Executive Officers	3	Approved	3	Dec-09	Vacancy filled to meet statuary obligation
3	National Accident Investigation Office	Filling Post	Principal Officer	1	Approved	1	Nov-09	Important for safety purposes
4	National Transport Authority	New Posts	CEO	1	Approved	1	-10	Newly established Authority
		New Posts	Senior Management	4	Approved/ Not approved	3	-10	Newly established Authority
5	Medical Bureau of Road Safety ( MBRS)	Filling Post	Admin Manager	1	No decision to-date
		Filling Post	Scientist	1	No decision to-date
		Filling Post	Manager	1	No decision to-date

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
	Teagasc	These posts are long-term recurring positions that are filled on an academic year basis (Sept — June) only. The posts are of importance to the operation of Teagasc Colleges and to the welfare, health & safety of students	Student Supervisors, part time lecturers	3.5	Application was refused			Ban on recruitment and promotion in public service applies
	Teagasc	To support the delivery of the WIT funded B.Sc. (Hons) Business Management/Agriculture (Level 8) programme at Kildalton Collegein the 2009/10 Academic year, as it was not possible to deliver the programme from within existing resources.	part-time Lecturer	0.5	Application was refused
	Teagasc	To fill three senior management posts, following the retirement of 5 Heads of Directorate (3 age grounds, 2 ISER)	Heads of Directorate — Assistant Secretary	3	Yes, application was approved	3	26/11/2009	Exceptional sanction granted based on organisational restructuring from 6 to 4 Head of Directorate posts
	Teagasc	Request for sanction to appoint a General Manager for Moorepark Technology Limited (MTL) (51% Teagasc ownership) following the retirement of the previous General Manager at MTL.	SPRO (Senior Professional Research Officer)	1	Application pending			MTL plays a critical role in technology transfer for Teagasc.
	Teagasc	Recruitment of a Research Scientist who won a prestigious EU grant (FP7 Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship) x 2 years.	Research Scientist	1	Yes, application was approved	1	13/04/2010	This is a fully-funded contract post and there will be no draw on exchequer funds.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
	Teagasc	Retention of 10 joint self-financing Teagasc/Dairy Industry contract staff for three years to assist in the deliver of the joint Dairy Development programme.	Contract Advisors	10	Yes, application was approved	10	26/08/2010	Extension of the contracts of 8 self-funding contract advisers and recruitment of two self-funding contract advisers. These posts are fully funded. This programme is part of Teagasc’s strategy to maximise industry involvement in Teagasc programmes to help achieve its goal of competitiveness as stated in the Teagasc statement of strategy.
	Teagasc	To recruit nine scientists for the Teagasc Agriculture & Horticulture research programmes.	Scientists	9	Application pending			Recent changes have seriously impacted on Teagasc’s agriculture and horticulture research programmes. Opportunities for internal redeployment are quite limited due to the specialised nature of the roles and the lack of suitable staff to redeploy.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
	Teagasc	Redeployment of 14 (Private College) employees to Teagasc following the closure of Warrenstown Private College	Teachers	14	Yes, application was approved	14	26/06/2009	This sanction was granted on condition that Teagasc identified savings in the wider organisation to facilitate the redeployment of these staff
	Teagasc	Teagasc have sought to redeploy another 38 Private College staff into the Organisation	29 Teachers, 3 secretarial, 3 matron, 3 maintence	38	Application pending			Similar to Warrenstown, Teagasc is committed to identifying savings in the wider organisation to facilitate this redeployment proposal.
	Teagasc	Fully funded research posts	Contract Research Officers	43	Yes, applications approved	43	On a case by case basis between Nov 2009 and April 2010	These are fixed term contract posts and are self financing.
	Teagasc	REPS Staff	Advisory	18	Yes, application was approved	18	02/03/2010	Sanction to grant contracts of indefinite duration to these staff following Labour Court recommendation.
	Teagasc		Senior Management posts	6	Application has recently been received and has not yet been submitted to Dept. of Finance
	Bord Iascaigh Mhara	Delivery of service	Eng. Grade 3	5	No Decision	2	30/06/2010	1 Seafood Technology Post1 Inshore Survey Officer
	SFPA	Fishery Control	See Comment	9	Application pending	—	—	1 National Director2 Senior port Officers, one based at Castletownbere/Dingle and the second at Clonakilty5 Sea Fisheries Protection Officers based at port offices and at Clonakilty1 Clerical Officer based at Clonakilty
	MI	Temporary Laboratory Analysts	Lab services	2	Yes, application was approved	2	26/07/2010	Temporary labs analysts, fully funded EU posts

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	Central Fisheries Board	To meet legal obligations under the Water Framework Directive	Technician (Hydroacoustics)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	1 year temporary position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
2	Central Fisheries Board	To meet legal obligations under the Water Framework Directive	Research Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	1 year temporary position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
3	Central and Regional Fisheries Boards	To meet legal obligations under the Water Framework, Habitats and Eels Directives	Fishery Officers	23	1. Yes, application was approved	23	28/07/2009	4 month seasonal positions.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
4	Eastern Regional Fisheries Board	For increased surveillance in the Dublin, Dundalk and Wexford districts.	Fishery Officers	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	28/07/2009	6.5 month temporary positions.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
5	Shannon Regional Fisheries Board	To fill recently vacated post	Fisheries Environmental Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	1 year temporary position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
6	Western Regional Fisheries Board	Cover for maternity leave	Administrative Assistant, Grade IV	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	1 year temporary position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
7	Western Regional Fisheries Board	For housekeeper at Aasleagh Lodge	Summer Student	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	4 month seasonal position.Generates substantial own resources income for the Board.
8	North Western Regional Fisheries Board	To fill recently vacated post	Assistant Inspector	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	Permanent position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
9	North Western Regional Fisheries Board	For increased salmon protection effort	Fishery Officers	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	28/07/2009	3 month seasonal positions.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
10	Northern Regional Fisheries Board	To fill recently vacated post	Fisheries Environmental Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	Permanent position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
11	Northern Regional Fisheries Board	For administrative support for the CEO/Assistant CEO	Administrative Assistant, Grade IV	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	6 month temporary position.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
12	Northern Regional Fisheries Board	To meet minimun staffing levels required to run angling centres.	General Operatives	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	28/07/2009	5 month seasonal positions.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
13	Central Fisheries Board	For EU Life+ Programme	Research Officers (including Project Manager)	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	28/07/2009	4 year contract positions.Externally funded: 50% EU, 50% National Parks and Wildlife Service.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
14	Central Fisheries Board	For EU Life+ Programme	Fisheries Assistant	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	4 year contract positon.Externally funded: 50% EU, 50% National Parks and Wildlife Service.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
15	Shannon Regional Fisheries Board	Protection and conservation work at Scartleigh Dam	Fishery Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	1 year contract position.Board would be unable to carry out contract with Kerry County Council who are fully funding this post.
16	Shannon Regional Fisheries Board	To fulfil contract with ESB to provide fisheries enforcement services on ESB fisheries in the Shannon region	Fishery Officers	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	28/07/2009	1 year contract positions.Board would be unable to carry out contract with ESB who are fully funding this post.
17	Shannon Regional Fisheries Board	For EU Life+ Programme	Project Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	5 year contract position.Externally funded: 50% EU, 50% National Parks and Wildlife Service and others.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
18	Shannon Regional Fisheries Board	For EU Life+ Programme	Research Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	5 year contract position.Externally funded: 50% EU, 50% National Parks and Wildlife Service and others.Necessity to protect recent investment in the Inland Fisheries resource and in recognition of EU and statutory requirements applying to the Fisheries Boards.
19	Central Fisheries Board	For Marine Sports Fish Programme	Technician (Data Mining)	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	28/07/2009	1 year contract position.Funded by Marine Institute and own resources

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
20	Geological Survey of Ireland	To facilitate participation by the INFOMAR programme team in two EU sponsored marine geology projects.	Specialist contract staff	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	23/10/2009	Posts funded from EU sources at no cost to Exchequer.Participation in the projects will leverage external funding to the benefit of the economyParticipation in and attraction of such projects is a stated objective of the INFOMAR programmeThe posts are for a three-year fixed term under specific purpose contracts linked to EU projects
21	Commission for Energy Regulation	To replace retiring Commissioner for Energy Regulation	Commissioner	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	09/11/2009	5 year contract. Current and future role of the CER, both nationally and at a regional and EU level, justifies a full-time multi-member Commission.
22	Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources	To extend the contract of the Department’s Research Coordinator by 50 weeks.	Research Coordinator	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	18/11/2010	Work to be undertaken is a critical time-defined component of the Knowledge Society Strategy.No further renewal of contract beyond period specified.
23	Commission for Energy Regulation	To renew contract of employment of legal advisor	Level 4, Band A	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	21/01/2010	Permanent contract. Significant savings can be realised from use of in-house legal advice compared with cost of procuring such advice from external sources.
24	Broadcasting Authority of Ireland	Replace Finance Officer	Finance Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	04/02/2010	Sanctioned on basis of redeployment from within the public service.
25	Ordnance Survey Ireland	Replace Principal HR/Corporate Services	Principal	1	3. No decision to date
26	Ordnance Survey Ireland	Replace Assistant Principal, Corporate Services	Assistant Principal	1	3. No decision to date
27	South Western Regional Fisheries Board	To fill recently vacated post	Inspector	1	3. No decision to date

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
28	Central Fisheries Board	To formally assign staff member to role of Director of Finance and pay higher duties allowance in absence of post holder who is on sick leave.	Director	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	16/03/2010	Agreed for up to six months.
29	Commission for Energy Regulation	For design and implementation of the Petroleum Safety Framework	Petroleum Safety Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	31/03/2010	Permanent post.Sanctioned on basis that new functions for petroleum safety conferred on the CER require specialist expertise.
30	Commission for Energy Regulation	To assist the Petroleum Safety Manager (see above) in the design and implementation of the Petroleum Safety Framework.	Support Analyst	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	31/03/2010	Permanent posts.Sanctioned on basis that new functions for petroleum safety conferred on the CER require specialist expertise.
31	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Head of Department	Provide expert financial advice and support to CEO and board. Responsibility for organisation’s financial control function.	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	07/09/2010	Permanent post.Sanctioned on the basis that finance function requires specialist expertise.
32	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Senior Accountant	Manage, introduce and operate systems for financial resource allocation and business planninng.	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	07/09/2010	Permanent post.Sanctioned on the basis that finance function requires specialist expertise.
33	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Programme Manager EDRT	To lead and manage the design, development and delivery of a ramge of initatives across domestic and non-domestic sectors through the Retrofit Programme.	1	3. No decision to date

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
34	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Technical Standards Development Manager	Manage the design, development, implementation, maintenance and review of technical specifications for SEAI administered retrofit programmes.	1	3. No decision to date
35	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Programme Executive Domestic Energy Efficiency	Support and assist initiatives on fuel poverty in context of retrofit programme	1	3. No decision to date
36	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Legal and Contracts Execurive	Provide advice and support to the National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme on contrcat framework agreements and Save As You Pay mechanisms.	1	3. No decision to date
37	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	QA and Inspenction Manager	To design, implement and oversee a harmonised quality assurance framework across all retrofit programmes.	1	3. No decision to date
38	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Programme Manager — Accelerated Capital Allowances	To deliver and manage the Triple E register of energy efficient products that underpin the ACA scheme.	1	3. No decision to date
39	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Programme Manager — Energy Modelling	To manage and drive the development of energy modelling activity.	1	3. No decision to date

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
40	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Data Management Executive	Provide a statistical data management and analysis service within the Authority’s Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit	1	3. No decision to date
41	Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	Programme Manager — Sustainable Energy	Ongoing manangement and development of the Home Energy Savings Scheme	1	3. No decision to date
42	Commission for Communications Regulation	Senior Legal Counsel	To provide high-level, strategic, mission critical legal advice to the Commissioners and the organisation and to manage all legal matters arising from ComReg’s remit and activities	1	3. No decision to date
43	Inland Fisheries Ireland	Fishery Officers	Surveillance support	6	1. Yes, application was approved	20/09/2010	6	2 month seasonal positions.Sanctioned on basis that appointments in line with agreement on seasonal staff at IFI in Employment Control Framework

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
44	Inland Fisheries Ireland	Fishery Assistants	Operational support	23	1. Yes, application was approved	20/09/2010	23	2 month seasonal positions.Sanctioned on basis that appointments in line with agreement on seasonal staff at IFI in Employment Control Framework
45	Inland Fisheries Ireland	General Operatives	To run angling centres	3	1. Yes, application was approved	20/09/2010	3	2 month seasonal positions.Sanctioned on basis that appointments in line with agreement on seasonal staff at IFI in Employment Control Framework
46	National Oil Reserves Agency	Operations Engineer (Engineer Grade II)	To meet regulatory compliance responsibilities that arise from NORA’s management of both Ringsend and Tarbert storage facilities, and the mitigation of risks associated with same to acceptable levels	1	3. No decision to date

Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
0	Nil requests		0		0

Department of Education and Skills
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	Co Roscommon VEC	To replace retiring CEO; statutory post	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	26/6/09	Temporary 6 month appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. Extended to 28 Feb 2010. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.
2	Department of Education & Science	Renewal of secondment of 276 teachers to Education Services	Teacher	276	1. Yes, application was approved	170	6/7/09	Continuation of highest priority teacher training and support. Partial approval granted. 276 posts were sought of which 170 were approved.
3	Church of Ireland College of Education	To replace retiring principal	Principal, College of Education	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	6/7/09	Need for head of organisation.
4	Vocational Education Committees	To award a fixed term contract to fill one existing caretaker vacancy on a temporary basis to ensure the smooth running of Certificate examinations during June 2009. To give delegated sanction to award similar contracts in other VECs, in similar circumstances, during June 2009, should the need arise.	Caretaker	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	27/5/09	To ensure uninterrupted running of State examinations. One immediate post sanctioned; delegated sanction to appoint others should the need arise.
5	NCTE	To fill 1 National Coordinator post; Renewal of contracts of 2 Project Officers; Renewal of either 1 Senior Administrative Assistant or 1 Secretary Grade III post	National Coordinator; 2 Project Officers; Senior Admin Asst or Secretary Grade III	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	31/7/09	Majority of staff of NCTE employed on fixed term contracts. Need to reappoint a minimum number of these staff (4) to maintain services.
6	Co Dublin VEC	Replace CEO	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	15/10/09	Temporary 3 month acting appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.
7	Co Offaly VEC	Replace CEO	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	9/10/09	Temporary 3 month acting appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. Extended to 28 Feb 2010. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.

Department of Education and Skills *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
8	City of Waterford VEC	Replace CEO	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	15/10/09	Temporary 3 month acting appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. Extended to 28 Feb 2010. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.
7	Co Westmeath VEC	Replace CEO	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	15/10/09	Temporary 3 month acting appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.
8	Co Donegal VEC	Replace CEO	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	15/10/09	Temporary 3 month acting appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.
9	City of Limerick VEC	Replace CEO	Chief Executive Officer, VEC	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	15/10/09	Temporary 3 month acting appointment pending reorganisation of VECs. 17 February 2010 — further extended to 30 April 2010.
10	Institute of Technology Tralee	To employ two Technicians to ensure the continued provision of certain courses	Laboratory Technicians	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	23/9/09	To ensure the continued provision of certain courses
11	New Body amalgamating HETAC, FETAC & NQAI	CEO of NQAI/Interim CEO of new qualifications and QA Body	Chief Executive Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	22/12/09	CEO of NQAI and Interim appointment of CEO for the new body to be established amalgamating HETAC, FETAC and the NQAI
14	DLIADT	To replace 4 Technicians	Technician	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	13/10/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended
15	IoT Carlow	To replace 4 Technicians	Technician	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	17/11/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended
16	Galway-Mayo IoT	To replace 2.5 Technicians	Technician	2.5	1. Yes, application was approved	2.5	17/11/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended
17	IoT Tallaght	To replace 2 Technicians	Technician	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	17/11/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended

Department of Education and Skills *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
18	IoT Tralee	To replace 2 Technicians	Technician	2	1. Yes, application was approved	2	17/11/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended
19	IT Blanchardstown	To replace 5 staff on maternity leave	4 Lecturers and 1 Asst Lecturers	5	1. Yes, application was approved	5	16/10/09	Fixed purpose contracts to cover 5 staff on mat leave
20	IoT Sligo	Project Manager Higher Certificate in Custodial Care	Project Manager	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	26/10/09	Fixed term contract to coincide with contract with Prison Service
21	Dublin Institute of Technology	To replace 6 Technicians	Technician	6	1. Yes, application was approved	6	17/11/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended
22	Athlone IoT	To replace 1 Technician	Technician	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	17/11/09	Health and Safety. Courses would have to be suspended
23	Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse	to retain 6 staff on rolling 3 month contracts to continue work of commission	2 x f/t EO, 1 x p/t EO, 1 x p/t IT Manager, 2 x p/t SO	4	1. Yes, application was approved	4	6/1/2010	To continue essential work of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Please note that the 6 posts equate to less than 4 WTE
24	FETAC	Appt of 3 staff on 3 year fixed term contracts to carry out EQARF project. Fully EU funded.	Director, Policy Officer, Project Administrator	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	12/2/10	Fully funded by EU. FETAC won tender to carry out EQARF project.
25	Vocational Support Services Unit (VSSU)	To replace the deceased Director of the Vocational Support Services Unit	Professional Accountant Grade I	1	4. Application was refused
26	Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG)	Appt of 4 staff on initial one year renewable contracts to carry out the functions of COGG. 3 x Development Officer posts and one CO post. Upgrade one existing EO post to HEO level.	3 x Engineer Grade II, 1 x CO, 1 EO to HEO upgrade	4	4. Application was refused			To perform the functions of COGG. The provision of supports for the teaching of Irish at 1st and 2nd level.
27	FETAC	Ext of contracts for 1 year of 3 FETAC Monitors for monitoring and assessment of education providers	3 Monitors	3	4. Application was refused	0	28/4/10

Department of Education and Skills *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
28	HEA	Ext of contracts of 3 EOs for various tasks	3 EOs	3	1. Yes, application was approved	3	28/4/10	Part approval granted — 3 posts for 7 months. 1 year extension sought.
29	DIAS	To appoint one experienced researcher, on a 13-month fellowship contract to assist on an externally-funded research ptoject (Marie Curie Early Stage Research Training Project)	Researcher	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	19/5/2010	To assist in the completion of an externally-funded research project. 1 x 13 month fixed-term contract
30	DIAS	To employ one junior post-doctoral researcher on a fixed-term contract for a six month period.	Junior post-doctoral researcher	1	3. No decision to date
31	NEWB	Replacement of CEO	CEO	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	20 May 2010	To continue the work of the CEO. 1 x 5 year fixed-term contract
32	Mayo VEC	Replacement of Education Officer	Education Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	11 May 2010	to replace vacancy at EO level. 1 for 6 months
33	Wexford VEC	Replacement of CEO	CEO	1	3. No decision to date			To replace, on an acting basis, the serving CEO who is on extended sick leave
34	Longford VEC	Replacement of CEO	CEO	1	3. No decision to date			To replace, on an acting bais, the retiring CEO (retirement effective 17 July 2010), appointment requested from 17 July 2010 to 30 September 2010
35	CDVEC	To renew the contracts of 21 School Librarians	Librarian	21	1. Yes, application was approved	21
36	NCTE	To appoint 2 Project Coordinators to work on a pilot project to deliver Next Generation broadband to post-primary schools		2	4. Application was refused

Department of Education and Skills *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
37	VECs	To fill vacancies of cleaning/maintenance staff in 33 VEC administrative offices, as they arise	Cleaner	33	4. Application was refused
38	DIAS	To re-engage one Fellowship researcher for a 6-month period on an externally-funded research project (Marie Curie Project)	Researcher	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1 for 6 months		To continue working on an externally-funded research project
39	HEA	To engage 1 EO to provide admin support for the co-ordination of programme activities on the context of a European e-infrastructure project for which the HEA has secured funding under FP7	EO	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1 for period ending no later than 31 December 2010		To provide admin support for the co-ordination of programme activities on the context of a European e-infrastructure project for which the HEA has secured funding under FP7
40	NEWB	Transfer of one EO and one R&D Officer from SCP to NEWB on foot of amalgamation of school support services	EO and R&D Officer	1	1. Yes, application was approved	1	1 Sept 2010

Department of Justice & Law Reform
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts sought	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	Garda	Appointment of 3 Chief Superintendents & 10 Superintendents & 1 Assistant Garda Commissioner	1 Assistant Garda Commissioner, 3 Chief Superintendents, 10 Superintendents	14	Yes, application was approved.	14	22/05/2009	To replace key staff who are retiring
2	Garda	Appointment of 1 Assistant Garda Commissioner	1 Assistant Garda Commissioner	1	Yes, application was approved.	1	28/09/2009	To replace key staff who are retiring
3	Garda	Appointment of 1 Assistant Garda Commissioner , 9 Chief Superintendent, 14 Superintendents, 28 Inspectors, 120 Sergeants (172 posts in total)	1 Assistant Garda Commissioner, 9 Chief Superintendents, 14 Superintendents, 28 Inspectors, 120 Sergeants	172	No formal sanction given as an Employment Control Framework is in the process of being agreed with the Department of Justice for the Justice Sector. It will then be a matter for the Garda to manage staff numbers within the agreed Framework and associated pay allocation.
4	Garda	Reappointment of Garda to Garda Technical Bureau	1 Garda	1	Yes, application was approved.	1	09/03/2010	Reappointment of a Guard who had left force who had previously been given technical training and worked in the Bureau. 3 staff due to retire from the Bureau this year and this guard’s training and experience would make him suitable to fill one of these posts.
5	Garda	Reappontment of Garda to the Garda Force	1 Garda	1	Yes, application was approved.	1	16/04/2010	Sanction was given on foot of legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General which advised that this Garda had a legitimate expectation that she would be re-appointed on the basis of an agreement between the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner in 1980 regarding the extension of the categories to be considered for re-appointment which included members who resign from the Force to take up a post with UN.

Department of Justice & Law Reform *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts sought	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
6	Garda	Reappointment of 2 Garda to the Garda Force	2 Garda	2	Yes, application was approved.	2		Justice are seeking approval to the reappointment of 2 garda, 1 of whom who left the Force to take up UN posts and another who left to set up a Driving school.
7	Irish Youth Justice Service	Extension of contracts for 27 staff employed in the Finglas and Oberstown Children Detention Schools.	10 Residential Childcare Workers, 4 Night Supervisors, 6 General Operatives, 1 Chef, 1 Assistant chef, 1 Assistance Maintenance Officer, 2 Clerical Officer, 1 Night Unit manager, 1 Assistant Deputy Director	27	Yes, application was approved.	27	26/06/2009	To facilitate the ordered restructing of staffing in the youth detention centres prior to the closure of one detention centre.
8	Irish Youth Justice Service	Extension of contract for 1 worker at Trinity House	1 General Operative	1	Yes, application was approved.	1	02/09/2009	To maintain catering services at weekends.
9	Irish Youth Justice Service	Extension of contract for 5 workers at Trinity House	2 Residential Childcare Workers, 2 Night Supervisers, 1 Clerical Officer	5	Yes, application was approved.	5	18/09/2009	To facilitate the ordered restructing of staffing in the youth detention centres prior to the closure of one detention centre.
10	Irish Youth Justice Service	Extension of contracts for 68 staff employed in the Children Detention Schools to 31 March 2010.	31 Residential Childcare Workers, 12 Night Supervisors, 13 General Operatives, 1 Chef, 1 Assistance Maintenance Officer, 6 Clerical Staff, 3 Night Unit Managers, 1 Assistant Night Unit Manager	68	Yes, application was approved.	68	25/09/2009	To facilitate the ordered restructing of staffing in the youth detention centres prior to the closure of one detention centre.

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
1	An Bord Pleanála	Delay in filling staff complement due to industrial relations issue	SEO	1	Sanction was refused	0	09.06.09	Request for sanction does not fall within the “very limited circumstances” where Ministerial exceptions can be sought.
2	Private Residential Tenancies Board	PRTB wish to engage 30 COs rather than 22 agency staff for same cost	CO	30	Sanction was refused	0	21.05.09	Request for sanction does not fall within the “very limited circumstances” where Ministerial exceptions can be sought.
3	Environmental Protection Agency	Reappointment as term has expired	Director	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	1	11.09.09	Post is vital for operation of services
4	Wicklow County Council*	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in the Public Service	Director of Services	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a temporary/acting basis	1	18.12.09	Post is vital for operation of services
5	Irish Regions Office	Contract expired	EU Programmes & Communication Officer	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	1	27.01.10	Post is vital for operation of services
6	BMW Regional Assembly	Contract expired	Auditor	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	1	24.03.10	Post is vital for operation of services
7	Environmental Protection Agency	NewPost to Manage Dumping at Sea Permits	Technical Manager	1	Sanction was refused	0	08.03.10	Request for sanction does not fall within the “very limited circumstances” where Ministerial exceptions can be sought.
8	Dublin Docklands Development Authority	Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in the Public Service	Secretary	1	No decision to date
9	Dublin Docklands Development Authority	Contract is due to expire	Director of Finance	1	No decision to date
10	Housing Finance Agency	To fill one full time and one part time EO posts to supply administrative support and loan book management	EO	1.5	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	1.5	08.03.10	Post is vital for operation of services
11	Housing Finance Agency	To fill a jobshare CO post due to a member of staff switching to job share	CO	0.5	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	0.5	08.03.10	Post is vital for operation of services

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
12	Housing Finance Agency	To fill 1 full time & 1 part time CO posts arising as consequential vacancies from the filling of the EO posts above	CO	1.5	Sanction was refused	0	08.03.10	Request for sanction does not fall within the “very limited circumstances” where Ministerial exceptions can be sought.
13	Radiologoical Protection Institute of Ireland	To fill the post of Director of Advisory Services following the departure of Dr. Colgan to the IAEA	PSO	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	1	08.03.10	Post is vital for operation of services
14	Radiologoical Protection Institute of Ireland	Fill the consequential vacancy arising from filling the post of Director of Advisory Services	SSO	1	Sanction was refused	0	08.03.10	Request for sanction does not fall within the “very limited circumstances” where Ministerial exceptions can be sought.
15	Radiologoical Protection Institute of Ireland	Fill the consequential vacancy arising from filling the post of Director of Advisory Services	SO	1	Sanction was refused	0	08.03.10
16	Local Government Management Agency	Director of OLAM	Director	1	No decision to date
17	Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly	To fill a first level controller post to implement the systems of controls for the Ireland Wales Programme	Grade 1V	4	Yes, sanction was given — on a permanent basis	1	19.04.10	Post is vital for operation of services
18	An Bord Pleanála	Contract Expired. Application to extend contract for 1 year	Planning Inspector	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a temporary/acting basis	1	23.04.10	Post is vital for operation of services
19	Dublin Docklands Development Authority	Sanction sought to acting up allowance for the Acting CEO	Acting CEO	1	No decision to date	0

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government *— continued*
No.	Requesting Body	Purpose of Sanction	Grade	No. of posts	Decision	No. of posts granted	Date Sanctioned	Comment
20.	Private Residential Tenancies Board	Sanction sought to extend temporary contract by 12 months	ICT Administrator	1	Yes, sanction was given — on a temporary/acting basis	1	15.07.10	Vital to ensure project completion which will negate the need for Agency staff
21.	Irish Water Safety Association	Sanction for a three year contract post sought	Educational Development Officer	1	Sanction was refused	0	05.08.10	Request for sanction does not fall within the “very limited circumstances” where Ministerial exceptions can be sought.
22.	Environmental Protection Agency	To fill the Programme Manager — Laboratory Services post after a retirement	Programme Manager — Level 1	1	No decision to date
23.	Environmental Protection Agency	To fill the Programme Manager — Aquatic Environment post after a retirement	Programme Manager — Level 1	1	No decision to date
24.	Environmental Protection Agency	To fill the post in the Office of Climate, Licensing & Resource Use after a retirement	Senior Scientific Officer — Level 2	1	No decision to date
25.	Environmental Protection Agency	8 Temporary fixed term purpose contract staff sought to cover maternity leave	Level 5 or 6 as appropriate	8	No decision to date

Note: A Commission of Investigation into the Banking Sector has also been established, chaired by Mr. Peter Nyberg. The Commission is making a number of appointments to assist it in its work.

Question No. 505 answered with Question No. 503.

Questions Nos. 506 and 507 answered with Question No. 504.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes

Question:

508 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile telephone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile telephones paid by the Department; the mobile telephone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33639/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The amount spent by my Department on mobile phone bills in the last three years and in the first six months of 2010 is set out in the following table. There are currently 148 mobile phones and mobile devices provided for the use of staff of my Department.

Following an EU procurement exercise conducted by my Department, a mobile phone framework agreement was established to provide non-commercial public sector bodies with a simple way to procure mobile voice and data services at competitive rates from a list of qualified vendors. This framework commenced in February 2008. My Department ran a competition under the framework for its own mobile voice and data services in May 2008 and re-tendered the service again in March 2010. O2 was selected as the most economically advantageous response on both occasions.

Year	Amount Paid on mobile phone bills
	€
2007	93,634
2008	84,954
2009	57,499
2010 (to end June)	27,949

Tax Code

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

509 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if further review of entitlement to refund of interest in respect of capital gains tax will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33653/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

512 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33705/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The number of staff serving in my Department at 27 September 2010 is set out in the following table.

Grade	Number serving (FTE)
Secretary General	1.00
Secretary General PSMD	1.00
Second Secretary	3.00
Assistant Secretary	12.00
Principal	48.10
Assistant Principal	129.88
Administrative Officer	50.00
Higher Executive Officer	82.39
Executive Officer	50.30
Staff Officer	26.63
Clerical Officer	97.93
Service Officer	23.00
Service Attendant	2.00
Chief Medical Officer	1.00
Deputy Chief Medical Officer	1.00
Occupation Physician	2.00
Nurse	3.00
Teacher	8.66
Grand Total	542.89

The list of offices under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

Revenue Commissioners

Office of Public Works

Appeals Commissioner

Public Appointments Service

Commission for Public Service Appointments

State Laboratory

Valuation Office

Office of the Ombudsman

Comptroller and Auditor General

The breakdown of senior management posts is as follows:

Revenue Commissioners: Chairman and 2 Commissioners

Comptroller & Auditor General: Secretary

Office of Public Works: Chairman and 2 Commissioners

The following table shows numbers and grades at Assistant Secretary and other grades by office. Professional grades for offices such as the Public Appointments Service and State Laboratory are included with the nearest equivalent general service grade according to pay rate.

Department / Office	Asst Sec.	PO	AP	AO	HEO	EO	SO	CO	Other
Revenue Commissioners	14	117	423	71	930	1,750	227	2,381	172
Appeals Commissioner	2					1		2
Comptroller & Auditor General	2	8	36		39	56	1	3	1
Commission for Public Service Appointments		1	3		1	1		2
Office of the Ombudsman	1	8	32		10	13	1	22	2
Public Appointments Service		3	10	1	15	18.5	9	43	5
State Laboratory		2	30	21	2		2.4	4.4	10
Valuation Office	1	9	13		8	16.6	11.7	11.4	79
Office of Public Works	See separate return below

The table above includes a number of departmental, professional and technical grades shown against the equivalent General Service grades. The actual grades involved are as listed below.

Revenue Commissioners

Includes Legal and Financial staff (33)

Appeals Commissioner

2 Appeals Commissioners

Comptroller & Auditor General

2 Directors of Audit

8 Deputy Directors of Audit

36 Senior Auditors

39 Auditors

52 Trainee Auditors

Public Appointments Service

Includes Senior Psychologist

Includes Translator and 3.5 Psychologists Grade II

Includes a Grade II Professional Accountant

State Laboratory

Includes State and Principal Chemists (2)

Includes senior chemists, chemists & senior laboratory analysts (28.6)

All Laboratory Analysts

Head Laboratory attendant, Laboratory attendants & Storekeeper

Valuation Office

Includes 3 Superintendents of Mapping

Includes 2 Higher Superintendents of Mapping

Includes 2 Chief Superintendents of Mapping and 7 Valuer Grade 1

The Valuation Office also has 58 valuation staff and 12 team leaders Includes 5 Managing Valuers & 2 Appeals Officers

Office of Public Works

The number of persons employed (whole-time equivalents) in the Office of Public Works by grade is included in the following tables. Shown separately in the table are the figures for apprentices, seasonal/casual and on-call personnel. It should also be noted that the seasonal numbers employed rise substantially during the summer season when temporary staff are engaged, for example, as guides/information officers at heritage sites.

Grade — Established Personnel	Number	Grade — Established Personnel	Number
Administrative Officer	2	Librarian	1
Architectural Assistant Grade 1	38	Maintenance Co-Ordinator	4
Architect	24	Ministers Driver	2
Assistant Chief Engineer	6	Packer & Porter	3
Assistant Chief Technical Officer	2	Park Superintendent Grade 1	1
Assistant Librarian	3	Park Superintendent Grade 2	3
Assistant Principal Officer	36	Park Superintendent Grade 3	3
Assistant Principal Architect	6	Principal Officer	14
Botanist Grade 2	1	Principal Architech	1
Botanist Grade 3	3	Principal Engineering Draughtsman	4
Chairman	1	Professional Accountant Grade 1	2
Chief Technical Officer	3	Professional Accountant Grade 2	1
Cleaner	4	Quantity Surveyor Grade 1	2
Clerical Officer	122	Quantity Surveyor Grade 2	4
Commissioner	2	Senior Architect	34
Deputy Superintendent Furniture	1	Senior Clerk of Works	8
Director of Engineering Services	1	Senior Engineering Draughtsman	1
District Inspector	26	Senior Technical Assistant	1
District Superintendent	1	Services Officer	10
District Works Manager	5	Staff Officer	23
Engineer Grade 1	22	Superintendent Furniture Branch	2
Engineer Grade 2	29	Technical Assistant Furniture Branch	1
Engineer Grade 3	13	Technical Officer	2
Engineering Technician Grade 1	12	Valuer Grade 1	2
Engineering Technician Grade 2	5	Valuer Grade 2	3
Executive Officer	106	Valuer Grade 3	1
Head Services Officer	1	Visually Impaired Telephonist	2
Higher Executive Officer	80	Warehouse Supervisor	1
Implant Operator	1	Warehouseman	2
Inspector of Textiles	2

Grade — Industrial Personnel	Number
Apprentices	17
Area/Service Managers	23
Catering Services	29
Crafts Persons	329
Forepersons	83
General Operatives/permanent	654
Guides / permanent	101
Special Needs	11
Office Grades	40

Seasonal
General Operatives / seasonal	77
Guides / seasonal	243

The Boards/Bodies under the aegis of my Department are listed below. Information relating to the staffing of these organisations will be compiled and forwarded directly to the Deputy at a later date.

Board/Body Name

Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland

Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority

Financial Services Ombudsman Council

Credit Union Advisory Committee

Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel

Financial Services Consultative Industry Panel

Investor Compensation Company Limited

National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee

National Development Finance Agency (NDFA)

National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission

State Claims Agency

An Post National Lottery Company

Board of the Public Appointments Service

Interim Board of the Civil Service Childcare Agency

Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal

Valuation Tribunal

Civil Service Disciplinary Appeals Board

Civil Service Arbitration Board

Independent Mediation Officer for the Civil Service Grievance Procedure

Adjudicator for Defence Forces C&A Scheme

Sealúchais Árachais Teoranta

Committee for Performance Awards

Decentralisation Implementation Committee

Expenditure Review Central Steering Committee

Review Body on Higher Remuneration

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

Question:

513 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the reason, in some cases, mortgage interest relief is no longer being applied at source; if his policy has changed in this regard; if he will outline the precise arrangement now operating between the banks and the Revenue Commissioners; and the implications in terms of additional administrative burden on the Revenue Commissioners in terms of tracking mortgage interest changes or early partial redemption payments by the mortgage holder in order that the correct amount of interest relief is applied. [33714/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

There has been no policy change regarding the granting of tax relief at source (TRS) in respect of interest paid on qualifying home loans. Where an individual has an entitlement to tax relief on interest paid on a qualifying home loan, such relief is generally granted via the TRS system.

Following the Budget 2010 changes, only interest payable on qualifying home loans taken out on or after 1 January 2004 qualifies for tax relief. Interest payable on loans taken out prior to that date no longer qualifies for tax relief. On a practical level, a mortgage account holder notifies Revenue of the details of his or her qualifying home loan. Revenue determines — having consulted with the relevant lending institution as necessary — the individual's entitlement to tax relief on the interest payable on such loan. Where matters are in order, Revenue informs the lending institution of the relief to be granted at source in the particular instance.

Where the information provided by the individual account holder is accurate and complete, the relief at source is normally effected within a period of eight weeks. The precise timing in any instance depends on the necessary verification work that Revenue must complete, and the timing of any electronic file exchange between Revenue and the relevant financial institution. Early partial redemption payments are captured in this exchange and the tax relief at source is adjusted in line with the recalculated interest.

The basic structure of the TRS system as set out above has remained largely unchanged since its introduction. I am informed by Revenue that recent Budget changes as regards the tax relief on interest payable on qualifying home loans have given rise to a need to refine the administrative systems operating in conjunction with the lending institutions. This is a normal part of the ongoing work that Revenue undertakes with the lenders to minimise the effort on the part of the individual loan account holders to obtain the correct level of tax relief relevant to their particular circumstances.

National Debt

Leo Varadkar

Question:

514 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance the level of the national debt; the expected level of the national debt as of 31 December 2010, 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33716/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The relief to which the Deputy is referring is the owner-occupier relief under the Rural Renewal Scheme. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a person claiming the relief must, among other requirements, be the first owner-occupier of the property in question. The scheme was not intended to be available to purchasers of properties acquired under tenant purchase arrangements with their local authorities.

From the information supplied, the taxpayer initially rented the property in June 2006 from Longford County Council and then subsequently in July 2008 purchased it outright. However, there appears to be no connection between the initial rent agreement and subsequent purchase agreement, other than the fact that one of the parties was common to both. On the basis of the relevant legislation, Longford County Council is regarded as the first owner of the property. Unfortunately, this means that the owner-occupier relief is not available to any subsequent purchaser.

Question No. 518 answered with Question No. 450.

Tax Code

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

519 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the implementation of the changes to mortgage interest relief announced in the last budget; the reason they were implemented earlier than the month indicated in the budget announcement; the reason they were not staged so as not to have such a severe effect on those who missed the cut-off date; if he will consider modifying the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33888/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Mortgage Interest Relief for first time and non first time buyers is limited to the first seven tax years for which an individual has entitlement to the relief. In Budget 2010, I announced that I would be extending the relief up to the end of 2017 for those whose entitlement to relief was due to end in 2010 or after. Those who took out mortgages in 2003 would have seen their entitlement end after 2009 and accordingly, this measure, which was applied on time and as announced, does not apply to these individuals. While circumstances and house prices differ, it is necessary to select a cut-off point in these matters.

The Finance Act 2010 also provides that qualifying loans taken out on or before 31 December 2011 will continue to get relief at current levels. Qualifying loans taken out in 2012 will receive the relief at a reduced rate of 15% for first-time buyers and 10% for non-first time buyers with ceilings of €6,000 per annum for married couples and €3,000 per annum for single individuals applying in both cases. Loans taken out on or after 1 January 2013 will not qualify for mortgage interest relief and the relief will be abolished completely for the tax year 2018 and subsequent tax years.

As regards Budget 2011, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax or expenditure matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

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

The full year yield to the Exchequer arising from reducing the earnings cap to the amount mentioned in the question is currently estimated to be of the order of €85 million. This figure is provisional and subject to revision. A breakdown of the figures by reference to income levels is available only in respect of the tax relief for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) to the extent that these contributions are included in the personal tax returns of tax payers.

With regard to occupational pensions, (that is, schemes set up by the employer), the figures in respect of employee contributions are available only in aggregate form. Information on such contributions is not captured in such a way as to make it possible to associate contributions with individual income levels. For that reason the estimated yield to the Exchequer in respect of these contributions is extremely tentative. The estimated yield is based on assuming that tax relief which would be affected by the changes mentioned in the question is currently allowed at the top income tax rate of 41% and at the maximum age-related percentage limit of earnings. The figure provided could therefore be regarded as the maximum Exchequer yield in respect of those taxpayers.

Michael Noonan

Question:

523 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the projected revenue in 2011 from a restriction in interest relief on rented residential property from 75% to 50% of interest paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33976/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Deputy will no doubt be aware that the level at which interest repayments can be claimed against tax for residential rental properties was reduced from 100% to 75% in section 5 of the Finance Act 2009 at an estimated full year yield of €95 million. The yield to the Exchequer from a further similar reduction as mentioned in the question is likely to be of a similar order.

Michael Noonan

Question:

524 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the projected revenue in 2011 of a 25 cent increase in excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33978/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is estimated that a 25 cent increase in excise duty on a packet of cigarettes would yield in the region of €40m.

Departmental Reviews

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

525 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if the terms of reference of the independent review of the Department of Finance will include investigating and assessing the performances, decisions and impacts of the three Ministers of Finance during the ten years to be reviewed. [33990/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Terms of Reference of the Independent Review of the Department of Finance, which are set out below, indicate that the focus of the Review will be an evaluation of the systems, structures and processes of the Department of Finance.

The Terms of Reference are as follows: "The Independent Review Group will undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the systems, structures and processes of the Department of Finance relating to those elements of budgetary, economic, financial and public service management that are relevant to its role. In this regard the review will assess the Department's:

Performance in the past 10 years,

Advice (appropriateness and quality), forecasts, risk analysis (including of non-consensual opinion) and communications strategy, and,

Development and management of responses to the current crisis.

This assessment should have regard to the policy, legal and institutional framework within which the Department worked during this period.

The Group will, based on the conclusions and lessons drawn from this assessment, make recommendations for the future development, structure and resourcing of the Department. In making its recommendations the Group will have regard to best practice regarding the organisational structures, skills, training, staff mix and levels required by a modern Finance Ministry in order that it can best fulfil its role in relation to (i) economic and financial management; (ii) policy analysis, development, advice and implementation; and, (iii) communication, transparency and accountability. The Group will provide its full report and recommendations within three months."

The Reviewers will, as would be expected, be free to consider what matters they regard as relevant to their Terms of Reference.

Financial Services Regulation

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

526 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the reason a financial institution (details supplied) is permitted to charge 2% to a minimum of €4 and a maximum of €35 on euro cheques from other countries within the eurozone; his views on the impact of the bank’s actions on small and medium enterprises.. [33993/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Financial Regulator (FR) has advised me that it has approved the following charge for the Financial Institution that is the subject of the question:- Purchase of Foreign Cheque-Euro 2% of value (minimum 4 euros and maximum 35 euros). The FR has advised that this charge is to cover the costs associated with sending a cheque for "collection".

The FR has also advised me that each charge is assessed on the basis of the criteria set out in the Consumer Credit Act 1995 i.e.:

a) the promotion of fair competition,

b) the commercial justification provided for the introduction of the charge,

c) a credit institution passing any costs on to its customers, and

d) the impact on customers.

Departmental Staff

John McGuinness

Question:

527 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the action taken by him from the date of acceptance of the Croke Park agreement to establish cost saving measures; if all aspects of the deal are now being complied with; the changes made in his Department relative to the agreement; if staff numbers have been affected; if staff have been transferred from his Department or recruited from other Departments; the amount of savings achieved because of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34082/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I am happy that substantial progress is being made on implementation of the Public Service Agreement 2010 to 2014 (Croke Park Agreement) and that all the terms of the Agreement are currently being complied with within the civil service. In particular, the Agreement has resulted in the cessation of industrial action and a number of the instruments indicated in the Agreement for the civil service, including the redeployment arrangements, are now in place. That will facilitate the redeployment of any staff who become surplus for any reason across Government Departments.

After its ratification in July, Mr P J Fitzpatrick was appointed, along with nominees each from public service management and the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to the Implementation Body. That Body will review the implementation of the transformation agenda for each sector with the relevant management and unions. It will also be responsible for verifying savings derived from the implementation of the Agreement and its sectoral components in the context of the review of public service pay proposed next year.

Since its establishment, the Body has concentrated on the implementation of the Agreement, including putting in place strong structures at sectoral level and seeking from public service management their action plans for the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement. The plans, due for submission this week, will form an initial template for the implementation of the terms of the sectoral agreements which form part of the overall Agreement and set out a clear agenda for change within each sector, including within Government Departments. It is intended that these action plans will develop in a dynamic way over the four year period the Agreement, in the context of Government policy on budgetary and other matters. The Government is determined that public service management will be proactive and ambitious in delivering on the full range of productivity and change measures envisaged in the Agreement, and accepted as necessary by all parties to it. Strong oversight by the Implementation Body will be an important factor in this.

Government policy on staff numbers in the public service is reflected in employment control frameworks for each sector of the public service. In this regard, the Exchequer Pay Bill is estimated to reduce by 8% in 2010 over 2009 while the number of public servants has reduced by almost 11,000 since March 2009. However, the efficiencies and other measures arising from the Agreement provide a sustainable framework to manage the provision and delivery of our essential public services with reductions in public service numbers and in a period of unprecedented pressure on resources.

Consultancy Contracts

Joan Burton

Question:

528 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out the amounts granted by him in lieu of external advisory services for each year since 2006 and to date in 2010 in respect of banking and other advice; the names of any such advisers contracted by his Department; the total and final expected cost for each adviser, and the purpose and duration of each such contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34109/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Following clarification with the Deputy I understand that the information being sought relates to the total amount paid by my Department in respect of banking consultancies in each of the years 2006 to date in 2010. The following table sets out the information requested.

Total amounts paid by my Department in respect of banking consultancies
Year	Payees	Total Paid €’000
2006	N/a	€0
2007	N/a	€0
2008	Arthur Cox & Co	€1,628
2009	Arthur Cox & Co, Watson Wyatt Limited, Hay Group Ireland Limited	€5,888
2010	Arthur Cox & Co, PricewaterhouseCoopers	€3,205

The purpose of the individual contracts is as follows:

Arthur Cox & Co — Legal advice in respect of guarantees (CIFS & ELG), nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank, recapitalisations and restructuring plans — ongoing

Watson Wyatt — Professional services provided to CIROC in relation to the Executive Compensation Market in Ireland and overseas — contract complete

Hay Group Ireland Limited — Presentation to CIROC on banking remuneration — contract complete

PricewaterhouseCoopers — Professional Fees in respect of accounting advice on promissory notes. — contract complete

The requirement for ongoing professional advice will be driven by developments in the financial markets and as such the Arthur Cox contract is not of a specified duration. The provision in the 2010 Estimate for such professional advice is €4.3m and I expect that the costs will remain within this Estimate. A further provision of €2m is included in the Vote 6 2010 Estimate in respect of the Banking Inquiry. Mr. Peter Nyberg has commenced the process of recruiting experts to assist in this Inquiry and the costs in 2010 are expected to remain within budget.

2011 Estimates are not yet finalised but it is likely that there will be a continuing need for provisions for both Banking Consultancies and the Banking Inquiry in 2011. The work of the Banking Inquiry is expected to be completed by mid-2011.

National Pensions Reserve Fund

Joan Burton

Question:

529 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance to set out the current value of the National Pensions Reserve Fund, broken down into the discretionary and non-discretionary investment portfolios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34110/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The National Pensions Reserve Fund was established on 2 April 2001 under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 with the objective of meeting as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare pensions and public service pensions to be paid from the year 2025 until at least 2055. The National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission — who control and manage the Fund — publish a report on the performance of the NPRF as of the end of each quarter on the Commission's website www.nprf.ie. The most recent such report, to 30 June 2010, valued the Fund at €24.1 billion.

The value of the discretionary portfolio (investments made under the Fund's investment policy and for which the Commission is responsible) was €17.3 billion as of 30 June 2010. The value of the investments in Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks plc, made by the Fund at the direction of the Minister for Finance, was €6.8 billion at the same date. This latter figure does not include €491 million in cash received by the NPRF in return for the cancellation of the warrants issued by Bank of Ireland in conjunction with the preference stock. This warrant cancellation formed part of the NPRF's participation in the capital-raising exercise announced by Bank of Ireland on 26 April 2010. This receipt has been allocated to the Fund's discretionary portfolio.

Proposed Legislation

Joan Burton

Question:

530 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if the proposed split of Anglo Irish Bank into a funding bank and an asset recovery bank will require new legislation and, if so, when he expects to introduce this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34111/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As the Deputy will be aware I have instructed Anglo Irish Bank to prepare, in conjunction with the NTMA, the Central Bank/Financial Regulator and my Department, a detailed plan to reflect the restructuring approach decided by Government. This involves splitting the existing bank into an Asset Recovery bank and a Funding bank. As part of this process the necessity or otherwise for the introduction of specific new legislation to underpin the implementation of the plan is being considered. Once this work is complete I will be in better position to advise the Deputy on the necessity or otherwise of new legislation.

Tax Code

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

531 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance when he last reviewed the operation of the €10 air travel tax with the Department of Transport and the Department for Tourism, Culture and Sport; his views on whether the travel tax is contributing to the haemorrhaging of passenger numbers through airports here with a knock-on effect on the travel and tourism industries; if he will put the cost benefit analysis for the travel tax in the Oireachtas Library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26829/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

As a matter of policy, taxation measures are reviewed on a regular basis and particularly as part of the Budgetary process. While this issue is primarily a tax matter, I continue to take soundings from Ministers with responsibility for both tourism and transport. The air travel tax was one of a number of Budgetary measures introduced that was necessary in the context of an overall response to the fiscal challenges we face and represents a genuine effort to broaden the tax base in a fair and equitable manner. I have stated before that the impact of the tax on passenger numbers is being overstated.

As the Deputy will be aware, Germany has announced plans to introduce an air travel tax with effect from 1 January 2011.

Capital Expenditure Programmes

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

532 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance his views on the launch of the Government’s infrastructure investment priorities for 2010-2016 on 26 July 2010. [32303/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Government published Infrastructure Investment Priorities for 2010-2016 last July to show how it will focus capital expenditure on those programmes and projects most appropriate to our current economic circumstances. The priority will be to invest in infrastructure which helps to grow the economy and restore competitiveness, drive the smart economy, support employment, enhance environmental sustainability and vital social infrastructure.

Key priorities for investment include:

Water Services

Science, enterprise, innovation

Public transport

School building and maintenance

Health infrastructure

Energy efficiency

Flood mitigation

Tourism infrastructure

There is less need in the plan for funding for social housing and roads compared to recent years, given changes in the housing market and the imminent completion of the inter-urban motorways network. However, substantial funding will continue to be allocated to urban regeneration, particularly in Limerick and Ballymun, as well as to road maintenance and other road projects.

National Pensions Reserve Fund

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

533 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the strategy, such as that practised by Norway, regarding ethical investment of State-sourced funds; and the way this impinges on the operation of the National Pensions Reserve Fund. [29657/10]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I announced, during the debate on the Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009 last March, that the preparation of the draft legislation provided an opportunity to consider once again the position regarding ethical investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) and that I would establish an Interdepartmental Committee to examine the issues further and to report to me. The Committee included representatives of the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Foreign Affairs, as well as officials from my Department and representatives of the National Treasury Management Agency as Manager of the NPRF.

In its work, the Committee has considered the appropriateness and possible nature of an ethical investment policy for the NPRF. The approaches to ethical/responsible investment taken in other countries, including Norway, have been reviewed, and submissions from a number of civil society organisations have also been considered. The Deputy will also be aware that the NPRF was a founding signatory in April 2006 to the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment which seek to integrate environmental, social and governance issues, in addition to financial issues, into investment analysis and decision-making.

The report of the Committee has been submitted to me and I expect to bring proposals to Government shortly.

Health Service Staff

Finian McGrath

Question:

534 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [31884/10]

Finian McGrath

Question:

561 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied). [31839/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 561 together.

Responsibility for processing payments to Community Midwives rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE) with whom the midwives concerned have entered into relevant arrangements. The HSE has advised my Department that it had discussions with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in July 2010 and it was agreed that the Executive can pay Community Midwives through its Accounts Payable Systems, subject to Professional Services Withholding Tax. The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has reserved the right to review their decision in the future.

Child Care Services

James Bannon

Question:

535 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will set up the 116000 — EU hotline number for missing children, which was reserved by the European Commission in 2007 for the entire EU but which Ireland has as yet failed to put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31900/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

I have discussed the proposal to put in place a hotline for missing children that is operation in some EU Member States with members of charitable organisations and non-Governmental organisations with a view to providing some level of service. My office is currently involved in discussions with other relevant Government Departments in relation to the establishment of this service. I will keep the Deputy informed of developments in this regard.

Health Service Allowances

Pat Breen

Question:

536 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received from County Clare for the back to school and clothing allowance scheme for 2010; the number of applications processed to date; the number of weeks applicants were awaiting payment of same; the number of applications yet to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32072/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Health Services Funding

John O'Mahony

Question:

537 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money collected by the Health Service Executive under the Government inpatient levy for the years 2005 to 2009, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32240/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 559 together.

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

Pat Breen

Question:

546 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will issue on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31717/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

547 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a specific application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [31718/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

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

Hospital Services

James Bannon

Question:

548 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) has been transferred from Cavan Regional Hospital to the Mater Hospital, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31733/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

James Bannon

Question:

549 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for assessment under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31736/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

The Health Service Executive has advised that they replied to you on this matter on the 10th September 2010.

Medical Cards

James Bannon

Question:

550 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) has had their medical card withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31737/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Inter-Country Adoptions

Tom Hayes

Question:

551 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if it will be necessary to have a working agreement in place with Vietnam in order to progress adoptions from that country once the Hague Convention has been ratified by both countries; when discussions on that working agreement need to be commenced; the length of time they will be expected to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31738/10]

Dan Neville

Question:

692 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the agreement on adoptions between Ireland and Vietnam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32910/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 692 together.

The Adoption Act, 2010 gives force of law to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. The new legislation, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, is designed to provide a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child. Future intercountry adoption arrangements will be governed by the terms of the Adoption Act, 2010, once commenced.

The papers for the ratification of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption were deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on 28th July 2010. In accordance with Article 46.1 of the Convention, the Convention enters into force for Ireland on 1 November 2010. It is my understanding that the Vietnamese National Assembly has recently passed legislation which should allow for a move to ratification of the Hague Convention. In the event that both Ireland and Vietnam ratify the Convention there is every reason to expect that adoptions from Vietnam could re-commence subject to the provisions of the Convention and the legislation in both Countries being met in this regard.

As both countries will have ratified the Hague Convention there will be no need for a formal bi-lateral agreement with regard to inter-country adoption. At the time of ratification Ireland and Vietnam will each designate a Central Authority to discharge the duties which are imposed by the Hague Convention. Administrative arrangements will be a matter for the Adoption Authority, as Ireland's designated Central Authority, to make with the designated Vietnamese Central Authority.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Brian Hayes

Question:

552 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the price for drugs now paid by the Health Service Executive under the drugs payment scheme is substantially different to the price now charged by pharmacies here; her views on whether this price differential is now being paid in full by those who depend on their medicines for their well-being and health; the discussions, if any that are ongoing between the Irish Pharmacy Union, her Department and the Health Service Executive to resolve this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31740/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I have introduced a number of measures in the past year to reduce the costs of drugs and medicines for both the State and consumers. These measures have included a reduction in the wholesale and retail mark-ups under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 and new price agreements with IPHA (Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association) and APMI (Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Ireland) which have reduced the price of hundreds of the most commonly prescribed off-patent medicines by 40%. Cumulatively these measures are expected to deliver savings to the State of over €200m in 2010.

I was most concerned to learn that some pharmacists were not passing on the benefits of these price and margin reductions to those patients whose expenditure on drug purchases are not met by the Health Service Executive e.g. persons whose monthly expenditure is below the €120 per month threshold under the Drugs Payment Scheme. I have raised this matter with the Irish Pharmacy Union. It is disappointing that some pharmacists are withholding the benefit of the lower prices from some of their customers. The public deserve better in these difficult economic times.

The Code of Conduct for Pharmacists issued by the Pharmacy Regulator (The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland) requires pharmacists, amongst other things, to provide honest, relevant, accurate, current and appropriate information to patients regarding the nature, cost, value and benefit of medicines, health-related products and services provided by them. Every pharmacist has an obligation to comply in full with the statutory Code of Conduct. Patients have every right to ask a pharmacist the reasons for the price they are being charged and if dissatisfied can, if they so choose, transfer their custom to an alternative pharmacy.

Health Services

James Reilly

Question:

553 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be given a date sooner than the two years advised for a consultant appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31756/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Joe Carey

Question:

554 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been assessed and diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder in the mid-west region in counties Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31764/10]

Joe Carey

Question:

555 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder receiving therapy including psychology, occupational, speech and language and physiotherapy by the early intervention team in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31765/10]

Joe Carey

Question:

556 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder currently on waiting lists for assessment from an early intervention team in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31767/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together.

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

Hospital Services

Joe Carey

Question:

557 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the acute psychiatric unit at Ennis General Hospital, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31768/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Health Care Professionals.

Joe Carey

Question:

558 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider relaxing the criteria for qualifying to practice thereby allowing college graduates to play a more immediate role in delivering their skills to those who most need them on the frontline in view of the lack of appropriately qualified therapists in this country and the difficulties being experienced by the Health Service Executive in recruiting personnel in vital areas such as speech and language, occupational and physiotherapy, a process which is resulting in long waiting lists to access services. [31819/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

There has been a growing demand for, and investment in, therapy services over the last number of years. A particular priority for my Department and the Department of Education and Skills in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates. The Government has invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future. Clinical education is an essential component of the therapy degree programmes. Undergraduate students from the therapy professions must complete up to 1000 clinical placement hours as part requirement for their undergraduate qualification. The current minimum standards for the education of therapy graduates provides that each student will complete sufficient hours or fieldwork to ensure the integration of theory into practice. These placements are arranged to ensure that all students have adequate exposure to key aspects of practice in relevant settings and are fully necessary to equip and enable health and social care professional graduates to practice safely and in a manner which will ensure the provision of high-quality interventions, meeting the challenges of increasingly complex and evolving care for service users, whilst providing the highest level of patient care and service.

With regard to the continued recruitment of therapy professionals, my Department has written to the Health Service Executive setting out the overall approved employment control ceiling for 2010. As part of this approval, written confirmation has been provided to the HSE that the general moratorium on recruitment, promotion and the payment of acting up allowances does not apply to specific designated grades. Delegated sanction has been given to the HSE for the creation and filling of frontline posts including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy posts. The approval indicated that vacancies in existing posts in these grades may continue to be filled. New posts may also be created in these grades, up to a specified limit, provided that the HSE is satisfied in each case that there is no scope to redeploy an equivalent post from the hospital sector to the primary and community care sector. This moratorium exemption provides for an increase in the number of therapy posts, in line with Government policy, in order to meet the requirements of integrated care delivery and primary care needs particularly in respect of children at risk, the elderly and those with disabilities.

Question No. 559 with Question No. 545.

Hospitals Building Programme

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

560 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive has signed the contract to develop phase two of the new cancer services at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin which will replace the facilities offered at St. Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin 6; if she will outline the construction that will take place under this phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31838/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO) provides the national infrastructure for radiation oncology for around the next 25 years. Phase 1 of the NPRO involves the construction of new facilities at Beaumont and St James's Hospitals, with four linear accelerators in each. These new centres will be completed at the end of this year, at which time some staff and resources from St Luke's will transfer to these centres. The three facilities will then form the St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network for Dublin Mid-Leinster and Dublin North-East. This will provide adequate capacity to deal with patient needs until at least 2015.

Phase 2 of the NPRO will be delivered through Public Private Partnership and will provide additional capacity at Beaumont, St James's, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway. Satellite centres will also be developed at the MidWestern Regional Hospital in Limerick (linked to University Hospital Galway) and at Waterford Regional Hospital (linked to Cork University Hospital). The procurement process for these facilities awaits the Government's consideration of the Public Sector Benchmark for the Plan.

The Plan also involves support for the development of facilities at Altnagelvin by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland, as a number of patients from Donegal travel to St Luke's Hospital at present for radiation oncology services. The Business Case for this development has now been finalised and is awaiting approval by Minister McGimpsey. I have committed to providing a capital contribution to the Project, in recognition of the fact that approximately one third of the patients who will attend the Altnagelvin Centre will be from Donegal and the surrounding areas.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 562, 564, 565, 568 and 569 together.

There are no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

A Represention by the Deputy on behalf of the Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre was received by my Department on 23rd July 2010. A reply issued to the Deputy on 28th July 2010, enclosing an application form inviting the Group to avail of National Lottery Funding.

My Department has not received a completed application from the Group to date.

Questions Nos. 568 and 569 answered with Question No. 562.

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Question:

570 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [31853/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Dan Neville

Question:

574 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the funding to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association to allow it to develop its services (details supplied). [31938/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Medicinal Products

Leo Varadkar

Question:

575 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 29 June 2010, if she received the expert clinical advice that she has sought on this matter; if she intends to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1977 to allow doctors to prescribe Sativex; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31952/10]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

673 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she intends to have the drug Sativex made available to sufferers of MS and other related diseases in the immediate future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32799/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 673 together.

My Department is currently in the process of seeking expert clinical advice on the use of cannabis based medicinal products (such as Sativex) for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). If the expert advice indicates that the product Sativex is beneficial in the treatment of MS, my Department will examine what changes are required to the Misuse of Drugs legislation to allow for the possession, prescribing and dispensing of the medicinal product Sativex.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Question:

576 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children in respect of any State-owned enterprise under the aegis of her Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31962/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I take it that the Deputy is referring to commercial semi state companies of which there is only one established under the auspices of my Department.

The 2009 annual report and accounts of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board, trading as Vhi Healthcare, were received by my Department on 4 August 2010. The report has been submitted by my Department for laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas as required by the governing legislation.

Two annual reports were submitted to my Department in respect of 2008, to take account of a change in the financial accounting year implemented by the VHI during 2008. The report for the period March 2007 to February 2008 was received on 22 July 2008 and submitted by my Department for laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 September 2008. The report for the 10 month period from March to December 2008 was submitted by my Department for laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 July 2009.

Hepatitis C Incidence

Joan Burton

Question:

577 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children her position in respect of the treatment of women exposed to contaminated anti-D in State-run hospitals; her views on whether women could have been exposed to contaminated anti-D and developed symptoms consistent with Hepatitis C even though they may test negative for the disease; the number of women that are estimated to have fallen into this category; her plans to amend legislation in order to allow these women the prospect of legal remedy through the compensation tribunal or otherwise and to avail of medical supports put in place to treat women exposed to contaminated anti-D; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31977/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The entitlement of an individual to services under the Health (Amendment) Act, l996 now rests with the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Chief Executive Officer is bound by the definition of eligibility inserted in the Health (Amendment) Act 2006 by section 6 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006, which requires a positive diagnostic test for applications received after the specified date of 20th June 2006. In respect of persons who have made an application after 20th June 2006, the legal position is clear and unambiguous.

In respect of persons who made an application before that date, the Chief Executive Officer is still obliged to satisfy himself that the applicant was infected with Hepatitis C. In that regard, I have asked the HSE to take account of any relevant decision of the Hepatitis C & HIV Compensation Tribunal on the basis that the Tribunal arrives at its decisions after careful consideration of expert testimony.

I have given a great deal of consideration to the issue of women who have neither a positive test result nor a positive Tribunal decision in their favour and I am very sympathetic to the women in question. While this cohort of women who have tested negative for Hepatitis C has had, and may continue to have, a variety of symptoms, there is no scientific proof that the symptoms are specific evidence of Hepatitis C infection. Some symptoms of Hepatitis C, such as fatigue, fibromyalgia and depression are common conditions that occur in the general population. It is estimated that up to16,000 people were exposed to potentially infectious batches of Anti-D and approximately 1,000 of these people were infected with Hepatitis C. I have to take into account the rationale which led to the clarification of eligibility requirements in 2006 and accordingly, I do not envisage a change in the current eligibility requirements.

I should point out that the women in question are entitled to apply for a regular medical card. Application forms for a medical card are available from the HSE's local health offices. The HSE has discretion to award a regular medical card to a person whose income is over the financial guidelines, where the HSE decides that the financial burden of medical or other exceptional circumstances would cause undue hardship.

National Lottery Funding

James Bannon

Question:

578 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an update on the application for grant assistance under lottery funding in respect of a community group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31982/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

My Department has received an application for funding from the 2010 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department.

The Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

Health Services

Deirdre Clune

Question:

579 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if the provision of a 20-bed inpatient unit and school facility at Sacred Heart Convent in Bessboro, Blackrock, Cork will include beds specifically dedicated for eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31997/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Finian McGrath

Question:

580 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied). [32001/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Hospital Charges

Finian McGrath

Question:

589 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [32091/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the subsequent Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005 and the (Health Charges for In-patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 provide the legislative basis for the imposition of long stay charges. The legislation provides for two different classes of person for the purpose of levying a charge.

Class 1

Class 1 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services on premises where nursing care is provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises.

Class 2

Class 2 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services where nursing care is not provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises.

The Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 amend the 2005 regulations and provide for the first increase in the level of long stay charges payable since 2005. The following revised level of charges will apply.

In the case of Class 1 a weekly charge of €153.25 or the weekly income of that person less €44.70, whichever is the lesser. In the case of Class 2 a weekly charge of €114.95 or the weekly income of that person less €70.25 or 60% of the weekly income of that person, whichever is the lesser.

The actual charge levied will vary from person to person depending on individual circumstances and under the legislation the Health Service Executive can waive or reduce the charges to avoid undue financial hardship.

Health Services

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

590 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the justification for the withdrawal of health treatment for dental services under the medical card scheme; if this dental service to medical card holders will be restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32096/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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. There are no plans to reverse these changes.

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. Services for high-risk patients and those requiring exceptional care continue to be available. The remaining care provision is subject to prior approval, which will be required from a clinician in the HSE, who will prioritise for:

High risk and exceptional patients,

Those requiring emergency care, and

Patients who are considered to have greater clinical urgency and/or necessity in receiving care.

Where prior approval is required for the treatment, the HSE Principal Dental Surgeons will apply their professional judgment to determine, in the circumstances, whether or not there is a clinical emergency, and whether or not treatment should therefore be approved. The HSE will also 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

Pat Breen

Question:

591 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech and language therapists the Health Service Executive have covering County Clare; if there are any vacant positions at present; if so, when these vacancies will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32113/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. With regard to the provision of speech and language therapy services, this is a service matter and it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Service Reform

Pat Breen

Question:

592 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the Health Service Executive’s budgetary cutbacks proposals for the Health Service Executive West region including County Clare; the implications for the delivery of frontline services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32114/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The HSE is working within limited financial resources. The appropriate management of the public finances means that the health sector, which represents over 27% of public expenditure, must operate within the approved budget set out at the start of the year. The key objectives to be addressed within this budget are patient safety and the protection of services. The HSE's 2010 Service Plan targeted delivery of the same overall levels of service as were achieved last year. So far this year these service targets are being met and, indeed, in some cases exceeded.

As the Deputy is aware, the National Service Plan 2010 also contained a number of economic and cost avoidance measures for 2010 (in addition to a continuation of 2009 measures). The Government made significant decisions on pay reductions, non-pay spending, revenue raising and employment control in the Budget. The HSE is implementing these measures in order to deliver the Service Plan within its available resources. It is clear that the financial challenges underpinning the HSE's delivery of the Service Plan, while achievable, continue to require careful budgetary management across the organisation and its funded agencies.

With regard to budgetary issues in the West, at the end of March HSE West was facing a projected end year deficit of €130m. Significant cost containment efforts have been undertaken. The latest indication from the HSE West is that at the end of August there is a potential year end excess of €49m. This represents a substantial reduction on the projected excess but obviously demands continued management of expenditure. At a Labour Relations Commission hearing in August, the HSE West and the health sector unions signed a framework document agreeing to engage with one another on addressing the budget deficit whilst protecting jobs and services. This offers the best approach in meeting the health care needs of the people of the region.

Notwithstanding the difficult financial environment, the Government is determined to do everything possible to protect patient services, to respond to priority demographic and other needs and to support ongoing reform of the public heath services within the resources available for health. To achieve this, staff at all levels will have to work together to deliver services in a more flexible way. Without that co-operation and flexibility, services to patients cannot be protected. There is responsibility on everyone involved to deliver services within budget in new ways that will serve patient needs in accordance with international practice.

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Question:

593 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [32117/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Medical Cards

Róisín Shortall

Question:

594 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deciding officers, inspectors and medical assessors employed for the purposes of medical card assessment and medical card appeals on a county basis. [32127/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As the information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department as a matter of routine, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Staff

M. J. Nolan

Question:

595 Deputy M. J. Nolan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons employed in the Department of Health as of the 1 September 2010. [32128/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The whole time equivalent number employed in the Department of Health and Children at the end of August 2010 was 470.91 (including industrial staff).

Distribution of Staffing across the Department	WTE
Department of Health & Children	351.36
Office of the Minister for Children	73.90
Adoption Board	26.65
Office of the Ombudsman for Children	9.00
Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office	6.00
Office of the Disability Appeals Officer	4.00
Total	470.91

There are 425 staff currently employed in the core Department (in addition there are 46 staff employed across a number of smaller offices including the Adoption Board, the Office of the Children's Ombudsman, the Disability Appeals Office and the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office). This is a reduction of 126 (23%) on the number employed at the end of December 2004. In 2009 alone, 56 staff left the Department as a result of the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement, the Incentivised Career Break Scheme, normal age-related retirement or by way of redeployment to other departments. In line with the Employment Control Framework (ECF) setting out Government policy on numbers employed in the public service, the Department must further reduce its staffing to a core Department of around 400 by 2012. We will use appropriate mechanisms, including redeployment, to adhere to our ECF targets.

Notwithstanding the overall reductions referred to above, an additional three staff members have been assigned to the Board recently, and arrangements have also been made to deal with existing backlogs through overtime working.

Following recent enactment of the Adoption Act 2010 the Adoption Board is expected to be established as an independent Adoption Authority on 1st November 2010.

Foreign Adoptions

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

605 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health and Children the way current applications to the Adoption Board for adoption of children from Ethiopia will be impacted upon by the passing of the Adoption Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32156/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement with Ethiopia in respect of adoption. Consideration of this matter is ongoing. I have been in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Ethiopia as part of an assessment of adoption practice and the child welfare and protection systems in place in Ethiopia.

The Adoption Act, 2010, contains a provision that will enable prospective adoptive parents to proceed with an adoption from a non-Hague or non-bilateral country, if prior to the establishment date, they have been issued with a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt. The provision requires that the Adoption Authority (to be set up under the Act) would be satisfied that the particular adoption meets all the standards of the Hague Convention. In practice this will mean that persons with a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability from the Adoption Board issued prior to 1 November 2010 can continue the adoption, provided it is a Hague standard adoption.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

606 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when an application for a hearing aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32182/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

607 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the waiting list for hearing aids in each Health Service Executive region; the average waiting period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32183/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Health Services

James Bannon

Question:

608 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a primary medical certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32186/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Finian McGrath

Question:

609 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will support a case (detail supplied). [32191/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Suicide Prevention

Finian McGrath

Question:

610 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding strategies and actions taken to prevent suicide. [32199/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

‘A Vision for Change' describes a framework for building and fostering positive mental health across the entire community and for providing accessible, community-based, specialist services for people with mental illness. 'Reach Out' the National Strategy for Action on Suicide calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster cooperation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies. Implementation of these Strategies is a matter for the HSE. Initiatives which have been progressed by the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) include:

the development and implementation of national training programmes — to date approximately 18,000 people have been trained in the 2 day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) internationally recognised programme and over 2,000 have been trained in the half day SafeTalk programme;

development of a media monitoring mechanism;

availability of self-harm services through Hospital Emergency Departments;

implementing recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services;

supporting voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention;

developing mental health awareness campaigns —‘Your Mental Health’ awareness campaign and the ‘Let some one know’ campaign aimed at young people.

an information booklet entitled ‘Suicide Prevention in the Workplace’ which provides organisations and workplaces with practical guidance on how to respond to and support persons who are at risk of suicidal behaviour has been made available.

On 1 September the Government announced additional funding of almost €1million under the Dormant Accounts Fund for a programme of suicide prevention measures. The initiatives being funded will help communities to develop integrated local action plans for suicide prevention and will enhance the ability of communities to prevent suicidal behaviour at all levels of risk, and are consistent with ‘Reach Out’.

In April this year, I was pleased to launch a National Stigma Reduction Campaign, ‘See Change’. The aim of ‘See Change’ is to positively change social attitudes and behaviour, to inspire people to challenge their beliefs about mental illness and to be more open in their attitudes and behaviour and to encourage people in distress to seek help. A network of national and local organisations across the country will carry the anti-stigma message through local broadcasts, local print media and a range of other activities.

Professional Fees

Finian McGrath

Question:

611 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans and actions to deal with high general practitioner and dental costs for patients. [32200/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Damien English

Question:

618 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene on the recent decision made by the Health Service Executive to terminate surgical services at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan; and if she will instruct the HSE to reverse this decision in order to keep this service open to the people of County Meath. [32259/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland provided the Health Service Executive (HSE) with advice regarding safety issues in relation to surgery at Navan Hospital. Acting on this advice, the HSE decided to cease all emergency surgery at the hospital immediately, with effect from 1 September 2010.

The transfer of acute and emergency surgery from Our Lady's Hospital, Navan was always a long-term objective of the North East Transformation Plan. The Plan is designed to build a health system that is in line with the model of care emerging internationally.

The HSE has put a rota in place to manage patients safety. It is underpinned by a Standard Operating Policy (SOP), which clearly identifies the approach to be taken to managing patients who present to the Emergency Department at Navan and the responsibilities of various staff members.

Minor elective surgery (i.e. requiring local anaesthetic only) and endoscopy will remain in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. It is still also the regional centre for elective orthopaedic surgery.

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Question:

619 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [32266/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar

Question:

620 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in her, or if applicable her predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if she will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if she will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32277/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out below in tabular format. For ease of reference, I am presenting the information on a year by year basis. The Deputy should note that the staffing figures quoted refer to staff located in external constituency offices and within the Department engaged in constituency office work.

The column relating to constituency office costs refers to estimated costs incurred by my Department in the provision of certain services to a Minister's local constituency office. These costs relate in general to the provision phones, fax machines and/or photocopiers, IT equipment, software, configuration and consumable supplies. Where such items are requested by a Minister the policy in my Department is to provide them, where possible, from available stock. When Ministers complete their term of office at my Department these items are returned. It should be noted that these costs do not relate to rental or other maintenance costs of non-Departmental property.

Ministers also utilise some office space for constituency work at the Department's headquarters building. However, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of utility and ICT costs as such costs are not broken down by unit in my Department's records. However, the space involved is minimal and associated costs negligible as the overall building must be maintained and fitted out in a manner appropriate for all staff working at the Department.

Year	Minister	Staff WTE*	Total Cost of Staffing & Expenses	External Constituency Office Location	Departmental Property	Utility Estimated Costs	ICT Estimated Costs
			€			€	€
2010	Harney	2	60,459	—	—	—	—
	Andrews	3	102,733	Dun Laoghaire,Co Dublin	No	701	—
	Moloney	3	104,267	Mountmellick, Co. Laois	No	2,944	250
	Brady	4	117,745	Naas, Co. Kildare	No	718	150

Year	Minister	Staff WTE*	Total Cost of Staffing & Expenses	External Constituency Office Location	Departmental Property	Utility Estimated Costs	ICT Estimated Costs
			€			€	€
2009	Harney	2	127,986	—	—	—	—
	Hoctor	4 (Staffing at last day in office)	68,441	Nenagh, Co. Tipperary	No	724	—
	Andrews	3	165,455	Blackrock, Co. Dublin	No	808	—
	Moloney	3	176,148	Mountmellick, Co. Laois	No	2,952	250
	Wallace	5 (Staffing at last day in office)	81,742	Ashbourne & Ratoath,Co. Meath	No	5,641	—
	Brady	4	128,868	Naas,Co. Kildare	No	—	2,000

Year	Minister	Staff WTE*	Total Cost of Staffing & Expenses	External Constituency Office Location	Departmental Property	Utility Estimated Costs	ICT Estimated Costs
			€			€	€
2008	Harney	3	141,878	—	—	—	—
	Smith	5.6 (Staffing at last day in office)	90,623	Cavan, Co. Cavan	No	—	—
	Devins	3 (Staffing at last day in office)	63,382	Sligo Town, Co. Sligo	No	1,238	—
	Gallagher	4 (Staffing at last day in office)	139,011	Dungloe, Co. Donegal	No	2,548	—
	Hoctor	4	199,032	Nenagh, Co. Tipperary	No	2,688	1,100
	Andrews	3.6	101,642	Blackrock, Co. Dublin	No	548	1,400
	Moloney	4	96,639	Mountmellick, Co. Laois	No	2,656	6,700
	Wallace	5	85,348	Ashbourne & Ratoath, Co. Meath	No	8,440	2,200

Year	Minister	Staff WTE*	Total Cost of Staffing & Expenses	External Constituency Office Location	Departmental Property	Utility Estimated Costs	ICT Estimated Costs
			€			€	€
2007	Harney	3	72,997	Dublin 22	No	1,814	—
	Smith	5.6 (Staffing at last day in office)	114,046	Cavan, Co. Cavan	No	4,280	700
	Devins	3 (Staffing at last day in office)	48,850	Sligo Town, Co. Sligo	No	1,858	5,600
	Gallagher	4	83,311	Dungloe, Co. Donegal	No	4,620	1,800
	Hoctor	4	91,509	Nenagh, Co. Tipperary	No	1,700	7,000

I propose to take Questions Nos. 627, 634, 636, 675, 765, 775 and 803 together.

There are no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

Medical Cards

Pat Breen

Question:

628 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when an appeal for a medical card will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32378/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Health Services

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

629 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange for an urgent appointment to issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who requires specific treatment. [32381/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The CETS scheme replaces the previous childcare support schemes implemented by FAS and the Vocational Educational Committees (VECs). Under the FAS and VEC schemes, qualifying students and trainees attending certain FAS and VEC courses could apply for a childcare support payment of up to €63.50 per week towards their childcare costs. Under the new CETS scheme, participating services are paid a weekly capitation fee of €170 for each full-time childcare place contracted with their service with lesser amounts obtaining for half day and afterschool places. In return, the service is required to provide a childcare place free of charge to the qualifying student or trainee.

Childcare places have been contracted in each location on the basis of information on the expected local demand, on the basis of information provided to my Office by FAS and the VECs. The local City and County Childcare Committees, which help the Childcare Directorate of my Office to implement its early childhood care and education programmes, have also assisted this process. FAS and the VECs continue to be responsible for determining whether students and trainees qualify for childcare support and will advise them of where CETS places are being provided. There is no change in the number of places provided for under the new arrangements and almost 3,000 full-time equivalent childcare places will be supported in services throughout the State.

Given the more generous provision under the scheme, to assist parents into employment through training and education, the new arrangements are expected to cost €23 million in a full year, €13 million more than under the previous arrangements.

Question No. 634 answered with Question No. 627.

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

Question:

635 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an operation will be arranged as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, for posterior symmetrical correction and fusion in view of the fact of the pain being suffered by the patient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32432/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Subject to the resources available to it, the National Treatment Purchase Fund may arrange treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.

Question No. 636 answered with Question No. 627.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

637 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason it is taking more than 12 months to reimburse patients for surgical appliances under the drugs payment scheme; the reason it is necessary for patients to pay the pharmacist and reclaim the money rather than have this scheme on-line with the rest of the drugs payment scheme; the reason that refunds under the scheme cannot be dealt with in a more efficient manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32450/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

638 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a family (details supplied) in County Dublin will be reimbursed in a timely manner for essential appliances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32451/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Hospital Services

730 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason breast check screening services have not been scheduled in County Clare in view of a claim (details supplied) that it would be included in the autumn schedule. [33231/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 730 together.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 643, 645, 649, 650, 670, 674 and 709 together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Expenditure

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

644 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a breakdown of the costs involved in the transfer of the Health Service Executive offices to the Model Business Park in Cork; the reason such a move was considered necessary; her views on whether this expenditure is justified in view of cutbacks in frontline services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32493/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply

Question No. 645 answered with Question No. 643.

Hospital Services

Charles Flanagan

Question:

646 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Laois can expect to be called for a surgical procedure in view of the fact that their health is deteriorating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32510/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Charles Flanagan

Question:

647 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Laois can expect to be called for a cardiac treatment at St. James Hospital, Dublin.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32512/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Health Services

Deirdre Clune

Question:

648 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting times for orthodontic assessment and treatment services for children on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32515/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Questions Nos. 649 and 650 answered with Question No. 643.

Early Intervention Scheme

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

651 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been on a waiting list since March 2010 will be assessed under the early intervention scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32545/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme

Dan Neville

Question:

652 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify whether an institution (details supplied) in County Limerick is covered under the health repayment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32549/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the Health Repayment Scheme in conjunction with the appointed Scheme Administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald.

The Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provides a clear legal framework to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long term residential care including contract beds in private institutions. Recoverable health charges are charges which were imposed on persons with full eligibility under the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976 as amended in 1987 or charges for in-patient services only, raised under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954 as amended in 1965.

All applications from or in respect of persons who were admitted to long stay residences are assessed within this legal framework and only the specific charges outlined above are repayable under the Health Repayment Scheme.

Pharmacy Regulations

Dan Neville

Question:

653 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the response that she will issue to persons regarding her plans and those of the Health Service Executive to introduce a scheme called reference pricing and generic substitution for all prescription drugs here, including osteoporosis; if she will reconsider her initial plans and agree to firstly consult osteoporosis specialists. [32550/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Government has decided to introduce a system of reference pricing combined with generic substitution of medicines. This will promote price competition and deliver ongoing savings for both the State and for patients.

In June, I launched a report, prepared by a joint working group made up of officials and healthcare professionals from my Department and the HSE, which sets out a proposed model for the operation of generic substitution and reference pricing in Ireland. The working group consulted with a wide range of stakeholders as part of its work. Decisions about the interchangeability of medicines will be evidence-based and take into account best practice elsewhere. I expect to see significant progress on the implementation of this initiative, including the identification of legislative and administrative changes required to give it effect in 2011.

Health Services

Pat Breen

Question:

654 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 21 April 2010, when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32558/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Question:

657 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when provision will be made for optical treatment to be offered to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32751/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

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

Health Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

663 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if an increase in home help hours can be organised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32761/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

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

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

Michael Ring

Question:

672 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant rheumatologists in the Health Service Executive West region; their locations; the current waiting lists for persons to be seen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32792/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Question No. 673 answered with Question No. 575.

It is recognised that the introduction of the scheme has raised a number of issues in relation to service provision and supports for children with special needs and the need to ensure a coherent approach across both specialist and mainstream settings. While many children with special needs may require specialist services, others will benefit from attending mainstream services or a mixture of the two. To achieve these outcomes, earlier this year this office asked the office of disability and mental health to set up a working group to look at existing services and supports and the allocation of resources for pre-school children with special needs. This group is expected to report shortly following which the arrangements for children with special needs under the ECCE scheme will be further considered.

In the meantime while the scheme as initiated does not provide for any additional provision for children with special needs, pending any arrangements which are put in place following the report of the working group, a limited number of children with severe disabilities who had availed of the scheme in the introductory period of January to June 2010 have been approved for re-entry into the scheme in September 2010, the first full year of the scheme, on an exceptional basis in respect of that academic year only.

More than 53,000 children availed of the free pre-school provision in the period January to August 2010 and applications by approximately 63,000 children have been submitted for entry to the scheme for the school year which commenced in September. As a universal scheme available to all children, data in respect of the number of participating in the scheme who have special needs, is not collected.

Questions Nos. 679 and 680 answered with Question No. 583.

Health Services

Sean Sherlock

Question:

681 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children nationally awaiting assessment by an occupational or speech therapist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32865/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

There are no plans for persons in receipt of a medical card as a result of a UK entitlement to lose the dental benefit element of their entitlement.

The Government's decision announced in Budget 2010 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.

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, including persons in receipt of a medical card as a result of a UK entitlement, and to safeguard services for children and special needs groups. Services for high-risk patients and those requiring exceptional care continue to be available. The remaining care provision is subject to prior approval, which will be required from a clinician in the HSE, who will prioritise for: high risk and exceptional patients; those requiring emergency care, and; patients who are considered to have greater clinical urgency and/or necessity in receiving care.

Where prior approval is required for the treatment, the HSE principal dental surgeons will apply their professional judgment to determine, in the circumstances, whether or not there is a clinical emergency, and whether or not treatment should therefore be approved. The HSE will also 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.

Jack Wall

Question:

690 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal against the decision not to grant a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32886/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Hospital Services

Dan Neville

Question:

691 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32900/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The HSE has put in place interim arrangements (to end 2012) to support the use of Eculizumab for a number of patients for whom it may in time be shown to provide a clinical benefit.

This arrangement will be managed under the clinical supervision of the Department of Haematology at St James's Hospital, Dublin. Any patient who may be a candidate for this treatment should be referred to St James's Hospital for assessment.

The Deputy's enquiry regarding a named patient has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 692 answered with Question No. 551.

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Question:

693 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [32916/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Hospital Services

Damien English

Question:

694 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of inter hospital transfers in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, outward from Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan to each hospital (details supplied) in the North East and inward to Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan from each hospital in the North East; in tabular form. [32922/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton

Question:

695 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated number of man hours of overtime worked in agencies or authorities or divisions which report to her from 2008 to date in 2010; the total costs involved; the overtime premia which apply for overtime working at different times and for callouts when workers are on call. [32926/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

My Department does not retain the records requested by the Deputy regarding the number of man hours of overtime worked or the associated costs, in external agencies (the HSE and non-commercial state-sponsored bodies) under the aegis of my Department.

Accordingly, I have referred this part of the question (overtime man hours and costs) to the executive, for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. My Department is also writing to the relevant non-commercial state sponsored bodies to ask that they provide a response in relation to their organisation. This material will then be compiled by my Department and forwarded to the Deputy, as soon as it is available.

With regard to the Deputy's query concerning overtime premia which apply for overtime working at different times and for callouts, where workers are on call, I am informed that there are different methods used in the calculation of such payments, depending on the category of worker involved (e.g. Nursing, Dental, clerical/admin, etc.), and the duty being carried out. Chapter 3 of the HSE publication entitled Terms and Conditions of Employment (May 2009) deals with the after hours attendance arrangements and payments for such which generally apply in the public health service. I have asked that a copy of this publication be sent to the Deputy, for his information.

Medical Research

Joe McHugh

Question:

696 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children further to comments made in the Dáil (details supplied) by Minister John Moloney on 21 May 2009, the actions taken by her, the Health Service Executive and the Health Research Board since that Dáil debate; her plans and those of the Health Service Executive in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32930/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Law Reform (Deputy John Moloney)

The Health Research Board (HRB) is the statutory agency for funding projects in all areas of health research. The HRB has worked closely with Duchenne Ireland and in March 2009 met with representatives from Duchenne Ireland to discuss the joint HRB/medical research charities group funding programme for medical research projects. I understand that two research applications supported by Duchenne Ireland were successful in obtaining funding in the most recent call for proposals under the scheme.

Question:

702 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide existing staffing levels at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32966/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)

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

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

Question:

703 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) has not obtained a bed at a hospital in Dublin; and if she will expedite the matter. [32983/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Health Service Allowances

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

704 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when back to school clothing and footwear allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32994/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Medical Cards

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

705 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will be restored to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32998/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Noel Ahern

Question:

706 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding entitlement to medical cards for persons on community employment schemes who are on invalidity pension; if there is automatic entitlement; if persons who take up community employment places qualify for a certain number of years; the reason the Health Service Executive refuse applications each year and grant it an appeal; and if renewal application from a person (details supplied ) Dublin 11 can now be approved. [33019/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

In accordance with the Health Service Executive's medical card / GP visit card national assessment guidelines, persons in receipt of the following allowances/benefits for a period of 12 months or more can retain their medical card for a period of three years from the date of taking up full-time employment: job seekers allowance; job seekers benefit; one parent family payment; illness benefit; invalidity pension; disability allowance; blind pension; employment incentive schemes or educational opportunity schemes.

Such persons taking up part-time employment can retain their medical card for a period of three years from the date their income exceeds the relevant medical card guideline figure.

Persons participating on the following Government schemes retain eligibility for a medical card for the duration of the scheme: back to work allowance; back to work enterprise allowance; back to education allowance; revenue job assist; community employment; VTOS; job initiative; rural social scheme; education, training and development option; community services programme; part-time job incentive; part-time education option; FÁS (non-apprenticeship courses); Youthreach; local employment services courses; Fáilte and Teagasc courses; wage subsidy scheme.

A person moving from one scheme to another will retain eligibility for a medical card as long as they remain on one of the above schemes.

Adult and child dependants of persons who retain their medical card either through receipt of specified allowances/benefits or participation on the above Government Schemes are also eligible for a medical card.

The specific case mentioned by the Deputy has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Charges

Noel Ahern

Question:

707 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding charges by hospitals for blood tests sent in by general practitioners; if all or most such tests are free if the general practitioner has been paid for consultation; if some changes apply and the scale for different tests; if some tests are free as part of national screening programmes; if all tests for persons registered with haemochromotosis must go to the centre for liver disease in the Mater Hospital, Dublin, at a cost of €120; and if so the reason for same. [33021/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

With the exception of charges paid by certain persons attending accident and emergency departments, no statutory charges are payable by patients receiving public outpatient services. This includes diagnostic tests referred by general practitioners to public hospitals.

General practitioners who hold General Medical Services contracts with the Health Service Executive must not seek or accept money from medical card or GP visit card holders in respect of routine treatment, including the provision of diagnostic tests.

Consultation fees charged to private patients by general practitioners are a matter of private contract between the doctor and the patient. While I have no role in relation to such fees, I would expect general practitioners to have regard to the overall economic situation in setting their fees. The Medical Council's guide to professional conduct and ethics for registered medical practitioners states that the fees charged should be appropriate to the service provided and that patients should be informed of the likely costs before the consultation and treatment.

715 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by residents of community homes regarding the interpretation of the Nursing Home Act and the role of Health Information and Quality Assurance in respect of those homes which will lead to additional expenditure by the management of the accommodation and the request of the Health Service Executive to de-list those homes from the register of inspection in view of their satisfaction at the quality and standard of care being offered under the present inspection regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33074/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

I understand the Deputy is referring to specific facilities providing residential care in the HSE Southern region. The Health Act, 2007 provides for the registration and inspection of nursing homes, both private and public. The Act assigns responsibility for the registration and inspection function to the independent chief inspector of social services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority. It is a matter for the chief inspector to decide whether certain facilities meet the definition of a designated centre and are therefore subject to this regime.

While I am aware that the HSE has written directly to the authority I have not received any request to have the facilities the Deputy is referring to de-listed.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a review of the Regulations will begin shortly. The Department will bear in mind issues raised, including issues specific to this type of residential facility, in the context of this review.

Medical Cards

Joe Costello

Question:

716 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reconsider her decision to refuse to renew the medical card in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33093/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

In September, 2009 the Health Information Quality Authority commenced an inspection of the foster care services in Local Health Offices Dublin North West, North Central and North Dublin. They published their reports in July, 2010 and the HSE submitted action plans to address all the issues raised. The recommendations are being implemented. Regular meetings have taken place between HIQA and the HSE since October, 2009 to monitor and review progress. Inspectors will undertake follow up inspection to ensure the recommendations have been implemented.

In October, 2009 the Health Service Executive undertook a National Audit of compliance with its obligations in relation to foster care and relative care as prescribed in the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995, and the National Standards for Foster Care, 2003 across the 32 Local Health Offices. An action plan is being implemented which will address the recommendations arising from the National Audit.

The Ryan Report which has been adopted by the Government recommended the recruitment of an additional 200 social workers to assist the delivery of children and family services nationally. 54 of these posts were allocated to HSE Dublin North East. A total of 36 staff have already commenced with a further 6 due to take up their posts in October, and the remainder scheduled to be in post by the end of 2010.

The HIQA published on 27th September 2010 a report of an inspection of four Local Health Areas in HSE South. Overall the findings from this inspection were positive; however there were deficits in the formal assessment of some relative carers and up to 25 children of the 690 in foster care did not have an allocated social worker due to staff maternity leave. The HSE South has recently recruited new social workers, some of whom will work with children in foster care to ensure their needs are met.

Hospitals Building Programme

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

736 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an update on the plans for the development of the proposed national children’s hospital at the Mater Hospital site, Dublin; if she will confirm her commitment to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33246/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and the HSE are making good progress in their work to bring this important project to fruition. The Integrated Design Team, appointed in October 2009, completed the concept designs for the new children's hospital and the Ambulatory & Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght in February 2010.

I can confirm that I remain committed to this project and am very pleased to note that the planning of the new hospital is proceeding. Construction of the hospital is due to be completed by the end of 2014. The development costs for the hospital are currently under detailed review by the Board. The development will be funded through a combination of direct Exchequer funding and other sources, including philanthropic contributions. The overall development costs will be known following completion of the competitive tendering exercise and are expected to reflect the increased value for money currently applying to large construction contracts.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

737 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm her commitment to the development of the proposed urgent care centre at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, in advance of the opening of the new children’s hospital at the Mater Hospital site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33247/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

My objective, and that of the Government, is to ensure the provision of a world-class hospital to serve the children of this country. I am happy to confirm my commitment to the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre to be situated at Tallaght which is an essential part of the development. The decision to provide ambulatory and emergency care services at Tallaght is based on recommendations made in the reports of McKinsey and Co (2006) and international health service consultants, RKW (2007). The services planned for the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght will meet the majority of paediatric ambulatory care needs, with all in-patient care provided in one hospital that can cater for in-patient requirements up to and including the safe management of the deterioration of a child's condition and internal transfer to critical care if required.

My Department is advised by the National Paediatric Development Board that the services planned for the Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght are as follows:

1. Emergency Care This unit will have 8 short-stay observation beds for children who do not require admission but require observation in the urgent care centre prior to discharge.

2. Day Care provided through 28 day care beds

Tom Hayes

Question:

740 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary can expect an assessment from an audiologist; if waiting times of 22 to 24 months for assessment are accepted by her as appropriate for assessment for hearing aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33257/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Tom Hayes

Question:

741 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that the cystic fibrosis neonatal screening programme will be rolled out in 2010, as previously confirmed; if she has liaised with the Health Service Executive on this development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33258/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis Steering Group was established in June 2009 under the Chairmanship of Professor Gerry Loftus, Professor of Paediatrics, Galway. This group has a broad membership from key stakeholders and experts in the field of cystic fibrosis.

I am aware that the HSE have provided for a dedicated Project lead for the Implementation of Cystic Fibrosis Screening who has commenced on 1st September 2010. The screening programme will commence implementation once all the necessary general and specific screening programme governance arrangements are in place. In this regard the HSE are working to have the necessary staff in place. However I am informed by the HSE that it is envisaged that the actual screening will commence in 2011.

Foreign Adoptions

Tom Hayes

Question:

742 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has been provided with an update regarding the status of the Vietnamese Government’s plans to ratify the Hague Convention so that adoptions from that country may resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33259/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

748 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an appointment for a consultation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33285/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

749 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a specific refund was ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will consider having this refund put back in place. [33287/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Question:

760 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that no services will be lost from a primary health care centre (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will confirm that such services will continue to be made available to medical card holders. [33338/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Hospital Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

761 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will undergo surgery at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33356/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Question No. 762 answered with Question No. 747.

Health Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

763 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be referred for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33358/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Medical Cards

John McGuinness

Question:

764 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a full medical card will be expedited in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [33361/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Question No. 765 answered with Question No. 627.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Joe McHugh

Question:

766 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting times for each county in respect of patients waiting for ear, nose and throat appointments; the numbers on these waiting lists for each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33389/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

John McGuinness

Question:

767 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny was refused orthodontic treatment; the reason their appeal against this decision resulted in them being examined by the same person that refused them in the first place; her views on this appeal system and her plans to change same; if an independent appeal process will now be arranged in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33397/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

From the returns made by participating services earlier this month, it appears that some 63,000 children are currently enrolled in the scheme, representing approximately 94% of children in the year prior to Junior Infants. Given that further children are availing of their preschool year through the Early Start programme, in special services for children with special needs, Traveller preschools and under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) scheme, it is estimated that some 97% of children are availing of a free preschool place. I am delighted with such a high level of participation in the scheme after such a short period, and I believe this vindicates the Government's decision to introduce the scheme as quickly as possible.

All services participating in the scheme are required to provide an age-appropriate educational programme regardless of whether they offer full day-care or sessional places. A range of educational approaches are offered in preschool services including the Montessori method, Highscope, Steiner-Waldorf and play-based. Whichever curricular method is followed, they are required to adhere to the principles of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, and Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.

The number of preschool services participating in the scheme has also increased from approximately 3,800 in January 2010 to 4,200 this September. The number of places that will be available to the scheme in these services will vary as, in many services, it will be dependent on the level of demand for full day-care places. However, services indicated in their returns that they had a combined total of approximately 20,400 vacancies which could be filled by ECCE qualifying children. Of the 1,270 services offering full and part-time day-care, 5,500 ECCE vacancies are reported. The remaining 14,900 ECCE vacancies were reported in sessional services. These figures indicate that the total number of places currently being offered is in the region of 84,000 and that the average occupancy rate is in the region of 75%. The day-care services also reported a combined total capacity, at any time, of just under 60,000 places.

I do not believe that there is any credibility in the suggestion that parents are switching their children from full day-care to sessional services as a result of the ECCE scheme. Children availing of the scheme in day-care settings may do so either while availing of full day-care (where the capitation is used to reduce the child-care fees), or by attending a free sessional place in that service. Not alone do many children participating in the preschool year do so in day-care services, there are few if any parents for whom a 3-hour place in a sessional service will facilitate their participation in employment, education or training. In fact, the evidence is that for the owners of many childcare services, the recession has reduced demand for their full day-care services very significantly, and the ECCE scheme, which provides a steady stream of income which is non-dependent on the level of local employment, has been instrumental in saving their businesses.

In terms of the impact of the scheme on employment in the sector, the September return indicates that over 30,000 staff are working in participating services compared to some 23,000 staff when the scheme was introduced. Given the reduced demand for day-care, it would appear that the scheme has been very beneficial in maintaining and increasing employment in the sector and this is further supported by the fact that the number of services participating in the scheme has increased by ten per cent between January and September 2010.

Medical Cards

Richard Bruton

Question:

771 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will extend medical card cover to all persons who qualify for carer’s allowance so that they will have the security of knowing that their own health needs were fully met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33437/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I have no plans to provide for the granting of medical cards to any particular group as a whole. Under the Health Act, 2004, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. The HSE has discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.

Professional Qualifications

John O'Mahony

Question:

772 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the validation for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is waiting to take up a position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33447/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I presume the Deputy is referring to the application by the person, whose details are supplied, to have her professional qualifications recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC for the purposes of seeking employment in the publicly-funded health service in Ireland. Persons should not seek such employment unless their qualifications have been recognised.

This Directive applies to all EEA nationals wishing to practise a regulated profession in an EU Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications. Its intention is to make it easier for certain professionals to practise their professions in European countries other than their own but due safeguards are provided in the assessment of the qualification for public health and safety and consumer protection.

Under Statutory Instruments Nos. 139 and 166 of 2008, which transpose the Directive into Irish law, the Minister for Health and Children is the Competent Authority for the profession in question. In the case of the health and social care professions, the Directive does not provide for automatic recognition of professional qualifications obtained in another Member State; it provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the qualifications of an applicant against those required to practise in the host member state. If the activities covered by the profession in the home and the host member state are not comparable, then the qualifications cannot be recognised. If the activities are comparable but deficits in the qualifications are identified, subsequent post-qualification professional experience of the applicant must be considered. If deficits still remain, the host Member State must offer an applicant a compensation measure, a choice of completing an adaptation period or taking an aptitude test.

The Directive provides a mechanism under which non-Irish professional qualifications can be considered for recognition but it is acknowledged to be a very complicated piece of legislation. The Directive should not be regarded as a "rubber-stamping" exercise; in the interest of the protection of public health and safety, and consumer protection, the qualifications of applicants must be assessed to ensure that they meet the standard of qualifications required to practise at entry-level within the Health Service Executive. The Directive provides for a decision to issue within 4 months of receipt of a complete application.

It would be inappropriate to comment on individual applications but I am advised that, in the case of this person's application, she was asked to supply additional information, and that a decision should issue very shortly.

Question No. 773 answered with Question No. 747.

Health Service Staff

Joe Carey

Question:

774 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of podiatrists working per Health Service Executive region and the location of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33459/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In this regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. With regard to the provision of podiatry services and the number of podiatrists working per Health Service Executive region, this is a service matter and it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 775 answered with Question No. 627.

Cross-Border Co-operation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

776 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that she agreed with the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (details supplied) in the Six Counties not to take forward or to publish the North-South feasibility report on co-operation in health; if so, at what meeting or meetings she agreed not to take forward or publish this report; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Minister in the Assembly on 14 September 2010, presented this as a joint decision between him and the Minister; if she will now publish the report and press for its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33461/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

In 2007, both Health Departments agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study on the potential for future cooperation. A Project Board representative of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI), the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, and Cooperation And Working Together (CAWT) was established to oversee the Study. The Study examined the potential for joint co-operation in health across an extensive range of health and social care services and makes a number of recommendations for future cooperation. The Study was conducted jointly and it was agreed would constitute a report to the two Ministers. Any action arising, including a decision to formally publish the Report, requires the agreement of both parties.

The Study was completed in 2009 and was presented to Ministers in April that year. While I have indicated my approval for the Study's recommendations, in a discussion with the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland in June this year, he informed me that he was not satisfied to endorse the Study. However, it would be wrong to assume that the non publication of this Study implies that there is no cooperation on health matters. Cross Border working on health has existed for many years and both Departments continue to collaborate on a wide range of health and social care issues. Currently, some of these issues include Radiotherapy Services, Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services, Emergency Planning, Child Protection, Health Promotion, Cancer Research and Suicide Prevention.

Both Health Ministers meet regularly under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council and continually review the existing arrangements for cooperation and explore other areas for collaboration where mutual benefit for both populations is demonstrated.

Mental Health Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

777 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the budget allocation for the mental health section of the Health Service Executive; if this budget is directly controlled by the mental health section. [33480/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Question No. 778 answered with Question No. 739.

Medical Cards

Michael Ring

Question:

779 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on an appeal for a medical card refusal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the circumstances in this case. [33624/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes

Question:

780 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount her Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile telephone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile telephones paid by the Department; the mobile telephone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33641/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

There are 180 official mobile phones/BlackBerrys in use by officers of my Department. The users are mainly Assistant Principal and above. The Department has a framework agreement with Vodafone that gives unlimited landline calls both local and national and unlimited texts and calls to national mobiles (085, 086 and 087) for a fixed price per month of €18.50 plus vat. Officials incurring charges outside these parameters i.e. while abroad, have to sign off on all official calls and pay for personal ones themselves.

The costs incurred from 2007 to June 2010 are as follows:

2007: €193,168;

2008: €170,882;

2009: €133,743;

2010: €55,841.

Care of the Elderly

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

781 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of assistance that can be offered in addition to the fair deal package to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33650/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

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

Question No. 782 answered with Question No. 747.

Question No. 783 answered with Question No. 726.

Question No. 784 withdrawn.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton

Question:

785 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons employed in her Department by grade; the number of agencies under her remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33707/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

There were 470.91 whole time equivalents employed in my Department at 31/08/2010. The following table details the breakdown of staff in my Department by grade.

Grade	No. of Staff 31/08/2010
Secretary General	1.00
Deputy Secretary	1.00
Assistant Secretary	6.00
Principal Officer	32.30
Assistant Principal Officer	85.20
Administrative Officer	13.50
Higher Executive Officer	87.13
Executive Officer	76.80
Staff Officer	12.13
Clerical Officer	87.96
Services Officer/Porters	10.80
Ministerial Staff	15.00
Professional/Technical	33.48
Staff Seconded from CAAB	8.6
Total	470.9

There were 109,228 whole time equivalents employed in the Health Service Executive at 31/07/2010. The following table details the breakdown of staff by Grade Category. A more detailed grade breakdown is being prepared and be will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Grade Category	No. of Staff 31/07/2010
Medical/Dental	7,992
Nursing	37,384
Health & Social Care Professionals	16,157
Management/Administrative	17,353
General Support Staff *	11,739
Other Patient & Client Care	18,602
Total	109,228

*Grades counted under the category heading General Support Staff include, inter alia, health care assistants, family support workers, therapy assistants, speech and language assistants, laboratory aides, household staff, catering staff, porters, laundry workers and general assistants. This category heading also includes other support grades and their supervisors across the Irish Health Service.

The following table outlines the number of staff by grade for 18 of the agencies under my remit. The information relates to the last day of the second quarter of 2010, the most recent data available. Information is being collated in respect of three further agencies — the Irish Medical Council (a self funded body), the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the National Social Work Qualifications Board. This will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Agency (Direct Funded)	Grade	No. of Staff
Food Safety Authority	Administrative Assistant	15.60
	Senior Administrative Assistant	9.60
	Technical Executive	20.20
	Higher Technical Executive	5.00
	Senior Technical Executive	4.00
	Press & PR Officer	1.00
	Manager	11.50
	Agricultural Officer	0.80
	Veterinary Officer	2.00
	Chief Specialist	5.00
	Director	3.00
	CEO	1.00
	Total	78.70
Food Safety Promotion Board	CEO	1.00
	Principal Officer (Higher)	1.00
	Principal Officer	1.00
	Assistant Principal (Higher)	1.00
	Assistant Principal	1.00
	Specialist in Public Health Medicine	0.80
	Senior Scientific Officer	4.00
	Senior Technical Executive	1.00
	Scientific Officer	1.00
	Higher Executive Officer	6.00
	Executive Officer	7.00
	Clerical Officer	5.00
	Total	29.80
Health and Social Care Professionals Council	Assistant Principal	2.00
	Executive Officer	1.00
	Clerical Officer	1.00
	Principal Officer (Higher)	1.00
	Total	5.00
Health Insurance Authority	Principal Officer	1.00
	Assistant Principal	2.00
	Higher Executive Officer	2.00
	Executive Officer	2.00
	Clerical Officer	1.60
	Total	8.60
Health Research Board	CEO	1.00
	Director	3.00
	Head of Unit	7.00
	Grade VIII	9.00
	Grade VII	15.10
	Grade VI	18.60
	Grade V	7.80
	Grade IV	7.00
	Grade III	1.00
	Support	4.00
	Total	73.50
Irish Medicines Board*	CEO	1.00
	Principal Officer	3.00
	Senior Assessor	25.90
	Executive Assessor	8.00
	Senior Medical Officer	9.90
	Medical Assessor	10.00
	Assessor	54.40
	Scientific Officer	27.00
	Grade VIII	2.00
	Grade VII	3.00
	Grade VI	11.00
	Grade V	15.10
	Grade IV	20.00
	Grade III	60.00
	Total	250.30
National Cancer Registry Board	Grade III	2.00
	Grade IV	6.00
	Grade V	12.20
	Grade VI	5.60
	Grade VII	1.50
	Grade VIII	0.80
	Senior Lecturer	2.00
	Principal Officer Higher	1.00
	Staff Nurse	8.10
	Senior Staff Nurse	4.20
	Senior Staff Nurse Dual Qualified	5.50
	Total	48.90
National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery	CEO	1.00
	Head of Professional Development (Director of Nursing Band I)	1.00
	Research Development Officer (Director of Nursing Band I)	0.50
	Professional Development Officer (Director of Nursing Band II)	3.00
	Head of Management Services (Clerical Admin Grade VII)	1.00
	Clerical Officer Grade IV	2.00
	Clerical Officer Grade III	2.00
	Total	10.50
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board	Clinical Director	0.50
	Assistant Secretary	1.00
	Grade VIII	1.00
	Total	2.50
National Treatment Purchase Fund	Grade III	2.00
	Grade IV	19.00
	Grade V	5.00
	Grade VI	6.00
	Grade VII	4.00
	Grade VIII	2.00
	Clinical Nurse Manager 1	5.00
	Clinical Nurse Manager 2	2.00
	Clinical Nurse Manager 3	1.00
	Director of Nursing	1.00
	Assistant Director of Nursing	1.00
	CEO	1.00
	Total	49.00
Office of Tobacco Control	Assistant Principal	1.00
	Grade IV	0.60
	Grade III	1.00
	Total	2.60
Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council	Grade III	2.00
	Grade IV	5.00
	Grade V	1.00
	Grade VI	1.00
	Grade VIII	3.00
	General Manager	1.00
	Principal Officer	1.00
	Total	14.00
Mental Health Commission	Clerical Officer	12.80
	Staff Officer	4.00
	Higher Executive Officer	6.50
	Assistant Principal	2.00
	Principal Officer	2.00
	Clinical Director	1.00
	Consultant Psychiatrist	6.75
	Director of Nursing (Mental Health)	1.00
	Principal Occupational Therapist	1.00
	Principal Social Worker	0.40
	Principal Clinical Psychologist	0.40
	Chief Exec Officer	1.00
	Total	38.85

*The Irish Medicines Board is mainly self funded, however it receives some direct funding from the Health Vote.

Agency (Self Funded)	Grade	No. of Staff
An Bord Altranais	CEO	1.00
	Service Manager	1.00
	Director of Nursing Band 1	1.00
	Grade VIII — vacant post	1.00
	Director of Nursing Band 2	5.00
	Grade VII	3.00
	Director of Nursing Band 3	0.50
	Grade VI	2.00
	Grade V	7.00
	Grade IV	8.00
	Grade III	12.00
	Porter/General Operative	2.00
	Total	43.50
Dental Council	Principal Officer	1.00
	Grade V	1.00
	Grade IV	1.00
	Grade III	2.00
	Total	5.00
Opticians Board	Assistant Principal	1.00
	Executive Officer	1.00
	Total	2.00
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland	Grade IV	5.00
	Grade V	4.00
	Grade VI	2.00
	Grade VIII	3.00
	Senior Pharmacist	3.00
	Chief I Pharmacist	1.00
	Advisory Council Grade III	1.00
	CEO	1.00
	Specialist Advisors	1.75
	Total	21.75
Health Insurance and Quality Authority	CEO	1.00
	Assistant Secretary	3.20
	Deputy Chief Professional	1.00
	Principal Officer	8.00
	Assistant Principal Higher	10.00
	Engineer I	20.00
	Assistant Principal	10.00
	Engineer II	34.90
	Higher Executive Officer	23.80
	Engineer III	2.00
	Executive Officer	15.00
	Clerical Officer	18.00
	Total	146.90

Ambulance Service

Sean Sherlock

Question:

786 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to amalgamate ambulance services to Youghal, Midleton and Fermoy, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33753/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Question:

790 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce a nationwide foot screening programme for persons suffering from diabetes as recommended by the expert advisory group in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33784/10]

Michael Noonan

Question:

847 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the inadequate podiatry services available to persons with diabetes in County Limerick; if she will liaise with the Health Service Executive for the setting up of a local service in Limerick as part of a national foot-screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34113/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 789, 790 and 847 together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Care of the Elderly

Michael Ring

Question:

791 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount provided towards home help services in County Mayo in the Health Service Executive budget allocation for 2010; the funding that was actually given to it this year; the amount that was spent on the home help services and the number of home help hours provided and the number of home help recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33785/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

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

Michael Ring

Question:

792 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the specific duties provided by the home help services to care recipients; if these duties are determined on a national or local basis and if there is any leeway or discretion in the allocation of duties based on the care recipient’s needs; the duties which are prohibited for home help service providers due to budgetary constraints which would previously have been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33788/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

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

General Medical Services Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

793 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which prescription charges for medical cardholders will be levied; if medical cardholders who have to pay charges of more than €10 per month will have to reclaim the excess from the Health Service Executive; the estimated cost of administering this scheme; and the estimated revenue to be raised from the charges. [33805/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Health (Amendment) (No 2) Act 2010 provides that from 1st October 2010, medical card holders will pay a 50c charge for items supplied to them by community pharmacists on the prescription of a GP, dentist or nurse who is entitled to prescribe. The charges will be subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family.

Where a person or family pays more than €10 per month the HSE will issue refunds automatically on a quarterly basis based on information received from the pharmacy. Where a person considers that they have not received the refund due, the person can apply on-line or on a refund claim form, to make a claim for a refund from the HSE.

I do not expect that the introduction of prescription charges will have any significant ongoing resource implications in terms of costs or staffing.

It is estimated that the yield from prescription charges will be about €2 million per month.

Medical Cards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

794 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with full medical cards here; and the number with general practitioner only medical cards. [33806/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Details of the number of medical card holders and GP visit card holders are provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department on a monthly basis. The most recent figures received from the Executive reflect the position as at the 1st August 2010 and show 1,568,269 medical card holders and 109,075 GP visit card holders on that date.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

795 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the average annual cost of a full medical card. [33807/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

There are two main cost factors associated with medical cards and GP visit cards, firstly the capitation and other fees made to General Practitioners (GPs) and, secondly, the cost of drugs supplied to patients.

GPs who hold contracts under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme with the Health Service Executive (HSE) are remunerated through a range of fees and payments, most of which were amended in the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2009, which came into effect on 7th July 2009. Included among these fees are more than 50 different capitation fees, which vary depending on the age and gender of the patient and the distance he or she lives from the GP's surgery. For example, fees currently range from €76.98 for a male patient under 5 years living 3 miles or less from the GP's surgery to €218.37 for a female aged 65-70 years living more than 10 miles from the surgery. In addition, there are special capitation rates of €280.31 for persons aged 70 and over residing at home and €896.07 for persons aged 70 and over residing in private nursing homes. There is also a range of additional payments; for example, in respect of out-of-hours consultations, temporary residents, special items of services (e.g. suturing), panel size, practice support allowances and locum expenses.

As regards the supply of drugs and medicines, effective from 1st October 2010, medical card holders will only have to pay a prescription charge of 50 cent per item subject to a maximum of €10 per month for each person or family. GP visit card holders avail of the Drugs Payment Scheme, which now involves a co-payment of the first €120 spent per family in any calendar month. Drugs costs vary significantly depending on the patient's medical condition.

My Department has been in contact with the HSE in relation to the average cost of a medical card per annum and the Executive has indicated that, given there were 1,568,269 medical card holders and 109,075 GP visit card holders on the 1st August, 2010, the variety of payment arrangements and the variation in drug costs under the GMS Scheme, a single average annual cost figure in respect of the medical card and GP visit card is not a sufficiently refined measure for policy options and decisions.

The estimated total expenditure in 2009 on the GMS Scheme was approximately €1.85 billion. The HSE Service Plan for 2010 shows the projected cost of the GMS Scheme this year as €2.032 billion. The Service Plan also shows a projected increase in medical card and GP visit card numbers of 144,000 and 16,111 respectively for 2010.

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

796 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to date in 2010 to the State of the public-private hospital co-location scheme and the projected continuing cost; the savings that would be made if the scheme were to be discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33808/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Renewed Programme for Government re-affirms the Government's commitment to the current co-location programme. Preferred bidders have been selected for six co-located projects.

The co-location programme is a complex public procurement process. It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the changed funding environment. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects.

There is a requirement on each of the successful bidders to pay a non-refundable deposit to the HSE on the signing of the project agreement. The intention of this requirement is to allow the HSE to recoup the expenses that it has incurred in this context.

Hospital Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

797 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the way the ratio of public and private work carried out by hospital consultants is measured in order to ensure compliance with contracts for public hospital work; if consultants are co-operating with hospital managers in this regard; the extent the relevant information is being withheld by consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33809/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Government's policy is to achieve fair access by patients to publicly-funded hospital capacity based on clinical need. While patients may be treated in public hospitals on a private basis, the primary role of the public hospital system is to provide services for public patients. The 2008 consultants' contract includes new measures to strengthen the management, monitoring and control of public-private activity in hospitals with a view to ensuring that the level of consultant private practice within public hospitals does not exceed the permitted ratio. Subject to that being achieved, the contract provides for the recovery of whatever income is due in respect of that level of private practice. These contractual features complement existing bed designation rules as part of the overall framework to control the level of private activity in publicly funded hospitals.

My Department has asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on the detailed operational matters that he has raised.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

798 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the average annual salary of a public-only hospital consultant and the average annual salary of a consultant on a public-private contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33810/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Medical Consultants working in the public health service are employed by either the Health Service Executive or a Voluntary Hospital. In this regard my Department does not have specific details of average salaries paid to medical consultants and I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy concerning these.

More generally, 90% of permanent consultants working in the public health service signed up to Consultant Contract 2008. The three main types of contract which were introduced under Consultant Contract 2008 are:

Type A: Medical Consultants who hold this type of contract work exclusively for the public hospital and are remunerated solely by way of salary. They are not permitted to engage in any private practice. The salary scale for this type of contract ranges between €176,000 and €192,492 depending on geographical location and whether or not the consultant previously held the 1997 Consultant Contract.

Type B: Medical Consultants who hold this type of contract work for the public hospital but may engage in limited private practice on the public hospital campus (including in a co-located hospital) up to a maximum of 20% of total clinical throughput. The salary scale for this type of contract ranges between €172,865 and €183,562 depending on geographical location and whether or not the consultant previously held the 1997 Consultant Contract.

Type B*: This contract was available to medical consultants who held a Category II Contract and Consultants in Emergency Medicine who held a Category I Contract under the 1997 Consultants Contract. The Type B* Contract permits consultants to engage in private practice in facilities operated by the employer or in co-located private hospitals on the public hospital campus. Consultants holding this type of contract may also engage in private practice in locations outside the public hospital campus subject to them signing up to all the other terms and conditions of the new contract. The salary for consultants who took up this type of contract ranges between €158,997 and €168,226.

The above salary ranges exclude on-call and call-out payments. A more detailed breakdown of all medical consultant salary scales is available in the Consolidated Salary Scales for January 2010, which are available on my Department's website at www.dohc.ie/publications.

Hospital Accommodation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

799 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has raised with the Health Service Executive its decision to rent privately owned premises in Carlow town at the cost of €365,000 per annum, in spite of the fact that adequate accommodation could be provided and developed at the HSE’s own hospital (details supplied) in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33811/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

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

Medical Cards

Joe Costello

Question:

800 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will reconsider her decision to refuse renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33831/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Hospital Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

801 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a support team will be appointed to work with the neurologist in the mid-west region; when, in particular, a specialist nurse will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33871/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Hospital Services

Paul Connaughton

Question:

802 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not being admitted to Merlin Park Hospital, Galway for an operation (details supplied); if she will outline the length of time they have been on the waiting list; if she will confirm if treatment can be organised under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33880/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

As stated in my previous response to the Deputy, details of the number of GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis, showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of a person's circumstances. The most recent figures provided by the HSE to my Department reflect the position on 1st August 2010 and show 109,075 GP visit card holders on that date.

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) is still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.

Hospital Building Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

835 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 1 July 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [33964/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

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

Medical Cards

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

836 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 6 July 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [33965/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Hospital Accommodation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

837 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 8 July 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [33966/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I understand the HSE has recently issued a response to the Deputy in this matter.

Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

838 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No 305 of 8 July 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [33967/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Health and Children (Deputy Áine Brady)

In the case referred to by the Deputy, the information provided to my Office did not confirm a diagnosis of severe disability for the child in question and re-entry to the scheme in September 2010 was not approved.

Health Services

David Stanton

Question:

846 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of decompression chambers in Ireland and their locations; the number of same which are operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34103/10]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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

Question No. 847 answered with Question No. 789.

EU Directives

Joe Costello

Question:

848 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport the enforcement procedures in place for the implementation of Directive 2002/15/EC on the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31996/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Responsibility for the enforcement of the requirements of Directive 2002/15/EC on the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities is a matter for the Road Safety Authority and I have no function in relation to such matters.

Tourism Promotion

Pat Breen

Question:

849 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the Shannon catchment area tourism and economic plan published in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32112/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The purpose of the Economic & Tourism Development Plan for the Shannon catchment area was to present a focused Action Plan to assist the airport and the wider Mid-West region to adapt to new circumstances arising from the EU-US Open Skies Agreement, and the withdrawal of the Shannon Heathrow service by Aer Lingus in 2007.

A key component of the Plan is a focused tourism-marketing programme introduced by the Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism to promote the wider Shannon catchment area. I refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ 32111/10 of today from my colleague Mary Hanafin TD, for an update on the progress to date in the tourism marketing area.

Regarding the transport elements of the Plan, significant progress has been made since the report was published in January 2008. Aer Lingus has reinstated its Shannon Heathrow service and daily connectivity from Shannon to the US has been maintained, despite the ending of the Shannon-stop rule and the dramatic fall in consumer demand for air travel generally.

I am of course very conscious that Shannon Airport is going through challenging times in dealing with the downturn in the aviation sector that is having a negative impact on passenger throughput in the airport. As part of its commercial remit, the Shannon Airport Authority, in conjunction with the Dublin Airport Authority is responsible for addressing this issue. I have no specific responsibility for this matter but I know that both bodies are very proactive in this regard and that incentives are in place to encourage more traffic to and from the airport.

The Economic & Tourism Development Plan also highlighted a number of road investment projects for the region. As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including those listed in the Shannon Economic & Tourism Development Plan, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 and 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Once the major Interurban Routes, which includes the M7 Dublin/Limerick motorway, are completed by the end of 2010, the NRA will focus on the completion of the Atlantic Road Corridor (ARC). The ARC will run from Letterkenny to Cork and Waterford via Limerick. The Ennis bypass, completed in early 2008, forms part of this route. The Crusheen to Gort phase is under construction at present. Further details are available from the NRA.

The Western Rail Corridor (Ennis-Athenry) re-opened at the end of March 2010.

Disabled Parking Scheme

Finian McGrath

Question:

850 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32139/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

On the 9th of July I published a review of the Disabled Parking Scheme which was conducted by my Department, and whose conclusions I have accepted. One of the recommendations of this review is to refocus the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme from the current position where eligibility depends on specific medical conditions, to a position where the deciding factor is the degree of mobility impairment from which the applicant suffers.

Under the current rules people suffering from Alzheimer's disease are not covered by the Scheme. Under the new rules, people who suffer serious mobility impairments due to their condition will be eligible, and this would, of course, include any Alzheimer's sufferers whose condition involves serious mobility impairment.

Work is now under way in my Department to revise the Scheme in the light of the review's recommendations.

Taxi Regulations

Mary Upton

Question:

851 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Transport if all taxi drivers, regardless of the length of time for which they have been granted a licence, will have to undertake the skills test as required by the Taxi Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32228/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The regulation of the taxi industry including issues pertaining to the skills development exam is a matter for the Commission for Taxi Regulation under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Question:

852 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport in respect of any State-owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31965/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. Table 1 lists the Annual Reports received for 2009 while Table 2 lists the Annual Reports received for 2008. There is no statutory requirement for the Annual Reports of the bodies under the aegis of my Department to be approved by the Department. They are noted by Government and in turn laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Table 1: Annual Reports 2009
State Body	Date of Receipt
Dublin Airport Authority	27th April 2010
Irish Aviation Authority	6th April 2010
Commission for Aviation Regulation	31st March 2010
National Roads Authority	17th February 2010
Medical Bureau of Road Safety	30th August 2010
Road Safety Authority	16th September 2010
CIÉ*	27th May 2010
Bus Átha Cliath	22nd July 2010
Bus Éireann	22nd July 2010
Iarnród Éireann	22nd July 2010
Marine Casualty Investigation Report**
Railway Procurement Agency	30th April 2010
Railway Safety Commission	10th March 2010
Commission for Taxi Regulation**
Port of Cork Company	1st April 2010
Drogheda Port Company	5th May 2010
Dublin Port Company	6th April 2010
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company	22nd April 2010
Shannon Foynes Port Company	30th March 2010
Port of Waterford Company	6th April 2010
Galway Harbour Company	23rd March 2010
New Ross Port Company	27th May 2010
Dundalk Port Company	30th March 2010
Wicklow Port Company	15th April 2010

*Government notes CIÉ Group accounts only. Copies of the accounts are, however, laid before each House.

**The 2009 Annual report & Accounts have not been received in the Department to date as they are awaiting sign-off by the Comptroller & Auditor General(C&AG)

Table 2: Annual Reports 2008
State Body	Date of Receipt
Dublin Airport Authority	24th April 2009
Irish Aviation Authority	11th March 2009
Commission for Aviation Regulation	30th March 2009
National Roads Authority	12th February 2009
Medical Bureau of Road Safety	10th December 2009
Road Safety Authority	9th November 2009
CIÉ	3rd September 2009
Bus Átha Cliath	3rd September 2009
Bus Éireann	3rd September 2009
Iarnród Éireann	3rd September 2009
Marine Casualty Investigation Board	8th September 2009
Railway Procurement Agency	30th April 2009
Railway Safety Commission	26th March 2009
Commission for Taxi Regulation	25th June 2009
Port of Cork Company	28th April 2009
Drogheda Port Company	24th April 2009
Dublin Port Company	6th April 2009
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company	7th April 2009
Shannon Foynes Port Company	3rd April 2009
Port of Waterford Company	1st may 2009
Galway Harbour Company	26th March 2009
New Ross Port Company	24th March 2009
Dundalk Port Company	23rd April 2009
Wicklow Port Company	21st April 2009

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, 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 and bridges are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

I understand that the estimated cost to replace the bridge over the Tramore River on the Kinsale Road is approximately €1.1 million. Cork County Council has been provided with a total of €120,672 for this project between 2007 and 2009. The Council was allocated €950,000 in February 2009 for this project, but this allocation was subsequently reduced following the Supplementary Budget on 7th April 2009. No funding was sought by the Council for this project in 2010.

It is open to Cork County Council to prioritise this project for funding and to include it among its applications for funding in 2011 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme, when those applications are submitted in due course to the National Roads Authority.

Rail Services

Paul Connaughton

Question:

857 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport the reason he has not announced funding for the Athenry to Tuam stage for completion of the western rail corridor; the reason the announcement has not officially been made; if the deadline for completion of this section is still 2011; the proposed cost of this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32104/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The first phase of the Western Rail Corridor was opened on 29th March 2010.

I have yet to receive a final business case from Irish Rail for Phase 2 of the Western Rail Corridor. The Department has received an application for funding from Iarnród Éireann for the detailed design and tender preparation stage for Phase 2. This will involve a detailed estimate of costs for the construction of Phase 2. The exact timeframe for when the project will move to construction will be influenced by the outcome of the design and tender stage.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar

Question:

858 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32281/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The requested details in relation to staffing in my constituency office are set out below. The salary amounts include employers PRSI and no non-salary expenses were incurred.

Minister Noel Dempsey staffing from June 2007-2010 to date
Grade	Annual amount paid to date 2010	2009	2008	2007	Location
	€	€	€	€
Clerical Officer	22,247	29,492	27,744	25,624	44 Kildare Street
Clerical Officer	1,069	0	0	0	44 Kildare Street
Executive Officer	33,825	50,629	49,142	46,710	44 Kildare Street
Personal Assistant (now retired)	12,383	59,228	59,290	28,962	Trim, Co Meath
Personal Assistant	20,859	0	0	0	Trim, Co Meath
Personal Secretary	34,310	32,141	46,556	22,794	Trim, Co Meath

The number of staff in a Minister's and Minister of State's Constituency office can not exceed 6 and 5 respectively. The Executive Officer was recently transferred to other duties and has not been replaced.

The rental and other costs related to offices in my constituency offices outside the Department are not borne by the State. Constituency staff who occupy workstations in my Department share office space with my departmental staff. The Department does not differentiate costs for utility services between functions.

Minister of State

The tables below contain requested details in relation to staffing in the constituency office of current and former Ministers of State in this Department. The salary amounts include employers PRSI. There was no Minister of State assigned to my Department in two periods from June 2007 to May 2008 and from April 2009 to March 2010.

Minister of State Noel Ahern from May 2008 to April 2009
Grade	Annual amount paid 2008	Expenses 2008-2009	Annual amount paid 2009	Location
	€	€	€
Personal Assistant	38,259	0	28,994	Leeson Lane
Personal Secretary	27,566	70	17,639	Leeson Lane
Executive Officer	23,626	0	17,460	Leeson Lane
Clerical Officer	17,723	0	12,703	Leeson Lane
Clerical Officer	17,234	0	15,080	Leeson Lane

Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe from March 2010 to date
Grade	Annual amount paid to date 2010	Location
	€
Personal Assistant	25,710	44 Kildare St
Personal Secretary	14,734	44 Kildare St

No non-salary expenses were incurred during this period.

Public Transport

Billy Timmins

Question:

859 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the position on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The National Transport Authority has responsibility for regulating public transport fares, including fares on Luas services.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 871 to 874, inclusive, together.

The provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2010 will come into force through the making of a series of Commencement Orders. One such Order (S.I. No. 394 of 2010) has been made to date, which brought Part 1 (Sections 1 and 2) and Sections 26(5), 68 and 78 into operation on 9 August 2010.

The remaining sections of the legislation will come into force when the necessary and relevant operational and administrative supports are in place.

Part 2 of the 2010 Act consolidates many of the previous intoxicated driving provisions, including sections 9 and 15, which provide for the mandatory testing of drivers in certain circumstances.

As the intoxicated driving provisions are inter-related, I intend to commence all those sections together when the new Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) instruments have been procured and are in place.

However, I intend to move to amend the existing legislation in order to introduce mandatory testing at the earliest possible date, in advance of the intoxicated driving provisions which await the new EBT instruments. In this regard, I intend, very shortly, to publish the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2010 to facilitate the earliest possible introduction of mandatory testing in certain circumstances.

The procurement process for the new EBT instruments, to measure the reduced levels of blood alcohol concentration provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2010, is well advanced. The Medical Bureau for Road Safety (MBRS) will inform me of the overall costs once the preferred supplier has been chosen. It is estimated that the selection, testing and approval of the new instruments, in addition to Garda training and distribution of instruments to Garda Stations will be completed by September 2011.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar

Question:

862 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered correspondence he received (details supplied) which raised a number of issues including conspiracy, fraud, misuse of powers, unjust enrichment and breach of policy by a State company while acting as his agent; if he has responsibilities to the Dáil in this matter; if he has investigated the issues and if he will provide details of any investigations; if he will give reasons for his refusal to say he is satisfied that political responsibilities have been properly discharged in this matter; if he agrees it is open to him to use powers under section 38 of the Air Transport and Navigation Act 1998 to direct the company in this matter notwithstanding ongoing litigation; if he agrees it is in the national interest to direct the company having regard to the seriousness of the issues, the ongoing public concerns about corruption of the planning process and unnecessary costs and, the commitments in the programme for Government relating to transparency, public accountability and high standards of governance in the State sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32413/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

As the Deputy is aware, this matter is the subject of legal proceedings currently underway and is therefore sub judice. In the circumstances, I consider that it be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter raised.

Regional Airports

Joe McHugh

Question:

863 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport his plans for regional airports in the context of public service obligation, specifically Carrickfinn, County Donegal, Sligo and Derry airports in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32464/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 866 together.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the procurement of office (and other) accommodation required for my Department and accordingly they deal with any rental or leasing issues arising in those properties.

I am informed by the OPW that they undertake regular monitoring of space allocated to Departments to ensure that it is used to the optimum capacity in line with good principles of property management.

Road Safety

Joe Costello

Question:

867 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport the timescale for the enactment of the recently published road safety measures from the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32957/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the proposals recently announced by the Road Safety Authority regarding the introduction of a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system. The Government is committed to the development of such a system under the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012.

There is no one internationally accepted standard for a GDL system, which may contain many of a variety of different elements. The RSA examined the matter in considerable depth and has developed and published nine proposals. Earlier this year I approved these proposals in principle, and the RSA is now working to develop them in greater detail.

Many of the elements of the system will require primary legislation, and work in this regard is underway. It is my intention to introduce a Bill during 2011.

Road Network

*CEO contract currently being finalised.

Table 2: Commercial CEO Non-Hay Contracts
Body	Date of Appointment	Contract Duration
Bus Éireann	9/06/2006	No specified date
Drogheda Port Company	1/04/2001	No specified date
Dundalk Port Company*	16/03/2003	Under review
Wicklow Port Company	9/09/2003	Under review
New Ross Port Company*	1/08/2009	No specified date

*Combined CEO & Harbourmaster position.

Table 3: Non Commercial State Bodies
Body	Date of Appointment	Contract Duration
Railway Safety Commission	30/08/2010	5yrs
National Roads Authority	7/03/2010	5yrs
National Transport Authority	16/12/2009	5yrs
Road Safety Authority*	18/04/2010	5yrs
Medical Bureau of Road Safety	1/07/2007	5yrs
Commission for Taxi Regulation	18/05/2007	5yrs
Commission for Aviation Regulation	9/06/2006	6yrs

*Contract currently being finalised.

Overall transport investment priorities have been reviewed and these priorities are reflected in the Government's Infrastructure Investment Priorities for 2010-2016. Given the current difficult economic circumstances it is now unlikely that all of the projects originally identified in Transport 21 will be completed by 2015. However, no projects have been cancelled and Transport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure into the future. Planning and Design will continue on all projects in Transport 21 to get them as near to "shovel ready" as possible to ensure that we are in a position to move speedily to construction at the earliest possible date once financial circumstances permit.

The Deputy will be aware that since 1 December 2009, rail investment in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the development of Metro West is a matter which comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).

National Cycle Policy

Leo Varadkar

Question:

Question:

881 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport his plans to convert public buses from petrol and diesel to natural gas and electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Government's Smarter Travel policy, launched by me in February 2009, provides that all public transport providers will prepare a plan for fleet replacement based on the most sustainable vehicle and fuel type.

Both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann are continuing to monitor new developments in the fields of alternative fuels and emission reduction technology and are committed to moving to lower carbon/environmentally friendly solutions for their bus fleets as quickly as commercial and technical issues allow.

Traffic Calming Measures

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

882 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed a report from a Dublin City Council senior engineer (details supplied) entitled, Traffic Calming Models: Environmental Traffic Cells and Homezones; his views on a national policy on the development on the development of homezones to target excessive speeding in residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33381/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

My Department's expenditure on mobile phones for the periods in question is as per the following table.

Year	€
2007	170,695.32
2008	138,680.24
2009	103,951.25
2010 (6 months)	1,107.65

There are currently 167 staff with mobile phones paid for by my Department.

My Department has utilised the framework agreement for mobile services as provided by the Department of Finance, and currently both Vodafone and O2 are contracted to provide these services.

I am satisfied that my Department is achieving value for money and is regularly exploring further efficiencies for mobile services.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton

Question:

887 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33711/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

There are 7 non-commercial agencies under my remit of my Department. The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons employed by my Department by grade and the number of staff employed in each non-commercial agency under my remit by grade is contained in the following table.

Department of Transport and Agencies staff numbers by grade 28-Sep-10
	Grade	Number of staff (takes account of w/s patterns
	Department of Transport
	Secretary General	1.00
	Assistant Secretary	4.00
	Principal Officers	14.00
	Assistant Principal Officers	36.03
	H.E.O. H.D.A.	1.00
	Administrative Officers	7.00
	Higher Executive Officers	73.13
	Executive Officers	81.53
	Staff Officers	17.90
	Clerical Officers	137.56
	Ministerial Staff (includes 3 Minister of State staff)	7.00
	Head Services Officer	1.00
	Services Officers / Attendants / Storekeeper	14.30
	Telephonists	2.03
	Chief Aeronautical Officer	1.00
	Aeronautical Officer Grade I	4.00
	Aeronautical Officer Grade II	1.00
	Principal Adviser — Engineer	1.00
	Engineering Inspector — engineer	1.00
	Senior Adviser	1.00
	Inspector	1.00
	Accountant Grade 2	1.00
	Legal Advisor	1.00
	Financial Advisor	1.00
	Statistician	1.00
	Sustainability Adviser	1.00
	Transport Planner	1.00
	Staff Engineer	1.00
	Director Irish Coast Guard	1.00
	Assistant Director ICG	1.00
	Chief Engineer	1.00
	Regional Controller ICG	2.00
	Deputy Divisional Controller	3.00
	Divisional Controller	1.00
	Electronics Officer	3.00
	Engineering & Operations Officer	1.00
	Radio Officer Grade III	23.00
	Station Officer	20.00
	Training & Operations Officer	4.00
	Coastal Unit Sector Manager	3.00
	Chief Surveyor	1.00
	Deputy Chief Surveyor	1.00
	Marine Radio Surveyor	1.00
	Surveyor (Officer in charge)	1.00
	Surveyor	25.00
	Stagiare	1.00
	Total	507.48
1	Road Safety Authority (RSA)
	CEO	1.00
	PO — Directors	4.00
	AP	10.00
	HEO	9.00
	EO	28.00
	CO	89.00
	Senior Transport Officer	1.00
	Transport Officer	14.00
	Vehicle Inspectors	4.00
	Senior Vehicle Inspector	1.00
	Engineer Grade I	0.00
	Engineer Grade II	3.00
	Principal Engineer	1.00
	Driver Testers	116.00
	Driver Tester Supervisors	8.00
	ADI Chief Examiner	1.00
	ADI examiners	4.00
	Training & Standards Officer — DT	1.00
	Chief Driver Tester	1.00
	Service Officers	8.00
	Total	304.00
2	National Roads Authority
	CEO	1.00
	Senior Advisor	1.00
	Contract Engineer Grade 3	5.00
	Contract Engineer Grade 2	1.00
	Contract Engineer Grade 1	1.00
	Senior Management Scale	3.00
	Principal Officer	2.00
	Principal Advisor Higher	3.00
	Senior Advisor Level I	23.00
	Assistant Principal Higher	2.00
	Assistant Principal	2.00
	Senior Lab Technician	1.00
	Technician Grade I	2.00
	Lab Technician	1.80
	Lab Attendant	1.00
	Engineer Grade I	36.00
	Engineer Grade II	16.00
	Engineer Grade III	6.00
	Higher Executive Officer	9.40
	Executive Officer	12.60
	Clerical Officer	9.00
	Total	138.80
3	Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS)
	Senior Administrative Officer III	1.00
	Principal Analyst	3.00
	Senior Analyst	5.00
	Analyst	9.00
	Laboratory Attendant	2.00
	Senior Technical Officer	1.00
	Technical Officer	1.00
	Senior Administrative Officer IV	1.00
	Administrative Officer	1.00
	Senior Executive Assistant	3.00
	Executive Assistant	4.00
	Senior Laboratory Attendant	1.00
	Laboratory Attendant	1.00
	IT	1.00
	Total	34.00
4	Commission for Taxi Regulation (CTR)
	Commissioner	1.00
	Principal Officer	2.00
	Assistant Principal Officer	3.00
	Higher Executive Officer	3.00
	Executive Officer	17.00
	Clerical Officer	9.00
	Total	35.00
5	National Transport Authority
	Chief Executive Officer	1.00
	Head of Division/County Engineer	2.00
	Head of Division/Senior Engineer	2.00
	Head of Division	1.00
	Project Director	2.00
	Senior Transportation Planner	5.00
	Executive Transportation Planner	6.00
	Assistant Planner	4.00
	Executive Landuse Planner	1.00
	Operations Manager	1.00
	Technical Manager	1.00
	Software Engineer	1.00
	Senior Project Manager	1.00
	Financial Controller	1.00
	Contracts — Business Development Manager	1.00
	Senior Legal Advisor	1.00
	Senior Executive Officer equiv	3.00
	Principal Officer	3.00
	Senior Staff Officer	2.00
	Assistant Staff Officer	1.00
	Total	40.00
6	Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR)
	Commissioner	1.00
	Assistant Secretary	2.00
	Principal Officer	2.00
	Assistant Principal Officer	3.00
	Higher Executive Officer	1.00
	Administrative Officer	4.00
	Executive Officer	4.00
	Clerical Officer	1.00
	Total	18.00
7	Railway Safety Commission (RSC)
	Commissioner	1.00
	Principal Officers	4.00
	Engineer Grade 1	3.00
	Engineer Grade 2	3.00
	Higher Executive Officer	1.00
	Clerical Officer	1.00
	Total	13.00

Port Development

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

888 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline any consultations he has had with private sector provider as to their views on the capacity needs in Dublin Port as set out in the 2005 ports policy statement; the steps he has taken to ensure that Dublin Port is in a position to meet capacity demand in the medium to long term; and the steps he has taken to maximise private sector involvement including funding in the ports as set out in the 2005 statement. [33989/10]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The most recent analysis of medium to long term traffic volumes at our ports was conducted as part of the Dublin Port National Development Plan Study, which my Department published in August last year.

While taking account of the economic downturn, the Study concluded that the ports sector would face renewed capacity constraints from approximately 2025 onwards. It concluded that these capacity constraints will be such that the development of a significant additional capacity project, in addition to other smaller scale projects, will be required to serve the needs of the Greater Dublin Area.

The consultants who carried out the study met with, and received submissions from, a number of private sector service providers within the industry.

The commercial ports sector is characterised by a high degree of private sector involvement and investment. Port companies increasingly rely on private sources of financing, particularly since Exchequer and EU funding is no longer available.

The Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009 introduced greater commercial flexibility for the port companies in regard to borrowing and investment. These measures are aimed at assisting ports in maximising private sector investment in their future development.

I recently announced a review of national ports policy and a public consultation period in respect of that review is currently underway.

The review will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to shape future ports policy. The consultation document published on my Department's website addresses many issues, including port capacity and private sector investment, and seeks the views of interested parties on how these issues might be addressed in the future.

Visa Applications

Phil Hogan

Question:

889 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a holiday visa will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32102/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on the 5 August 2010. Following consideration it was refused on the 9 August 2010 for the following reasons:

1. The evidence of finances available was deemed insufficient;

2. The obligations of the applicant to return to the home country were not deemed sufficient;

3. It was the opinion of the Visa Officer that the applicant may not observe the conditions of the visa, if granted.

It is open to the person concerned to submit an appeal within two months of the date of the refusal letter, in this case before the 12 October 2010. Information regarding the visa appeal process can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (ww.inis.gov.ie).

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Departmental Offices

Finian McGrath

Question:

890 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the visa offices that operate in Irish embassies overseas; the estimated annual running costs of each of these offices; the number and grade of staff required to resource each of these offices; the way staff have been recruited and selected for working in these offices; if he is satisfied that the recruitment and selection procedure used is in conformity with the code of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments; if the staff employed are paid any special allowances including rent allowances or extra remuneration to work in these offices and if so, the nature of these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32476/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

In the timeframe provided, it has not been possible to collate all the information the Deputy has requested. I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

EU Directives

Finian McGrath

Question:

891 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason Ireland opted out of the Directive 2009/52/EC that provides protection for undocumented third party nationals who have been paid wages by an employer; if he will review opting into this Directive; the protections that are available to such persons under Irish law for the payment of outstanding wages; if the National Employment Rights Authority will assist such persons to obtain payment of wages owed and outstanding; the number of cases the NERA assisted in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32478/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I have been informed by officials of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that the EU Commission published a proposal for a Directive Providing for Sanctions Against Employers of Illegally Staying Third Country Nationals in May 2007. The Directive was finally adopted by the European Council in June 2009.

Following the publication of the proposal neither Ireland nor the United Kingdom exercised their option, provided for in Article 3 of the Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland annexed to the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty Establishing the European Community, to notify the President of the Council that they wished to take part in the adoption and application of the proposal within three months. It is a stated Government policy that Ireland will only participate in such measures to the extent compatible with the Common Travel Area. Any unilateral decision by either of the partners (UK or Ireland) would have had obvious implications as regards the ongoing maintenance of the Common Travel Area as regards participating in the proposal.

As a general rule, officials of my Department keep under review Ireland's position as regards all measures adopted under Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Formally Title IV of the Treaty on the European Union) in line with emerging Government priorities and policies as necessary.

I have also been advised by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation, who has primary policy responsibility, that in relation to contracts which might be regarded as illegal by the Irish Courts, that the Irish Courts have taken the view that it would be contrary to public policy to enforce such contracts. A contract of employment between a third country migrant worker required to have a work permit and an employer, which is not covered by a valid work permit, is an illegal contract. Accordingly, the National Employment Rights Authority does not seek to recover money due to people working under illegal contracts.

Official Travel Arrangements

Leo Varadkar

Question:

892 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to convert Government and State-owned cars and vehicles to electric fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33209/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The requirements of the Office Holder fleet are subject to regular review and assessment to ensure that the most suitable vehicles are purchased, bearing in mind the function of the vehicles and their suitability for the specific transport requirements involved. These requirements are assessed having regard to a number of criteria, including emissions, fuel efficiency and overall cost.

The operation and provision of Office Holder transport will continue to be reviewed in the context of these criteria.

Garda Operations

Finian McGrath

Question:

893 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [31719/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I am informed by Garda authorities that the location referred to is within Clontarf Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of previous instances of anti-social behaviour in the area, including at the location referred to. I am further informed that local Garda management is not currently in receipt of any complaints relating to the location. Any such complaints reported to An Garda Síochána will be subject to investigation.

The area is subject to regular patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units and the District Detective and Drug Units, supplemented as required by the Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel.

Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in the area, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Current policing plans in the area are designed to address issues of crime and public order offences. Community policing is a central feature and core value of Garda policing policy, and current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. This approach will promote an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life for residents.

Garda Vetting Services

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

894 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the vetting procedures persons working in asylum seeker hostel accommodation undergo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31730/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers.

RIA takes the issue of child protection very seriously and has a Child and Family Services unit, whose role is to manage, deliver, co-ordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all asylum seekers residing in the Direct Provision system and to act as a conduit between RIA and the HSE. Although currently vacant, a full time post is assigned to this unit from the HSE.

It was agreed with the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) based in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, that RIA would act as the central conduit for all communications between the GVCU and RIA accommodation centres, of which there are 47 different centres with 24 different contractors. All RIA contractors and their designated contact person have been vetted. RIA's largest contractor, Bridgestock Ltd., carried out a successful pilot vetting programme for its staff, all of whom have now been vetted. This formed the basis of a training programme, finishing in March of this year, for all other contractors and their designated contact persons all of whom have now been trained in the Garda Vetting procedure. This, in turn, is facilitating the vetting of all staff employed in centres contracted to RIA. This process is ongoing and it is expected that all staff will be vetted within the next few months. Contractors are required to submit Garda Vetting Forms for all newly appointed staff members.

In addition to the above, RIA has a Child Protection Policy for Accommodation Centres which was developed in collaboration with the Health Services Executive and in line with the Children First Guidelines and was launched in late 2005. Its principal aim is the minimisation of risk to children and vulnerable adults residing in RIA accommodation centres. This policy defines the various types of child abuse, and outlines procedures to follow in the event of suspected child abuse. Management of accommodation centres are obliged to ensure that all staff working in the centre are aware of and adhere to the Child Protection Guidelines. In addition, the HSE have provided ‘Keeping Safe' child protection training to designated officers and other staff members in accommodation and reception centres.

All new residents, when they first arrive at their accommodation centre, receive a booklet which explains the centres services, rules and procedures which incorporates the child protection policy. Visual "storyboard" tools have also been developed to facilitate the raising of awareness amongst residents of the RIA's child protection policy. These tools are now available to direct provision centre staff and other service providers.

Garda Stations

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

895 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a Garda station (details supplied) will be vacated and refurbishment works commence; if the tender process has been completed and the contract in place; and if he will provide a figure on the costs involved. [31766/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

1144 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No 175 of 6 July 2010, the position regarding Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, Dublin; when will the station close for refurbishment; the length of time the refurbishment will take; if their is sufficient funding for the refurbishment to proceed. [33249/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 1144 together.

The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that work on the refurbishment of Mountjoy Garda Station is currently underway. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in early 2011 and that the refurbished building will accommodate the Station party from Fitzgibbon Street Garda station whilst refurbishment works are carried out at that Station.

I have been assured by the Garda authorities that current policing levels will be maintained in the area concerned and that there will be no diminution of the Garda service being provided to the local community.

Citizenship Applications

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

896 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will receive an answer regarding their citizenship application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31789/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in June 2004 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person concerned was informed of this decision and the reasons for it in a letter issued to him via his legal representatives on 9 September, 2010.

There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when he is in a position to meet the statutory requirements. However, in doing so he should bear in mind the reasons for refusal of his previous application.

Garda Resources

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

897 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason a Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin is under resourced regarding transport for the station. [31793/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements and priorities.

The Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied that the Garda transport allocated to the station referred to by the Deputy is sufficient to meet the policing needs of the area concerned.

Residency Permits

Willie O'Dea

Question:

898 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the immigration status of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31797/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The person concerned applied for asylum on 27 February 2002. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. He was notified of this determination by letter dated 31 October 2002.

The person concerned applied for permission to remain in the State on the basis of being the parent of an Irish citizen child, born before 1st January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by the then Minister on 15 January 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme. The person concerned did not satisfy the Scheme's criteria so his application was refused and he was notified of this decision by letter dated 16 November, 2005.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25 June 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Willie O'Dea

Question:

899 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied). [31798/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.

Drugs Seizures

Joe Carey

Question:

900 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the quantity, type and value of drug seizures in each prison for 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31812/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I wish to inform the Deputy that prior to May 2008 seizures of drugs were recorded under the generic description "prohibited articles" and accordingly a detailed breakdown is not available.

From May 2008 (when Operation Support Group came into operation) to 31 December 2008, there were 351 drug seizures within the Irish Prison Service. Figures for 2009 and up until the 12 September 2010 are set out in the table below. It is important to note that many of these seizures occur at point of entry to the prisons and do not enter the prison system. I have asked Irish Prison Service to consider how reporting systems can be modified to differentiate between seizures within the prison and at point of entry to the prison.

Prisons do not have the facilities to test the type or quantity of substances found. Gardaí are contacted once suspected drug seizures are made and issues for investigation and prosecution fall within their remit.

Prison/Place of Detention	Number of Drug Seizures in 2009	Number of Drug Seizures in 2010 (up to 12/9/2010)
Arbour Hill Prison	0	0
Castlerea Prison	65	54
Cloverhill Prison	97	54
Cork Prison	35	33
Dóchas Centre	11	14
Limerick Prison	75	119
Loughan House	12	28
Midlands Prison	93	60
Mountjoy Prison (male)	547	527
Portlaoise Prison	20	27
Shelton Abbey	19	20
St. Patrick’s Institution	92	137
Training Unit	60	37
Wheatfield Prison	167	69
Total	1,293	1,179

903 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [31862/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in January 2008 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter issued to him on 24 September, 2010.

Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that a certificate of naturalisation will issue to the person in question on receipt of documentation requested to finalise his application.

Victims’ Support

Finian McGrath

Question:

904 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support an organisation (details supplied) in 2010. [31885/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

907 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if legislation to introduce equality for parents in respect of access to children is being considered; when any such legislation will be brought before the Dáil; the measures that may be included in any proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

Under the law as it stands, married parents are joint guardians of their child. If they separate, custody is normally with the parent with whom the child is intended to reside. The law makes no distinction between the access rights of the married mother and father.

Where a child is born outside marriage the mother is the sole automatic guardian. An unmarried father may apply to the court to be appointed a guardian of his child. Alternatively, where there is agreement between the parents, they can make a statutory declaration under section 2(4) of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, as inserted by section 4 of the Children Act 1997, appointing the father as a guardian of his child, without having to go to court.

Section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act provides that the guardian of a child or the unmarried father of a child, even if he is not a guardian, may apply to the court for its direction on any question affecting the welfare of the child, including orders on custody and access. In making such orders and, in determining whether an unmarried father should be appointed guardian, the court has to regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration.

Where appropriate and practicable, the court will also take into account the child's wishes in the matter having regard to the age and understanding of the child. In addition, the law places an emphasis in terms of recognising the rights of the child to the society of both his or her father and mother: Section 11D of the 1964 Act (inserted by the Children Act 1997) obliges the court in proceedings relating to the welfare of a child to consider whether the child's best interests would be served by maintaining personal relations and direct contact with both his or her father and mother on a regular basis.

These legislative provisions are comprehensive. They permit the court in cases of disagreement to decide on arrangements for the child's care and upbringing having regard to the child's best interests.

As part of its Third Programme of Law Reform 2008-2014, the Law Reform Commission published in September 2009 a consultation paper ‘Legal Aspects of Family Relationships', in which it makes provisional recommendations on the rights and duties of parents in relation to guardianship, custody and access to their children. The Commission invited submissions on its provisional recommendations as part of the consultation process. The Commission's final report and recommendations, expected to be published later this year, will help to inform debate on the issues in advance of the formulation of any proposals for reform of the law in this area.

Legal Aid Service

Deirdre Clune

Question:

908 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost to his Department of the Free Legal Aid system in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31907/10]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

909 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of Free Legal Aid between criminal and non-criminal aid in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 908 and 909 together.

I can inform the Deputy that the full details of the estimate for 2010 for legal aid, both civil and criminal, are contained in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2010, while the costs for the earlier years sought are contained in the Revised Estimates volume for each of the years concerned. As the Deputy will be aware, copies of these documents are available at www.finance.gov.ie and in the Oireachtas Library.

Proposed Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

910 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to introduce legislation to provide for the enforcement of maintenance orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31935/10]

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to semi-State bodies who have a significant element of commercial or trade activities within their remit. The bodies and agencies attached to my Department provide public services in the broad Justice area, and, as such, do not engage in any significant commercial activity.

Garda Investigations

Finian McGrath

Question:

914 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [31976/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. To date there have been two major rounds of this Scheme, in 2005 and 2007. Under the 2007 round of the Scheme, a grant of €99,893 was awarded by my Department to the town referred to by the Deputy, for the installation of cameras at 14 locations. Matching funding was also provided by the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs bringing the total award to almost €200,000.

I am advised by Pobal, who administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department, that the installation of these cameras is expected to commence shortly, following the completion of preparatory works. I am further advised that the specific locations referred to by the Deputy did not form part of the original application for funding and, consequently, do not form part of this project. Any future plans for an extension of CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the progression of the schemes already grant aided, the availability of funding and overall policy considerations. A Garda Town Centre CCTV system is also operational in the town.

Road Traffic Offences

Joe McHugh

Question:

921 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide statistics on the numbers of speeding fines imposed on dual carriageways, motorways, regional roads, tertiary roads for the period 2005 to 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32122/10]

Joe McHugh

Question:

922 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of speeding fines that were imposed on motorists in 120 km/h zones; 100 km/h zones; 80 km/h zones; 60 km/h zones; and 40 km/h zones for the period 2005 to 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32125/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 921 and 922 together.

Question No. 923 answered with Question No. 916.

Citizenship Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

924 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons granted citizenship, by previous nationality, since 2005; and the number of citizenship applications refused, by nationality, since 2005. [32159/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I have sought the information requested from the Garda authorities and I will revert to the Deputy in writing at a later date in relation to this matter.

Questions Nos. 932 and 933 answered with Question No. 916.

Garda Deployment

Damien English

Question:

934 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of Gardaí currently assigned to each station on the Louth Meath Division, and by the way of comparison for Naas, Longford, Athlone and Cavan Garda Stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32248/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Louth and Meath Garda Divisions and also the strength of Naas, Longford, Athlone and Cavan Garda Stations, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the table hereunder:

Station	Strength
Louth Division
Ardee	31
Castlebellingham	4
Collon	6
Louth	1
Clougherhead	4
Drogheda	113
Dunleer	5
Blackrock	5
Carlingford	6
Dromad	6
Dundalk	123
Hackballscross	8
Omeath	5

Meath Division
Ashbourne	50
Dunboyne	15
Dunshaughlin	26
Athboy	6
Crossakeel	1
Kells	51
Oldcastle	4
Duleek	4
Laytown	26
Navan	77
Nobber	3
Slane	4
Ballivor	3
Enfield	7
Kilmesan	1
Longwood	2
Summerhill	3
Trim	34

Other
Naas	103
Longford	61
Athlone	68
Cavan	69

Number	Grade	Salary Range
1	Personal Assistant	€43,816 – €55,415
1	Personal Secretary	€29,024 – €47,379
4	Clerical Officer	3 × €23,177 – €37,3411 × €23,042 – €36,267

The staffing of the constituency office of my predecessor, Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D., when he ceased office in this Department in May 2008, and the salary ranges of the staff concerned, is as follows:

Number	Grade	Salary Range
1	Personal Assistant	€45,422 – €57,656
1	Personal Secretary	€24,877 – €47,999
2	Executive Officer	1 × €29,820 – €47,3211 × €31,394 – €49,809
1	Clerical Officer	€23,663 – €37,460

There are currently no Ministers of State serving in my Department. I can assure the Deputy that the staffing of the constituency offices as outlined above adheres to guidelines set down by the Department of Finance. Staff in constituency offices are entitled to travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with relevant Department of Finance Circulars. However, these staff are office-based and travel expenses rarely arise. The accommodation costs of Ministerial constituency offices in the Department's Head Offices in Dublin are subsumed in the Department's overall accommodation costs, which are met by the Office of Public Works.

The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. I am assured by my Officials that all the procedures involved in processing an application are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are conducted as efficiently as possible.

The immigration policies adopted by a country have a significant influence on the naturalisation process as both systems must link seamlessly. Immigration and naturalisation policies and systems vary from country to country and are therefore not directly comparable. In any event, I have no information at my disposal which would enable such a comparison to be made. Statutory provisions for the acquisition of Irish citizenship are contained in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A review of the current framework for the acquisition of Irish citizenship is underway in my Department and will consider a wide range of issues relating to the current statutory framework as well as other administrative arrangements in the granting of citizenship and I will be publishing a consultation document in this regard in due course.

Child Abuse

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
941 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32401/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Any person who wishes to make a complaint regarding a crime of child abuse should contact their local Garda station. Garda District Officers (Superintendents) have overall responsibility for investigations within their respective areas and direct appropriate investigations into allegations of such abuse which are as comprehensive and prompt as possible. The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, which operates under the aegis of my Department, provides funding for Barnardos and Children at Risk in Ireland (CARI). Barnardos can be contacted on (01) 453 0355 and www.barnardos.ie. CARI can be contacted on their helpline 1 890 924567 or www.cari.ie.

Citizenship Applications

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
942 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will review three applications for naturalisation from a family (details supplied) who have been living here since 1999; when they may expect to have a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32409/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first named person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in May 2007 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person in question was informed of this decision and the reasons for it in a letter issued to the first named person on 15 September, 2010. Applications for certificates of naturalisation on behalf of the second and third named persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2009 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant certificates of naturalisation. The parent of the persons concerned was informed of this decision and the reasons for it in letters issued on 22 October, 2009.

There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. It is open to the persons in question to lodge new applications for certificates of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements. However, in doing so they should bear in mind the reasons for refusal of their previous applications. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Garda Equipment

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
943 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when the current contract for roll out of speed cameras will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32418/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Garda Commissioner and I signed the contract for an outsourced safety camera network with the preferred service provider in November, 2009 following a tender and evaluation process. In accordance with the provisions of the contract, following the necessary preparatory work, rollout of the national safety camera network is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and will increase to full capacity in early 2011. An Garda Síochána will determine the scheduling of the speed monitoring and survey sessions, with a Garda Superintendent overseeing the day-to-day running of the project. The selected supplier will have responsibility for ensuring monitoring and survey sessions are conducted in accordance with the schedules and providing survey and monitoring data to An Garda Síochána. The selected supplier will provide the necessary vehicles, monitoring and survey equipment and operating personnel. An Garda Síochána will issue fixed charge notices to speeding drivers who are detected and pursue any court prosecutions undertaken. The service provider will be paid according to the level of service provided. The number of speeding drivers detected by the service provider will have no effect on the level of payment made. The purpose of the contract is to reduce speed, and so increase road safety, not to generate revenue either for the State or the service provider.

Prison Service

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
944 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to be open each week; the percentage of scheduled opening times that these libraries were actually open from January to May inclusive in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32455/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Library facilities are available in all prisons. The majority are managed by qualified staff from the Local Authority Library Services whose salary costs are refunded by the Irish Prison Service. Prison staff assist the librarian staff and operate library services in some prisons. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table in relation to nine prisons.

Prison

Scheduled Opening Hours (per week)

% hours open January – May 2010

Midlands

32.0

36

Portlaoise

36.5

82

Cloverhill

35.0

66

Mountjoy

35.0

47

St Patrick’s Institution

35.0

99

Wheatfield

24.0

50

Loughan House

7.0

91

Shelton Abbey

10.0

98

Castlerea

20.0

28

In relation to the other five prisons comparable data is not available. This is due to the fact that these prisons operate varying access arrangements structured to reflect demand including scheduled and ad-hoc opening hours to best facilitate access by prisoners. Whilst every effort is made to maintain, as far as possible, reasonable access to library facilities in keeping with demand for such access the deployment of resources to other operational functions to ensure the efficient operation of individual prisons has meant that opening hours were restricted in some prisons from time to time over the period.

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
945 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of workshop and work training instructor posts that are vacant in each prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32456/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Deputy will be aware that the filling of vacancies in the Prison Service, in common with the rest of the public service, is subject to the Government Decisions of 3 February and 24 March 2009 on the Implementation of Savings Measures on Public Service Numbers, more generally referred to as the moratorium on public sector recruitment. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Minister for Finance has approved the holding of an internal competition to identify suitable candidates to fill work training vacancies in the prison system. This competition is currently underway and the Irish Prison Service will be seeking further sanction to appoint the successful candidates from this competition in due course. The information requested by the Deputy on the existing vacancies is set out in the following table.

Assistant Industrial Supervisor

Industrial Supervisor

Industrial Training Instructor

Industrial Manager

Arbour Hill

3.0

1

Castlerea

7.5

2.0

Cloverhill

1

Cork

2.0

Dóchas Centre

3.0

2.0

Limerick

6.0

1

Loughan House

4.0

Midlands

4.0

1.5

Mountjoy

15.0

1.0

Portlaoise

St.Patrick’s Institution

5.0

1.0

Shelton Abbey

2.0

Training Unit

3

Wheatfield

11.0

2

Totals Vacancies In Each Grade

62.5

7.5

5

3

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
946 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to fill the vacant coordinator of education post in the Irish Prison Service with a professional educator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32457/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Deputy will be aware that the filling of vacancies in the Prison Service, in common with the rest of the public service, is governed by Government Decisions of 3 February and 24 March 2009 on the Implementation of Savings Measures on Public Service Numbers, more generally referred to as the moratorium on public sector recruitment. However, I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that, notwithstanding the moratorium, approval has been sought from the Minister for Finance for the filling of the currently vacant post of Co-ordinator of Education. This matter remains the subject of discussions between the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Finance.

Prison Drug Treatment Services

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
947 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prisoners in receipt of methadone treatment in each prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32459/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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It may assist the Deputy and the House if I set out current policy in this area. The Irish Prison Service continues to work to implement its Drugs Policy & Strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs Out of Prison, which was launched in May 2006 using a number of stands. Firstly, through the implementation of stringent measures to prevent drugs from getting into prisons; and secondly, by continuing to invest in services within prisons to reduce the demand for illicit drugs in the prisoner population as well as meeting prisoners' treatment and rehabilitative needs. Of particular significance is that now any person entering prison giving a history of opiate use and testing positive for opioids is offered a medically assisted symptomatic detoxification if clinically indicated. Patientscan, as part of the assessment process, discuss with healthcare staff other treatment options. These may include stabilization on methadone maintenance for persons who wish to continue on maintenance while in prison and when they return to the community on release. Prisoners who on committal are engaged in a methadone substitution programme in the community will in the main have their methadone substitution treatment continued while in custody. As the Deputy may be aware methadone substitution treatment is available in 8 out of the 14 prisons (accommodating over 75% of the prison population) in the prison estate. The table below shows the number of patients who received opiate substitution treatment with methadone during August 2010 which includes detox, maintenance and stabilisation.

Prisons

Total patients during August 2010

Cloverhill Prison

172

Dochas Centre

65

Limerick Prison

26

Midlands Prison

68

Mountjoy Prison

249

Portlaoise Prison

24

St Patrick’s Institution

1

Wheatfield Prison

98

TOTALS

703

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
948 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the allocations within the Education subhead of the Prison Vote to each of the following educational areas in 2008 and 2010: the education unit in each prison, each public library service involved in prisons, the Open University, the National College of Art and Design, the alternative to violence project, Arts Council projects in prisons and post-release education support for prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32460/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.

Education Unit

2008

2009

2010

Arbour Hill

29,282

19,975

20,000

Castlerea

71,529

52,047

50,000

Cloverhill

30,398

24,754

23,000

Cork

75,174

38,667

38,000

Dóchas

48,868

40,794

35,000

Limerick

51,784

48,042

48,000

Loughan House

50,906

42,287

30,000

Midlands

181,458

95,929

65,000

Mountjoy

64,690

50,426

50,000

Portlaoise

120,695

87,533

50,000

Shelton Abbey

36,148

30,481

25,000

St Patrick’s

71,045

72,546

50,000

Training Unit

30,885

23,401

20,000

Wheatfield

227,789

116,549

70,000

Libraries

2008

2009

2010

Dublin

265,099

215,956

198,000

Laois

113,247

111,367

90,000

Roscommon

169

99,391

54,000

Cavan

23,536

15,334

14,500

Wicklow

17,638

17,149

14,500

Limerick

—

—

12,000

Others

HOPE Project, Cork

17,000

17,000

10,000

Dillons Cross, Cork

5,400

9,000

10,000

Alternatives to Violence

35,000

7,000

—

National College of Art and Design

81,795

40,848

25,000

Arts Council

14,610

21,000

21,000

Open University

220,539

138,043

120,000

The figures for 2010 are provisional based on the allocations for each area. Final outturn figures will be available in January 2011. The provision of a part-time professional librarian service commenced in Castlerea in 2009 and in Limerick in 2010. The costs in relation to libraries covers the salaries of professional librarians and the costs relating to providing new book stocks, both of which are refunded to local library services. The Alternatives to Violence organisation have not, to date, submitted a proposal in relation to 2010. Educational services are now available at all institutions and are provided in partnership with a range of educational agencies in the community, notably the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Broad programmes of education are made available which generally follow an adult education approach. The Department of Education and Skills provide an allocation of whole-time teacher equivalents to the prisons through the VECs (220 in the academic year 2010/11). This enables education to be offered in all prisons including provision for the summer months and also special teaching arrangements where prisoners are segregated.

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
949 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of prisoners on 23 hour lock up in each prison; the number of these prisoners who have access to education services and the nature of that access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32461/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to advise the Deputy and the House that the term ‘Protection Prisoners' is used by the Irish Prison Service to distinguish those prisoners who would be considered to be under threat or "at risk" in the general population due, for example, to gangland feuding, drug debts, because they gave evidence in a court case or because of the nature of their offence. A number of our prisons have significant numbers of what would be regarded as protection prisoners accommodated on separate landings who have access to a wide regime of activities including school, workshops, gym facilities, probation service and chaplaincy service. However, there are a cohort of protection prisoners who are subject to a more restricted regime. The majority of these prisoners are located in our older prisons which because of constraints on space, resources, staffing levels and the simple number of factions which have to be kept separate from each other, are not in a position to offer enhanced regimes to these prisoners. The numbers requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table as of 23 September 2010

Prison/Place of Detention

Number of Prisoners on 23 hour lock up

Arbour Hill Prison

0

Castlerea Prison

23

Cloverhill Prison

1

Cork Prison

14

Dóchas Centre

0

Limerick Prison

6

Loughan House

0

Midlands Prison

26

Mountjoy Prison (male)

153

Portlaoise Prison

0

Shelton Abbey

0

St. Patrick’s Institution

40

Training Unit

0

Wheatfield Prison

45

Total

308

This cohort of prisoner subject to 23 hour protection do not have access to normal educational services. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to reduce the numbers of protection prisoners who fall into this category and regular transfers take place to other institutions where a prisoner will not require protection. In addition, the recently refurbished Separation Unit in Mountjoy Prison has now opened and provides 50 spaces with in-cell sanitation and secure exercise yards for this category of prisoner. The Unit provides enhanced accommodation for prisoners including in -cell sanitation and prisoners have access to a range of services including medical, gym facilities, probation service and chaplaincy service.

Deportation Orders

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
950 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of Chinese nationals deported having served a sentence in this country since 2000; if any Chinese nationals have subsequently been re-tried and have any been executed for the same offence in their own country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32462/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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My Department's records show that 228 Chinese nationals have been deported from this State since 2000. In relation to the number of those people who have served a prison sentence in this State, such details are not recorded in my Department in a manner as would enable me to readily provide the Deputy with the requested information. The Deputy will appreciate that the extraction and compilation of such information would require my officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to examine all 228 files and I could not justify the deflection of such officials from their day to day work to assemble this information. The Deputy should note, however, that my Department is in ongoing liaison with the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Irish Prison Service to ensure that, wherever possible, the cases of non-EEA national persons in detention are processed to completion in advance of their release date so that they are deported at the time of their release rather than being permitted to re-join the general population.

In relation to the treatment of Chinese deportees by the Chinese authorities, this is entirely a matter for the Chinese authorities and clearly neither I nor my Department would have access to such information. However, the Deputy should note that before a decision to deport is made, detailed consideration must be given to the safety of returning that person to their country of origin, a consideration known as the ‘refoulement' consideration which is provided for under Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended). This consideration involves conducting objective, up to date research into the prevailing political and human rights situations in the relevant country of origin and such a consideration would equally be carried out in advance of any deportation decision being made in the context of a Chinese national.

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
951 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will confirm that a request for leave to remain in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been received by his Department; when a decision will be made on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32463/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 26 March 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. Representations were submitted on behalf of the person concerned at that time. Such representations would sometimes be referred to as a ‘leave to remain application'.

The position in the State of the person concerned now falls to be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Immigration Service

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
952 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of immigration officers appointed for each of the past ten years; the criteria used to recruit and select persons to be immigration officers; if he is satisfied that the recruitment and selection procedure used is in conformity with the code of practice of the Commission of Public Service Appointments; if immigration officers can operate in Northern Ireland or elsewhere and if so on what terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32479/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Provision is made at section 3(1) of the Immigration Act 2004 for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to appoint such and so many persons as he or she considers appropriate (referred to in the Act of 2004 as "immigration officers") to perform the functions conferred on immigration officers by the said Act. A person so appointed holds the office on such terms and conditions as are determined by the Minister at the time of the appointment. Section 3(6) of the said Act, provides that the Minister for Justice and Law Reform may revoke an appointment made or deemed to have been made under the said section. In addition, Section 3(4) of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that a person appointed by the Minister to be an immigration officer, before the commencement of the Act of 2004 and who was acting as such an officer immediately before such commencement, shall upon such commencement be deemed to have been appointed as an immigration officer under the section.

The majority of persons appointed as Immigration Officers are Members of An Garda Síochána (indeed, all Immigration Officers at ports of entry are members of An Garda Síochána). A number of officials in my Department who are working in the immigration area are also appointed as immigration officers for the purposes of carrying out their duties. In this regard, it is of course the case that the appropriate process and practices apply to recruitment as members of An Garda Síochána or civil servants. Therefore, the question of the code of practice of the Commission of Public Service Appointments does not arise in this particular process.

In the event that a member of An Garda Síochána who is an immigration officer, travels outside the State for the purpose of interacting with the law enforcement authorities operating in Northern Ireland or any other jurisdiction, he/she will not utilise powers conferred on an immigration officer by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform as they relate only to the control of non-nationals entering, residing or leaving this State. Members of An Garda Síochána who have been appointed as immigration officers will have received training provided to all such members. Also, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) provides additional immigration specific in-service training, to immigration officers.

In the time available it has not been possible to compile the detailed statistics requested in relation to the period referred to by the Deputy. However, I can inform the Deputy that the total number of members of An Garda Síochána who are currently immigration officers or in respect of whom such appointment under the Immigration Act, 2004 is imminent is 411 and there have been 100 officials appointed as immigration officers under the Act of 2004.

Student Visas

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
953 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if non-EU national students are required to have a record of 80% course attendance; and if so, the legal basis of this requirement and when it was first introduced; the consequences for students who have less that this benchmark attendance; if personal circumstances such as illness may be considered when the 80% standard is not met in order to mitigate negative consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32480/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that full time Non-EEA students are required to show an attendance record of 80% on their course of study as evidence that they are pursuing their studies while present in the State. This requirement was introduced on an administrative basis and has been in place for a considerable time. Students who do not meet the required attendance level may be denied further registration as a student with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. I can confirm that the immigration authorities do take into account any exceptional circumstances which may prevent a student from attaining the required attendance. Such exceptional circumstances would include serious illness.

Immigration Policy

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
954 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the UK the employment earnings of undocumented third party nationals can be seized by immigration authorities; if such measures are deployed by officials of his Department or the Garda National Immigration Bureau; if so the legal power upon which it is seized; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32481/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I understand that in the United Kingdom immigration officers were given certain civil cash seizure and forfeiture powers under the proceeds of crime legislation in that jurisdiction in respect of persons involved in immigration related offences. In certain situations cash may be seized where it comes from criminal activity. To date such measures have not been a particular feature of the immigration authorities' dealings with undocumented workers in this State.

Departmental Agencies

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
955 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of civil servant presenting officers employed in the Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner for each of the past five years expressed in terms of whole-time equivalents; the number of outstanding Refugee Appeal Tribunal appeals for each of the past five years in tabular form; his plans to increase the number of civil servant presenting officers in order to reduce the number of outstanding appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32482/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The number of staff in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) acting as Presenting Officers at appeal hearings of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal for the last 5 years has ranged from 15.85 whole time equivalents in 2005 to 9.85 in the current year. The number of outstanding appeals in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal for each of the past 5 years is set out below:

Date

Appeals outstanding

2005

1,267

2006

2,500

2007

3,150

2008

3,412

2009

2,312

As of 31 August 2010, there are 1265 appeals outstanding in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The number of staff assigned to the various areas of activity for which my Department has responsibility is kept under ongoing review in the light of overall work priorities and staffing requirements generally within the Department and its agencies.

Citizenship Applications

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
956 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No 180 of the 30 June 2010, the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32527/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that further processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Garda Operations

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
957 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32541/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Whitehall Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of a number of incidents of the type referred to by the Deputy in the area referred to. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing, and one arrest has been made to date. A community Garda has been designated for the area and has met a number of residents. The community Garda has called to the homes of the victims and offered crime prevention advice and information.

The area is subject to regular patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units and the District Detective and Drug Units, supplemented as required by the Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. Liquor licence inspections have been increased in the area. Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in the area, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. Current policing plans in the area are designed to address issues of crime and public order offences. Community policing is a central feature and core value of Garda policing policy, and current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. This approach will promote an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life for residents.

Visa Applications

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
958 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will review an application for a visa in respect of a spouse (details supplied) of an Irish citizen; when a decision will issue on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32542/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application referred to was approved on the 20 September 2010. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
959 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of the 26 June 2010 the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32556/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in January 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that further processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course. The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Travel Documents

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
960 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when travel documents will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32568/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Travel Document Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person referred to in the Deputy's question was refused a temporary Travel Document on the 29 March 2010 as she held a current national passport in respect of her own country. It is a matter for the person concerned to contact her own national authorities in order to renew her passport. I am informed that the DR Congo Embassy in London is the appropriate office to contact in relation to this and that this information was previously conveyed to the person in question by the Travel Document Unit. I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
961 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32569/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2007. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Visa Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
962 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if permission will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to re-enter this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32570/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1061 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if permission will be given to the spouse of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to re-enter this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if permission will be granted to the spouse of a person (details supplied) to re-enter this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32720/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 962, 1061 and 1111 together.

Based on the information provided by the Deputy, my Department can find no record of a visa application for the person referred to. It is further the case that the position as stated in my replies to Parliamentary Questions 93 of 3 June 2010, 237 of 13 October 2009 and 122 of 5 March 2009 remains unchanged. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
963 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32571/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made two Family Reunification applications which were received in May 2009 and August 2009 respectively. The applications were forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigations were completed and the Commissioner has forwarded reports to INIS. The applications will be considered by INIS and a decision on both will issue in due course. Applications for Family Reunification are currently taking approximately 18 months to process. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
964 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32572/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned applied for asylum in 2003 but subsequently withdrew that application and appears to have left the State around that time. In May 2008 she lodged an application for residency in the State based on parentage of an Irish citizen child but as there was no stand alone measure for the consideration of such applications in place at that time, her application was rejected and she was notified in writing to this effect in June 2008. Given that she had no legal basis to remain in the State, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 24 June 2008, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order against her, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). She was advised of the options open to her as a result which included the facility to submit, within a period of 15 working days, written representations setting out reasons why she should not be deported. She was also notified of her entitlement to make an application for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of this application, a decision was made to refuse that application. This decision was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 28 May 2009.

The case of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, was then considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement before a Deportation Order was made in respect of her on 11 June 2009. This Order was served by registered post dated 3 July 2009. On 15 July 2009, the person concerned lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court challenging the decision to make a Deportation Order against her. As these proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the case at this time. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
965 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32573/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 30 May 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
966 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [32574/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made a Family Reunification application in August 2006. As this case is currently the subject of court proceedings, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time. I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
967 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32575/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1044 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32652/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 967 and 1044 together.

The person concerned arrived in the State on 29 August 2005 and applied for asylum on 30 August 2005. The Refugee Applications Commissioner refused her a declaration of refugee status. This decision was subsequently upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. On 29 June 2010 it was determined that she was not eligible for subsidiary protection. A Deportation Order was made in respect of her on 13 July 2010. The person concerned instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 11 August 2010 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of her and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
968 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32576/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1013 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32621/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1073 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32682/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 968, 1013 and 1073 together.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency or for family reunification. Following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and his application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was issued with a Deportation Order. He was deported from the State on 17 September 2010. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must remain out of the State. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
969 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who has lived in this country for some time and who is anxious to ascertain their current and or expected residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32577/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 12 July 2004, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
970 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32578/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1090 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32699/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 970 and 1090 together.

I refer the Deputy to my Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 309 of Tuesday, 15 June, 2010, in this matter. Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 31 August 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned. The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
971 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will state whether he will review or defer deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32579/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1038 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will review or defer a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that they have been employed in Ireland since 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 971 and 1038 together.

I refer the Deputy to my detailed replies to his recent Parliamentary Questions, Nos. 126 of Thursday, 20 May, 2010, and 394 of Thursday, 8 July, 2010, in this matter. The position remains that no Deportation Order has been made in respect of the person concerned. In accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 18 May 2010, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned and these representations will be fully considered, under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. As a person with no current right of residency in the State, the person concerned is not entitled to seek or enter employment in the State. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
972 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when residency will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32580/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 30 August 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her.

The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in her case. The High Court refused the Judicial Review Leave Application with the consequence that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Minister stood.

The person concerned also made an application for residency in the State on the basis of being the spouse of an EU National. However, following consideration of this application, under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006, a decision was made to refuse the application. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 13 October 2008. Arising from the refusal of her residency application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 22 October 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should not be deported. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
973 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32581/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 16 May 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. He was subsequently notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
974 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32582/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that an application for residence based on EU Treaty Rights has been recently received in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy.

Applications based on EU Treaty Rights are processed within a six-month time frame. A decision will issue to the applicant in due course.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
975 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has made an application for permission to remain in the State.

I am further informed by INIS that a letter recently issued to the person concerned requesting further documentation. On receipt of said documentation their application will be considered further.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
976 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 does not meet the statutory residency requirements; when it is likely that they will be in a position to meet same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32584/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when renewal of the Garda National Immigration Bureau card and stamp 4 will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 976 and 1132 together.

I wish to inform the Deputy that the person in question was granted permission to remain in the State in September 2007 on the basis of being a family dependent of a person who was granted permission to remain in the State as the parent of an Irish born child. I am informed that this permission has been renewed on a yearly basis up to 10 September 2010 and I would advise the person concerned to present to her local Immigration Office for renewal of her permission to remain in the State.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
977 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32585/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1035 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32643/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 977 and 1035 together.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 20 April 2010, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and his application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
978 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32586/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. I am informed that this permission is currently valid until 9 May 2011 and may be renewed at her local Immigration Office two weeks in advance of that date.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
979 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in that case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32587/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied.

If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
980 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 316 of Tuesday, 16 February 2010, in this matter.

The case of the person concerned now falls to be considered for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
981 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when an application for family reunification will be decided on in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32589/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to made a Family Reunification application with respect to his wife in January 2009.

The application was forwarded to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. The investigation was completed in June 2009 and a report was forwarded to INIS.

I am further informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that a letter issued on the 17th June 2010 to the person's legal representatives advising them of the current position of their client's application.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
982 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32590/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 22 February 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that the person concerned was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 24 May 2010.

The case of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will now be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this consideration has been completed, the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
983 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32591/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1033 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32641/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 983 and 1033 together.

The permission to remain in the State previously granted to the person concerned expired on 20 March 2010. An application to have this permission renewed has been received from the person concerned and this application is currently under consideration in my Department. Once a decision has been made on this renewal application, this will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
984 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32592/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 22 July 2005, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should not have a Deportation Order made against her. Representations were submitted on behalf of the person concerned at that time.

The person concerned was subsequently notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that she was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 30 November 2009.

The case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will now be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this overall consideration has been completed, the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
985 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32593/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in August 2010.

On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet that statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 19 August, 2010.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
986 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and stamp 4 status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32594/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32715/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 986 and 1106 together.

The person concerned has had his temporary permission to remain in the State renewed, on Stamp 3 conditions, for a six month period, to 4 January 2011. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 4 August 2010.

The decision to grant such status to the person concerned was arrived at following the consideration of his case under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This decision would have taken account of all matters relating to the person concerned which were submitted to me for consideration, including his personal and family circumstances.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
987 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32595/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1087 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32696/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 987 and 1087 together.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 26 February 2002, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned at that time.

As a final decision had not been made in her case, she was, by letters dated 24 September 2009 and 6 August 2010, afforded the opportunity of updating the representations already made and, if she so wished, of submitting further representations. As the person concerned has not responded to those letters, her position in the State will be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, based on the information already held on file. Once the file has been examined at official level, it is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Deportation Orders

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
988 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32596/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to the reply given to his Parliamentary Question No. 139 on Thursday, 27 May 2010. The status of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

The Deputy might wish to note that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order. He has been evading deportation since September 2009 and is therefore illegally present in the State since then.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
989 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32597/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned has had her temporary permission to remain in the State renewed for a further two year period, to 11 July 2012. This decision was conveyed in writing to her by letter dated 21 July 2010.

Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation having been received from the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
990 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32598/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1048 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32656/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 990 and 1048 together.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in August 2010.

On examination of the application submitted, it was determined that the application be returned in its entirety to the person concerned for further attention on 19 August, 2010. In order to be fair to all applicants, only valid applications can be considered.

It is open to the person in question to re-submit the application to the Citizenship Section of my Department at any time.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
991 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32599/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 20 June 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Deportation Orders

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
992 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32600/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1077 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if the Department has reviewed the case with a view to revocation of the deportation order in view of the circumstances and further correspondence forwarded to his office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32686/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 992 and 1077 together.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 27 July 2010, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of her asylum claim and her application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations she submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

I can confirm that an undertaking was given that the deportation will not be effected, pending the determination of an asylum application on behalf of the child of the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
993 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if leave to remain on humanitarian grounds will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32601/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 9 November 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

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

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
994 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32602/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27 October 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
995 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 28 December 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
996 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32604/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 22 February 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
997 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32605/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned has been granted Permission to Remain in the State for the period to 17 October 2010. He has submitted an application to have this permission renewed and this application is currently under consideration in my Department. Once a decision has been made on this renewal application, this will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
998 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32606/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 9 September 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
999 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32607/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 17 July 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1000 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain and work here in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32608/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned is illegally present in the State and, as such, she has no entitlement to work or reside here.

Arising from her position as an illegal immigrant, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 4 February 2010, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1001 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32609/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation having been received from the person concerned.

The person concerned has, however, been granted permission to remain in the State until 23 October 2011. This decision was conveyed to him by letter dated 23 October 2008.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Support Services

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1002 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford can transfer to Mosney accommodation in Julianstown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in direct provision. I am informed that the direct provision accommodation centre at Mosney has no available bed spaces.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1003 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32611/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 589 of Tuesday, 19 January 2010.

The case of the person concerned now falls to be considered for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. This application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1004 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32612/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 143 of Thursday, 11 February 2010, in this matter.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1005 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32613/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1160 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33350/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1005 and 1160 together.

I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the application by the person concerned for a residence card on the basis of being a family member of an EU citizen exercising their EU Treaty Rights in the State was approved and that the decision was conveyed by registered post to the person concerned on the 26th January, 2009.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1006 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32614/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 6 December 2005, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of her asylum claim, and a detailed examination of the representations she submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

I can confirm that an undertaking was given that the deportation will not be effected, pending the determination of an asylum application on behalf of the child of the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1007 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32615/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1093 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32702/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1007 and 1093 together.

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 627 of Tuesday, 19 January 2010, in this matter.

The case of the person concerned now falls to be considered for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1008 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32616/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned has had his temporary permission to remain in the State renewed for a further three year period, valid to 14 July 2013. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 26 July 2010.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1009 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32617/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1070 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32679/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress made regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33009/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1009, 1070 and 1131 together.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2010.

On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet that statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to him on 15 July, 2010.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1010 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32618/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made a Family Reunification application in April 2007.

I am further informed by INIS that a letter issued to the person referred to on the 22nd September 2010 requesting further documentation. On receipt of said documentation their application will be considered further.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1011 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain on subsidiary protection grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32619/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 28 April 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1012 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32620/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State under the IBC/05 Scheme for a two year period, valid to 17 November 2007. The person concerned applied to have this permission renewed but this was refused as he did not meet the Scheme's continuous residency requirement. He was notified of this decision by letter dated 8 October 2008.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1013 answered with Question No. 968.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1014 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and extension of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32622/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

The person concerned has recently had her temporary permission to remain in the State renewed for a further three year period, valid to 23 October 2013. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 1 September 2010.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1015 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32623/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2008.

On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet that statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 27 June, 2008.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1016 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32624/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1109 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32718/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1156 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the procedure to be followed to regularise residency in the case of person (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1016, 1109 and 1156 together.

The person concerned has had his permission to remain in the State renewed to 1 July 2011. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 1 September 2010.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1017 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32625/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in June 2007 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person concerned was informed of this decision and the reasons for it in a letter issued to her on 15 December, 2009.

There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when she is in a position to meet the statutory requirements. However, in doing so she should bear in mind the reasons for refusal of her previous application.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1018 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress to date in the determination of residency and citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32626/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1053 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress in the determination of residency and citizenship and when a Garda National Immigration Bureau card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1018 and 1053 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 168 of Thursday 24 June 2010, in this matter.

The person concerned has had his leave to remain in the State renewed for a further three year period, to 18 April 2013. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 19 April 2010. This communication advised the person concerned of the conditions attaching to this permission and outlined the registration process involved which was to attend at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 where, upon presentation of appropriate identification documentation and payment of the relevant registration fee, this registration process is completed. If the person concerned has not done so to date, it is in his interests to do so without further delay.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1019 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32627/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1091 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32700/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1155 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare did not meet the requirements as set out in his letter to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33345/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1019, 1091 and 1155 together.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2010.

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The person concerned did not fulfil all of the statutory conditions, consequently, the Citizenship Division of my Department has deemed the application ineligible. The person in question was informed of this decision in a letter issued to him on 13 July, 2010.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1020 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32628/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was originally granted permission to remain in the State based on her marriage to an Irish national on 31 August 2009 for an initial period of twelve months.

This permission expired on 9 September 2010 and is now due for renewal. The person concerned should now attend their local registration office which is located at the Superintendent's Office, An Garda Síochána, Maynooth, Co. Kildare in order to facilitate the renewal of her registration.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1021 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned claimed asylum in the State on2/3/2005 and had his claim examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner following which it was recommended that he should be recognised as a refugee. Based on this recommendation, the person concerned was issued with a formal declaration of refugee status by letter dated 24/6/2005. This communication also advised the person concerned of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State. The person concerned continues to hold the status of refugee in the State.

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, because of the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration/Asylum cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Deportation Orders

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1022 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32630/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to the Reply given to his Parliamentary Question No. 831 of Wednesday 24 September 2008. The status of the person concerned remains as set out in that Reply.

The person concerned has continued to meet his presentation requirements with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the GNIB.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1023 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32631/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The persons concerned are a family unit, comprising a mother, a father and three young children. The mother applied for asylum on 3 April 2006. She gave birth to the second person referred to and this child was included as a child dependant in her mother's application for asylum. The father applied for asylum on 3 December 2007 while a separate asylum application was lodged in respect of the fourth person referred to, an infant, on 20 January 2009. The fifth person referred to is the couple's youngest child.

The asylum applications made by the first, third and fourth persons referred to were refused and, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), they were notified, by letters dated 26 August 2010, 10 September 2008 and 28 July 2010 respectively, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of each of them. They were each given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against them. In addition, they were notified of their respective entitlements to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The persons concerned submitted individual applications for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of these applications has been completed, the persons concerned will be notified in writing of the outcomes.

In the event that the applications for Subsidiary Protection are refused, the position in the State of the persons concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the files are passed to me for decision. Once decisions have been made, these decisions and the consequences of the decisions will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.

Insofar as the position of the fifth person referred to is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on individual asylum applications where a final decision has not been made. However, the Deputy should note that applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Deportation Orders

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1024 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32632/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and following consideration of her case under the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the then Minister signed a Deportation Order in respect of the person concerned on 26 July 2005. This Order was served by registered post dated 11 August 2005. This communication advised the person concerned of the legal requirement that she ‘present' herself at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) on 18 August, 2005, in order to make arrangements for her deportation from the State. The person concerned ‘presented' on this occasion but failed to ‘present' on a subsequent occasion and was therefore classified as a person evading deportation.

The person concerned subsequently sought to make an application for Subsidiary Protection, based on the provisions of Regulation 4 (2) of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. However, while that Regulation suggested that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform might have discretion to permit a person who is the subject of a Deportation Order to make an application for Subsidiary Protection, the Supreme Court, in adjudicating in a case not connected with the case of the person concerned, ruled that the Minister did not have such discretion. As a result of that ruling, an application for Subsidiary Protection cannot be accepted from a person who is the subject of a Deportation Order. This being the case, the application for Subsidiary Protection submitted by the person concerned cannot be considered. She therefore remains the subject of a valid Deportation Order, the consequence of which is that she is legally obliged to leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1025 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship on the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 and the process to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32633/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1026 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain on subsidiary protection grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32634/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 19 March 2010, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1027 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32635/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a review will be undertaken in the case of an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been issued with a deportation order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33343/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1027 and 1153 together.

The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order since 2003 and has been evading his deportation for most of the intervening period.

On 7 May 2010, an application to have the Deportation Order revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), was received from the legal representative of the person concerned. This application is under consideration at present and a decision is expected shortly. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the relevant party. While the consideration of this application is not a review of the case as such, it will involve a detailed examination of the latest information submitted to determine if this is materially different to the information which was before the then Minister when the original decision to deport was made.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1028 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32636/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to is the subject of a Family Reunification application made in April 2010.

The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation was completed in June 2010 and a report was forwarded to INIS. Applications are currently taking approximately 18 months to process.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1029 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and revocation of deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32637/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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It is noted that the address of the person concerned as supplied by the Deputy does not match the address currently on record for the person concerned. As it is incumbent on an applicant to notify my Department when they change address it would be in the best interest of the person concerned to inform my Department of their correct address without delay.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 11 September 2003, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of her asylum claim, and a detailed examination of the representations she submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). She has been evading her deportation since 26 September 2003 and should she come to the notice of the Garda authorities, she would be liable to arrest and detention. She should, therefore, present herself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau without any further delay.

While an application pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, for revocation of the Deportation Order has been made by the legal representative of the person concerned, this will not be considered until such time as the person concerned complies with the requirements of the Deportation Order.

The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State.

The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Support Services

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1030 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can transfer to an alternative hostel in view of ongoing difficulties they are experiencing in their current accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32638/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in direct provision. If the person referred to in the question wishes to seek a transfer from his current accommodation, he should complete a transfer request form, available from the centre manager, and send it to the RIA for consideration.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1031 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32639/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1058 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32666/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1031 and 1058 together.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 19 September 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1032 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32640/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 5 November 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1033 answered with Question No. 983.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1034 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The first named person concerned applied for asylum on 18 May 2005. The second named person concerned, the minor son of the first named person concerned, subsequently arrived in the State and applied for asylum on 29 May 2006. Both asylum applications were refused following the individual consideration of the cases by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of their respective asylum applications, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the persons concerned were notified, by letters dated 25 August 2006 and 29 January 2008 respectively, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against them. In addition, they were notified of their respective entitlements to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The persons concerned have submitted separate applications for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of these applications has been completed, the persons concerned will be notified in writing of the outcomes.

In the event that the applications for Subsidiary Protection are refused, the positions in the State of the persons concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the files are passed to me for decision. Once decisions have been made, these decisions and the consequences of the decisions will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1035 answered with Question No. 977.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1036 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32644/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State in 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission was renewed in 2007 and recently in 2010 which, I understand is valid up to 28 February 2011, the date of expiry of her passport. The person concerned should present to her local Immigration Officer with a valid passport for further renewal of her permission to remain in the State 2 weeks before the end of February 2011.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1037 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when the Garda National Immigration Bureau renewal card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32645/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1051 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a Garda National Immigration Bureau card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32659/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1095 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32704/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1037, 1051 and 1095 together.

The person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State for the period to 20 November 2010. She has submitted an application to have this permission renewed and this application is currently under consideration in my Department. Once a decision has been made on this renewal application, this will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

The Deputy's query in relation to the social welfare payment should be addressed to the Minister for Social Protection.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1038 answered with Question No. 971.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1039 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32647/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 155 of Thursday, 1 July, 2010, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1040 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32648/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1049 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32657/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1040 and 1049 together.

The first named person concerned applied for asylum in the State on 5 October 2006. She subsequently gave birth to the second named person concerned. A separate application for asylum was lodged on behalf of the child on 16 March 2007. Both asylum applications were refused following the individual consideration of the cases by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Arising from the refusal of their respective asylum applications, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the persons concerned were notified, by separate letters dated 8 September 2010, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against them. In addition, they were notified of their respective entitlements to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The 15 working day period referred to in my Department's letter of 8 September 2010 expires on 30 September 2010. It is open to the persons concerned to make representations and/or apply for Subsidiary Protection within that period. In any event, the cases of the persons concerned will not be further processed until the 15 working day period referred to has elapsed.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1041 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress made to date in determination of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is anxious to obtain employment but cannot due so due their current status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32649/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to is the subject of a Family Reunification application made in April 2010.

The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996.

This investigation was completed in June 2010 and a report was forwarded to INIS. Applications are currently taking approximately 18 months to process.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1042 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32650/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2008.

On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet that statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 28 October, 2008.

It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1043 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32651/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 20 August, 2003.

On examination of the application it was determined that the person concerned did not meet the statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A letter informing the applicant of this was issued on 25 October 2005.

It is open to the individual concerned to lodge a new application if and when she is in a position to meet the statutory residency requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1044 answered with Question No. 967.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1045 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a Garda National Immigration Bureau card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32653/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1102 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a Garda National Immigration Bureau card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32711/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1045 and 1102 together.

I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 390 of Thursday, 8th July, 1010, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1046 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a certificate of naturalisation will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32654/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1083 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32692/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1046 and 1083 together.

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in June 2008 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter issued to her on 7 July, 2010.

Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that a certificate of naturalisation issued to the person in question via registered post on 8 September, 2010.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1047 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32655/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State on 14 October, 2009. The person concerned and their legal representative were informed that the application had been approved by letter on 13 April, 2010.

Question No. 1048 answered with Question No. 990.

Question No. 1049 answered with Question No. 1040.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1050 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and stamp 4 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32658/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1115 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and stamp four in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1050 and 1115 together.

The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State, on Stamp 3 conditions, on 19 November 2009, valid to 14 June 2010. An application to have this permission renewed has been received from the person concerned and this application is currently under consideration in my Department. Once a decision has been made on this renewal application, this will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1051 answered with Question No. 1037.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1052 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32660/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 28 February 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1053 answered with Question No. 1018.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1054 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32662/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 8 May 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1055 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain and extended residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 155 of Thursday, 27 May 2010.

The case of the person concerned now falls to be considered for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). This application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1056 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain and extended residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32664/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 156 of Thursday, 27th May 2010, in this matter.

The case of the person concerned now falls to be considered for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1057 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when travel documents will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32665/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Travel Document Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person referred to in the Deputy's Question currently has temporary permission to remain in the State until 27 April 2011. I am advised by INIS that only a person who has been granted full refugee status by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform is entitled to apply for a travel document to enable him/her to travel outside of the State.

In exceptional cases an application for Irish temporary travel document may be considered. In all such cases, INIS must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to the applicant before an Irish temporary travel document will issue. The person concerned has to show that they have made reasonable and formal efforts to obtain a national passport, that it has been formally and unreasonably refused and that their own consular authorities are unable to offer consular assistance to them whilst resident in the State.

I am informed that the person concerned was refused a temporary Travel Document on the 19 August 2010 and advised to contact his own consular authorities by the Travel Document Unit. It is open to the person in question to submit a new application for a temporary travel document accompanied by the relevant supporting documentation to the Travel Document Unit of INIS which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Full information in this regard and the applicable application form is available at www.inis.gov.ie.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1058 answered with Question No. 1031.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1059 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32668/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in September 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1060 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32669/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 20 February 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1061 answered with Question No. 962.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1062 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if residency and leave to remain will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32671/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am advised by the Immigration Division of my Department that there is no record of any application for residence in the State by the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1063 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32672/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my previous answers to Parliamentary Question numbers 1203 of 30th January 2008 and 141 of 13th November 2008.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to made a Family Reunification application with respect to his wife and children and a decision issued to him in July 2006. I am further informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that a letter issued to the person referred to on the 24th August 2010. A response has not been received by INIS to date. It is proposed to issue a further letter to the person referred to by the Deputy in the coming week.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1064 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a travel document will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32673/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Travel Document Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person referred to in the Deputy's Question currently has temporary permission to remain in the State until 10 November 2011.

It is generally a matter for the person concerned to contact his own national authorities in order to renew his passport. I am advised that the DR Congo Embassy in London is the appropriate office to contact in relation to this and that they are assisting their own nationals resident in Ireland in this regard. I am informed that the Travel Document Unit has no record of an application for a temporary travel document having been received in respect of the person concerned based on the information supplied by the Deputy. The procedures to be followed when applying for a temporary travel document are outlined on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1065 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship and family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32674/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2009.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned is the subject of a Family Reunification application made in May 2010. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner forwarded a report to INIS on the 30 July, 2010. This application will be considered by INIS and a decision will issue in due course. Applications for Family Reunification are currently taking approximately 18 months to process.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1066 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32675/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order following a comprehensive and thorough examination of their asylum claim, and a detailed examination of the representations they submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1067 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32676/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person to whom the Deputy refers was granted permission to remain in the State for a 2 year period in 2005 under the revised arrangements for non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as IBC/05 Scheme. She subsequently applied for renewal of this permission in August 2007 but this application was refused as the person did not meet a key criteria of the Scheme, namely that she remain resident in the State. The person concerned was subsequently invited, by letter dated 27 June, 2008, to submit representations under Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, setting out the reasons as to why should be permitted to remain in the State to which she failed to reply. I should add that the person concerned re-entered the State in April of 2010. She was written to on 23 June 2010 in the context of her being illegally in the State and my Department is currently examining her case file, including extensive correspondence from her legal representatives, with a view to deciding on her future status in the State in due course.

I should also remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1068 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32677/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Following the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 14 January 2009, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1069 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32678/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 4 December 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1070 answered with Question No. 1009.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1071 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and permission to remain in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32680/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Following consideration of her case under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, a Deportation Order was signed in respect of the person concerned on 20 August 2009. This Order was served by registered post dated 22 September 2009. As a person subject of a Deportation Order, the person concerned is legally obliged to comply with any reporting requirements placed on her by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1072 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency and leave to remain in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32681/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Following the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25 May 2005, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations were submitted at that time.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1073 answered with Question No. 968.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1074 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32683/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 546 of Tuesday, 20 April, 2010, in this matter.

The case of the person concerned now falls to be considered for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Support Services

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1075 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when alternative accommodation will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32684/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in direct provision. The RIA has received a request from the Deputy on behalf of this family to transfer from their current accommodation and the request is under consideration.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1076 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32685/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No 545 of Tuesday, 20 April, 2010, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned now falls to be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1077 answered with Question No. 992.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1078 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in November 2006. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that documentation was requested from the person concerned in a letter issued to him on 17 August, 2010. On receipt of the requested documentation further processing of the application will continue.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1079 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32688/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in November 2007. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1080 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32689/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 21 September 2010, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and his application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1081 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32690/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1094 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; when a decision will issue on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32703/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1081 and 1094 together.

Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 9 August 2010, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and this application will be considered first. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1082 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in respect of the spouse of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32691/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that family reunification procedures apply only to persons who have been granted either refugee status or subsidiary protection, and the person to whom he refers is not in this category. As I have informed the Deputy on many previous occasions, the granting of permission to remain under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme, does not confer any entitlement or legitimate expectation on any other person, whether related to the person granted permission or not, to enter the State. All applicants to the Scheme signed an undertaking to this effect.

I should add that it is open to all non-nationals, who are resident outside the State and who are visa required to enter the State, to apply to their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate for an entry visa. Comprehensive guidelines on making a visa application can be found on www.inis.gov.ie.

I should also remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1083 answered with Question No. 1046.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1084 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to refuse family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32693/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1123 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to refuse family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33001/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1084 and 1123 together.

I refer the Deputy to my answers to his previous Parliamentary Questions.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made a Family Reunification application in May 2007 in respect of her father and four nieces. A decision in this case issued to the applicant on 19 January 2010 and a copy of the consideration detailing the reasons for the decision was also provided. Following an enquiry from the Deputy, a letter issued to the above named on 11 May 2010 advising her that it was open to her to submit any additional evidence which was not available at the time of application. To date no response has been received.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by E mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1085 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency and revocation of a deportation order in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32694/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency or for revocation of their Deportation Order. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order following a comprehensive and thorough examination of their asylum claim, and a detailed examination of the representations they submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1086 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32695/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32713/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1086 and 1104 together.

Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27 February 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. He was subsequently notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1087 answered with Question No. 987.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1088 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32697/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2008 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person concerned was informed of this decision in a letter issued to him on 21 September, 2010. A certificate of naturalisation will issue to person in question on receipt of documentation requested to finalise his application.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1089 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32698/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 164 on 1 July 2010. The position remains as stated.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1090 answered with Question No. 970.

Question No. 1091 answered with Question No. 1019.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1092 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if stamp four will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32701/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I have been informed by my officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy is resident in the State as a dependant of her husband, who was granted a Stamp 4 as he qualified for Long Term Residency. This status is granted on the basis that a non-EEA national has completed five years legal residency in the State on work permits. It should be noted that dependants of applicants who have been granted Long term Residency can also apply for Long Term Residency but will only be granted a Stamp 3 (Dependants Stamp) for 5 years. They do not have an entitlement to a Stamp 4 immigration status.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1093 answered with Question No. 1007.

Question No. 1094 answered with Question No. 1081.

Question No. 1095 answered with Question No. 1037.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1096 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the persons referred to by the Deputy contacted my Department in August 2010. Officials in that Section inform me that a letter was issued to the persons concerned on 16 August 2010 in reply to their query advising them to contact their local immigration officer.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1097 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a decision will issue on an application for leave to remain in the state in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25 August 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. She was subsequently notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1098 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when stamp three will be renewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32707/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the person in question was granted a Stamp 3 for 5 years on the basis of Long-Term Residency on 8 March 2010. Our records indicate that she has been issued with a Certificate of Registration until 14 December 2013.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1099 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position in respect of an application under subsidiary protection in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32708/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27 July 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1100 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position in respect of an application under subsidiary protection in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32709/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 17 October 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. He was subsequently notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1101 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32710/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1102 answered with Question No. 1045.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1103 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in December 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that documentation was requested from the person concerned in a letter issued to him on 15 September, 2010. On receipt of the requested documentation further processing of the application will continue.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria. I am informed that there is a discrepancy between the address the Deputy has provided and the address my Department holds on file. It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informed of any change of address in writing.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1104 answered with Question No. 1086.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32714/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned, a failed asylum seeker, is the subject of a Deportation Order which was made on 4 February 2009 following the consideration of her case under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. This Order was served by registered post dated 6 February 2009. On 19 March 2009, the person concerned initiated judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to make a Deportation Order in her case. These proceedings were struck out on 21 June 2010 meaning that the Deportation Order remains in place. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. In light of the foregoing, the Deputy will appreciate that the person concerned is not awaiting a decision on an application for residency.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1106 answered with Question No. 986.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1107 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for citizenship and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32716/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2010. On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet that statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 13 July, 2010. It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1108 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; if a review can or will be undertaken in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32717/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). If there has been a change in the circumstances of the person concerned, or new information has come to light which has a direct bearing on his case, there remains the option of applying to me for revocation of his Deportation Order pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended. However I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1109 answered with Question No. 1016.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1110 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the current position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32719/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made a Family Reunification application in April 2007. I am further informed by INIS that a letter issued to the person referred to on the 22nd September 2010 requesting further documentation. On receipt of said documentation their application will be considered further.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by E mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1111 answered with Question No. 962.

Garda Investigations

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the current position regarding the follow-up in the case of support or assistance following alleged child abuse in the family of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when this urgent matter is likely to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32722/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the matter referred to by the Deputy was investigated and a file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who directed that there be no criminal prosecution. The mother of the child referred to has been informed of the DPP's decision. I am further informed that the Health Service Executive was notified at the outset of the investigation in accordance with the Children First Guidelines and contact with it will continue.

Visa Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when visas will be processed in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32770/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Based on the information provided by the Deputy, my Department can find no record of visa applications for the persons referred to. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Closed Circuit Television Systems

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1114 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if an application has been received seeking closed circuit television for the town of Westport, County Mayo; the position with this application; when funding will be provided for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32797/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. To date two major rounds of this Scheme have been advertised, in 2005 and 2007. Two types of grant have been made available. Substantive grants of up to €100,000 have been made available from my Department with the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs providing matching funding for successful applications from RAPID areas. Pre-development grants of up to €5,000 have also been made available to assist local communities to develop substantive proposals in their areas.

I am advised by Pobal, who administer the Scheme on behalf of my Department, that an application for a pre-development grant was received from a Westport CCTV Consortium. Following a thorough assessment of the application, it was deemed not to have met a number of the qualifying criteria and was not approved for funding. Any further plans for an extension of CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the progression of the schemes already grant aided, the availability of funding and overall policy considerations.

Question No. 1115 answered with Question No. 1050.

Departmental Staff

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1116 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a transfer will be effected in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and the reason for the delays in transfers in the Department. [32868/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I understand from my Department's Human Resources Division that the individual concerned, a Clerical Officer in the Department, applied for an internal transfer to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) on 14 September 2010. On 16 September the officer withdrew his application for a transfer to INIS, requesting a transfer to other areas of the Department. The officer's interest in a transfer to the areas concerned has been noted for future consideration.

Garda Recruitment

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1117 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of gardaí being recruited this year; if they are being recruited from the existing panel or will a new panel be formed for this recruitment. [32880/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Applicants who are currently on a panel and have gone through the medical, physical and character vetting procedures, and are available, will be offered positions as Garda Trainees, in strict order of where they were placed on the panel, upon the resumption of recruitment.I recently announced the start of a Garda recruitment campaign to establish a panel of approved candidates who will be available to meet future Garda recruitment needs.

Departmental Agencies

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1118 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the estimated number of man hours of overtime worked in agencies or authorities or divisions which report to him from 2008 to date in 2010; the total costs involved; the overtime premia which apply for overtime working at different times and for call outs when workers are on call. [32928/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The precise details required by the Deputy are not readily available as not all the bodies within Vote 19 (Office of the Minister for Justice and Law Reform) are paid directly from the centralised payroll system. The total overtime and call-out payments for the year to date paid from Vote 19 are in the region of €1.346m. This represents 1.24% of total pay related expenditure in the same period. Overtime premia vary according to grade, conditioned working hours and time worked. The criteria in question are outlined in Department of Finance Circular 27/1999 — Extra Attendance.

Visa Applications

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1119 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a decision will issue on a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32944/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed that the Visa Office, Dublin can find no record of a current re-entry visa application for the person referred to. It is open to the person concerned to apply for a re-entry visa either by post or in person. Comprehensive information regarding re-entry visas is available on the website or the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie). Prior to making an application the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is up to date.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Crime Levels

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1120 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of cases of Internet fraud reported to the Garda in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the steps he is taking to combat same; if reform of the laws will be required to update the laws surrounding such cases of fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32945/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there is no differentiation between internet fraud and other types of fraud when such incidents are recorded. Therefore to establish the number of reported cases of internet fraud would involve a manual search of Garda records and would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources.

An Garda Síochána are proactive in preventing this type of crime by actively raising awareness of public fraud prevention measures through a number of forums. The Gardaí in conjunction with the Irish Banking Federation, the Irish Payment Services Organisation, the retail banks and the UCD Centre for Cybercrime Investigation work on the reduction of this type of crime as part of the remit of the Irish Banking Federation Hi-Tech Crime Forum. This group has published public awareness leaflets and have undertaken many media campaigns in an effort to reduce Internet Fraud. The Gardaí and Price Waterhouse Coopers have also published the Fraud Alert book to spread awareness with the public and businesses community in relation to Internet Fraud. On the more general question of cybercrime, I can inform the House that I am proceeding with proposals for the preparation of a Criminal Justice (Cybercrime) Bill.

Closed Circuit Television Systems

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1121 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the funding available for closed circuit television camera applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32952/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. Two types of grant have been made available. Substantive grants of up to €100,000 have been made available from my Department with the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs providing matching funding for successful applications from RAPID areas. Pre-development grants of up to €5,000 have also been made available to assist local communities to develop substantive proposals in their areas. Two major rounds of the scheme were advertised in 2005/2006 and 2007 under which 45 substantive schemes have been approved funding, of which 32 have been installed. In addition, 54 schemes were awarded pre-development grants over the same period. Any further plans for an extension of CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the progression of the schemes already grant aided, the availability of funding and overall policy considerations.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1122 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the current and proposed status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33000/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State in 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission was renewed in 2007 and on 30 August 2010 and is currently valid up to 7 September 2013. The wife of the person concerned has permission to remain in line with that of her husband.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1123 answered with Question No. 1084.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1124 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to state when stamp 4 status will be updated in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1124 and 1125 together.

I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State in May of 2001 under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish citizen children. I am informed that this permission is currently valid until 12 December 2010 and may be renewed at her local Immigration Office 2 weeks in advance of that date.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1126 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33004/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the persons whose details were supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the persons concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Travel Documents

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1127 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a travel document will issue to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33005/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Travel Document Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person referred to in the Deputy's Question currently has temporary permission to remain in the State until 13 July 2011. I am advised by INIS that only a person who has been granted full refugee status by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform is entitled to apply for a travel document to enable him/her to travel outside of the State.

In exceptional cases an application for Irish temporary travel document may be considered. In all such cases, INIS must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to the applicant before an Irish temporary travel document will issue. The person concerned has to show that they have made reasonable and formal efforts to obtain a national passport, that it has been formally and unreasonably refused and that their own consular authorities are unable to offer consular assistance to them whilst resident in the State. The person in question was refused an Irish temporary travel document on the 26 August 2010 and was advised to contact his own consular authorities.

It remains open to this person to submit a new application for a temporary travel document. Any new application submitted should be accompanied with the requisite supporting documentation inclusive of original written confirmation addressed to the person concerned from the DR Congo authorities in London confirming that they are unable to facilitate him with the issuance of a national passport whilst resident in this State. Applications for Irish temporary travel documents can be submitted to the Travel Document Unit, INIS, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Full information in this regard and the applicable application form are available at www.inis.gov.ie.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1128 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33006/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on marriage to a Portuguese national on 25 November, 2009. The person concerned was informed of the decision to refuse the application and the basis for this decision by letter of 19 May, 2010. A request by the applicant and her spouse for a Review of this decision was received on 4 June, 2010. All applications for Review are dealt with in chronological order of date of receipt of the application for Review.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33007/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Visa Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33008/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions 699 of 6 October 2009 and 634 of 27 January 2009 which sets out the position in respect of family reunification for family members of the person concerned. I should add that it is open to all non-nationals, who are resident outside the State and who are visa required to enter the State, to apply to any Irish Embassy or Consulate for an entry visa.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1131 answered with Question No. 1009.

Question No. 1132 answered with Question No. 976.

Residency Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33011/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State for the period to 13 July 2011. This decision was conveyed in writing to him by letter dated 14 July 2008. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Prisoner Releases

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1134 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if there was provision in the Lisbon treaty regarding early prisoner release or greater credit for good behaviour; if this provision has been put in place here; the category of prison to which it refers; and the details of the process and procedure for a prisoner to follow to avail of this provision. [33039/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to advise the Deputy of the arrangements for remission of prison sentences currently available in our domestic legislation. The Prison Rules, 2007, (S.I. 252/07) provide a regulatory framework for the governance of our prisons. Within these rules there is provision for prisoners to earn remission at the rate of 25% of their sentences by virtue of good conduct (Rule 59(1)). In exceptional circumstances, and where a prisoner has demonstrated a particular commitment to rehabilitation, a rate of 33% may be earned (Rule 59(2)). However this rate of remission has only been granted once since the coming into effect of the Rules in 2007. The Lisbon Treaty does not address the issue of early prisoner release or greater credit for good behaviour.

Residency Permits

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1135 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [33042/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I can inform the Deputy that the residency status of the husband of the person concerned has been amended to allow him to take up employment in the State. I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Immigration Issues

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1136 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide details of the number of non-EU persons in the country at present, under the following categories: work permit holders, students, persons granted asylum, persons granted leave to remain, persons being processed, persons granted citizenship, other categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33047/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The total number of non-EEA (European Economic Area) persons with legal status in the State registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau at the end of 2009 in the categories referred to by the Deputy was approximately 135,000. That number includes approximately 17,000 work permit holders, 32,000 students, 10,000 persons granted refugee status, 3,700 persons granted leave to remain and 72,000 persons with other categories of status. It should be noted that these figures cannot be taken as a precise measure of the numbers of non-EEA persons in these categories who were actually present in the State at the end of 2009, as persons who are currently registered may have left the State. Approximately 11,500 persons were granted citizenship between the years 2005 and 2009.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of "persons being processed" is not readily available. Persons in this category would be included in asylum, subsidiary protection, leave to remain, Long Term Residence, EU Treaty Rights, etc caseloads, some of which cases can relate to more than one person.

Residency Permits

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1137 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a residency card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33197/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on her marriage to a Bulgarian national on 12 March, 2010. The person concerned was informed of the decision to refuse her application and the basis for this decision by letter of 6 September, 2010. A request by the applicant and her spouse for a Review of this decision was received on 22 September, 2010. All applications for Review are dealt with in chronological order of date of receipt of the application for Review.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Departmental Bodies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1138 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason responsibility for the property price database is being afforded to three separate bodies, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to compile, the Property Services Regulatory Authority to publish it and the Revenue Commissioners to provide the information when the PSRA already has central repositories of the relevant information, in the Land Registry from 1891 and in the Registry of Deeds from 1707; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33166/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 provides for establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority. While the primary functions of the Authority will include operation of a licensing system for property services providers and the investigation of complaints arising from the provision of property services by such providers, the legislation also gives the Authority a role in promoting consumer protection and protecting the best interests of users and potential users of property services.

In the Renewed Programme for Government agreed last year, the Government recognises that the lack of transparency in the property market, including the lack of reliable sales prices in the case of residential property and accurate information on market rents and other terms, including rent review clauses, in the case of commercial leases, is an impediment to consumer protection and needs to be tackled. I intend, therefore, to bring forward amendments to the Property Services (Regulation) Bill in due course to give the new Authority the statutory function of publishing details of both residential sales prices and commercial leases, including rent review clauses. In order to be useful, this data must be both reliable and up-to-date. For this reason, it is intended that details which, under existing stamp duty legislation, must be supplied to the Revenue Commissioners for stamp duty purposes within 30 days following the sale or lease of property will be made available to the Property Services Regulatory Authority for publication. Publication will ensure the required level of market transparency and meet the needs of statutory and other bodies involved in tracking market trends and compiling statistical data on the property market.

The primary purpose of the Property Registration Authority is to promote and extend the registration of ownership of land and I am pleased that the Authority has made very significant progress in this area since its establishment in 2006. As regards the availability of price data, I understand that while it had been the practice to publish details of prices when a sale or lease transaction was entered in the Land Register, that practice was discontinued many years ago. Moreover, while the registration of leases of over 21 years is compulsory in all counties except Dublin and Cork, commercial leases are normally of much shorter duration. The Property Registration Authority would not therefore be in a position to supply useful data in respect of the commercial property market.

Illegally Imported Fireworks

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1139 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the initiatives he is taking in the run-up to the Hallowe’en period to target and eliminate the illegal importation of dangerous fireworks into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33159/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Explosives Act, 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. The 1875 Act was amended by the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 which came into effect in August, 2006 to provide for new offences governing the possession of illegally imported fireworks with intent to supply. The amendments also provided for significantly increased penalties governing the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks. Under the provisions, it is an offence

for any person to possess a firework with intent to sell or supply, without a licence

to throw an ignited firework at any person or property, and

to light unlicensed fireworks in a public place

The penalty for such offences is now a fine of up to €10,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both.

A nationwide information campaign will take place in the run up to Hallowe'en using national and regional newspapers to highlight to the public the dangers of fireworks and the significant penalties that exist for their illegal use. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that Operation Tombola, the annual Garda operation, is in place for policing during the Hallowe'en period. I understand that Operational Orders have been put in place in every Garda Region, in particular in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and Border Divisions, to prevent and detect the organised importation of fireworks in the lead up to Hallowe'en and to police the Hallowe'en period. Persons suspected of engaging in the importation, supply or sale of fireworks will be identified and targeted.

An Garda Síochána is also engaging with local communities, Local Authorities and other stakeholders, such as Dublin Bus, in putting plans in place to address the issues that arise around the Hallowe'en period. Through the Schools Programme and other local programmes members of An Garda Síochána will highlight the dangers associated with illegally imported fireworks. Gardaí have a liaison mechanism in place with Local Authorities for the removal of identified stockpiles of combustible materials, in advance of Hallowe'en night. Gardaí have also advised Managers of Off-Licences to ensure that staff are appraised of their obligations and responsibilities under Licensing legislation relating to the sale of alcohol, in particular to underage persons.

I am also informed that proactive policing arrangements are in place covering the period coming up to and including Hallowe'en night and the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 will be rigidly enforced. Additional patrols will be carried out by uniform personnel as part of high-visibility policing initiatives supported by plain-clothes personnel, including District Detective and Drug Units, Divisional Crime Task Force, Traffic Corps personnel and Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units. Given the offences and increased penalties that now exist, together with the measures outlined above, I expect that the Garda operations will continue to be successful in combating the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks.

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1140 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he has contacted any fireworks manufacturers in the United Kingdom in relation to the illegal importation of fireworks into Ireland as the Hallowe’en period approaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33178/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Deputy will be aware that the activities of fireworks manufacturers in the United Kingdom is a matter which is outside of my jurisdiction. From time to time, liaison of a technical nature does, however, take place between officials of my Department and those in the UK and elsewhere.

Human Trafficking

Pat Rabbitte
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Pat Rabbitte
Question:
1141 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the “Setting the Record” report released in August 2010 by the Association of Chief Police Officers in the UK which found a minimum of 2,600 of the estimated 17,000 migrant women involved in the UK’s off-street sex industry are victims of human trafficking and that another 9,600 are considered vulnerable migrants and, in view of its findings, whether the figures for Ireland where his Department has identified six suspected victims of sex trafficking in 2009 demonstrate that his policy is failing trafficked women and girls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33224/10]

Pat Rabbitte
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Pat Rabbitte
Question:
1142 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if, in view of the findings of the UK Association of Chief Police Officers “Setting the Record” report, he will direct An Garda Síochána to take more proactive measures to locate and assist victims of trafficking here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1141 and 1142 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the report titled ‘Setting the Record: The trafficking of migrant women in the England and Wales off-street prostitution sector' which was published by the Association of Chief Police Officers in August 2010, is being examined by An Garda Síochána to establish its relevance, if any, to the investigation of human trafficking to this jurisdiction.

It should be noted that the Report is a prevalence study of human trafficking in off street prostitution. It provides an estimate of the number of women who are trafficked in England and Wales and who are working in indoor prostitution. It does not state that the police in the UK have personally identified 2,600 as victims of trafficking but rather that this is the number estimated to exist. Figures published by the UK Human Trafficking Centre show that between April 2009 and March 2010, a total of 706 referrals were made to the competent authorities in the UK. Of these, 361 persons were identified as having reasonable grounds for accepting that they were trafficked. There were conclusive grounds decisions for believing 122 of these persons were trafficked. The UK Human Trafficking Centre figures provide a more meaningful comparison with the Irish statistics for human trafficking.

The Deputy's figure of six victims identified in 2009 as victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation does not reflect the actual situation. Sixty six individuals were alleged to be potential victims of human trafficking in 2009. Of these, eleven (including six suspected victims of sexual exploitation) required an immigration permission under the Administrative Immigration Arrangements for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking pending an examination of their claim. The remainder already had existing permissions to remain in the State based on their application for asylum pursuant to the Refugee Act, 1996 or on other forms of residence permissions and the Administrative Immigration Arrangements did not apply to them.

I do not share the view that Government policy is failing trafficked women and girls. Dedicated units have been established in my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Legal Aid Board and the Health Service Executive to address various aspects of human trafficking. Personnel attached to a range of State agencies and service providers, have received training in recognising the indicators of human trafficking. An initiative to train the Training Officers in these State agencies was developed by the International Organisation for Migration and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department using a "Train the Trainer" model to further expand the awareness of human trafficking amongst front line service providers in State agencies.

To ensure a proactive approach to crimes associated with human trafficking, about 400 members of An Garda Síochána have been provided with advanced training relating to human trafficking. There has been an input from the UK Human Trafficking Centre at all such courses. In the region of an additional 2500 members of An Garda Síochána have been provided with basic human trafficking related awareness raising training. Training on the investigation of human trafficking related crimes, including victim identification, was also provided recently to all Senior Investigating Officers.

Targeting human trafficking is one of the goals of An Garda Síochána set out in its Annual Policing Plan for 2010 and is a particular priority for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). An Garda Síochána has been assigned a specific role in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) set out in the National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland 2009-2012. The NRM provides that all individuals encountered by, or referred to, An Garda Síochána, are provided with legal advice, medical assistance, accommodation and crime prevention advice. If the individual does not already have permission to be in the State and there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence under section 2, 3 or 4 of the Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking) Act, 2008 has been committed, a superintendent of An Garda Síochána attached to GNIB, may identify the person as a “suspected victim” of human trafficking. The individual will then be given a temporary permission (initially a 60 days ‘recovery and reflection’ period, followed by a six month Temporary Residence Permission which may be renewed) to remain in the State, subject to the conditions set out in the Administrative Immigration Arrangements for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking.

Garda Deployment

Charlie O'Connor
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Charlie O'Connor
Question:
1143 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will ensure that resources are made available to Tallaght gardaí, Dublin to allow for an effective response to crime and associated issues in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 24. [33243/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda Station, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 202. Tallaght Garda Station forms part of the DMR South Division and on that date the personnel strength of the DMR South Division was 638. There are 10 Juvenile Liaison Officers and 55 Community Gardaí attached to the DMR South Garda Division. The allocation of resources in An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Commissioner and senior Garda Management and it is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within each Division. Garda management will continue to monitor the situation in the DMR South Division with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained.

Question No. 1144 answered with Question No. 895.

Proposed Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1145 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on the way advanced directives will be formulated and to whom will they give authority and if this is being considered in new capacity legislation (details supplied); if he will be changing definitions in Article 3 of the Mental Health Act to bring them up to date. [33250/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Legislation on advanced care directives, including amendments to the Mental Health Acts falls within the area of responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children.

Visa Applications

Paul Kehoe
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Paul Kehoe
Question:
1146 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a D type visa in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33271/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 23 September 2010. Where all the required supporting documentation has been received a decision on the application can be expected within 10 — 15 working days.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Immigration Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1147 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost of establishing and operating, over a five-year period, an independent immigration appeals tribunal. [33273/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I can inform the Deputy that there are no current proposals to establish an independent immigration appeals tribunal. The information sought by the Deputy is therefore not readily available. Proposals for the introduction of measures to ensure a visibly independent appeals process in immigration matters have previously been outlined to the House. In summary, I propose to provide, on a statutory basis, for the introduction of formal review processes in respect of decisions that arise at various stages of the immigration process. Comprehensive statutory proposals in this regard are now contained in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010. It is also my intention to appoint, on an administrative basis at first, a person to act as chief review officer with the function of ensuring that there is consistency and a high quality of decision-making among those who deal under the Bill with visa reviews.

These proposals lay the foundation for the fulfilment, during the lifetime of this Government, of the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government to ensure a visibly independent appeals process in immigration matters. In the longer term, the model that I have in mind is that of the social welfare appeals system which is operated by staff of the Minister for Social Protection but in a manner that affords people dealing with the system a second look at the merits of their case independent of the original decision maker.

Asylum Support Services

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1148 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on the perceived impartiality or otherwise of the Reception and Integration Agency in so far as it deals with complaints from residents in direct provision centres and his views that an independent appeals mechanism be established which is not under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33316/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Complaints by residents of direct provision centres are dealt with in accordance with the procedures outlined in the recently published revised house rules and procedures of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department, which are available on the RIA website at http://www.ria.gov.ie. A copy of these rules and procedures is provided to all asylum seekers on arrival at their accommodation centre.

Experience has shown that, given the nature and the number of such complaints, they are best resolved by informal discussion between residents and management at a local level. Where more serious complaints arise that cannot be resolved informally, residents have the right to lodge a formal written complaint with centre management and are entitled to a response within 14 days. If the issue remains unresolved, the resident has the right to take their complaint to RIA. RIA will make a determination on the complaint and the results of that decision are binding on both centre management and residents. If the resident's complaint is upheld, RIA will ensure that management take appropriate action to rectify the situation.

I should say that rules and procedures were only recently revised arising from a report from a Working Party, the membership of which included the Refugee Information Service and the Irish Refugee Council. During those Working Party discussions the issue of an independent appeals mechanism, on which differing views were held, was fully discussed. The system of direct provision is sui generis and a complaints resolution procedure operating in that context must be one that is fair and efficient but also workable. I am satisfied that, given the time and effort devoted by the Working Party to try and come up with a complaints procedure that achieves a balance between these requirements that the current procedure is the best that can be achieved in the circumstances. It will, nonetheless, remain under constant review.

Citizenship Applications

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1149 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33322/10]

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1161 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33445/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1149 and 1161 together.

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Garda Strength

Pat Rabbitte
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Pat Rabbitte
Question:
1150 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his Department has collated the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 25 May 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33323/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The number of serving members of An Garda Síochána who have disabilities, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 20 and, of this figure, 9 are as a result of injury on duty. Arrangements have been put in place, where required, to facilitate these members so they can continue to work.

Citizenship Applications

Seán Barrett
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Seán Barrett
Question:
1151 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33328/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in March 2010. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Deportation Orders

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1152 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a decision to deport a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33342/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 20 April 2010, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and his application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). Further representations were received from the person concerned asking that his Deportation Order be revoked, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). Following consideration of the information submitted, the Deportation Order was affirmed and the person concerned and his legal representative were advised of this decision by letter dated 19 July 2010. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1153 answered with Question No. 1027.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1154 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33344/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Valid applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of both applications is ongoing and the files will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1155 answered with Question No. 1019.

Question No. 1156 answered with Question No. 1016.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the remaining procedures that need to be followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25 February 2010, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress made to date and the procedure to be followed in the matter of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 21 January 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

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

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33349/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 12 February 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).

The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that he was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 3 October 2007. The case of the person concerned was then considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement following which a Deportation Order was signed in respect of him on 3 April 2008. This Order was served by registered post dated 11 April 2008. This placed a legal obligation on the person concerned to present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) on 29 April 2008 in order to make arrangements for his deportation from the State.

On 10 September 2010, an application for the revocation of the Deportation Order, under Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), was submitted on behalf of the person concerned. This application is under consideration in my Department at present. When a decision has been made on this application, the person concerned will be notified in writing of that decision and of the consequences of the decision. The person concerned remains the subject of a valid Deportation Order. However, the Deputy may be assured that this Order will not be enforced pending the determination of the application referred to above.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Question No. 1160 answered with Question No. 1005.

Question No. 1161 answered with Question No. 1149.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

Bobby Aylward
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Bobby Aylward
Question:
1162 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal will be processed and finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [33451/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications to the Tribunal. However in order to be of assistance in this matter, I have had enquiries made with the Tribunal in relation to the application referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this application is the subject of an appeal by the Applicant and that her legal representatives will be shortly be offered a hearing date for the appeal.

Proposed Legislation

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1163 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress he has made to date in the preparation of legislation on white collar crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33456/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Deputy will appreciate that white collar crime contains elements which relate to the responsibilities of a number of Government Departments in addition to the Department of Justice and Law Reform. Insofar as my own Department is concerned developments in this area include the coming into operation on 15 July this year of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, which transposes the requirements of the third EU money laundering Directive into Irish Law and which also responds to recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The legislation strengthens and updates our laws in this area. It provides for additional measures to be taken by the designated persons encompassed by the Act, including credit and financial institutions, insurance intermediaries and the legal and accountancy professions, to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Oireachtas is currently considering the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008 which is primarily intended to ensure greater compliance with the OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. I am proposing in this Bill to provide for protection for "whistleblowers" in respect of reports, in good faith, of suspicions of offences under our prevention of corruption legislation. I expect that consideration of this Bill by the Oireachtas will be completed during the current parliamentary session. Anti corruption legislation in this jurisdiction dates back to 1889 and has been dealt with in a number of different statutes since that time. With a view to bringing greater clarity and accessibility to the law in this area, I announced earlier this year my intention to consolidate all of the anti corruption legislation in a single statute. Work on this consolidation process is expected to commence shortly.

In May of this year I requested that An Garda Síochána look at the law in relation to white collar crime particularly in the light of the experience gained in the investigation of this kind of offence and if necessary to put forward for consideration proposals for changes in the law which would be in the public interest. In the context of the White Paper on Crime which will set out the overall framework for strategies to deal with crime in the future, my Department will shortly publish a Discussion Document on the general area. The Discussion Document will be informed by the views of a wide range of interested parties being consulted in the matter, including the general public and practitioners, along with An Garda Síochána. The Government will give careful consideration to all of the issues which will arise on foot of this consultation.

Departmental Appointments

Ruairí Quinn
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Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1164 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a legal services ombudsman will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33468/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The position of Legal Services Ombudsman will be filled by an open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service. I expect that the competition will be advertised shortly.

Registration of Title

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1165 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a dealing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be completed.. [33625/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November, 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.

The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.

I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.

Departmental Investigations

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1166 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will confirm that information (details supplied) was furnished to an author; if he will place a copy of the information in question in the Dáil Library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33626/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I have no information to support the assertion set out in the Deputy's Question. My Department did not provide information to the author in question from any files retained by my Department.

Deaths in Garda Custody

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1167 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons who have died in Garda custody since 1990, and the relevant figure in each year since then; the names of the Garda stations in which persons died; the outcome in each case in respect of the inquest that followed the death and if or not an inquest was held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33631/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Death in Garda Custody refers to a death which takes place after a person comes into the custody and control of a Garda and before leaving the custody and control of a Garda. Thus it includes, for example, a death at any time from the time of arrest, including the handing of a person into the care of a hospital for treatment, or prison while under the control of a Garda. The Deputy should be aware that all deaths in State care are the subject of an inquest.

I have requested the information in the format sought by the Deputy from the Garda Authorities. Unfortunately, it was not possible to compile all of the details sought in the time available and I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

What I can say at the moment is that prior to the establishment of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, investigations into deaths occurring in Garda custody were carried out by a Superintendent from outside the Garda Division, appointed by the Divisional Officer. However, under Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is now required to refer to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) any matter that appears to indicate that the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána may have resulted in the death or serious harm to a person.

Since GSOC has become operational in May 2007, six deaths in Garda Stations have been investigated by GSOC, details of which are in the following table:

Year

Garda Station

Inquest held

Inquest decision

Other outcome

2007

Tralee

No

Ongoing GSOC case

2007

Terenure

Yes

Ongoing

Ongoing GSOC case

2009

Navan

No

Ongoing GSOC case

2010

Tallaght

No

Ongoing GSOC case

2010

Templemore

No

Ongoing GSOC case

2010

Dundalk

No

Ongoing GSOC case

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1168 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33642/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The amount spent on mobile phones in my Department was as follows, 2007 €283,444; 2008 €211,156; 2009 €74,522; and to the end of June 2010 €26,308. The most recent data indicates that there are currently 141 mobile phones in use by staff of my Department.

The current contract for supply of this service is with Vodafone. Following an EU procurement exercise, a Mobile Framework has been established to provide non-commercial public sector bodies with a simple way to procure Mobile Voice and Data Services at competitive rates from a list of qualified vendors. This tender was restricted to qualified vendors under the Mobile Framework.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1169 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason a certificate of naturalisation was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when it is likely that same will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33655/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was first received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in August 2007 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person concerned was informed of this decision and the reasons for it in a letter issued to him via his legal representatives on 9 March, 2010.

There is no appeals process under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

The person in question lodged a new valid application for a certificate of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department in May 2010.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Closed Circuit Television Systems

Brian O'Shea
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Brian O'Shea
Question:
1170 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to provide a closed circuit television system for Tramore, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33687/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a community CCTV system. To date two major rounds of this Scheme have been advertised, in 2005 and 2007. I am advised by Pobal who administer the scheme on behalf of my Department that no application for Tramore, Co. Waterford has been received.

Any further plans for extension of CCTV are dependent on a number of factors, including the progression of the schemes already grant aided, the availability of funding and overall policy considerations.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1171 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33708/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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There are 17 agencies and executive offices of my Department that are funded from Vote 19 (Office of the Minister for Justice and Law Reform) and staffed by my Department. Staff of these agencies and executive offices are, with the exception of technical and professional grades, interchangeable with staff of the Department and their staffing numbers can go up or down at any given time depending on overall priorities. There are a total of 1,961 whole-time equivalent staff serving in my Department and agencies and executive offices staffed by it (including administrative staff in the Irish Prisons Service).

The following table provides a grade breakdown of this figure, which does not include bodies in the wider Justice Sector which recruit their own staff such as An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Legal Aid Board, Property Registration Authority, and non-administrative staff in the Irish Prison Service.

Grade

Whole-time Equivalent (rounded)

Secretary General

1

Director General INIS

1

Assistant Secretary

5

Principal Officer

77

Assistant Principal Officer

148

Higher Executive Officer

200

Administrative Officer

23

Executive Officer

341

Staff Officer

33

Clerical Officer

619

Head Services Officer

1

Services Officer

55

Director Probation Service

1

Deputy Director Probation Service

3

Assistant Director Probation Service

2

Assistant Principal Probation Officer

10

Senior Probation Officer

50

Probation Officer

230

Community Service Supervisors

43

State Pathologist

1

Deputy State Pathologist

2

Director Forensic Science Laboratory

1

Deputy Director Forensic Science Laboratory

4

Forensic Scientist Grade 1

9

Forensic Scientist Grade 2

26

Forensic Scientist Grade 3

21

Senior Laboratory Analyst

9

Laboratory Analyst

14

Chief Inspector, Garda Síochána Inspectorate

1

Data Protection Commissioner

1

Chairman Refugee Appeals Tribunal

1

Director General Irish Prisons Service

1

Director, Irish Prisons Service

2

Inspector of Prisons

1

Translator Grade 2

1

Senior Inspector of Explosives

1

Inspector of Explosives

2

Accountant Grade 1

2

Accountant Grade 2

3

Solicitor

1

Legal Officer

1

Financial Crime Analyst

3

Forensic Accountant

1

Statistician

2

Psychologist

1

Employee Assistance Officer

1

Legal Researcher

1

Researcher

3

Civilian Driver

1

Total

1,961

Child Abduction

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1172 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if the central authority in his Department had been contacted by a person (details supplied) in County Meath in relation to a case of international child abduction involving their child (details supplied); and the progress that has been made in securing the return of the child here. [33717/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am unable to be of assistance in this matter. My Department does not comment on individual cases that may be the subject of an application to the Central Authority for Child Abduction that operates in the Department for the purposes of international arrangements in the matter. However, I can say that a function of the Central Authority is to keep a parent informed of the progress of his or her application.

Courts Service

Mary Wallace
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Mary Wallace
Question:
1173 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views regarding a designated purpose built Coroners Court in view of the current situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Coroner is an independent office holder with responsibility under the law for the medicolegal investigation into the circumstances of sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths.

The Dublin County Coroner currently avails of certain hotel facilities when conducting formal inquests. The Coroner has advised my Department that he endeavours to ensure that the set-up is appropriate in the context of the needs of grieving family members, and that in his experience, the arrangement is more suitable than the previous arrangement whereby inquests were held in Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire courthouses. While my Department has asked the Coroner to keep the location for holding inquests under review, there are no proposals, in the current economic climate, to provide a custom-built coronial facility in the Dublin county area.

The reform of the Coroner Service is addressed in the Coroners Bill 2007 which is currently before the Seanad. This provides for updating of the law in regard to coronial practice, a reorganisation of coronial districts and a restructuring of the system which would contribute to an enhanced service to the public.

Prison Building Programme

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1174 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if plans to build a new prison at Kilworth, County Cork are to go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33764/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Development of a new prison facility at Kilworth Co. Cork to serve the Munster region is a key element of the prisons modernisation programme. It is accepted that conditions at Cork prison are less than ideal and the new facilities at Kilworth will, when complete, allow for the decommissioning of the accommodation at Cork Prison and its replacement with new modern prison facilities. It is anticipated that the capacity of the new prison will be in the region of 450.

The development at Kilworth will also include accommodation and facilities for female prisoners.

A suitable site has been identified at Kilworth following consultation with the Defence Forces and preliminary discussions have been held with Cork County Council in relation to the provision of the necessary access road and ancillary services to the site. It is intended to commence preliminary planning and design work on the project next year and to deliver the project on a phased basis with the first phase expected to come on stream by 2014.

I should also add that the Irish Prison Service of my Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Defence regarding the legal transfer of the lands to the Department of Justice and Law Reform. It is also anticipated that further meetings will be arranged with the local residents in the coming months to appraise them of the current status of the project.

Citizenship Applications

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1175 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33766/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2008.

All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average, while an element of straight forward cases can be dealt with in less than that timescale. Officials in the Citizenship Division inform me that processing of the application is ongoing and the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

The length of time taken to process each application should not be classified as a delay, as the length of time taken for any application to be decided is purely a function of the time taken to carry out necessary checks. There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that it is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Private Security Authority

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1176 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if legislation exists or is proposed which would allow the Private Security Authority to be made aware of either investigations or settlements made by individuals with the Criminal Assets Bureau; if in his view the existing law is defective in that such information is not passed on to the regulatory authority, or alternatively in determining whether or not an individual can be granted a licence, the authority cannot have regard to the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in respect of persons so affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33776/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Private Security Services Act 2004, which established the Private Security Authority, provides the legislative background under which the Authority operates and under which private security licences are granted. The vetting of applicants by an Garda Síochána is an integral part of the licensing process and since the Authority commenced licensing in 2006 over 37,000 persons have been vetted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit on behalf of the Authority.

The Authority has additional powers under Section 34 of the aforementioned Act to request information from the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and this allows for the Authority to seek information which may not be available through the vetting process. Powers are also available under Section 13 of the Act to request information as part of an investigation being conducted by the Authority.

I am informed that the Authority is satisfied that the powers currently available to it are sufficient for its purpose. I have therefore no proposals to amend the legislation in this regard.

Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1177 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, in relation to the Multi-Unit Development Bill, the actions he proposes to take for the regulation of existing management companies; if he will ensure that measures are adopted with regard to the regulation of fee structures, which are often opaque and lack supporting documentation; and if he will set in place a requirement for a sinking fund. [33876/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The purpose of the Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009 is to amend the law relating to the ownership and management of the common areas of multi-unit developments and to facilitate the fair, efficient and effective management of bodies responsible for the management of those common areas.

As regards existing multi-unit developments, section 2(5) of the Bill provides that except where otherwise provided, its provisions will, when enacted, apply to every multi-unit development. Sections 3 and 14 will apply only to future developments but all other sections will apply to existing developments, including section 16 which will require transparency and fairness in the calculation of service charges. As regards the establishment of a sinking fund, section 17(6) provides that the obligation to establish such a fund arises either 3 years after the sale of the first residential unit in the development, or 18 months after commencement of section 17, whichever is the later. It is likely that the 18 month deadline will apply to most existing multi-unit developments without a sinking fund.

Juvenile Offenders

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1178 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will appoint two additional full time juvenile liaison officers for a Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33884/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Juvenile Liaison Officers assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Northern Region is 11 and, of this figure, 3 are assigned to Coolock Garda Station.

Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team. Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána, and the situation is kept under continuing review.

Garda Stations

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1179 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will consider the establishment of a new Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33887/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Proposals in relation to the opening of Garda stations are a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in accordance with section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to by the Deputy is patrolled by both uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the District Detective and Drug Units, the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. In addition, four dedicated Community Policing Gardaí operate in the area.

I am further advised that the Garda authorities do not favour the opening of a new station in the area and they are satisfied that it is being provided with a comprehensive policing service.

Ombudsman for Children

Alan Shatter
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Alan Shatter
Question:
1180 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the extent, if any, the Ombudsman for Children was consulted during the planning and preparation of the alcohol test purchasing scheme; if a draft of the scheme guidelines was furnished to her for her input and observations pursuant to section 7 of the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002; and if not, the reason therefor. [33891/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Guidelines for the test purchasing scheme were drawn up by a working group comprising representatives of the Gardaí, Office of the Minister for Children, Office of Tobacco Control and the Departments of Health and Children, and Justice and Law Reform. The primary concern of the group in drafting the guidelines has been to ensure the welfare of children. For this purpose, it drew on test purchasing guidelines already in operation in England, and also had Northern Ireland's guidelines at its disposal. During the drafting process, Garda representatives visited Liverpool to observe test purchasing operations on the ground as well as the training and other safeguards put in place to safeguard the welfare of the young people involved in test purchasing operations. I am satisfied therefore that the welfare of those involved has been taken fully into account in drafting the guidelines and the test purchasing scheme. I welcome the widespread support across the floor of the House for this initiative.

As the Deputy is aware, there is no statutory requirement in the legislation establishing the Ombudsman for Children requiring Ministers to refer proposed legislation to the Ombudsman for an assessment of its effect on children. However, the legislation allows the Ombudsman, on his or her own initiative, to give advice on any matter relating to the rights and welfare of children. It is open to the Ombudsman, therefore, to give advice at any time on any such matters.

Crime Levels

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1181 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he has a database on reported incidents of anti-social behaviour; if so, if he will indicate the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour that were reported in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; if he has carried out any research to estimate the true level of anti-social behaviour incidents across the country and the level of anti-social behaviour incidents that go unreported; if he will report on any new initiatives to target the scourge of anti-social and criminal activity in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33892/10]

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1182 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to develop a precise and mappable database of anti-social and criminal hotspots that will allow An Garda Síochána and local authorities to target problematic areas in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1182 together.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. The CSO recorded crime statistics, which are published quarterly and annually, provide figures on offences recorded by An Garda Síochána, including incidences of anti-social behaviour such as public disorder and criminal damage.

I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has available an analysis service which works with its management structure in identifying and mapping areas that require Garda attention in the context of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, in addition to a number of other policing matters. Garda management utilises the results of this analysis when putting in place appropriate policing plans to prevent and detect criminal offences.

One of the priorities I determined for An Garda Síochána in 2010 is the achievement of the maximum levels of safety for local communities. Key actions in the Garda Policing Plan for 2010 include reducing public disorder, assaults and criminal damage, and in this regard there is a commitment to identifying and proactively targeting local "hot spots".

In 2009, the Garda Commissioner and I launched a new Garda National Model of Community Policing. The Model builds on the success of existing good community policing practice within Ireland and aims to foster collaborative partnerships between An Garda Síochána and members of the community. There is a range of well established community policing initiatives in place to track and evaluate matters of local interest, to both urban and rural communities, that require Garda attention. In addition, An Garda Síochána is also closely engaged in the work of various local structures, including Local Drug Task Forces and Joint Policing Committees, which enable them to respond to the concerns of communities about anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.

Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are nationwide, community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. The aim is to provide suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long term employability prospects of young people who have come to the attention of the Gardaí.

In 2008 the Irish Youth Justice Service carried out a baseline Analysis of the 100 GYDPs around the country with the subsequent report Designing Effective Local Responses to Youth Crime published in 2009 and available on the IYJS website. The report included a number of recommendations to improve the operation of the GYDPs. These recommendations are currently being implemented in five trial sites, and all of the report's recommendations will be substantially implemented by the end of this year.

Crime Prevention

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1183 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to introduce measures or legislation, if necessary, to allow An Garda Síochána and local authorities to protect the rights of local residents and address any issues of anti-social or criminal activity emanating from privately rented accommodation especially when the landlord of such a property may be unknown or uncooperative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33894/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that all acts of a criminal nature are dealt with appropriately under the relevant legislation.

Strong provisions are in place to combat anti-social behaviour. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 modernised the law in this regard. A range of provisions including the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 2003 and 2008 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 provide the Gardaí with powers to address public order problems and anti-social behaviour related to the misuse of alcohol. The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 imposes minimum statutory obligations on landlords and tenants of private residential tenancies. Tenant obligations under the Act include an obligation not to engage, or allow visitors to engage, in anti-social behaviour. The Act also imposes an obligation on landlords to enforce the tenant obligations.

There is provision in the Act for third parties who are adversely affected by a failure on the part of a landlord to enforce tenant obligations to refer a complaint to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) in accordance with the procedures in the Act. Since December 2004 all privately-rented properties must be registered with the PRTB. It is possible to check if a property is registered by contacting the PRTB.

Where incidents of anti-social behaviour occur on private property the provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 are applicable. The remedies available under the Act are civil in nature. These include those under section 108 which provides for noise as a nuisance and the remedies available to aggrieved parties. The Act provides for any person, or group of persons, to seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation.

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to introduce comprehensive legislation to address noise nuisance. The General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was brought to Government by my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and approved in May 2009. It is intended that the new legislation will take a more integrated approach to noise nuisance and strengthen existing local authority powers, including through the introduction of a system of fixed payment notices in relation to noise nuisance offences. Codes of practice for domestic situations will also be developed.

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1184 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [33971/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Clontarf Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of two incidents of the type referred to by the Deputy at the location referred to in the past six months. The investigations into the incidents are ongoing. No direct link has been established between these incidents and the type of activity referred to by the Deputy.

A community Garda has been designated for the area and has met a number of residents. The community Garda has called to the homes of the victims and offered crime prevention advice and information.

The area is subject to regular patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the Community Policing and Mountain Bike Units and the District Detective and Drug Units, supplemented as required by the Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in the area, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Current policing plans in the area are designed to address issues of crime and public order offences. Community policing is a central feature and core value of Garda policing policy, and current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. This approach will promote an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life for residents.

Garda Strength

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1185 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 25 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [33979/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The allocation of resources in An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of personnel, is a matter for the Commissioner and senior Garda Management and it is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within each Division or national unit.

I am informed by the Commissioner that there are a total of one hundred and eighty-nine (189) members of the Garda Síochána attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which is assigned particular responsibilities regarding the removal from the State of non-nationals who no longer have permission to be in the State.

Personnel attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) perform a range of functions in the immigration area aside from the removal process. In particular members of the Garda Síochána attached to GNIB who have been appointed as immigration officers, fulfil immigration control duties at ports of entry to the State, while others are assigned to investigative duties, which include the prevention and detection of human trafficking and smuggling of illegal immigrants and the process of registering non-nationals who are in the State for reasons other than vacation. When the need arises, personnel assigned to immigration control, investigative, or registration related duties, are diverted to duties relating to the removal process.

Departmental Expenditure

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1186 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 25 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [33980/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I regret the delay in reverting to the Deputy in response to his earlier Question.

Details of the total expenditure incurred by the Garda National Immigration Bureau on overtime and travel/subsistence in 2008 and 2009 are set out in the table below. A more detailed breakdown of these costs is not available and the Garda authorities have informed me that it could only be provided by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and resources.

2008

2009

Overtime

2,263,980

1,717,194

Travel & Subsistence (Home & Foreign)

1,593,010

703,466

Crime Statistics

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1187 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 9 March 2010, when a reply will issue. [33981/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am informed that, in response to the Deputy's Question No. 243 of 9 March, 2010, the Central Statistics Office have been in direct contact with him and supplied the information requested.

Asylum Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1188 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 9 March 2010, when a reply will issue. [33982/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Further to your Parliamentary Question No. 246, the person concerned arrived in the State on 10 March 2004 and applied for asylum on 11 March 2004. The Refugee Applications Commissioner refused her a declaration of refugee status. This decision was subsequently upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. A Deportation Order was made in respect of her on 20 April 2010.

The person concerned instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 18 May 2010 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of her and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Juvenile Offenders

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1189 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 22 April 2010, when a reply will issue. [33983/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Barry Andrews)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that, at the time of the original question, statistics were not compiled in such a manner as to provide the exact information sought as the information was not recorded in searchable format in Garda records. However, since 6 June 2010 information sought by the Deputy is being recorded.

The table below shows the number of occasions children under the age of twelve years have been brought to their parents/guardians or to the HSE in accordance with Section 53 of the Children Act, 2001 from 6 June 2010 to 26 September 2010.

Number of occasions Section 53 of the Children Act, 2001 has been invoked from 6 June 2010 to26 September 2010.

Number

Section 53 Children Act, 2001 — Returned to Parent/Guardian

129

Section 53 Children Act, 2001 — Brought to Custody of H.S.E

18

Residency Permits

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1190 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the processing time for long term residency applications as of the date that the €500 fee was introduced and the current processing time. [33984/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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A fee of €500 for the initial grant of long term residency status was introduced with effect from 7 September 2009. The processing time for Long-Term Residency applications at that date was approximately 21 months. The current processing time is approximately 12 months.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1191 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on whether the exclusion of periods of residency in the six counties for naturalisation applicants other than those married to Irish citizens runs contrary to the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement; his plans to change this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33985/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, sets out the current law governing naturalisation in the State including provisions setting out the qualifying periods of residence for the purpose of naturalisation. The provisions contained in the Act would have been brought forward with due regard to the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. While I have no current proposals to amend the provisions in this regard, the Deputy may wish to be aware that, as I have previously indicated to the House, a general review of the legislative framework for the acquisition of citizenship is under way in my Department.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1192 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if civil partners of Irish citizens may include periods of residency in the six counties as part of their reckonable residency for the purpose of naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33986/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister for Justice and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In the case of an applicant who is the spouse of an Irish citizen those conditions are that the applicant must—

be of full age

be of good character

be married to the Irish citizen for at least 3 years

be in a marriage recognised under the laws of the State as subsisting

be living together as husband and wife with the Irish spouse

have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the island of Ireland immediately before the date of the application and, during the four years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the island of Ireland amounting to two years.

intend in good faith to continue to reside in the island of Ireland after naturalisation

have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.

It is a requirement for all other applicants that they have residency in the State.

Commercial Rental Sector

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
1193 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the measures he is taking to ban upward-only rent reviews for existing businesses not provided for by the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009. [33994/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I am very conscious of the problems which confront the commercial rental sector and, at a practical level, I have undertaken to progress the recommendations of the Working Group on transparency in commercial rent reviews which was published in August. Among those recommendations is the adoption, by landlords and tenants alike, of a rent review arbitration code which is intended to achieve a uniform and transparent procedure for the resolution of disputes in the sector. The recommendations also deal with the establishment of a public database containing relevant details of letting arrangements and rent reviews in the commercial property market.

The Deputy will recall that, because of significant legal constraints, it was not possible to apply the provision at Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 in a retrospective manner, i.e., where the lease in question had been entered into prior to the commencement of that section. Those legal constraints continue to exist. They were recognised by Members of the Deputy's Party during the Debate on Section 132 of the Act.

Courts Service

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1194 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he has analysed the impact of the closure of the courthouse in Cobh, County Cork on the administration of justice in Cobh and the demands this closure will place on members of An Garda Síochána who will be forced to travel to Midleton, Youghal or Fermoy for court proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34101/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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Under the Courts Service Act 1998 responsibility for the operation and management of courthouses is a matter for the Courts Service.

Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team.

However I can say that the change made in the Cobh District is on the basis of efficiency and effectiveness.

Departmental Agencies

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1195 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 6 July 2010, when the Property Services Regulatory Authority was established; the funding allocated and expenditure incurred each year since its establishment; the number of persons employed by the authority; their job description and functions; when he expects the authority to begin operating on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34105/10]

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1196 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 9 February 2010, the progress that the Property Services Regulatory Authority has made in establishing and administering a comprehensive licensing system covering all providers of property services, such as auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents and property management agents, collectively known as property services providers; when he expects this extended system to replace the current licensing system for auctioneers and house agents under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973; the number of audits and inspections of property service providers the PSRA have conducted to date in 2010 as part of a general compliance and enforcement function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34106/10]

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1197 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to parliamentary Question No. 349 of 9 February 2010, if the Property Services Regulatory Authority has established and is administering a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints relating to the provision of property services; if a compensation fund has been established to compensate parties who lose money as a direct consequence of the dishonesty of a licensee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34107/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1195 to 1197, inclusive, together.

I wish to refer the Deputy to Questions Nos. 367 of 6 July 2010, 486 of 22 April 2009, 349 of 9 February 2010 and 128 of 17 February 2010 which provided detailed information on the proposed work of the Property Services Regulatory Authority which will be established on a statutory basis when the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 is enacted.

The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 has completed all stages in the Seanad and is awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil. The Scheduling of the Bill in the House with a view to its enactment is a matter for agreement between the party whips. I would like to remind the Deputy that the main functions of the Authority include the following, as I indicated in my response to the PQs referred to above:

Establishing and administering a comprehensive licensing system covering all providers of property services, (i.e. Auctioneers, Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Property Management Agents — collectively known as Property Services Providers). This extended system will replace the current licensing system for Auctioneers and House Agents under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973;

Setting and enforcing standards for the grant of licences (e.g. educational/training standards; levels of professional indemnity insurance) as well as standards to be observed in the provision of property services by licensees;

Establishing and administering a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints relating to the provision of property services, including the imposition of sanctions as appropriate;

Conducting audits and inspections of Property Services Providers as part of a general compliance and enforcement function;

Developing and enforcing Codes of Practice;

Promoting increased consumer protection and public awareness (where appropriate in liaison and co-operation with other statutory bodies and relevant professional and consumer bodies) of property services in general and the cost to consumers, risks and benefits associated with the provision of those services;

Producing guidance material for the industry and the public;

Establishing, maintaining and administering a Compensation Fund to compensate parties who lose money as a direct consequence of the dishonesty of a licensee.

Enforcing licensees obligations under the legislation through general investigations, inspections and court prosecutions;

Liaison and co-operation with overseas Authorities.

Pending enactment of the legislation, the PSRA Implementation Group was established, on a non statutory basis, to assist and advise on practical matters relating to the establishment of the new Authority and a Chief Executive designate was appointed and is working closely with the Group in making arrangements for the establishment of the Authority and its structures including the basic organisational structures, systems, procedures, protocols, rules and regulations, which are fundamental to the long term functioning of the Authority.

To date the PSRA Implementation Group has, in advance of the Authority being placed on a statutory footing, carried out much of the preparatory work necessary to enable it to carry out its statutory functions including:

the successful completion of the necessary arrangements for the acquisition and fitting out of accommodation for the Authority in Navan, Co. Meath;

drafting Codes of Practice for Auctioneers and Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents which identifies the key principles and values that should guide the day to day practice of service providers;

establishing a National Public Register of all licensed Auctioneers and House Agents.;

developing and putting in place financial and accounting systems for the Authority;

designing and developing a website as part of the education and awareness function;

designing and developing a computerised licensing and complaints databases suitable for the Authority's long term requirements;

developing and implementing an office, file management and data management system for the Authority;

developing the systems, procedures rules and regulations necessary for the establishment of a Compensation Fund, including prescribing the manner of reporting of losses sustained by clients and the procedures for applications for grants from the Fund;

developing the rules and regulations which will govern the level of professional indemnity insurance which a Property Services Provider must have in place including the Minimum Terms and Conditions of such insurance;

establishing a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints relating to the provision of property services;

preparing public information material on the provision of property services, including the purchase and sale of property;

drafting rules and regulations governing complaints procedures.

reviewing all aspects of the work undertaken by Property Services Providers in Ireland and equivalent services in appropriate comparable jurisdictions for the purpose of prescribing the minimum education/qualification requirements necessary for the grant of licences;

establishing protocols for the vetting of all applicants for licences;

drafting rules and regulations for the carrying out of investigations, inspections and audits of Property Services Providers' practices;

drafting rules and regulations governing the operation of Property Services Providers' accounting procedures including the manner of keeping all accounting records;

drafting rules and regulations governing the operation of client accounts;

prescribing the rights, duties and responsibilities of Property Services Providers in relation to moneys received, held, controlled or paid in connection with the provision of property services;

prescribing the rules governing the auditing of Property Services Providers' accounts.

Many of the rules and regulations which have been or are being drafted will be introduced once the Bill has been enacted. The work undertaken to date will ensure that the complex systems, procedures, rules, regulations and protocols, necessary for the effective operation of the Authority, can be put in place quickly following the passing of the legislation.

With regard to current staffing levels at the PSRA pending the enactment of the legislation to establish it on a statutory basis, there is a Chief Executive designate, six full-time and two part-time staff.

The PSRA has incurred expenditure of €347,000 from 1 January 2010 to 31 August 2010. With regard to earlier years I wish to refer the Deputy to the Abridged Estimates Volume for Public Services 2010 and the Revised Estimates for Public Services for each of the years concerned. Copies of the Abridged Estimates Volume for Public Services and the Revised Estimates for Public Services are available at www.finance.gov.ie and in the Oireachtas Library.

Once the Authority has been put on a statutory footing it will be in a position to establish and administer a comprehensive complaints investigation system and a Compensation Fund to compensate persons for losses resulting from the dishonesty of Property Services Providers.

Proposed Legislation

Joan Burton
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Joan Burton
Question:
1198 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when he intends to bring forward proposals for the reform of bankruptcy laws here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34108/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)
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I have already initiated change in bankruptcy law by way of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 by (a) reducing the application period to the court for discharge from bankruptcy from 12 years to 6 years, as recommended by the Law Reform Commission in its interim report on Personal Debt Management and Debt Enforcement, and (b) providing for the automatic discharge of bankruptcies on the 20th anniversary of an adjudication order. I intend to give early attention to the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission when it finalises its report on Personal Debt Management and Debt Enforcement in the near future.

Overseas Development Aid

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1199 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support a matter (details supplied). [31882/10]

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1200 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that Ireland honours its commitment to contribute at least 0.7% of national income in overseas aid by 2015, in order to meet the goals to alleviate extreme poverty as outlined by the Millennium Summit in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31899/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1208 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his original targets for overseas development aid; the way that these targets have been changed as a result of the economic downturn; if we have met the targets set both original and revised in the years 2000 to 2009; the current targets for the years 2010 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32045/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1209 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to meet the commitment to overseas development aid as a percentage of GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32046/10]

Michael Noonan
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Michael Noonan
Question:
1210 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is still committed to spend by 2015, 0.7% of national income on overseas aid; the year on year increase in expenditure envisaged to achieve this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32051/10]

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1212 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32081/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1199, 1200, 1208 to 1210, inclusive, and 1212, together.

The international target for spending on Official Development Assistance is 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP). This is known as the UN ODA target. The EU has adopted this objective and Ireland is committed to meeting the 0.7% expenditure on ODA by 2015.

Over the 10 year period from 2000 to 2009, Ireland spent almost €6 billion on ODA, an enormous level of expenditure by any reckoning. This level of ODA has made Ireland one of the most generous donors in the world and we are currently placed as the 7th most generous international donor on a per capita basis.

Ireland expended 0.54% of GNP on ODA in 2009. In 2010 we expect to spend 0.52% of our GNP on ODA, thereby exceeding the interim EU target of 0.51%. While our ODA budget for 2010 represents a small decline in overall aid expenditure, this must be viewed in the context of the difficult economic situation facing this country and the imperative of returning stability to our public finances.

Over the coming months the Government will finalise preparations for Budget 2011. The over-riding aim will be to restore growth to the economy. This is the indispensable basis for the resumption of sustainable growth in the aid programme, to which we are committed. In the coming years, decisions on the budgetary allocations to ODA for each year will be made in the context of the progress made in achieving sustainable economic growth.

It is important to note that ODA as a percentage of GNP is only one measure used to compare our aid programme with that of our peers. Volumes are a measure of an aid programme. Quality is an equally if not more important measure. Ireland's aid programme is internationally recognised as being of the highest quality and having a sharp focus on poverty reduction and hunger eradication at its core. Most of Ireland's bilateral ODA is directed to the least developed countries, with a particular focus on a limited number of very poor partner countries, called Programme Countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aid programme has been peer reviewed very positively, as lately as 2009 by the OECD, and described as ‘cutting edge', ‘sharply focused on poverty reduction' and providing a ‘leadership role in aid effectiveness'. The Government is determined that those qualities continue to be delivered across Ireland's aid programme.

Human Rights Issues

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1201 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the case of a person (details supplied) at risk of execution, possibly by stoning in Iran with the Iranian authorities or the Iranian embassy here; and if he has not, if he will publicly call on the Iranian Government not to execute the person by stoning or any other method, to ban stoning as a method of execution; and to decriminalise adultery and sexual relations between consenting adults. [32014/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Deputy refers to the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian mother of two whose stoning sentence has caused the gravest concern in Ireland and internationally. The case of Ms. Ashtianai has been raised with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland by officials in my Department who have conveyed in the strongest terms that Ireland is completely opposed to the use of stoning, a practice which has no place in the 21st century. Ireland joins others in the international community, including EU High Representative Ashton, who have issued strong calls upon the Iranian government to revoke the death sentence in the case of Ms Ashtiani.

The EU has also been active in raising this case in Tehran with a detailed démarche delivered on behalf of the EU on the Ashtiani case and other human rights issues on 29 August. In response, the Iranian authorities have indicated that the stoning sentence would not be applied and that Ms Ashtiani would not be executed for adultery. However, no clear commitment has so far been given that there are no circumstances in which the death sentence will be applied to Ms. Ashtiani. I call on Iran to provide such a commitment.

There are also worrying reports about Ms Ashtiani's family, particularly her children, being subjected to harassment and imprisonment for bravely speaking out about this case. I am also appalled that Ms Ashtiani's lawyer, Mr Mostafaei, has had to leave his country, simply for doing his job and defending his clients as best as he can.

Ms. Ashtiani's case is symptomatic of the very poor human rights situation overall now obtaining in Iran. I have raised Ireland's serious concerns about the lack of respect for human rights in Iran directly with the Iranian authorities on a number of occasions, most recently when I met with Foreign Minister Mottaki in Dublin on 9 June. During that meeting, I also outlined Ireland and the EU's particular concerns about the extensive use of the death penalty in Iran, an issue which we also highlighted in our national intervention at the current UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva on 17 September. I have also written at length to Foreign Minister Mottaki on a number of occasions to express our concerns about, and raise specific aspects of, the human rights situation in Iran. Ireland will continue to raise our concerns on the human rights situation in Iran, both bilaterally and at multilateral organisations such as the UN Human Rights Council.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1202 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has protested the arrest and detention of Palestinian human rights defenders objecting to Israel continuing illegal construction of a separation wall in the West Bank in recent months. [32036/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1203 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to links between any Irish company and the companies Israel has contracted to illegally construct a separation wall in the West Bank, and has he or his officials informed those companies of Irelands opposition to the construction of the wall. [32037/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1202 and 1203 together.

The Deputy will be aware of the Government's strong views on the illegality of the construction of the separation barrier on occupied land. While we recognise the responsibility on the Israeli Government to provide for the security of its citizens, I have regularly expressed my serious concern about the negative consequences of the continuing construction of the barrier, both for the daily lives of the Palestinian people and for the viability of a two-State solution. The Government has raised the issues involved directly with Israel, through the EU and at the United Nations. We have been to the fore in ensuring that the European Union continues to affirm that it will recognise no changes to the pre-1967 borders other than those negotiated between the parties in the context of a final status agreement. Ireland, and its EU partners, has consistently called on Israel to abide by the 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice that found that the construction of the wall by Israel, the occupying power in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), was contrary to international law.

It should be noted that our concerns relate not to the construction of the wall itself, but the routing of very lengthy sections of the wall across Palestinian land, effectively cutting off large areas of Palestinian territory, which are left connected to Israel but isolated from the rest of the West Bank. Ireland is very concerned about the imprisonment of human rights defenders in the Occupied Territories for exercising their right to peacefully protest against the route of the separation barrier. Local EU representatives attended all court hearings in the case of Abdallah Abu Rahma, who was convicted in an Israeli military court on charges of incitement and organising and attending demonstrations. A representative of our Mission in Ramallah attended his sentencing hearing on 15 September to highlight our concern about this case.

I am not aware of any links between Irish companies and companies contracted to build the separation barrier. Cement Roadstone Holdings owns a minority shareholding of approximately 25% in Mashav Initiating and Development Limited, which is the holding company for the main Israeli cement producer, Nesher. This 25% stake does not give CRH any control over Nesher's operational matters. The Israeli company supplies cement to all of the concrete manufacturers in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Nesher does not have a say in the final use of the concrete products. It has no direct involvement in the construction of the separation barrier.

Overseas Development Aid

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1204 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money spent on Overseas Development Aid in each of the years between 2005 and 2010 in tabular form in terms of money spent and percentage of GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32041/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1205 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of which countries have received Overseas Development Aid from Ireland since 2005, the amount each country has received each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32042/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1204 and 1205 together.

Most of Ireland's expenditure on Official Development Assistance (ODA) is provided under Vote 29, International Cooperation. The programme is administered by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, also known as Irish Aid. Further contributions to ODA are made by other Government Departments and through Ireland's allocation to the EU Development Cooperation budget.

Details of the amounts spent on ODA are as follows:

Year

Vote 29

Other ODA

Total ODA

% of GNP

€ million

€ million

€ million

%

2005

465

113

578

0.43

2006

595

219

814

0.54

2007

726

145

871

0.54

2008

769

152

921

0.59

2009

572

150

722

0.54

2010

536*

135*

671*

0.52*

*Estimated.

Through Irish Aid, the Government provides assistance to in excess of 80 countries in the developing world, with a strong focus on the least developed countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. Irish Aid operates directly in nine countries which have been designated as Programme Countries, with a commitment to long term strategic assistance, namely Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi (since 2008), Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Timor Leste. Details of funding provided directly to Programme Countries for the years 2005 to 2009 are as follows:

Country

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

€ m

€ m

€ m

€ m

€ m

Uganda

27.7

32.1

37.4

41.7

35.4

Mozambique

27.2

25.4

32.8

34.2

41.4

Ethiopia

28.1

29.9

33.9

36.1

27.6

Tanzania

24.3

25.6

33.6

38.0

33.4

Zambia

18.1

19.4

23.1

23.9

22.8

Malawi

0

0

0

9.8

8.8

Vietnam

2.9

7.1

20.2

20.7

12.8

Lesotho

9.7

8.2

10.0

9.2

11.5

Timor Leste

3.8

5.8

4.6

5.0

3.4

Additional Irish Aid funding is indirectly implemented in both Programmes Countries and other developing countries, delivered by Irish and International Non Governmental Organisations, Irish Missionaries, and through the multilateral and UN systems. Full details of all countries receiving funds from Irish Aid and its partners are contained in the Irish Aid Annual Reports which can be accessed at http://www.irishaid.gov.ie/publications_report.asp and which have been placed in the Dáil Library.

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1206 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the precautions in place to ensure that money provided by Ireland for Overseas Development Aid reaches the people and projects for which it is intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32043/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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As Minister of State with responsibility for our overseas aid budget, I am very conscious of the need to ensure that development aid reaches its intended beneficiaries and that it makes a real difference in the lives of the poor. I can assure the Deputy that Irish Aid has in place a comprehensive programme of appraisal, monitoring, audit, and evaluation of our expenditures designed to ensure that funds are spent effectively and benefit the most vulnerable people of the countries in which we and our partners operate. Irish Aid expenditure is subject to rigorous accounting, evaluation and audit controls. Programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent audit firms and by Irish Aid's own Evaluation and Audit Unit. The Unit's work is also examined by my Department's independent Audit Committee. Development expenditures are furthermore examined by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as part of the annual audit of the Department of Foreign Affairs. As well as ensuring that Ireland's development funding reaches those most in need, such arrangements necessitate the improvement of national systems of accounting and auditing in the countries in which we operate, thereby building local capacity to deliver basic services effectively and transparently. Irish Aid supports programmes for the improvement of national accounting systems and training of national offices of auditors general. We also continuously monitor programme and project quality in order to ensure effective results and that our programmes are reaching their target populations. This emphasis on effectiveness and quality has been recognised internationally, including by the OECD in its latest evaluation of our aid programme which stated that "the structure of Irish Aid's programme ensures that the capacity and policy benefits of programme aid are achieved whilst improvements in the quality and accountability of public financial management together with rigorous oversight ensure that Irish funds are correctly used." Project proposals which are submitted are appraised using a number of key criteria, including quality of proposed impact, intended beneficiaries, sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency in the use of resources. Where funds are provided to organisations such as NGOs it is a fundamental condition of such funding that annual audited accounts are provided to us.

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1207 Deputy Deirdre Clune: asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money provided in emergency aid in each year between 2005 and 2010; if this is part of our commitment of GNP commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32044/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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Each year Ireland provides assistance to people affected by humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters in developing countries. In the period referred to by the Deputy the following funding was provided under the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Fund (EHAF) managed as part of the Irish Aid programme of official development assistance (ODA):

2005: €37,500,000;

2006: €60,000,000;

2007: €90,000,000;

2008: €87,000,000;

2009: €56,000,000;

2010: €44,762,232 (to date).

Funding provided from EHAF is delivered to organisations which respond directly to the humanitarian needs of those caught up in disasters or conflict situations, such as United Nations agencies, the International Red Cross movement and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). In 2010, Ireland has responded to a number of significant humanitarian challenges including the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti in January and the recent flooding in Pakistan. Ireland also responds to emergencies through providing pre-positioned humanitarian supplies and key personnel with specific emergency related skills through the Rapid Response Initiative.

In addition to emergency humanitarian assistance, Ireland also contributes to the efforts of people in the affected areas to rebuild their lives following these humanitarian emergencies. Effective recovery strategies are designed to ensure that the affected areas have greater capacity to withstand future natural disasters. All of Ireland's emergency aid falls within that proportion of our GNP which is allocated for development assistance and all of the specific projects and programmes and costs are outlined in the Irish Aid Annual Reports for each year which have been placed in the Dáil Library.

Questions Nos. 1208 to 1210, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1199.

Passport Applications

Olivia Mitchell
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Olivia Mitchell
Question:
1211 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a reduced fee, that is less than the €80 required for a ten-year passport, could be applied to those who are within a few years of reaching 65 when they are entitled to a free passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32056/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The scheme whereby passports should be available free to persons aged 65 and over was introduced in 2005. Given the current budgetary situation and the need to cover the cost of passport production, I have no plans to reduce passport fees for any category of citizen.

Question No. 1212 answered with Question No. 1199.

Overseas Development Aid

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1213 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if this proposal could assist the terrible tragedy in Pakistan. [32192/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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The people of Pakistan have recently experienced the worst flooding in their history. The United Nations reports that the floods have affected an estimated 20 million people — or one tenth of the country's entire population. More than 1,700 people are known to have lost their lives as a result of the tragedy and with flood waters continuing to spread in areas such as Sindh, there are fears that this death toll may rise. In those areas where the flooding has receded, millions of people have been left destitute.

The Government has allocated more than €2.5 million in humanitarian assistance to help tackle this crisis, including through support for the activities of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme and UNICEF as well Concern, Trócaire, Goal and Plan Ireland. Irish Aid has also carried out two airlifts of supplies to Pakistan, the second of which provided shelter and water equipment for 33,000 people and was the single largest shipment of humanitarian supplies ever undertaken by the State. These airlifts were carried out on Ireland's behalf by the World Food Programme through its network of Humanitarian Response Depots.

In parallel with the Government's direct response to the crisis, Ireland also supports the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which provides immediate funds to UN agencies and NGOs in such emergencies. Ireland has provided €73 million to the CERF since 2006. Irish Aid also supports the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), to which €1 million has been provided in 2010.

Wider issues relating to heavy-lift transport and other logistics within the flood-hit regions are co-ordinated by the UN with the Government of Pakistan. At this stage, no request has been received with regard to the provision of additional external support along the lines proposed by the Deputy. In circumstances such as this one, light civilian helicopters are unfortunately unlikely to meet the needs of the UN and Pakistani Government given the logistical, geographical, technical and capacity issues involved. For the immediate future, the focus of the international community will continue to be centred on life-saving assistance in Pakistan but as flood waters recede, this will need to be complemented by projects to re-establish agricultural livelihoods and to restore basic services such as education, health and nutrition.

In this context, Ireland will continue to support the ongoing efforts being made by the Government of Pakistan, the United Nations and NGOs as they seek to provide rescue, relief and early recovery to those affected by the floods.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1214 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32276/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The requested details for my Department during the periods in question are set out below.

2010

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Executive Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €30,516 – €47,975 per annum

Personal Assistant

Cork

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,023 – €42,122 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Cork

1.00

Executive Officer Standard Scale €29,024 – €45,616 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

0.80

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,042 – €36,267 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer PPC Salary Scale €23,177 – €37,341 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Dick Roche, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Staff Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Staff Officer Standard Scale €33,070 – €43,906 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,042 – €36,267 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,042 – €36,267 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

0.80

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €22,015 – €35,515 per annum

Personal Assistant

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €43,816 – €55,415 per annum

Personal Secretary

Bray, Co. Wicklow

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,023 – €42,122 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Minister of State, Mr Peter Power, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Riverstone House, Limerick

1.00

Parliamentary Assistant Salary €38,760 – 49,035, plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Limerick

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,023 – €42,122 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Riverstone House, Limerick

2.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,177 – €37,341 per annum

Clerical Officer

Riverstone House, Limerick

1.00

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €22,015 – €35,515

2009

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Executive Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €32,179 – €51,054 per annum

Personal Assistant

Cork

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €23,182 – €44,727 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Cork

1.00

Executive Officer Standard Scale €30,566 – €48,504 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.80

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €24,397 – €39,558 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Dick Roche, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Staff Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Staff Officer Standard Scale €34,941 – €46,655 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €24,255 – €38,397 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

0.50

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €23,174 – €37,584

Personal Assistant

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €46,558 – €59,097 per annum

Personal Secretary

Bray, Co. Wicklow

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €23,182 – €44,727 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Minister of State, Mr Peter Power, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Riverstone House, Limerick

1.00

Parliamentary Assistant Scale €41,092 – €52,200 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Limerick

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €23,182 – €44,727 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Riverstone House, Limerick

2.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €24,397 – €39,558 per annum

Clerical Officer

Riverstone House, Limerick

1.00

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €23,174 – €37,584

From 7 May 2008 to 31 December 2008

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Executive Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €32,179 – €51,054 per annum

Personal Assistant

Cork

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €23,182 – €44,727 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Cork

1.00

Executive Officer Standard Scale €30,566 – €48,504 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €24,397 – €39,558 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Dick Roche, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Staff Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Staff Officer Standard Scale €34,941 – €46,655 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,633 – €37,460 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

.50

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €23,174 – €37, 584 per annum

Personal Assistant

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €46,558 – €59,097 per annum

Personal Secretary

Bray, Co. Wicklow

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €23,182 – €44,727 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €24,397 – €39,558 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Peter Power, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Riverstone House, Limerick

1.00

Parliamentary Assistant Scale €41,092 – €52,200 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Limerick

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €23,182 – €44,727 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Riverstone House, Limerick

2.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €24,397 – €39,558 per annum

Clerical Officer

Riverstone House, Limerick

1.00

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €23,174 – €37,584 per annum

From 1 January 2008 to 6 May 2008

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Dundalk, Co. Louth

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Scale €45,422 – €57,656 per annum

Personal Secretary

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer Higher Scale €29,820 – €49,180 per annum

Executive Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €31,394 – €49,809per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.50

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,802 – €38,593 per annum

Clerical Officer

Dundalk, Co. Louth

1.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,663 – €37,460 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Dick Roche, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Staff Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Staff Officer Standard Scale €34,089 – €45,517 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,663 – €37,460 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

.50

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €22,609 – €36,667 per annum

Personal Assistant

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €45,422 – €57,656 per annum

Personal Secretary

Bray, Co. Wicklow

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,616 – €43,636 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,802 – €38,593 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Michael Kitt, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Bishop’s Square, Dublin

1.00

Parliamentary Assistant Scale €40,090 – €50,927 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Galway

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,616 – €43,636 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Bishop’s Square, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,802 – €38,593 per annum

Clerical Officer

Bishop’s Square, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,663 – €37,460 per annum

From 14 June 2007 to 31 December 2007

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Dundalk, Co. Louth

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Scale €44,314 – €56,250 per annum

Personal Secretary

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer Higher Scale €29,093 – €47,980 per annum

Executive Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €30,628 – €48,594 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.50

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,221 – €37,651 per annum

Clerical Officer

Dundalk, Co. Louth

1.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,086 – €36,546 per annum

Minister of State, Mr Dick Roche, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Staff Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Staff Officer Standard Scale €33,258 – €44,407 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,086 – €36,546 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

2.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,221 – €37,651 per annum

Clerical Officer

Iveagh House, Dublin

.50

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €22,058 – €35,773 per annum

Personal Assistant

Iveagh House, Dublin

1.00

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €44,314 – €56,250 per annum

Personal Secretary

Bray, Co. Wicklow

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,064 – €42,571 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Minister of State, Mr Michael Kitt, T.D.

Grade/Position

Location

Number

Remuneration

Personal Assistant

Bishop’s Square, Dublin

1.00

Parliamentary Assistant Scale €39,112 – €49,685 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Personal Secretary

Galway

1.00

Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,064 – €42,571 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance

Clerical Officer

Bishop’s Square, Dublin

2.00

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €24,397 – €39,558 per annum

Clerical Officer

Bishop’s Square, Dublin

1.00

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €22,058 – €35, 773 per annum

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) scales apply where officers were employed since 6 April 1995, pay class A rate of PRSI and make a personal pension contribution.

Overtime, travel and subsistence expenses are paid in accordance with normal Civil Service regulations.

Successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Ministers of State with responsibility for European Affairs have occupied the same accommodation in Iveagh House, St. Stephen's Green in the period in question. Constituency staff for each Minister and Minister of State are accommodated in an open plan office with the Personal Assistant, where relevant, located in a small single office. Ministers of State with responsibility for Overseas Development are provided with similar constituency office accommodation. In the case of Minister of State Michael Kitt T.D. this was located in Bishops Square, Dublin 2 and for Minister of State Peter Power T.D. the accommodation is in Riverstone House, Limerick.

The value of all such property, whether rented or owned by the State, is a matter for the Office of Public Works.

It is not possible to isolate the cost of utilities and accommodation-related services for these offices, i.e. cleaning and waste disposal, from the overall bills in respect of the buildings in question.

IT, communication and other costs

Each member of staff based in the Ministerial offices in the Department's premises is provided with IT and communication facilities from the Department's stocks i.e. PC, phone, print and faxing facilities and appropriate licences. The estimated annual average cost of these is €750 per officer.

Where officers are based in external constituency offices there is an initial set-up cost in providing the equipment and services at an average cost of €2,500.

Based on these estimated average costs, and including any expenditure on telephone charges and other non standard equipment, the following table sets out the IT and communication expenditure relating to Ministerial constituency offices for the periods in question. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the cost of telephone calls made by constituency office staff.

Period

Minister

Total

€

2010 to date

Micheál Martin T.D.

8,024

Dick Roche T.D.

4,173

Peter Power T.D.

6,085

2009

Micheál Martin T.D.

9,951

Dick Roche T.D.

4,023

Peter Power T.D.

4,812

7 May-December 2008

Micheál Martin T.D.

1,523

Dick Roche T.D.

5,484

Peter Power T.D.

4,706

January-6 May 2008

Dermot Ahern T.D.

6,624

Dick Roche T.D.

5,484

Michael Kitt T.D.

4,006

14 June-December 2007

Dermot Ahern T.D.

10,032

Dick Roche T.D.

2,719

Michael Kitt T.D.

6,347

Annual costs for headed paper from 2007 through to 2009 were €1,537 for the constituency offices of the Ministers and €345 for those of the Ministers of State.

Human Rights Issues

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1215 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 873 teachers have been killed in Colombia, more than 3,000 have been threatened, 1,000 have been displaced, 70 forced to leave the country and 60 simply disappeared; and if he will raise these matters at UN and EU level. [32383/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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I am aware of and share the deep concern that has been expressed at the manner in which trade union activists, including teachers and human rights defenders have been treated in Colombia. Colombia has witnessed the longest period of upheaval of any country in Latin America — over 50 years in all. The Colombian people have endured relentless suffering, reflected in the more than two million persons who have been internally displaced over the past number of years, a number second only to that of Sudan. The degree of lawlessness that arises from the absence of peace presents a major challenge to any government. The effects of terrorism and narco-trafficking have blighted the lives of many innocent people. However, compared with the situation ten years ago, Colombia today has become a safer place to live. Colombians' belief in the prospects for a peaceful future and the impressive recent social and economic development reflected in the strong inward investment flows reinforce the impression that the country is slowly emerging from a grim past.

On 7 August, President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón was inaugurated as President of Colombia. During his inaugural address, President Santos emphasised that human rights would be a key issue during his term of office. Specifically, the President stated that it was his firm position that respect for life was a sacred mandate, that respect for the freedom and integrity of people was an inescapable obligation and that advocacy of human rights was the firm and irrevocable commitment of his government. President Santos has stated that Colombia's Ministry of Justice will be re-established as the Ministry of Justice and Rights with a view to strengthening the state's policy in support of justice and protecting fundamental rights. I am encouraged that President Santos has tasked his Vice President, Angelina Garzón, with particular responsibility for taking forward his government's programme in this important area. Furthermore, I have written to Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguin Cuéllar to indicate my continuing interest in human rights dialogue with the Colombian government.

Ireland was represented at President Santos' inauguration by our Ambassador to Colombia, who is resident in Mexico City. The Ambassador reiterated to the Colombian authorities the importance we continue to attach to human rights and our strong support for the commitment made by the President in this respect. The Ambassador raised my concern about the level of violence against trade unionists in the course of his official contacts.

In May of this year, funding of €100,000 was approved for a victim support project being organised by the Organisation of American States in three regions of Colombia. This project will train victims to allow them to participate effectively in the judicial process and to access reparation; create awareness among local authorities so as to assist in the reintegration of victims in their communities and establish confidence-building measures between communities and local authorities.

The Government will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Colombia through our Embassy in Mexico and in cooperation with our EU partners with resident diplomatic missions in that country.

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1216 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will listen to the voice of ethnic people inside Burma and to assist measures to develop a democratic Burma. [32384/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Government is closely engaged at the European Union and international level in monitoring the situation in Burma and in supporting the struggle of the Burmese people for democracy and human rights. I have met with representatives of some of the main ethnic minority groups in the country. I remain deeply concerned about the allegations that have been made by these groups that they have been subjected to grave breaches of international humanitarian law by the Burmese regime.

The Government has expressed its concern internationally about the treatment of ethnic minorities by the regime in Burma. One such minority is the Rohingya, as highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Tomas Quintana, in his report to the Human Rights Council in March of this year. The Rohingyas are a Muslim minority group comprising some 800,000 people residing in North Arakan State in Western Burma. In addition, it is estimated that there are many hundreds of thousands of refugees in neighbouring countries. The persecution of the Rohingya by the Burmese authorities is predicated on the basis of the denial of their right to citizenship.

The Government has long recognised the need to support the Rohingya and has responded in a practical way to their plight, including through the resettlement in Ireland of around eighty Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh, under the Government's refugee resettlement scheme, which is administered by the Department of Justice and Law Reform.

At my request, the actions of the Burmese regime were discussed at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in April. On that occasion, Ministers called for a peaceful transition to a democratic, civilian and inclusive system of government in Burma. They agreed that the regime had not taken the necessary steps to make the elections, to be held on 7 November, credible, transparent and inclusive. There has been no substantive improvement since then to change that assessment.

Notwithstanding the difficult position in which ethnic minorities and political parties have been placed by the actions of the regime, some ethnic groups are working to try to take advantage of the possible opportunity afforded by the elections to secure representation in local and national legislatures. However, I am extremely concerned at reports that the regime has moved to stifle further the rights of minorities in the lead-up to the elections.

The Government also believes that a crucial element in the national reconciliation and democratisation process is the release without delay of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. This could contribute to a new atmosphere in advance of the elections, allowing space for the initiation of a process of national dialogue and reconciliation, involving all opposition and ethnic groups. As the poll date draws nearer, I will continue to work closely with our European and international partners in support of human rights and democracy in Burma.

Passport Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1217 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons currently holding Irish passports; the number resident in the 26 counties holding Irish passports; the number resident in the Six Counties holding Irish passports; the number resident in Britain holding Irish passports; and the number outside the island of Ireland holding Irish passports. [32433/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The Passport Office database records and collates data on applicants by place of birth rather than place of residence. In many cases this information is incomplete or inaccurate e.g. applicants may specify place of birth as Ireland rather than their county of birth. It is therefore possible only to give estimated figures in response to this question.

It is estimated that approximately 4,426,000 Irish citizens currently hold valid Irish passports. In relation to figures from Northern Ireland, I can confirm that up to end August 2010 31,275 applications were received through the Northern Ireland Passport Express Service available through post offices. This figure compares with 37,000 for all of 2009, 38,400 applications in 2008 and 36,000 in 2007.

In relation to figures from Great Britain, I can confirm that up to end August 2010 20,35 applications were received through the Passport Office in London. This figure compares with 50,899 for all of 2009, 53,804 applications in 2008 and 51,169 in 2007. In relation to figures for the rest of the World, I can confirm that up to end August 2010 28,392 applications were received through Ireland's offices overseas. This figure compares with 40,914 for all of 2009, 42,114 applications in 2008 and 41,410 in 2007.

Election Observation Missions

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1218 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will list in tabular form persons sent abroad since 2003 to monitor elections and referenda; the process by which election observers are appointed; if he is satisfied that the recruitment and selection procedure used is in conformity with the code of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments; if he is considering changes to the appointment procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32477/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Power)
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The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Over the past six years, Ireland has provided a total of 538 observers for election missions worldwide. The missions involved have primarily been organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Ireland has also been represented in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.

Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a roster of volunteers for election monitoring missions. There are currently some 280 volunteers on the roster. They all have either overseas or domestic experience in the administration of elections, or have significant overseas development expertise. Their place on the roster is based on the date of their last participation in a mission. When a request for electoral observation is received, the Department seeks expressions of interest from all observers on the election roster. A list of suitably qualified observers is then drawn up, taking into account their place on the roster and any specific criteria for the mission, including relevant language proficiency. Following completion of the internal selection process, a draft list of nominees is submitted for Ministerial approval. The roster is updated as each mission is completed, to ensure that all registered volunteers have an opportunity to participate in a mission. In the case of European Union election observation missions, all candidate observers must register with the European Commission as well as with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The final selection of observers rests with the Commission, based on an approved list submitted by the Department. In the case of OSCE election observation missions, all the observers nominated by the Department are usually selected. The nomination of election observers is not covered by the code of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments. However, the nomination process is carried out in line with the code's principles of consistency, fairness, transparency, accountability and diversity. As with all activities supported by the Department, the election observation programme is subject to continuous monitoring to ensure that it operates efficiently and effectively and provides the best possible value for money.

Election observation missions in 2004

(42 observers on 11 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

January

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Peter

Ballagh

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Patrick

Carroll

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Niall

Gormley

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Mary

Russell

March

Russia

OSCE

STO

William

Bulman

Russia

OSCE

STO

Mark

Hearns

Russia

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Martin

Russia

OSCE

STO

Michael

McNamara

Russia

OSCE

STO

Jacqueline

Monahan

Russia

OSCE

STO

Ken

Price

April

FYROM*

OSCE

STO

Michael

Diffily

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Teresa

Hughes

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Donal

MacDonald

Indonesia

EU

STO

Mary

Dowling

Indonesia

EU

STO

Adrienne

Boyle

Indonesia

EU

STO

Eamonn

Daly

Indonesia

EU

LTO

Desmond

Kieran

Sri Lanka

EU

STO

Shane

Brennan

Sri Lanka

EU

STO

Victoria

Somers

October

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Ronan

Gargan

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Frank

Kennefick

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Sheelagh

Mooney

Afghanistan

EU

Core Team

Michael

McNamara

Belarus

OSCE

STO

John Paul

Coakley

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Kathryn

Coll

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Eithne

MacDermott

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

George

Bermingham

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Deirdre

Bourke

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Denis

Connell

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Michael

Davitt

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Sean

Guerin

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Gerard

Keown

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Aidan

Kirwan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Niall

McCann

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Carmen

MoncluÂs

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Patricia Adrienne

Reilly

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Denis

Connell

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Denis

Connell

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Carmen

MoncluÂs

December

Ukraine III

OSCE

STO

Austin

Gormley

Ukraine III

OSCE

STO

Carmen

MoncluÂs

Ukraine III

OSCE

STO

Denis

Connell

*FYROM is the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Election observation missions in 2005

(59 observers on 13 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

January

Palestine

EU

STO

Harry

Anderson

Palestine

EU

STO

Tania

Banotti

Palestine

EU

STO

Maca

Hourihane

Palestine

EU

STO

Bill

Rolston

Palestine

EU

STO

Theresa

Kearney

Palestine

EU

STO

Niall

Andrews

February

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Eithne

MacDermott

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Mary

Russell

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

John

Lynch

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Olivia

Leslie

March

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Aoife

Lawler

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Patrick

Hennigan

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Noel

O'Connor

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Conleth

Brady

Moldova

OSCE

STO

John

Burke

Moldova

OSCE

STO

John Cecil

Barron

May

Ethiopia

EU

LTO

Des

Hearns

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Mary

Banotti

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Teresa

McHugh

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Mary

Hennessy

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Shane

Cogan

Ethiopia

Bilateral

STO

Fergus

Browne

Ethiopia

Bilateral

STO

Charlie

O'Connor

July

Albania

OSCE

STO

Deirdre

Magenis

Albania

OSCE

STO

Michael

Gannon

Albania

OSCE

STO

Gregory

Curry

Albania

OSCE

STO

Sinead

O'Mara

Albania

OSCE

STO

Alexander

Gray

Albania

OSCE

STO

Stefania

Minervino

Albania

OSCE

STO

Dearbhla

Doyle

Albania

OSCE

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Albania

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Burundi

EU

STO

PJ

Larkin

Burundi

EU

STO

Aidan

O'Shea

Burundi

EU

STO

Dermot

Peavoy

September

Afghanistan

EU

STO

Michael

Boyle

Afghanistan

UNV

LTO

Carmen

MoncluÂs

October

Liberia

UNV

Core Team

James

Hession

Liberia

EU

LTO

Orla

Cluff

November

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

John

Jefferies

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Camilla

Fanning

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Nuala

Purcell

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

John

Blake

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Niall

Andrews

Sri Lanka

EU

STO

James

McIntyre

Sri Lanka

EU

Head of Mission

John

Cushnahan

December

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Gerry

Collins

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Elizabeth

Keogh

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Mary

O'Shea

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Patrick

White

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Anna

Eggert

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Paul

Cosgrave

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Ronan

Fox

Venezuela

EU

LTO

Des

Hearns

Venezuela

EU

STO

Helen

Keogh

Venezuela

EU

STO

Caroline

Mullen

Venezuela

EU

STO

Paul

Maher

Venezuela

EU

STO

Michael

Coyne

Election observation missions in 2006

(95 observers on 21 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

January

Palestine

EU

LTO

Peter

Ballagh

Palestine

EU

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Palestine

EU

STO

Tania

Banotti

Palestine

EU

STO

Theresa

Kearney

Palestine

EU

STO

Bill

Rolston

Palestine

EU

STO

Ray

Murphy

Palestine

EU

STO

John

Fennessy

February

Uganda

EU

STO

Veronica

Ui Mhurchu

Uganda

EU

STO

Frank

Scott

Uganda

EU

STO

Jerry

Crowley

Uganda

EU

STO

Brendan

Howlin

Uganda

EU

STO

Fergus

O'Dowd

Uganda

EU

STO

Barry

Andrews

March

Belarus

OSCE

LTO

Eithne

McDermott

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Austin

Currie

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Ronan

O'Laoire

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Blaise

Treacy

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Eleanor

Casey

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Elaine

Byrne

Belarus

OSCE

STO

James

Doody

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Martin

O'Loughlin

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Michael

Flanagan

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Patricia

Kelly

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Brian

MacMahon

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Peter

Emerson

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

John

Perry

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Brian

Flynn

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Kevin

Cronin

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Sean

O'Callaghan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

David

Deane

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Paul

Rowe

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Deirdre

Grogan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Ray

Dunne

May

Afghanistan

UN

Core team

Mary

Cummins

Fiji

EU

STO

Gerry

Collins

Montenegro

OSCE

LTO

Mary

Russell

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Peter

Hogan

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Gary

Kilgallen

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Jack

Purcell

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Paul

Ledesma

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Fergus

Gleeson

June

Montenegro II

OSCE

STO

Nora

Owen

Montenegro II

OSCE

STO

Brendan

Gogarty

Montenegro II

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Duffy

Montenegro II

OSCE

STO

Louise

Conlon

Montenegro II

OSCE

LTO

Vincent

Dempsey

July

Bolivia

EU

STO

Helen

Keogh

Bolivia

EU

STO

Theresa

Kearney

Bolivia

EU

STO

Eilis

Ward

Bolivia

EU

STO

Myles

Doherty

DR Congo

EU

STO

Diarmuid

Peavoy

DR Congo

EU

STO

Eamonn

Walsh

DR Congo

UNV

Core team

Dorcha

Lee

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Maureen

Grant

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Theresa

Ruane

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Michael

Verling

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Patrick

Durcan

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Robert

McDaid

Mexico

EU

LTO

Des

Hearns

September

Yemen

EU

Core team

Michael

McNamara

Yemen

EU

STO

William

Bulman

Zambia

EU

LTO

Mary

Dowling

Zambia

EU

STO

Michael

Boyle

Zambia

EU

STO

Patrick

Grant

October

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

LTO

Donal

Blake

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

Barry

Tumelty

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

Geraldine

Power

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

Brian

Daly

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

Joan

Clinton

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

David

Travis

Bosnia-Herzegovina

OSCE

STO

Gerard

McSweeney

November

Haiti

EU

STO

Siobhan

Mullally

Nicaragua

Carter Centre

Core Team

Benny

McCabe

Nicaragua

Carter Centre

STO

Benny

McCabe

Nicaragua

Carter Centre

STO

Helen

Keogh

Nicaragua

EU

STO

Molly

O'Duffy

Nicaragua

EU

STO

Harry

Owens

Nicaragua

EU

STO

Marion

Roche

Nicaragua

EU

STO

Michael

Coyne

Mauritania

EU

STO

Aidan

O'Shea

Mauritania

EU

STO

Emer

Fogarty

December

Aceh, Indonesia

EU

Core team

Michael

McNamara

Aceh, Indonesia

EU

LTO

Des

Kieran

Aceh, Indonesia

EU

STO

Terence

Duffy

Aceh, Indonesia

EU

STO

Eamonn

Daly

Venezuela

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Venezuela

EU

STO

Dorcha

Lee

Venezuela

EU

STO

Mary

Dunne

Venezuela

EU

STO

Patrick

Maher

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Timothy

Egar

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Eithne

Coughlan

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

John

O'Connor

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Richard

McEvoy

Election observation missions in 2007

(97 observers on 16 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

January

Serbia

OSCE

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Serbia

OSCE

STO

David

Shanks

Serbia

OSCE

STO

Robin

Henry

Serbia

OSCE

STO

RonaÂn

O'Laoire

April

Nigeria

EU

STO

James

Lenehan

Nigeria

EU

LTO

John

Jefferies

Nigeria

EU

STO

Marylee

Wall

Nigeria

EU

STO

Denis

Ryan

Nigeria

EU

LTO

Peter

Ballagh

Nigeria

EU

STO

Eamon

Rafter

Nigeria

EU

LTO

Anne

Marlborough

Timor Leste

Carter Centre

STO

Dorcha

Lee

Timor Leste

EU

LTO

James

Hession

Timor Leste

EU

LTO

Maeve

Murphy

Timor Leste

UNV

Core Team

Simon

Roughneen

Timor Leste

UNV

Core Team

Clionadh

O'Keeffe

Timor Leste

UNV

Core Team

Phil

Meyler

Timor Leste

UNV

Core Team

Joan

O'Connor

Timor Leste

UNV

Core Team

Joanne

Doyle

Timor Leste

UNV

Core Team

Alexander

Grey

May

Armenia

OSCE

STO

James

Somers

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Mary

Haugh

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Aisling

Lyon

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Paul

O'Shea

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Carole

Ward

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Fidelma

McHale

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Armenia

OSCE

LTO

Tess

Hughes

June

Moldova

OSCE

LTO

John

Desmond

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Terry

O'Brien

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Abdi

Ibrahim

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Ann

Choiseul

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Frank

Heslin

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Terry

O'Brien

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Ann

Choiseul

Nepal

UNV

Core Team

Des

Kieran

August

Kazakhstan

OSCE

LTO

Kevin

Gaughran

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Sinead

Harvey

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Paul

McGrath

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Karen

McCormack

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Richard

Humphreys

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Gerard

Monks

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Edward

Naessens

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Isabel

Perceval

Sierra Leone

EU

STO

Michael

Kavanagh

Sierra Leone

EU

STO

Terry

Duffy

Sierra Leone

EU

STO

Catherine

Brennan

September

Ecuador

EU

LTO

Marion

Roche

Ecuador

EU

LTO

Michael

Coyne

Ecuador

EU

STO

Karen

Miller

Ecuador

EU

STO

Mary

Dunne

Ecuador

EU

STO

Patrick

Maher

Guatemala

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Guatemala

EU

LTO

Frank

Scott

Guatemala

EU

LTO

Des

Hearns

Guatemala

EU

STO

Diarmuid

Peavoy

Guatemala

EU

STO

Helen

Keogh

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Sheena W.

McMahon

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Sandra

Conway

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Richard

McEvoy

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Noel

Brennan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Maurice

Canavan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Tomas

Standun

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Peter

Minnock

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Maria

Kieran

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Peter

Emerson

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Ian

Devine

Russian Fed

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Martin

October

Guatemala II

EU

STO

Diarmuid

Peavoy

Guatemala II

EU

LTO

Helen

Keogh

Guatemala II

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Guatemala II

EU

STO

Frank

Scott

November

Georgia

OSCE

LTO

Brian

MacMahon

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Eddie

Brannigan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

John P.

Phelan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Martin

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Michael

Grange

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Caroline

Brennan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Theresa

Reidy

Georgia

OSCE

STO

James

Mallon

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Eileen

McCabe

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Mary

Boland

Kosovo

CoE

LTO

Paul

O'Shea

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Chris

Andrews

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Anne

Donnellan

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Edward

Rowland

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Ray

McLoughlin

Kosovo

CoE

STO

Niall

Sheerin

December

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Fergal

McCusker

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Michae l

Davitt

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Robert

Laird

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Audrey

Ryan

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Eric

Byrne

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Brian

Earls

Election observation missions in 2008

(92 observers on 14 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

February

Armenia

OSCE

LTO

Edward

Horgan

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Anna

Eggert

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Geraldine

Power

Armenia

OSCE

STO

John

Purcell

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Blaise

Treacy

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Paul

Rowe

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Oonagh

Smyth

April

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Anne

Hennon

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Deirdre

Grogran

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Richard

O'Shea

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Michael

Smith

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Eithne

MacDermott

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Barbara

Wilson

Nepal

EU

STO

Veronica

Murphy

Nepal

EU

LTO

Des

Kieran

May

Georgia

OSCE

LTO

John

O'Connor

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Rory

Moss

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Gabrielle

Moffat

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Marian

Cadogan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Liam

Kilgallen

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Cathal

Kelly

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Gregory

Curry

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Lesley

Allamby

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Patrick J

Durcan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Desmond

MacMahon

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Liguori

Cooney

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Eddie

Branigan

Serbia

OSCE

LTO

Orla

Cluff

Serbia

OSCE

LTO

Patrick

Davis

June

FYROM

OSCE

LTO

Mary

Dowling

FYROM

OSCE

LTO

Michael

Verling

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Thomas

Kelly

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Anthony

Morgan

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Finola

McDowell

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Owen

Curley

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Henry

Anderson

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Keith

Martin

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Joy

Kanter

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Austin

Currie

FYROM

OSCE

STO

John Paul

Coakley

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Marian

Kelliher

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Abdi

Irahim

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Emma

Madigan

FYROM

OSCE

Core Team

Sheena W.

MacMahon

July

Cambodia

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Cambodia

EU

STO

Richard

Barret

Cambodia

EU

STO

Barbara

O'Shea

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Henry

Anderson

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Owen

Curley

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Finola

McDowell

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Anthony

Morgan

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Thomas

Kelly

FYROM II

OSCE

LTO

Mary

Dowling

September

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Fiona

O'Malley

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Brian

Fagan

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Niall

McCann

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Maca

Hourihane

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Geraldine

Cusack

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Paul

Cosgrave

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Patricia

Barker

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Tara

Finglas

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Aidan

Kirwan

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Mark

Long

Belarus

OSCE

STO

Finbar

O'Sullivan

Rwanda

EU

LTO

Anne

Marlborough

Rwanda

EU

STO

Emer

Fogarty

Rwanda

EU

STO

Grainne

Gilmore

October

Azerbaijan

OSCE

LTO

Peter

Ballagh

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

John

Lynch

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Edward

Dunphy

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Camilla

Fanning

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Traolach

Sweeney

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Maurice

Gowan

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Noreen

Kerins

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Liam

Clancy

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Paddy

Donnelly

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

James

McNamara

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Pat

Finneran

Azerbaijan

OSCE

STO

Breifne

O'Reilly

December

Bangladesh

EU

LTO

Marion

Roche

Bangladesh

EU

STO

Ciaran

Kinsella

Bangladesh

EU

STO

Patricia

Donnelly

Bangladesh

EU

STO

Patrick

Carroll

Bangladesh

EU

STO

Mary

O'Shea

Ghana

EU

LTO

Aidan

O'Shea

Ghana

EU

STO

James

Somers

Pakistan

EU

LTO

Michae l

Boyle

Pakistan

EU

STO

Vincent

Dempsey

Pakistan

EU

Core Team

Michael

McNamara

Election observation missions in 2009

(92 observers on 16 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

January

Bolivia

EU

LTO

Helen

Keogh

Bolivia

EU

LTO

Carmen

MoncluÂs

El Salvador

EU

STO

Mary

Dunne

El Salvador

EU

STO

Diarmuid

Peavoy

March

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Joan

Clinton

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Peter

Cotter

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

James

Hennessy

Montenegro

OSCE

LTO

Marian

Kelliher

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

John

Lynch

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Stefania

Minervino

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Alison

Moore

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Nora

Owen

Montenegro

OSCE

STO

Sean

Ryan

April

Ecuador

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Ecuador

EU

STO

Barry

Cannon

Ecuador

EU

STO

Patrick

Maher

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Cecil

Barron

FYROM

OSCE

LTO

Adrienne

Boyle

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Catherine

Brophy

FYROM

OSCE

STO

William

Bulman

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Brendan

Butler

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Anne

Choiseul

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Eamonn

Daly

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Raymond

Dunne

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Tony

Egar

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Dervila

Keane

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Gerard

MacSweeney

FYROM

OSCE

LTO

Seamus

Martin

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Paul

McGrath

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Sean

O'Callaghan

FYROM

OSCE

STO

Breifne

O'Reilly

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Fionnuala

Brennan

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Tom

Daly

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Michael

Diffily

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Peter

Donovan

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Ruaidhri

Dowling

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Patrick

Durcan

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Edward

Fanning

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Frank

Kennefick

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Annette

O'Gorman

Moldova

OSCE

STO

Mary

Russell

Moldova

OSCE

LTO

Michael

Verling

May

Malawi

EU

LTO

Anne

Marlborough

Malawi

EU

LTO

Aidan

O'Shea

Malawi

EU

STO

Victoria

Somers

June

Albania

OSCE

STO

John

Burke

Albania

OSCE

STO

Elaine

Byrne

Albania

OSCE

STO

James

Doody

Albania

OSCE

STO

Brian

Earls

Albania

OSCE

STO

Michael

Gannon

Albania

OSCE

STO

Abdi

Ibrahim

Albania

OSCE

STO

Patricia

Kelly

Albania

OSCE

STO

Michael

Lanigan

Albania

OSCE

STO

Robert

McDaid

Albania

OSCE

STO

John

Moriarty

Albania

OSCE

STO

Caroline

Mullen

Albania

OSCE

STO

James

Mulligan

Albania

OSCE

LTO

Frank

Scott

Lebanon

EU

LTO

Sandra

Conway

Lebanon

EU

STO

Bernard

Daly

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Cecil

Barron

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Catherine

Brophy

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Brendan

Butler

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Anne

Choiseul

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Eamonn

Daly

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Dervila

Keane

FYROM II

OSCE

LTO

Seamus

Martin

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Paul

McGrath

FYROM II

OSCE

STO

Sean

O'Callaghan

July

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Chris

Andrews

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Caroline

Brennan

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Terry

Duffy

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Fergal

McCusker

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Paul

O'Shea

Kyrgyzstan

OSCE

STO

Theresa

Reidy

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Peter

Donovan

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Edward

Fanning

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Frank

Kennefick

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Fiona

O'Malley

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Mary

Russell

Moldova II

OSCE

STO

Michael

Verling

August

Afghanistan

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Afghanistan

EU

LTO

Marion

Roche

October

Mozambique

EU

LTO

Orla

Cluff

Mozambique

EU

STO

Philip

Meyler

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Michael

Verling

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Edward

Horgan

December

Bolivia

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Bolivia

EU

STO

Patrick

Maher

Bolivia

EU

STO

Mary

Dunne

Bolivia

EU

STO

Barry

Cannon

Bolivia

EU

STO

Annette

O'Gorman

Election observation missions in 2010

(61 observers on 9 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

January

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

John Paul

Phelan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Eoin

O'Leary

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Edward

Horgan

Ukraine

OSCE

LTO

Michael

Verling

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Kevin

Cronin

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

David

Denny

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Raymond

Dunne

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Peter

Emerson

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Brian

Fagan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Patricia

Farren

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Deirdre

Grogan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Kevin

Grogan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Maria

Kiernan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Martin

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Sean

O'Callaghan

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Geraldine

Power

Ukraine

OSCE

STO

Theresa

Reidy

February

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Michael

Forbes

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Tony

Egar

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Mary

Buchalter

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Donal

MacDonald

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Anne

Brady

Tajikistan

OSCE

STO

Paul

O'Shea

Togo

EU

STO

Mary

Banotti

Togo

EU

LTO

Marion

Roche

Togo

EU

LTO

Aidan

O'Shea

Togo

EU

LTO

Mary

O'Shea

Togo

EU

STO

Michael

Humphreys

Togo

EU

STO

Mary

Boland

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Eric

Byrne

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Peter

Emerson

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Patricia

Farren

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Kevin

Grogan

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Maria

Kiernan

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Martin

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Sean

O'Callaghan

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Geraldine

Power

Ukraine II

OSCE

STO

Theresa

Reidy

April

Sudan

EU

STO

Michael

Kavanagh

Sudan

EU

STO

Mary

O'Shea

Sudan

EU

LTO

Carmen

Monclus

Sudan

EU

LTO

Maeve

Murphy

May

Burundi

EU

STO

Peter

Ballagh

Ethiopia

EU

LTO

Donal

Blake

Ethiopia

EU

LTO

Marion

Roche

Ethiopia

EU

LTO

Edward

Horgan

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Terry

Duffy

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Mary

O'Shea

Ethiopia

EU

STO

Michael

McNamara

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Brian

Flynn

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Eimear

Friel

Georgia

OSCE

LTO

Sean

O'Callaghan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Colm

Burke

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Michae l

Lanigan

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Fergus

Gleeson

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Seamus

Duffy

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Geraldine

Cusack

Georgia

OSCE

STO

Marian

Cadogan

June

Guinea

EU

STO

Aidan

O'Shea

Guinea

EU

STO

Mary

Boland

Guinea

EU

STO

Michael

Humphreys

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1219 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented, if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32838/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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My Department pays the rent on office space in one building in the State, Ground Floor, Findlater House, 27-31 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. The premises are used by the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre and is fully occupied.

All other rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public Works. In addition, 110 properties are rented by my Department outside the State for use primarily as offices and official residences. All such premises are fully occupied.

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1220 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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My Department pays the rent on office space in one building in the State, Ground Floor, Findlater House, 27-31 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1. The lease on these premises was negotiated by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department .

The details requested by the Deputy are as follows:

The area rented is 636 metres square. The rental cost in 2010 is €419,175. The lease is for 4 years and 11 months and runs from March 2007 to February 2012. There are no rent reviews or break options in the lease agreement. Landlord service charges are €20,840 per annum and there are two car parking spaces provided.

All other rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public Works.

In addition, 110 properties are rented by my Department outside the State for use primarily as offices and official residences. Rental agreements vary from country to country in accordance with local law and practice. Leases are usually for a fixed period and many include rent review clauses.

Rent levels abroad are reviewed each year. In addition, in the current economic climate, all our Missions are routinely instructed to explore the scope for negotiated reductions, having regard to local market conditions.

Passport Applications

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1221 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding waiting times for new passports and passport renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33438/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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On 12 August last I confirmed that the Passport Service had cleared the backlog of applications allowing the resumption of normal processing times.

For passports submitted through the Passport Express and the Northern Ireland Postal Express services, a return within 10 working days is now guaranteed. This service is available through local post offices and offers the simplest and most practical means of applying for a passport. A service to prioritise applications for those with immediate travel plans is also available and applications, with proof of immediate travel, are guaranteed to be processed within three working days. Applicants for this service should make contact with the Passport Service and provide this proof of travel. An additional fee will apply in respect of such applications. This is the fastest return time for any application, except for those whose travel is required for urgent humanitarian reasons.

Passport applications submitted through the standard postal system are processed within four-six weeks.

There is no general difference in processing times for those submitting their first application and those renewing their passport. However, fast track services, viz. the three-day service, are not generally available to first time applicants or to those who are reporting their previous passport lost or stolen.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1222 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33640/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The table below sets out details of mobile phone bills paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the numbers of staff who are provided with mobile phones over the period 2007 to 2010 to date. The Department avails of the Mobile Telephony Services Framework operated by the Department of Finance. Under this Framework, O2 were awarded the contract from October 2008 and again from May 2010. The contract was previously held by Vodafone under the Department of Finance contract.

Year

Amount Spent on Mobile Telephony Services

No of Staff provided with mobile phone

€

2007

161,862

184

2008

155,547

185

2009

89,681

196

2010 to date

85,218

187

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1223 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33706/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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The table below gives details of the number of staff by grade employed by my Department.

Grade

Number (September 2010)

Secretary General

1.00

Second Secretary General

2.00

Deputy Secretary General

5.00

Assistant Secretary General/Legal Adviser/Chief Medical Officer

38.00

Principal Development Specialist/Higher Principal Officer/Counsellor/Principal Officer/Senior Development Specialist

101.00

Higher Assistant Principal Officer/First Secretary/Assistant Principal Officer/Assistant Legal Advisers/Translator/Accountant

224.00

Higher Executive Officer/Librarian/Third Secretary/Administrative Officer

177.35

Executive Officer

99.40

Staff Officer

41.60

Clerical Officer

452.90

Political Appointees

9.00

Civilian Drivers

5.00

Cleaners

16.00

Service Officers

29.00

Nightwatchman

3.00

Total

1,204.25

The above figures exclude local employees at missions abroad, interns, programme staff with Irish Aid and officers of other Departments serving with and paid by this Department but whose salaries are recouped from their parent Departments.

Human Rights Issues

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1224 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that he did not support the decision taken by the United Nations General Assembly to declare access to clean water as a human right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34004/10]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)
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On 28 July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the human right to water and sanitation. The resolution was adopted following a recorded vote of 122 in favour to none against, with 41 abstentions. Following careful consideration Ireland, along with seventeen of our European Union partners, took the decision to abstain from voting on this issue.

Ireland is committed to the full realisation of all human rights, and to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, including that of reducing by half, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Ireland closely followed the negotiations on the draft resolution sponsored by Bolivia and supported suggestions put forward by the EU that, in our view, would have balanced the text and allowed the General Assembly to reach consensus on this very important issue. Unfortunately many of the EU suggestions were not taken into consideration and we did not feel that we could support in its entirety the final text presented to the General Assembly.

In 2008, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution which recognised the existence of human rights obligations relating to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Ireland supported and co-sponsored that resolution. The Human Rights Council appointed for a period of three years an independent expert whose mandate includes the clarification of the content of human rights obligations, including non-discrimination, in relation to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, in cooperation with and reflecting the views of Governments and relevant United Nations bodies, and in further cooperation with the private sector, local authorities, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations and academic institutions. This process being conducted by the independent expert, which Ireland supports, has already produced some valuable insights into the issues involved. The process is based on inclusiveness and aims at allowing the emergence of a consensus within the international community.

The Bolivian-sponsored resolution presented to the General Assembly bypassed the Human Rights Council process, thereby prejudging the outcome of that process. Ireland remains convinced that the only way to achieve real progress on access to safe drinking water and sanitation is to maintain consensus within the international community and we are committed to continuing to work in that direction with EU partners and the wider international community.

Ireland through the Government's overseas development programme works with central and local Government in our Programme Countries, with civil society groups and with multilateral organisations to make progress on the achievement of MDG-7 to "halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to basic drinking water and sanitation".

The 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid commits Ireland to "support activities across the programme to increase access to water and sanitation". Ireland recognises that sustained and equitable access to water is not only a life saving intervention in humanitarian responses but also critical to address the complex and multi-dimensional nature of poverty and vulnerability especially issues around child mortality, food security and gender equality. In 2008, Irish Aid invested approximately 15% of its funding to support water and sanitation activities in least developed countries.

Social Welfare Code

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1225 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will support a matter (details supplied). [31813/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1239 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding mortgage interest supplement for those in receipt of invalidity pension and not in mortgage arrears; if any provisions have been made for this group; if their mortgage interest supplement will be stopped completely; if this happens, and they sell their homes, may they apply to their local authority for housing; his views on whether the proposed changes will effectively force this group of persons into mortgage arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31777/10]

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1245 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to implement changes to the mortgage interest supplement scheme, following the findings and recommendations for reform of this scheme as set out in the recent report by the mortgage arrears and personal debt review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32019/10]

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1251 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection when he expects to implement changes to the mortgage interest supplement scheme, following a review of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32292/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1366 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when legislation is expected to expand and review the mortgage interest supplement scheme. [33836/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1225, 1239, 1245, 1251 and 1366 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Department.

My Department's review of the administrative, policy and legal aspects of mortgage interest supplement was published in July 2010. The report was published in conjunction with the interim report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group.

My Department is currently developing an implementation plan that will set out a framework for the future of the mortgage interest supplement scheme. This plan will be completed when the recommendations of the final report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group are available. This report is expected to be completed shortly.

Social Insurance

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1226 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social Protection the return to the Exchequer in a full year if the PRSI ceiling were abolished. [31868/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The most recent estimates indicate that abolition of the PRSI ceiling for employees would result in an additional €119 million in contribution income in a full year.

Departmental Expenditure

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1227 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social Protection the social protection expenditure as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product; the social protection expenditure as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product in comparison with other EU27 member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31923/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the EU, publishes comparisons of social protection expenditure as a percentage of GDP across the EU. This encompasses not only social welfare expenditure but also expenditure in areas such as health care, social housing, employment support programmes and other social inclusion programmes. The latest such statistics were released on September 2nd 2010 and cover developments up to and including 2007. No comparable figures are yet available for 2008-2010.

When examining such data, it is important to remember that gross expenditure measures do not take account of social charges or taxes which may be levied on benefits after they are paid, nor do they include transfers made by means of tax concessions, as opposed to direct cash payments. For example, tax relief on contributions towards occupational and private pensions, which are an important feature of Ireland's pension system, is not counted as expenditure.

The EUROSTAT release draws attention to the fact that the EU average masks major national differences in the structure of social protection funding, partly related to differing levels of wealth between countries, and also reflects differences in social protection systems, demographic trends, unemployment rates and other social, institutional and economic factors

The level of expenditure is also significantly influenced by the age profile of the population. Ireland, currently with the youngest population in the EU, needs to spend less on pensions and healthcare/care of the elderly than most other member states. In 2007, social protection expenditure accounted for 26.2% of GDP in the EU-27 countries. The corresponding ratio for Ireland was 18.9% — up 0.6 percentage points from 2006 (18.3%). According to recent OECD estimates (W. Adema — presentation to Social Justice Ireland conference, Sept 21st 2010), social protection expenditure could rise by 4 percentage points of GDP by 2011 due to increased Social Welfare expenditure and lower GDP levels compared to 2007.

Ireland's per capita expenditure in 2007 (€6,561.30), is higher than the EU-27 average of €5,725.90 and the average annual growth in per capita expenditure between 2000 and 2006 was 8.7%, second only to Romania (11.6%) in the EU, and over four times the EU25 average of 1.9% for this period (EU27 was 1.2%). Overall spending on Social Welfare in Ireland in 2009 was €20.6 billion, an increase of just over 15% on 2008 (€17.8 billion) and 32% on 2007 (€15.5 billion).

Death Certificates

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1228 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a death certificate will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32999/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The administration of the Civil Registration Service is statutorily a matter for the Registrar General. I have had inquiries made with the Registrar General and he has informed me that the position is as follows.

When a person dies, it is the duty of a relative of the deceased to act as qualified informant. This means that the relative must give to a registrar of births, deaths and marriages the information necessary to register the death, including a medical certificate of the cause of death, which is obtainable from the medical practitioner who attended the deceased, and sign the register of deaths.

In certain circumstances, a death is referred to the coroner. There is a legal responsibility on doctors, registrars, undertakers, Gardaí, hospitals and nursing homes to inform the coroner where a death occurs suddenly or unexpectedly, or from a cause unknown, unclear or unnatural, or where the deceased was not seen or treated by a registered medical practitioner within one month prior to death. In such cases, the coroner may request a post-mortem examination. If the post-mortem shows that a death was due to natural causes, the coroner may issue a certificate to the registrar, who can then proceed to register the death and issue a death certificate. If the post-mortem shows that a death was due to unnatural causes, the coroner may cause an inquest to be held. In such cases, the registrar must await the outcome of the inquest and the issue by the coroner of a coroner's certificate before the death can be registered.

In the case of the person concerned, the death has been referred to the coroner for County Kildare who is now awaiting the outcome of a post-mortem examination. It is a matter for the Coroner to decide what course of action to take when this is available to him.

When the deliberations of the coroner have been concluded, a certificate will be issued by him to the registrar and the registrar must then register the death. A death certificate in respect of the death can then be obtained from the office of any registrar.

Social Welfare Benefits

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1229 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made in honouring the programme for Government commitment to provide free broadband for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33165/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Programme for Government included a commitment to expand the current free telephone rental scheme by providing for free broadband for older people. My Department has agreed that where people access the internet using a landline, the telephone allowance can be used to cover the cost of calls or internet usage up to the level of their allowance. In addition if a person wishes to subscribe to a bundled package for telephone and internet, the telephone allowance can be applied to this package.

Employment Support Services

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1230 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has undertaken any research into current unemployment levels by specific job type and sector; if he is examining any initiatives to target sectors that have been particularly badly hit by the ongoing jobs crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33181/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Preventing long-term unemployment is important from both economic and social perspectives, especially because long-term unemployment tends to lead to erosion of skills and self-confidence, and damages future employment prospects. Effective prevention depends on being able to identify those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed at an early stage, and referring them to appropriate labour market programmes to improve their chances of obtaining employment. This was the motivation for a recently published ESRI report, National Profiling of the Unemployed in Ireland. ESRI Research Series No. 10, developed a statistical profiling model for Ireland that would identify those individuals with a high risk of becoming long-term unemployed. This model is now being developed in the Department. Implementation will give additional flexibility to target live-register cohorts for activation interventions.

There are a number of initiatives being run in my Department which target specific sectors of the unemployed population. The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme is focused on creating new jobs for people who have been on the Live Register for 6 months or more. Funding of €169 million has been provided for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme, which supported 20,808 people in the 2009/2010 academic year, for the 2010/11 academic year.

The main purpose of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is encourage the long term unemployed to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment, plus secondary benefits, over two years. At the end of August 2010, 6,646 people were availing of the scheme. The Short Term Enterprise Allowance is payable to a person who qualifies for Jobseekers' Benefit and who wishes to commence in self employment. This allowance is payable for the duration of their Jobseeker's Benefit entitlement. At the end of August 2010, there were 1,558 participants in the scheme.

In addition, the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme will be expanded and further developed to give more opportunities to people who are out of work and who want to maintain their skills or improve their job prospects and to create additional work opportunities in the social economy.

These schemes and new initiatives compliment and support the National Employment Action Plan, the Government's main welfare to work strategy, which is subject to ongoing development in co-operation with other relevant Government departments.

Social Insurance

Michael Noonan
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Michael Noonan
Question:
1231 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected revenue forgone in 2011 of a 2% cut in the standard 10.75% rate of employers’ PRSI up to €40,000 in earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33972/10]

Michael Noonan
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Michael Noonan
Question:
1232 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected revenue foregone in 2011 of a halving of the lower 8.5% rate of employers’ PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34000/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1231 and 1232 together.

The projected PRSI forgone from the above measures, on a full year basis, is detailed in the following table:

€m

2% reduction in 10.75% rate to €40,000

429

Reduce 8.5% rate to 4.25%

232

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1233 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32279/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Constituency staff salary and expenses details, in respect of the Minister's constituency office staff during my term, to date, and those of my predecessors, since 14th June 2007, are shown in the following tabular statement.

No premises or utility costs were incurred by the Department in relation to the constituency office of former Minister, Martin Cullen, in Waterford City, nor in relation to my current constituency office in Galway. The constituency office of Minister Mary Hanafin T.D. was based in the Department's premises in Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Dublin 1, during the period May 2008 to March 2010. It is not possible to apportion the costs of either the office accommodation or the provision of utilities and related expenses, in respect of the constituency office, during this period.

Minister Martin Cullen — Period Covered — 14 June 07 to 6 May 08

Constituency Office

Grade

Remuneration

Non civil servants

1 Personal Assistant

€46,646 – €59,213 (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)

€47,812 – €60,693 (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)

1 Constituency Assistant

€46,646 – €59,213 (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)

€47,812 – €60,693 (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)

1 Personal Secretary

€22,064 – €42,571 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)

€22,616 – €43,740 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)

Established civil servants

1 Executive Officer

€30,628 – €48,594* (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)

€31,394 – €49,809* (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)

1 Clerical Officer

€23,221 – €37,652* (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)

€23,802 – €38,593* (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)

*Personal Pension Contribution Pay Scales apply, as employment commenced after 6 April 1995.

Minister Mary Hanafin T.D. — Period Covered — 7 May 08 to 23 March 2010

Grade

Remuneration

Non civil servants

1 Personal Assistant

€45,422 – €57,656 (7/5/08 to 31/8/08)

€46,558 – €59,097 (1/9/08 to 31/12/09)

€43,816 – €55,415 (1/1/10 to 23/3/10)

1 Personal Secretary (from November 08)

€23,181 – €44,727 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (10/11/08 to 31/12/09)

€22,023 – €42,122 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (1/1/10 to 23/3/10)

Overtime costs incurred by these officers were, respectively:

2008 – €7,680.95 and €1,290.66

2009 – €12,895.08 and €10,476.77

2010 – €2,729.96 and €2,349.16

Established civil servants

1 Executive Officer

€31,394 – €49,809* (7/5/08 to 31/8/08)

€32,179 – €51,054* (1/9/08 to 31/12/09)

€30,516 – €47,975* (1/1/10 to 23/3/10)

2 Clerical Officers

€23,802 – €38,593* (7/5/08 to 31/8/08)

€24,397 – €39,558* (1/9/08 to 31/12/09)

€23,177 – €37,341* (1/1/10 to 23/3/10)

1 Clerical Officer

€22,609 – €36,667 (7/5/08 to 31/8/08)

€23,174 – €37,584 (1/9/08 to 31/12/09)

€22,015 – €35,515 (1/1/10 to 23/3/10)

*Personal Pension Contribution Pay Scales apply, as employment commenced after 6 April 1995.

Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. — Period Covered — 24 March 2010 to date

Grade

Remuneration

Non civil servants

1 Personal Assistant

€43,816 – €55,415 (24/3/10 to date)

1 Personal Secretary

€22,023 – €42,122 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (24/3/10 to date)

Established civil servants

1 Executive Officer

€30,516 – €47,975* (24/3/10 to date)

2 Clerical Officers

€23,177 – €37,341* (24/3/10 to date)

*Personal Pension Contribution Pay Scales apply, as employment commenced after 6 April 1995

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1234 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32856/10]

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1289 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented, if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32841/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1234 and 1289 together.

The Department is currently renting two premises — Office Suites 1-3, Bridgewater Business Centre, Islandbridge, Dublin 8; and the Community Social Services Centre Bishopsgate, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The Community Social Services Centre is the operational location for the Department's Disability Activation Project which is funded by the European Social Fund. The premises comprise ground floor offices and a training room and also includes 5 car parking spaces.

The lease on the premises commenced on 1 June 2008 and is due to expire on 31 December 2010. The lease is subject to renegotiation after that date. The annual rent amounts to €24,000 per annum. The Bridgewater Business Centre was originally leased by the Combat Poverty Agency in April 1996 for a period of 21 years. From 1 July 2009, the Combat Poverty Agency integrated with the former Office for Social Inclusion within the Department, to form the new Social Inclusion Division, which subsequently transferred to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs on 1 May 2010. Staff were relocated from Bridgewater Business Centre in October 2009.

The Department has exercised an option to break out of the lease by March 2011, and is currently in the process of applying the necessary measures in order to vacate the property. The Department pays an annual rent inclusive of car parking of €228,000 for Bridgewater Business Centre, for a space occupation of 7,885 sq. ft. Remaining annual service and utility charges are €50,000 approx.

Social Welfare Benefits

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1235 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding entitlement to rent allowance for a family who had an apartment, sold it to buy somewhere bigger for the children, lost their job before securing a new dwelling, and are now told they cannot qualify for rent allowance because they once owned property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33085/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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In order to qualify for rent supplement a person must have been residing in private rented accommodation or accommodation for homeless persons or an institution (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement. A person may also qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and the person is deemed by the relevant local authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.

In all other cases, a person who wishes to apply for rent supplement is referred, in the first instance, for an assessment of eligibility for social housing support by the local housing authority in the area where claim to rent supplement is made (and the person intends to reside). Therefore, the family concerned should apply to be assessed for social housing support, following which they can be considered for rent supplement, if eligible.

Social Welfare Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1236 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused for benefits, with the exception of carer’s allowance (decision pending), from his Department; and when they can expect a decision on the outcome of their appeal. [33713/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Apart from a number of excluded categories, anyone in the State who satisfies a habitual residency condition (HRC) and a means test, has registered for employment, unless they have a physical or mental disability, and can prove unemployment may qualify for a weekly payment of SWA.

However, subject to the provisions of EU law which apply to EEA workers, SWA cannot at any time be viewed as a temporary or interim means of income support available independently of HRC, while an applicant awaits the outcome of either a decision — or an appeal against a decision — on a claim for a social welfare payment from DSFA. The HSE have advised that the person concerned applied for SWA in June 2010 but her application was refused as in the opinion of the HSE, the person concerned was deemed not to be habitually resident based on an assessment of her particular circumstances.

The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to the HSE Appeals Office in July 2010. The Appeals Office in the HSE upheld the decision to refuse SWA on the basis that the person concerned could not prove habitual residency. An appeal by the person concerned, against the decision to refuse her claim for SWA was forwarded to the Social Welfare Chief Appeals Officer in August 2010. Every effort is being made to have this appeal determined as quickly as possible.

The determination of a person's habitual residence is made in accordance with Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended. Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act (amended by Section 30 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007) incorporated into Irish law 5 factors that have been set down in judgments given by the European Court of Justice as the main items to be considered in determining habitual residence notwithstanding the presumption in Section 246(1) of the Consolidation Act.

Section 246 (1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that: "it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown, that a person is not habitually resident in the State at the date of the making of the application concerned unless he has been present in the State or any other part of the Common Travel Area for a continuous period of 2 years ending on that date."

Section 30 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 added the following to the above:

"(4) Notwithstanding the presumption in subsection (1), a deciding officer or the Executive, when determining whether a person is habitually resident in the State, shall take into consideration all the circumstances of the case including, in particular, the following:

a. the length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;

b. the length and purpose of any absence from the State;

c. the nature and pattern of the person's employment;

d. the person's main centre of interest, and

e. the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances."

The presumption in Section 246 does not mean that an applicant is automatically considered to be habitually resident in the State because he or she has been in Ireland (or another part of the Common Travel Area) for 2 years or more. The onus is always on applicants to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims for a social welfare payment. With regard to the other claims for social welfare payments made by the person concerned the following is a summary of the status of the individual claims:-

The application of the person concerned for Carers Allowance was received on 20 August 2010. The application is currently with a Deciding Officer for decision regarding the habitual residence condition.

The application of the person concerned for child benefit was received on 1 September 2010. The application is currently with a Deciding Officer for decision regarding the habitual residence condition.

The application of the person concerned for domiciliary care allowance was received on 13 July 2010. The application was incomplete and returned to her on 20 July 2010. To date this application has not being returned to the domiciliary care allowance section.

The application of the person concerned for disability allowance was received on the 30th July 2010. Her application has been referred to an Investigative Officer for confirmation that all conditions necessary for receipt of this allowance are satisfied. On completion of the necessary investigations in each individual case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1237 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31735/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned was in receipt of disability allowance from 14 August 1996 to 26 May 2010. It came to the department's attention that the person was in receipt of farm payments from the Department of Agriculture which she had not disclosed. The weekly rate of disability allowance depends on the amount of means assessed. The legislative provisions regarding disability allowance state that means are assessable from all income which the claimant or claimant's spouse or partner may reasonably expect to receive during the year following the date of their claim with certain exceptions. An income derived from farm subsidies is assessable as means for the purposes of disability allowance.

The person concerned was assessed with weekly means of €287.59 with effect from 2 January 2008 derived from farm subsidies which were paid directly into her bank account. As this amount exceeds the statutory limit for receipt of disability allowance her claim was disallowed with effect from 2 January 2008. As she had been paid disability allowance in respect of the period 2 January 2008 to 25 May 2010 to which she had no entitlement an overpayment of €25,231.30 was assessed against her. She was notified of this decision on 17 May 2010 and of her right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person did not appeal this decision.

The Department has written to the person regarding the recovery of the money owed.

Pension Provisions

John Perry
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John Perry
Question:
1238 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded their State contributory pension as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31755/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) require the applicant to

have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 56 years

have at least 260 paid contribution weeks, from employment or self-employment, since entry into insurance

satisfy the yearly average condition.

The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) in 2010. Her claim was disallowed on 16th September 2010, on the grounds that she does not satisfy the contribution condition as she only has a total of 193 paid contributions. In the notification of this decision, the person concerned was advised of her right of appeal to the independent Appeals Office, if she was not satisfied with the outcome of her application.

Question No. 1239 answered with Question No. 1225.

Social Welfare Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1240 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason those appealing refusal to grant disability allowance and other such allowances cannot have a witness present when they attend the medical assessor, who has a witness present in the form of a nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31782/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Any of the following people may attend with the patient at in-person assessments including appeals assessments: the patient's GP, an interpreter (if deemed necessary) or an approved advocate by prior arrangement. Attendance of anyone else who wishes to attend along with the patient, is at the discretion of the Medical Assessor. The nurses present at medical in-person assessments, are all fully qualified nurses and their role is to assist the Medical Assessor and the patient during the medical assessment.

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea
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Willie O'Dea
Question:
1241 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31796/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned was awarded disability allowance at a weekly rate of €326.10 (personal rate of €196.00 plus a qualified adult rate of €130.10) with effect from 20 January 2010. His first payment was made at Limerick Post Office on 4 August 2010. Arrears due from 20 January 2010 to 3 August 2010 were issued by cheque on 19 August 2010.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1242 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in order to receive child benefit an Irish citizen living and working in Donegal would have to regularly obtain a letter from their employer re-confirming their employment because their spouse who is also an Irish citizen works in the Six Counties and if so whether he agrees that this is a partitionist practice and if he intends to make any changes to the policy. [31903/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Cases such as those described are processed in compliance with Article 68 of EU Regulation 883/2004 and its Implementing Regulation EU 987/09. Where parents are employed in separate member states, Child Benefit is paid by the Member State in which the children are resident. If the rate of Child Benefit in the other Member State is higher, then that Member State is competent to pay a supplement payment equal to the difference. Should the situation change, i.e. in this case, should one parent cease employment or move to employment in the other Member State, then competence for payment of Child Benefit would pass to the Member State of employment.

For this reason, it is part of the Department's control strategy that letters are issued every four months to this category of customer to reconfirm employment and to ensure that customers are in receipt of the correct entitlements. There are no plans to change the policy at present.

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1243 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of returning the Christmas bonus to welfare recipients in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31928/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The estimated cost of a 100% bonus payment, in December 2010, would be approximately €226 million.

Social Welfare Appeals

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1244 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused disability allowance on the grounds of failure to meet habitual residency requirements; the criteria that apply to residency that are not being met in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31981/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 1245 answered with Question No. 1225.

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1246 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32066/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1247 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [32092/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement as her income from her widow's (contributory) pension and her illness benefit is sufficient to meet her mortgage interest costs. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE she can appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Departmental Responsibilities

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
1248 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when the community welfare service will be absorbed into the Department of Social Protection; if this will mean that community welfare officers will then be able to transfer to different locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32149/10]

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1255 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he intends to consolidate the appeals process for social welfare appeals so that all supplementary welfare appeals can only be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and to provide for the specific legal reference for the legislation underpinning this change. [32387/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1248 and 1255 together.

In February 2006 the Government decided that the Community Welfare Service (CWS) would transfer to this Department. The Social Welfare and Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008 provided for the transfer of the administration of the SWA scheme from the HSE to the Department. These provisions are subject to a Commencement Order.

A considerable amount of preparatory work has been completed on the transfer. Progress had been stalled due to industrial relations issues but, following the ratification of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, discussions resumed between management and the HSE Unions in the LRC in July 2010 and are ongoing. It is now hoped that the outstanding matters can be dealt with quickly in the Labour Relations Commission or the Labour Court, if necessary.

Some discussions have also taken place with the civil service unions representing existing staff in the Department. The intention is to complete the discussions with both sets of unions and to finalise the preparatory work as soon as possible. January 2011 remains the target date for the transfer.

With regard to the location of Community Welfare Officers, decisions about deployment will take account of the relevant provisions on staff deployment contained in the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014.

Following the transfer, customers appealing decisions on applications for payments under any part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme will have their appeals dealt with by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. This was provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007. The provision is subject to a Commencement Order.

Social Insurance

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1249 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties which the changes introduced to the treatment benefit scheme restricting PRSI claimants who require dental treatment to free dental examinations is having for persons who require urgent dental care; if he has any plans to introduce a new scheme for PRSI claimants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32175/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The most pressing requirement is to get the public finances back on track. As part of a range of cost saving measures, the range of treatments available under the Dental Benefit Scheme was reduced in Budget 2010. The free examination is still available to customers to encourage them to continue attending for regular checkups.

No decision has yet been made on the future of the Treatment Benefit scheme and any such decision will have to reflect the economic realities of available funding and competing budgetary priorities.

Social Welfare Appeals

Damien English
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Damien English
Question:
1250 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications currently with the social welfare appeals office; his plans to allocate staff to this office; the plans he has in place to reduce the backlog of applications; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that appeal cases can take up to 12 months to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32255/10]

Jim O'Keeffe
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Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
1259 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to applicants by delays in social welfare appeals; and his plans to improve this situation. [32504/10]

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1315 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a social welfare appeal; and the average waiting time for an appeal requiring an oral hearing. [33296/10]

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1333 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of the backlog that exists in relation to appeals for social welfare payments; the number on this list; the length of time that they been waiting on a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33720/10]

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1373 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the size of the backlog in processing social welfare appeals; the number per county; when these backlogged appeals will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33890/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1250, 1259, 1315, 1333 and 1373 together.

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office there are currently 20,446 appeals being processed. Given the volume of appeals, it is not possible to estimate the length of time before a case is determined. There are no statistics available on a county basis.

During 2009, the average time taken to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 24 weeks. This represents an increase of 2 weeks in the time taken to process appeals when compared to 2008. Given the logistics involved in organising oral hearings, including allowing sufficient advance notice to the appellant, it is estimated that the average time to finalise an appeal is increased by about 11 weeks when an oral hearing is involved.

There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, the vetting of appeals and the arranging of oral hearings are being dealt with in chronological order. A number of initiatives have been put in place to enhance the capacity of the office to deal with the current caseload and inflows. In that regard:

2 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office in 2009,

A number of additional staff were assigned to the administration area of the Office,

The organisation of the Appeals Officer's work has been changed so as to increase productivity,

A project to improve the business processes in the office was undertaken which has resulted in a number of improvements being implemented,

and

Significant enhancements have been made to the office's IT and phone systems.

In addition, it was decided to use experienced retired staff strictly on a short term basis to supplement the current resources and the services of eight retired officers have now been secured on a part-time basis and have been operating since July.

I am assured by the Chief Appeals Officer that she is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals, while ensuring that any progress does not conflict with due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.

Question No. 1251 answered with Question No. 1225.

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1252 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on shortening the duration of unemployment before a person becomes eligible for the back to education scheme in view of the fact that so many people are losing their jobs in areas in which opportunities may not arise again and the need to undertake retraining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32352/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on social welfare to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.

Changes have been introduced to BTEA to increase flexibility in terms of qualifying for the scheme, with some practical changes to its qualifying conditions coming into effect from 19th July 2010. Previously, a person who wished to take up a 3rd level course of education could do so after getting a jobseeker or other relevant social welfare payment for 12 months, or 9 months, only if approved by a facilitator of the Department. Since 19th July this period has been set at 9 months for all applicants who are attending 3rd level education (a 2 year qualifying period continues to apply to participants coming from Illness Benefit). People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.

Prior to July, a person could only apply for BTEA in respect of a 3rd level course if s/he was commencing year one of the course. Since 19th July, a person can avail of BTEA where s/he previously did not complete his/her course and is returning to the second or subsequent year of the 3rd level course. This also applies to people who are granted an exemption from a period of their 3rd level course. A person who completed earlier year(s) of his/her 3rd level course on a part-time basis but is now getting a jobseeker's payment, may apply for BTEA to continue the course on a full-time basis. The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.

Social Welfare Benefits

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1253 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of qualified adults being claimed for under all current jobseeker’s payments with a breakdown by jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance. [32379/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The number of recipients of a jobseeker's payment who were also in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult at the end of August 2010 was 72,531. There were 14,322 increases paid with jobseeker's benefit and 58,209 increases paid with jobseeker's allowance.

Social Welfare Code

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1254 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the principal social welfare payments a person can be in receipt of in order to qualify for mortgage interest supplement; if mortgage interest supplement is payable when a person is in receipt of a training allowance from FÁS and if mortgage interest supplement is payable when a person is in receipt of wages from community employment. [32380/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for a weekly or monthly supplement to be paid in respect of mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. In order to qualify for mortgage interest supplement, a person must satisfy a number of statutory qualifying conditions including that the person is not engaged in full-time employment for more than 30 hours per week.

Those availing of part-time employment (less than 30 hours a week), community employment, and/or specified training opportunities (including FÁS courses) can continue to receive mortgage interest supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules. Where a person has additional income in excess of the standard weekly rate of supplementary welfare allowance, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes.

Arrangements are also in place to allow a person to participate in approved employment or training schemes of more than 30 hours per week or engage in full-time employment and retain entitlement to mortgage interest supplement on a tapered basis for up to 4 years in certain limited circumstances.

Question No. 1255 answered with Question No. 1248.

National Carer’s Strategy

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1256 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for carers following the decision not to publish the national carer’s strategy; if he will review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32416/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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During 2008, an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, with secretariat support provided by my Department, undertook work, including a public consultation process, to develop a National Carers' Strategy. However, because of the prevailing economic situation, it was not possible to set targets or time limits which could be achieved. In that context, rather than publishing a document which did not include any significant plans for the future, the Government decided not to publish a strategy. This position remains unchanged.

The Government is acutely aware and appreciative of the contribution made by carers. It was for that reason, that when resources were available, we invested heavily in improving social welfare rates and services for carers. Following this year's Budget, the carer's allowance rate for carers over 66 years of age has not changed and remains at €239. The rate of carer's allowance for someone under 66 is €212. Since the introduction of the carer's allowance in 1990 payments to carers have been increased and expanded. Carer's allowance was increased in 2007, 2008 and 2009 by 12.1%, 6.5% and 3.3%, respectively. As a result, even with the reduction announced in the last Budget for carers under 66, the weekly rate of payment for the carers allowance is still almost 20% higher this year than in 2006 and more than 147% higher than in 1997.

The means test for carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Since April 2008, the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn in the region of €37,200 and qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance as well as the associated free travel and household benefits.

A couple with an income in the region of €60,400 can still qualify for a minimum payment, as well as the associated free travel and household benefits package. These levels surpass the ‘Towards 2016' commitment to ensure those on average industrial earnings continue to qualify for a full carer's allowance. From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. The rate of the respite care grant has also been increased to €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient since June 2008. The Government will continue to support carers within the resources available.

Social Welfare Benefits

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1257 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32448/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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No application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) has been received from the person concerned. However an application for DCA was received on 27 May 2010 from this person's husband in respect of their child. This application was referred to the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for DCA.

A letter issued to the applicant on the 2 July 2010 advising him of the decision to refuse DCA. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.

In this case the applicant submitted additional medical information in respect of his claim directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and they have registered an appeal. As part of the appeal process, the application will be reviewed by a Medical Assessor who will take the new medical information into consideration. If the result of the medical review is that the child is not considered eligible for DCA, the file will be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for decision.

Social Welfare Code

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
1258 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to rectify the anomaly whereby rent allowance is paid to only one parent in a case in which joint custody exists and when the second parent may be unable to provide adequate accommodation for the children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32485/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer.

Every claim for rent supplement is determined having regard to the particular circumstances of the applicant. Any person seeking a rent supplement must first satisfy the HSE that they have a housing need that they are unable to meet from their own resources. In addition, the HSE must be satisfied that the residence is reasonably suited to the residential and other needs of the claimant and that the rent payable is reasonable having regard to the nature, character and location of the residence.

In a case where parents have joint custody of a child, the needs of both parents to have adequate accommodation to look after the child are taken into account when an application for a rent supplement is being determined. In such cases, documentation is normally required showing the joint custody arrangement before a decision can be made. The fact that one parent is in receipt of rent supplement would not in itself preclude the other parent from being entitled to assistance towards their rent.

Question No. 1259 answered with Question No. 1250.

Social Welfare Appeals

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1260 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32539/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Code

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1261 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify the situation regarding demands issuing from his Department to those in receipt of forestry income seeking PRSI contributions in respect of this income; if this is in breach of an agreement that such forestry income was tax exempt; the consultation, if any, he has had with farm organisations on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32543/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Income derived from woodlands is exempt from income tax, under Section 232 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, but is reckonable for PRSI. The Department collects these contributions directly, under the provisions of Statutory Instrument 126 of 1998. Accordingly income derived from such sources is, in general, exempt from income tax but all such income, in excess of €3,174.00 per annum, is liable to PRSI at a rate of 3% subject to a minimum payment of €253.00. I have not had any discussions with farm organisations in relation to this matter.

Child Support

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1262 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if full child benefit payments were awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32725/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned is in receipt of child benefit for 3 children since December 2009. As her third child was born in November 2009 this represents her full child benefit entitlement.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1263 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of decision to refuse jobseeker’s allowance will be held in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32726/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1302 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32990/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1263 and 1302 together.

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance from 26 July 2010. Her application was disallowed on the grounds that she was not habitually resident in the State. She was notified of this decision on 2nd September 2010 and she was advised of her right to request a review of the decision by a Deciding Officer or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

According to the records of the Department the person concerned has not requested a review of the decision or lodged an appeal.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1264 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the indicators that suggest that a person’s (details supplied) condition is as stated by the appeals decision; if he will arrange an oral hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32728/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in making his decision the Appeals Officer considered all of the medical evidence in the case, from both the GP of the person concerned and the Medical Assessor. This evidence indicated that the degree to which his condition affected his abilities was normal to mild. There were no categories where either the GP or the Medical Assessor considered his capabilities were affected to a moderate, severe or profound degree.

Legislation provides that summary decisions may be made where the Appeals Officer is of the opinion that a case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined on the basis of documentary evidence and without an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Code

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1265 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32730/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned claimed carer's allowance which ceased recently following the death of her mother. If she wishes to pursue an application for payment under any of the other income support schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection, she should call to her local social welfare office where a member of staff will advise her of her entitlements.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1266 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case and make provision for an appeal as agreed in the House in the course of an Adjournment debate in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32731/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1267 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current social welfare entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32733/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of a State pension (contributory) at €225.80 per week (98% of the maximum rate payable). His case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector in order to determine whether additional contributions were proper to his record, with a view to increasing the rate of his State pension (contributory) to 100%. The Social Welfare Inspector has been contacted and requested to submit his report and recommendation as soon as possible. On receipt of the report, any necessary adjustments to this person's PRSI record will be made and he will be informed of the outcome of this review.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1268 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare entitlement of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32736/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1274 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare entitlement of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32743/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1268 and 1274 together.

There is no record of a recent application made by the person concerned for payment under any of the income support schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection. If he wishes to pursue an application for any such payment, he should call to his local social welfare office where a member of staff will advise him on his entitlements.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1269 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker’s benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32738/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned applied for jobseeker's benefit from 26 April 2010. His claim has been awarded and all arrears due have been paid.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1270 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when child benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will state the precise regulation which prevents payment of child benefit to an Irish citizen in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32739/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned and her children were absent from the State from December 2009 to June 2010. Accordingly, child benefit was not payable from January 2010 to June 2010. Child benefit has now been restored in this case from July 2010 and payment, including any arrears due, will be lodged to her nominated bank account on 5 October 2010.

As set out in Section 249 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 Child Benefit shall only be paid within the State with limited exceptions as allowed for in Section 219(2). Claims processed in compliance with Article 68 of EU Regulation 883/2004 and its Implementing Regulation EU 987/09 may, in certain circumstances, also be payable outside the State.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1271 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when child benefit will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32740/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Child Benefit has been restored to the person concerned and all arrears due will be lodged to her bank account on the 5 October 2010.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1272 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker’s allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32741/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Habitual residence is one of the conditions a person must satisfy in order to qualify for jobseeker's allowance. A Habitual Residence Condition form (HRC1) was issued to the person concerned and was returned partially completed. The form was returned to him on 16 September 2010 and a decision will be made on his application when all the details required have been furnished.

Social Welfare Code

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1273 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare currently on disability benefit has entitlement to an invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32742/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. Entitlement to Invalidity Pension is determined on receipt of a completed application form. An application form for Invalidity Pension was sent directly to the person concerned on Tuesday 21 September 2010. On receipt of the completed application form, his eligibility will be determined and he will be notified directly of the outcome.

Question No. 1274 answered with Question No. 1268.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1275 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when back to education allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32744/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned had applied for back to education allowance in September 2008 and her application was refused as she did not have, at that stage, 12 months on a jobseeker's payment.

However early this year it was discovered that she had pursued full time education since September 2008 while continuing to claim jobseeker's allowance. Her jobseeker's claim has been disallowed and an overpayment raised. She had applied on 21 January 2010 for back to education allowance to complete her studies but this was refused on 30 August 2010.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1276 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason disability allowance has been disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32745/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 17 September 2009. His claim was assessed by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted that opinion and a letter issued to the person concerned on 5 November 2009 advising him of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days. The person then sent in further medical evidence which was reviewed by a medical assessor who considered that there were no grounds to change the original opinion that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance.

The person concerned subsequently appealed the decision. The Appeals Officer decided that it had not been shown that the appellant was substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment by reason of a specified disability which has continued or is expected to continue for at least one year and, accordingly, on 11 August 2010 the appeal was disallowed and the appellant was notified. An Appeal's Officer's decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1277 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32749/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned had been awarded rent supplement in respect of an address in Leixlip. However, this payment is currently suspended as it is understood the person in question is no longer at this address. If the person concerned has any queries regarding his rent supplement or arrears due he should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1278 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when provision will be made for optical treatment to be offered to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32750/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó’Cuív)
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The optical benefit scheme, which currently offers free optical examinations, is a PRSI based scheme available to all who satisfy certain PRSI conditions. A person may also qualify for optical benefit on their spouse's/partner's PRSI record provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions and are deemed to be dependent on them. Consequently, as the person concerned is dependent on her husband, who qualifies for optical benefit, she too qualifies for this scheme and may claim by completing the relevant application form at the office of any optician on the Department's Panel.

The optical benefit scheme, however, does not apply to the children of qualified adults. Questions relating to optical provision for children are a matter for the Department of Health and Children and should be addressed to my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1279 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent assistance and arrears will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32753/10]

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1307 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent assistance and arrears will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32997/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1279 and 1307 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been refused rent supplement as the HSE was not satisfied that the person concerned was residing at the address provided. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision it remains open for her to appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1280 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent support arrears will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32754/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €771 per month. The Executive further advised that payment of rent supplement of €3,855, including arrears, issued to the person concerned on 24 August 2010.

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
1281 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been cut and this person has not been informed that their rent allowance has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32785/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the rent supplement of the person concerned was reduced in May 2010 due to an increase in her income from employment. The HSE further advised that the person concerned would have been informed that there may be a change in her rent supplement when she received her review form. If the person concerned has any further queries in relation to her rent supplement she should contact the HSE at her local health centre.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1282 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [32793/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 28 June 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1283 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a domiciliary care allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32794/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1284 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for carer's allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the medical evidence that has been submitted in this case and if an early oral hearing be arranged to finalise this matter. [32804/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 23 June 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1285 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the outcome of a jobseeker’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32805/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 27 April 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1286 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 299 of 7 July 2010, the reason for his refusal to allow a person being interviewed by medical assessors in his Department to be accompanied by another person of their choice. [32819/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The following people may attend with the person at in-person assessments including appeals assessments: the person's GP, an interpreter (if deemed necessary) or an approved advocate by prior arrangement. Attendance of anyone else is at the discretion of the Medical Assessor. The nurses present at medical in-person assessments are all fully qualified nurses and their role is to assist the Medical Assessor and the person during the medical assessment. These arrangements are considered to be appropriate.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1287 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the outcome of a jobseeker’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32825/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1288 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the outcome of a carer’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32829/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 1289 answered with Question No. 1234.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1290 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32881/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 27 August 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Mary O'Rourke
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Mary O'Rourke
Question:
1291 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is proposed to commence the 10,000 new places on the work programme for dole money and where a person may apply for such work. [32905/10]

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1318 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection his proposals for the development of 40,000 community type jobs for citizens who are currently unemployed; if the partnership/Leader and local development companies will be involved in the roll-out of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33379/10]

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1376 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the full conditions of the work for the dole scheme; if he will indicate the qualifying criteria applying, if candidates will be self selected or chosen directly by his Department; the distinction, if any, between this scheme and existing social employment schemes; if there will be any mandatory element to it; the budget set aside for the scheme; the number of places envisaged and the expected starting date. [33987/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1291, 1318 and 1376 together.

Activation and support for those who are unemployed is a key priority for Government. Earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced a number of changes to improve the delivery of employment, training and community services to the public by bringing together related responsibilities in these areas. These changes included the restructuring of Departmental responsibilities with the objective of providing a stream-lined response to the income support and job search needs of people who are unemployed.

In this context, my Department is currently finalising proposals for the development of new initiatives based on the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme which will offer social employment opportunities. Considerable work is required on these proposals before they come on stream and take their place within the suite of activation measures aimed at supporting unemployed people. I have not set targets as to how many employment opportunities might be created as much depends on the level of resources that will be available to the Department and the capacity of not-for-profit community based organisations to avail of these emerging opportunities. Details of the rollout of this initiative will be made available as soon as possible.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1292 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for mortgage interest supplement for each month for the past year; and the number of the 2010 applicants who have been awarded a payment, giving details on a monthly basis and the average payment issuing. [32941/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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In general, all applications for mortgage interest supplement are recorded electronically. However, as this practice can vary across community welfare areas, full statistics for the number of people who applied for mortgage interest supplement are not available. Community welfare officers have been reminded to record the details of receipt and status of all claims electronically. However, requests to change operational procedures must be viewed in the context of the increased demands being placed on community welfare officers in the current economic environment.

The current average weekly mortgage interest supplement is €71.89. I include a tabular statement showing the number of recipients of mortgage interest supplement at the end of each month for 2010.

Recipients of Mortgage Interest Supplement by Month, 2010

Week Ending

Recipients

01/01/10

15,101

29/01/10

15,296

26/02/10

15,719

26/03/10

16,044

30/04/10

16,448

28/05/10

16,682

25/06/10

16,869

30/07/10

17,241

27/08/10

17,433

17/09/10

17,513

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1293 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing on disability allowance claim will be held in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32954/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, following receipt of the grounds of appeal from the person concerned, the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been sought. On receipt of its response the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer for early consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Emmet Stagg
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Emmet Stagg
Question:
1294 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding rent subsidy to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [32976/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has made an application for rent supplement but no decision has been made on her application to date. The HSE further advised that the person concerned has vacated accommodation provided by a local authority and has requested the person concerned to provide further information in relation to same. A decision will be made on her application when the information requested by the HSE has been provided.

Emmet Stagg
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Emmet Stagg
Question:
1295 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding rent subsidy to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [32977/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as his rent was in excess of the maximum rent limit for his family size and he was notified of the decision. The HSE has further advised that they have received further information from the person concerned and are currently reassessing his claim for rent supplement. The HSE will be in contact with the person concerned when they have reassessed his claim.

Emmet Stagg
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Emmet Stagg
Question:
1296 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding rent subsidy to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [32978/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €896 per month.

Emmet Stagg
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Emmet Stagg
Question:
1297 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in awarding rent subsidy to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [32979/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as his income is sufficient to meet his accommodation costs. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE then it remains open for him to appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Emmet Stagg
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Emmet Stagg
Question:
1298 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was refused rent subsidy. [32980/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has made an application for rent supplement but no decision has been made on her application to date. The HSE further advised that the person concerned was requested to provide a housing needs assessment or proof of renting for more than 183 days in order to make a decision on her application. A decision will be made on her application when the information requested by the HSE has been provided.

John McGuinness
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John McGuinness
Question:
1299 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has been refused; and if the case will be reviewed. [32985/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that the child needs care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted. In the case in question an application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 4th February 2010. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child in question was not medically eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance.

The person in question was advised of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance, on medical criteria grounds, on 8th March 2010. The person in question lodged an appeal of this decision with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 14th September 2010 the person in question was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal in her case had not been successful.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1300 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when child benefit will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32988/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Child benefit has been awarded to the person concerned and payment for October 2010, along with all arrears due, will be lodged to the nominated bank account on 5th October 2010.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1301 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker’s allowance will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32989/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Payment to the person concerned has been suspended and an investigation is under way as to his continuing entitlement. Once the investigation is complete and a report submitted, a Deciding Officer will make a decision on his claim and he will be notified of the outcome.

Question No. 1302 answered with Question No. 1263.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1303 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when disability allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32991/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned does not have a current application for disability allowance lodged with the department. The person concerned originally applied for disability allowance on 26 February 2008. His claim was assessed by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted that medical opinion and further decided that the person in question was not habitually resident in the State. As he failed to satisfy the medical and habitual residence conditions, his claim was refused. A letter issued to him on 7th August 2008 advising him of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person applied again for disability allowance on 27 November 2008. While the medical assessor gave the opinion that the medical condition was satisfied on the basis of the medical evidence supplied with that application, it was decided that he was not entitled to disability allowance as he did not satisfy the habitual residence condition. A letter issued to him on 29th January 2009 advising him of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person subsequently appealed this decision. The Appeals Officer decided that the person was not habitually resident in the State and the appeal was disallowed on 12 August 2009. An Appeal's Officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1304 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment will be restored to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32992/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE have advised that there are no current claims for SWA in respect of this family. The persons concerned should contact the community welfare officer at their local health centre in order that he can have their claim for entitlements examined.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1305 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason household benefits package was not backdated to date of eligibility as per previous social welfare decision and updated by way of reference to Ombudsman in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32993/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Deputy is aware that the person concerned applied for the household benefits package on 8th April 2010. The application was approved with effect from the date of receipt. Following a request to review the decision, the persons' entitlement was backdated six months to 8th October 2009 in line with the scheme's backdating policy.

The person concerned was awarded a widow's contributory pension from 24th June 2005. The normal procedure at that time was to advise the customer that they may qualify for the household benefits scheme on application. No such application was received from this customer at that time.

Provisions for backdating household benefit applications are underpinned by the Social Welfare (Consolidated Payments Provision) (Amendment) (No. 8) (Late Claims) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No.159 of 2000). Under these regulations an application for household benefits package may be backdated for a maximum of six months where there is an underlying entitlement. There are certain circumstances in which a claim can be backdated for a period in excess of six months including where the person was provided with inaccurate information by the Department, if the delay arose because the person was incapacitated by illness or infirmity or where a person's situation was such that it was impossible to satisfy the requirement of making a claim. None of these type of circumstances applied in this instance. The Department has no record of any Ombudsman decision in this particular case.

Health Service Allowances

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1306 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when back to school clothing and footwear allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32995/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE).A person may qualify for payment of the allowance ifs/he is in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course and has household income at or below certain specified levels at the time of the application for the allowance.

The HSE has advised that the person concerned was refused the back to school clothing and footwear allowance as her household income is in excess of the specified limit for her family size. The person concerned has been advised of her right to have her case reviewed.

Question No. 1307 answered with Question No. 1279.

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1308 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection with respect to an alleged overpayment of qualified adult allowance if he will clarify if the Department can, by agreement or otherwise reclaim the overpayment from the contributory pension involved and if the liability, if confirmed attaches to the estate in the event of the death of the contributory pensioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33071/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Department's policy in relation to overpayments is to actively pursue the full recovery of all overpayments. In preparing a recovery plan, the method and rate of recovery is aimed at recovering the overpayment within the shortest time span, taking into account the financial circumstances of the person involved.

Overpayments may be recovered by withholding any scheme arrears due to the person, the payment of a single lump sum by the person, the deduction of an agreed amount from ongoing weekly social welfare payments.

In the event of the death of a contributory pensioner, who has an outstanding overpayment amount, or who has an overpayment posthumously determined against him/her, under Section 335(a) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, there is a liability on the personal representative of the deceased to fully repay the overpayment amount, where there are sufficient assets in the Estate to cover this debt.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bobby Aylward
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Bobby Aylward
Question:
1309 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [33136/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1310 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person's (details supplied) rent supplement has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33149/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the rent supplement of the person concerned was reduced as there is a non dependent adult in the household who must contribute €24 per week towards the rent payable. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE it remains open for the person concerned to appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office.

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1311 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection when the children allowance payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33145/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The child benefit claim in this case was disallowed on 9 October 2009, as neither parents nor child were found to satisfy the HRC condition. An appeal was subsequently lodged with the Department and this was forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10 March 2010. The person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome when the appeal process is completed.

Social Welfare Appeals

Brian O'Shea
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Brian O'Shea
Question:
1312 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection when the rent allowance appeal hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as the rent charged was in excess of the maximum rent limit for his family size and the person concerned was in accommodation that was not suited to his needs. The person concerned appealed the decision of the HSE to refuse rent supplement to the HSE Appeals Office but the decision was upheld by the HSE Appeals Office. The person concerned subsequently appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised that it has received an appeal from the person concerned but that no decision has been made on his appeal to date.

Social Welfare Benefits

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1313 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for disability allowance applications; the reason for the long delay in processing times; the action he is taking to address this problem. [33253/10]

Minister of Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The average number of weeks taken to decide a disability allowance claim last month (August 2010) was 12.68 weeks. To be eligible for disability allowance, a claimant must (inter alia) satisfy a medical examination, a means test and be habitually resident in the state. The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main criteria listed above. Certain claims have to be referred to Social Welfare Inspectors for means investigation and this can add to the overall processing times. In addition, factors outside the department's control can have an impact, for example, the supply of relevant information by the customer, employers or other third parties. In the meantime, people who have urgent income support needs can apply for the means tested supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) and, last month, 94% of basic SWA applications were decided on and paid within a week.

The department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Operational processes and procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed in all areas of the department, including disability allowance section, to ensure that claims are processed and decided in the most efficient and expeditious way possible, having regard to the eligibility conditions that apply to each scheme.

Social Welfare Appeals

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1314 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question, reference No. 376 of 22 June 2010, if he will provide an update regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [33256/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 1315 answered with Question No. 1250.

Question No. 1316 withdrawn.

John McGuinness
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John McGuinness
Question:
1317 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited. [33371/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as he had vacated rental accommodation scheme accommodation provided by the local authority and he was deemed as not having a housing need by the local authority. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to the HSE Appeals Office but that the decision was upheld. If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the HSE Appeals Office he may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Question No. 1318 answered with Question No. 1291.

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1319 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that have applied for jobseeker’s benefit at employment exchanges (details supplied) in 2009 and to date in 2010; if he will indicate the number of applications that are still awaiting approval at these exchanges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33384/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The number of persons who applied for jobseeker's benefit in 2009 and up to end August 2010 at Coolock and Kilbarrack local offices was:

Coolock

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Kilbarrack

Jobseeker’s Benefit

2009

4,745

2009

5,792

Aug 2010

2,760

Aug 2010

2,698

The current number of applications for jobseeker's benefit waiting approval at Coolock and Kilbarrack local offices at 25 September 2010 is:

Local Offices

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Coolock

122

Kilbarrack

122

The average processing times to decision for jobseeker's benefit claims at these offices are:- Coolock 2.72 weeks (August 2010) and Kilbarrack 1.77 weeks (August 2010).

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1320 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for the back to education allowance that have been submitted in the Dublin 5, 13 and 17 areas; the number of applications in those areas that have been approved; the number that are awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33385/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Department does not maintain statistics on a postal code basis but on a local office basis. There are two social welfare local offices involved. Kilbarrack local office deals with all of Dublin 13, part of Dublin 5, and includes Howth and Portmarnock. Coolock local office deals with all of Dublin 17, part of Dublin 5, and includes the Santry area of Dublin 9. Kilbarrack local office has received a total of 225 applications and, of these, only 3 applications are awaiting decision. 219 were approved and 3 were refused. Coolock local office has received a total of 173 applications and, of these, only 6 are awaiting a decision. 155 were approved and 12 were refused.

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1321 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33439/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 10 August 2010. This application together with medical reports have been forwarded to one of the Department's Medical Assessors for a medical opinion on the case. Upon receipt of this opinion a decision will issue to the person concerned. Currently it takes approximately eight weeks to process an application.

Pension Provisions

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1322 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the planned changes in the national pensions framework in relation to the self-employed and in particular sole-traders. [33442/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The National Pensions Framework is the Government's plan for future pension reform. It encompasses all aspects of pensions, from social welfare to private occupational pensions and public sector pension reform. The aim of the framework is to deliver security, equity, choice and clarity for the individual, the employer and the State. It also aims to increase pension coverage, particularly among low to middle income groups and to ensure that state support for pensions is equitable and sustainable.

One of the key elements of the framework is the introduction of a new auto-enrolment system and this will have implications for self-employed people who employ staff, unless they already have more favourable pension arrangements in place. Employees earning above a certain income threshold will be automatically enrolled into this new scheme, unless they are already in a more favourable occupational pension scheme.

For those employees who are included in the scheme, contributions will only be paid on earnings above a certain minimum level and below a certain maximum. The level of these thresholds will be decided closer to the implementation date and they will be set in such a way as to ensure that the scheme focuses on those on low and middle incomes. Within these thresholds, the employee will pay 4% of their salary and the employer will be required to pay a contribution of 2%. The State will also provide a contribution within these thresholds which will be equivalent to 33% tax relief. It is intended that the auto-enrolment scheme will be introduced in 2014 but the Government will review the introduction date depending on the prevailing economic conditions closer to the time.

Self-employed people pay PRSI at Class S and so the changes to the State pension (contributory) which are set out in the framework may have implications for them, depending on their age. The framework provides for State pension age to be standardised at age 66 in 2014 and to increase to 68 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. From 2020, a total contributions approach will be introduced to replace the current averaging system which is used in calculating a person's eligibility for State pension. In addition, consideration is being given to allowing people to postpone receiving State pension beyond pension age and to make up contribution shortfalls. The current homemakers' disregard will be replaced with a system of credited contributions from 2012.

There are a number of other elements of the framework which may have implications for self-employed people depending on their pension arrangements. Currently, tax relief on pension contributions is at the standard and higher rates. This will be replaced by a State contribution equal to 33% tax relief. Arrangements for the tax treatment of pension lump sums greater than €200,000 will be considered and developed during the implementation of the framework.

The framework also includes a commitment to streamline existing options at retirement so that all those with a defined contribution pension will have access to similar options at retirement. In addition, the range of personal pension vehicles available will be reviewed with a view to rationalising provision in this area. Regulations will be introduced to increase the transparency of pension charges and the Pensions Board's powers in relation to the regulation of pension schemes will be reviewed. The information being provided to scheme members will be kept under review and enhanced as considered necessary.

A technical implementation group was established in May to develop the legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure required to put the reforms into operation. In line with the Government decision, the group is chaired by the Department of Social Protection. The implementation phase is expected to take three to five years.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1323 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been opened for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in respect of a carer’s allowance refusal. [33443/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 8 September 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1324 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33473/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Statistics relating to processing times are maintained by claim type and by Local Office, where the claim process is completed locally. The processing times recorded relate to the time from when each claim is made to the date on which a decision is given. The part a social welfare inspector plays in relation to investigating the circumstances of claimants forms just one part of the overall process.

Social Welfare Code

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1325 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in respect of whom a qualified adult allowance is awarded must undergo a habitual residence test; if such qualified allowances can be awarded in respect of non-EU citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33474/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides that an increase for a qualified adult is payable in addition to the personal rate in the case of a wide range of pensions, benefits and assistance claims.

The definition of a qualified adult is contained in Section 2 of that Act, and refers to a spouse who is wholly or mainly maintained by the claimant, excluding persons who are employed or self-employed and earning over a certain limit, and persons who have a personal entitlement to a social welfare payment. Section 3 of the Act extends the definition of spouse to include divorced persons and persons who are cohabiting as husband and wife. An increase for a qualified adult is also payable under certain conditions in respect of a person over the age of 16 who is wholly or mainly maintained by the claimant and has the care of one or more qualified child.

Social welfare legislation does not include any discrimination on the basis of race, nationality or citizenship. The habitual residence condition applies only to specified assistance and child benefit claims and does not extend to the provisions regarding an increase for a qualified adult.

EU Directives

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1326 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the preparations being made to transpose a EU directive, 2010/41/EU by the 2012 deadline. [33618/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Directive 2010/41/EU, on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity and repealing Council Directive 86/613/EEC, was published on 7 July 2010. Member States are required to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 5 August 2012 at the latest.

The Department of Social Protection participated in discussions pertaining to the Directive and, in so far as they relate to my Department, its provisions are currently being examined by my officials. I am satisfied that the Directive will be transposed by the due date.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1327 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the outcome of an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33627/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision on 8 September 2010. The person concerned has been notified of the decision.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1328 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33643/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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For the periods in question, total mobile phone costs for the Department were as follows:

2007: €427,858

2008: €458,386

2009: €477,940

Jan – Jun 2010: €165,579

1,056 members of staff have mobile phones supplied and paid for. The Department currently has contracts in place with Vodafone and O2 for the provision of mobile phone services which were tendered for under the central mobile phone framework.

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1329 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing for carer’s allowance will be held in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33652/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made.

There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1330 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a social welfare appeal hearing on invalidity pension will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [33654/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 18 August 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Mary O'Rourke
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Mary O'Rourke
Question:
1331 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusal of mortgage relief to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [33693/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement in April 2009 as in the opinion of the HSE the amount of mortgage interest payable exceeded the amount considered reasonable to meet his needs and the person concerned was not in a position to meet the repayments under the loan agreement at the time the mortgage agreement commenced. The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision but it was upheld in May 2009.

The person concerned has made a new application for mortgage interest supplement but no decision has been made on his application to date. The HSE will contact the person concerned directly when a decision has been made on his application.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1332 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33709/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The following tables outline the number of staff employed in my Department and the 3 agencies under my Department's remit at 1st September 2010.

Table A: Department of Social Protection

Grade

Number of People

Number of Posts

Secretary General

1

1.00

Assistant Secretary

5

5.00

Principal Officer

64

63.40

Assistant Principal

192

187.43

Administrative Officer

12

11.60

Higher Executive Officer

657

631.42

Executive Officer

917

873.90

Staff Officer

655

605.13

Clerical Officer

2,550

2,335.47

Service Grades

118

114.98

TOTAL

5,171

4,829.33

Table B: Office of the Pension Ombudsman

Grade

Number of People

Number of Posts

Pensions Ombudsman

1

1.00

Principal Officer

1

1.00

Assistant Principal

4

3.80

Higher Executive Officer

1

1.00

Executive Officer

1

1.00

Clerical Officer

2

2.00

TOTAL

10

9.80

Table C: Pensions Board

Grade

Number of People

Number of Posts

Chief Executive Officer

1

1.00

Principal Officer

7

7.00

Assistant Principal

6

5.00

Higher Executive Officer

5

4.80

Executive Officer

9

9.00

Clerical Officer

12

12.00

TOTAL

40

38.80

Table D: Citizens Information Board

Grade

Number of People

Number of Posts

Chief Executive Officer

1

1.00

Principal Officer

2

2.00

Assistant Principal

13

13.00

Higher Executive Officer

49

38.80

Executive Officer

2

2.00

Staff Officer

2

1.00

Clerical Officer

2

2.00

Grade IV

15

13.00

Grade V

3

3.00

Grade VII

1

1.00

Grade III

14

12.80

TOTAL

104

89.60

Question No. 1333 answered with Question No. 1250.

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1334 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spend by his Department on social welfare schemes in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33723/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The total spend on social welfare in 2009 was €20,379,162,040. The equivalent total for the period 1st January 2010 to 31st July 2010 was €12,678,412,889. These expenditure figures are provisional and subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1335 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the approximate spend on means testing as a percentage of the total spend by his Department on social welfare schemes in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33724/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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My Department spent approximately €7.5 billion in 2009 on social assistance schemes where entitlement is dependent on satisfying a means test. It is estimated that it will spend over €8.3 billion in 2010 on means tested schemes. These schemes are administered through a network of local offices, central and decentralised offices and in the case of supplementary welfare allowance through the offices of the community welfare officers.

The means of a claimant are established following an assessment of the claimant's financial position. This may be carried out at the relevant scheme office and, in some cases, may involve referral to a social welfare inspector to carry out a home visit. The means are determined by the deciding officer of the Department and as appropriate are used to adjust the amount of the payment, if any, a claimant will receive, subject to all the other conditions of the scheme being satisfied.

During 2009, over 370,000 claims of various types were finalised where a means test was part of the process. Nearly 260,000 such claims have already been finalised to end-August 2010. In addition Community Welfare officers processed 698,000 claims during 2009 and a further 531,000 claims in the year to date.

The initial means assessment and the ongoing review of means is an integral part of the processing and maintenance of claims. It is not possible to disaggregate the specific administration costs relating to means testing as it forms just one element of determining entitlement to a specific payment and, in many cases, the staff who administer these schemes in social welfare local offices or as part of the departmental inspectorate are also simultaneously administering other schemes, including schemes which do not have a means tested element.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1336 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of administering jobseeker’s benefit claims as a percentage of the total spend on jobseeker’s benefit in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33725/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1337 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of administering jobseeker’s allowance claims as a percentage of the total spend on jobseeker’s allowance in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33726/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1338 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of administering child benefit claims as a percentage of the total spend on child benefit in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33727/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1339 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of administering supplementary welfare allowance claims as a percentage of the total spend on supplementary welfare allowance claims in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33728/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1336 to 1339, inclusive, together.

Expenditure in 2009 and to the end of July, 2010, on the schemes in question is set out in the following table:

Scheme

Expenditure 2009

Year to End July 2010

€(000)

€(000)

Jobseeker’s Benefit

1,725,780

797,326

Jobseeker’s Allowance

2,003,117

1,562,630

Child Benefit

2,506,119

1,284,036

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

1,030,355

578,563

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme is operated by the HSE on behalf of my Department. The expenditure for this scheme shown in the table above includes €62,226,000 (or 6% of total expenditure) in 2009 and €33,544,000 (or 5.8%) in the year to July 2010 paid to the HSE to cover administration costs. In addition, my department incurred €922,000 expenditure on policy and administration of SWA in 2009. The direct costs of administering the child benefit scheme in 2009 were €5.53 million.

Jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit are part of the People of Working Age programme operated by my Department. The financial information in relation to this programme is published in the Annual Output Statement, 2010 which details both programme and administration expenditure as follows:

Programme 2 People of Working Age

2009 Provisional Outturn

2010 REV Estimate

€ Millions

€ Millions

Programme Expenditure Current

7,705.0

8,221.9

Programme Administration

— Pay

151.9

149.1

— Non Pay

99.8

89.3

Gross programme expenditure

7,956.7

8,460.3

Administration %

3%

3%

The programme for people of working age includes other significant schemes such as one parent family payment, illness benefit, maternity benefit and carer's allowance and benefit. It is not possible to disaggregate the specific administration costs relating to jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit because the staff who administer these schemes in social welfare local offices and as part of the departmental inspectorate are also simultaneously administering other schemes such as one parent family payment, farm assist and pre-retirement allowance.

Other costs arising from the administration of jobseeker's benefit and allowance, child benefit and supplementary welfare allowance are also incurred. These relate to the department's information technology infrastructure and central support services such as accounts, personnel, information and senior management are accounted for under the Operational Capabilities programme of the annual output statement. These costs are controlled at a business process level and are not analysed at individual scheme level.

Social Welfare Benefits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1340 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one-parent payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [33730/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1348 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in 2009 and 2010; and the total spend on the scheme each year. [33739/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1349 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending eligibility for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to include all those families in receipt of family income supplement. [33740/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1340, 1348 and 1349 together.

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families, including those in receipt of family income supplement, to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn.

The number of children benefiting from the scheme increased from 161,000 in 2006 to over 277,000 in 2009. The number of families benefiting increased from 79,000 in 2006 to almost 140,000 in 2009. Given the increased income thresholds and the increase in the Live Register, it is estimated that 340,000 children and 170,000 families will benefit from the scheme in 2010.

Expenditure on the scheme has increased since 2006 from €23m to €67.2m in 2009. The financial provision for 2010 is €82.8m.

Statistics are not available on the number of one-parent family payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1341 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one parent payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of the fuel allowance. [33731/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1350 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the current cost and numbers in receipt of the fuel allowance. [33743/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1351 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to include all those in receipt of family income supplement and those on short term benefits. [33744/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1341, 1350 and 1351 together.

The fuel allowance is paid for 32 weeks each year from end September to early May. In the 2010/2011 heating season it is estimated that over 340,000 recipients will benefit from the allowance at a cost of over €231million.

Statistics are not available on the number of one-parent family payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of the fuel allowance.

People in receipt of short-term social welfare payments such as jobseekers benefit, jobseekers allowance, illness benefit, supplementary welfare allowance, occupational injuries benefit or maternity benefit are not normally eligible to receive a fuel allowance. However, there is a special arrangement in place to pay the smokeless fuel allowance element (€3.90 per week) to people who live in one of the designated urban smokeless fuel areas and who have been receiving either jobseekers benefit, jobseekers allowance or illness benefit for 13 weeks or more.

There are approximately 28,000 family income supplement (FIS) recipients and 380,000 short term social welfare recipients at present. If all of these were eligible for a fuel allowance payment, the additional annual cost would be in excess of €260 million. It is, however, likely that not all of these recipients would qualify for a fuel allowance as the payment is means tested and only one payment is allowable per household.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1342 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one-parent payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of rent supplement. [33732/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1343 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of one-parent payment recipients on community employment schemes that are in receipt of reduced rent supplement. [33733/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1344 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the size of the average rent supplement payment made to one-parent payment recipients on community employment schemes. [33734/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1345 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the size of the average rent supplement payment made to one parent payment recipients that are neither on community employment schemes nor in paid employment or any other back to education, training or work scheme. [33735/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1342 to 1345, inclusive, together.

Rent supplement is subject to a means test which is normally calculated to ensure that, after payment of rent, an eligible person has income equal to the rate of basic supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to their family circumstances, less a minimum contribution, currently €24, which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources.

The means assessment for rent supplement provides for a gradual withdrawal of payment as hours of employment or earnings increase. Those availing of part-time employment (less than 30 hours a week), community employment, and/or specified training opportunities can continue to receive rent supplement subject to their satisfying the standard means assessment rules. Where a person has additional income in excess of the standard weekly rate of supplementary welfare allowance, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregarded for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.

The current average rent supplement payment to those whose primary social welfare payment is the one-parent family payment (including those who are also in receipt of wages from community employment, part-time earnings, maintenance etc.) is €143.14 per week. Statistics are not available on the number of one-parent family payment recipients on community employment schemes that are not in receipt of rent supplement or are in receipt of a reduced rate rent supplement payment or the average rent supplement payable for these customers.

Social Welfare Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1346 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons refused social welfare benefits by a deciding officer of first instance on the stated grounds of a failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition; and the number of successful appeals against such decisions in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33737/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1347 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons refused social welfare benefits by a deciding officer of first instance on the stated grounds of a failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition in 2009 and to date in 2010. [33738/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1346 and 1347 together.

From the records available, the number of claims that were disallowed payments, based on the failure to satisfy the habitual residence condition in 2009 was 10,582 and details are set out in the table. The complete data for 2010 are not available due to industrial action in the earlier part of the year. The following table sets out the yearly breakdown by scheme.

Scheme

2009

Jobseeker’s Allowance

7,484

State Pension (Non-Con)

16

Blind Pension

0

Widow’s, Widower’s & Orphan’s Non-Con Pensions

7

One-Parent Family Payt.

381

Carer’s Allowance

192

Disability Allowance

570

Domiciliary Care Allce.

14

Child Benefit

1,918

Total

10,582

It is open to any customer who is not satisfied with the decision on their claim to appeal that decision. However, information on the number of these cases that were overturned on appeal is not readily available.

Questions Nos. 1348 and 1349 answered with Question No. 1340.

Questions Nos. 1350 and 1351 answered with Question No. 1341.

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1352 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree of consultation that has taken place with his Department in relation to the setting of guidelines by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for local authority differential rent schemes; if he has offered any assessment to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in relation to the implication of changes to differential rent schemes for the interaction between the rent supplement scheme and the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33748/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The determination of rents payable under the local authority differential rent scheme and the income to be assessed for this purpose is the responsibility of the relevant local authority and is subject to guidelines, as laid down by my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Department continues to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on a number of matters which are relevant to both Departments including the differential rents scheme and the interaction between the rental accommodation scheme and the rent supplement scheme.

Social Welfare Appeals

P. J. Sheehan
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P. J. Sheehan
Question:
1353 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when this application will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33752/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1354 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement has been suspended in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33756/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the rent supplement of the person concerned was suspended as her primary payment was closed due to her status as a full time student. The HSE further advised that they requested further information in relation to her status as a student. The HSE has received the information requested and her rent supplement has been reinstated.

Social Welfare Appeals

P. J. Sheehan
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P. J. Sheehan
Question:
1355 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will be heard in an appeal concerning habitual residence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office have advised me that, following receipt of the relevant Departmental papers including comments on the grounds of appeal, the appeal from the person concerned will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1356 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33763/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has made an application for rent supplement but no decision has been made on her application to date. The HSE will be in contact with the person concerned when they have made a decision on her claim.

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1357 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a second medical assessment in order that their illness benefit appeal will be finalised. [33771/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, payment of benefit was disallowed following an examination by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned was capable of work. She has appealed this decision and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that connection an examination by another Medical assessor will be carried out on 14 October 2010. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1358 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance appeal has been opened in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the position regarding same. [33773/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 21 September 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1359 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing can be arranged in an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the appellant be examined by a medical referee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33774/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, payment of Disability Allowance was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned was not suitable for payment. He has appealed this decision on 21 September 2010 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that connection an Assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1360 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33775/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, payment of Disability Allowance was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned was not suitable for payment. She has appealed this decision on 30 June 2010 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that connection an Assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1361 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer’s allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33789/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Departmental Staff

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1362 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employees within his Department who have completed their career breaks and who are still waiting to return to his Department; the number of persons and the length of time waiting; if he will supply details on a county basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Five people are currently waiting to resume from career break in the Department. Details are shown in the following table.

County

Length of time

Cork

2 months

Donegal

11 months

4 months

3 months

Louth

1 week

The conditions of the Civil Service Career Break scheme state that any person who indicates at least two months prior to the end of their career break that he or she wishes to resume duty has a guarantee that they will do so in a relevant grade, not necessarily in his/her parent Department, within 12 months of the expiry of the career break.

Civil Registration Service

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1363 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection his proposals to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004 to allow the death of an Irish citizen abroad to be registered in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33800/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The administration of the Civil Registration Service is statutorily a matter for the Registrar General. I have had enquiries made with the Registrar General and he has informed me that the position is as follows:

The provisions and procedures governing the registration of deaths in Ireland are contained in Part 5 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004.

Where the death of an Irish citizen domiciled in the State occurs abroad, the death may be registered here if there was not at the time of the death a system of registration of deaths in the place where the death occurred, or such a system that applied to such a death, or it is not possible to obtain copies of or extracts from civil records of the death.

Where an Irish citizen dies abroad and the death is registered by the civil authorities of the place where the death occurred, a certified copy of the death registration, translated, if necessary, is sufficient for all legal and administrative purposes here and there is no necessity for the event to be entered in the register of deaths in the State. However, it is appreciated that registration here of the deaths abroad of Irish citizens would be very significant to the relatives of the deceased and it is in this context that a commitment has been made to review the existing provisions of the Civil Registration Act, 2004, in relation to this issue.

There are a range of issues to be considered in relation to the scope and implementation of any proposed amendment on this matter. Some of these issues may have cross-departmental implications and these need to be considered also.

The general review of the provisions of the Civil Registration Act, 2004 is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The review will include the provisions relating to the registration of deaths.

Social Welfare Benefits

Fergus O'Dowd
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Fergus O'Dowd
Question:
1364 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide details of the number of applicants for the back to education allowance to date in 2010; the number of applications that were accepted; the number refused; the number that were rejected on the basis of a lack of progression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33829/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) is designed to facilitate people of working age on welfare payments to return to education in order to gain qualifications which will help to enhance their employment prospects. Participants in the back to education allowance scheme transfer from another social welfare payment. Because these claims are not recorded as a separate scheme until the person transfers from their primary payment to the back to education scheme, statistics are not available on the number of applications received or refused entry to the scheme. Accordingly, the number of applications refused the back to education allowance on the basis of non-progression is also not available.

At end of August, 2010 a total of 3,985 participants were approved for the back to education allowance. Due to the nature of the scheme, the majority of the applications are made in late August and September in advance of the commencement of the new academic year. A total of 20,808 participated on the BTEA scheme for the academic year 2009/2010.

Social Welfare Appeals

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1365 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33832/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as she was deemed as not having a housing need as she is living in accommodation provided by a local authority. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to the HSE Appeals Office but that the decision was upheld. The person concerned has further appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised that it has received an appeal from the person concerned but that no decision has been made on her appeal to date.

Question No. 1366 answered with Question No. 1225.

Social Welfare Benefits

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1367 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33860/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 28 April 2010. Her claim was assessed by a Medical Assessor who was of the opinion that she was not medically suitable for Disability Allowance. The Deciding Officer accepted this opinion. The person's file was sent to a Social Welfare Inspector for a means investigation. The Inspector was unable to establish how means were disposed of in relation to proceeds from the sale of a house and a redundancy payment. The claim was refused as the person did not satisfy the medical conditions and she failed to show that her means did not exceed the maximum limit for receipt of disability allowance. A letter issued to the person on 27 September 2010, advising her of this decision and of her right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, within 21 days.

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1368 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a disability allowance pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33861/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned does not have a current application for disability allowance lodged with my department. However, he had been in receipt of an invalidity pension up to 3 February 2010 when his payment was stopped following a medical review of his entitlement. He has appealed this decision and the appeal was sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20 July 2010. The Appeals Office will be in direct contact with him regarding his appeal. In the meantime, he is in receipt of assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme.

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1369 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33862/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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On 24 September 2010 the person concerned was refused carer's allowance on three separate grounds, namely, that the person being cared for does not require full time care and attention, that she is not providing full time care and attention to that person and, thirdly, that she did not fully disclose her means to an Investigating Officer. She has been notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1370 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give an update on an application for jobseeker’s allowance on behalf of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33863/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned submitted an application for Jobseeker's Allowance on 21 May 2010. A letter issued to the person concerned on 1 September 2010 requesting information regarding means to be supplied within 14 days. To date no response has been received.

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
1371 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if medical assessors who make decisions for his Department in relation to applicants and those in receipt of illness payments are required to meet and or examine the persons concerned; if not, the way in which they make their decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33869/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Medical Review and Assessment system is the principal control mechanism for illness and disability schemes administered by the Department of Social Protection. Medical Assessors carry out desk assessments of medical evidence/ reports supplied by doctors/patients and where required, conduct in person assessments in order to provide a second medical opinion for the guidance of Deciding and Appeals Officers. All guidelines are carried out in accordance with the accepted guidelines of the Irish Medical Council.

The vast majority of illness related claims pertain to the Illness Benefit scheme for those initially presenting with a short term illness. Illness Benefit claimants are normally first assessed by a Medical Assessor at a desk assessment (without meeting the claimant) based on the perusal of a medical report from the claimant's doctor. In these desk assessments, the Medical Assessor cannot recommend refusal of Benefit, but can recommend eligibility for benefit or that the claimant should be assessed in person by a Medical assessor to ascertain eligibility for continued entitlement to Illness Benefit. At the in-person assessment, the Medical Assessor may present an opinion to a Deciding Officer in the scheme area who then makes the decision on eligibility. Applicants who wish to claim Disablement Benefit in respect of an injury obtained at work, are normally assessed by a Medical Assessor at an in-person assessment to determine the loss of function involved.

Applicants for other schemes such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Carers Allowance/Benefit, and Respite Care Allowance are generally assessed by a Medical Assessor at desk, based on medical reports and medical evidence submitted by the patient's doctor/specialist. The Medical Assessor presents his/her opinion from the assessment for the guidance of the Deciding Officers in the scheme areas. In certain cases if warranted, the Medical Assessor can recommend that the patient undergo an in person assessment.

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
1372 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify the reason some young people who are under 18 and living in Health Service Executive secure children’s units, receive a full disability payment from his Department despite the fact that their living expenses are all looked after; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33878/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Disability Allowance is a weekly payment made to persons with a disability whose employment capacity is substantially restricted by reason of their disability and whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependents. Subject to satisfying all of the conditions of the scheme, persons with a disability can be paid the Allowance on reaching the age of 16.

Following on the implementation of progressive legislative changes to the scheme since it was first introduced in 1996, entitlement to Disability Allowance is not affected by the claimant's place of residency.

The issue of whether claimants in residential care, whether in secure children's units or in other long-term residential institutions, may be required to make a contribution to the costs of that care, is a matter for the Health Services Executive and for the Minister for Health and Children.

Question No. 1373 answered with Question No. 1250.

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1374 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has rejected reported proposals to end the right of some community employment programme workers to welfare entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33895/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended, in its report in 2009, that concurrent entitlement to a range of schemes such as one parent family payment or disability allowance and a Community Employment payment should be discontinued. Any changes to social protection schemes generally, including changes recommended by the Special Group, will fall to be considered later this year in a Budgetary context and in the context of continuing to reduce overall public expenditure and restoring stability to the public finances.

The Government has already made difficult decisions in this regard and the next steps towards recovery will require further such decisions. At the moment, I am engaged in an intensive round of consultations with a wide range of welfare representative organisations and I am listening carefully to their views. In an uncertain international environment, my priority will be to ensure that the overall Government strategy is advanced and to protect those most in need in a manner which is sustainable in the years ahead. It is important to stress that, at this stage, no decisions have been taken either by me or by the Government with regard to the forthcoming budget.

Social Welfare Appeals

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1375 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the disability and invalidity payment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [33901/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a Disability Allowance appeal by the person concerned was registered in that Office on 22 June 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received back in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16 September 2010 and the appeal will be referred in due course to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing. There is no Invalidity Pension appeal by the person concerned registered in the Appeals Office.

There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 44% in the number of appeals received in the first eight months of 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 1376 answered with Question No. 1291.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
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Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:
1377 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 521 of 2 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [33988/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The information requested by the Deputy relating to the numbers of appeals decisions in relation to the Habitual Residence Condition for entitlement to social welfare payments, along with the numbers allowed, partly allowed and disallowed, are given in the following table for the years requested. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that statistics in relation to the citizen category of appellants are not maintained by that Office.

Allowed

PartiallyAllowed

Disallowed

Total

2004

36

1

155

192

2005

239

5

413

657

2006

269

51

466

786

2007

210

14

634

858

2008

179

18

818

1,015

2009

279

49

1,055

1,383

2010

414

64

2,084

2,562

Social Welfare Benefits

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
1378 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average length of time for processing all social welfare applications in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [33999/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Table: New claims average processing times in weeks: 2007 to (end-August) 2010

2007

2008

2009

2010

State Pension (Contributory)

11

11

8

8

State Pension (Transitional)

10

3

3

5

Widow(er)’s Contributory Pension

5

4

2

3

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

8

9

8

9

Widow(er)’s (Non-Contributory) Pension & One Parent Family Payment (Widow)

7

9

9

11

One-Parent Family — (Local Office based)

9

11

11

16

Household Benefits

3

2

3

3

Bereavement Grant (Social Welfare Services Office Sligo)

3

1

1

1

Bereavement Grant (Social Welfare Services Office Longford)

n/a

2

2

4

Invalidity Pension

8

10

12

12

Family Income Supplement — New Claims

12

13

8

10

Disability Allowance

16

15

15

13

Carer’s Benefit

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Carer’s Allowance

12

15

9

8

Jobseeker’s Benefit

2

2

3

2

Jobseeker’s Allowance

3

5

6

5

Illness Benefit

1

1

1

1

Occupational Injury Benefit — Interim Illness Benefit

<1

1

1

1

Maternity Benefit

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Child Benefit — Domestic

n/a

n/a

n/a

2

Child Benefit — EU

n/a

n/a

n/a

26

Domiciliary Care Allowance *

n/a

n/a

7

7

Back to Education Allowance

Applicants for back to education are already in receipt of another social welfare payment before a decision is made on their entitlement to back to education. Consequently, delays, if any, should not cause hardship. Statistics are not maintained centrally as to the processing times of claims.

Treatment Benefit

Treatment Benefit operates differently than other schemes. As payment is made to contractors after treatment has been given, there is no delay for the customer. The scheme is on target.

Disablement Benefit

As this scheme is not a primary income support scheme, there is no performance standard. Many of the claimants are already in receipt of a payment.

*Domiciliary Care Allowance was not administered by this Department until April 2009.

Employment Support Services

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1379 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the systems in place in his Department to interview jobseekers when they are still unemployed after the national employment action plan process has been exhausted and the number of such interviews held with long-term unemployed people in each of the past three years. [34001/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The jobseeker schemes' conditions include that a customer should be available for work and genuinely seeking work. If people do not attend for an EAP interview or, having engaged with FÁS, decline offers of employment or training, their cases are referred back to the social welfare local office for review to determine if they continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of a jobseeker's payment. Jobseekers who, for valid reasons, are unable to avail of the opportunities provided by FÁS, continue to receive payment. In such cases, the Department's facilitator service is available to assist them in identifying barriers to participation in employment and exploring alternative progression routes.

The Department refer people that have been through the EAP process to facilitators on a monthly basis. In the period September 2008 to end-August 2010 (the period for which figures are available), over 39,000 cases were referred to facilitators. There are 63 facilitators located throughout the country and are assigned to cover defined geographical areas.

As part of the normal control process, a future review date is entered on the payment system for all jobseeker customers. Additional review dates are entered as necessary throughout the life of the claim. At each date, the claim is reviewed and where necessary the claimant is interviewed to ensure that they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme.

Social Welfare Benefits

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1380 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in continuous receipt of an unemployment payment for each of the past ten years and the number in continuous receipt of an unemployment payment for each of the last nine years, eight years, seven years, six years, five years, four years, three years, two years and one year. [34002/10]

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1381 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of an unemployment payment for at least nine of the past ten years, at least eight of the past ten years, at least seven of the past ten years and so on. [34003/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1380 and 1381 together.

It is not possible to provide statistics on the number of customers who have been in receipt of a jobseeker's payment at different points over a number of years. The system used to make jobseekers payments only records the current claim while previous claims for the same person are archived. A complete claim history for each individual is not readily available and could only be produced by accessing each customer's and former customer's record on the system individually. If there has been a break in claim and the claim was closed, for whatever reason, the system will only record the current claim. An example of such cases would be where a claimant exhausts their Jobseeker's Benefit after 12 months and moves directly to Jobseeker's Allowance.

The following table is based on live claims at 25th September 2010 and only takes the current claim into account.

Duration in Years

Number

Less than 1

234,922

Between 1 and 2

110,973

Between 2 and 3

33,653

Between 3 and 4

14,597

Between 4 and 5

9,267

Between 5 and 6

6,764

Between 6 and 7

4,954

Between 7 and 8

3,671

Between 8 and 9

2,658

Between 9 and 10

2,006

Employment Support Services

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1382 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the case of an unemployed person (details supplied) who is leaving the live register to take up training as a pilot at huge personal cost and who will be without income for the next six months but cannot qualify for either of the back to enterprise allowance schemes or the back to education scheme or the supplementary welfare scheme because none of these schemes appear to cover this contingency; if it is Government policy for no support to be offered to a person in such circumstance and if he will examine if there is any assistance available to this person under any payment made by his Department. [34006/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of jobseeker's benefit. His entitlement to a Back to Education Allowance (Education, Training and Development Option) is currently being examined. When a decision is given he will be advised of the outcome.

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1383 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide the last monthly progress report and the last complete set of cumulative national employment action plan figures, as previously published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. [34061/10]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)
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Pending the transfer of certain functions previously carried out by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to my Department, reporting functions in relation to the National Employment Action Plan rest with the Department of Education and Skills.

Sports Capital Programme

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1384 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will support an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [31826/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The club in question has received €657,896 in funding under the Sports Capital Programme, all of which has been drawn down. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme.

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1385 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he will support a sports and social club in 2010 (details supplied). [31945/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The club in question has been allocated two grants under the Sports Capital Programme, viz €31,743 (£25,000) in 2000 which has been paid in full and €31,743 (£25,000) in 2001 which was withdrawn as it was not possible to progress the project in accordance with the terms of the Programme. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1386 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in respect of any State owned enterprise under the aegis of her Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31966/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The information requested by the Deputy is as set out in the following table. My Department does not have responsibility for approving annual reports, but such reports are usually noted by Government and subsequently are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Body/Institution

Date of Most Recently Received Annual Report

Year of Annual Report Most Recently Received

Date Laid Before Houses of the Oireachtas

Receipt Date of Annual Report Previous to Most Recent One

Year of This Previous Annual Report

Date Laid Before Houses of the Oireachtas

Arts Council

23/12/2009

2008

13/07/2010

18/12/2008

2007

31/07/2009

Crawford Art Gallery

2010

2008

To be laid.

2009

2007

17/12/2009

Fáilte Ireland

03/09/2010

2009

To be laid.

05/07/2009

2008

23/09/2009

Irish Film Board

07/01/2010

2008

21/06/2010

16/02/2009

2007

24/07/2009

Irish Museum of Modern Art

10/08/2010

2009

To be laid.

17/07/2009

2008

11/12/2009

Irish Sports Council

10/06/2009

2008

30/09/2009

03/10/2008

2007

15/12/2008

National Concert Hall

17/05/2010

2009

17/06/2010

06/04/2009

2008

23/11/2009

National Gallery of Ireland

08/09/2010

2009

To be laid.

13/11/2009

2008

18/12/2009

National Library of Ireland

09/12/2009

2008

17/12/2009

2008

2007

2008

National Museum of Ireland

18/06/2010

2009

To be laid.

18/06/2009

2008

11/09/2009

National Sports Campus Development Authority

19/11/2009

2008

08/02/2010

20/01/2009

2007

Being submitted to the Houses on 29/09/2010

Tourism Ireland*

06/09/2010

2009

To be laid.

20/07/2009

2008

21/09/2009

*Tourism Ireland is a North/South body.

Tourism Promotion

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1387 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the moneys allocated to date for marketing in the Shannon catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32111/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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Operational responsibility for tourism marketing rests with the tourism agencies. Tourism Ireland has promoted the Shannon Airport Catchment Area vigorously and extensively in recent years through its ongoing global marketing activity and through specific, additional campaigns undertaken for the region in the United States and Great Britain. The cross-sectoral Shannon Airport Catchment Economic and Tourism Development Plan made a commitment in 2008 to provide marketing support for a transitional period for tourism into the wider region for which Shannon Airport has been the main gateway, in the face of changes then under way on air travel on North Atlantic routes.

The "Discover Ireland's Wonderful West" campaign commenced in 2008 following close collaboration between Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and a Tourism Working Group was formed for this purpose. €3m was provided specifically for this initiative when it commenced in 2008 in addition to funding of €1.05 million provided for the parallel Super Region West Coast campaign.

In 2009, Tourism Ireland re-aligned its Super Region marketing initiative overseas, in particular its West Coast region, to ensure it supported and added value to the Shannon Airport Catchment Area programme. As a result, in 2009 the campaign was refreshed to "Ireland's Wonderful West Awaits You" with a total provision of €2.9 million for marketing the Shannon Catchment. An identical amount of €2.9 million has been provided for 2010 for marketing the Super Region West Coast including additional funding provision for the promotion of the wider Shannon Airport Catchment, over and above the funding for promotion of the regions generally. This has allowed Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to continue to mount a similar level of focused, promotional marketing for the Shannon region in 2010, in cooperation with local tourism interests, including Shannon Development.

In terms of the actual marketing programmes undertaken, ease of direct access from key gateway cities, the many highlights of the region, the good value fares and inclusive packages available, as well as a range of compelling offers from local industry are showcased in the campaigns. Business Tourism, a highly valuable segment which can deliver high-spending visitors year round, is also a feature of the marketing programmes.

Sports Capital Programme

M. J. Nolan
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M. J. Nolan
Question:
1388 Deputy M. J. Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport when it is proposed to reintroduce the sports capital grant programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32176/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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Under the Sports Capital Programme, funding is allocated to sporting and to voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998 grants to the value of €730m have been allocated to some 7,400 projects nationwide. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme.

Arts Funding

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1389 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will support the funding for the arts in this year’s budget as a matter of priority. [32402/10]

Alan Shatter
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Alan Shatter
Question:
1390 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will maintain existing levels of funding for agencies involved in the arts including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland, to protect local authority arts funding and to make appropriate new funding available to the arts and cultural sector so as to build on our cultural and tourism potential and maintain and contribute to the creation of additional employment in the arts. [32453/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1392 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the funding provided from 2006 to date in 2010 to agencies for the promotion and development of the arts in tabular form; her plans for the future funding of these agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32496/10]

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
1394 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the total sum of money allocated to the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland in 2010; if she will give a commitment that the same amount of funding will be provided in 2011 to each of these three organisations; if she will also make significant new funding available to the arts and cultural sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32551/10]

Martin Ferris
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Martin Ferris
Question:
1395 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will ensure that the forthcoming budget will maintain existing levels of funding to all agencies for the arts including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland; if she will protect local authority arts funding and make significant new funding available to the arts and cultural sector, in order to build on our cultural tourism potential. [32787/10]

Damien English
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Damien English
Question:
1396 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her views on maintaining existing levels of funding to agencies for the arts, including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland; if she has carried out a cost benefit analysis to the State of maintaining funding levels for such groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32812/10]

Charlie O'Connor
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Charlie O'Connor
Question:
1409 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her response to the national campaign for the arts which aims to promote one of our most valuable assets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33245/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1389, 1390, 1392, 1394 to 1396, inclusive, and 1409 together.

Since 2006 my Department has invested over €962m in the arts, culture and film sectors and the allocations for each year are shown in the following tabular statement.

I am committed to supporting the crucial constituent sectors of arts and culture and the Government will continue to fund those sectors within limited available financial resources. Decisions regarding funding, whether within my Department's Vote or on the part of other relevant Departments will, however, have to be taken in the context of the ongoing Estimates and budget preparation process and in the light of the target aggregate Exchequer savings to be achieved for 2011. In this context, I should like to acknowledge the concerns raised by the recent Campaign for the Arts and to reaffirm my commitment to maximising the place and status of the arts in society.

My policy on the arts, culture and film sectors reflects Government Policy in this area as set out in the Programme for Government. This policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life, and maximise the potential for cultural tourism. I will endeavour to maximise funding for these sectors, commensurate with their centrality to our economic and social well being.

Arts, Culture and Film Expenditure

Subhead

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

D1

National Archives

37

54

41

52

66

D2

National Archives

1,619

1,751

2,153

1,813

1,654

National Archives

1,656

1,805

2,194

1,865

1,720

D3

IMMA

8,835

8,272

8,241

7,317

6,671

D3

Chester Beatty Library

3,083

3,208

3,459

3,083

2,714

D3

National Concert Hall

3,927

4,090

3,894

3,478

3,105

D3

Crawford Gallery

1,174

1,980

1,988

1,753

1,579

D4

Cultural Projects

7,098

6,680

6,974

5,317

4,420

D5

Cultural Infrastructure

20,346

38,094

35,021

17,842

16,491

D6

Culture Ireland

2,327

4,202

4,748

4,550

4,083

D7

Arts Council

82,310

83,000

81,620

73,350

68,649

D8

National Museum

19,842

18,332

19,017

15,415

15,125

D9

National Library

11,817

12,702

11,875

10,742

9,348

D10

Irish Film Board

19,426

22,159

23,189

20,340

19,272

Total Vote 35

181,842

204,523

202,219

165,052

153,177

V33

National Gallery — Vote 33

9,351

12,611

12,466

10,903

10,416

Tourism Industry

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1391 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to develop and promote cultural tourism here; if funding is available to support projects designed for the cultural tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32495/10]

Damien English
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Damien English
Question:
1397 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to promote the cultural tourism industry here so that the potential to generate additional tourist numbers and spend will be capitalised on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32813/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1391 and 1397 together.

Deputies will be aware that my predecessor initiated a successful Cultural Tourism Initiative in 2009 and on foot of this Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland continue to develop and promote the cultural tourism sector. Activities in this area include the promotion of cultural activities, attractions and events, as well as workshops and development activity with the cultural tourism sector. Some examples include:

significant development of certain key areas of cultural strength, such as the Aran Islands and Dingle Peninsula, as cultural tourism destinations and the development of heritage themed consumer experiences;

upgrade of cultural tourism attractions such as Russborough House as well as development of new heritage attractions e.g. Waterford Viking Triangle;

the production of guidelines for Historic Towns on how to maximise their tourism potential;

the rolling-out in 2011 by Fáilte Ireland of the national crafts tourism quality framework coinciding with ‘The Year of the Craft 2011' and

from October 2010 a weekly Discover Ireland Ciné-Café in Bewleys on Grafton Street will bring the best of Irish short film to the attention of visitors.

My Department is also involved directly in a number of measures, including most recently Culture Night 2010, which assist the promotion of Ireland as a location for cultural activities, thus increasing its attractiveness as a destination for cultural tourism.

In addition, to encourage the deployment of information and communications technologies and modern communications tools in the promotion of arts, culture and cultural tourism, I launched a Cultural Technology scheme earlier this summer. Applications are currently being assessed and I hope to announce the successful projects in this round in coming weeks.

Question No. 1392 answered with Question No. 1389.

Arts Funding

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1393 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the funding provided by her Department to local authorities in respect of spending on arts related projects in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32499/10]

Damien English
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Damien English
Question:
1398 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to ensure that local authority arts projects are supported by the State over the next three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32814/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1393 and 1398 together.

Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council which, under the Arts Act, is independent in its funding decisions. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2010 is €68.6m from which the Arts Council may provide funding to local authorities towards the arts.

My Department is responsible for the provision of capital monies for the arts such as arts centres, galleries and theatres. Under the ACCESS 11 programme, funding has been provided for around 80 projects. Some of these were local authority lead projects and the table below shows the total funding allocated under the ACCESS programme to local authorities during the period 2005-2010.

Year

Funding Allocated to Local Authorities for Arts Capital Projects

€

2005

40,000

2007

6,785,000

2008

4,300,000

2009

Nil*

2010

Ni*

Total

11,125,000

*No ACCESS programme allocation in these years.

There are other projects supported by local authorities but which were not local-authority-lead projects. A list of the successful ACCESS II projects and the amount of grant aid allocated to each project is available on my Department's website.

The increase in the availability of facilities and the enhancement of their quality, as a result of the arts capital schemes, has greatly improved access to and participation in the arts for a great many people.

Funding for the arts for 2011 will be decided in the context of the ongoing Estimates process.

Questions Nos. 1394 to 1396, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1389.

Question No. 1397 answered with Question No. 1391.

Question No. 1398 answered with Question No. 1393.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1399 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the total number of offices and properties rented by her Department; their location and use; if her Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented, if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32844/10]

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1406 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in respect of the offices and properties which her Department is currently renting, if she would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32859/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1399 and 1406 together.

My Department is not currently renting any premises.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1400 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the amount her Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile telephone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have telemobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile telephone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33646/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The following table outlines the expenditure by the Department on mobile phone bills. The expenditure in the National Archives is included as it forms an integral component of the Department.

Year

Total

Dept. HQ

National Archives

€

€

€

2007

33,527.64

32,690.55

837.09

2008

55,165.98

46,110.49

9,055.49

2009

42,382.08

35,551.04

6,831.04

2010 (6 mths)

22,478.71

19,575.29

2,903.42

Including those in the National Archives, there are 45 staff currently with mobile phones provided by the Department. As the Deputy will appreciate the use of mobile phones is vital to the effective operation of the Department which has decentralised to Killarney as staff can be in contact while travelling between the offices in Killarney and Dublin, between meetings and, of course, outside of normal office hours.

Vodafone is the mobile phone operator currently contracted to supply service to both the Departmental headquarters and the National Archives. The current contract in respect of the Departmental headquarters was agreed in August 2009 while the National Archives contract was agreed in March 2010. Both contracts were agreed following completion of a competitive tendering process carried out under the Mobile Voice and Data Services Framework.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1401 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of persons employed in her Department by grade; the number of agencies under her remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33712/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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At present there is a total of 153.95 staff employed in my Department including the National Archives. The breakdown by grade is as follows:

Grade

No serving at 31 August 2010

Secretary General

1.00

Assistant Secretary

3.00

Director

1.00

Principal Officer

9.00

Assistant Principal Officer

25.30

Higher Executive Officer

20.60

Executive Officer

34.50

Staff Officer

4.00

Clerical Officer

30.05

Head Services Officer

1.00

Services Officer

5.00

Ministerial staff

4.00

Keeper — National Archives

2.00

Senior Archivist

3.00

Archivist

9.00

Conservation Officer

0.50

Professional Accountant

1.00

In respect of the agencies under the aegis of my Department the number serving at 30 June 2010 is as follows:

Body

Number serving at 30 June 2010

Arts Council

52.00

Irish Film Board

16.00

Chester Beatty Library

35.60

Fáilte Ireland

351.22 (+ 137 Seasonal staff)

Irish Museum of Modern Art

93.00

Irish Sports Council

27.40

National Concert Hall

65.67

National Library of Ireland

97.45

National Museum of Ireland

174.57

National Sports Campus Development Authority

4.60

SFADCo. (Tourism)

23.5 (+ 4 Seasonal staff)

Tourism Ireland Ltd.

159.00

Crawford Art Gallery

14.00

As it is not possible to give a comprehensive breakdown by grade of the numbers serving in the agencies under the aegis of the Department in the time available, I will forward this information to the Deputy in the coming weeks.

Tax Code

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1402 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if her attention has been drawn to the negative impact the travel tax is having on tourism in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31763/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Martin Mansergh)
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I have acknowledged on many occasions that we are experiencing a very challenging period for Irish tourism with all areas of the country experiencing a decline in overseas visitor numbers. While any decrease is disappointing, it must be viewed in the context of a decline in tourist numbers internationally. Tourism worldwide has been deeply affected by global economic difficulties and loss of consumer confidence. Furthermore, the exceptional weather conditions in the early part of the year and the closure of airports in April and May due to the volcanic ash cloud meant that it was inevitable that a falloff in the numbers of people travelling would be experienced in the first half of 2010.

I acknowledge the concern among many in the tourism industry that the Air Travel Tax could potentially affect the competitiveness and viability of routes to and from Ireland. The Department is monitoring trends and assessing information in relation to the impact of the departure tax on routes. The Government will be making decisions on all taxation matters as part of the wider deliberations on the Budget, having regard to the general national fiscal situation.

Safety at Sports Grounds

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1403 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will ensure that no fencing is put into Croke Park for health and safety reasons. [31891/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Martin Mansergh)
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Safety at sports grounds is the responsibility, in the first instance, of those who organise events and those who own or administer the grounds or venues in which the sports fixtures are held. The Code of Practice for Safety at Sports Grounds, together with international best practice, provide comprehensive guidelines in relation to how this responsibility should be effectively managed.

Issues related to crowd safety in general are governed by legislative provisions operating under the aegis of my colleagues including the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Health and Children; and Justice and Law Reform as well as the relevant statutory authorities.

The GAA is best positioned to identify the safety issues involved with Croke Park. I have advised the GAA to ensure that any work undertaken in this area is in compliance with existing legislation and best practice in this area and that the organisation works in tandem with the relevant authorities.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1404 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in her, or if applicable her predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency offices; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if she will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32282/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The current staffing of my constituency office is as follows:

1 Personal Assistant at HEO level

2 Executive Officers

1 Staff Officer

1 Personal Secretary at Secretarial Assistant level

All of these staff are paid at normal civil service rates applicable to these grades. In addition, my Personal Secretary is paid an attraction allowance of 10% of salary. To date since my appointment as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport no expenses have been paid to any of these staff. The staffing of my constituency office adheres to Department of Finance guidelines on these matters.

All the above staff are based at my Department's office at Kildare Street Dublin 2. The current office space assigned to the staff in my constituency office is estimated at 657 square feet. As the Department's offices are owned by the Office of Public Works I am not in a position to give an estimated value of this office space. Neither is it possible to provide an estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office since records are not maintained on a basis that would allow such a breakdown.

The Constituency Office Staff of former Minister Martin Cullen immediately prior to his resignation as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism were as follows:

1 Staff Officer

1 Personal Assistant at HEO level

1 Constituency Assistant at HEO level

1 Personal Secretary.

Of these his Personal Assistant, Constituency Assistant and Personal Secretary were located at his Waterford office.

Again all of these staff were paid at the normal civil service rates applicable and his personal secretary was paid an additional allowance of 10% of his salary.

The expenses paid to Minister Cullen's constituency office staff in 2010 was €816.15 in total.

The cost of the constituency office in terms of salary costs and expenses for the former Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism for years 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007 is set out in the table:

Year

Salary costs

Expenses paid

Total

2007 (June –Dec)

89,000

Nil

89,000

2008

261,000

4,000

265,000

2009

218,810

4,769

223,579

The staffing of the Minister's constituency office in the former Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism for year end 2007 to 2009 was as follows:

Constituency Office Staff 2007

0.8 Executive Officer

1 Staff Officer

2 Clerical Officers

1 Personal Assistant at HEO level

1 Personal Secretary

Constituency Office Staff 2008

1 Staff Officer

1 Clerical Officer

1 Personal Secretary

1 Personal Assistant at HEO level

1 Constituency Assistant at HEO level

Constituency Office Staff 2009

1 Staff Officer

1 Personal Assistant at HEO level

1 Constituency Assistant at HEO level

1 Personal Secretary

The Minister of State at my Department, Mr Martin Mansergh, T.D, does not have constituency office facilities at my Department's offices.

National Archives

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1405 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to review the outreach programmes of the National Archives to other exhibition centres; if she will complete an audit of exhibitions held in storage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32483/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The National Archives has three travelling exhibitions in store. These were prepared and exhibited extensively in the late 1990s, and have been exhibited more occasionally since then.

"A Nation and not a Rabble" — Ireland in the year July 1921 — June 1922

"The Calamitous Fire" — the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland, June 1922

"Lovers of Liberty?" — 100 years of Local Government in Ireland

In recent years the limited resources available to the National Archives for outreach have been concentrated mainly on the development of its website and the digital publication of the 1901 and 1911 Census Returns. In addition to the Census Returns themselves, the website includes extensive contextual material, describing life in early 20th century Ireland, supported by many photographs illustrating life at the time. The inclusion of the contextual material is particularly helpful to teachers using this resource in the classroom, and the website is proving very popular in secondary school history classes. The resources available to the National Archives preclude an expansion of its outreach service for the present.

Question No. 1406 answered with Question No. 1399.

Grant Payments

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1407 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will communicate with the Special European Union Programmes Body regarding an application for funding in respect of a project (details supplied); his views on the role of the project in the context of tourism in north Ulster on both sides of the Border; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33061/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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I understand that, in relation to the evaluation and selection of projects, the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is bound to follow the structures and processes set out in the Operational Programme, as approved by the European Commission, which provides 75% funding for the entire INTERREG IVA Programme. This process includes an appeals mechanism. I understand that the SEUPB is open to discuss the application process and funding opportunities with any eligible applicant. It would not be appropriate for me to communicate with the SEUPB in the exercise of their independent functions.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1408 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in respect of semi-State companies within the aegis of her Department, when the current CEOs or equivalent were appointed to their positions; the length of their current contracts; and the date they are due for renewal. [33126/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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The information requested by the Deputy is as set out in tabular form as follows.

Semi-State Company

Date of CEO Appointment or Re-Appointment

Length of Contract

Date of Renewal/ Expiration

Arts Council

1 September 2009

2 Years

31 August 2011

Crawford Art Gallery

8 September 2005

Permanent

On Retirement

Fáilte Ireland

1 January 2008

5 Years

31 December 2012

Irish Film Board

9 January 2006

5 Years

31 December 2010

Irish Museum of Modern Art

1 February 2008

3.5 Years

31 July 2011

Irish Sports Council

1 July 2009

5 Years

30 June 2014

National Concert Hall

15 March 1993

Permanent

On Retirement

National Gallery of Ireland

13 December 1988

Permanent

On Retirement

National Library of Ireland

8 March 2010

3 Years

7 March 2013

National Museum of Ireland

9 December 1988

Permanent

On Retirement

National Sports Campus Development Authority

1 July 2008

5 Years

30 June 2013

Tourism Ireland*

10 June 2009

5 Years

9 June 2014

*Tourism Ireland is a North/South body.

Question No. 1409 answered with Question No. 1389.

Hotel Sector

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1410 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the steps she will take and the timeframe envisaged in dealing with both the National Asset Management Agency and bank-operated hotels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33457/10]

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Deputy Mary Hanafin)
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I have been encouraging NAMA to take a strategic approach to the hotel sector, to build up its own expertise in this area and to consult with sectoral interests, including the Irish Hotels Federation whom I have met on several occasions on this subject. I note that NAMA has recently appointed a senior official to help deal with this aspect of its loan portfolio. I intend to meet NAMA over the coming weeks to discuss overall policy in relation to the tourism industry, but not specific cases.

In regard to the actions of banks, Section 66(1)(a) of the NAMA Act, 2009 was included to ensure that applicant institutions continue to service loans in the same manner as a prudent lender. If the Deputy, or anybody else, is aware of any specific instances where participating institutions in NAMA are not adhering to the requirement of the Act they should bring the matter to the notice of the Minister for Finance.

Housing Grants

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1411 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will list the entitlements that are available to blind citizens who wish to develop independent living facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32189/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Under the terms of the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability grants of up to €30,000, which may cover up to 95% of the cost, are available to assist people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs and to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes.

My Department's involvement with the scheme relates primarily to the recoupment of 80% of local authority expenditure on the payment of the grant. The detailed administration of the scheme, including the assessment and approval of applications and the payment of grants to individual applicants, is the responsibility of the local authority concerned.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1412 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is any empirical evidence to show that the carbon tax has resulted in a decrease in CO2 emissions or that it has accelerated fall off in emissions that was occurring prior to the introduction of the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33191/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Verifiable data on emissions for the period since the introduction of the carbon tax are not yet available and therefore it is not possible at this time to provide comprehensive analysis on the effects of the tax. Insofar as the transport sector is concerned, while early indicators suggest that consumption of motor fuels is still falling, data over a number of years would be required to provide a full analysis. The impact of other policy changes, such as rates of VRT and Motor Tax, would also have to be factored into any such analysis of transport emissions. Investment in more efficient capital stock is strongly incentivised by carbon taxes, but these changes take place over much longer time frames than a single year.

Waste Management

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1413 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of the position of the European Commission in respect of the legal status and requirement for licensing of the parts of Haulbowline Island, County Cork, previously used for steel production storage and waste. [33424/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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On 7 May 2009 a complaint was received from the European Commission, through the EU Pilot Pre-Infringement process, concerning the regulatory status of the former Irish Ispat site at Haulbowline, Co. Cork. Ireland wrote to the Commission in October 2009 setting out the current position and a response from the Commission is awaited.

Planning Issues

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1414 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is any legal prohibition to permit a commercial entity advertising a product or service in a private field adjacent to a national primary or secondary route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33768/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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My Department is currently finalising the draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Spatial Planning and National Roads. These draft Guidelines are aimed at ensuring that roads planning and policy, and development planning and management processes are appropriately and effectively aligned, in order to guide development to the most suitable locations to maximise the investment in the national roads network, while also encouraging a shift towards more sustainable forms of travel and transport.

Section 3.7 of the draft Guidelines outlines the legislative provisions concerning the erection of authorised advertising structures / signage, other than road traffic signs, namely that:

A licence is required under section 254 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 for a structure on, under, over or along a public road;

Consent of the relevant road authority under section 71(1)(b) of the Roads Act 1993, is required for structures / signage on a public road; and

Planning permission under section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is required for both temporary and permanent signage on private property, including in fields adjacent to motorways and national roads, and must be carefully designed in accordance with the standards of the local authority and the national roads authority, as appropriate.

While my Department will give further consideration to the matter of signage in finalising the Guidelines having regard to the submissions received under the consultation process (which closes on 30 September), the practice of parking large truck trailers off the road as a means of displaying advertising hoardings should be carefully monitored by planning authorities and enforcement steps taken as necessary under planning and other legislative codes.

Tax Yield

Michael Noonan
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Michael Noonan
Question:
1415 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the projected revenue in 2011 from a doubling of the property tax on second homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33977/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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As at 27 September 2010, the non-principal private residence charge had raised €66,418,860 in respect of 2009 and €61,010,660 to date in respect of 2010. A doubling of the charge could therefore be potentially expected to raise in the region of €130 million per annum.

Motor Taxation

Michael McGrath
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Michael McGrath
Question:
1416 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amend the wording of the declaration on form RF111A to allow persons use a commercial vehicle for incidental personal use subject to the primary use of the vehicle being commercial in nature. [34361/10]

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1468 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the RF111A goods only declaration form to facilitate some private use of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32424/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1416 and 1468 together.

Form RF111A is a "goods only" declaration applicable where the goods rate of motor vehicle tax is being sought.

There are no plans at present to amend Form RF111A.

Local Authority Funding

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1417 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of development levies outstanding for each local authority over the past five years; the steps being taken to ensure payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34170/10]

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1490 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the development levies owing to each local authority for the past three years; if he will report on the help he is giving to those local authorities to recover monies outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33033/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1417 and 1490 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 537 and 538 of 8 July 2010.

Each planning authority is required to include details of contributions received in that year, together with information on how the contributions have been expended, in the statutory annual accounts of the authority. A new requirement was introduced for the financial year 2008 to include details in the annual financial statement of all accrued uncollected levies due to the planning authority.

The total debtor's figures supplied by the Local Authorities to the end of year 2008 amounted to €499 million. Information on the amount of development contributions due to planning authorities to the end of year 2009 will be available in March 2011, following a full audit by the Local Government Audit Service during the audit cycle 2010-2011.

Under the Planning Acts, the role of the Minister is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority. The adoption of individual development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply.

As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of any outstanding development contributions is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal accountancy procedures. Where any payments required in respect of development contributions are not settled, such payments may be pursued by the planning authority through the courts as a contract debt.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1418 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding being provided for Letterkenny’s new sewerage scheme; if he will indicate from whence this funding will come; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31701/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Donegal. The Letterkenny Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme with the treatment plant amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012, and a further network scheme to advance through planning in this period.

Earlier in 2010, I gave approval for funding to allow Donegal County Council to award the contract at a value of €25.87m for the wastewater treatment plant for the Letterkenny Sewerage Scheme. The contract will be funded on a shared basis between my Department and Donegal County Council but the exact amounts have yet to be determined.

Departmental Reports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1419 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to receive the Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2009 Report; and when will it be published. [31905/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I expect to receive the Service Indicators in Local Authorities Report 2009 from the Local Government Management Agency shortly. The Report will then be published by the Agency as soon as possible.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1420 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in respect of any State-owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when it received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31960/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The agencies operating under my Department's aegis are in the main non-commercial, undertaking quasi-judicial/ regulatory, advisory and developmental functions.

In some instances, due to the form and function of the body, there is no requirement for an annual report or accounts to be provided to my Department or the Government. Otherwise, preparation of its annual report is a matter for the body concerned, and my Department, following the presentation of the report, submits it to Government and/or arranges for the laying of the report before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The following table provides details for each agency under the aegis of my Department on this basis.

Agency

Date most recent annual report received

Date Report submitted to Government

Date Report laid before Houses of the Oireachtas

Affordable Homes Partnership

2009 Annual Report 13/03/10

Not yet submitted

Not yet laid

C&AG report and audit certificate awaited.

2008 Annual Report 16/12/09

8/03/10

15/03/10

An Bord Pleanála

2009 Annual Report 30/06/2010

Not yet submitted

Not yet laid

2008 Annual Report 30/06/2009

05/10/09

08/10/09

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

2009 Annual Report 28/06/10

09/07/10

27/07/10

2008 Annual Report 13/07/09

12/11/09

25/11/09

Environmental Protection Agency

2008 Annual Report 05/11/09

22/11/09

03/12/09

2007 Annual Report 03/07/08

08/07/08

22/07/08

Heritage Council

2009 Annual Report 06/07/10

N/a

See Note 1

2008 Annual Report 08/07/09

N/a

11/08/2009 See Note 1

Housing Finance Agency

2009 Annual Report 16/07/10

21/07/10

Not yet laid

2008 Annual Report 03/06/2009

02/07/09

30/07/09

Irish Water Safety

2008 Annual Report 26/08/09

04/09/09

09/09/09

2007 Annual Report 30/09/08

06/10/08

10/10/08

Limerick Regeneration (Northside and Southside)

2007 Annual Report 16/06/09

See Note 2

See Note 2

Local Government Computer Services Board

2008 Annual Report 18/09/09

N/a

10/11/09

2007 Annual Report18/09/09

N/a

10/11/09

Local Government Management Services Board

2008 Annual Report 06/2009

N/a

09/2008

2007 Annual Report 09/2008

N/a

09/2008

Agency

Date most recent annual report received

Date Report submitted to Government

Date Report laid before Houses of the Oireachtas

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC)

2008 Annual Report 09/09/09

N/a

29/09/09

2007 Annual Report 17/02/09

N/a

05/03/09

National Building Agency

2009 Annual Report 01/09/10

Not yet submitted

Not yet laid See Note 3

2008 Annual Report 02/12/09

21/12/09

22/12/09 See Note 3

Private Residential Tenancies Board

2008 Annual Report 17/09/09

18/09/09

24/09/09

2007 Annual Report 11/12/08

30/01/09

11/02/09

Rent Tribunal

2008 Annual Report 28/05/09

N/a

08/09/10

2007 Annual Report 17/10/08

N/a

12/08

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

2009 (draft) Annual Report 08/07/10

Not yet submitted

Not yet laid

2008 Annual Report13/11/09

08/12/09

21/12/09

Fire Services Council

2007 Annual Report 16/01/09

N/a

17/01/09

2006 Annual Report16/01/09

N/a

17/01/09

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

2009 Annual Report 06/06/10

16/07/10

20/07/10

2008 Annual Report 29/06/09

01/07/09

08/07/09

Comhar

Non-statutory body — no reporting requirements

Building Regulations Advisory Board (BRAB)

Non-statutory body — no reporting requirements

Designated Appeals Advisory Board

Non-statutory body — no reporting requirements

Note 1

The Heritage Act 1995 provides that a copy of the accounts of the Heritage Council together with a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's (C&AG) report on the accounts must be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. A copy of the 2009 accounts together with a copy of the C&AG's report on the accounts have not yet been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as a copy of the C&AG's report is awaited.

Note 2

This report relates to July — December 07, and it will be amalgamated with the 2008 report when received.

Note 3

The National Building Agency Act 1963 requires that the Agency’s Accounts and the Director’s Report be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Annual Report is not laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Tax Code

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1421 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amend the legislation in respect of the imposition of a €200 tax for second homes to allow local authorities to waiver in genuine circumstances the penalty of €20 per month per property imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32067/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

The Government decided to broaden the revenue base of local authorities through the introduction in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 of the charge on non-principal private residences. The charge is set at €200 per dwelling and is being levied and collected by local authorities. While the legislation makes no provision for any waiver of the charge or of any penalties due, section 9 of the Act places collection of the charge under the care and management of the relevant local authority.

I have no plans at present to amend the legislation.

Social and Affordable Housing

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1422 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding the rent to buy scheme as introduced by Fingal County Council to sell unsold affordable housing; if there are any plans to roll-out this scheme to all local authorities nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32069/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

Very considerable progress has been made on both the sale of affordable housing and the deployment of unsold affordable homes for other purposes, including temporary use under the social leasing or RAS schemes. While the sale of the affordable units on hand remains the preferred outcome, local authorities have available to them a range of options to bring these units into use and are supported in this regard by my Department and the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency.

I have no immediate plans to introduce a general rent-to-buy scheme across all local authorities because I do not believe such a scheme is needed in areas where there are only very small numbers of unsold units on hand. However, Dublin City Council, following approval by my Department, has recently launched a pilot scheme of "Rent to Buy" for a number of unsold affordable homes in three developments in Dublin City. I have asked Dublin City Council to prepare and submit a report on the operation of the pilot before the end of this year. This pilot will be reviewed before deciding whether it is appropriate to make such a scheme available in any other local authorities where there are significant numbers of unsold affordable homes.

Fire Stations

Pádraic McCormack
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Pádraic McCormack
Question:
1423 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be provided for a fire station in south Connemara in view of the population increase over the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32103/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981.

The Department's role is one of supporting and assisting fire authorities in delivering fire services through the provision of funding under the fire service capital programme and through setting of general policy.

Further investment in the fire service in Galway will be considered under future capital programmes having regard to the existing facilities, the level of activity, the proximity of other fire stations, the fire authority's priorities and the totality of demands of other fire authorities on the limited funds available under the fire services capital programme.

European Directives

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1424 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problems faced by the dairy and pig industries and the deficiencies in phosphate; his plans to review the nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32145/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the ‘Nitrates Regulations', give effect to the Nitrates Directive and constitute the legal basis for Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).

In accordance with the Regulations, Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme must be reviewed this year. A comprehensive public consultation process on proposed revisions to the NAP was initiated by my Department in June 2010. An Expert Advisory Group was established in July 2010 to provide an independent assessment of submissions made by interested parties as part of the consultation process. The issues referred to in the Question were among those raised in the submissions received.

The Expert Advisory Group presented its report to me and to my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, last week.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Group are now under consideration and will inform any adjustments to the existing NAP.

Departmental Expenditure

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1425 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount spent by the whole Department, by him, and by each junior Minister, on travel, fuel, accommodation, subsistence, advertising and credit cards for the years 2007 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32164/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

The information requested is set out in the following tables. No costs were incurred by my Department in respect of Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, or Minister of State, Deputy Ciarán Cuffe. Expenditure on advertising for 2008 and 2009 includes €4.9 million relating to the National Climate Change Campaign.

Whole Department (including Ministerial costs as set out in the tables following):

Year

2007

2008

2009

2010 (to date)

€

€

€

€

Travel

1,942,955.19

2,050,549.68

1,207,523.18

778,572.18

Accommodation

156,423.22

206,723.30

169,408.93

106,738.63

Subsistence

1,503,036.76

1,517,398.83

1,024,617.31

646,886.77

Vehicle Fuel

233,891.35

298,945.57

225,729.23

198,449.27

Advertising

1,596,416.53

5,236,673.95

2,786,471.59

316,028.31

Credit Cards

37,461.54

61,731.89

27,003.89

17,485.86

Minister John Gormley TD (expenditure incurred June 2007 to date)

Year

2007

2008

2009

2010 (to date)

€

€

€

€

Travel

22,368.38

25,407.78

7,580.38

3,794.75

Accommodation

5,946.35

12,015.99

4,603.02

984.93

Subsistence

2,429.54

1,697.09

3,965.94

2,704.96

Vehicle Fuel

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Advertising

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Credit Cards

5,789.05

14,421.42

4,940.79

1,379.58

Minister of State Michael Finneran TD (expenditure incurred April 2009 to date)

Year

2008

2009

2010 (to date)

€

€

€

Travel

29,318.92

35,022.01

29,326.67

Accommodation

364.50

Nil

420.86

Subsistence

Nil

1,864.90

1,734.68

Vehicle Fuel

Nil

Nil

Nil

Advertising

Nil

Nil

Nil

Credit Cards

2,779.41

7,872.80

5,605.50

Minister of State Michael Kitt TD (expenditure incurred May 2008 – April 2009)

Year

2008

2009

€

€

Travel

21,306.28

16,732.34

Accommodation

Nil

819.82

Subsistence

Nil

266.04

Vehicle Fuel

Nil

Nil

Advertising

Nil

Nil

Credit Cards

1,062.44

1,039.42

Minister of State Tony Killeen TD (expenditure incurred June 2007 – May 2008)

Year

2007

2008

€

€

Travel

18,778.19

20,105.90

Accommodation

399.80

890.30

Subsistence

180.00

2,860.02

Vehicle Fuel

Nil

Nil

Advertising

Nil

Nil

Credit Cards

871.78

2,298.79

Minister of State Batt O'Keeffe TD (expenditure incurred January 2007 to May 2008)

Year

2007

2008

€

€

Travel

37,897.98

56,097.15

Accommodation

2,896.42

2,334.45

Subsistence

6,343.53

2,491.26

Vehicle Fuel

Nil

Nil

Advertising

Nil

Nil

Credit Cards

1,740.29

Nil

Minister Dick Roche TD (expenditure incurred January 2007 to June 2007)

Year

2007

€

Travel

14,588.57

Accommodation

1,728.21

Subsistence

1,086.84

Vehicle Fuel

Nil

Advertising

Nil

Credit Cards

1,087.07

Minister of State Noel Ahern (expenditure incurred January 2007 to June 2007)

Year

2007

€

Travel

22,328.71

Accommodation

795.41

Subsistence

1,076.58

Vehicle Fuel

29.43

Advertising

Nil

Credit Cards

Nil

Environmental Risk Assessments

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1426 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the EPA and GSI classification of four sites at Tynagh Mines, County Galway, his Department will undertake a full environmental risk assessment; and if there is any ongoing monitoring at these sites. [32171/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The remediation of mine sites or the further investigation of such sites from an environmental risk point of view is not a matter for my Department. In line with best environmental practice, individual Ministers are responsible for the environmental implications of their own policy areas and programmes. In that regard, I understand that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has met with relevant Departments to coordinate the State's response to historic mines.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1427 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency offices; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32274/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The information requested in respect of staff employed in Ministerial constituency offices is set out in the following tables:

Minister

Year

No of staff

Grade/Salary Scale

John Gormley T.D.

2010

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

1

Clerical Officer

2009

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

2 × 0.5 Personal Secretaries

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

2.5

Clerical Officer

2008

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

2 × 0.5 Personal Secretaries

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

2.5

Clerical Officer

2007 (part)

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

2 × 0.5 Personal Secretaries

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

3.5

Clerical Officer

Dick Roche T.D

29 September, 2004 to June 2007

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

2

Clerical Officer

Minister of State

Year

No of staff

Grade/Salary Scale

Michael Finneran T.D

2010

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

2

Clerical Officer

2009

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

3

Clerical Officer

From June 2008

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

1

Executive Officer

2

Clerical Officer

Michael Kitt T.D.

From May 2008 to April 2009

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

1

Clerical Officer

Batt O’Keeffe T.D

2004-2008

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

1

Executive Officer

2

Clerical Officer

Noel Ahern T.D

2002-2007

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

2

Clerical Officer

Tony Killeen T.D

2007-2008

1 Personal Assistant

Higher Executive Officer

1 Personal Secretary

Executive Officer

2

Executive Officer

1

Clerical Officer

Staffing arrangements for the Office of the Minister of State with responsibility for Older People, Aine Brady, T.D, and her predecessor Maire Hoctor T.D., are matters for the Department of Health and Children. Similarly, staffing arrangements for Ciaran Cuffe, T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Sustainable Transport, Horticulture and Planning and Heritage are dealt with by the Department of Transport. These Ministers of State do not, or did not, have constituency offices in my Department.

The salary scales for all administrative grades are available on the Department of Finance website (www.finance.gov.ie).

The following travel and subsistence costs were payable in the 2004-2010 period in respect of Ministerial Constituency offices:

Grade

Office

Year

Amount

€

Personal Assistant

Minister of State O’Keeffe

2004

1,383.26

Personal Assistant

Minister Roche

2005

1,968.95

2006

1,732.47

2007

3,040.47

Clerical Officer

Minister of State Finneran

2009

216.19

2010

65.63

The Constituency offices are located in the Custom House, which is in State ownership, with the exception of 1 Clerical Officer who is located in Minister of State Finneran's constituency office in Roscommon and for which my Department does not incur accommodation costs.

My Department does not hold any information on the current estimated value of the offices which are matters appropriate to the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Utilities and essential services costs are charged to the Ministerial subheads as a whole and cannot be broken down between Ministerial constituency and Private offices.

The following Miscellaneous costs for Ministerial Constituency offices since 2004 have been identified:-

Year

Minister

Purpose

Cost

€

2004

Nil

2005

Minister Roche

Carpeting of Constituency Office

2,942.04

2006

Minister Roche

Painting of Personal Assistant’s office

3,048.61

2007

Minister of State Finneran

Carpeting of Constituency Office

2,032.80

Minister of State Finneran

Painting of Constituency Office

3,171.50

Minister of State Killeen

Painting of Constituency Office

2,526.21

Minister of State Killeen

Fitting blinds to Personal Assistant’s Office

189.99

Minister of State O’Keeffe

Newspapers

95.80

2008

Minister of State Kitt

Furniture for Constituency Office

5,207.84

Minister of State O’Keeffe

Newspapers

700.70

Minister of State Finneran

Newspapers

588.45

2009

Minister of State Finneran

Newspapers

2,359.55

2010

Nil

In addition the following printing and office machinery costs in respect of Constituency Offices have been identified:

Item

Minister/Minister of State

Cost

PaymentDate

€

Headed paper

Minister Roche

150.04

23/05.05

Photocopier

Minister O’Keeffe

3,563.45

08/02/06

Fax machine

Minister O’Keeffe

695.76

31/08/07

Headed paper

Minister O’Keeffe

131.89

25/02/08

Photocopier

Minister Kitt

5,868.50

04/07/08

Letterheads

Minister Finneran

136.13

25/07/08

Fax machine

Minister Finneran

663.08

29/07/08

Complimentary slips

Minister Finneran

799.21

05/08/08

Fax toners

Minister Kitt

165.22

16/03/09

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1428 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to cull the mink population in view of the damage being caused to the appropriate balance of our national habitat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32467/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

Mink found in the wild in Ireland are descended from animals that escaped from fur farms. They have been breeding in the countryside since the 1950s and are now found throughout much of the country.

A report published by my Department in 2009 estimated that the potential population of wild mink in the State was between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals. The report identified ground nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation. Accordingly, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species including red-throated diver, corncrake, grey partridge, waders and terns from a range of predators including mink. Experience has shown that targeted control of predators at specific times can have a significant benefit to the breeding success of these species. This year some €50,000 will be spent on this work.

As wild mink are not protected under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 they can be controlled by landowners and their agents.

Social and Affordable Housing

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
1429 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social housing units in existence here on 1 January 2010; the number of units in the following categories, namely, local authority, approved housing bodies and rental accommodation scheme tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32484/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

Information on the number of local authority tenancies and the numbers of households supported through the Rental Accommodation Scheme to the end of 2008 can be found in my Department's annual Housing Statistics Bulletins which are available on Full details for the year ending 31 December 2009 will be published on the website in the coming weeks.

Approved Voluntary and Co-Operative housing bodies provide some 23,000 units of accommodation to meet the needs of various categories of tenants including older people, people with a physical or intellectual disability, the homeless, the elderly, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. Details of the number of units provided per year by the sector over the period 1999 to 2008 are also set out in the annual Housing Statistics Bulletins.

Tax Collection

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
1430 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the circumstances that led to an underdeclaration of PAYE, PRSI by Donegal County Council in respect of the period January to March 2010 resulting in interest and penalties in excess of €250,000 following a revenue audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32508/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

The establishment and maintenance of financial systems, accounts, reporting and record keeping procedures are a matter for the local authority concerned. However, I would expect that all local authorities ensure compliance in relation to taxation matters.

In order to enhance existing financial management and audit control systems, the role of audit committees in local authorities has been expanded in line with best practice. An audit committee, with both councillor and expert external membership, is now in place in each county and city council and will further enhance financial management practices in local government.

Each Local Authority is required to prepare and publish a financial statement in respect of each financial year. These financial statements are audited by the Local Government Audit Service which provides an independent and professional public sector audit service to the Local Government sector.

My Department continues to work closely with local authorities on all matters relating to local government finances.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1431 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32851/10]

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1481 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented; if not, the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32836/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1431 and 1481 together.

In general, offices and properties occupied by the Department are rented by the OPW, rather than directly by the Department. Details of property rented directly are set out as follows.

The Department, at the end of 2009, entered into an arrangement whereby its National Monuments Service will occupy a proportion of an archival and storage facility as a sub-lessee of the National Museum of Ireland. This shared arrangement, in optimal accommodation and environmental conditions, will ensure satisfactory long-term preservation and protection of a range of valuable archaeological materials of common interest to both bodies. The Department's share of the rental costs, amounting to €105,000 for the period to the end of 2011, was paid to the National Museum of Ireland in December 2009. The Department's share of the running costs is likely to be in the order of €70,000 for 2011. Costs are allocated on the basis of floor space, with the National Monuments Service occupying 2,782 m2, which is 14% of the overall space. The terms of the sub-lease are currently being finalised and the National Monuments Service is currently in the process of moving archaeological material into the facility.

The Department pays €25,350 annually in rent and ancillary costs to the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of its share of a premises occupied by Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels. The costs are apportioned between relevant Departments on the basis of staff numbers assigned to the Representation and my Department does not hold records relating to the building size or the terms of the lease.

Met Éireann rents premises from Dublin Airport Authority at Dublin and Shannon Airports. Annual rental and service charge costs are approximately €45,521 and €17,864 respectively for an area of €130.6 m2 at Dublin Airport and €87,564 and €44,219 respectively for an area of 364.33 m2 at Shannon. Non-office space is also rented at Cork Airport with an annual rent of €1,239. No car parking is allocated in any of the locations. None of the aforementioned space is currently unoccupied.

The Department is also renting storage space in Galway and Cork. The costs associated with Galway are €1,200 per annum for the rental of a small storage unit, while the rental cost for the space in Cork, which is 520.26 m2, is €21,870.

Planning Issues

Jimmy Deenihan
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Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1432 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the laying out of a development (details supplied) in County Kerry was declared exempt by An Bord Pleanála and the High Court prior to the introduction of the E.U. Habitats Directive in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33075/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

My Department is aware of the planning history of this case including the decision of the High Court referred to in the question.

The dune system at Inch is designated for protection as part of a candidate Special Area of Conservation for habitats and a Special Protection Area for birds. Under the terms of the Habitats Directive, any proposed project likely to have a significant effect on the site must be subject to appropriate assessment. This is provided for in the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. This assessment must be undertaken by the relevant consent authority. This is the planning authority, in a case where planning permission is being sought, or my Department as the competent authority where proposed works on such a site are considered to be a notifiable activity.

My Department recently met with the owner of the lands in question and has explained the situation.

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1433 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the dispute resolution system in the Private Residential Tenancies Board and specifically in respect of retention of deposit by landlords; if he will quantify such occurrences; the number of cases that have been adjudicated and a stated summary of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33080/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), as it is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

However dispute resolution statistics are published as part of the annual report of the PRTB and available on their website at www.prtb.ie.

Social and Affordable Housing

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1434 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding entitlement to local authority housing for parents of a family who had an apartment, sold it to buy somewhere bigger for the children, lost their jobs before securing a new dwelling, and are now told they cannot go on the waiting list for housing because they once owned property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33084/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
Share

There is no provision in current housing legislation that precludes a household, who may have owned a home previously, from being included on a local authority waiting list, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set down by the housing authority. It is a matter solely for the housing authority concerned to determine whether any applicant for social housing support is eligible for and in need of that support in consideration of that applicant's particular circumstances.

Water Charges

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1435 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost per 1,000 gallons of water supplied to farmers by each County Council in which these water charges apply. [33138/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
Share

Under the Government's Water Pricing Policy, local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services from all non-domestic customers, including farmers. Local authorities apply charges for water services per cubic metre (equivalent to 1,000 litres) consumed. The information regarding the charge per cubic metre for water services set by local authorities for 2010 is set out in the following table.

Charge for water services by Local Authority for 2010

Local Authority

€ per cubic metre

Carlow

2.30

Cavan

2.51

Clare

2.94

Cork City

2.35

Cork

2.16

Donegal

2.31

Dublin City

1.72

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown

2.32

Fingal

1.82

South Dublin

1.88

Galway City

1.75

Galway

2.28

Kerry

1.93

Kildare

1.49

Kilkenny

2.89

Laois

2.45

Leitrim

2.28

Limerick City

2.30

Limerick

2.60

Longford

2.40

Louth

1.90

Mayo

2.26

Meath

2.65

Monaghan

2.11

Offaly

2.40

Roscommon

2.39

Sligo

2.42

North Tipperary

2.40

South Tipperary

2.00

Waterford City

2.35

Waterford

2.66

Westmeath

2.45

Wexford

2.71

Wicklow

3.04

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1436 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address the issue of leakages in the water pipeline network and the proposed amounts allocated for same. [33139/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Water conservation is a key element of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The primary objective of water conservation is to reduce water loss in the distribution networks to an economic level and to address unacceptably high levels of unaccounted for water. Local authorities are required to give top priority to water conservation works as an alternative to new infrastructure provision.

Mains rehabilitation is an integral part of local authority water conservation strategies, whereby water distribution pipelines are relined or replaced, and is a key priority under the 2010-2012 Programme. Last year, at my Department's request, local authorities carried out assessments of needs to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works, including mains rehabilitation works, in their areas.

In their needs assessments, local authorities identified mains rehabilitation works with a value of some €320 million which have been included in the new Programme as contracts due to commence over the period of the Programme. Funding is particularly targeted at areas where the level of unaccounted for water is unacceptably high. Over time, this investment should lead to marked reductions in unaccounted for water and progress will continue to be monitored on an annual basis through the local authority service indicator process.

Planning Issues

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1437 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will carry out an audit of all buildings constructed before 2007-08 which have been damaged by the defective pyrite infill; if he has asked the local authorities to carry out such an audit; if he will draw up a national plan to tackle the pyrites disaster including a full investigation and remediation process for all householders in north and west Dublin and the mid-Leinster region whose homes have been affected by pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33180/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I refer to the reply to Question No 516 of 8 July 2010 which deals comprehensively with the issue of pyrite. There are no proposals under consideration for an audit along the lines suggested to be undertaken.

Motor Taxation

Ned O'Keeffe
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Ned O'Keeffe
Question:
1438 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a standardised policy in place throughout the country within each local authority, motor taxation, in respect of a specific issue (details supplied) and if his attention has been drawn to different practices from county to county and if he will ensure that a uniform policy is put in place. [33277/10]

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1517 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarity the Circular MT 4/2010 issued in respect of the taxation of goods, vehicles and adapted goods vehicles; the situation for persons who are required by some authorities to include their income tax registration number as well as their revenue registration identity number which in some cases maybe their VAT number; if he intends to introduce a universal system applicable to all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33746/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1438 and 1517 together.

My Department recently issued a circular reminding local authorities of existing procedures in relation to the taxation of goods vehicles.

Under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992, a licensing authority must be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed, and it is thus open to a motor tax office to seek additional documentation supporting a claim for the goods rate of motor tax. Such documentation may include a certificate of commercial insurance or evidence of registration for VAT purposes, or, at the discretion of the licensing authority concerned, any other appropriate document. In circumstances where an RF111A Goods Only Declaration is required, an income tax registration number is now routinely sought.

It is not expected that any person genuinely using a vehicle in the course of trade or business should have a difficulty supplying documentation to support a claim for what is, in effect, a concessionary rate of motor tax.

Planning Issues

Thomas Byrne
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Thomas Byrne
Question:
1439 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in respect of a document (details supplied) if the matter is solely a matter for the elected members of the relevant local authority; if he has any role in approving the said document; if he would have any role in the implementation of the document if approved by the elected members; if he can amend the said document if passed by the said elected members; and if he can himself bring into force the said document if the elected members fail to approve the said document. [33620/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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Meath County Council undertook, in their County Development Plan 2007-2013, to explore the designation of a Landscape Conservation Area, pursuant to section 204 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010, in respect of the Tara and Skryne areas. Furthermore, the County Meath Heritage Plan 2007-2011 also includes an action to seek to pilot the development and adoption of a Landscape Conservation Area.

The making, reviewing and varying of a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority for the area. Equally, the adoption of individual landscape conservation areas is also a reserved function and it is a matter for the members to make, modify or refuse to make an order under section 204 of the Planning and Development Acts.

Before making an order under section 204, the Planning Authority must consult with any State authority, including the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, where it considers that any order relates to the functions of a State authority.

The Planning Acts also provide that, notwithstanding the exempted development set out under section 4 of the Planning Acts, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may prescribe development, for the purpose of section 204, which shall not be exempted development.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1440 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to any instances (details supplied) where the courts or local authorities have, following enforcement action, adjourned or reached settlement where the effect is to give the developer a defined period of tolerance; and if his attention has been drawn to any instances in which the courts or local authorities have following enforcement action adjourned or reached settlement when the effect is to give the developer a defined period of tolerance. [33898/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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My Department gathers aggregate data on enforcement activity from planning authorities, including data on the number of enforcement notices issued under sections 154 and 155 of the Planning Act and the number of prosecutions initiated on foot of these enforcement notices.

While my Department may be informed from time to time of particular cases relating to enforcement action or resolutions, it is primarily the responsibility of planning authorities to administer the development management process within their area, to provide for proper enforcement of planning control and to take all appropriate steps to ensure that development takes place in compliance with national and EU law.

Proposed Legislation

Charlie O'Connor
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Charlie O'Connor
Question:
1441 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm his plans for the election of mayor of Dublin; if he will outline consultations and contacts he has had with the four Dublin local authorities on the matter; when he expects the election to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31690/10]

Charlie O'Connor
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Charlie O'Connor
Question:
1524 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will present a report on his plans for the election of a Dublin mayor; the schedule being followed in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33934/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1441 and 1524 together.

The public commitment to introduce a directly elected Dublin Mayor has been a priority since the Government took office. The Green Paper on Local Government, published in early 2008, outlined the various options in regard to the establishment of the office, its functions and responsibilities. Consultation both preceded and followed the Green Paper's publication. In February 2010 the general scheme of the mayoral legislation was published on my Department's website. My Department has also been engaging with the four Dublin local authorities in relation to preparations for the introduction of the Mayor.

The development of the mayoral legislation has been steadily pursued since publication of the general scheme. Government has approved the text of the Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010, and the presentation of the Bill which will occur very shortly. Elections will follow as soon as possible after the enactment of the Bill.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1442 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide funding for the new sewerage system at the Bredagh River, Moville, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31692/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Moville/Greencastle Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 as a scheme to advance through planning during the lifetime of the Programme. My Department is awaiting the submission by Donegal County Council of the Preliminary Report for the scheme.

Planning Issues

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1443 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 29 June 2010, if he will amend the retail planning guidelines to require supermarkets and department stores above specified size to provide public toilets to help persons who suffer from incontinence to lead a normal life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31841/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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As stated in the reply to Question No. 489 of 29 June 2010, I have no function in the matter. The are no provisions in planning legislation or the Retail Planning Guidelines regarding the issue in question, and I do not intend to amend the Retail Planning Guidelines in this regard.

However, in certain circumstances and in the case of new buildings the Building Regulations require the provision of certain sanitary facilities for staff and customers, the requirement for the latter being in respect of buildings greater than 1,000m².

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1444 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Kinvara sewerage scheme, County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the detail design has been sent to his Department for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31886/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Kinvara Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012.

My Department is currently examining Galway County Council's design review report for the scheme and a decision on the report will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible. Once approved, the Council can then proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1445 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a decision has been made on the cost of bringing the water from Loughrea to Kilrickle, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31926/10]

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1522 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding grant aid for a water scheme (details supplied) in County Galway; the cost of the proposed pipeline from Loughrea to Kilrickle; if the provision of water for the water scheme will form part of the Loughrea town augmentation project; if he has received detailed costings from Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1445 and 1522 together.

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Loughrea Water Treatment Plant element of the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme is included amongst the list of schemes in the county to advance through planning during the period of this Programme.

Galway County Council submitted a revised Preliminary Report for the overall Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme to the Department in February 2010. As part of my Department's ongoing assessment of this Report, my Department is also examining Galway County Council's most recent cost estimates for its proposals to provide a water supply from Loughrea to Kilreekil which were submitted in August 2010.

A decision on the Report, including the cost estimates, will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible. However, it should be noted that, although upgrading the treatment plant is a pre-requisite to providing a water supply to Kilreekil village, the Council's proposals to connect Kilreekil to the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme are not part of this project at this time.

I have included a review process as one of a number of new measures in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, under which the Programme will be reviewed and updated annually to allow for any re-prioritisation required. The format and timing of the review process has still to be decided by my Department. When finalised, it will be a matter for Galway County Council to decide whether to submit the trunk main to Kilreekil element of the Loughrea Regional Water Supply Scheme to my Department for consideration for inclusion in the new Programme.

Insofar as the Kilreekil Group Water Scheme is concerned, responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The advancement of individual group schemes under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant funding provided, is, therefore, a matter for the relevant local authority i.e. Galway County Council in this case.

Social and Affordable Housing

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1446 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be made available for a project (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31971/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the local authority.

An outline proposal has recently been received from Galway County Council in respect of the provision of 14 units of accommodation by the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Further documentation has been sought from the Council and on receipt of this information the proposal will be considered in the light of available funding and competing demands across all local authorities.

Proposed Legislation

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1447 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32021/10]

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1458 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 or move the Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2010 published by Deputy John O’Donoghue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32170/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1486 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will move a Bill (details supplied) or amend the 2007 Act with particular reference to a certain clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32938/10]

Alan Shatter
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Alan Shatter
Question:
1491 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the Private Members’ Bill published by Deputy O’Donoghue to amend the Building Control Act 2007; if he intends to introduce his own Bill further addressing the registration of architects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33034/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1447, 1458, 1486 and 1491 together.

Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the detailed requirements for registration of the title of "Architect". Section 14 of the Act sets out the eligibility criteria for registration in the statutory register of architects. It also includes a provision to address the position of practically trained persons in that it includes a category for those who have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure, that is practising architecture for a minimum period of 10 years in the State.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, which is designated as registration body for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007, has established an Admissions Board and a Technical Assessment Board so that the registration process may commence in the near future. The RIAI has appointed architects to the boards and I have appointed the Chairpersons and non-architect majority to both boards. Section 22 of the Act sets out the procedures for the operation of the Technical Assessment Board.

The Act provides for an appeal against a decision of the Technical Assessment Board to an Appeals Board which will be appointed shortly. The Appeals Board will also have an independent Chairperson and a majority of lay members. An appeal to the High Court can also ultimately be made against a decision of the Appeals Board or any other Board or Committee.

I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 at present. Much time and effort has gone into the design and implementation of the statutory registration process and I believe that, once fully operational, the merits of the process will become evident.

Waste Management

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1448 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received correspondence from Wicklow County Council in respect of the granting of a waste permit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32075/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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In January 2010, Wicklow County Council passed a resolution calling on me to hold an enquiry into the granting by Wicklow Council of a waste permit in 2003 for certain lands at Ballybeg, County Wicklow, and the role of my Department in relation to an earlier investigation into the matter. The matter is currently under consideration and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Pádraic McCormack
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Pádraic McCormack
Question:
1449 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage treatment scheme for Oughterard Village, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32094/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Galway. The Oughterard Sewerage Scheme is included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012.

My Department awaits Galway County Council's design review report for the scheme. Once the report is submitted and approved by my Department, the Council can then proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.

EU Directives

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1450 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give an update on any infringement proceedings initiated for failure to submit the river basin management plans on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32107/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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In accordance with the Water Framework Directive, the deadlines for publication and reporting of river basin management plans were 22 December 2009 and 22 March 2010 respectively. The European Commission issued a Letter of Formal Notice to Ireland on 3 June 2010 for not meeting these deadlines.

At the date of receipt of the letter, the process of adoption of the plans was well advanced and has since been finalised. A response to the letter issued on 28 July 2010, confirming that plans for all 7 river basin districts were completed and published on 6 July.

As the obligation to publish and report the plans has now been met, I expect that the European Commission will close the infringement proceedings shortly.

Local Authority Boundaries

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1451 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No 146 of 4 March 2009 when he expects to publish his decision in relation to the Clare-Limerick boundary issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32110/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The report of the Limerick Local Government Committee, published earlier this month, contains the Committee's recommendations in relation to the current structures of local government in Limerick.

Greater local government coherence in Limerick is necessary for many reasons, including to help support regional development, improve the business environment and to play its role in the major regeneration efforts currently underway.

I intend to act in relation to Limerick, and will bring proposals to Government for discussion, with a view to early implementation of the Government's decisions.

Local Authority Housing

Bernard Allen
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Bernard Allen
Question:
1452 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when grant approval will be given to proceed to tender and contract stage for a housing project which is being carried out in partnership with the Health Service Executive and Cork County Council in view of the fact that the association has secured an appropriate site and relevant approvals including full planning permission for the project and are now awaiting grant approval to proceed to tender and contract stage. [32121/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Despite the current challenges facing the public finances, my Department continues to prioritise and support the voluntary and co-operative housing sector as it addresses housing need across the country, and in particular as it meets the needs of individuals and groups with special needs.

In addition to the broad programme of Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) projects already under construction, in January 2010 I announced a further programme of 64 projects to deliver over 900 new units of accommodation over a two year period. This ambitious programme of new projects was identified following consideration of each proposal received, the relative priority afforded to the projects by the local authorities concerned and the competing demands across all local authorities.

The project in question, twenty units for older people at Killavullen, Co. Cork, was not included in the overall programme for 2010 primarily because it was not afforded a sufficiently high priority by Cork County Council. It remains a matter for Cork County Council to submit it as a priority project under any future call for proposals for new construction projects. The more recent call for proposals was a special measure to facilitate the voluntary and co-operative sector in taking advantage of favourable market conditions and to purchase newly built properties or properties nearing completion. As a new construction project, these twenty houses at Killavullen do not fall into this category. Having regard to then available resources, I expect to issue a further call for new construction projects in 2011 at which time Cork County Council may wish to submit the project concerned for consideration.

Planning Issues

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1453 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32143/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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The making, reviewing and varying of a local area plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority for the area. The statutory consultation process for such plans is set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended; any person can make a submission on a draft plan, including in relation to zoning issues, to the planning authority within the statutory timescales provided.

I understand that Galway County Council has received a submission on the matter raised in this Question and is preparing a response to it in the Manager's Report to the elected members, recommending that an appropriate reference be included in the draft Tuam local area plan.

Local Authority Funding

Brendan Howlin
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Brendan Howlin
Question:
1454 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in view of increasingly difficult trading conditions in the hotel sector, if he will explore alternative sources of funding for local authorities so as to reduce the level of their dependency on commercial rates levied on hotels, in order to mitigate loss of employment in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32147/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.

The Report of the independent Local Government Efficiency Review Group, published in mid July, includes 106 recommendations for efficiency and other savings of €511m for the local government sector to be attained in the short, medium and long terms. These savings are comprised of €346m in efficiencies and €165m in improved cost recovery and revenue raising. The Group's focus was on removing costs in the local government sector and to ensure that efforts are directed towards improving and extending the delivery of local public services in the most efficient and effective way. The Report's findings and recommendations will be considered as necessary by Government in the appropriate policy and financial contexts.

As recommended in the Report, I propose to establish an implementation group with an independent chairperson to oversee implementation of relevant recommendations.

Planning Issues

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1455 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide the names and addresses and country of origin of the panel of personnel investigating alleged malpractice of planning matters relating to six local authorities; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32150/10]

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1471 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received a report on alleged planning irregularities in a number of local authorities; when he received this report; when he plans to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32465/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1455 and 1471 together.

My Department published a request for tenders on www.etenders.gov.ie on 24 September with a view to establishing a panel of experts to assist as necessary in the review of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level. Issues raised with my Department across a number of planning authorities, and the authorities' responses to these issues, will be used as an input to the review.

The closing date for receipt of tenders is 22 October. I intend to establish the panel of experts and have the review completed as soon as possible after that.

Animal Welfare

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1456 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action that has been taken against coursing clubs who break section 44 of the Wildlife Act by removing hares from islands without permission. [32152/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1502 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take against coursing clubs who allegedly breached section 44 of the Wildlife Act by removing hares from islands without the permission of the landowners (details supplied); the steps that are being taken to prevent a recurrence. [33252/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1456 and 1502 together.

My Department has issued a licence to the Irish Coursing Club to capture live hares under the Wildlife Acts for the 2010-2011 season. The licence states that it does not authorise any person to enter on any land without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land. Under the Wildlife Acts my Department can initiate prosecutions against Coursing Clubs where there is evidence that they have entered on lands to capture hares without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land.

My Department is currently investigating a number of allegations in relation to the unlawful capturing of hares by coursing clubs during the 2009-2010 season.

Local Authority Staff

Aengus Ó Snodaigh
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Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:
1457 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if sanction and the required funding will be given to Dublin City Council to allow it to fill the vacancies in the Dublin Fire Brigade, which currently has to rely on the more costly option of paying overtime to have a full complement of fire fighting officers on duty at all times (details supplied). [32167/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible, including the employment of outdoor staff and general operatives, in compliance with the relevant public sector recruitment and employment law requirements.

My Department has a delegated sanction from the Department of Finance for implementation of the general moratorium on the filling of public sector posts in the Local Authority Sector, on the condition that the overall staffing levels in the local authority sector are to be reduced significantly by the end of 2010 in adherence to the Government's Policy on Staffing and Numbers in the Public Sector.

Applications for sanction are dealt with on a case by case basis. There are currently no outstanding sanction requests with my Department, from Dublin City Council, in relation to fire-fighter posts.

Question No. 1458 answered with Question No. 1447.

Social and Affordable Housing

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
1459 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the consideration that he has given to the institution of a probationary period at the commencement of social housing tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32180/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Probationary tenancies are not currently available under the existing legal framework. Local authority tenancies are given on a weekly basis.

Section 29 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides for the prescription of different forms of tenancy to be used by housing authorities, including whether tenancies are for a periodic or fixed term. This section has not yet been commenced; however the need for and appropriateness of probationary tenancies will be considered prior to commencement and in consultation with local authorities.

Water Meters

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1460 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of water meters and the length of time it will take to install them in the Dublin city area. [32219/10]

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1466 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in relation to the proposed introduction of domestic water charges, any preparatory work has been put into the way apartment dwellers will be charged; and if individual water meters will be installed in each apartment or will it be up to management companies to control the supply and resultant charges. [32398/10]

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1500 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans that are proposed or in place to install water meters in private homes and the estimated costs of the installation of these meters. [33137/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1460, 1466 and 1500 together.

The renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce charges for water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. Proposals are being developed by my Department on the approach to be taken to the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies, including households in apartment blocks and other multi-occupancy buildings. The proposals will take account of international practice in relation to metering.

The costs of installing meters in the Dublin city area, like in other local authority areas, will depend on a number of factors including the costs of the meters, the tender proposals that are received during the procurement process and the number of properties which had meter boxes installed during construction. These factors will vary the costs of metering both within and across local authorities.

Planning Issues

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1461 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32220/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, local authorities are required to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become or continue to be a derelict site. To this end, they have been given substantial powers under the Act in relation to any such sites, including powers to require specified measures to be taken in relation to a derelict site, to impose a levy on derelict sites, or to compulsorily acquire any derelict site. I expect local authorities to use their statutory powers as they consider appropriate.

Building Regulations generally apply to the construction of a new building, to the extension and material alteration of an existing building and to the material change of use of an existing building. Where a building control authority, Galway County Council in this case, considers that construction works or a change of use coming within the scope of the Building Regulations may give rise to a risk to the health and safety of persons who may be in or about the building or works, it may apply (under section 12 of the Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007) to the High Court or Circuit Court for an order requiring the following:

the removal, alteration or making safe of any structure, service, fitting or equipment; or

the discontinuance of any works; or

the restriction or prohibition of the use of the building until any of the above requirements has been effected.

Enforcement of the Building Regulations is the responsibility of Galway County Council as the Building Control Authority for the area.

I understand from Galway County Council, that as the related planning permission for the development has expired, a re-inspection of the site will be carried out by a Planning Enforcement Officer as soon as possible.

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1462 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the amount of funding allocated to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority for housing, including social and affordable housing for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32360/10]

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1477 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give details of all capital allocations made to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority by his Department in each of the years 2007 to 2009; the output and outcomes for this expenditure; if he will give specific details relating to any property or land exchanges during this period and if he will indicate the source and amount of finance required to pay interest on the loan transaction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32771/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1462 and 1477 together.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority has not generally been in receipt of capital allocations to fund its activities. In general, the Authority has funded its operations and social regeneration agenda through its property development functions.

However, some €5.4m was allocated the Authority, in the form of site subsidies for affordable housing, during the period 2007-2010, with annual payments set out in the following table:

Year

Funding

2007

€4.15m

2008

€1.05m

2009

€0.25m

2010

Nil

In addition, funding of some €14.2 million has also been provided to the Dublin Docklands Housing Trust for the acquisition of social housing units during the years 2008 and 2009, of which €1.7million was paid to the Revenue Commissioners by the Authority in respect of VAT on the sales price of the units.

In terms of property or land exchanges completed by the Authority in the years 2007 to 2009, a total of €20.3 million was spent in acquiring three different sites / properties and €15 million expenditure was incurred by the Authority in the purchase of 62 affordable units.

In relation to the information sought as to the source and amount of finance required to pay interest on the Becbay loan transaction, it should be borne in mind that, as a commercial State body, it is in the first instance the responsibility of the Authority to manage its financial affairs within its statutory parameters. I understand that the Authority maintains regular contact with all of its lenders in respect of its ongoing commitments and is also engaging with the National Asset Management Agency regarding the repayment of its share of the loans to the Becbay joint venture. The Authority paid interest charges totalling €9.2m in respect of the Becbay loans for the years 2007 and 2008, partly from its own funds and partly from its line of credit through National Irish Bank. The Authority's annual interest charges of €4.4 million for 2009 and 2010 remain outstanding.

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1463 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the number of staff employed by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; the duties carried out by the staff; if there are any building works or planning applications currently in progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32361/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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In the context of addressing its financial circumstances and progressing towards a break-even operating position, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has put in place a radically reduced organisational structure. In this regard, staff numbers in the Authority have been reduced from 64 in January 2009 to 27 at present, and will further reduce to 24 by the end of 2010. The role of the Authority's staff is to provide support to all of the Authority's programmes including area regeneration, social regeneration, and marketing and support services.

Activity in relation to planning applications and building works currently in progress in the Docklands area is a matter for the Authority.

Building Regulations

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1464 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations that are planned or in place for home heating oil tanks and the bunding of such tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32362/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Building Regulations 1997 — 2009 set out the legal requirements in relation to the well-being and safety of persons in and around buildings. Part J (Heat Producing Appliances) of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations addresses, among other things, safety concerns in relation to oil storage tanks. Section 5 of the accompanying Technical Guidance Document J — Heat Producing Appliances outlines how the legal requirements in relation to oil storage tanks can be achieved in practice for buildings, including dwellings. In general the intent of the legal requirements and the accompanying guidance is to provide protection against the risks of fire and leakage.

It is intended that my Department will undertake a review of Part J of the Building Regulations in 2011. The requirements and technical guidance in relation to oil storage tanks will be examined as part of this review. Any proposed changes to the regulations will be preceded by a full public consultation and a Regulatory Impact Analysis.

Motor Taxation

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1465 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way a vehicle owned by a registered charity and used for charitable purposes will be categorised for motor tax; if a registered charity will be required to sign a declaration for the gardaí about the use of such a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32377/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The basis of assessment of motor tax is generally governed by the construction and use of a vehicle. As with any vehicle, the rate of taxation applicable for a vehicle owned by a charity varies depending on whether the vehicle is a goods vehicle or a passenger vehicle.

For a vehicle to be taxed as a goods vehicle by any owner, it must be constructed or adapted as a goods vehicle and used solely in the course of trade or business. The existing procedures applicable to any claim for the goods rate of motor tax apply equally to charities.

The Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Act 2008 provides for specific motor tax rates for vehicles constructed and adapted for the carriage of more than eight persons, owned by a youth or community organisation and used exclusively by the organisation solely for the purpose of conveying persons on journeys directly related to the activities of the organisation. Outside these parameters, the rates of tax applicable to other private vehicles would also apply to those owned by a charity.

Question No. 1466 answered with Question No. 1460.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1467 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 15 June 2010 the steps he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32421/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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As stated in the reply to Question No. 441 of 15 June 2010, Ireland will meet its greenhouse gas emission limitation target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol in the period 2008-2012.

The reply also indicated that the Climate Change Bill will, on enactment, provide the framework for the significant structural change necessary across all sectors of the economy and society to achieve an effective transition to a low-carbon future. Work on the Heads of the Bill is at an advanced stage and will be finalised as soon as possible.

Question No. 1468 answered with Question No. 1416.

Legislative Programme

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1469 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will enact each section of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32425/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 was enacted on 26 July 2010.

Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 26, 28, 29, 37, 42, 46, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 64, 66, 68, 70, 71, 73 and 81 of the Act were commenced with effect from 19 August 2010. Sections 32 and 33 of the Act were commenced with effect from 28 September 2010. The remaining provisions of the Act will be commenced as soon as possible.

Section 69 of the Act will not be commenced as it now stands part of a separate Act, the Compulsory Purchase Orders (Extension of Time Limits) Act 2010.

Planning Issues

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
1470 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 26 May 2010, when a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason no reply has been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32436/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My Department has replied to the person in question, by letters issued on 15 June and 20 September 2010.

Question No. 1471 answered with Question No. 1455.

Firearms Licences

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1472 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recent changes to gun licensing for the purposes of game hunting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32466/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2010 includes provisions allowing all holders of valid firearm certificates issued for shotguns between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2012 to be deemed to be the holders of a hunting licence under the Wildlife Acts for the purposes of hunting game bird and hare species. This provision was introduced to address an issue which arose following the introduction of a new computerised firearm licensing system by An Garda Síochána.

The Wildlife Acts require a hunter to have a licence to hunt certain birds (such as wildfowl) and hares. The Acts made provision that this would be obtained as an endorsement on the hunter's Firearm Certificate. Both the hunting licence and the Firearm Certificate were issued by An Garda Síochána in the form of a shotgun licence with the appropriate endorsement for hunting.

New, computerised procedures introduced in 2009 for issuing 3-year Firearms Certificates omitted the facility for issuing the endorsement as a Wildlife Hunting licence. I understand that by the time the oversight was identified, it was not practicable to recall the new Firearms Certificates issued or to change the licensing process that was in train. Accordingly, provisions were included in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2010 to allow a hunter who is in possession of a new Firearms Certificate to shoot game birds and hare species during the Open Seasons. These provisions will lapse on 31 July 2012, allowing the necessary changes to be made to the Garda computerised system in the intervening period.

Tax Code

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1473 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has examined the equity of the rateable valuation system for determining commercial rates against a background in which some types of property and business sectors have suffered setbacks; and if he has plans for reviewing or introducing sectorial reliefs. [32492/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. However, I have urged local authorities to exercise restraint in setting the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) in this and previous years and they have responded positively in this regard. My Department continues to keep matters relating to commercial rates under regular review.

Local Authority Funding

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1474 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding provided by his Department to local authorities in respect of spending on arts related projects in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32500/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My Department has no specific grant scheme to provide funding to local authorities in respect of arts related projects. However, under the "Per Cent for Art Scheme" local authorities may utilise up to 1% of construction costs, in relation to capital construction projects, subject to a maximum of €64,000, for the purpose of carrying out art projects that would help to enhance the quality of the environment.

Local Authority Housing

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1475 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a housing project (details supplied) in County Cork; when the project will be approved; when funding will be provided to the local authority for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32501/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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I announced details of a new programme of Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) projects in January 2010. This ambitious programme, consisting of 64 new projects, was identified following consideration of each proposal received, the relative priority afforded to the projects by the local authorities concerned and the competing demands across all local authorities. At that time, the project in question, Gurranabraher House, was not considered suitable for inclusion.

However, in June 2010, the Department received representations from Cork City Council to replace a project that would not now be proceeding under the 2010 programme with Gurranabraher House. My Department has since indicated its support for this change in the 2010 programme and requested additional information to facilitate funding approval for the project. This information has since been received and is being considered in the context of available funding and competing demands.

Community Development

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1476 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason services to Travellers are being cut (details supplied). [32521/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The Sustainable Communities Fund was established as a key deliverable under my Department's statement on housing policy Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities with the objectives of supporting initiatives that would improve quality of life in regeneration areas, promoting social inclusion by meeting equality, diversity, and special needs, and facilitating better management of local authority housing estates.

Following a call for proposals in late 2007, this project was one of over fifty approved for funding support under the Fund over the period 2008 to 2010. My Department wrote to South Dublin County Council on 17 September 2010 to notify the Council that the three year funding support for this project would, as per the original approval, cease at the end of 2010 and inviting the submission of final funding requests. No response has been received as yet and the County Council has not otherwise indicated its intention to seek a continuation of the project. The availability of funding for new projects, or the extension of existing projects, under the Fund in 2011 will be determined by the outcome of the current Estimates process.

Question No. 1477 answered with Question No. 1462.

Planning Issues

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1478 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the granting of planning permission for one-off housing in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32808/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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Settlement strategies adopted by planning authorities as part of their development plans, including strategies in relation to housing in rural areas, are required to be in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 — 2010, and with national planning policy as set out in the 2005 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing.

The granting of planning permission is solely a function of each planning authority within the policies and objectives set out in the adopted development plan for the area.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1479 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a decision will be made on a foreshore licence application in County Mayo to facilitate the Killala sewerage scheme. [32824/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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My Department has sought legal advice from the Chief State Solicitor's Office on issues concerning the property aspects of this application that will need to be clarified before it can be progressed to a determination.

Water Resources

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1480 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider introducing a grant towards domestic rain water harvesting systems for households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32826/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Rainwater harvesting has environmental benefits through reducing the demand for and the consumption of treated water, thereby reducing pressures on our water resources. The introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary parameters and, insofar as the funds administered by my Department are concerned, there are no plans to introduce a scheme for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.

Question No. 1481 answered with Question No. 1431.

Local Authority Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1482 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he could set out in respect of each local authority in the country the percentage of their current expenditure that relates to staff pay and pensions as a percentage of the total budget in their respective areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32860/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I understand that the Question refers to the pay and pensions of local authority staff and have, therefore, excluded the VEC pensions paid by local authorities on behalf of the Department of Education and Science. The latest period for which audited information is available is 2008.

The information requested is set out in the following table:

Local Authority

Staff Pay & Pensions as % of Total Current Expenditure in 2008

%

Carlow County Council

40

Cavan County Council

39

Clare County Council

36

Cork County Council

40

Donegal County Council

38

Fingal County Council

34

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

35

Galway County Council

36

Kerry County Council

38

Kildare County Council

34

Kilkenny County Council

40

Laois County Council

37

Leitrim County Council

43

Limerick County Council

36

Longford County Council

42

Louth County Council

31

Mayo County Council

36

Meath County Council

35

Monaghan County Council

37

North Tipperary County Council

40

Offaly County Council

37

Roscommon County Council

41

Sligo County Council

41

South Dublin County Council

34

South Tipperary County Council

40

Waterford County Council

42

Westmeath County Council

36

Wexford County Council

40

Wicklow County Council

39

Cork City Council

48

Dublin City Council

47

Galway City Council

31

Limerick City Council

39

Waterford City Council

39

Clonmel Borough Council

32

Drogheda Borough Council

34

Kilkenny Borough Council

37

Sligo Borough Council

26

Wexford Borough Council

39

Arklow Town Council

24

Athlone Town Council

38

Athy Town Council

35

Ballina Town Council

26

Ballinasloe Town Council

32

Birr Town Council

21

Bray Town Council

31

Buncrana Town Council

37

Bundoran Town Council

33

Carlow Town Council

16

Carrick on Suir Town Council

34

Carrickmacross Town Council

30

Cashel Town Council

30

Castlebar Town Council

23

Castleblayney Town Council

36

Cavan Town Council

27

Clonakility Town Council

24

Clones Town Council

27

Cobh Town Council

33

Dundalk Town Council

36

Dungarvan Town Council

30

Ennis Town Council

31

Enniscorthy Town Council

32

Fermoy Town Council

35

Kells Town Council

22

Killarney Town Council

31

Kilrush Town Council

29

Kinsale Town Council

26

Letterkenny Town Council

24

Listowel Town Council

31

Longford Town Council

30

Macroom Town Council

26

Mallow Town Council

38

Midleton Town Council

31

Monaghan Town Council

27

Naas Town Council

23

Navan Town Council

31

Nenagh Town Council

14

New Ross Town Council

35

Skibbereen Town Council

28

Templemore Town Council

30

Thurles Town Council

34

Tipperary Town Council

34

Tralee Town Council

31

Trim Town Council

28

Tullamore Town Council

21

Westport Town Council

28

Wicklow Town Council

21

Youghal Town Council

29

EU Directives

Ciaran Lynch
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Ciaran Lynch
Question:
1483 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the documentary evidence available to show that the European Commission is satisfied that section 50(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2010 fully complies with the requirements of EU Directive 1987/337/EEC as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32891/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I assume the Question refers to section 33 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, which inserts a new section 50B into the Planning and Development Act 2000. This section is relevant to EU Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended by Directive 2003/35/EC.

Section 33 was included in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 on the advice of the Office of the Attorney General, for the purpose of complying with the judgement of the ECJ in case C427/07. A response is not expected from the European Commission until such time it has had an opportunity to fully consider of the matter.

Local Authority Housing

Olwyn Enright
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Olwyn Enright
Question:
1484 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reasons it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers in a local authority area (details supplied) to join the local authority mortgage protection scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some local authority borrowers are finding the cost of this scheme expensive; his views on permitting local authority borrowers to seek an alternative mortgage protection plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32918/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme is overseen by the Mortgage Protection Committee which is a sub-committee of the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) and is representative of the CCMA, local authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and my Department.

Participation in the mortgage protection insurance scheme is compulsory for local authority house purchase loans for social and affordable housing. One of the conditions of the Plan, which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join the scheme. Altering this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme and increase the cost for all existing borrowers.

The provision requiring that mortgage protection insurance is held by mortgage holders is in the Consumer Credit Act 1995. This legislation is the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation.

In terms of comparison to other schemes of mortgage protection, it is important to note that it covers disability as well as death and that the disability cover is for the full period of the disability and not just 12 months as is the case in the majority of MPI policies available.

The Mortgage Protection Committee which oversees the scheme endeavours to achieve a balance between the most economic rate to be charged for the scheme and the benefits provided.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1485 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated number of man hours of overtime worked in agencies or authorities or divisions which report to him from 2008 to date in 2010; the total costs involved; the overtime premia which apply for overtime working at different times and for callouts where workers are on call. [32927/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Day to day operational matters, in local authorities and agencies under the aegis of my Department, including the number of hours worked and overtime costs, are a matter for individual local authorities and agencies.

Information in relation to rates of overtime and call out rates, in local authorities, is presented in the following tables.

Overtime — Local Authorities: In local authorities, overtime rates for the clerical/administrative grades are as follows:

Grades whose maximum salary does not exceed that of Staff Officer (€48,495):

First 3 hours in week

Time plus one-quarter

Next 5 hours

Time plus one-half

Thereafter

Double time

Grades whose maximum salary does not exceed that of Administrative Officer (€61,418):

First hour in week in excess of gross working hours

Free

Next 2 hours

Time plus one-quarter

Next 5 hours

Time plus one-half

Thereafter

Double time

Overtime rates for General Operatives and other grades, outside of normal working hours, generally apply as follows:

Finishing time – 12.00 midnight

Monday – Friday – Time plus one-half

Midnight – Normal starting time

Monday – Friday – Double time

First 4 hours / up to lunchtime

Saturday – Time plus one-half

All remaining hours

Saturday – Double time

All hours

Sunday – Double time

Call outs – Local Authorities:

The rates applicable for callouts are as follows:

Water and Sewerage Caretakers

Hourly rate of attendance

Per weekend

€25.26

under 2 hours

€50.51

2 – 4 hours

€75.76

over 4 hours

Part time Fire Service Personnel

Hourly rate of attendance

Drill

Fire

Day

Night / Weekend

1st Hour

Subsequent Hours

1st Hour

Subsequent Hours

Rate per Hour

€19.86

€39.72

€19.86

€79.44

€39.72

The amount spent on overtime by my Department, inclusive of overtime by State industrial staff, is as follows; in 2008 €2,072,897, in 2009 €1,170,441 and the cost in 2010 up to 24 September was €815,501. Overtime is calculated and monitored by my Department on a total cost basis.

The overtime premia payable for civil servants are covered by Department of Finance Circular 27/99 — Extra Attendance which is available on the Department of Finance website (www.finance.gov.ie). The overtime premia payable for State Industrial employees are covered by A Guide to the Pay and Conditions of State Industrial Employees which is available from the Department of Finance.

In agencies, the rate of payment for overtime worked is in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines.

Question No. 1486 answered with Question No. 1447.

Flood Relief

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1487 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions that have taken place between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Office of Public Works in relation to the design of works to alleviate flooding in the Roundfort-Hollymount area of County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32947/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1488 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a revised work programme to alleviate flooding in the Roundfort-Hollymount area in County Mayo has been received in his Department from the Office of Public Works; if the revised work programme has been reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32948/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1489 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when works to alleviate flooding in the Roundfort-Hollymount area of County Mayo will actually commence; the projected start date of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32949/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1487 to 1489, inclusive, together.

My Department has had a number of discussions with the Office of Public Works about this project. I understand that the revised OPW work programme to alleviate flooding in the Roundfort-Hollymount area is close to completion and that it will be sent to my Department for review as soon as it is complete.

The commencement date for the works in question is a matter for the Office of Public Works.

Question No. 1490 answered with Question No. 1417.

Question No. 1491 answered with Question No. 1447.

Exhumation Licences

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1492 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations and process to obtain an exhumation licence in order to cremate a body on compassionate grounds; if the regulations are specified in law; if the local authority has discretion on the matter and the reason a local authority would have reservations when the cemetery and undertakers have no objections; if he will outline the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33040/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Under section 160 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 read with section 46 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, as amended by the Local Government Act, 1994, exhumation licensing is a function of individual local authorities.

Social and Affordable Housing

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1493 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding eligibility for affordable housing and on a ruling by the local authority that a person cannot qualify for affordable housing if they have benefited or received past proceeds from a sale or buy out; if he will examine the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33052/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Eligibility generally for the affordable housing schemes is determined on the basis that applicants are in need of housing and cannot afford to purchase a house on the open market.

The administration of the various affordable housing schemes, including the allocation of affordable housing, is a matter for each local authority. Generally speaking, the schemes are for the benefit of first time buyers, though, exceptionally, consideration may be given by local authorities in certain cases to those who have previously owned a home but now do not, due to divorce or similar circumstances. Local authorities are required to draw up a scheme of allocation priorities based on broad criteria set out in legislation. As the making and amendment of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority my Department has no role in the matter.

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1494 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the social housing budget per local authority for the year 2010; the amount of this budget that has been spent to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33055/10]

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1495 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the social housing budget per local authority for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33056/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1494 and 1495 together.

Social housing allocations by local authority for the period 2007-2010 are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie under Publications/Statistics and Regular Publications/Housing Statistics.

Election Management System

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1496 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of meetings that the interdepartmental taskforce has held in regard to e-voting and to advise when a final decision will be made to sell the machines for scrap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33116/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Following the Government decision not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland, an Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, was established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. To date, the Task Force has met five times, with its most recent meeting taking place in June 2010. Between meetings, my Department maintains ongoing contact with members of the Task Force, in order to progress work on the cessation arrangements for the project. The Task Force aims to complete its work as soon as possible.

In considering options for disposal of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach, with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of cost possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1497 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amend the planning regulation to require that all new homes and buildings are equipped with a fibre-optic connections to the nearest cabinet for telecommunications purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33117/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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My Department is participating on a working group with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Commission for Energy Regulation to consider the recommendations in the report, Next Generation Broadband — Gateway to a Knowledge Ireland, which was published in June 2009. One of the recommendations in the document is that new premises in Ireland will be required to install open-access fibre connections, where practicable.

The Working Group is considering a number of issues, including specific technical issues involved and the most appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of any requirements, and expects to conclude its work shortly.

Property Management Companies

Paul Nicholas Gogarty
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Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:
1498 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is possible under legislation for residents living in an estate under the management of a company to collectively hand over the management of their estate or area to the local authority after ten years; if he will outline the conditions and specify the legislation that facilitates same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33131/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 applies to estates which have been granted planning permission and which include the construction of 2 or more houses and the provision of new roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, water mains or drains.

In relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the permission, section 180 provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the qualified electors who are owners or occupiers of the houses involved, initiate the procedures in for taking the estate in charge.

In relation to estates which have not have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within the relevant period, section 180 also provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the residents, as defined above, (but not the developer) initiate the taking in charge procedures.

When taking an estate in charge under section 180 a planning authority must take in charge public roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, water mains, or drains within the attendant grounds of the development. The decision as whether to take an estate is taken in charge is ultimately one for the elected members of a local authority.

The 2010 Planning and Development (Amendment) Act replaced the reference to "owners or occupiers" with a reference solely to "owners", in response to a Law Reform Commission recommendation in relation to multi-unit developments, that only the owners of the property should have the say in relation to whether the development will be taken in charge. This provision will be commenced shortly.

Local Authority Funding

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1499 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a full breakdown of the housing budget in each category for the past five years; the amount of this budget that has been spent to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33132/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The information sought in relation to the Social Housing Investment Programme is set out in the table below. In relation to the expenditure to date in 2010, it is important to note that expenditure tends to be back-ended in any given year.

2006

2007

2008

2009

Spent to date – 2010

B.1 Capital

B.1.1 LA Housing

858,694,000

941,273,000

979,728,785

690,536,343

117,990,180

B.1.2 CAS

99,361,000

113,766,000

156,290,000

158,512,741

21,297,739

B.1.3 Traveller Accom.

35,555,000

35,000,000

35,000,000

19,601,979

4,810,605

B.1.4 Childcare Facilities

300,000

670,000

750,000

539,712

454,818

B.1.11 Communal Facilities

2,624,000

1,922,000

2,998,391

4,452,816

1,399,907

B.2 Capital

B.2.1 Regeneration

164,445,000

315,398,000

217,384,195

200,877,032

50,824,088

B.2.2 Retrofitting

0

0

0

0

2,526,211

B.3 Capital

B.3.1 Housing Grants

40,999,000

48,210,000

81,261,787

75,864,366

34,332,170

B.3.2 Site Subsidies

36,076,000

35,217,000

38,492,685

6,938,473

624,414

B.3.3 Mortgage Allowances

3,127,000

3,333,000

3,159,464

3,175,805

1,898,989

Totals

1,241,181,000

1,494,789,000

1,515,065,307

1,160,499,267

236,159,121

2006

2007

2008

2009

Spent to date – 2010

B.1 Current

B.1.1 LA Housing/Leasing

0

0

0

642,178

1,481,734

B.1.3 Traveller Accom.

6,578,000

7,173,000

7,173,000

7,173,000

3,584,346

B.1.5 NTCC

7,000

14,000

27,525

27,460

4,367

B.1.6 Homeless

49,360,000

52,987,000

53,234,999

56,056,856

30,843,321

B.1.7 CLSS

35,612,000

37,783,000

61,993,143

69,896,277

39,411,361

B.1.8 Housing Mgt Imitative

1,578,000

1,410,000

130,160

132,539

0

B.1.9 Housing Research

1,766,000

2,532,000

3,078,004

2,090,566

773,240

B.1.10 Local drug Task Force

461,000

481,000

496,000

461,000

242,025

B.1.11 RAS

6,200,000

27,385,000

53,025,430

83,394,513

70,810,824

B.1.13 B.R.A.B.

11,007

10,358

B.2 Current

B.2.3 Sustainable Communities

0

551,000

4,266,015

3,039,454

0

B.3 Current

B.3.4 Affordable Housing/Shared Ownership

3,627,000

5,291,000

4,199,047

3,823,623

1,893,571

B.3.5 Subsidies & loan guarantees

4,000

0

0

0

0

B.3.6 Affordable Homes Partnership

2,164,000

2,436,000

3,464,500

3,210,000

1,602,000

B.3.7 Rent Tribunal

145,000

20,000

42,100

27,750

0

B.3.8 PRTB

2,973,000

5,215,000

3,378,871

999,800

0

Totals

110,475,000

143,278,000

194,508,794

230,986,023

150,657,147

Question No. 1500 answered with Question No. 1460.

Departmental Programmes

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1501 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount The Power of One and change.ie campaigns cost; the number of persons that found out what their carbon number was; if any assessment was carried out to find out if the campaign was cost effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33161/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Over a 23 month period, phase one of the Change.ie campaign raised awareness of the importance of climate change and engaged people and organisations across the country in changing their behaviour. 138,870 individuals have calculated their carbon number using the campaign's personal calculator and 588 organisations have used the business carbon management tool.

Three rounds of dedicated research commissioned to track awareness and receptiveness of the campaign's messages demonstrate that it succeeded in raising awareness of climate change and effectively engaged people and organisations across Ireland in changing their behaviour. Specifically, the research shows that: three out of four Irish people believe that climate change is coming about as a result of human behaviour rather than as a natural process; there is 100% awareness of at least one initiative undertaken under the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012; the campaign has motivated 70% of Irish people to take steps to reduce their carbon number; and just three months after the campaign commenced, seven out of ten people in Ireland felt "it would be easy to take corrective action to reduce their carbon number".

Given current economic circumstances, I decided in 2009 to conclude phase one of the campaign; the "Change" brand has been maintained by my Department and phase two of the campaign is being managed internally. Among the measures involved are the development of a Greening Communities Network and the planned dissemination of a climate change educational resource across the primary school network. The Change.ie website content has been integrated into the climate change content of the www.ENFO.ie site and will continue to be developed by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, with the support of my Department, while the calculators continue to be maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Information in respect of the Power of One energy efficiency campaign is available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which manages that initiative.

The costs of the change.ie campaign to date are:

Change.ie

2008

€7.13m

2009

€2.64m

2010

€246,670 (to date)

Question No. 1502 answered with Question No. 1456.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1503 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has given consideration to transferring the functions of the Private Residential Tenancies Board to local authorities in view of their responsibility for collecting the non-principal private residence tax, derelict sites, rental accommodation standards and other similar functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33312/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The PRTB was established in 2004 and has as its key functions:

(a) the operation of a national registration system for all private residential tenancies;

(b) the operation of a dispute resolution service;

(c) the provision of information, carrying out of research and the provision of policy advice regarding the private rented residential sector.

Local authorities, supported by a dedicated stream of funding allocated by my Department, have responsibility for inspections of rented accommodation to ensure compliance with the minimum standards for rental accommodation, which are prescribed by regulations made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992. Funding to local authorities for this purpose increased significantly between 2005 and 2010, rising from €1.5m to €5.6m, bringing total funding allocations since 2005 to almost €20m.

The Local Government Efficiency Review Group's report and recommendations was published in July 2010 and does not include any recommendations with regard to the transfer of PRTB functions to the local authorities.

I do not propose to transfer any of the PRTB's functions elsewhere. Instead, my focus is on optimising the efficiency with which the Board does its work and, to this end, in April 2009 my Department commenced a review of the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, under which the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) operates. The purpose of this review was to consider whether the Act best supported the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. I announced the preliminary outcomes of the review in November 2009; they include recommendations in a number of key areas, and have an overall emphasis on streamlining and simplifying the Act and reducing delays. It is intended that these recommendations will be given effect, through amending legislation, as soon as possible.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

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Question:
1504 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that the contract documents for a sewerage scheme (details supplied) are with his Department; if he will confirm the cost of these schemes; if approval will be given to Galway County Council to proceed to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33367/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The Claregalway and Milltown Sewerage Schemes have been amalgamated by Galway County Council into a single project that is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 -2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. This project, under which the Council will provide new wastewater treatment plants and collection networks at both locations at an estimated cost of €13.5 million, is amongst the list of contracts in the county to advance to construction during the course of the next three years.

My Department is currently examining the contract documents for the combined Claregalway and Milltown Scheme and a decision on those documents will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible. Once approved, the Council will then be in a position to seek tenders for the combined scheme.

Foreshore Licences

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1505 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application for a foreshore licence in respect of a project (details supplied); when a decision will be made in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33392/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My Department received a foreshore lease application in respect of this project in July 2010. Additional information was sought from the applicant in August and this information is awaited.

Environmental Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1506 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that the current failure of the Environmental Protection Agency to require an applicant to cease unlicensed operations while a licence application is under consideration meets with international best practice and legal requirements here for environmental protection. [33425/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1523 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the failure of the Environmental Protection Agency to require an applicant to cease unlicensed operations (details supplied) while a licence application is under consideration meets with international best practice and the Irish legal requirements for environmental protection. [33897/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1506 and 1523 together.

Decisions on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control licences, and monitoring and enforcement associated with licensed or licensable activities, are the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 to 2007, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases.

Planning Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1507 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the possibility of administrative sanctions rather than criminal sanctions in relation to planning enforcement, allowing penalties to be imposed without a criminal record being created. [33426/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1509 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans he has to improve the enforcement of the Planning Acts; if he would consider a statutory instrument defining the purposes of the enforcement powers and the duties of local authorities, including the level of evidence required, to ensure that enforcement powers are not used as a method of circumventing the legal requirements of development consents. [33429/10]

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1511 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if planning enforcement officials in the local authorities are part of a network enabling them to increase their abilities and share in their knowledge of their legal responsibilities; and if not if he has any plans to assist in the establishment of such a network. [33431/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1507, 1509 and 1511 together.

A range of legislative reforms in the area of enforcement were introduced in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, including:

removal of the 7-year time-limit for taking enforcement proceedings against unauthorised extractive industry developments;

an increase in the minimum fines for persons convicted under section 156 of the 2000 Planning Act; and

new requirements on planning authorities to issue enforcement notices or seek an injunction where unauthorised development has taken place and no satisfactory action has been taken.

My Department is initiating a wider review of the planning enforcement regime to determine what further steps need to be taken to improve the system. Among the measures under consideration is the scope to develop specific enforcement standards or a statutorily-based code of practice for planning authorities with the aim of delivering more consistent enforcement approaches throughout the country and highlighting statutory requirements and standards to be complied with. Consideration is also being given to enhancing the existing Planning Enforcement Extranet Site which enables planning authorities to share information on key planning enforcement issues and to develop best practice approaches to addressing problems in this area. The need for specialist training for planning enforcement staff to ensure that policy reforms are being implemented consistently and effectively, especially in the context of complex extractive industry enforcement cases, will also be explored.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1508 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if any instances have come to his attention of retention being permitted by a local authority for a project falling under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive since his circular letter Circular PD 5/08 of 15 August 2008 detailing the illegality of such consents. [33427/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)
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In light of a July 2008 ruling by the European Court of Justice in Case C215-06, planning authorities were advised, through Circular Letter PD6/08, to return applications for permission for the retention of unauthorised development, where such development should have been subject to mandatory EIA, on the basis that retention planning permission cannot be granted in those circumstances.

In respect of applications for permission for the retention of unauthorised sub-threshold development, planning authorities were advised to proceed to decide whether the project should have been subject to EIA. If the project would not have required an EIA, then the planning authorities were advised to proceed to deal with the application in the normal course. If the planning authority decided that an EIA would have been required, the Circular advised that the application be returned as invalid.

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 has amended the legislative provisions in relation to retention permission to provide that applications for retention may not be accepted in relation to applications which would have required EIA, or appropriate assessment under the Habitats Directive, or would have required a determination as to whether EIA or appropriate assessment was required. It is intended to commence this provision as soon as possible. The implementation of the law in individual cases is a matter for the planning authority. It would be a matter for the courts to decide if the law had been applied correctly in any case which came before them.

Question No. 1509 answered with Question No. 1507.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1510 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service are part of a network enabling them to increase their abilities to ensure the implementation of European law and share in their knowledge of their legal responsibilities; and if not if he has any plans to assist in the establishment of such a network. [33430/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service has particular responsibilities in regard to the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, and regularly attends meetings of the Habitats and Ornis Committees. The Habitats Committee assists the European Commission in the implementation of the Habitats Directive and provides advice to the Commission regarding the LIFE-Nature projects to be financed every year. The Ornis Committee assists the Commission in the implementation of the Birds Directive.

These committees normally meet in tandem with meetings of the EU Coordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature, at which the Commission and Member States discuss current issues in regard to implementation of the Directives and other matters relating to the EU Biodiversity Strategy. My Department also meets regularly with key relevant stakeholders, including the representatives of landowners, farmers, business, and environmental NGOs.

Question No. 1511 answered with Question No. 1507.

Environmental Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1512 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the involvement he has in the training of the Judiciary to build their capacity to deal with environmental litigation and access to justice under European environmental law and the Aarhus Convention. [33432/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Given the constitutional independence of the Judiciary, my Department has not had any direct involvement to date in judicial training. My Department is currently implementing a programme of work, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, to enable the State to ratify the Aarhus Convention as soon as possible. Further development of practical tools to support the implementation of the Convention in Ireland will follow the necessary work towards ratification.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1513 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid for by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33638/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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My Department awarded a contract to Vodafone for mobile phone services under the Department of Finance Mobile Voice and Data Procurement Framework. The following table outlines the number of mobiles and total cost of providing mobile phone services for the time periods requested.

Date

Total No. of Staff with Mobile Phones (incls blackberrys)

Total Cost of providing mobile services

€

2007

343

141,879

2008

367

166,707

2009

358

137,500

Jan – Jun 2010

331

72,512

Local Authority Housing

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1514 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the marketing initiatives that have been undertaken to promote awareness of the home choice loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33685/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) provided information to consumers, brokers, estate agents and developers through a variety of media including the internet and local and national newspapers. Any costs arising have been met from existing resources within the AHP.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1515 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an application has been received from Donegal County Council for pipe replacement at Magheroary, County Donegal; if he will provide the necessary funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33696/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Donegal County Council is currently preparing its countywide watermains rehabilitation strategy required as part of its water conservation programme. This strategy will identify specific defective water supply networks requiring rehabilitation and/or replacement. The Council is also identifying the works to be included in the Watermains Rehabilitation Project Phase 1 contract to be progressed and funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012. I understand that watermains rehabilitation works in the Magheroarty area of Donegal are being given a high priority by the Council in this context.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1516 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33704/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The number of persons employed in my Department at 31 August 2010 by grade is set out in the table below:

Grade

No. (WTE*)

Administrative Officer

8.60

Archaeologists

23.23

Architect

2.73

Architect Assistant Grade 1

2.50

Architectural Advisor

1.00

Architectural/Eng Inspector

14.00

Assistant Auditor

11.00

Assistant Fire Advisor

2.00

Assistant Principal Officer

91.23

Assistant Secretary

6.00

Assistant Staff Engineer

1.00

Auditor

17.80

Chargehand

3.50

Civilian Driver

2.00

Cleaner

0.81

Clerical Officer

130.98

Conservation Ranger

76.00

Craftworker

9.50

Director of Met Éireann

1.00

District Conservation Officer

16.00

Engineer Grade 1

5.00

Engineer Grade 2

1.00

Engineer Grade 3

6.00

Executive Officer

141.70

Foreperson

5.00

Foreperson Grade 1

1.00

Foreperson Grade 3

3.00

General Operative Band 2

38.00

General Operative Band 3

22.50

Geographical Info System Co/Ord

1.00

Guide

48.40

Head Guide

6.00

Higher Executive Officer

129.53

Horticultural Assistant

5.00

Housing Inspector

5.00

Inspector & Engineer Fisheries

1.00

Inspector Grade 1

10.00

Inspector of Audits

1.00

Librarian

1.00

Meteorological Officer

58.50

Meteorologist

33.60

Park Superintendent

1.00

Personal Assistant

2.00

Planning Inspector

2.00

Principal Adviser

4.00

Principal Auditor

7.00

Principal Meteorologist Officer

9.00

Principal Officer

29.80

Private Secretary

2.00

Professional Accountant Grade 1

1.00

Quantity Surveyor

3.00

Secretary General

1.00

Senior Adviser

15.00

Senior Archaeologist

6.73

Senior Architect

4.00

Senior Assistant Fire Adviser

1.00

Senior Building Inspector

2.00

Senior Meteorological Officer

57.00

Senior Meteorologist

7.00

Senior Photographer

1.00

Senior Technical Assistant

1.00

Service Officer/Attendant

35.54

Special Advisor

4.00

Special Needs Staff

2.60

Staff Officer

10.73

Statistician

2.00

Storekeeper Clerk in Charge

7.00

Storekeeper Grade 1

7.00

Stores & Office Supervisor

1.00

Supervising Housing Inspector

9.00

Supervisor Guide

5.00

Survey Controller

1.00

Wildlife Inspector Grade 1

4.00

Wildlife Inspector Grade 2

16.00

Wildlife Inspector Grade 3

21.00

Total Staff Serving

1226.51

*Whole Time Equivalent.

My Department collects overall staffing numbers every quarter in respect of the following agencies. The most recent results are outlined in the table below, however details on staff grades are not readily available.

Non Commercial State Agency

End June 2010 *WTE

Affordable Homes Partnership

16.00

An Bord Pleanála

161.00

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

29.00

Environmental Protection Agency

338.20

Heritage Council

15.00

Housing Finance Agency

10.60

Irish Water Safety

6.00

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

7.00

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

9.00

Local Government Computer Services Board

84.50

Local Government Management Services Board

27.50

National Building Agency

48.27

Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)**

***40.40

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

46.6

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

17.2

Total

886.27

*Whole time equivalent

**The administrative functions of the Rent Tribunal were transferred to the PRTB with effect from 1 October 2009.

***There are an additional 30 agency staff employed on temporary contracts through Employment Agencies at end June 2010.

Question No. 1517 answered with Question No. 1438.

Local Authority Housing

Róisín Shortall
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Róisín Shortall
Question:
1518 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to publish guidelines for local authority differential rent schemes; and the areas on which these guidelines will focus. [33747/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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Regulations and guidelines for housing authorities in relation to differential rent are currently in preparation in my Department. Once section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which provides for rent schemes and charges, has been commenced, housing authorities will have one year in which to put in place a new differential rent scheme. In that context, it is envisaged that new rent schemes should be in place in all housing authorities in early 2012.

While it is not the intention to implement a national standardised differential rent scheme, regulations later this year will more clearly set out the matters that may be included in a local rents scheme, including—

the level, type and sources of household income that may be assessed for rent purposes;

how dependents will be accounted for in calculating rent; and

procedures for rent reviews.

Waste Disposal

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
1519 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations that are in place with regard to the distance a landfill dump must be away from dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33801/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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The development and operation of a landfill is subject to the requirement to obtain a waste licence from the Environmental Protection Agency and planning permission from the local authority or An Bord Pleanála. With regard to waste licensing, Annex I, Paragraph 1 of the EU Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC imposes "General Requirements for all classes of landfills", which include requirements relating to location, including a requirement that the location of a landfill must, inter alia, take into consideration the distances from the boundary of the site to residential and recreational areas. A landfill can only be authorised if the characteristics of the site with respect to the specified requirements, or the corrective measures to be taken, indicate that the facility would not pose a serious environmental risk.

The EPA is required under national waste licensing legislation to attach to any licence which may be granted by it such conditions as the Agency considers necessary to ensure that there is full compliance with the Landfill Directive. With regard to planning legislation, applications for planning permission for all categories of development are considered by the relevant consenting authority taking account of, inter alia, the provisions of the development plan and other matters relating to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. There are therefore no specific provisions in planning legislation regarding the distance between waste management infrastructure and adjoining uses.

Departmental Agencies

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1520 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is conducting a review of the Environmental Protection Agency; the aims of this review; the membership and background of each member of the review group; when a report or review conclusion will be presented to him and laid before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33802/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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On foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, a review of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commenced in February 2010. Under its terms of reference, the Review Group has been asked to review the legislation governing the EPA; assess the Agency's performance against its mandate and evaluate the scope of that mandate; review the resources allocated to the Agency; assess the structures and governance of the Agency; and assess the relationship between the Agency and other parts of the environmental governance structure in Ireland.

The Review Group comprises the following members:

Mr. Dick Budden, Director of the Carbon Disclosure project and former Managing Director of a leading PET bottle recycling firm.

Dr. Kenneth Irvine, a senior lecturer in Zoology in Trinity College Dublin, who specialises in lake ecology.

Mr. Fred Langeweg, former Director of the Dutch Environmental Protection Agency and a former civil engineer specialising in flood proofing and managing water in the Netherlands.

Mr. John McCarthy (Chair), Assistant Secretary in my Department.

Mr. Richard Moeran, a farmer and forester who operates an organic demonstration farm for Teagasc in County Cavan and formerly ran his own manufacturing business in the United States.

Mr. Jack O'Sullivan, independent environmental consultant, former member of the EPA Advisory Committee, current Council member of An Taisce and a member of Comhar — Sustainable Development Council.

Dr. Áine Ryall, Senior Lecturer specialising in Environmental Law in University College Cork.

Prof. Anthony Staines, lecturer in the School of Nursing in Dublin City University, who specialises in developing research about public health and health information systems.

Mr. Larry Stapleton, former Director of the Office of Environmental Assessment in the EPA and a former Deputy Director General of the Agency.

I expect the Review Group to be in a position substantially to conclude its work by the end of the year and to submit its report to me quickly thereafter. I envisage that the report will be published in due course, following consideration of its conclusions and recommendations. Further details of the review are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Environmental Policy

Jan O'Sullivan
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Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
1521 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is any legal mechanism to prevent the delivery of leaflets or other materials to houses before 8 a.m. which causes disturbance to people who are sleeping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33874/10]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)
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Currently, a person experiencing noise nuisance may contact their local authority, which may initiate proceedings on grounds of noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. This Act also provides for any person, or group of persons, to seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leaflet A Guide to the Noise Regulations, outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance, is available on my Department's website www.environ.ie.

Question No. 1522 answered with Question No. 1445.

Question No. 1523 answered with Question No. 1506.

Question No. 1524 answered with Question No. 1441.

Homeless Agency Staff

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
1525 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff employed by the Homeless Agency partnership in the years 2007 to 2010, inclusive; and if the agency will meet its target of eliminating long-term homeless and the need to sleep rough by the end of 2010. [33997/10]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)
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The Homeless Agency does not operate directly under the aegis of my Department and its staffing is thus a matter, in the first instance, for Dublin City Council. My Department is aware that the staff complement of the Agency was 15 in 2007 to 2009 and 13 in 2010.

The core objective of the National Homelessness Strategy is to eliminate long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough by end 2010. The homeless counts carried out in Dublin in 2008 and 2009 showed good progress in reducing rough sleeping and a further rough sleeper count is to take place in November 2010. Action to address homelessness is primarily a matter for the housing authorities and the HSE, which have statutory responsibility for providing accommodation and health care services, respectively, for homeless persons. Responsibility for the allocation of tenancies rests with housing authorities.

My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.

A comprehensive range of measures has been put in place to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards achieving the ambitious objectives of eliminating long term homelessness and ending the need to sleep rough. This includes an enhanced programme for procurement of accommodation, which was announced before Easter. Action to provide accommodation will be accompanied by the availability of supports, where necessary, to assist homeless people to progress to independent living in mainstream housing and maintain their tenancies on a long term basis. A public procurement process for the provision of a support service in Dublin has already been carried out and assessment of households in emergency or transitional homeless facilities for accommodation in mainstream housing is well advanced. I recently announced the approval of €60 million for the purchase, by approved housing bodies, of houses and apartments which will provide some 431 units of accommodation to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need, including persons exiting temporary homeless accommodation, older people and persons with a physical, intellectual or mental health disability. Over 100 of these units will provide long-term accommodation for people who are moving out of temporary homeless accommodation.

Delivery on these initiatives will be determined primarily by action on the part of housing authorities and approved housing bodies and the response of market interests, including property owners and financial institutions. My Department is continuing to engage closely with the housing authorities to ensure that delivery of accommodation is maximised.

Alternative Energy Projects

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1526 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is addressing the competition for forestry thinnings between State subsidised biomass projects and private utilisation. [33421/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The cross-Departmental/Agency Bioenergy Working Group is currently finalising a Bioenergy Road Map to 2020, which will underpin the contribution of bioenergy to Ireland's Renewable Energy target for 2020 and which will be submitted to me in the near future. I announced earlier this year proposed REFIT tariffs for bioenergy produced from biomass, which will help foster the development of a sustainable biomass sector by driving demand for biomass. The REFIT tariffs are subject to State Aid approval.

The developing energy demand for biomass, underpinned by REFIT means that bioenergy waste, such as forestry thinnings, become valuable in its own right, and this can have effects on other business already operating in that sector. My Department is committed to working closely with the stakeholders including Bord na Móna and Coillte to ensure against market distortion as a consequence of the REFIT tariffs.

Energy Prices

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1527 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to reduce electricity prices, in view of the fact that electricity prices here remain above the European average which is having a negative effect on our cost competitiveness and ultimately the cost of our products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31772/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The Government recognises that the cost of energy in Ireland is a competitiveness issue facing the enterprise sector during this difficult period for the economy. The provision of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies is critical for the economy.

Ireland's recent higher energy costs, by comparison with EU average prices, were primarily due to significant dependence on volatile imported fossil fuels, particularly gas, as well as a requirement for very significant investment in energy infrastructure, following two decades of under-investment in the networks. The under-investment in networks and power generation posed real risks to security of supply which had become a major concern for enterprise. Recognising the concerns of indigenous business and the inward investment community, particularly in view of the difficult economic conditions, the Government has put in place a number of measures to mitigate the cost of energy for business.

All electricity users benefitted in 2009 from rebates totalling €567m. In July 2009 the Government agreed that these rebates would continue for large energy users at the same level until October 2010 and would then be phased out over the following two-year period. The Carbon Revenue Levy commenced on July 1st 2010, after the passage of the Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) Act through the Oireachtas. This Act levies electricity generators to capture a significant portion of the carbon windfall gains that they are currently receiving. Receipts from the Carbon Revenue Levy will fund the large energy user rebate from Oct 1st 2010. For small to medium business users, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) reduced regulated ESB prices twice in 2009, by an average of 10% from May 1st and a further 5.5% from October 1st 2009.

Business customers can also avail of the competitive benefits of value and choice by shopping around for alternative suppliers. Competition in the business electricity market has developed to such an extent that the CER has recently decided to end price regulation for ESB in this market segment, with effect from October 1st next. As a result, ESB will be free to compete against the independent electricity suppliers for these customers.

The CER is also close to completion of its 5-year review of electricity network expenditure. This review proposes measures to ensure that ESB and EirGrid make greater efficiencies in operational and capital expenditure, thus minimising costs for consumers. In line with Government policy, this review also includes some re-balancing of network tariffs in the interests of mitigating energy costs for business.

Taken together, these measures, along with falling natural gas prices, have already had a significant impact on Ireland's international competitiveness over the last two years. The latest comparative statistics available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) show that in general, Irish electricity prices in 2009 fell at a faster rate than in the rest of the EU, moving Ireland significantly closer to the EU average. Prices for the majority of business consumption bands are within 6% of the EU average. While EU comparison figures are not yet available for the first half of 2010, the SEAI data shows further significant reductions in Irish electricity prices in this period. Prices for the large business categories have reduced on a cumulative basis by some 34% — 44% in the 18 months to June 2010.

All customers will pay a higher Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy from October 1st 2010. The PSO Levy is necessary to support the continued contribution of peat-generated electricity to security of supply and to deliver on the Government's 40% renewable electricity target, which also reflects Ireland's legally binding EU renewables obligations. In the longer term, delivering on our renewables targets will reduce Ireland's exposure to high and volatile external fossil fuel prices. Even in the short term, PSO supported wind generation can help reduce wholesale electricity prices at times of high wind by displacing higher cost fossil fuel generators.

The Government also remains firmly committed to increasing competition as the best means of exerting downward pressure on electricity prices. Significant progress has been made to date, most notably with the all-island Single Electricity Market now in its 3rd year of successful operation, the sale of ESB generation capacity, the entry of new players into both the generation and supply markets and new generation capacity coming on-stream in the Irish market.

Alternative Energy Projects

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
1528 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No 30 of 1 June 2010 if he will report on the progress of the REFIT policy document; if this document has gone to the EU; if he still supports his statement of the 26 of April 2010 that miscanthus is a possible option for farmers to become part of the renewable energy cycle here; and if he will support this industry. [32212/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for bioenergy, which I announced earlier this year, require State Aid clearance from the European Commission before they can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid application for submission to the Commission.

Miscanthus remains a realistic option for consideration as an energy crop, together with other energy crops, for co-firing at the peat power plants as well as for renewable heat. There are technical issues in relation to Miscanthus to be resolved, and there are likely to be limitations on the overall amount of miscanthus that can be used. Although the volume already present in the market can be utilised fully. The extent to which further expansion of Miscanthus production can be achieved remains under assessment.

Departmental Properties

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1529 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32269/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The details requested in respect of staffing in my constituency offices and those of Ministers of State assigned to my Department are outlined in the tables herewith. The salary amounts include employers PRSI and overtime. Expenses are indicated where appropriate.

Minister Eamon Ryan Constituency Office staffing June 2007-2010

Grade

2010 (Amount paid to date)

2009

2008

2007 (June-December)

€

€

€

€

Personal Assistant

39,591

53,559 (includes €85 expenses)

51,271 (includes €168 expenses)

22,401 (includes €396 expenses)

Executive Officer

39,271*

37,741

30,125

15,438

Clerical Officer

20,817

22,555*

33,925

18,006

*Owing to staffing change in these grades this is combined amount paid in respect of these posts for year in question.

My Department provides network connectivity to my constituency office in Dundrum at a cost of €2,759 per annum. Costs associated with the set up of this office in 2009 amounted to €1,699. Rent costs for my constituency office are not borne by my Department.

Minister of State Seán Power

Constituency Office staffing May 2008-April 2009

Grade

2009

2008

Location

€

€

Personal Secretary

16,878

30,728

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Clerical Officer

9,880

17,515

Adelaide Road

The Minister of State assigned to my Department from June 2007 to May 2008 did not operate a constituency office either within or from my Department nor does the current Minister of State at my Department. The staff concerned work in office space shared with other staff at my Department's building on Adelaide Road. Constituency staff who occupy workstations in the Department's headquarters on Adelaide Road are accommodated in a shared open plan area for my departmental staff. The Department does not disaggregate costs for utilities based on areas occupied by different functions. The rent paid for the Department's headquarters is a matter for the Office of Public Works.

Compulsory Purchase Orders

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
1530 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if persons are permitted to buy back their lands acquired from them under threat of compulsory purchase order in the 1950s and 1960s at the price paid to them by the State compounded by the rate of inflation since the date of acquisition (details supplied). [32772/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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This is a day to day operational matter for Bord Na Móna and not one in which I have a function. I am informed by Bord na Móna that the Board purchased all rights, title and interests over the lands in question between 1959 and 1973 and the Company has continuing development plans in this area. I am advised that the Board is not in a position to return the lands to any former owners or rights holders.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1531 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32846/10]

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1555 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented, if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32831/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1531 and 1555 together.

My Department currently occupies three leased premises. The leases are negotiated and managed by the Office of Public Works and issues in relation to these leases are a matter for that office.

They leased buildings are—

29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, which is the HQ building,

a part of Elm House, Earlsvale Road, Cavan, and

a Technical Storage facility at Sandyford Industrial Estate for the Geological Survey of Ireland. All of the buildings are occupied to the fullest extent possible.

Broadcasting Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1532 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list all of the applications he has received from RTE for the provision of new services; when the application was received; the decision made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33160/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Section 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for both RTÉ and TG4 to vary the number of channels it operates subject to the consent of the Minister. This section also sets out the procedure that the Minister must adopt in making a decision on whether to consent to any new or additional channels. These procedures provide for the Minister to, inter alia, consult with RTÉ and other interested parties, consider the sectoral impact of the new services, following an assessment by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and to consider the public value of these channels.

In relation to the development of additional channels, RTÉ has recently clarified that it wishes to develop a number of new TV service channels for carriage on the public service Digital Terrestrial Television multiplex. In accordance with section 103, I have commenced the required consultations with RTÉ and the Authority on the proposals and it is my intention to complete my consideration of this issue as soon as possible.

Postal Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1533 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list all of the decisions made with regard to the approval of new postage stamps made by him in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; if he will list any proposals that were rejected by him and any suggestions for new postage stamps that were made to An Post in these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33167/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The table below lists the Government decisions on the stamps programme 2008 to date in 2010. No proposals on the stamps design and topics were rejected by Government in the period. The Philatelic Advisory Committee in An Post has responsibility for selecting what topics comprise each annual stamp programme. Any proposals for stamp topics submitted to the Department are forwarded to the Philatelic Advisory Committee for consideration as they are received. I will ask the Philatelic Advisory Committee to provide the Deputy with details of suggestions for postage stamps for the period in question.

Government Decisions

Date

Approval of the 2009 Stamp Programme proposals and the 2010 definitive series.

05/02/2008

Approval of the design of 9 stamps and the addition of a commemorative stamp in the 2008 Stamp Programme and approval of an additional stamp topic and 2 stamps in the 2009 Stamp Programme.

20/05/2008

Approval of the design of a commemorative stamp in the 2008 Stamp Programme

10/09/2008

Approval of an additional stamp and the design of 19 stamps in the 2009 Stamp Programme

14/01/2009

Approval of additional topic and design in the 2009 Stamp Programme and approval of the 2010 Stamp Programme proposals.

24/02/2009

Approval of the design of 4 stamps in the 2009 Stamp Programme and the reduction of a stamp in a stamp series.

09/06/2009

Approval of the design of 16 stamps in the 2010 Stamp Programme and the reduction of a stamp in a commemorative issue.

13/01/2010

Approval of an additional stamp topic in the 2010 Stamp Programme and approval of the 2011 Stamp Programme proposals

23/03/2010

Approval of an additional topic and 4 stamps design in the 2010 Stamp Programme and approval of an additional stamp and withdrawal of a stamp topic in the 2011 Stamp Programme.

15/06/2010

Approval of the design of a new definitive stamps series and the addition of a new topic to the 2011 Stamp Programme

21/07/2010

Telecommunications Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1534 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his target of providing 100Mb/s broadband to 78 secondary schools by April 2010 has been achieved; the number of schools that have been connected to date; if he will list these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33196/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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74 schools were connected with 100Mbps broadband by April 2010 with the remaining four schools completed in May 2010. All schools participating in the project are connected to the Schools 100Mbps Network, managed and maintained by HEAnet on behalf of my Department. All 78 schools are actively using the network. A list of the 78 post primary schools participating in the project is shown in the following table.

School

Address

Loreto Secondary School

Balbriggan, Co Dublin

Coláiste Bríde

New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin

St Benildus College

Upper Kilmacud Rd., Stillorgan, Dublin

St Josephs College

Lucan, Co Dublin

St Dominics College

Cabra, Dublin 7

Presentation College

Warrenmount, Dublin 8

St Pauls Secondary School

Greenhills, Dublin 12

St. Leo’s College

Convent Of Mercy, Dublin Road, Carlow

St Kieran’s College

Secondary School, College Rd., Kilkenny

Salesian College

Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Coláiste Naomh Mhuire

Convent Of Mercy, Sallins Rd., Kildare

Loreto Secondary School

Vevay Rd., Bray, Wicklow

St Flannan’s College

Ennis, Co Clare

Christ King Girls’ Secondary School

Half Moon Lane, South Douglas Road, Cork

St Eunan’s College

Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Loreto Convent

Letterkenny, Co Donegal

St Columbas College

Stranorlar, Co. Donegal

St Joseph’s College

Nun’s Island, Galway

Presentation College

Headford, Co. Galway

Calasanctius College

Oranmore, Co Galway

Our Lady’s Bower

Retreat Rd., Athlone, Westmeath

Good Counsel College

New Ross, Co Wexford

Mercy Secondary School

Ballymahon, Co Longford

St Mary’s Diocesan School

Beamore Road, Drogheda, Louth

St Vincent’s Secondary School

Seatown Place, Dundalk, Louth

Presentation Secondary School

Sexton Street, Limerick

St Angela’s

Ursuline Convent, Waterford

Summerhill College

Sligo, Co. Sligo

Killina Presentation Secondary School

Rahan, Tullamore, Offaly

St Nathy’s College

Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon

Coláiste Íosagáin

Portarlington, Co. Laois

Mercy Secondary School

Mounthawk, Tralee, Kerry

Collinstown Park Community College

Neilstown Rd., Rowlagh, Dublin

St Mac Dara’s Community College

Wellington Lane, Templeogue, Dublin

Ballyfermot College of Further Education

Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10

Carlow Vocational School

Kilkenny Road, Carlow

Maynooth Post Primary School

Moyglare Rd., MaynoothKildare

Coláiste Choilm

Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Cork College Of Commerce

Morrison’s Island, Cork

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada

An Leadhbgarbh, Árainn Mhór, Donegal

Gairmscoil Éinne Oileain Arann

Cill Rónain, Inis Mór, Galway

Coláiste Ghobnait

Inis Oírr, Oileáin Arann, Galway

Athlone Community College

Retreat Road, Athlone, Westmeath

Vocational College

Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

St Oliver’s Community College

Drogheda, Co. Louth

Ó Fiaich College

Dublin Road, Dundalk, Louth

Colaiste Chiarain

Croom, Co. Limerick

St Peter’s College

Dunboyne, Co. Meath

Community College Dunshaughlin

Dunshaughlin, Co Meath

Beech Hill College

Monaghan, Co. Monaghan

St Declan’s Community College

Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford

St Paul’s Community College

Browne’s Road, Waterford City, Waterford

Davitt College

Springfield, Castlebar, Mayo

Castleknock Community College

Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin

Castletroy College

Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick

Coláiste Phobail Cholmcille

Baile Úr, Oileán Thoraí, Donegal

Cavan Institute

Main St., Cavan

Mount Temple Comprehensive School

Malahide Road, Dublin 3

Crescent College Comprehensive

Dooradoyle Rd., Dooradoyle, Limerick

Trinity Comprehensive School

Ballymun Road, Dublin 9

Scoil Phobail Chuil Mhin

Cluain Saileach, Baile Atha Cliath 15

Malahide Community School

Broomfield, Malahide, Dublin

St Marks Community School

Cookstown Rd., Tallaght, Dublin

St Aidan’s Community School

Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin

Hartstown Community School

Hartstown, Dublin 15

Rosmini Community School

Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin

Carrigaline Community School

Waterpark Road, Carrigaline, Cork

Carndonagh Community School

Carndonagh, Lifford, Donegal

Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola

An Fálcarrach, Leitir Ceanainn, Donegal

St Caimin’s Community School

Tullyvarraga, Shannon, Clare

Mary Ward

Railway Road, Gorey, Wexford

St Louis Community School

Kiltimagh, Co Mayo

Community School

Carrick-On-Shannon, Leitrim

Cashel Community School

Dualla Road, Cashel, Tipperary

Gort Community School

Gort, Co. Galway

Loreto Community School

Milford, Co Donegal

Moate Community School

Church Street, Moate, Westmeath

St. Colmcille’s Community School

Scholarstown Rd., Knocklyon, Dublin

Energy Resources

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1535 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount the State gained in tax and royalties from the Kinsale, Ballycotton and South West Kinsale gas fields; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33183/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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The amount received in royalties to date from the Kinsale, Ballycotton and South West Kinsale Gas fields, is €186,320,765. The amount paid in tax is a matter between the company and the Revenue Commissioners.

Decentralisation Programme

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1536 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to decentralise his Department to Cavan; the estimated cost thereof; the cost to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33147/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1537 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is still intended to decentralise Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Ordnance Survey; the estimated cost thereof; the cost to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33163/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1536 and 1537 together.

The Decentralisation Programme as originally announced in December 2003, included the proposal to relocate the headquarter of my department to Cavan, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to Dundalk, Inland Fisheries Ireland to Carrick-on-Shannon and Ordnance Survey Ireland to Dungarvan. As announced by the Minister for Finance in his statement of 14th October 2008, the Government has deferred decisions on the timing of the implementation of elements of the Decentralisation Programme, including that of my Department and agencies under its aegis, pending a review in 2011.

The only estimate available for the total cost of the project would be in relation to the possible building works and that is a matter for the Office of Public Works. My Department has not incurred any costs in 2010 associated with the decentralisation process. The question of costs arising in the agencies is an operational matter for those agencies and as such is a matter in which I have no role.

Coastal Zone Management

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1538 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has collected the necessary geophysical and bathymetric data required to extend our continental shelf claim beyond 200 nautical miles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33185/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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The Department completed the acquisition of the necessary geophysical and bathymetric surveys in 1995 and 1996. These data formed the basis for the three submissions which Ireland has made to date to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), covering the entire extent of Ireland's outer continental shelf (Porcupine Abyssal Plain, submitted 25 May 2005; Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay, submitted 19 May 2006; Hatton-Rockall Area, submitted 31 March 2009).

Telecommunications Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1539 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is still his policy to encourage the separation of Eircom’s network from its retail business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Eircom is a private company and is entitled to implement the corporate structure that best meets its needs provided that appropriate engagement takes place with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) on any regulatory issues that might arise in a separated company. The Government has no role in the corporate strategy of a private company and ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions.

Government policy aims to facilitate effective competition in the electronic communications market. The availability of appropriate wholesale products from eircom to alternative operators is crucial to facilitating such competition. Various different forms of separation are possible to ensure the availability of wholesale products and ComReg is charged with ensuring such products are available. Various recent developments, in terms of new products released by Eircom, as well as decisions made by ComReg, have resulted in increased competition in the market. I am satisfied that the current policy environment and the regulatory regime, including appropriate access to the eircom network for alternative operators, are facilitating competition, reduced prices, greater choice and improved quality.

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1540 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has adequate powers to enable it to secure a deal between RTENL and a company or consortium to provide a pay TV option for Digital Terrestrial Television users; his plans to amend the Broadcasting Act to enhance the powers of the BAI in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33153/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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One of the main aims of the Broadcasting Act 2009 was to provide opportunities for the development of a commercial digital terrestrial television (DTT) service in Ireland. In this regard, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was given the role of providing for commercial DTT service providers. In particular, the legislation made provision for the BAI to enter into contracts with commercial multiplex service providers to establish, maintain and operate a multiplex within the coverage area specified in the contract and for the term of the contract.

As the Deputy is aware, the competition initiated by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) in 2008 failed to produce a national commercial DTT service provider and this failure has been largely attributed to the economic downturn and the consequential impact that this had on the business cases of the applicants. The failure of the commercial DTT process was disappointing and it is now not expected that a commercial DTT operator will materialise until sometime after analogue switch off in 2012. As a result, consideration of the potential in this regard and of the most appropriate mechanisms for delivering this will be undertaken closer to that time.

In the meantime, the clear responsibility of my Department, in conjunction with the BAI, ComReg and other stakeholders, is to ensure the successful delivery of the ‘free-to-air' DTT service to the viewing public. I have directed that this be done by the autumn of 2012 to facilitate switch-off of the analogue system and the consequential digital dividend that will arise.

Alternative Energy Projects

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1541 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a renewable energy feed in tariff scheme or set price for geothermal energy. [33186/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) scheme was introduced in 2006 encompassing electricity from onshore wind, small hydro, biomass combustion and landfill gas. I have subsequently announced the expansion of the scheme to cover electricity from offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, biomass CHP and Anaerobic Digestion. REFIT schemes are subject to State Aid clearance by the European Commission. The costs of REFIT are covered through the Public Service Obligation Levy which applies to all electricity customers.

The Geothermal Energy Development Bill currently being drafted by my Department will provide for the licensing of companies to explore for and develop deep geothermal energy resources. The prospects for deep geothermal electricity in Ireland are being investigated by several companies. The introduction of the overall licensing framework is designed to support the development of geothermal potential.

In addition geothermal companies have signalled the need for a REFIT tariff for electricity from geothermal sources to underpin future project viability. In the context of finalising the overall framework for the development of geothermal energy, the REFIT tariff proposal will be examined by my Department.

Departmental Agencies

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1542 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to proposals to amalgamate part or all of Coillte Teo and Bord na Móna. [33434/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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There are no existing proposals for the amalgamation of Coillte Teo and Bord na Móna. The broader issue of how State assets can be better used or disposed of to support the public finances and more generally, the investment priorities of State bodies, is currently the subject of consideration by the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities.

Energy Prices

Paul Kehoe
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Paul Kehoe
Question:
1543 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to a matter (details supplied). [31689/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Public Service Obligations (or PSOs) are imposed to achieve national energy policy objectives which would not otherwise be delivered by competitive energy markets. In line with EU and national legislation, PSOs have been imposed to support power generation from peat as an indigenous fuel supply for security of supply purposes, to support renewable generation capacity to reduce emissions and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and to support the development of additional generation capacity when it was needed in advance of the introduction of the Single Electricity Market. In particular, two renewable electricity generation support mechanisms, REFIT and the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER), are included in the PSO.

Electricity consumers pay for the additional cost of all these supports through the PSO levy. Each year, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) calculates the estimated costs associated with implementing the various obligations and forecasts of electricity market revenues for the energy companies involved. Where such electricity market revenues are not sufficient to cover the cost of implementing the obligations, additional supports in the form of "top-up" payments are necessary and are funded by electricity consumers through the PSO Levy.

For the past few years, electricity market prices, and accordingly electricity market revenues, have been sufficiently high that additional "top-up" payments to support the obligations have not been required. With recent electricity market prices significantly lower than in recent years, the CER has calculated that additional supports totalling some €156 million will be required to cover the full cost of implementing the obligations (including the REFIT Scheme) over the 12 month period commencing October 1st 2010. This will mean a fixed annual charge of €32.76 for domestic customers from October 1st next.

It is important to note that in some years the benefits accruing from the operation of certain renewable contracts under the AER mechanism, which actually paid money into the PSO Levy fund, were used to offset the additional payments required by other more expensive supports, for example for peat generation. Accordingly in these years, the offsetting process resulted in all PSO costs being met in full without imposing a PSO Levy on electricity consumers. The PSO Levy calculation process is set out in secondary legislation in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 217 of 2002). The CER adheres to this process in a transparent manner.

As regards REFIT specifically, it has been payable to supply companies with REFIT contracts since the 2008/2009 PSO period. As outlined in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan, REFIT is funded entirely from the PSO Levy and there is no intention to change this. Costs have been paid on an annual basis and have not been deferred. Since REFIT PSO costs, in the same way as the peat PSO, are determined in advance for a year on the basis of an estimated market price, there is a later, or "ex post" correction two years later (known as ‘the R factor') to take account of actual market prices obtaining during the year. Such a correction, relating to the 2008/2009 year is included in this year's PSO, in the normal way.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that our renewables targets are delivered at as low a cost as possible while delivering on climate, competitiveness and energy security of supply objectives.

Telecommunications Services

Shane McEntee
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Shane McEntee
Question:
1544 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the availability of broadband across County Meath in percentage terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31792/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis. More generally, the provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers.

Government does however, intervene in the market in instances of clear market failure, as in the case of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). Details of all the areas to be covered by the NBS, including the current status of the NBS rollout, are available at www.three.ie/nbs. Under the NBS contract, all Electoral Divisions (EDs) in the NBS Coverage Area must have broadband coverage by late October 2010. With particular reference to County Meath, all of the designated 18 EDs within the County can now avail of NBS broadband services. The following table lists all of these 18 EDs.

National Broadband Scheme (NBS)

Electoral Divisions (ED) to be covered by the NBS in County Meath

ED Name

ED Reference No.

ARDBRACCAN ED

167002

BECTIVE ED

167011

CASTLEKEERAN ED

167016

CLOGHBRACK ED

167019

CLONMACDUFF ED

167020

CROSSKEYS ED

167022

DRUMCONDRA ED

167027

KILLALLON ED

167047

KILLARY ED

167048

KILLEAGH ED

167049

KILLYON ED

167051

KILMORE ED

167054

KNOCKLOUGH ED

167056

LOUGHAN ED

167058

MOYLAGH ED

167063

RATHKENNY ED

167075

RATHMORE ED

167076

TROHANNY ED

167092

Energy Resources

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1545 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for capacity and commodity charges that apply for useful transmission networks systems in respect of gas; if he will review this system in view of the difficult cost structure that is now pertaining to businesses particularly relating to the efforts that have to be made to retain employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31906/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The regulation of charges in the natural gas market, including transmission and supply tariffs to final customers, is the statutory responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) under the Gas (Interim) Regulation Act 2002. Section 14 of the 2002 Act provides that the CER may set the basis for charges for transporting gas through the transmission systems.

Transmission charges are the CER approved costs that gas suppliers are required to pay the operator of the natural gas network (Gaslink on behalf of Bord Gáis Networks) for the transportation of gas through the system to the consumer and for the maintenance and development of the system itself. Network charges are largely pass-through costs for suppliers. These represent approximately 40% of the cost of gas to the Irish domestic consumer.

The Irish gas network is relatively new infrastructure. Ireland has seen significant investment in the network in the last number of years such as the Ireland-Scotland gas interconnectors and the gas pipeline to the west of Ireland. These investments have contributed to overall network costs. In addition, as Ireland has quite a fragmented population of a low density, more pipelines are needed to serve the customers. On a per customer basis Ireland has considerably more gas pipelines than Great Britain, which equates to higher transmission charges per customer.

In 2007 the CER carried out a comprehensive 5 year review of the price control regime for the transmission networks covering the period up to end September 2012. The revenues that Bord Gáis Networks (BGN) are allowed to earn each year for operating, maintaining and upgrading the network were consulted upon and agreed in the 5 year Review.

The Revenue Control Formula, which is set out in the CER decision, is used to calculate the maximum allowed revenues for BGN's transmission business for a given year of the control period. These allowed revenues are set against a revised forecast of ‘peak day' and ‘throughput' gas demand values (for the same year) to produce the annual transmission capacity and commodity tariffs. Capacity charges relate to booking space in the pipeline and commodity charges are levied per unit of gas delivered.

Under the current regime 90% of allowed revenues for transmission are recovered through a capacity tariff with the remaining 10% recovered through a commodity tariff. Different ratios of capacity and commodity could be chosen, but the allowed revenues for the year would stay the same and on average the costs to customers would stay the same. For example, if the capacity element was reduced this would, on average, lead to lower summer bills (when consumption is low) but winter bills would be higher.

In July of this year, as part of the price control BGN made their annual submission to the CER. Following the completion of a consultation process the CER directed that revised transmission tariffs be applied from 1 October 2010 to end September 2011. Compared with last year's tariff, the 2010/11 transmission tariffs represent an increase of 1.9% for some categories of shippers and an increase of 6.9% in nominal terms for other shippers in nominal terms. The 2010/2011 distribution tariffs result in a decrease of 3.4% in nominal terms. Overall, this leaves network charges for the average domestic customer at broadly the same level as last year.

In relation to BG Energy gas supply tariffs, the CER has recently decided, following its annual review, that there should be no change in the BG Energy domestic gas tariff from 1 October 2010. It should also be noted that the CER has instituted a number of decreases in the regulated BG Energy gas supply tariffs since January 2009 resulting in a cumulative decrease of 27% over the period in the BGE tariff for residential and small and medium businesses.

In relation to larger gas users, analysis by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, based on Eurostat data for the second half of 2009, shows that Irish industrial gas prices, when compared to the Euro area average, were below the Euro average in all industrial gas user categories. The Irish gas market has been fully opened up to competition since July 2007. There is now strong competition in the industrial and business segments of the market and increasing competition in the residential segment. Customers who switch to alternative unregulated suppliers can avail of significant reductions.

The CER will commence its review of network charges next year for the 5 year period commencing October 2012. In reaching its decision the CER will take due account of all perspectives including the views of all suppliers and of business customers themselves.

Telecommunications Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1546 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself with the extent to which the ban on the use of mobile phone signal blockers is being enforced; if enforcement of same is a matter for ComReg, the Gardaí or another state agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31953/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1548 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has given consideration to licensing cinemas, theatres and concert halls to use mobile phone blockers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31967/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1546 and 1548 together.

The licensing of any wireless telegraphy apparatus is a function of ComReg under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts. In accordance with Section 12B of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 (inserted by Section 34(f) of the Broadcasting Act, 1960), any person who uses any apparatus for the purpose of interfering with any wireless telegraphy shall be guilty of an offence. A person may be prosecuted summarily or on indictment and ComReg shall prosecute any summary offences.

ComReg has a range of powers, under the 1926 Act, to monitor and enforce the laws prohibiting the supply, possession and use of mobile phone blockers. These include powers to enter and search premises, seize any such blockers that are found, and initiate prosecutions. I am satisfied that ComReg has the powers under the 1926 Act, to monitor the inappropriate use of mobile phone blockers and take immediate enforcement action where necessary.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1547 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of any State owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31955/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I can inform the Deputy that there are seven commercial bodies, which are State owned enterprises, under the aegis of my Department. The following table outlines the information requested in respect of the 2009 and 2008 financial years.

Agency

Date Most Recent Annual Report Received

Date Annual Report Approved by Department

Date Previous Year’s Annual Report Received

Date Annual Report Approved by Department

RTÉ

1st April 2010

12th July 2010

14th May 2009

22nd June 2009

TG4

June 2010

23rd July 2010

27th May 2009

9th July 2009

An Post

30th March 2010

24th April 2010

26th March 2009

23rd April 2009

Bord Gáis Éireann

26th Feb 2010

25th April 2010

26th Feb 2009

30th March 2009

Bord na Móna1

30th June 2010

9th July 2010

19th June 2009

10th July 2009

EirGrid2

12th February 2010

16th April 2010

27th February 2009

3rd April 2009

ESB

April 2010

July 2010

April 2009

July 2009

1. Financial Year ending 31st March 2010 and 25th March 2009.

2. Financial Year ending 30th September.

Question No. 1548 answered with Question No. 1546.

Electricity Generation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1549 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Eirgrid has furnished him with a full review of the circumstances which led to the error in the public notice carried out by the company; if he has been informed of the findings; his view on those findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31968/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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EirGrid applied for planning consent for the Meath Tyrone 400kV Interconnection Development Project in December 2009, under the Planning and Development Act 2000 as inserted by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.

An Bord Pleanála convened an oral hearing on the matter on 10th May 2010. On Wednesday 23rd June, it was drawn to EirGrid's and the inspector's attention that there was an error in the newspaper public notice and site notice relating to pylon height ranges for a section of the project. It is the case that full details of the correct heights of the towers concerned were fully described in the Environmental Impact Statement and in the accompanying planning drawings, which were submitted to An Bord Pleanála.

Following consultation with its legal advisers EirGrid was advised that under the applicable legislation there is no mechanism to correct the error within the context of the application. EirGrid therefore notified An Bord Pleanála on Tuesday 29th June, of the withdrawal of its application for the Meath-Tyrone 400 kV Interconnection Development Project.

EirGrid has undertaken a review of the circumstances which led to the error in the public notice and I have been furnished with a copy of this review. I have already made clear my strong disappointment that EirGrid had to withdraw its planning consent application for this important development. Following the completion of the review, I have asked EirGrid to ensure that all appropriate control procedures are reviewed and enhanced to safeguard against errors in any part of the planning consent application, both for this project and any future development projects.

The Meath-Tyrone 400 kV interconnection project is of significant strategic importance from an all-island electricity market perspective, and from the perspectives, both North and South, of security of supply, competitiveness, economic growth and renewable electricity integration. I have therefore also stressed to EirGrid the importance of submitting a new planning application for this key piece of infrastructure as soon as possible, bearing in mind the complexity of the application work. EirGrid advises that most of the work from the original planning consent application remains valid and applicable to the new planning consent application, which should assist in expediting the process.

Global Positioning Systems

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1550 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will deal with a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31999/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I am aware of the website www.myloc8ion.com. As this is a private sector operation I have no function or responsibility for the development of this or similar postcode products by private operators in the market place. I am still targeting the end of 2011 for the full implementation of a National Postcode System (NPS).

Departmental Expenditure

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1551 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent by the whole Department and the Minister, and each junior Minister, on travel, fuel, accommodation, subsistence, advertising and credit cards for the years 2007 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32165/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I regret to advise the Deputy that it was not possible to compile the information requested in the time allotted. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Telecommunications Services

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1552 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the arrangements he has made for Ballyporeen, County Tipperary, to be taken into the national broadband scheme in view of an announcement (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many people locally need broadband and cannot wait until that date; if it is possible for an alternative to be provided to the NBS, in view of the fact that he will not sanction areas to be added at this point in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32514/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The rollout of broadband services to the areas designated under the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is nearing completion and there are no plans to extend the scope of the Scheme. Prior to the commencement of the NBS a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included.

That mapping exercise found that a number of existing broadband suppliers were already active in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme in accordance with EU State Aid and competition rules. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie.

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to formally launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of this year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas.

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1553 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will have broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32516/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Prior to the commencement of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included. EU State aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion.

That mapping exercise found that a number of existing broadband suppliers were already active in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. My Department is currently considering the design and implementation of a scheme which would use this funding to address the issue of basic broadband availability to un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. It is my intention to commence this scheme in late 2010 and have it completed by 2012. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available when the scheme is launched.

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1554 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the rollout of the national broadband scheme in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32811/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Details of all the areas to be covered by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), including the current status of the NBS rollout, are available at www.three.ie/nbs. Under the NBS contract, all Electoral Divisions (EDs) in the NBS Coverage Area must have broadband coverage by late October 2010.

With particular reference to County Cork, all of the 96 designated EDs within the county can now avail of NBS broadband services. The following table lists all of these 96 EDs.

ED Name

ED Reference No.

ADRIGOLE ED

47002

AHIL ED

47008

ALLOW ED

47009

ARDAGH ED

47010

ARDFIELD ED

47011

ARDSKEAGH ED

47012

BALLINTEMPLE ED

47019

BALLYFOYLE ED

47026

BALLYHOOLAHAN ED

47029

BANTEER ED

47040

BARLEYHILL ED

47043

BARNACURRA ED

47044

BAURLEIGH ED

47045

BAWNCROSS ED

47046

BEALANAGEARY ED

47047

BEALOCK ED

47049

BENGOUR ED

47051

BOHERBOY ED

47055

BUTLERSTOWN ED

47059

CAHERDUGGAN ED

47063

CAHERMORE ED

47065

CANDROMA ED

47066

CANNAWAY ED

47067

CAPE CLEAR ED

47068

CASHEL ED

47078

CASTLECOOKE ED

47080

CASTLECOR ED

47081

CASTLEHAVEN SOUTH ED

47083

CASTLEMAGNER ED

47085

CHURCHTOWN ED

47091

CLONFERT EAST ED

47098

CLONFERT WEST ED

47099

CLONMEEN ED

47100

CLONMULT ED

47102

COOLCRAHEEN ED

47110

CRINNALOO ED

47118

CROOKHAVEN ED

47119

CURRYGLASS ED

47123

DANGAN ED

47124

DERRAGH ED

47125

DOUCE ED

47131

DROMINA ED

47139

DUNBEACON ED

47141

DUNMANUS ED

47144

FARRANBRIEN ED

47150

GLENGARRIFF ED

47160

GLENLARA ED

47161

GOLEEN ED

47163

GORTNASCREENY ED

47165

GORTNASKEHY ED

47166

GREENVILLE ED

47172

IMPHRICK ED

47174

INCH ED

47175

INCHIGEELAGH ED

47176

KILBERRIHERT ED

47182

KILBRIN ED

47184

KILCASKAN ED

47187

KILCATHERINE ED

47188

KILCORNEY ED

47191

KILCRONAT ED

47192

KILCULLEN ED

47193

KILDINAN ED

47195

KILLATHY ED

47201

KILMACDONAGH ED

47205

KILMEEN ED

47209

KILNAMANAGH ED

47213

WILLIAMSTOWN ED

47219

KNOCKATOOAN ED

47225

KNOCKAVILLY ED

47226

KNOCKMOURNE ED

47227

KNOCKNAGREE ED

47228

KNOCKTEMPLE ED

47233

LISCARROLL ED

47238

LISGOOLD ED

47240

MASHANAGLASS ED

47249

MEENS ED

47252

MILFORD ED

47256

MILLTOWN ED

47257

MOUNTRIVERS ED

47262

NAD ED

47266

NEWTOWN ED

47268

RAHALISK ED

47272

RATHBARRY ED

47274

RATHCOOL ED

47276

ROWLS ED

47285

SHEEPSHEAD ED

47289

SKAHANAGH ED

47292

SPRINGFORT ED

47297

TEERELTON ED

47301

TEMPLEBODAN ED

47302

TEMPLEMARTIN ED

47304

TEMPLEMARY ED

47305

TEMPLEMOLAGA ED

47307

TINCOORA ED

47311

TOORMORE ED

47312

TULLYLEASE ED

47314

Question No. 1555 answered with Question No. 1531.

Departmental Expenditure

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1556 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the studies, reports, or consultation documents being conducted by his Department, or by an external consultant on behalf of his Department, since 1 January 2010 or are currently ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32892/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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In the time available, it has not been possible to conclude an examination of the relevant records. Officials within my Department are continuing their examination of the position and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Legislative Programme

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1557 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reform Section 84 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983 so that items that have been posted to fraudsters outside the State can be prevented from leaving the country if the fraud is discovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32946/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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In the context of preparing legislation to transpose the third postal directive my Department has reviewed the extant legislation concerning the delivery of postal services. In a common law context, the obligation on the postal service provider to deliver all letters to the addressees (and only to return to the sender in very limited and defined circumstances) is an essential feature of the judicial system and contract law. This position is reflected in Section 84 of the 1983 Postal and Telecommunications Services Act which prohibits the opening, delaying, detention or the prevention of delivery of postal packets except in circumstances where the addressee agrees to such an action and in other limited circumstances. Whilst the Postal Services Bill will modernise Section 84, I do not propose to change the legal principles set out in that section.

Telecommunications Services

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1558 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the lower Achill area in County Mayo is not included in the national broadband scheme (details supplied). [32951/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The provision of broadband services is in the first instance a matter for private sector service providers. These services are provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. Such intervention is governed by very strict EU rules, one of which is that we must be technology neutral when seeking to procure solutions to service gaps. It is therefore solely a matter for service providers, even when acting on behalf of the State, to decide on what is the most appropriate technology platform to deploy.

In rolling out the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) service, 3 is using a mix of technologies to reach those seeking a service (wireless, repeater/external antenna and satellite). Prior to the commencement of the NBS a detailed mapping exercise was carried out to help determine those areas that would be included in the scheme and those which, by virtue of being already substantially served by existing broadband suppliers, could not be included.

EU State Aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers operating. Accordingly, the NBS is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. That mapping exercise found that at least one existing broadband supplier was already active in the area referred to in the Deputy's Question and consequently the locality was excluded from the Scheme. Details of broadband services available in each county can be found on ComReg's website at www.callcosts.ie

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.).

The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to formally launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of this year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the NBS areas.

Electricity Generation

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1559 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reconsider his decision to impose a 5% charge on ESB bills in view of the financial difficulties it imposes on families; his views on the charge in the context of rising unemployment and interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33064/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The changes in the regulated electricity prices for domestic consumers from this October are attributable to the re-introduction of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy due to the decline in gas prices. The key elements of this levy, which supports renewable and indigenous peat generation, were first put in place in 2001. The Levy was set at zero for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 as a result of high gas prices. The PSO Levy in 2010/11 will mean a fixed annual charge of €32.76 per domestic consumer, equating to an additional €2.73 per month.

The methodologies for calculating costs and the timing of decisions are underpinned in secondary legislation in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) Order 2002 (S.I. 217 of 2002). I have no discretion in this regard. The PSO levy is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated from indigenous (i.e. peat), sustainable and renewable sources. In short, it is the method through which security of energy supplies and the development of renewable electricity in Ireland is supported, in line with the Government's energy policy objectives and Ireland's binding EU renewables energy target for 2020.

Any price increase, however unavoidable, adds to the difficulties of many consumers in the current environment. However, significant savings are available to domestic consumers who simply switch their electricity supplier. Although approximately 600,000 customers have switched to date, up to 70% of customers have yet to avail of discounts of between 10-14%, which would more than outweigh any new PSO Levy costs.

Customers can also help mitigate energy costs by taking advantage of a wide range of Government supported energy efficiency programmes. Funding in 2010 of €90m has been allocated to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the continued expansion of its domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency schemes.

The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), which is targeted at low income households, has assisted 39,831 homes, with spending of €37.1m from 2006 to date. The Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES) provides grants towards the cost of energy efficiency investments (such as insulation) in homes. It has assisted a further 51,605 homes, with a total budget €45.3mil from 2008 to date. These programmes are in addition to the Greener Homes Scheme, which has provided €70.4m in grants towards 27,516 residential renewable energy installations from 2006 onwards.

In tandem with the increased level of activity in existing programmes this year, the Department and SEAI are also designing a new retrofit programme, which will be launched shortly. This programme is currently the subject of a public consultation but in broad terms it will bring together the existing HES and WHS, as well as support programmes for businesses and the public sector.

The retrofit programme will make discounts on retrofit work available up front rather than having to wait for retrospective grant payments, and will make energy efficiency measures more accessible to both homes and businesses. The programme will significantly contribute to meeting the national efficiency targets, including the target of 33% set for the public sector. It will also create significant employment in the energy and construction sectors in support of economic renewal. Pending the finalisation and introduction of the retrofit programme, the HES and WHS will continue in their current form in 2010.

Broadcasting Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1560 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made in establishing an Irish film channel. [33119/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1561 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is still intended to establish an Oireachtas television channel. [33120/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1560 and 1561 together.

The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of an Oireachtas Channel and an Irish Film Channel, including a right of carriage on the RTÉ digital terrestrial television multiplex in respect of these channels. In accordance with section 125 of the Act, the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas may establish a public service channel to be made available throughout the island of Ireland providing coverage of:

proceedings of both Houses of the Oireachtas;

proceedings of a local authority;

institutions under the British-Irish Agreement;

other legislatures; and

UN, EU and Council of Europe institutions.

The 2009 Act provides that the cost of such a channel would be met from the budget of the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas and that no advertising is permitted on the channel. In relation to the Film Channel, section 127 of the Act provides that the Irish Film Board may establish a public service channel to be made available throughout the island of Ireland providing coverage of Irish, European and World films including those in the Irish language. The Act provides that the cost of such a channel would be met from the budget of the Irish Film Board. The Act also provides that the Irish Film Channel can broadcast advertisements.

My Department will continue working with the Irish Film Board, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport and with the Houses of the Oireachtas to see how the film and Oireachtas channels can be delivered.

Energy Resources

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1562 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of days of oil and gas storage the country currently has. [33121/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The National Oil Reserves Agency Limited (NORA) is responsible for ensuring that Ireland meets its EU and International Energy Agency (IEA) obligations to maintain 90 days' oil stocks for use in the event of an oil supply disruption.

NORA meets its stock-holding obligations by a combination of wholly-owned stocks and by entering into agreements with third parties in Ireland and other EU Member States.

NORA currently holds approximately 80 days of Ireland's 90 day stockholding requirements, the balance of which is held by industry. Of the stocks held by NORA, approximately 49% are held as physical stocks on the island of Ireland, 44% are held as physical stocks abroad, and 7% are held as stock "tickets" (short term contracts to purchase oil in the event of a crisis).

NORA's storage capacity in Ireland at present is 711,997 tonnes and holds stocks of Gasoline, Kerosene, Jet Kerosene, Gas Oil and Diesel. At present the majority of NORA’s stocks in Ireland are held at Whiddy Island, Bantry. Government policy is to increase the volume of strategic stocks held on the island of Ireland, subject to value for money considerations. NORA is delivering on this objective through the refurbishment of three new locations on the island of Ireland (Ringsend, Tarbert & Kilroot), with facilities for 320,000 tonnes of storage. NORA is also considering further storage opportunities, with a view to further increasing the level of stocks held on the island.

The existing commercial gas storage facility at Kinsale has the capacity to hold 198 million cubic metres of natural gas. Licensed for use by Bord Gáis Éireann, the facility could potentially supply around 50% of residential and SME gas needs for up to 50 days in the event of a gas disruption.

Given the continued importance of gas for power generation, and our high level of import dependence, security of gas supply remains a fundamental priority for this country. It is clear that gas storage has an important role to play in contributing to enhanced gas security for the island of Ireland. Therefore, I welcome the current market interest in developing further commercial gas storage, both in Ireland and in Northern Ireland.

Telecommunications Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1563 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the metropolitan area networks; the capital cost of providing them in each case; the number of towns served by a metropolitan area network; the number of them in use; the usage levels and the level of revenues in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33122/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are high-speed, open access, carrier neutral electronic communications networks, which facilitate competition in the electronic communications market in regional towns and cities nationwide. The MANs Programme, which commenced in 2002, has so far delivered eighty-six optical fibre based networks to ninety-two towns and cities throughout the country.

Phase I of the MANs programme delivered optical fibre based networks to twenty-seven towns and cities around the country. The total capital cost of Phase I of the programme was €85 million (€76m approximately met by my Department and €9m approximately, met by the local authorities).

Phase II of the MANs programme delivered a further fifty-nine optical fibre based networks serving sixty-five towns and cities. The total capital cost of Phase II of the programme was €89.5 million (€80.3m approximately met by my Department and €9.2m approximately met by the local authorities).

The details of the capital cost met by my Department for each MANs project are set out in the following tables. The figures represent 90% of the cost of the MANs. A further 10% was funded by the Local Authority in whose area each MAN was built. Both phases were subject to European Regional Development Funding of either 40% or 50% depending on the region in which they were built.

There are twenty-four active Phase I MANs, with a total of nine hundred and ninety-two wholesale connections. Currently, there are thirteen active Phase II MANs with thirty-six wholesale connections. Discussions regarding wholesale connections to a further five MANs are ongoing and likely to lead to them being activated in the coming months. It should be noted that all connections to the MANs are wholesale connections, which may be used by the relevant service provider to provide services to multiple end users.

All Phase I and Phase II MANs are operated and managed by e|net who were appointed following a procurement process and who make the networks available to the telecommunications sector. e|net is a commercial organisation and information on revenue generated by the MANs is commercially sensitive. A survey conducted by e|net found that approximately 600,000 end users are served by service providers using the Phase I MANs.

Table 1 — Expenditure on Phase I MANs Programme by Region

Project

Mans Included

Cost

€

Cork

Cork

12,300,719

Galway

Galway

9,944,250

Gweedore

Gweedore

533,014

Leitrim

Carrick-on-Shannon

2,941,956

Manorhamilton

Letterkenny

Letterkenny

3,441,713

Limerick

Limerick

6,860,077

Mayo

Ballina Kiltimagh

4,553,773

Midlands

Athlone

12,034,840

Mullingar

Portlaoise

Roscommon

Tullamore

North East

Carrickmacross

12,133,038

Cavan

Drogheda

Drogheda

Dundalk

Kingscourt

Monaghan

Sligo

Sligo

3,718,106

South East

Carlow

16,632,111

Clonmel

Dungarvan

Kilkenny

Waterford

Wexford

Total

85,093,597

Table 2 — Expenditure on Phase II MANs Programme by Region

Project

Mans Included

Cost

€

Cork County

Bantry

17,666,534

Blarney

Carrigaline

Charleville

Dunmanway

Fermoy

Fermoy

Kanturk

Midleton

Mitchelstown

Passage West

Ringaskiddy

Skibbereen

Youghal

Donegal

Ballybofey

10,062,944

Ballyshannon

Buncrana

Bundoran

Cardonagh

Donegal Town

Stranorlar

Fingal

Donabate

3,714,942

Lusk

Portrane

Skerries

Galway

Athenry

8,245,417

Ballinasloe

Clifden

Gort

Loughrea

Kerry

Castleisland

6,187,241

Killarney

Listowel

Tralee

Longford

Longford Town

2,384,574

Mayo

Ballinrobe

3,303,925

Claremorris

Knock

Meath

Clonee

8,959,252

Dunboyne

Dunshaughlin

Kells

Navan

Trim

Midlands

Edenderry

1,788,121

North East

Ardee

6,523,688

Bailieborough

Castleblaney

Clones

Cootehill

SERA

Cahir

7,411,544

Carrick-on-Suir

Cashel

Thomastown

Tipperary

Shannon Broadband

Abbeyfeale

10,776,090

Banagher

Birr

Kilrush

Nenagh

Newcastlewest

Roscrea

Templemore

Wicklow

Blessington

2,566,554

Kilcoole

Newtownmountkennedy

Total

89,590,827

Energy Efficiency

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1564 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the energy efficiency savings made by the public sector since the adoption of the 33% target in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33123/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions that Government is either already taking or will take in the period to 2020 to achieve the national energy efficiency targets of 20% across the economy and 33% in the public sector. The savings identified in the Action Plan represent approximately €1.6 billion in avoided energy costs for the economy in 2020. There is a requirement in the Energy Services Directive that all Member States must submit their second NEEAP's in 2011 and progress on all savings made will be reported in that context.

In the public sector, the most significant cost-cutting and energy saving potential lies in improving the energy performance of new buildings and facilities, improvement of existing buildings and facilities, encouraging more public bodies to actively address their energy use and to use the most energy efficient plant, machinery and equipment. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Public Sector Programme is the main delivery mechanism for energy efficiency actions by public sector bodies.

In 2009, the SEAI delivered a €5 million programme that provided grant assistance to the business and public sectors. The programme supported energy efficiency measures for businesses and institutions across the country. Over 74 projects were funded under the programme. As a result of the work carried out, annual energy savings worth €2.6 million and 12kt CO2 were achieved. The public sector accounted for 50 of these projects and the majority of the savings, with €2.2m and 9.8kt CO2 saved.

Building on this success, in June 2010 the SEAI launched the €9 million Energy Efficiency Fund. The scheme was quickly oversubscribed and to date over43projects have been approved. The fund supports exemplar projects which achieve significant and verifiable energy savings and provide key learnings for other businesses and public sector bodies. The projects, 20 of which are public sector, and 23 private and voluntary sectors, will be completed by the end of 2010, and the energy efficiency actions taken will create lifetime savings of over €70 million. Some 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions will also be avoided each year as a result. The SEAI also run a Public Sector support programme providing energy assessments and training to all public sector bodies, and tailored services to larger public sector bodies through its Partnership Scheme. In 2009 and 2010 the assessment and training supports are estimated to result in savings of up to €3.3 million. A range of best practice guides were also developed especially in the transport and lighting sectors.

Through the SEAI's Public Sector Partnership scheme, the Authority is assisting public sector bodies in the development of 2020 energy efficiency strategies, in best practice working groups and advanced assessments and training. To date, three working groups have been formed in water services, public lighting and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Members of the working groups have made savings in 2010 of up to 20% in participating facilities and identified further savings in some cases as high as 40-50%. An energy efficiency design process initiated to incorporate energy efficiency principles into the design of new or retrofitted public sector facilities was also developed. The Energy Efficiency Design process has been employed in over eight major capital projects, including local authority facilities, schools, Metro North and the new National Paediatric Hospital, highlighting 5 — 30% possible savings in life cycle costs.

Regulations introduced in December 2009 require all public bodies to include, in their annual reports published after January 1st 2011, a statement describing the actions they are taking to improve energy efficiency in their respective organisation, together with an assessment of the energy savings arising from those actions. The SEAI and my Department are working together on the methodologies for reporting annual energy consumption and savings. This reporting system will form the basis for monitoring the Public Sector's progress towards the 33% target.

Current regulations give effect to the EU Energy Efficiency Directive which includes new energy efficient public procurement rules. These new rules will require public bodies to purchase or lease only plant and equipment across a diverse range of technologies that are listed on the SEAI's database of highly energy efficient products. This database has already been developed as part of the Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) Scheme for energy efficient technologies.

The SEAI is also required, under the regulations, to produce general guidelines on energy efficient procurement and this is being progressed in conjunction with the National Procurement Service and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG). The SEAI is liaising with the DEHLG on the national Green Procurement Plan.

In compliance with the 2006 and 2008 Building Regulations, it is the policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) to conduct feasibility studies on the utilisation of renewable energy technologies in all new buildings of over 1,000m2 as part of the design process. The OPW has already installed a number of biomass boiler systems and Solar Panel systems in both new and existing buildings where it has been shown to be both technically and economically feasible. The OPW's Optimising Power at Work programme has seen savings of between 10-15% on average in participating buildings. In one instance, one particular building has recorded savings of 43%.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has recently prioritised work through the statutory Building Regulations Advisory Board to establish achievable targets for reductions in primary energy and CO2 emissions for buildings in all sectors of the economy including public sector buildings, with a view to upgrading the requirements in Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations in 2010. The work programme currently under way will inform the development of a programme for continuous improvement in Part L requirements in the coming years with a view to achieving a Carbon Neutral building standard for buildings other than dwellings, including civic buildings, by 2016.

The National Retrofit Programme will build on the success of existing domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency programmes. The new programme aims to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to one million residential, public and commercial buildings in Ireland, and will involve energy supply companies, energy services providers, construction workers, energy auditors and policymakers, working together to deliver energy savings, cost reductions and ultimately smaller carbon footprints for energy customers throughout the country. It will create significant employment in the energy and construction sectors in support of economic renewal and will also significantly contribute to our goal of meeting national efficiency targets.

Broadcasting Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1565 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the use of spectrum freed up from the analogue television switch off. [33124/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The use of the spectrum that will be released following the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting, the ‘digital dividend' has been the subject of public consultations by ComReg, the Irish spectrum management authority. Spectrum policy relating to the digital dividend involves balancing the competing demands of different, though converging, sectors and identifying priorities and a way forward prior to switchover. It is my policy and ComReg's obligation to ensure that this valuable spectrum is used so as to support and promote the development and operation of efficient, effective and innovative communications services to deliver economic, social and cultural benefits whilst also ensuring a fair return to the Exchequer for the use of a valuable national resource.

Communications Masts

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1566 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce new legislation requiring open access to all existing telecommunication masts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33125/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issuessurrounding access by operators to other operators’ networks including infrastructure is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations, which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

Network operators cannot be statutorily required to open their infrastructure for use by other service providers unless they are found by ComReg to hold significant market power (SMP). No mobile phone operators have been found to hold SMP in Ireland. However, the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Access) Regulations 2003, provide operators with a right to negotiate interconnection with another operator for the purpose of providing publicly available electronic communications services and also obliges requested operators to negotiate interconnection requests.

These regulations also make it a function of ComReg to encourage and where appropriate, ensure, adequate access, interconnection and interoperability of services in accordance with the regulations in the interest of efficiency, competition and benefits to end-users.

Appointments to State Boards

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1567 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of semi-state companies within the aegis of his Department; when the current CEO or equivalent was appointed to their position; the length of their current contract; and the date it is due for renewal. [33127/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The table below details the appointment dates, length of contract and due date of renewal, where applicable, for the Chief Executives and equivalent grades of the 15 relevant Agencies under the aegis of my Department:

Agency

CEO/Equivalent

Date of Appointment

Length of Contract

Due Date of Renewal

RTÉ

Director General

18th December 2003

7 years

Contract expires on 18th October 2010. Recruitment process currently underway.

TG4

Director General

1st April 2007

3 years

1st April 2010 — Approval being sought from Department of Finance for contract extension.

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Chief Executive

1st October 2009

1 year

Appointed as interim CEO for a period of one year.

An Post

Chief Executive

10th August 2006

7 years

Term expires on 13th August 2013.

Bord Gáis Éireann

Chief Executive

3rd December 2007

5 years

31st December 2012.

Bord na Móna

Chief Executive

1st February 2008

5 years

31st January 2013.

EirGrid

Chief Executive

4th July 2005

7 years

3rd July 2012.

ESB

Chief Executive

2nd May 2002

10 years (3 year extension granted 14th July 2009)

Term expires 13th July 2012.

Ordnance Survey Ireland

Chief Executive

1st January 2006

7 years

Term expires on 31st December 2012.

Commission for Communications Regulation*

3 Commissioners:

Commissioner 1

1 January 2003

8 years

Term expires 31st December 2010

Commissioner 2

1 December 2004

8 years

Term expires on 30th November 2012

Commissioner 3

15 October 2007

4 years

14th October 2011.

Commission for Energy Regulation

Chair of Commission

13th October 2008

5 years

Term expires 28th May 2011.

Inland Fisheries Ireland**

Chief Executive

1st July 2010

5 years

30th July 2014.

Digital Hub Development Agency

Chief Executive

9th December 2007

5 years

Term expires on 8th December 2012.

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

Chief Executive

5th January 2009

5 years

4th January 2014.

National Oil Reserves Agency

Chief Executive

1st January 2008

5 years

31st December 2012.

*The Commissioners have equal status with the Chairperson in the position ofprima inter pares.

**The CEO was appointed as CEO designate on 1st August 2009. It was outlined at that time that time served as CEO designate would count as part of the five year term.

Broadcasting Legislation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1568 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received the public service statement from RTE; when it was due under the terms of the Broadcasting Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33179/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Section 101(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 provides that RTÉ, following a public consultation, shall prepare not later than 12 July 2010 (12 months after the passing of the Act) a public service statement setting out the principles to be observed and activities to be undertaken by it.

RTÉ submitted their public service statement to me on July 12, 2010 in line with the requirements of the Act. Section 101(3) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires me to consult with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) prior to my granting of consent to the public service statement. I expect to receive a submission from the BAI in respect of this consultation shortly.

Unfair Competition

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1569 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his view on the submission made by newspapers which claims that RTE is using its State subsidy provided through the licence fee to produce on-line content for its website and that this constitutes State aid and unfair competition with newspapers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33199/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I have received a detailed written submission from National Newspapers of Ireland on a number of matters of concern to them including those raised by the Deputy, and I propose to meet with National Newspapers of Ireland in the near future to discuss these further.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out, inter alia, the principal objects and associated powers and obligations of the public service broadcasting corporations, RTÉ and TG4. The Act also imposes extensive reporting requirements on the two corporations in regard to the pursuit of their objects and compliance with relevant obligations. These reporting requirements are supplemented by ex-ante and ex-post Ministerial and regulatory oversight mechanisms that are being used, when and as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

On the specific issue raised by the Deputy, one of the principal objects of RTÉ under Section 114(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 is to establish and maintain a website in connection with its services and the allocation of public funding, vis-à-vis the licence fee, in pursuing this public service object is fully in line with the provisions of the legislation.

Section 108 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 clearly envisages that the commercial activities undertaken by RTÉ in the exploitation of its commercial opportunities, for example on-line, shall be used to subsidise its public service mandate.

Broadcasting Legislation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1570 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has given consideration to put out to public tender the job of collecting the TV licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33177/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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An Post is charged with the role of "issuing agent" in respect of the collection and administration of television licence fees in accordance with the provisions of section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. My Department currently has a contract in place with An Post for the execution of this role.

Notwithstanding this, section 145(3) of the 2009 Act provides the option to designate an issuing agent other than An Post for this role. Whilst no consideration is being given to availing of this option at present I will keep the matter under review.

Energy Prices

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1571 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason reducing or maintaining competitive energy prices is not one of the eleven energy policy strategies elaborated in the Annual Output Statement of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33168/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Both the Statement of Strategy and the Annual Output Statement for my Department set out that the ensuring of "a fully sustainable, secure and competitive energy market underpinned by diverse energy sources, energy efficiency and robust infrastructure" is a key high level goal for the energy sector. This is underpinned by a programme goal "to enhance the competitiveness of energy markets". Implicit in the pursuit of this goal is the objective of reducing or maintaining competitive energy prices whilst also needing to ensure sustainability and security of supply. One of the eleven key strategies to which the Deputy refers, picks up, inter alia, on this in seeking to promote competition.

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1572 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which electricity prices for domestic, small business and large energy users exceed average prices in the eurozone in nominal terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33190/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) collects and publishes energy statistics to support policy analysis and development in line with national needs and international obligations.

The latest available comparative data from Eurostat is published by SEAI in their report "Electricity & Gas Prices in Ireland", published in May 2010. The data contained in this report covers the last six months of 2009.

Table 9 on page 19 of that report shows the average electricity price paid by all categories of business in Ireland per unit of electricity consumed and compares those figures with the Eurozone average. This table is reproduced below:

Business Electricity prices as at 31/12/200

Category of Electricity Consumption

Cost — € per Kwh

Relative to Euro Area Average

Band IA (Consumption < 20Mwh)

0.169

97%

Band IB (20Mwh < Consumption < 500Mwh)

0.141

112%

Band IC (500Mwh < Consumption < 2,000Mwh)

0.118

111%

Band ID (2,000Mwh < Consumption < 20,000Mwh)

0.097

102%

Band IE (20,000Mwh < Consumption < 70,000Mwh)

0.089

104%

Band IF (70,000Mwh < Consumption < 150,000Mwh)

0.079

103%

Electricity prices for small businesses are 3% below the Eurozone average. Electricity prices rise above the Eurozone average for other categories of business, but these figures still represent a significant improvement in Ireland's electricity price competitiveness compared to 2008.

SEAI has collected and submitted to Eurostat the electricity cost figures for the first six months of 2010 and these show that Irish electricity costs have continued to fall for all categories of business. In fact, the figures show that electricity prices for business have fallen by up to 45% in the past eighteen months. These will be published by SEAI as soon as the relevant comparative data from Eurostat becomes available and are also provided below: Business Electricity prices as at 30/06/2010

Category of Electricity Consumption

Cost — € per Kwh

Change in 18 months to Jun 2010

Band IA

0.157

-10%

Band IB

0.137

-12%

Band IC

0.112

-21%

Band ID

0.084

-34%

Band IE

0.076

-34%

Band IF

0.056

-44%

Table 16 on page 28 of the SEAI report shows that Band DD represents 53% of the domestic electricity market. For the average Irish domestic electricity consumer Irish prices are below the Eurozone average by 2%. The figures do not include purchasing power parities. If these are included the average Irish domestic electricity consumer is paying 12% less than the Eurozone average, as illustrated by table 19 on page 30 of the SEAI report.

Almost 70% of domestic consumers may still avail of significant discounts simply by switching their electricity supplier. This is also true for over 50% of small to medium enterprises. It is important that all customers who are concerned about energy costs should shop around and take advantage of the value and choice available in the competitive electricity market. Customers can also help mitigate energy costs by taking advantage of a wide range of Government-supported energy efficiency programmes.

Given Ireland's dependence upon imported fossil fuels, the urgent need to fund much needed network investment, the size of our market and low population density it is a significant achievement that our electricity prices for domestic consumers are below the Eurozone average, while those for business are close to the average and below many of our neighbours and competitors.

Mining Facilities

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1573 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the royalties accrued to the State in 2008 and 2009 from mining in Navan, Galmoy and Lisheen respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33169/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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Financial terms for State Mining Facilities (Lease or Licence, depending on ownership of minerals) are negotiated on a case by case basis, in accordance with the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. Receipts from State Mining Facilities are normally paid in the form of "Dead Rent", and periodic royalties based on production or revenue. Dead Rent is a minimum payment, normally paid in advance and offset against Royalties when they fall due.

Total receipts, Dead Rent and Royalty, for the three mines in the period in question, were as follows:

2008

2009

Galmoy Mines Ltd

€951,519.98

€485,233.00

Anglo American Lisheen Mining Ltd

€4,712,864.91

€2,835,159.54

Boliden Tara Mines Ltd.

€12,697.38 (Dead Rent)

€12,697.38 (Dead Rent)

In 1986 the Government sold its 25% holding in Tara Mines Ltd (now Boliden Tara Mines Ltd) in a deal which included buy out by the company of future royalties from the original lease. While no royalties are currently paid by the mine, it is required to make an annual minimum payment of Dead Rent to the State.

Broadcasting Legislation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1574 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions that have taken place with British authorities on developing an all Ireland digital free to air carrying all the British and Irish freeview and saorview channels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33150/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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There are no plans for a single all Ireland digital free to air network carrying all the UK Freeview and Irish TV channels.

The Memorandum of Understanding that I signed with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Ben Bradshaw, MP, on 1 February 2010, deals with broadcast services and related radio spectrum issues in the context of the provision of digital terrestrial services on the island of Ireland.

The Memorandum aims to facilitate the widespread availability of RTÉ and TG4 in Northern Ireland and also provides an opportunity for the BBC to make itself available in the south. It is my intention that RTÉ services will be available on a ‘free-to-air' basis throughout the island of Ireland. The manner in which any BBC services would be provided is primarily a matter for the BBC.

My Department continues to engage with ComReg, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs, RTÉ and the Authorities in the UK to provide for the availability of RTÉ and TG4 throughout Northern Ireland.

A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding is available on www.dcenr.ie.

Electricity Generation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1575 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any estimates have been made on the extent to which co-firing the three peat stations with 30% biomass will increase the cost of generating electricity at these plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33164/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The objective of achieving 30% co-firing of biomass with peat in the 3 peat fired power stations by 2015, was set in the Energy Policy Framework 2007. Electricity generated at the 3 Peat fired power stations is covered under the Public Service Obligation which was introduced in 2001. This allows the companies involved, Bord na Móna and ESB, to claim back certain costs from the Public Service Obligation (PSO) fund. Because biomass displace peat, and the carbon costs associated with peat, the calculation of any potential costs associated with co-firing has to include any additional costs imposed by REFIT, less the savings related to reduced amounts of peat being used.

The cost effects of REFIT for co-firing is dependent on the average price of electricity in any given year, the amount of biomass that is actually consumed, the cost of purchasing carbon credits, and the breakdown of that feedstock between ordinary biomass and energy crops. However, were the reference price for electricity to be €80 MW/h in 2015, and all three peat stations to co-fire to 30% with a mix of 60:40 biomass to energy crops, the gross rate would be approximately €21m, per annum, against which would have to be set the reduced cost of consuming peat, particularly important given the associated carbon emissions (presumed to be €39/t as per the Department of Finance Guidelines). Even leaving aside the savings associated with the reduced cost of producing the peat, the carbon savings alone of 927,000 tonnes would result in a saving of €36.2m euro, giving a net benefit of over €15m to the PSO from co-firing.

At €100 MW/h, that gross effect would be an increase of €2.2m per annum, and the net price would involve a reduction in the PSO of €34m, largely due to the savings in Carbon emissions, which would remain the same as in the above example.

Broadcasting Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1576 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission any research on public knowledge about the analogue TV switch off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33192/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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My Department has set up a Digital Switchover Steering Group combining those organisations with key responsibilities for the digital terrestrial television rollout and the analogue switch-off processes. The purpose of the Group is to make the timely decisions needed to keep the analogue switch-off process in Ireland on track for completion by October 2012. The Steering Group, which is to report to the Minister, comprises representatives from my Department, RTÉ, RTÉNL, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and ComReg.

I have recently sought tenders for parties to conduct market research into the different TV reception mechanisms used in Irish households and consider that this research can be used to also identify public knowledge of analogue switch off.

Electricity Generation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1577 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will make a decision on transferring ownership of the electricity transmission grid from ESB to Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33198/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1578 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is still his policy to transfer ownership of the electricity transmission grid from ESB to Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33152/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1577 and1578 together.

The Government's policy in relation to the transfer of the electricity transmission network to EirGrid as the national transmission system operator is clearly set out in the Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 and reaffirmed in the Programme for Government. I have consistently underlined the need for transparent and inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders in the process of implementing the Government's policy in relation to the ownership of the electricity transmission assets.

As part of the process an independent analysis of the relevant issues is being commissioned taking account, inter alia, of EU developments and the all island Single Electricity Market. That process will be completed shortly and the outcome and conclusions will be submitted to me for my consideration.

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1579 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a renewable energy feed in tariff scheme or set price for micro-generation.. [33214/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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My Department, together with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), is completing analysis of the micro-generation and small commercial scale renewable technologies sector to evaluate options around the introduction of a Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) scheme. The purpose of the analysis is to inform the development of such a scheme by analysing tariff options, scheme terms and conditions, potential market uptake and overall cost and benefits to the consumer. I expect to publish the results of this analysis shortly.

Broadcasting Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1580 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a voucher or discount for low income persons who have to buy a digital box or new TV set to receive Digital Terrestrial Television. [33212/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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My Department has set up a Digital Switchover Steering Group combining those organisations with key responsibilities for the digital terrestrial television rollout and the analogue switch-off processes. The purpose of the Group is to make the timely decisions needed to keep the analogue switch-off process in Ireland on track for completion by October 2012. The Steering Group currently comprises representatives from my Department, RTÉ, RTÉNL, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and ComReg.

No decision has been made on the availability of a subsidy fund for digital receivers. This matter may need to be considered by the Government as the date for analogue switch off in 2012 approaches. In this regard the work of the Steering Group will help inform any such consideration.

Electricity Generation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1581 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received a copy of the Frontier report. [33213/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The independent analysis in relation to the electricity transmission assets being carried out by Frontier Economics Limited is being finalised and will be submitted to me in the coming weeks.

Electric Vehicles

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1582 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list the location of the on-street electric car chargers; when they were installed; and the number of times they have been used since installation. [33218/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in reducing the transport sector's Greenhouse Gas Emissions and in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. There is now very significant global investment under way in research and development in the electrification of transport. The technology is maturing to a point where large scale commercial deployment of electric vehicles appears feasible in the short to medium term. There is keen interest internationally in Ireland's decision to be an early mover in this field. Ireland is seen as an excellent test-bed particularly in relation to network infrastructure development.

The ESB will roll out 1,500 charge points on a nationwide basis by December 2011. The rollout has already begun with 12 on street charge points installed as follows:

Location

Date Energised

Fitzwilliam Street × 2, Adelaide Road and Wilton Place (Dublin)

1st April 2010

Nissan, Parkwest (Dublin)

30th July 2010

Cavan Courthouse (Cavan)

6th August 2010

Wood Quay (Galway)

9th August 2010

South Mall, Woburn Court and CIT (Cork)

6th September 2010

Sandyford Business Centre × 2 (Dublin)

1st October 2010 (due date)

Intel (Kildare)

7th October 2010 (due date)

Parnell Square, Arundel Square (Waterford)

11th October 2010 (due date)

Also, 15 domestic charge points and 13 industrial chargers have also been installed, as part of the eCar trial being undertaken by ESB. There is no data currently available on the level of usage of the charge points. The roll out of these charge points will accelerate towards year end, in anticipation of the first production EVs from major manufacturers coming to market in early 2011. It is anticipated that approximately 200 public charge points will be in place by year end. ESB also plans to install up to 30 fast charge points across Ireland by the end of 2011, with nine expected to be set up by the end of this year.

Postal Services

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1583 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he still intends to introduce post codes next year; and if he has given any consideration to using a Global Positioning System unique identifier rather the ABC123 system. [33220/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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An invitation to tender was issued on the 10th May 2010 for consultants to assist in selecting a body to implement and manage the delivery of a working National Postcode System (NPS). These consultants have now been appointed and are working with my Department's Steering Group to introduce a six digit alpha numeric model that is also capable of being refined into a location based code. I intend to commence the tender process to select the body to implement and maintain the NPS in Q4 of 2010.

Energy Efficiency Programmes

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1584 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount that has been spent in 2010 on energy efficiency projects using the proceeds of the carbon tax and to give a break down by month. [33206/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The table below gives a breakdown of monthly expenditure to date in 2010 on energy efficiency progammes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

€

Warmer Homes Scheme

12,541,000

Public Sector Energy Efficiency

393,000

Industry & Business

1,643,000

Retrofit Programme

121,000

Home Energy Saving

28,720,000

These programmes are directly funded through my Department's Vote. The Minister for Finance in the Budget Speech last December also stated that of the €130m made available for energy efficiency measures (€90m Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and €40m Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government), €50m of this would be provided from the carbon tax yield to fund measures such as help for households at risk of fuel poverty to make their homes warmer.

Electricity Generation

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1585 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the REFIT scheme, the reason applicants are required to enter a Power Purchase Agreement with an electricity supplier; the reason the electricity supplier is paid the 15% balancing payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33226/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The REFIT scheme, which guarantees a minimum price for certain classes of renewable electricity generation, is designed to underpin the business case for investors in the renewable generation sector. A key component of the scheme is the requirement for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between renewable energy generators and suppliers. The PPAs create certainty for generators and incentivise suppliers to purchase renewable electricity.

Payments, including the 15% balancing payment, are made to the suppliers who enter commercially negotiated Power Purchase Agreements with generators of renewable electricity. Under a PPA, the supplier undertakes to purchase all the output from a renewable energy generator at contract prices which are fixed between the generator and the supplier at the commencement of each individual contract for 15 years, irrespective of the open market pool price.

The supplier also assumes the market interaction role between the individual generator and the pool market and incurs additional costs in respect of this which are also reflected in the balancing payment.

In designing the REFIT scheme, my Department concluded that in order to ensure suppliers' critical participation in developing renewable generation capacity in the liberalised electricity market, a proportionate balancing payment mechanism was necessary. There has been a steady increase in total capacity of renewable projects on the system since the introduction of the REFIT scheme.

The CER decision paper for the 2010/2011 PSO decision shows that for the PSO periods of 1st January 2007 to 30th December 2007 and 1st January 2008 to 30th September 2008,, the PSO levy was set to zero to be recovered in subsequent years because the amount to be collected each year was relatively small. It was considered that the administrative burden of collecting these levies would have been excessive. For the 1st October 2008 to 30th September 2009 PSO levy period, a negative PSO levy of €13.9m was determined based on a high forecasted benchmark price of €112.25/MWh. The PSO levy was set to zero because PSO legislation does not provide for a negative PSO levy amount. For the 1st October 2009 to 30th September 2010 PSO levy period, a small positive PSO levy was determined, which facilitated the PSO levy being set to zero.

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1586 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the interconnection with the UK, if there will be a restriction on the sale of REFIT subsidised electricity to the UK at a price lower than the subsidised floor price cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33227/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Article 35 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union forbids any quantitative restrictions on exports and all measures having equivalent effect. This Article would prevent Ireland or any Member State from placing any restrictions on the export of electricity whether the power benefits from a feed in tariff or otherwise.

Under the terms of the Renewable Energy directive, the renewable value of generation stays in the country of generation except in the case of formal written agreement between any Member States to allow transfer of the statistical value of that generation between them. That formal agreement has to be notified to the Commission by both Member States for any such transfer to be accepted by the Commission.

There is currently no such agreement in place between Ireland and any other Member State.

Cross-border transactions within the electricity sector are regulated by EC Regulation 1228/2003. Under this regulation users (ie generators) of an interconnector can only be charged for utilising interconnector capacity when demand is greater than availability. At other times, EirGrid as the interconnector owner and operator will recover the cost of the interconnector through transmission charges.

It is also the case that it is impossible to distinguish the flow of electricity across interconnectors by reference to the original source of supply or generation.

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1587 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a financial study has been undertaken to confirm the REFIT scheme is capable of delivering the required amount of renewable energy to achieve the 40% by 2020 target; if so, if he will publish that study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33228/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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A range of international, EU and national analysis underpins the case for support schemes, such as REFIT, for renewable electricity technologies to provide greater certainty for investors thus facilitating the financing of the investments. As set out in Ireland's National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), it has been estimated by the Commission for Energy Regulation and EirGrid that between 4630MW and 5800MW of renewable generation is required, depending on economic growth assumptions and electricity demand projections, to ensure 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

Together with the 10% renewables target for the transport sector and the 12% renewables target for the heat sector, meeting the 40% electricity target will ensure the achievement of Ireland's legally binding EU target of 16% of all energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

Together with existing operational renewable electricity capacity of 1,750MW and capacity which has already signed connection offers of around 1,200 MW, there are 4,000 MW of applications under the Gate 3 scheme which are currently being processed. This indicates that the 40% target will be achieved and that the REFIT scheme is operating effectively to assist this objective. In addition to the REFIT scheme, undertaking the requisite investment in the transmission and distribution networks and timely planning and connection processes are critical to ensuring that the necessary level of renewable capacity under GATE 3 is delivered to meet the target.

Postal Services

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1588 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider putting in place a moratorium on the full liberalisation of the postal services here until a full impact assessment is completed on the social and economic impacts of same. [33234/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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Liberalisation of the postal services market is required under the third Postal Services Directive by the 31st of December, 2010.

The Directive is based on an EU Commission study on the impact on the universal postal service of the full accomplishment of a liberalised postal services market. This study concluded that full market opening is achievable in all Member States.

The postal market is already partially opened. Parcel post is fully competitive, and all mail in excess of 50 grams is currently open to all competitors. Legislation to transpose the Directive, and give effect to this final step in the gradual and controlled opening of this market to competition, is currently being drafted in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I hope to publish this legislation shortly with a view to having it enacted before the end of the year.

The issues for Ireland arising from the Directive have been widely and comprehensively consulted upon, and as with all legislative proposals, a regulatory impact analysis is conducted. The Department held an open and comprehensive public consultation in 2008, and an Options Paper examining the options and making recommendations was published in 2009. I hosted a forum in November 2009, which was attended by postal service providers, the wider business community, the postal regulator, staff representation groups, and users' interests groups, and in the main, there was broad support for the recommendations outlined in the Options Paper.

Liberalisation will bring many new opportunities. However, with or without liberalisation, there are many challenges facing An Post and the Irish postal sector generally. Globally the postal sector is facing challenges from electronic substitution, declining postal volumes generally, and the impact of the recent general economic downturn.

The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services. The economy and society at large need a strong and vibrant postal service.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1589 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a decision has made on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes proposal to merge the Digital Hub Development Agency with Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33302/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1590 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a decision has been made on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes proposal to merge ComReg and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33303/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1591 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to adopt the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation of part-funding TG4 from the television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33304/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1592 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to adopt the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation of terminating energy awareness programmes run by him and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33305/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1593 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to adopt the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation that the multiplicity of energy efficiency schemes run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland be rationalised with a view to saving €40m per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33306/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1594 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to adopt that there be a single funding stream for all research including energy with a view to saving €3.5m per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33307/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1595 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a decision has been made on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes proposal to merge the Ordnance Survey, Valuation Office and Property Registration Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1596 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a decision has been made on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes proposal to achieve 20% efficiency savings from operating costs at the Geological Survey of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33309/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1597 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount that will be saved annually from the merger of the regional fisheries boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/10]

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1598 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to adopt the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation of transferring responsibility for inland fisheries to the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33311/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1589 to 1598, inclusive, together.

The table below shows the current status of proposals in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes relating to my Department and to Bodies and Agencies under its remit about which the Deputy is inquiring. As the Deputy is aware the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes outlined a wide range of proposals across all Departments, a number of which, if agreed to proceed, can only be achieved through restructuring over a number of years. The consideration of the proposals for my Department and the Agencies under its aegis is ongoing and as the table shows, progress has been made in relation to certain proposals. In addition, my Department has committed to current expenditure savings amounting to €13 million over the 2009 Estimate in 2010. Gross current expenditure in 2010 for my Department will be 3% below the 2009 outturn and expenditure on the Department's pay bill will be some 9% below the 2009 outturn.

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

Merge DHDA with EI/IDA

Review of DHDA currently underway

Merge ComReg with BAI

Not implemented

Partially fund TG4 from TV Licence

Not included in Budget 2010 but direct Exchequer subvention to TG4 reduced by €2.083 million

Terminate DCENR/SEI energy awareness programmes

Separate budget for Energy Efficiency Awareness eliminated in Budget 2010 (€0.894 million saving)

Rationalise multiplicity of energy efficiency schemes run by SEI

Being rationalised in the context of the multi-annual National Retrofit Programme announced in Budget 2010

Transfer energy research funding to new single funding stream for all research

Energy research function retained

Merge OSi and the Valuation Office with the PRA

Not implemented

Secure efficiencies/increased revenue worth 20% of GSI’s operating costs

Value for Money Review of GSI underway to secure efficiencies/increased revenue

Secure additional savings from the merger of the regional fisheries boards

Merger took place with effect from 1 July 2010 and direct Exchequer funding for Inland Fisheries reduced by €3.369 million compared to the 2009 Estimate

Transfer responsibility for Inland Fisheries from DCENR to DEHLG

Not implemented

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1599 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received, pursuant to Section 37 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, estimates of income and expenditure from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for the next three years; if so, if he will publish that information; if he has not received those estimates, when he expects to receive that information; if he will publish such on receipt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33315/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The provisions in relation to the submission of the Authority's three-year estimates and expenditure proposals and their publication are set out in section 37 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

In relation to the estimates for the period 2011-2013, which are due to be submitted by the Authority no later than 30 September, I can confirm that these estimates have not yet been received in my Department. Furthermore, following recent queries raised by my Department with the Authority, it has been clarified to me that the 3-year estimates will now not be available until the end of October.

This delay results from a decision of the Authority that the Budget for the period 2011-2013, which will be the BAI's first three-year budget, needs to be framed in the context of the Statement of Strategy for the same period on the basis that the content of the Statement of Strategy provides the framework for the objectives and work-plan of the organisation and the budget supports the activities to be undertaken to achieve these objectives.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Authority is currently engaged in a comprehensive process in regard to the development of its Statement of Strategy and this has involved wide-scale consultation with industry and other key players. I am informed by the Authority that, on the basis that a draft Strategy is finalised over the coming weeks, it expects that the 3-year Budget will be agreed and submitted to me before the end of October.

While this goes beyond the timeline provided for in the legislation, I have been assured by the Authority of its continued commitment to comply with the will of the Oireachtas as expressed in the legislation. In this instance, while the Authority regrets the likely delay, its view is that the approach being taken is the most appropriate to best serve the needs of the broadcasting industry in that it will provide greatest certainty regarding the Authority's future work and expenditure plans and, through this, the clarity needed by industry on the level of levy that it will be required to pay over the coming 3-year period.

In relation to publication, the legislation requires that, subject to the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, the Authority shall publish its 3-year estimates or a summary of them on a website maintained by the Authority. I am very much aware that both public and commercial broadcasters will be keen to view the Authority's expenditure proposals as early as possible and it is my intention to facilitate this as much as practicable in the circumstances.

Information Technology

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1600 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to extend e-Inclusion funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33341/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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I am aware of the important work Age Action and others have been doing in the area of digital inclusion with funding support from my Department. These projects make a positive contribution in many ways as has been borne out in reports on the outcomes of the schemes.

I am aware too that other initiatives such as "Log-on Learn" — involving transition year students, An Post and the corporate sector — are also making a positive contribution in helping older people to acquire digital skills.

Digital engagement is, I believe, an area which merits continued support subject to availability of resources. Since resources are scarce we need to find ways to be even more effective with fewer resources.

I also wish to explore ways we could involve more of the stakeholders (including the corporate sector who are also significant beneficiaries of increased digital engagement) and others working in relevant areas to see how we might best work together in a more coordinated way to achieve more digital engagement from which all will benefit. Future investment in this area will be considered in the above context.

Telecommunications Services

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1601 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33477/10]

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1602 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the national broadband scheme will be rolled out to the entire county of Kildare including its rural hinterlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33478/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1601 and 1602 together.

Under the terms of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) contract, 3 is obliged to provide coverage in all of the 1028 Electoral Divisions (EDs) within the NBS area by 23rd October next. I am happy to report that 3 is on track to deliver on this contractual obligation.

In relation to the status of the NBS roll-out in Kildare I can confirm that all 11 EDs can now avail of NBS services.

The following table sets out the names of these EDs.

National Broadband Scheme (NBS)

Electoral Divisions (ED) to be covered by the NBS in County Kildare

ED Name

ED Reference No.

BALLITORE ED

87004

BALLYSHANNON ED

87010

CARRIGEEN ED

87021

CLONCURRY ED

87027

FEIGHCULLEN ED

87038

FONTSTOWN ED

87039

KILRUSH ED

87059

MOONE ED

87068

NARRAGHMORE ED

87072

SKERRIES ED

87083

USK ED

87088

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1603 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33633/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to spend on mobile communications from 2007 to 2010 is set out below. This includes mobile phones, Blackberrys and modems.

Year

Total spend

€

2007

138,065.46

2008

79,466.94

2009

64,423.46

Jan – June 2010

32,239.45

There are 108 staff within the Department with an official issue mobile device. The contract for the provision of mobile voice and data communications for the Department has been held by Vodafone since 2008. A new tender competition has recently been held and my Department expects to announce the results of that competition shortly.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1604 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33699/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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I can inform the Deputy that the number of persons employed in my Department by grade is as detailed in the table below. There is a further table that details the number of Non Commercial Agencies under the remit of my Department, together with the number of staff employed in each Agency. The grade structure varies across each Agency and is a matter for the Agency.

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Staff numbers by Grade (Whole Time Equivalent)

Grade

Staff Number

Secretary General

1

Deputy Secretary General

1

Assistant Secretary

3

Principal Officer

17

Assistant Principal Officer

35

Administrative Officer

5

Higher Executive Officer

40

Executive Officer

44

Staff Officer

1

Clerical Officer/Typist

50

Systems Analyst

1

Junior Systems Analyst

2

Services Officer

8

Service Attendant

1

Storekeeper

1

Chief Technical Advisor (Energy)

1

Director of GSI

1

Director of Technology

1

Assistant Director of GSI

1

Communications Engineer

1

Senior Laboratory Technician

1

Laboratory Technician

1

Staff Engineer

2

Assistant Staff Engineer

1

Executive Engineer

3

Principal Geologist

3

Senior Geologist

11

Super Cartography

3

Assistant Super Cartography

2

Chief Super Mapping

2

Super Mapping

1

Petroleum Exploration Specialist

2

Technical Assistant

1

Professional Accountant Grade 1

1

Geologist

4

Project Geologist

2

Unestablished Geological Assistant

5

Unestablished Lab Technician

1

Legal Advisor

1

Special Advisor to the Minister of State

1

Personal Assistant to the Minister

1

Press Advisor to the Minister

1

Advisor to the Minister

1

Personal Secretary to the Minister

1

Research Coordinator

1

Financial Advisor

1

Grand total

269

Agency

Staff numbers (Whole Time Equivalents) as at 30 June 2010

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

34

Central Fisheries Board

78

Commission for Communication Regulation

119

Commission for Energy Regulation

62

Digital Hub Development Agency

15

Eastern Regional Fisheries Board

46

Loughs Agency

73

National Oil Reserves Agency

5

Northern Regional Fisheries Board

52

North Western Regional Fisheries Board

45

Ordnance Survey Ireland

297

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

56

Southern Regional Fisheries Board

37

South-Western Regional Fisheries Board

40

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

62

Western Regional Fisheries Board

59

Flood Relief

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1605 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received correspondence from Fermoy Town Council regarding proposals by the Office of Public Works to carry out repairs to the weir at Fermoy, County Cork as part of phase two on the town’s flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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Fermoy Town Council advised me by letter dated 14 September, 2010 of progress in implementing their preferred solution to the problem of fish passage at Fermoy. The Council have indicated that they, in consultation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), are progressing detailed design of the repair works to the fish pass. They have advised me that these works will be undertaken in conjunction with the OPW's Flood Relief Works at Fermoy, which are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2011. I have acknowledged this letter, emphasising the need for these matters to be progressed as quickly as possible.

Departmental Agencies

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1606 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide ComReg’s income and expenditure accounts for 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33889/10]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)
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In accordance with Section 32 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) shall present its Annual Report and Accounts to me and I shall cause copies of the accounts to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

ComReg's annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2009 is currently being examined by my officials and I will bring it to Government shortly. The annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2009 will subsequently be available in hard copy from ComReg and will also be available on their website: www.comreg.ie. The report and accounts will set out ComReg’s income and expenditure for 2009.

I understand from ComReg that the audit of the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2010 is not yet completed.

Fisheries Protection

Ruairí Quinn
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Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1607 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the National Implementation Group formed out of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food document, A Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms has submitted its interim and final report to him; if he will provide a report on its conclusions; should the interim or final report not have been submitted, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31809/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Significant work has been done on the evaluation of the impact of the Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms by a group set up specifically for this. This work is being compiled into a draft Report which, following final examination by the Group, will be completed. When the Report is completed it will be made available as soon as possible.

Ruairí Quinn
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Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1608 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the continued high sea lice levels measured at a site (details supplied) in County Galway over the past four years which are consistently above Department protocol limits despite numerous notices to treat being issued to the operator by the Marine Institute under his Department’s sea lice protocol; the reason he has not sanctioned the operator for continued breaches as per the protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31811/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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My Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute has been implementing a new strategy in the treatment of sea lice for the last three years which is having a beneficial effect. There has been a steady incremental decrease in sea lice infestation levels in Connemara over this period. The site in question is now being managed as part of a suite of sites to ensure separation of generations and fallowing between stocking with new fish.

Over the period from the stocking of the site in late 2009 until it was fallowed in August 2010 following the final harvest of fish, notices to treat were issued by the Marine Institute when either ovigerous or mobile sea lice levels warranted this. On each occasion the farm responded by arranging and carrying out a treatment as advised. A total of five treatments have been documented and it is clear that the farm did indeed carry out these treatments as the resultant reductions in sea lice infestation levels were recorded in subsequent inspections by the Marine Institute.

The full implementation of best practice in regard to sea lice management in Connemara will result in further improvements in sea lice control in the coming growing cycle.

Pigmeat Sector

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1609 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the problems caused by phosphorous deficiency; the problems that this is causing for the dairy and pig industry; his views regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32144/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Phosphorous deficiency was among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the ‘Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. The Regulations fall due for review this year.

An Expert Advisory Group was established to consider the submissions. The Group presented its' report to me and to my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government last week.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Group are now under consideration and will inform any adjustments to the National Action Programme.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1610 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in respect of the current year, in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32268/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed the number of persons (in terms of full-time equivalents) employed in my Constituency Office, that of my predecessor, Minister of State Sean Connick and the previous Ministers of State who have held office in this Department since 14th June 2007. The tables below detail the amount of salaries and expenses (including overtime, allowances and travel & subsistence) to each individual.

Minister Brendan Smith 7/5/2008 to date

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1.0

0.00

33,923.43

58,979.83

42,792.61

Personal Secretary

1.0

0.00

31,046.62

53,595.56

40,581.19

Clerical Officer

4.3

0.00

102,218.50

154,636.73

113,702.18

Minister Mary Coughlan 14/6/2007 to 6/5/2008

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1.0

15,408.16

18,026.00

0.00

0.00

Personal Secretary

1.0

49,735.96

18,294.79

0.00

0.00

Clerical Officer

2.8

81,871.45

36,766.40

0.00

0.00

Minister of State Sean Connick 23/3/2010 to date

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1.6

0.00

0.00

0.00

29,569.82

Personal Secretary

1.0

0.00

0.00

0.00

23,591.21

Executive Officer (Temp)

0.4

0.00

0.00

0.00

3,671.09

Clerical Officer

1.0

0.00

0.00

0.00

17,505.99

Minister of State Trevor Sargent 20/6/2007 to 23/2/2010

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1.00

22,647.25

53,699.67

54,840.24

9,963.72

Personal Secretary

1.00

15,486.53

47,869.06

50,236.16

9,968.15

Staff Officer

2.00

24,552.03

87,655.47

58,179.02

4,817.74

Clerical Officer (Temp)

0.98

11,838.23

30,279.85

28,430.04

5,763.02

Minister of State Tony Killeen 13/5/2008 to 22/3/2010

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1

0.00

31,293.22

54,840.24

13,923.32

Personal Secretary

1

0.00

21,317.36

38,433.40

10,035.81

Clerical Officer

2

0.00

41,319.64

67,223.51

14,941.55

Minister of State Mary Wallace 20/6/2007 to 12/5/2008

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1

51,352.50

27,090.76

0.00

0.00

Personal Secretary

1

20,306.49

15,468.07

0.00

0.00

Clerical Officer (Temp)

3

50,630.45

37,359.59

0.00

0.00

Minister of State John Browne 20/6/2007 to 12/5/2008

Grade

FTE

2007

2008

2009

2010

Personal Assistant

1

19,830.88

12,179.69

0.00

0.00

Personal Secretary

1

21,001.56

16,214.58

0.00

0.00

Clerical Officer

1

14,380.13

12,424.81

0.00

0.00

Clerical Officer (Temp)

2

20,849.20

21,194.18

0.00

0.00

Neither I, my predecessor nor any of the Ministers of State occupy Constituency Offices on Department property.

The following table shows costs related to the Constituency Offices of the current Minister, current Ministers of Sate and Constituency Offices of their predecessors while they were attached to this Department.

The costs included relate to data networking, and telephone costs including installation, rental, call charges and miscellaneous charges.

Name

Address

€

€

€

€

€

Brendan Smith

3 Carrickfern,Cavan

0.00

18,470.74

17,900.83

13,191.26

49,562.83

Mary Coughlan

Ballybrillaghan, Mountcharles, Co. Donegal

1,621.89

762.57

0.00

0.00

2,384.46

Pier 1, Quay St, Donegal

8,869.55

0.00

0.00

0.00

8,869.55

Main Street, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal

2,201.18

1,316.39

0.00

0.00

3,517.57

East End House, Old Laghey Rd, Donegal

4,013.60

7,946.86

0.00

0.00

11,960.46

Ministers of State

Sean Connick

Millbanks Rosbercon, New Ross, Co. Wexford

0.00

0.00

0.00

479.00

479.00

Unit 1, Priory Quay, New Ross, Co. Wexford

0.00

0.00

0.00

2,575.64

2,575.64

Ciaran Cuffe

n/a

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Tony Killeen

Ballycasheen, Kilnaboy, Ennis, Co. Clare

0.00

851.28

3,203.80

429.60

4,484.68

St Anthony’s Terrace, Ennis, Co. Clare

0.00

3,316.46

6,755.80

2,345.84

12,418.10

Trevor Sargent

Tara Cove, Balbriggan, Co Dublin

1,479.69

1,963.82

1,841.25

533.55

5,818.31

Rush, Co. Dublin.

1,349.00

3,069.02

6,755.80

2,245.84

13,419.66

9 Forest Mews, Swords, Co. Dublin.

1,349.00

1,986.50

1,200.00

300.00

4,835.50

Mary Wallace

Fairyhouse Rd, Ratoath, Co. Meath

17,536.61

2,248.45

0.00

0.00

19,785.06

Killegland St., Ashbourne, Co. Meath

4,209.74

2,334.19

0.00

0.00

6,543.93

Ennistown, Ratoath, Co. Meath

1,652.21

1,069.60

0.00

0.00

2,721.81

John Browne

Court Street, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

20,707.56

6,267.37

0.00

0.00

26,974.93

Lr Church St, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

0.00

5,400.17

0.00

0.00

5,400.17

Afforestation Programme

Joanna Tuffy
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Joanna Tuffy
Question:
1611 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to keep up the annual Forestry Planting Programme of 10,000 hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32440/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The Government is committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate that maximises the use of available financial resources. My Department, in the context of the Estimates process for 2011, is reviewing its commitments to ensure that priority needs, including forestry, are met. I am fully aware of the need to maximise funding for forestry in what are difficult times for the public finances.

EU Directives

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
1612 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the current fertiliser application rates allowable under the nitrates regulation are inadequate in view of the concern regarding phosphate depletions on farms; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of farmers are attributing herd fertility problems directly to inadequate phosphate applications level; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that malting barley is facing greater difficulty in achieving protein standards required by consumers due to the inadequate allowable application in the regulations; and if he will ensure the restoration of competitiveness of farming here by allowing similar application rates as are allowed in other countries such as the UK. [32553/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Phosphorous levels in the soil and protein levels in malting barley were among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the ‘Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. The Regulations fall due for review this year.

An Expert Advisory Group was established to consider the submissions. The Group presented its' report to me and to my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government last week. The conclusions and recommendations of the Group are now under consideration and will inform any adjustments to the National Action Programme.

Fishing Fleet Modernisation

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1613 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if in view of the costs involved in the Code of Practice Survey for Fisherman particularly the owners of vessels less than 18 metres which were excluded from the decommissioning scheme, if he will contact the Marine Survey Office with a view to introducing a reasonable timeframe for works identified under the Code of Practice Survey which do not impact on marine safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The Marine Survey Office operates under the aegis of the Minister for Transport. Matters concerning that Office and maritime safety policy are the responsibility of that Department. I have no function in relation to the matter.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1614 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of 2010 disadvantaged area payments that are unpaid on a county basis; his views on delays to payments in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33059/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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In relation to the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, I have exercised the option of making an advance payment of 75 per cent of DAS beginning on 22 September, with the balancing 25 per cent payment commencing 20 October. I have taken this option because of the EU requirement to entirely process applications before payment can be made in full. However, this approach will ensure the maximum number of farmers will get an advance payment, whereas a far fewer number of farmers could be paid in full if an alternative option were taken. The rate of payment under DAS is unchanged from last year and I am confident that all applicants will receive their full entitlement when their maps and applications are fully processed.

Details of payments made to date, by county, including Donegal, are contained in thefollowing tabular statement. Payments continue to issue as individual cases are cleared.

Payments under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme as at 28 September 2010

County

Applied 2010

Paid 2010

%

Carlow

764

584

76.44

Cavan

4,763

3,859

81.02

Clare

6,041

4,829

79.94

Cork

6,886

5,141

74.66

Donegal

8,497

5,848

68.82

Dublin

135

90

66.67

Galway

12,147

8,947

73.66

Kerry

7,601

5,560

73.15

Kildare

504

371

73.61

Kilkenny

1,769

1,379

77.95

Laois

1,687

1,383

81.98

Leitrim

3,371

2,597

77.04

Limerick

2,911

2,305

79.18

Longford

2,377

1,913

81.24

Louth

812

559

68.84

Mayo

11,286

8,054

71.36

Meath

1,320

1,048

79.39

Monaghan

4,028

3,286

81.58

Offaly

2,408

1,898

78.82

Roscommon

5,765

4,531

78.59

Sligo

4,043

3,250

80.39

Tipperary

4,435

3,511

79.17

Waterford

1,448

1,171

80.87

Westmeath

2,536

2,101

82.85

Wexford

1,514

1,034

68.30

Wicklow

1,764

1,247

70.69

Totals

100,812

76,514

75.90

Appointments to State Boards

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1615 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of semi-State companies within the aegis of his Department; when the current CEO or equivalent was appointed to their position; the length of their current contract; and the date it is due for renewal. [33130/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The following table sets out information requested by the Deputy in respect of the CEOs of the State Bodies under my Department's aegis.

State Body

Appointment Date

Length of Current Contract

Contract Expiry Date

Teagasc, CEO

1 October 2007

7 years

30 September 2014

Bord Bia, CEO

13 July 2009

5 years

12 July 2014

National Milk Agency, CEO

8 July 2005

CEO shall continue until he reaches the age of 65 years

Irish Marine Institute, CEO

1 January 2004

CEO shall retire at 60 years of age

Bord Iascaigh Mhara, CEO

1 July 2007

5 years

30 June 2012

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Chairman

22 February 2007

5 years

21 February 2012

Coillte, CEO

20 March 2006

7 years

19 March 2013

Irish National Stud, CEO

1 February 2010

3 years initial contract

31 January 2013

Bord na gCon, CEO

11 January 2007

Contract currently under discussion

Horse Racing Ireland, CEO

25 September 2009

Contract currently under discussion

Afforestation Programme

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1616 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered, in the context of the ongoing review of afforestation, premia including areas of scrubland as eligible for such premia to allow the increase of the national forest estate without the need for payment of establishment grants and to reduce the number of wildfires used for controlled management of agricultural holdings to qualify for single farm payments and disadvantaged area payments. [33411/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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I share the Deputy's concern about the impact of recent wildfires on the national forest estate and on wildlife habitats.

My Department has established an inter-agency group (Land and Forest Fires Working Group) to examine the issue and make recommendations to strengthen preventative measures and minimise the occurrence and impact of forest fires.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1617 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the proposed scheme in the Revised Programme for Government through which some of the moneys currently set aside to purchase carbon credits abroad will be diverted for forestry investment here. [33412/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The scheme referred to is being considered in the context of the National Forestry Policy Review which is due to complete its work by the end of the year.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1618 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a list of derogations from the obligation to replant forestry given in the past five years, distinguishing between those given on environmental grounds and those given for commercial purposes. [33420/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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There have been no derogations from replanting obligations given in the last five years. However, extensions to the period allowed for replanting have been granted to Coillte Teo in respect of:

1. The Western Peatlands Life Project. These extensions were allowed to enable Coillte, for environmental reasons, to devise a suitable, environmentally friendly replanting plan.

2. The control of pine weevil by the creation of buffer zones to stop the spread of pine weevil. This extension is to facilitate an experimental approach to the control of the weevil. It is hoped it will produce an environmentally friendly solution that will also be commercially beneficial.

These areas will be replanted in due course. The following is a list of these extensions.

Licence number

Property

County

Area

Reason for deferral

Date of deferral

510664

Shinnanagh

Galway

12.90

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5109114

Bunnakill

Galway

13.90

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5207253

Cartron

Mayo

24.50

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210230

Tawnykinaff

Mayo

40.30

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210240

Glenturk

Mayo

15.50

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210260

Bellagelly/Glenamoy

Mayo

16.70

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210272

Crocknacally/Cluddaun

Mayo

17.40

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210297

Gortleatilla

Mayo

16.80

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

52101517

Glenamoy

Mayo

32.30

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5103111

Finnaun

Galway

43.50

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5103134

Finnaun

Galway

4.10

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

7.00

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

18.60

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5103135

Finnaun

Galway

12.20

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5103138

Finnaun

Galway

17.00

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

4.20

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

18.50

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

25.30

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5103139

Finnaun

Galway

17.80

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

49.10

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5207194

Letterkeen

Mayo

2.90

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

10.60

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5207284

Srahmore

Mayo

21.20

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

4.30

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

22.00

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

1.30

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5207304

Letterkeen

Mayo

10.50

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5207314

Srahmore

Mayo

23.20

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210246

Lugnalettin

Mayo

19.70

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210247

Bellagelly South (Glenamoy)

Mayo

16.10

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210288

Lugnalettin

Mayo

25.10

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

5210305

Glenturk

Mayo

18.70

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

GY240219

Glencullin

Mayo

5.30

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

44.90

Western Peatland Project

10/06/2008

GFL4669

Tiknock

Co Dublin

7.00

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL5173

5.00

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL5173

Monksland

Roscommon

26.14

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

18.15

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Carrowbehy

Roscommon

18.50

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Tooreennascarthy

Kerry

20.42

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

FL3214457

Inchee

Kerry

1.76

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Crocknagapple

Donegal

21.90

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Tievetooey

Donegal

15.60

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Seadavog

Donegal

8.60

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFLDL310045

12.92

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFLDL310046

1.28

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Kilbraugh

Tipperary

4.90

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

Lugnalettin

Mayo

24.34

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

licenced under 2004 GFL

Meentinny

Cork

20.00

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL4669

Cummery Connell

Cork

8.00

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL5173

Bottle Hill

Cork

7.41

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL5173

6.88

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL5173

12.10

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

The Demesne

Cork

10.58

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

GFL 5806

18.58

Control of Pine Weevil

03/12/2008

Harbours and Piers

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1619 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to concerns of the local community of Castletownbere, County Cork, in relation to the loss of the Colt Rock, an historic insignia, from its traditional location at the exit to the harbour without notice during the installation of a safety beacon last year; and if he can confirm that the insignia will be reinstated at or adjacent to its original location without further delay as promised. [33422/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) is the General Lighthouse Authority for all of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands. CIL carry out the obligations of the Irish Government in relation to the provision of Aids to Navigation around the coast. The Colt Rock insignia was removed by CIL during their upgrading works on the Colt Rock beacon at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. Any decision regarding the re-instatement of the insignia is a matter for the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

Grant Payments

Jimmy Deenihan
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Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1620 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of suckler cow welfare scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33659/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The person named applied for 33 animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Payment issued for 14 of the animals on 26 April 2010. Errors have been identified on the information submitted by the applicant in relation to some of the remaining nineteen animals and an official from my Department will contact the person named regarding these errors with a view to rectifying them.

Aquaculture Development

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1621 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the cross border aquaculture initiative team scheme will continue; if he will put funding into it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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A review of the functions and funding structure of the Aquaculture Initiative Team is currently taking place within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. These deliberations are continuing and as yet no decision has been made as to the future of the Initiative.

Afforestation Programme

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1622 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans with regard to the annual Forestry Planting Programme of 10,000 hectares in view of the impact any reduction in this programme will have on employment of forestry workers and on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34092/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The Government is committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate that maximises the use of available financial resources. My Department, in the context of the Estimates process for 2011, is reviewing its commitments to ensure that priority needs, including forestry, are met. I am fully aware of the need to maximise funding for forestry in what are difficult times for the public finances.

Grant Payments

Joan Burton
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Joan Burton
Question:
1623 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide details of the gross amounts of payments made without deduction of tax; and where tax should have been deducted at 35% in each of the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. [31703/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The gross amounts of payments made across the relevant areas are set out below. This covers a period when my Department did not consider it appropriate to apply Relevant Contracts Tax procedures to certain payments associated with animal disease eradication schemes. Following on from the determination made by the Revenue Commissioners on this matter, Relevant Contracts Tax was applied to these areas with immediate effect, from mid 2006 onwards.

2001: €4,375,528;

2002: €19,470,991;

2003: € 7,960,954;

2004: € 5,684,912;

2005: € 3,886,333;

2006: € 928,436.

Animal Breeding Regulations

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1624 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the amendments promised as a result of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 to be made to the Greyhound Industry Act 1958; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31773/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

Heads of a Bill to provide the above amendments are currently being drafted and I intend to bring them to Government shortly.

Grant Payments

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1625 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the 2009 cow welfare scheme has not been granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31784/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

The person named applied for 17 animals under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2008. 18 calves were born into the herd in this year but included one set of twins. Payment is made on the eligible suckler cow and was made, in full, on 30 April 2009 in respect of the 17 suckler cows.

The person named applied on 17 animals under this Scheme for 2009. Payment in full issued on 30 July 2010 in respect of these 17 animals.

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1626 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment under the 2009 cow welfare scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31787/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named applied for 29 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, one of the primary requirements for applicants with herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. The person named declared that he had weaned all of the animals on 15 October 2009 and, therefore, was ineligible for payment. The applicant subsequently submitted additional information. My Department sought further clarification but the applicant has not responded to date. The application will be processed to finality on receipt of the applicant's response.

Salmon Farming

Ruairí Quinn
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Ruairí Quinn
Question:
1627 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps taken over the past year by his Department to regularise the unlicensed salmon farm (details supplied) in County Galway, which continues to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31810/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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My Department has sought and obtained legal advice in relation to the issues that arise and continues to make every effort to resolve the situation as soon as possible in the public interest.

Grant Payments

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1628 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all investigations have been completed and when headage payments will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31944/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
Share

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received on the 17th of May 2010.

This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full cross compliance inspection. As soon as the inspection results have been processed, a 75% advance payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue with a 25% balancing payment on 20 October. The advance payment of 50% under the Single Payment Scheme is due on 18th October with the balancing 50% in December.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1629 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of any State owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31954/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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There are currently 12 State Bodies which come under the aegis of my Department and in most cases there is no requirement under legislation for Ministerial approval of the Annual Reports but there is a requirement to lay such Reports before both Houses of the Oireachtas except in the case of the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

The information requested by the Deputy is laid out in the table below. Where Ministerial approval is not required the date of laying the Reports before both Houses of the Oireachtas is also provided in the table below.

State Body

Year

Date Received

Date Approved

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB)

2008

17 September 2009

The Annual Report was approved on 3 December 2009

2007

16 March 2009

The Annual Report was approved on 3 December 2009

Bord Bia

2009

31 March 2010

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 15 June 2010

2008

31 March 2009

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 25 June 2009

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

2009

30 July 2010

Under consideration by Department

2008

20 July 2009

The Annual Report was approved by the Minister on 31 August 2009

Bord na gCon

2008

14 January 2010

Under consideration by Department

2007

28 January 2009

The Annual Report was laid before the both Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 April 2009

Coillte Teoranta

2009

22 April 2010

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 29 April 2010

2008

16 April 2009

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 29 April 2009

Horse Racing Ireland

2008

7 October 2009

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 November 2009

2007

15 December 2008

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 30 July 2009

Irish National Stud

2009

7 July 2010

Under consideration by Department

2008

1 July 2009

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 30 November 2009

Marine Institute

2009

16 June 2010

Under consideration by Department

2008

29 June 2009

The Annual Report was approved by the Minister on 8 March 2010

National Milk Agency

2009

11 June 2010

The Annual Report was approved by the Minister on 18 August 2010

2008

20 May 2009

The Annual Report was approved by the Minister on 22 July 2009

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

2009

13 August 2010

Under consideration by Department

2008

2 September 2009

The Annual Report was approved by the Minister on 2 March 2010

Teagasc

2009

30 June 2010

The Annual Report is due to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on Thursday 30 September 2010

2008

1 July 2009

The Annual Report was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 19 November 2009

Veterinary Council of Ireland

2008

16 November 2009

Under the Veterinary Practice Act, 2005 the Minister is not required to approve the Annual Report

2007

17 November 2008

Under the Veterinary Practice Act, 2005 the Minister is not required to approve the Annual Report

Grant Payments

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1630 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that adequate compensation is paid to those who have been forced to put down ducks due to an outbreak of salmonella; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31984/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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On 23 April 2010 the Food Safety Authority of Ireland advised that it was investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT8 in humans that was linked to the consumption of duck eggs. Subsequent investigations revealed that nine individual flocks were infected.

Duck eggs are not covered under EU legislation on marketing standards or zoonosis and there is no scheme of compensation for producers whose duck egg flocks are Salmonella positive. Nevertheless, my Department met with representatives of the sector and, having regard to the difficulties being experienced as a result of this outbreak, agreed to a once-off ex-gratia contribution of €16 per duck for flockowners who voluntarily depopulated, subject to their agreeing to a new Code of Practice governing the industry and registering with the Department.

In addition, affected flock owners were required to ensure that replacement stock was sourced from salmonella-free flocks and that certain biosecurity and hygiene measures were put in place. Under EU Food Hygiene Regulations, responsibility for ensuring the safety of food being placed on the market rests with the producer.

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1631 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32031/10]

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1635 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32058/10]

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1661 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33261/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1631, 1635 and 1661 together.

The person named applied for 64 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme and payment has issues in respect of 58 animals. Payment cannot be made for the remaining animals until the outstanding queries are satisfactorily dealt with, and my Department is awaiting a response from the applicant in relation to these queries.

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1632 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32032/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named applied for 23 animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009.

Payment was made in March 2010 in respect of 8 of these animals. A number of queries arose on the remaining 15 animals during the validation process undertaken by my Department. A letter has issued to the applicant requesting clarification and a reply is awaited.

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1633 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32039/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named applied for 24 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payments have already been issued to the applicant in respect of 23 animals. Payment for the remaining animal was recently approved by my Department and it will issue shortly.

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1634 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32040/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named registered 19 beef breed calves in 2009. A number of queries regarding the animals were identified and correspondence issued to the person named. A response has been received recently and is currently being examined. Payment will issue shortly if all of the queries are resolved in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.

Question No. 1635 answered with Question No. 1631.

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1636 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an appeal for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [32086/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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As part of this Department's review of areas declared by applicants under the Single Payment Scheme, two ineligible areas (dwelling house and roadway) were identified and removed from the applications of the person named. This resulted in the eligible area of the parcel in question being reduced and over-payments posted for each of the application years concerned (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). While the person named was advised, in writing, of the finding and the monetary implications, to date, no appeal has been received in relation to this case.

Fishing Vessel Licences

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1637 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of fishing vessels of less than 12 metres in length registered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32234/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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There are 1820 less than 12 metre vessels currently entered on the Fishing Boat Register.

Harbours and Piers

Brian O'Shea
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Brian O'Shea
Question:
1638 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to fund the dredging at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32385/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Funding was provided under the 2009 Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for the completion of a feasibility study on the dredging of the harbour. This study was undertaken by Engineering Consultants RPS on the proposed methods and related dredging costs for Dunmore East harbour. The final report was issued in November 2009. The main findings were that 80% of the harbour sediment contains Tributyltin (TBT). The cost associated with the disposal of dredge spoil containing TBT is significantly higher than for uncontaminated material. Various options for dredging the harbour were examined and in general the costs were in the order of €6 million.

My Department's Engineering division undertook a more detailed Hydrographic Study in the harbour recently and this is currently being examined by our Engineers, however this will not in any way alter the overall cost to any significant degree.

Afforestation Programme

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1639 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a felling licence will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32410/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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I understand that the application in question has been referred to South Tipperary County Council for observations and my Department has not, as yet, received a reply. On receipt of a report from South Tipperary County Council a decision will be taken by my Department in relation to the issue of a felling licence for the site.

Agri-environmental Scheme

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1640 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will issue approvals under the agri-environmental options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32417/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Letters of approval have issued to almost 6,000 applicants for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), giving farmers a start date in the scheme from 1 September 2010. This represents almost two-thirds of all applicants and the processing of these applications was carried out within a challenging time-frame.

My officials are giving priority to processing the remaining applications with a view to issuing further approvals as soon as possible.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Denis Naughten
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Denis Naughten
Question:
1641 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that applicants leaving REP scheme in 2010 will be able to avail of agri-environmental options scheme in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32422/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Further participation in the new Agri-environment Options Scheme will be determined by the level of funding available to my Department. All EU funding for the scheme up to the end of 2013 is now fully committed. Any further support in that period will have to be funded entirely by the Exchequer and this is a matter that will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.

Grant Payments

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
1642 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payments will issue to farmers in County Mayo under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32449/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, all administrative checks, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Information System, must be completed before any payment can issue.

Payment will issue at the earliest possible date once these checks have been completed.

Agri-environmental Scheme

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1643 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No 390 of 25 May 2010, the number of applications received nationally for entry to the agri-environmental options scheme; the number of applications received from County Clare; the number of farmers whose applications have been approved to date, nationally and from farmers in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32470/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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A total of about 9,200 applications were received for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme, including 426 from County Clare. Letters of approval have issued to almost 6,000 applicants, of which 266 are in Co Clare. My officials are giving priority to processing the remaining applications with a view to issuing further approvals as soon as possible.

Herd Numbers

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1644 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding farmers who have two or more holdings up to 20 miles away from their home holding; if these farmers will have to secure a second herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32471/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The position in relation to herd numbers is that, under Irish and EU rules relating to disease control and intra-Community trade in live animals, the herd number identifies a herd as a defined "epidemiological" unit and separate epidemiological units must be allocated separate herd numbers. Being in one "epidemiological" unit means that the animals in the herd/flock on a holding share the same likelihood of exposure to a disease. This is the reason why, for example, when a herd is restricted for TB, all the animals recorded in the herd number for the holding, even if located in different land fragments, are movement ‘restricted'.

My Department's policy, for many years, has been that, where lands are further than 20 miles/32 kilometres from the primary or ‘home' fragment, they should be assessed to determine if it is appropriate to allocate a separate herd number for the distant land fragment(s). The main objective of this policy is to ensure that, in the event of a disease outbreak, the movement of animals can be easily traced and those holdings affected by the outbreak identified so that trade restrictions can be limited to these holdings. It should be emphasised, however, that the 20 mile/32 kilometres “threshold” is used as an indicator to trigger this assessment and, consequently, it is not automatically obligatory to obtain a separate herd number in all such instances.

The assessment for a separate herd number is carried out on a case-by- case basis and takes account of the level of association between livestock on the home fragments and distant land fragments. In general terms, a separate herd number will not be required if any of the following circumstances apply: there are no cattle listed under this herd number on the distant fragments e.g. the land is used for Forestry/Tillage/Fodder or it is rented to or used by another farmer with a different herd number, there are cattle listed under the herd number located on the distant fragment(s) and the keeper visits/inspects the animals frequently; animals on the different land fragments mix frequently as a result of moving between the various fragments such that all animals share the same disease risk.

I want to stress that, in the event of a second herd number being required, it will not have any impact on Single Farm Payment (SFP) entitlements and farmers can continue to claim all of the land fragments farmed declared on their SFP application using their existing claim herd number. The records available to my Department indicate that there are less than 2,500 farmers whose entire holding is registered under one herd number where parts of the holding are located more than 20 miles from the home farm. The position is that, in such cases, movements of animals between the home farm and the distant lands are not recorded on the animal movement database because this is not required where all the land is associated under the same herd number. Therefore, in the event of a disease outbreak, as it is not clear if animals were located on the distant fragments or home farm, the entire holding must be restricted and all the animals recorded in the herd number are movement ‘restricted'. Furthermore, any holdings neighbouring both the home farm and the distant lands may, depending on the particular disease, be subject to movement restriction and herd culling and, in the case of TB, are assessed for testing. In certain cases, even though animals located in some of the lands on the holding may not have been exposed to the disease risk, my Department has no option but to treat them as a single herd as there is no record of the movement of activity between the land parcels.

On the other hand, where a second herd number has been allocated to a farm which is some distance from the home farm, any restriction can, in many cases, be confined to the particular farm where the disease has been detected and trading can continue from the disease free herd (under its own herd number). In addition, any restriction or additional testing can be confined to the holdings which are contiguous to the farm where disease has been detected.

My Department has been engaged in consultations with the farming organisations on this issue and the policy will be implemented as outlined above.

Farm Retirement Scheme

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1645 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No 250 of 30 June 2010 the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32536/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named has not been in communication with my Department in the period since the Deputy's previous Question on his behalf. As I stated in my previous reply, my Department was unable to accept his application under the Early Retirement Scheme because it did not satisfy all of the scheme conditions.

Specifically, there was an issue with his proposed transferee's off-farm income in the year before the application, which is the determining period under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. The fact that the proposed transferee may now have a smaller off-farm income does not change the situation.

The person named was notified on 1 March 2010 of the reason for the refusal of his application and was informed of his right to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Fishing Vessel Licences

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1646 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the recent attitudinal survey regarding the decommissioning scheme; his plans regarding extending the decommissioning scheme in 2011 to vessels of less 18 metres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32544/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The recent surveys on decommissioning of fishing vessels were conducted as part of a Value for Money (VFM) Review, currently underway in my Department. This Review is focussed on the decommissioning schemes from 2005/06 and 2008. VFM Reviews are part of the Government's long-term Expenditure Review Programme. Their principal objectives are to ensure that analysis of the impacts of Exchequer spending is carried out in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made in the future. My Department identified the decommissioning schemes as one of its VFM priorities for the 2009-2011 round. The surveys of vessel owners were part of the stakeholder consultation, which is an essential part of the VFM Review process. The results will inform a report on the Review, which I expect will be published in the coming months.

I have no plans for a further decommissioning scheme at present. Any further scheme will be considered in the context of available funding and priorities for support within the seafood sector.

EU Directives

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
1647 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether farmers should be allowed spread slurry when suitable ground and grass growing conditions exist based on best information from Met Éireann instead of the current defined closed period. [32554/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The definition of the closed period was among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the ‘Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. The Regulations fall due for review this year.

An Expert Advisory Group was established to consider the submissions. The Group presented its report to me and to my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government last week. The conclusions and recommendations of the Group are now under consideration and will inform any adjustments to the National Action Programme.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Dan Neville
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Dan Neville
Question:
1648 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will agree to a reduction in the buffer zones around water abstraction points for drinking water and the payment of compensation when lands are sterilised. [32555/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The reduction in the buffer zones around water abstraction points was among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the ‘Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. The Regulations fall due for review this year.

An Expert Advisory Group was established to consider the submissions. The Group presented its report to me and to my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government last week.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Group are now under consideration and will inform any adjustments to the National Action Programme.

Aquaculture Licences

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1649 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 11 May 2010, the time frame for this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32557/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The area for which the licences are sought is a designated Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).

In the case of aquaculture sites located within Natura 2000 areas my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas. This process is ongoing and significant progress has been made. The comprehensive data collection programme together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives will enable all new and renewal applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

Once the relevant data has been collected, conservation objectives for the site have to be established by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The establishment of these conservation objectives by NPWS will allow individual licence applications to be assessed against the conservation objectives. As indicated in my previous reply the area in question remains part of the package of prioritised areas under assessment. This package is reviewed on a regular basis with a view to expediting the appropriate assessment process.

My Department, working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of these cases having regard to the complexities of these cases and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.

Grant Payments

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1650 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the young farmers installation aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32778/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Grant aid under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was paid to the person concerned on 19 August 2010.

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1651 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the installation aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32779/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. Additional information has been requested from the person concerned but it has not been received to date. Processing of the application will recommence when this additional information has been received.

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1652 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid their installation aid grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32780/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. Additional information has been requested from the person concerned but it has not been received to date. Processing of the application will recommence when this additional information has been received.

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1653 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32801/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named is not the Registered Herd Owner. The registered herd owner does not hold any Single Payment entitlements.

The registered herd owner applied to be considered for an allocation of entitlements under Category A of the 2005 National Reserve which catered for farmers who inherited or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May, 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000 to 2002. The registered herd owner did not apply under the New Entrant category of the 2005 National Reserve.

The registered herd owner was deemed unsuccessful under Category A as he did not submit documentary evidence to indicate that the land he acquired was received free of charge or for a nominal amount. The registered herd owner subsequently submitted an appeal against this decision, which was forwarded to the Independent Single Payments Appeals Committee who disallowed the appeal.

In a reply to a previous question from the Deputy in 2009, it was outlined that officials from my Department would contact the registered herd owner to examine his eligibility under the New Entrant category of the 2005 National Reserve. The New Entrant Category of the 2005 National Reserve catered for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who did not receive any direct payments in respect of that scheme year. In addition farmers are required to meet certain criteria in relation to off-farm and farm income limits and educational qualifications. The registered herd owner was deemed ineligible as his off-farm income exceeded the upper limit of €20,000. A letter outlining this decision issued to the registered herd owner on 1 September 2009.

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1654 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme three payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32802/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The payment application from the person named was received by my Department on 14th September 2010 and will be dealt with taking account of the targets set out in the Farmers Charter.

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1655 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their suckler cow welfare payment. [32828/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named applied for 17 animals under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme and 11 animals under the 2009 Scheme. The herd owner has been paid in full for these animals.

Michael Creed
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Michael Creed
Question:
1656 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been in receipt of recent correspondence requesting a refund of cattle headage grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32924/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 22 April 2009. Following processing, it was found that the reference area of one parcel was over-claimed by 9.06%. Under the governing EU regulations, where the over-declaration between the total area declared and total area determined is greater than 3%, but not more than 20%, the area determined for payment purposes will be reduced by twice the difference for the crop group concerned. The sum in question, €806.31, falls due to be recouped and will be deducted from the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment due to the applicant.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1657 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when persons who finished their rural environmental protection scheme participation post May are going to be allowed to join the agri-environmental options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Further participation in the new Agri-environment Options Scheme will be determined by the level of funding available to my Department. All EU funding for the scheme up to the end of 2013 is now fully committed. Any further support in that period will have to be funded entirely by the Exchequer and this is a matter that will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.

Agri-environmental Scheme

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1658 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applicants who have been assessed for the new agri-environmental options scheme; the number of persons who applied for the scheme on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32936/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Letters of approval have issued to almost 6,000 applicants for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), giving farmers a start date in the scheme from 1 September 2010. This represents almost two-thirds of all applicants and the processing of these applications was carried out within a challenging time-frame. My officials are giving priority to processing the remaining applications with a view to issuing further approvals as soon as possible.

The following table sets out the number of applications received by county.

County

Total

Carlow

115

Cavan

276

Clare

426

Cork

632

Donegal

766

Dublin

21

Galway

973

Kerry

425

Kildare

102

Kilkenny

317

Laois

235

Leitrim

439

Limerick

358

Longford

128

Louth

76

Mayo

1,063

Meath

219

Monaghan

262

Offaly

161

Roscommon

458

Sligo

340

Tipperary

496

Waterford

191

Westmeath

274

Wexford

263

Wicklow

131

Grant Payments

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1659 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the grants that will be or are approved by way of the single farm payment and the area based payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33023/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 23 April 2010.

In relation to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Terms and Conditions governing the Scheme require, inter alia, that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared, for at least three consecutive months, during the calendar year of application. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as not meeting this minimum requirement, the person in question is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports or details of a REPS or Commonage Framework Plan, which provides for a lower stocking level. My Department records currently do not show the person named as having yet achieved the minimum stocking density. On satisfaction of this requirement, the application will be further processed with a view to payment at an early date.

The person named has been notified of outstanding amounts due under Cross Compliance 2009 and REPS 2007, which will be recouped from any future payments due to him.

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1660 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when an application for single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33092/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received by my Department on 1 June 2010. However, as the closing date for receipt of applications under this Scheme was 17 May 2010, with the facility of the receipt of late applications up to 12 June 2010, subject to the regulatory penalty of 1% per working day, an 11% late penalty was applicable to the application of the person named. The person named subsequently furnished my Department with satisfactory medical evidence covering the application period that allows the late penalty be waived. The application has, therefore, been processed without any late penalty.

The 50% advance payments are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 18 October, with the balancing payments scheduled to commence on 1 December.

Question No. 1661 answered with Question No. 1631.

Paul Kehoe
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Paul Kehoe
Question:
1662 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the suckler welfare scheme appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33267/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named applied for 36 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Suckler Welfare Scheme, for herds with more than 10 cows the calves must be weaned in at least two separate groups with each group being removed at a minimum interval of five days.

The person named weaned all his animals on the same date, and therefore did not comply with the above measure. No payment issued in respect of these animals and the person named was notified of the position in a letter dated 15th June 2010. He subsequently appealed the decision and the case is currently under consideration with the review officer. A letter will issue to the applicant as soon as a decision is made.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

John McGuinness
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John McGuinness
Question:
1663 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an appeal on a REP scheme will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [33372/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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I understand that the appeal from the persons named was received in the Agriculture Appeals Office on 14th September 2010. The Appeals Officer has asked my Department for the appellants' file and it will be sent to them without delay.

Harbours and Piers

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1664 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of funding that was allocated to harbour development works at Doolin, County Clare; the date by which this funding must be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33390/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The pier at Doolin is the property of Clare County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance.

My Department has not allocated any funding in respect of development works at Doolin in 2010.

Farm Retirement Scheme

Jimmy Deenihan
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Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1665 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will issue on an application for farm early retirement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33403/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The application from the person named is currently being examined in the Department. The applicant will be informed of the decision once this examination is complete.

Afforestation Programme

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1666 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost to the national forest estate of the wildfires in 2010. [33409/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Coillte Teoranta has reported that 749 hectares of forest were destroyed. Full information on the extent of the loss among private forest owners is not available.

Grant Payments

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1667 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm the clawback of €5.75 million in single farm payments and disadvantaged area payments by his Department on the grounds that areas of scrubland unavailable for foraging were included in their applications; and if his views that this action has intensified the number of wildfires in 2010 intended to reopen land to reclaim these grants. [33410/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The introduction of direct income support to farmers in the early 1990s resulted in the implementation of the Area Aid application system. This system involved the obligatory submission by farmers, who wished to apply for Livestock Premia (Suckler Cow Premium, Ewe Premium etc.) and Arable Aid of an Area Aid application form each year detailing the land they were farming. Since the system was introduced land, which could not be grazed by animals (including scrub land) was not eligible. This was always made clear to applicants in the Terms and Conditions, which were issued to applicants with their application forms each year.

This situation continued when the area aid system was replaced by the Single Payment System in 2005 in Ireland. However, the provisions regarding the exclusion of scrubland remained unaltered. The exercise referred to by the Deputy related to the exclusion of ineligible features, which were identified by examination of 2004 ortho-photo imagery of the land parcels claimed by farmers. If farmers were claiming the ineligible features, over-payments were established for the years that these areas were included in the claims. However, the vast majority of the areas excluded by my Department for this period related to ineligible areas such as house sites, farmyards, forestry, roadways, quarries etc.

The causes of wildfires in 2010 and the measures required to prevent such future fires are currently being considered by an inter-agency group (Land and Forest Fires Working Group) in my Department. The Group will make recommendations to strengthen preventative measures and minimise the occurrence and impact of such fires. Under the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions associated with cross-compliance the burning of growing vegetation on cultivated or non-cultivated land (including permanent pasture) without approval is prohibited and could lead to penalties under the Direct Payment Schemes.

Afforestation Programme

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1668 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to any plans to afforest peatlands held by Bord na Mona; and if such planting was approved if Bord na Mona is eligible for afforestation premia. [33413/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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My Department has granted approval for a 48 hectare pilot afforestation project on industrial cutaway peatland owned by Bord na Mona. The project is not eligible for forestry premiums.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1669 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the review of State forestry policy to take account of its role in relation to climate change, detailing the way climate change is affecting decision making in the Forest Service and Coillte Teo. [33414/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The role of forestry in relation to climate change forms part of the ongoing review of State forestry policy. The Review Group is scheduled to report by the end of the year.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1670 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the progress of the new Forestry Act for which public consultations were first held in 1999; and if he will confirm if this review will include the 1988 Forestry Act establishing Coillte Teo. [33415/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The Government has approved the heads of the Forestry Bill, and discussions are continuing between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General with a view to finalizing the text of the Bill. It would be my intention to publish the Bill in the current Parliamentary Session. A comprehensive review of the Forestry Act, 1988, establishing Coillte Teoranta, is not proposed at present.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1671 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that calculations of afforestation on peatlands include greenhouse gas targets; and if the calculations include changes in soils below ground as well as biomass. [33416/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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National calculations of greenhouse gas emissions and uptake in peatland afforestation include changes in soils below ground as well as biomass. Five carbon pools are reported: above ground biomass, below ground biomass, litter, dead organic matter and soils. Calculations are in accordance with the Common Reporting Formats of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the greenhouse gas reporting guidelines for land-use, land use change and forestry set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1672 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will identify the area of peatlands which has been replanted with forestry after felling in each year since 2000. [33417/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Felling licence applications do not make reference to the soil type in which trees are planted. Therefore the Department does not collate the information requested.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1673 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any analysis has been done or is held by his Department of the environmental effects of replanting of forestry on peatland; and if he will furnish any relevant reports. [33418/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Analysis has been done by my Department, through COFORD (National Council for Forest Research and Development), on the environmental effects of forestry operations, including forest replanting, on peatland.

The PEnrich project (Forestry Operations and Eutrophication), was a joint COFORD/EPA funded project which examined the influence of forestry and forest operations on water quality. The project studied, inter alia, the influence of forest operations such as harvesting — clearfelling, thinning and re-establishment of forests in a blanket peatland catchment on the Ballinagee River, in the Wicklow Uplands. The final project report is available from the EPA. Another joint COFORD/EPA research project — "Quantification of Erosion and Phosphorus Release from a Peat Soil Forest Catchment (Xiao, L. Rodgers, M. O’Connor, M., 2008), examined the effects of clearfelling and reforesting in peat soil forest catchments. The final report is available from EPA.

In addition to the above work, my Department is currently funding a number of research projects which are examining, inter alia, issues relating to the impact of various forestry operations on peatland and other sensitive sites and the potential mitigation measures to avoid such impacts. The SANIFAC project is carrying out an assessment and mitigation of soil and nutrient losses from acid-sensitive (peat) forest catchments and is due to be completed later this year. The WESTFOREST project aims to develop a decision support system for the optimal management of forests on sensitive western peatland sites. The project is focusing on forests established on peatlands and other environmentally sensitive areas, where felling and reforestation decisions need to take environmental factors into account. The REDAREAS project has examined alternative management options for forests planted on western peatlands, including options for redesigning some of those forests to provide environmental services rather than timber production.

The HYDROFOR project is a joint COFORD/EPA research project which is being undertaken by UCD. The project is examining the potential impact of forestry on surface water quality with respect to acidification, eutrophication and sedimentation at the various stages in the forest cycle. Work scheduled for Autumn 2010 includes a hydrochemical assessment of reforestation sites. Further information on these projects will be available shortly on the Departments website.

Nitrates Directive

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1674 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will include within the definition of peat soils used by the Forest Service not only the wider considerations of species selection, estimation of potential rooting depth, potential yield, and crop stability and so on, but also the peat soil classification criterion by organic matter content as used to determine the permitted levels of application for fertiliser for agricultural purposes under the Nitrates Directive.. [33419/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The definition of peat soils used by my Department is taken from Peatlands of Ireland, Soil Survey Bulletin by R.F. Hammond (1979). It constitutes a peat layer greater than 30 cm on drained peats and greater than 45 cm on undrained peats. It is not proposed to change this.

The soil classification criterion used in the Nitrates regulations, the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 relates to the application of fertiliser for agricultural purposes only.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1675 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33632/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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Details of the amount spent during the requested periods are shown in the table below:

Year

Total

€

2007

924,019.60

2008

1,008,088.10

2009

701,944.06

2010 — (first six months)

261,296.20

My Department currently has 1,644 active mobile phone accounts, the supply of which is split between Vodafone and O2. Following an EU procurement exercise conducted by the Department of Finance, a mobile phone framework agreement was established to provide non-commercial public sector bodies with a streamlined procedure for the procurement of mobile voice and data services at competitive rates from a list of qualified vendors.

The framework agreement is intended to maximise volume discounts and provide for reductions in administrative and transaction costs for providers and public sector purchasers. My Department has run a number of competitions under the framework for its mobile voice and data services. Both O2 and Vodafone have been successful in separate competitions. In each case the successful vendor was the most economically advantageous tender.

Land Commission Documents

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1676 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a request for inspection of Land Commission documents (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33656/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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A solicitor for a person named has inspected documents for the two estates mentioned in the request in the Records Branch of my Department in Portlaoise. Copies of certain documents were given to the solicitor and inspection of other documents was facilitated.

The only documents that were not available were the fair rent orders/judicial tenancies mentioned in the details. My Department has explained to the solicitor that these documents are in long term storage as a result of the transfer of Records Branch to Portlaoise. These documents are not readily accessible as a final decision as to where they will eventually be stored has yet to be made. It is the view of my officials that access to the records still sought will not add anything of significance to the answer to the substantive issue raised by the solicitor on record.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1677 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33698/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The information the Deputy requested is in the following tables:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff by Grade as at end-August 2010

Grade

FTE

Administrative Officer

20.40

Administrative Officer — Higher Scale

3.00

Advisory Counsel — Grade 3

1.00

Agricultural Inspector

75.94

Area Superintendent

15.00

Assistant Agricultural Inspector

100.20

Assistant Principal

101.03

Assistant Principal — Higher

28.00

Assistant Secretary

8.00

Chargehand

1.00

Chemist

1.90

Chief Analyst

1.00

Chief Inspector

1.00

Chief Veterinary Officer

1.00

Civilian Driver

2.00

Cleaner

17.40

Cleaner — Part Time

9.00

Clerical Officer

888.45

Clerical Officer — temporary

26.20

Craftsman

6.5.00

Dairy Produce Officer

6.00

Deputy Chief Analyst

2.00

Deputy Chief Inspector

1.00

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer

4.00

Director of Laboratories

1.00

District Superintendent

101.60

Driver Tester

4.00

Engineer Grade 1 — Civil

3.00

Engineer Grade 2 — Civil

6.00

Engineer Grade 3 — Civil

5.00

Executive Officer — Higher Scale

112.90

Executive Officer — Standard Scale

314.79

Farm Foreman

4.00

Farm Worker

6.00

First Asst. Solicitor

2.00

Forestry Inspector — Grade 3

14.00

Forestry Inspector — Grade 1

4.00

Forestry Inspector — Grade 2

12.95

Forestry Inspector — Grade 3

2.80

General Operative

29.80

Harbour Constable

2.00

Harbour Master

2.00

Harbour Master (Acting)

2.00

Head Laboratory Attendant

1.00

Head Services Officer

1.00

Higher Executive Officer — Higher Scale

78.50

Higher Executive Officer — Standard Scale

173.08

Higher Seed Analyst

2.80

Industrial Foreman

5.00

Inspector — Grade 2

7.80

Inspector Eng. & Fisheries

1.00

Inspector Grade 1

1.00

Laboratory Analyst

32.40

Laboratory Analyst

22.20

Laboratory Attendant — Ag. & Mar.

29.00

Librarian

1.00

Lorry Driver

1.50

Poultry Officer

5.00

Principal

22.00

Principal — Higher

13.00

Professional accountant Grade 1

1.00

Quality Manager

3.00

Research Officer

20.60

Secretarial Assistant (Non-contract)

2.00

Secretary General

1.00

Seed Analyst

12.50

Senior Auditor

1.00

Senior Dairy Produce Officer

3.00

Senior Inspector

8.00

Senior Inspector — Higher Scale

4.00

Senior Lab. Analyst

40.93

Senior Laboratory Analyst

2.00

Senior Research Officer

9.80

Senior Seed Analyst

1.00

Senior Serological Assistant

1.80

Senior Superintendent Vet. Inspector

10.00

Senior Surveyor

1.00

Serological Assistant

28.30

Services Attendant

5.00

Services Officer

5.00

Services Officer

33.00

Staff Officer

80.48

Stockman

1.00

Superintend. Senior Research Officer

4.00

Superintendent Surveyor

1.00

Superintending Vet. Inspector

49.00

Supervising Serological Assistant

9.50

Supervisory Agricultural Inspector

226.50

Supervisory Agricultural Officer Ag & Ee

21.00

Technical Agricultural Officer

483.10

Technical Grades — Level 4

5.00

Temp. Assistant Harbour Master

1.00

Tractor Driver

10.00

Veterinary Inspector

199.55

TOTAL

3,633.2

There are currently 12 State Bodies that fall under the aegis of my Department.

Name of Body

No. of whole time equivalent Staff Currently Employed

Grades

Bord Bia

98

1 — CEO

6 — Grade 1

7 — Grade 2

8 — Grade 3

30 — Grade 4

19 — Grade 5

16 — Grade 6

11 — Grade 7

National Milk Agency

5

1 — CEO

1 — Executive Assistant

2 — Milk Sales Inspectors

1 — Clerk/Receptionist

Veterinary Council of Ireland

4

1 — CEO

1 — Office Manager

2 — Office Administrators

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

137

1 — CEO

5 — Manager/PO

22 — Executive/AP

30 — Engineer Grade (iii)

11 — Engineer Technician (i)

21 — Higher Executive Officer

14 — Executive Officer

15 — Clerical Officer

15 — Ice Plant Operator

3 — Cleaner

Marine Institute

193

1 — CEO

7 — Director

1 — Principal Investigator

1 — Senior Chemist

14 — Section Manager

22 — Team Leader

41 — Scientific & Technical Officer

3 — Senior Administrator

6 — Administrator

10 — Administrative Assistant

14 — Clerical Administrator

5 — Senior Laboratory Analyst

43 — Laboratory Analyst

4 — Laboratory Attendant

1 — Senior Field Assistant

3 — Field Assistant

1 — Driver Plant A

1 — Supplies Officer Grade C

10 — STAGIAIRE

5 — Fellowship

Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

101

69 — Sea Fisheries Officers

6 — Senior Port Officers

3 — Principal Officers

7 — Assistant Principals

3 — Higher Executive Officers

4 — Executive Officers

9 — Clerical Officers

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB)

1

1 — Higher Executive Officer

Coillte Teoranta (figures relate to Group)

693¹

1 — CEO

46 — Senior Manager/Level 1

82 — Level 2

206 — Level 3

63 — Level 4

41 — Clerical

10 — Training Instructor

5 — Services Attendant

69 — Area Foreman

170 — Forest Worker

The Irish National Stud Company Ltd.

43

As a commercial body does not operate a grade based system

Bord na gCon

97

As a commercial body does not operate a grade based system (Incl Subsidiaries)

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)²

60

As a commercial body does not operate a grade based system

Teagasc — Serving Staff Numbers By Grade Code

Pay Scale Description

FTE

87% max craftsman scale

1.00

admin grade 2 (higher scale)

18.00

admin grade 2 (standard scale)

132.51

admin grade 3 (higher scale)

13.10

admin grade 3 (standard scale)

39.60

admin grade 4 (higher scale)

4.50

admin grade 4 (standard scale)

12.60

admin grade 5

10.58

admin grade 6

4.00

agr development officer grade i

227.50

agr development officer grade ii

192.31

agr development officer grade iii

41.00

agr development officer grade iv

6.80

agr development officer grade v

1.00

assistant lecturer

2.00

career grade technician

29.29

caretaker

0.72

cleaner (minimum wage)

11.33

college principal co-ordinated

1.00

college technician grade 1

1.00

college technician grade 2

7.00

college technician grade 3

6.00

craftperson (personal scale (4))

4.00

craftsman/gardener

1.00

experimental officer

69.00

farm steward

4.00

farm worker (personal to holder scale)

76.71

farm worker, general op, canteen asst

63.39

head of directorate

3.00

lorry driver

1.00

maintenance craftsman

14.00

matron

4.00

matron private college co-ordinated

3.00

minimum wage per hour

2.14

caretaker/maintenance staff

1.45

visiting scientist

1.00

porter

3.00

principal experimental officer

2.00

principal research officer

39.00

private colleges secretary

2.00

research officer

88.50

security man, handyman

3.00

senior administrative officer

1.00

senior principal administrative officer

3.00

senior principal research officer

1.30

senior research officer

32.60

senior supervisory agr officer

1.00

teacher basic grade co-ordinated

3.00

technical assistant

1.00

technician grade 1

24.60

technician grade 1 co-ordinated

3.00

technician grade 2 co-ordinated

18.20

technician grade 3

1.00

technician grade 3 co-ordinated

2.00

technologist

24.00

tractor driver, stockperson, cook

29.18

1,304.60

1 Does not include Coillte Group subsidiaries:

Coillte Panel Products — 32

Smartply — 151

Medite — 150

2 Figures supplied in respect of HRI are exclusive of HRI subsidiaries.

Fisheries Protection

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1678 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the effects a judgment will have on the aquaculture and mussel industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33769/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1679 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has held discussions with his counterparts in Holland in relation the court judgment regarding the importation of mussels there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33770/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1678 and 1679 together.

Following a recent Court judgement in the Netherlands the importation of mussel seed into that jurisdiction for the purposes of relaying is no longer permitted. The import of mussels for direct human consumption is not currently affected.

However I am concerned about the possibility that the implementation of the Court judgement by the Dutch authorities has the potential to seriously disrupt trade in mussels between Ireland and the Netherlands.

For this reason, my Department has engaged in urgent discussions with the Dutch authorities on the matter. In addition, Minister of State, Deputy Connick had a bilateral meeting with Ms Gerda Verburg, the Dutch Minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in Brussels on Monday last. The Dutch Minister is aware of the issues involved and was made fully aware by Minister of State, Deputy Connick of Ireland's concerns in relation to the potential impact on the bottom grown mussel trade. Minister of State, Deputy Connick and Minister Verburg agreed to maintain contact on the issue and that their Departments would continue to actively engage at official level on the matter as a priority.

Minister of State, Deputy Connick and Minister Verburg are both anxious to find solutions to the issue, which avoid the potential impacts on the bottom grown mussel trade which have given rise to concerns in the industry.

Grant Payments

John O'Mahony
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John O'Mahony
Question:
1680 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantage area aid payment in view of the fact that they submitted all the required documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33772/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments have continued to issue, as outstanding issues are resolved. The application of the person named has now been fully processed with payment due to issue shortly.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1681 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the position with a REP scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33879/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)
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The person named is a participant in REPS 3. He is not entitled to any payment until he starts the fifth year of his contact on 1 December. He has to send in his Form 1C, his application for payment, before 1 January.

Task Force Reports

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1682 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the mid-west task force will deliver its final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31759/10]

Pat Breen
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Pat Breen
Question:
1734 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress made to date on the implementation of the recommendations of the mid west task force report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32109/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1682 and 1734 together.

In June of this year I issued, and discussed with the Task Force Chairman, the most recent report on the Government's response to the recommendations in the Interim Report of the Mid West Task Force. On 21 June this detailed update was also forwarded to the Dáil for circulation to all Deputies.

The report contains details of the very positive response to all of the recommendations including those on Enterprise Development delivered through IDA, Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the County Enterprise Boards, as well as in relation to grant aid rates, the development of industrial estates in Limerick and many other issues. I expect to receive the final report of the Task Force in the coming months.

Economic Competitiveness

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1683 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to improve the competitiveness of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The Annual Competitiveness Report 2010, published by the National Competitiveness Council in July this year, acknowledged that since January 2008, Ireland has regained some of the competitiveness it had lost at the start of the global economic downturn. The improvement in competitiveness is closely linked to the policies the Government has pursued to restore stability to the economy.

Some of the indicators of improved competitiveness can be seen in the fact that inflation remains below that of our main trading partners. We are seeing lower costs for business, particularly in areas such as energy and rental of prime industrial space and office space. Many local authorities have either frozen their commercial rates at 2009 prices or reduced them for 2010. Wage costs have also reduced across the economy. Exports of goods and services for the first two quarters of 2010 were up by 3% and 8% respectively, compared with the same periods in 2009.

Along with my Government colleagues, I will continue to drive the competitiveness agenda across the economy to promote a business environment that is conducive to creating jobs. In this context, the Forfás report “Making it Happen — Growing Enterprise for Ireland” which was launched on 24 September, presents a series of recommendations which are already aligned with Government priorities and which will help to improve the competitiveness of the economy and facilitate growth and job creation.

Implementing the recommendations will require input across a range of Government Departments and agencies. My officials will be working with the relevant Departments and agencies with a view to progressing those recommendations.

Redundancy Payments

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1684 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to improve processing times for statutory redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31761/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1702 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of applicants currently awaiting redundancy payments; the length of waiting times for redundancy in each of the different categories of redundancy; the way these compare with 2009; his plans to reduce the backlog and waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32100/10]

Thomas P. Broughan
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:
1718 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will address the backlogs and delays in the system for accessing redundancy awards through the Social Insurance Fund for citizens who have been made unemployed; the average time a citizen who has been made redundant must wait for the awarding of a redundancy claim; if he has met or been briefed by the National Employment Rights Agency on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33187/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I propose to take Questions 1684, 1702 and 1718 together.

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

The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is currently processing rebate claims from employers in general dating from February 2010 so that the waiting time is currently between 6 and 7 months. In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, I am pleased to say that the processing time for these claims has improved significantly and claims dating from February 2010 are currently being processed. This follows a dedicated intervention over the summer period to improve the processing period for lump sum claims. For instance, in July 2010, my Department was processing lump sum claims dating from November 2009 i.e. an 8-month waiting period and, as outlined, lump sum claims dating from February 2010 are now being processed which represents a genuine improvement. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

I acknowledge the Deputies' concerns in relation to processing times overall given the difficulties which delays give rise to for employees and employers alike but would like to assure the Deputies that my Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

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

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

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

I would also point to the fact that in the 8-month period up to the end of August 2010, the number of claims processed by my Department was 51,800, a 96% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2009 (26,405) which also exceeds the total number of claims processed for the whole year 2009 (50,664).

It may also be helpful to the Deputy to note that currently the weekly intake of new claims is an average of just over 1,200. Overall, new claims received in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to 43,449, a fall of just over 20% over the corresponding 8-month period in 2009 when 54,439 claims were lodged.

The claims backlog which reached its highest level at 43,000 in the latter quarter of 2009 has been reduced to a level of 32,137 at the end of August 2010 representing a reduction in the backlog of almost 11,000 claims.

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) provides information to employees and employers on employment rights generally through its dedicated call centre. As mentioned above, NERA is currently undertaking, on a temporary basis, the provision of information also in relation to redundancy specific claims lodged with my Department for processing. This is assisting greatly in that it allows my Department to focus completely on the processing of redundancy claims to more effectively deal with the current claims backlog.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Maureen O'Sullivan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:
1685 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the reason for the delay in payment to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [31799/10]

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

I can confirm that my Department received statutory redundancy lump sum claims in respect of the individuals concerned in August 2009. In general, my Department is currently processing lump sum claims dating from February 2010. I understand that in this case, a delay was encountered arising out of a query raised by my Department that was subsequently resolved to satisfaction at which point the claims were placed in line for processing. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that both claims have been authorized for payment on 20 September 2010 and that the claimants should receive payment within 7 to 10 days of that date.

John Perry
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John Perry
Question:
1686 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive their redundancy payment as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31814/10]

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

I can confirm that my Department received a statutory redundancy lump sum claim on 8 April, 2010 in respect of the above individual. The claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time for these claims is between 6 and 7 months and claims dating from February 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

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

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

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

I would also point to the fact that in the 8-month period up to the end of August 2010, the number of claims processed by my Department was 51,800, a 96% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2009 (26,405) which also exceeds the total number of claims processed for the whole year 2009 (50,664).

Currently the weekly intake of new claims is an average of just over 1,200. Overall, new claims received in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to 43,449, a fall of just over 20% over the corresponding 8-month period in 2009 when 54,439 claims were lodged.

The claims backlog which reached its highest level at 43,000 in the latter quarter of 2009 has been reduced to a level of 32,137 at the end of August 2010 representing a reduction in the backlog of almost 11,000 claims.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Job Creation

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1687 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his specific jobs strategy to address the unemployment rate in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31816/10]

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1688 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the specific jobs strategy he has to address the unemployment rate in County Clare of those under 25 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31817/10]

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1689 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the specific job strategy he has to address the long-term unemployment rate in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31818/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1687 to 1689, inclusive, together.

My Department has a range of strategies designed to support and grow enterprises thus facilitating the creation and retention of jobs in the economy. However, specific activation policies, or measures targeted at the unemployed or cohorts of the unemployed, such as the under 25s and the long-term unemployed, are the responsibility of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills Ms. Mary Coughlan, through skills provision, employment programmes and work placements delivered mainly by FAS, the National Training and Employment Agency. The Tánaiste works closely with the Minister for Social Protection, Mr. Éamon Ó Cuív to deliver on the National Employment Action Plan which is designed to reintegrate those in receipt of unemployment welfare benefits back into the workforce.

In terms of the work of the Enterprise Development Agencies, according to the latest figures available, there are 120 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Clare employing 1,480 people together with 177 contract or part-time jobs. Enterprise Ireland also supports the established business base in Co. Clare with a full range of financial and soft supports available to clients — these have included expansion packages, Employment Subsidy Scheme (ESS), Enterprise Stabilisation Fund (ESF), Innovation Partnerships, and Innovation Vouchers. Enterprise Ireland approved €3,165,537 to client companies in Co. Clare in 2009, and paid €1,626,557 in grants. So far this year, €1,731,524 has been approved with €1,832,292 paid in the same period.

Clare has a strong Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) base. State supported FDI companies in the county are performing well and employ over 6,500 people. IDA's strategy is to re-position the Mid West as a prime location for knowledge based industry and the agency is working closely with educational institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment. In addition, IDA is working with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment.

Shannon Free Zone is one of Ireland's leading locations for international business investment. A key goal for Shannon Development is to ensure that the Zone's global brand recognition as a core location for investment continues to grow. In addition to a wide-ranging physical regeneration of the Free Zone, Shannon Development intends to win both new and expansion investment by building on its unique and successful record.

Business growth, job creation and job retention are inherent considerations in the activities of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs). This year, Clare CEB has continued to assist micro-enterprises throughout the county by both direct grant aid to businesses and project promoters and through the provision of a range of other important business supports such as mentoring, business training and business advice designed to help stimulate indigenous enterprise creation and boost employment creation and retention. So far this year, Clare CEB has approved grants totalling €360,350 to 27 projects with a potential for 34 jobs. In addition, 14 training programmes have been organised for approximately 350 clients.

In addition to delivering programmes through the Enterprise Development Agencies, my Department also works across Government to ensure that Ireland regains competitiveness, including cost competitiveness, thus improving the business environment and enabling companies to successfully compete internationally and grow jobs.

Redundancy Payments

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1690 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31909/10]

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1691 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31927/10]

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1706 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive their redundancy payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32242/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1690, 1691 and 1706 together.

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

I can confirm that my Department received statutory redundancy lump sum claims from the individuals concerned in 2009. Due to the unavailability of supporting documentation from the employer, the claimants had to take a case before the Employment Appeals Tribunal to establish their right and entitlement to redundancy. Both claimants have recently obtained a positive determination from the EAT in relation to their case for redundancy and this has enabled my Department to process their redundancy claims.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that payments to both individuals in respect of their redundancy entitlements issued on 20 September 2010.

Industrial Development

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1692 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the geographic concentration of foreign direct investment in each of the past ten years; the numbers of Industrial Development Agency supported companies that have been set up in each of the past ten years; the numbers of IDA supported companies that have been set up in each of the past five years on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31939/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Foreign direct investment industries are located in each county in the State, and in the Shannon Free Zone. The greatest concentration of FDI industries is in Dublin.

Table 1 shows the number of foreign companies supported by IDA on a county by county basis and by Shannon Development in the Shannon Free Zone in each year of the past 10 years.

In the same 10 year period, a total of 261 IDA supported companies have been set up, while 28 FDI companies have been established in the Shannon Free Zone.

In the past 5 years a total of 106 IDA supported companies have been set up throughout the country, while 8 Shannon Development supported companies have been set up in the Zone. Table 2 shows, on a county by county basis, the number of IDA supported companies which have been set up in each year of the 5 year period 2005 to 2009.

IDA is fully committed to securing a balance in regional development and one of the targets set in the Agency's Strategy "Horizon 2020”is that in the period 2010 to 2014, 50% of new or expansion investments will be located outside of Dublin and Cork.

Frequently, competition for Foreign Direct Investment comes not from other countries but from city regions with populations in excess of one million people. Dublin is the only recognised city region in Ireland that meets this criterion. If FDI is to continue to contribute to balanced regional development the other regions of the country must be promoted as regions of scale with urban centres that provide the range of infrastructure and services that high value investment projects demand. This objective is being pursued under the National Spatial Strategy. IDA continues to vigorously promote the regions to potential investors.

Table 1: showing the number of foreign companies supported by IDA on a county-by-county basis and by Shannon Development in the Shannon Free Zone in each of the past 10 years.

County

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Carlow

8

8

9

9

8

8

8

7

9

9

Cavan

11

10

9

8

8

7

5

5

5

5

Clare

13

12

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

9

Cork

140

138

141

141

144

145

143

141

135

134

Donegal

15

14

14

14

14

14

15

14

14

13

Dublin

670

618

544

519

500

499

505

521

504

482

Galway

53

52

56

57

57

55

53

52

51

48

Kerry

21

21

20

21

19

16

15

15

15

14

Kildare

32

32

31

31

30

31

31

29

28

26

Kilkenny

8

9

9

7

7

7

7

6

5

4

Laois

5

6

5

5

4

4

4

4

4

4

Leitrim

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

Limerick

42

42

41

43

39

39

37

41

42

39

Longford

7

8

7

8

7

7

7

8

8

7

Louth

25

22

19

19

18

19

19

20

20

22

Mayo

25

24

25

23

21

20

19

19

19

18

Meath

18

18

18

16

16

16

16

16

15

14

Monaghan

7

8

9

9

7

7

7

6

6

6

Offaly

13

12

11

10

10

10

9

8

8

7

Roscommon

8

8

8

8

9

9

8

8

8

8

Sligo

22

22

25

25

23

24

22

19

20

20

Tipp North

8

7

5

6

6

6

5

4

4

4

Tipp South

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

12

12

11

Waterford

35

35

35

35

33

33

34

33

32

32

Westmeath

19

18

18

18

17

19

18

20

20

18

Wexford

16

13

13

12

12

12

11

11

11

11

Wicklow

26

25

24

25

23

22

20

19

18

17

Shannon Free Zone

84

84

82

79

72

69

66

64

65

60

Table 2 showing, on a county by county basis, the number of IDA supported companies set up in each year of the 5 year period 2005 to 2009.

County

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Cavan

0

0

0

2

0

Clare

0

0

0

0

0

Cork

3

3

2

3

4

Donegal

0

2

1

0

0

Dublin

9

6

11

11

7

Galway

0

1

2

1

5

Kerry

0

0

0

0

1

Kildare

1

0

0

0

0

Kilkenny

0

0

0

0

0

Laois

0

0

0

0

0

Leitrim

0

0

0

0

0

Limerick

1

0

4

4

0

Longford

0

0

1

0

0

Louth

0

2

2

1

3

Mayo

0

0

0

0

0

Meath

0

0

0

0

1

Monaghan

0

0

0

0

0

Offaly

0

0

1

0

0

Roscommon

0

0

0

0

0

Sligo

1

0

0

1

0

Tipp North

0

0

0

0

0

Tipp South

0

0

1

0

0

Westmeath

2

0

3

1

1

Waterford

1

0

0

0

1

Wicklow

0

0

0

0

0

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1693 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the areas that have been most affected by the withdrawal of foreign direct investment in each of the past ten years, in terms of job losses and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31940/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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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 annualised basis and is aggregated at county level. The number of jobs lost in IDA supported companies, on a county by county basis, in each of the past 10 years is set out in the attached tabular statement.

Each year an average of 7-8% of jobs within the IDA portfolio are lost as part of the normal business lifecycle. The reasons for this include competitiveness, market downturn, global economic trends and business model re-structuring, particularly as a result of merger and acquisition activity. However in 2009, in addition to the normal level of job losses, many IDA client companies announced significant reductions in their global workforces. Ireland was not immune to these changes with net employment within IDA supported companies falling by 13,400 or c.10% from the previous year. In excess of 3,500 of these job losses resulted from two high profile companies which included 1,900 losses in Dell, Limerick and approximately 1,300 at SR Technics in Dublin. It is also noteworthy that 82% of job losses were as a result of downsizing, not closures. Maintaining a large number of existing multinationals here will help position Ireland as a competitive location when the global economy recovers from 2010 onwards.

While it is clear that we are operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland. Indeed IDA's performance for the first half of 2010 has been very encouraging and the Agency is on track to achieve ambitious Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) targets set out for 2010. Up to mid July 2010, IDA already secure 63 new investments, of which 20 were from companies setting up operations in Ireland for the first time, 22 were expansion investments from existing client companies and 21 of the investments were in Research and Development. A number of key trends are driving the current success in FDI in Ireland including the growth in the US technology sector, growing trends in Cleantech, an improvement in Ireland's competitiveness, currency movements and an overall global recovery in FDI.

Table showing the number of job losses in IDA supported companies on a county by county basis in each of the past 10 years

County

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Carlow

56

24

49

49

277

33

110

262

28

75

Cavan

34

59

42

76

64

127

63

2

26

56

Clare

56

142

203

43

22

34

52

35

16

93

Cork

685

1,810

2,057

1,318

785

796

1,159

1,692

1,488

2,432

Donegal

341

518

123

496

217

357

644

116

48

29

Dublin

3,140

8,214

5,717

5,242

4,936

4,169

2,374

4,098

4,196

6,805

Galway

368

837

1,294

650

482

193

563

619

764

1,178

Kerry

87

57

651

321

284

232

161

47

108

416

Kildare

62

849

581

471

408

148

439

717

584

1,491

Kilkenny

128

50

15

98

4

9

20

53

9

112

Laois

34

59

43

17

85

2

48

43

20

16

Leitrim

73

2

19

5

28

187

117

50

43

30

Limerick

457

1,044

1,583

633

605

135

256

452

694

2,519

Longford

123

30

49

5

36

30

20

79

88

74

Louth

759

1,305

276

410

117

128

287

172

433

272

Mayo

121

228

469

137

400

243

102

83

126

189

Meath

106

124

140

95

29

14

399

41

83

159

Monaghan

20

18

31

146

40

11

3

16

14

14

Offaly

364

441

230

108

46

20

75

91

47

118

Roscommon

4

22

142

141

36

11

15

30

1

89

Sligo

157

226

80

265

181

117

149

255

64

137

Tipp North

52

116

494

278

4

83

48

100

46

188

Tipp South

25

39

36

267

32

58

130

15

26

93

Waterford

636

233

300

224

423

579

350

183

483

569

Westmeath

116

171

178

719

254

66

312

245

264

527

Wexford

131

272

98

180

151

38

50

59

73

89

Wicklow

284

574

242

56

453

1,097

293

68

296

258

TOTAL IDA

8,419

17,464

15,142

12,450

10,399

8,917

8,239

9,623

10,068

18,028

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1694 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the figures for foreign direct investment here for each of the past ten years; the figures for investments won and lost by the Industrial Development Agency in this ten year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31941/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Foreign direct investment has been a major contributor to Ireland's development in the past 50 years. Nearly a quarter of a million quality Irish jobs exist today because of our long term commitment to make Ireland a location of choice for multinational companies. At present there are 980 IDA supported multinational companies established here. These companies account for 70% of total exports (€110bn) and are responsible for €19.1bn in direct expenditure within the Irish economy and account for 55% of the total corporate tax take.

Over the past 10 years since 2000, the number of foreign direct investments approved annually has risen from 96 in 2000 to an all time high of 130 in 2008. In 2009, that figure dropped back to 125, a drop of 4%, whereas FDI globally dropped by 30%. Research, Development and Innovation plays a significant role in building Ireland's "Smart Economy". RDI projects now account for almost 50% of all FDI investments. In the past 3 years alone (2007 to 2009), IDA has secured investments with total future capital of €5 billion plus €1.2bn in R&D.

Table 1 sets out the number of foreign investments secured annually in each of the years 2000 to 2009.

Every year an average of 7-8% of jobs within the IDA portfolio are lost as part of the normal business lifecycle. The reasons for this include competitiveness, market downturn, global economic trends and business model re-structuring, particularly as a result of merger and acquisition activity. In the 10 year period 2000 to 2009 a total of 462 IDA supported companies closed with resulting job losses.

Table 2 shows the number of closures together with the subsequent job losses in each year 2000 to 2009.

Table 1: showing the number of foreign investments secured annually by IDA in each of the years 2000 to 2009.

DATA

Type

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

No. of Projects App’d

Greenfield

64

26

31

33

37

41

39

30

35

39

No. of Projects App’d

Expansion

32

14

24

31

33

30

32

39

39

24

No. of Projects App’d

RD&I

39

36

50

54

45

56

62

No. of Projects App’d

TOTAL

96

40

55

103

106

121

125

114

130

125

Table 2: showing the number of closures in IDA supported companies in together with the number of job losses in each year 2000 to 2009

Year

Number of Closures

Perm Employmentat Year of Closure

2000

44

2,860

2001

63

6,954

2002

56

3,448

2003

40

2,964

2004

50

2,395

2005

29

1,687

2006

46

1,759

2007

42

2,173

2008

40

1,779

2009

52

2,950

New Enterprises

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1695 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the geographic concentration of small and medium enterprises set-up in the past year, in the past three years and in the past five years; if he will provide this information in tabular form on a county basis; if he will provide this information in tabular form in terms of micro enterprises, small enterprises and medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31942/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The information sought by the Deputy is not available through the CSO in the format requested. Enterprise Demography Statistics are, however, compiled by the CSO under the Structural Business Statistics Regulation (EC) No. 295/2008 which entered into force in late 2007. The latest CSO Business Demography returns for 2008 were published on 20 September 2010 and the Table contains information in relation to business start ups listing enterprise births from 2006 until 2008. The CSO identifies potential enterprise births by using available economic indicators from administrative data (Revenue Trading returns in Corporate, Income, Employment and VAT activity).

The CSO Business Demography Statistics coverage includes the following Economic sectors described using the NACE 2 Economic activity classification.

B — Mining and quarrying

C — Manufacturing

D — Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply

E — Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities

F — Construction

G — Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles

H — Transportation and storage

I — Accommodation and food service activities

J — Information and communication

K* — Financial and insurance activities

L — Real estate activities

M — Professional, scientific and technical activities

N — Administrative and support service activities.

*NACE code 64.20Activities of holding companies is excluded from sector K.

For the purposes of the CSO Business Demography Statistics an enterprise is the smallest combination of legal units that is an organisational unit producing goods or services, which benefits from a certain degree of autonomy in decision-making, especially for the allocation of its current resources. An enterprise birth amounts to the creation of a combination of production factors with the restriction that no other enterprises are involved in the event. Births do not include entries into the population due to mergers, break-ups, split-off or restructuring of a set of enterprises nor does it include entries into a sub-population resulting only from a change of activity.

Table — New Enterprises (Births)

Enterprise Births (Number)

2006

2007

2008

All SMEs (0-249 employees)

16,900

13,294

11,782

Micro enterprises (0-9 employees)

16,827

13,226

11,688

Small and Medium enterprises (10-249 employees)**

73

68

94

**The categories "Small enterprises (10-49 employees)" and "Medium enterprises (10-249 employees)" have been merged for Enterprise Birth data to protect confidentiality of individual enterprises.

Departmental Agencies

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1696 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the location of Industrial Development Agency international offices; the cost involved in keeping these offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31943/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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IDA Ireland has 17 overseas offices located in Europe, the United States, Asia Pacific and South America, details of which are set out in the following tabular statement.

In recent years IDA has increased its international presence through the expansion of existing offices in the US and the development of new offices/representatives in France, China, Russia and Brazil, as part of a significant redeployment of personnel to its overseas activities from elsewhere in IDA. I am informed by IDA that, in 2009, the overall costs in relation to the running of its overseas offices amounted to €11.7m.

Table showing the location of IDA's Overseas Offices

Europe

London, Frankfurt, Paris

USA

New York, Boston, Mountain View (California), Irvine (California), Atlanta and Chicago

Asia Pacific/Growth Markets

Russia, Brazil, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China and India

Irish Exports

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1697 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the value of exports of multinational companies based here in the past year and each of the past five years; the contribution of multinational corporations to Irish exports, to GDP and to Irish expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31949/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The following table sets out the relevant details.

Value of exports by Foreign-owned firms (Agency-assisted plus IFSC)

Exports from Foreign-owned firms (Agency-assisted plus IFSC) as % of total

Exports from Foreign-owned firms (Agency-assisted plus IFSC exports) as % of GDP

Total Direct Expenditure in Irish Economy for Foreign-owned Agency-assisted Firms

€bn

%

%

€bn

2004

100.7

79.4

67.4

20.56

2005

106.2

78.7

65.4

19.225

2006

120.4

83.7

67.9

19.406

2007

127.1

80.8

67.1

20.065

2008

130.1

84.3

72.3

21.00

National Minimum Wage

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1698 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the reason Ireland is the only country in the EU that has separate sectorial agreements governing rates of pay in addition to national minimum wage legislation; if the existence of the REA/JLC/ERO framework is compatible with EU legislation; if it is anti-competitive and confers an unfair advantage on businesses operating north of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32060/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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Ireland is one of the 20 EU member states that has national minimum wage legislation. Cross-industry and sectoral collective agreements also apply in quite a number of these member states, as well as in the others that do not have a national minimum wage. In many cases, these agreements stipulate minimum wage levels, above those set in the national minimum wage, that are generally enforceable either through legislation or other administrative measures. While there are differences in how collective bargaining and wage-setting mechanisms are styled and operate across different member states, legally enforceable instruments such as Registered Employment Agreements and Employment Regulation Orders are not unique to Ireland.

Collective bargaining arrangements of this kind do not fall within the competence of the EU. Issues of employment and remuneration remain the competence of the member states and the social partners. Moreover European Union law does not preclude member states from applying their national legislation, or collective agreements entered into by employers and labour, to any person who is employed, even temporarily, within their territory, although that person's employer may be established in another member state.

Ireland's comprehensive body of employment rights legislation, including the terms and conditions set out in Registered Employment Agreements and Employment Regulation Orders, apply to all workers, including posted workers, employed in the State. In this context, a posted worker is defined in EU Directive 96/71/EC as "a worker who, for a limited period, carries out his work in the territory of a Member State other than the State in which he normally works." For the avoidance of doubt, section 20 of the Protection of Employee's (Part-Time) Work Act, 2001 provides that all employee protection legislation applies to a person, irrespective of his or her nationality or place of residence, who has entered into a contract of employment that provides for his or her being employed in the State or who works in the State under a contract of employment.

Redundancy Payments

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1699 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will review the application for redundancy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the status of this application; when will the redundancy be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32095/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.

I can confirm that my Department received a statutory redundancy lump sum claim on 19 April, 2010 in respect of the above individual. This claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time for these claims is between six and seven months and claims dating from February 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

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

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

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

I would also point to the fact that in the 8-month period up to the end of August 2010, the number of claims processed by my Department was 51,800, a 96% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2009 (26,405) which also exceeds the total number of claims processed for the whole year 2009 (50,664). Currently the weekly intake of new claims is an average of just over 1,200. Overall, new claims received in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to 43,449, a fall of just over 20% over the corresponding eight-month period in 2009 when 54,439 claims were lodged.

The claims backlog which reached its highest level at 43,000 in the latter quarter of 2009 has been reduced to a level of 32,137 at the end of August 2010 representing a reduction in the backlog of almost 11,000 claims.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the redundancy and insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1700 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of person who have applied for redundancy payments for each year since 2006 and to date in 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32097/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1733 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount of money that has been paid out in redundancy payments for each year since 2005 and to date in 2010 in tabular form; the amount his Department is seeking to recover from companies when it paid redundancy to employees and is seeking to recover some or all of that from the company for each year since 2005 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32099/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1700 and 1733 together.

Table 1 sets out the number of statutory redundancies for the years 2006 to 2009 and provisional figures for January to August, 2010. These figures reflect the number of employees who actually qualified for statutory redundancy lump sum payments. They do not reflect those who lost their jobs with less than two years service in employment.

Tables 2 sets out the monies paid out of the Social Insurance Fund in respect of redundancy claims for the years 2005-2009 and up to 31 August, 2010. It should be noted that all figures provided for 2009 and to date in 2010 are provisional figures.

During the period 1 January 2010 to 31 August, 43,449 claims were received and 51,800 were processed with an attendant value of €320m.

In situations that employers provide proof of inability to pay redundancy entitlements, the Department pays the employees directly from the Social Insurance Fund. In circumstances where proof of inability to pay on the part of the employer is not provided, or the employer refuses to pay the redundancy lump sum payments to employees, it is the case that the Department refers those employees to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) to obtain a determination of their right and entitlement to a redundancy lump sum. Where a positive determination is obtained from the EAT, this enables the Department to pay the employees directly from the SIF and the Department then endeavours to recover from the employer the amount paid out from the Fund — 40% in the case of employers where proof of inability to pay could not be provided and, in the case of employers who refused to pay the redundancy entitlements in the first instance, the Department seeks to recover to the SIF 100% of the amount paid out. Lump sum payments are shown separately in Table 2.

The Minister becomes a preferential creditor in a winding-up situation in recovering amounts paid from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) and this debt stands against a company for as long as it remains live on the Companies Register at the Company Registration Office. In the years 2005 to 2009, the Department has been successful in recovering to the Social Insurance Fund amounts of €2.2m, €0.4m, €0.7m, €0.9m and, €3.6m respectively as shown in Table 3. In the year 2010 up to 31 August the Department has so far recovered €2m.

Currently, the cumulative debt outstanding, which the Department is seeking to recover to the Social Insurance Fund, is €99.7m.

Table 1: Actual Statutory Redundancies for years 2005 to 2009 and up 31 August, 2010.

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010*

23,156

23,684

25,459

40,607

77,001

43,449

*Provisional figures.

Table 2: Expenditure from the SIF on Statutory Redundancies in the years 2005 to 2009 and January/August 2010

Category of claim

Rebate to employers

Lump sums to Employees

Total

€

2005

137,915,574

11,257,620

149,173,194

2006

152,168,532

14,343,692

166,512,224

2007

167,390,542

15,937,492

183,328,034

2008

161,774,389

31,936,998

193,711,387

2009*

247,891,733

87,970,092

335,861,925

Jan–Aug 2010*

260,664,139

59,351,823

320,015,965

Table 3: Recoveries on Redundancy Payments 2005 to 2009 and up to 31 August 2010

€

2005

2,199,478

2006

434,468

2007

657,978

2008

948,606

2009*

3,614,798

2010*

2,010,020

Note the amounts recovered in each year relates to monies recovered for the current year and earlier years.

*All figures for 2009 and 2010 are provisional subject to audit.

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1701 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of persons who were advised to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal because their employer had not provided adequate information to the Department in each year since 2008 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32098/10]

Deirdre Clune
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Deirdre Clune
Question:
1703 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the length of time employees seeking redundancy from his Department but required to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal are waiting for their case to be heard by the Employment Appeals Tribunal; the length of time they must wait for redundancy payments once the EAT has ruled in their favour; if he has reviewed this procedure in view of the fact that such employees are being penalised for the actions of their employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32101/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I propose to take Questions Nos.1701 and 1703 together.

Under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2007, the objective is to ensure that statutory redundancy payments, due to eligible employees on being made redundant, are made in accordance with the legislative provisions. The legislation places the onus, in the first instance, on the employer to discharge the obligation to pay redundancy entitlement to employees. In so doing, the employer is entitled, by virtue of pay related social contributions made to the State, to recover a 60% rebate on the amount paid out in redundancy payments to employees.

When employers provide proof of inability to pay the Department pays the employees directly from the SIF. In circumstances where proof of inability to pay on the part of the employer is not provided, or the employer refuses to pay the redundancy lump sum payments to employees, it is the case that the Department refers those employees to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) to obtain a determination of their right and entitlement to a redundancy lump sum.

Where a positive determination is obtained from the EAT, this enables the Department to pay the employees directly from the SIF and the Department then endeavours to recover from the employer the amount paid out from the Fund — 40% in the case of employers where proof of inability to pay could not be provided and, in the case of employers who refused to pay the redundancy entitlements in the first instance, the Department seeks to recover to the SIF 100% of the amount paid out.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body under the aegis of my Department. I have no role in the discharge by the Tribunal of its quasi-judicial functions. However, I understand that the total number of claims under the Redundancy Payments Acts to the Employment Appeals Tribunal recorded for the period January — 23 September 2010 is 2,189. The figure recorded for claims under the Redundancy Payments Acts disposed of during that period is 1,639.

It is not possible to identify those claims that have been submitted in order to meet a procedural requirement for payment by the Department under the Redundancy Payments Acts. The waiting period for a hearing of the tribunal for claims under the Redundancy Payments Acts can range from 27 weeks to 61 weeks. A pilot initiative, focused on achieving rapid reductions in waiting times, especially for cases involving redundancy payments, has been launched in Cork. The initial results are promising with waiting times for redundancy payment cases dropping to 24 weeks (week ending 24 September 2010).

Currently the waiting time for payment of redundancy lump sum claims in my Department is just over six months. In instances where an individual(s) obtains a positive determination from the EAT, the redundancy payments section will prioritise the payment of those redundancy claims as soon as the employee can confirm, in writing, that he has not received any or all of his redundancy payment at any time from his employer. When a hearing decision and an application for redundancy (form RP50) is available to the redundancy payments section a communication is issued to the employer asking him to confirm his inability to pay and to respond within a two week period. Upon expiry of this period, the payment process is initiated which takes two to three weeks. Delays in submitting the confirmation of non-receipt of payment, the EAT determination and the form RP50 can of course add to the timeframe.

Unfortunately I am unable to give the Deputy the number of persons who were advised to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal because their employer had not provided adequate information to the Department as we do not collate this information and it would consume considerable resources within what is currently a very busy area of my Department to provide the information requested. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the main focus of the redundancy payments section currently is to dispatch redundancy payment claims to individuals and businesses as quickly as possible.

Question No. 1702 answered with Question No. 1684.

Question No. 1703 answered with Question No. 1701.

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1704 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is entitled to redundancy payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32162/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm to the Deputy that, on the basis of valid claims entered in the redundancy payments system in my Department, there is no record of a redundancy claim in respect of the individual concerned.

Under the redundancy payments scheme all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on being made redundant. An employee is entitled to two weeks pay for every year of service, plus a bonus week, subject to the prevailing maximum ceiling on gross weekly pay which is currently €600. Eligibility for persons to qualify under the scheme requires that:

The employee must have at least two years continuous service (104 weeks) in the employment of the employer;

The employee must be in employment that is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full-time employees must be in employment which is insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts; this does not apply to part-time employees;.

The employee must be 16 years and upwards;

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

It is up to the employer concerned in the first instance to determine whether or not in fact a redundancy situation obtains and, if so, to notify my Department using an RP50 form which can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.entemp.ie

Disputes in relation to redundancy entitlements can be referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) for adjudication. The EAT is located at Davitt House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 and the website of the EAT is a useful resource and is located at www.eatribunal.ie.

Mattie McGrath
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Mattie McGrath
Question:
1705 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when a redundancy payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32178/10]

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1708 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when a redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32452/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1705 and 1708 together.

My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm to the Deputy that a lump sum redundancy claim was received by my Department in April 2010 in respect of the individual concerned. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the claim has been authorised for payment and that payment issued on 20 September 2010.

Question No. 1706 answered with Question No. 1690.

Industrial Development

Damien English
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Damien English
Question:
1707 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of site visits to Navan, County Meath, the industrial promotion agencies have planned for the remainder of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32252/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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IDA Ireland is responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. I am informed by IDA that:

In February 2010 Generale PanEurope(GPE) and Generali International(GI) announced that they have commissioned a new building, which will be located in the IDA Navan Business Park, Athlumney, Navan, County Meath. It is envisaged that the numbers employed will continue to increase over the coming years

During 2009 BT Ireland announced that they will locate a 50 person emergency call centre operation in the Navan Business Park and are currently fitting out a 10,000 sq.ft. unit.

Some other key client companies located in Navan Business Park include:

Europ Assistance Holdings Limited whose employment has grown steadily over the past number of years to 170 in insurance related activities.

PNC International who established their operation in Navan in 2006 and who currently employ in the region of 65 people.

Welch Allyn Limited, who have expanded their workforce to almost 100 people in the production and development of medical device products.

Availability of suitable land and facilities is one of the important attractions in encouraging FDI to Ireland. In Navan, IDA Ireland has 25.5 hectares of serviced industrial lands available to market at the IDA Business Park in Navan. The availability of these site options is widely circulated and currently IDA's property department are in active negotiation with three prospective investors who have expressed strong interest in locating new operating facilities in Navan Business Park. These negotiations are expected to be completed shortly.

With regard to potential future itinerary visits to Navan in 2010, it is not possible to project what level of itinerary activity will include Navan as these decisions are ultimately made by the prospective visitor/investor. IDA is acutely aware of the need to increase FDI levels in County Meath and the availability of quality property options in Navan is a crucial element in these marketing efforts.

Question No. 1708 answered with Question No. 1705.

Redundancy Payments

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1709 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32517/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership-liquidation. I can confirm that my Department received a statutory redundancy lump sum claim on 4 May, 2010 in respect of the above individual. This claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time for these claims has improved significantly and claims dating from February 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

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

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

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

I would also point to the fact that in the eight-month period up to the end of August 2010, the number of claims processed by my Department was 51,800, a 96% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2009 (26,405) which also exceeds the total number of claims processed for the whole year 2009 (50,664). Currently the weekly intake of new claims is an average of just over 1,200. Overall, new claims received in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to 43,449, a fall of just over 20% over the corresponding eight-month period in 2009 when 54,439 claims were lodged.

The claims backlog which reached its highest level at 43,000 in the latter quarter of 2009 has been reduced to a level of 32,137 at the end of August 2010 representing a reduction in the backlog of almost 11,000 claims.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the redundancy and insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Work Permits

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1710 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if a person (details supplied) in County Carlow qualifies for a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32767/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I am advised that my Department does not have any record of an employment permit being issued in respect of the individual concerned.

Furthermore, it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits for highly skilled, highly paid positions or, in respect of non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or, where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.

Should the person concerned, or their prospective employer, wish to submit an application to my Department, it will be considered on its merits and in line with current policy.

Bernard J. Durkan
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
1711 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if a person (details supplied) in County Carlow qualifies for a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32768/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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I am advised that my Department does not have any record of an employment permit being issued in respect of the individual concerned.

Furthermore, it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits for highly skilled, highly paid positions or, in respect of non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or, where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.

Should the person concerned, or their prospective employer, wish to submit an application to my Department, it will be considered on its merits and in line with current policy.

Redundancy Payments

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1712 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway as not been paid redundancy in view of the fact that the employment concerned terminated on the 30 September 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32800/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.

I wish to advise the Deputy that, on the basis of valid claims entered in the redundancy payments system in my Department, there is no record of a redundancy claim having been received in respect of the individual in question.

In the case of redundancy rebate claims, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the timeframe within which claims should be submitted to the Department which is six months from the date of payment of the redundancy lump sum by the employer to the employee. In the case of lump sum claims paid directly to the employee, the time limit for making claims is 52 weeks after the date of termination of employment. In the instance of claims to redundancy entitlement that are referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal where there may be a dispute as to entitlement of redundancy, the tribunal has discretion to extend the 52-week time limit to 104 weeks, provided that it receives the necessary claim within 104 weeks of the date of dismissal and is satisfied that the delay by the employee in making his claim arose through reasonable cause.

Tom Hayes
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Tom Hayes
Question:
1713 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when redundancy payment will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32867/10]

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

I can confirm that my Department received a statutory redundancy lump sum claim on 4 May, 2010 in respect of the above individual. This claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time for these claims is between six and seven months and claims dating from February 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

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

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

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

I would also point to the fact that in the eight-month period up to the end of August 2010, the number of claims processed by my Department was 51,800, a 96% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2009 (26,405) which also exceeds the total number of claims processed for the whole year 2009 (50,664).

The weekly intake of new claims is an average of just over 1,200. Overall, new claims received in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to 43,449, a fall of just over 20% over the corresponding eight-month period in 2009 when 54,439 claims were lodged.

The claims backlog which reached its highest level at 43,000 in the latter quarter of 2009 has been reduced to a level of 32,137 at the end of August 2010 representing a reduction in the backlog of almost 11,000 claims.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the redundancy and insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Work Permits

Phil Hogan
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Phil Hogan
Question:
1714 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will review a decision to refuse an employment permit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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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. All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

I wish to advise the Deputy that this application was refused on 2 September 2010 on the grounds that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits for highly skilled, highly paid positions or, in respect of non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or, where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.

Furthermore, a vacancy in which a work permit is being applied for must be advertised with FAS/EURES for a period of eight weeks and for six days in both local and national newspapers.

An appeal in respect of this decision was received in the Employment Permits Section on 15 September 2010.

All appeals are dealt with in date of receipt order there is currently a waiting period of four-six weeks because of the number of appeals being processed with limited staff resoruces.

Industrial Development

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1715 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the details of the hectare availability and occupancy rate; the active interest in the location by investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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The day-to-day management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is an operational matter for the agency as part of the statutory function assigned to it by the Oireachtas.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that the Westport Business and Technology Park amounts to approximately 15.31ha, of which 9.25ha is available for marketing. To date the following has been the activity on the Park;

ESB purchased a site of approximately 1.22ha for the construction of an ESB distribution substation which is now complete;

Portwest Limited. purchased a site of 1.34ha to accommodate the construction of an office which is now occupied;

IDA Ireland received Planning Permission from Mayo County Council for the construction of an Advanced Technology Building of approximately 12,000 sq ft in March 2008;

The Westport Multi-Agency Enterprise Group (which is a joint initiative of Westport Town Council (management and elected members), Westport Chamber of Commerce and local industrialists) are in the process of purchasing a site of approximately 0.34ha from IDA Ireland for the construction of an Enterprise Centre for which Planning Permission was granted in June 2010.

Redundancy Payments

Terence Flanagan
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Terence Flanagan
Question:
1716 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will respond to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/10]

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

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the redundancy lump sum claim for the individual concerned has been authorised for payment on 23 September, 2010. Due to the volume of redundancy payments processed by my Department, it is not possible to provide an exact date on which payment will issue but the claimant should allow for a 7 to 10 day period for receipt of payment following authorisation.

Work Permits

Noel Ahern
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Noel Ahern
Question:
1717 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [33045/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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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. All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

I am advised that on the basis of information already provided to my Department in this case that the spouse of the individual in question is currently resident in the State as a student. A student on a stamp 2 is permitted to remain in Ireland to pursue a course of studies and is permitted to engage in casual employment which is defined as not more that 20 hours per week during term, and up to 40 hours per week during holidays. A student on a Stamp 2 is prohibited from engaging in full time employment and cannot be issued with an employment permit.

My Department also understands that in this case, contact has been made by the persons concerned with officials at the Department of Justice and Law Reform. In the event that the Department of Justice and Law Reform agrees to amend the spouse's status in the State to allow him to apply for an employment permit, my Department will consider any such work permit application.

Question No. 1718 answered with Question No. 1684.

Redundancy Payments

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1719 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding an application for statutory redundancy payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33235/10]

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

I wish to advise the Deputy that on the basis of valid claims entered in the Redundancy Payments System in my Department, there is no record of a redundancy claim having been received in respect of the individual in question. Application should be submitted to my Department on an RP50 form completed and signed as appropriate by the employer and the employee. This form can be completed online or downloaded from the Department's website at www.entemp.ie. In the case of forms submitted online, it is necessary also to submit a signed hardcopy of the form. Claims are not imported onto the Redundancy Payments System until a signed copy is received.

It is also my Department's practice not to enter incomplete claims on the system as these claims cannot be processed until the necessary documentation is submitted. Forms are returned to allow missing details and/or supporting documentation to be submitted. The documentation required in support of lump sum claims, is set out on my Department's website at www.entemp.ie. Submission of correctly completed Redundancy claim forms (RP50's) with all of the required documentation greatly facilitates the processing of claims.

The documentation required in support of lump sum claims is evidence of the employer's inability to pay the redundancy entitlements to the employees. This involves requesting a statement from the company's Accountant or Solicitor attesting to the inadequacy of assets to make the redundancy payments and, the latest set of financial accounts for the company. The employer is also asked to admit liability for the 40% liability attaching to the company arising from the redundancy payments.

If this information is provided to the Department, the employees are paid their redundancy entitlement from the Social Insurance Fund. Upon payment, the Department pursues the company for the 40% share that the company would ordinarily have been expected to pay to the employees.

If the necessary supporting documentation required from the employer is not provided to my Department, the employee will be advised by my Department to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) against the employer to seek a determination establishing the employee's right and entitlement to redundancy. Once such a determination is available, the Department is then in a position to make the payment to the employee concerned. Should the outstanding documentation be provided by the employer during the period while the case is pending a hearing before the EAT, this would allow the claim to be processed by my Department in the usual way.

Catherine Byrne
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Catherine Byrne
Question:
1720 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has received an application for a statutory lump sum from the Social Insurance Fund in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; when a decision will be made in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/10]

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

I wish to advise the Deputy that on the basis of valid claims entered in the Redundancy Payments System in my Department, there is no record of a redundancy claim having been received in respect of the individual in question. Application should be submitted to my Department on an RP50 form completed and signed as appropriate by the employer and the employee. This form can be completed online or downloaded from the Department's website at www.entemp.ie. In the case of forms submitted online, it is necessary also to submit a signed hardcopy of the form. Claims are not imported onto the Redundancy Payments System until a signed copy is received.

It is also my Department's practice not to enter incomplete claims on the system as these claims cannot be processed until the necessary documentation is submitted. Forms are returned to allow missing details and/or supporting documentation to be submitted. The documentation required in support of lump sum claims, is set out on my Department's website at www.entemp.ie. Submission of correctly completed Redundancy claim forms (RP50's) with all of the required documentation greatly facilitates the processing of claims.

The documentation required in support of lump sum claims is evidence of the employer's inability to pay the redundancy entitlements to the employees. This involves requesting a statement from the company's Accountant or Solicitor attesting to the inadequacy of assets to make the redundancy payments and, the latest set of financial accounts for the company. The employer is also asked to admit liability for the 40% liability attaching to the company arising from the redundancy payments.

If this information is provided to the Department, the employees are paid their redundancy entitlement from the Social Insurance Fund. Upon payment, the Department pursues the company for the 40% share that the company would ordinarily have been expected to pay to the employees.

If the necessary supporting documentation required from the employer is not provided to my Department, the employee will be advised by my Department to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) against the employer to seek a determination establishing the employee's right and entitlement to redundancy. Once such a determination is available, the Department is then in a position to make the payment to the employee concerned. Should the outstanding documentation be provided by the employer during the period while the case is pending a hearing before the EAT, this would allow the claim to be processed by my Department in the usual way.

Employment Support Services

Paul Kehoe
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Paul Kehoe
Question:
1721 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if assistance is available under a PRSI scheme for employers looking to create a new position in their organisation or if there are any other schemes that help a small business create employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33407/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme is a scheme introduced by Government to act as a direct stimulus to job creation by giving employers a PRSI exemption for taking on new workers who have been unemployed for six months or more. Responsibility for the implementation of the scheme rests with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Eamonn Ó Cuiv and information in relation to the scheme is available from that Department.

The County Enterprise Boards provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, including both financial and non-financial assistance. The criteria under which funding is available from the CEBs is based on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size or proposed size of the enterprise. CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and can assist in the establishment, and/or development, of new and existing enterprises from individuals/sole traders, companies and community groups subject to the following eligibility criteria;

the enterprise must be in the commercial sphere;

the enterprise must demonstrate a market for the product/service;

the enterprise must have a capacity for growth and new job creation;

the enterprise must not employ more than 10 people;

the enterprise must not give rise to deadweight or displacement.

These supports include a priming grant available for business start-ups within the first 18 months, a Business Expansion/Development Grant available to micro-enterprises to help them grow and develop, a Feasibility/Innovation Grant available to micro-enterprises to assist with the cost of necessary pre-start up studies carried out for the purposes of assessing market interest for a proposed new product or service.

Additionally, Enterprise Ireland continues to support the growth of new and existing internationally trading Irish enterprises. A new Fund for Job Expansion has been launched by Enterprise Ireland, which will provide support of up to €150,000 to eligible clients taking on a development plan, which will increase employment. Three calls for this competitive have taken place to date with a further call scheduled for November 2010. The Fund will assist companies with regard to capital, technology acquisition, training, the recruitment of key managers, employment, and consultancy.

Job Creation

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1722 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will set out each new jobs announcement made by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 in tabular form; the number of jobs announced; the company involved, the date by which the jobs are to be in place, and the number that have actually been established since the announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33630/10]

Minister or Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt. O’Keeffe)
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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 annualised basis and is aggregated at county level. Therefore, overall figures for 2010 will not be available until early 2011. Information is provided by companies for statistical purposes only and due to data protection and confidentiality considerations, it is not possible to provide information in respect of individual companies.

According to the survey, a total of 13,784 new jobs were created in IDA supported companies in the two-year period 2008 and 2009. In the same period, Enterprise Ireland client companies created employment of 17,965. In the period from January 2008 to September 2010, IDA Ireland made 135 announcements with the potential to create 12,763 jobs in IDA Ireland supported companies. However, many projects go ahead without public announcement. The comparable number of Enterprise Ireland announcements was 26 with an associated job potential of 2,224.

The tables accompanying this reply outline the individual job announcements made in agency-supported companies in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010. Projects are generally implemented over a number of years with a time frame that can vary, depending on the specifics of the project.

Table 1: Enterprise Ireland Publicly Announced Employment

(announcements made over the period 2008-to date 2010)

Company

No. of Jobs

Date Announced

Shabra

35

09/09/2010

Architectural and Metal Systems (AMS)

31

03/09/2010

Probiotec

55

13/07/2010

Weedle

50

20/06/2010

E&I Engineering Irland

71

04/06/2010

Eirtech Aviation

71

03/06/2010

Netwatch

20

30/04/2010

VoxPro

160 Graduate Level

16/04/2010

Abtran

300

01/04/2010

Aspen Connect

15

17/03/2010

Openet

35

15/03/2010

Probiotec

30

03/03/2010

Newsweaver

33

19/10/2009

Automotive Technology Systems and Research Ltd

30

20/09/2009

Dublin Aerospace Ltd

226

02/09/2009

American Pacific Corporation

20

20/07/2009

Accuris

27

10/07/2009

Abtran

250 Graduate Level

17/04/2009

Taxback.com

100

03/02/2009

EirGen Pharma

23

14/01/2009

Async Technologies

11

21/10/2008

Avvio

30

21/10/2008

Dew Valley Foods

55

06/10/2008

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

450

10/09/2008

Green Isle

70

31/03/2008

Donseed

26

30/01/2008

Table 2: IDA Ireland — Job Announcement List 2008, 2009 and 2010 (end September)

2008 Job Announcements

Date

Company

Jobs

1

05/02/08

Zimmer

250

2

08/02/08

Unum

200

3

12/02/08

Vistakon

60

4

12/02/08

Channel Advisor

15

5

18/02/08

Citco

150

6

21/02/08

Service Source

100

7

03/03/08

Teva

165

8

10/03/08

DePuy

20

9

19/03/8

IBM

21

10

25/03/08

EyeWonder

31

11

31/03/08

Thermo King

19

12

01/04/08

Genzyme

170

13

01/04/08

Microchem/Lancaster Labs

100

14

10/04/08

Cameron

140

15

14/04/08

Cognex

N/A

16

17/04/08

GlaxoSmithKline

50

17

02/05/08

Pfizer

100

18

21/05/08

Satir

40

19

16/06/08

IBM

18

20

17/06/08

Business Objects

100

21

18/06/08

Solaris Mobile

50

22

01/07/08

Coca Cola

100

23

16/07/08

Siemens

60

24

17/07/08

Citi

30

25

14/07/08

ON Semiconductor

49

26

24/07/08

EMC

50

27

05/08/08

Abiomed

250

28

04/09/08

Freightquote

100

29

11/09/08

Alcon

186

30

17/09/08

IBM

34

31

18/09/08

Aetna

70

32

30/09/08

Cook Medical

200

33

02/10/08

Facebook

74

34

23/10/08

GOA

474

35

24/10/08

Pauwels Trafo

70

36

03/11/08

Merck Sharp and Dohme

170

37

03/11/08

Marriott

200

38

11/10/08

Oriflame

35

39

20/11/08

DTS

50

40

25/11/08

IBM

40

41

30/11/08

Coca Cola

100

42

30/11/08

Renishaw

60

43

01/12/08

CSN Stores

200

44

04/12/08

Option Wireless

145

45

9/12/08

Synopsys

50

46

9/12/08

AON

100

47

11/12/08

Hovione

80

48

15/12/08

Microsemi

315

49

18/12/08

PPD

250

2009 Job Announcements

No.

Date

Company

Jobs

50

14/01/09

Trend Micro

100

51

14/01/09

Gala Inc

50

52

22/01/09

Gerson Lehrman Group

50

53

05/02/09

Computershare (CGS)

12

54

27/02/09

Intel Ireland Ltd.

Up to 134

55

10/03/09

Hewlett Packard Ireland Ltd.

500 (possibility to 1,000)

56

26/03/09

PayPal Europe Services Limited

35

57

02/04/09

Helsinn Holding S.A.,

10

58

09/04/09

Big Fish Games, Inc

100

59

21/04/09

CIRS

26

60

25/05/09

Cerner Corporation

40

61

28/05/09

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

500

62

14/06/09

Sophis Group

13

63

14/06/09

Wetzel

25

64

24/06/09

Boston Scientific

45

65

25/06/09

IBM

100

66

30/06/09

Rottapharm

35

67

02/07/09

Abbott Mature Products Management Ltd

50

68

07/07/09

Gilead Sciences

30

69

20/07/09

AMPAC- ISP

20

70

28/07/09

SuccessFactors

40

71

04/08/09

Kenexa

30

72

12/08/09

Lumension

30

73

02/09/09

BSB

20

74

23/09/09

McAfee

120

75

28/09/09

SITA

80

76

29/09/09

Butterfield Fulcrum

40

77

05/10/09

Equinoxe AIS

50

78

12/10/09

PayPal

100

79

16/10/09

Citrix Systems

20

80

21/10/09

Sajan

35

81

27/10/09

Facebook

70

82

30/10/09

HP Galway

50

83

30/10/09

Buy.com

40

84

18/11/09

Bentley Systems, Incorporated,

150

85

14/12/09

Wexport

20

86

14/12/09

Merit Medical

6

87

14/12/09

Sanmina-SCI

88

17/12/09

Maxim Integrated Products

100

2010 Job Announcements

No.

Date

Company

Jobs

89

18/01/10

Sajan, Inc.

35

90

19/01/10

StreamServe

20

91

22/01/10

PayPal

100

92

26/01/10

Freund Corporation

25

93

27/01/10

Gala Networks

103

94

03/02/10

Alcatel-Lucent

70

95

09/02/10

D & B

100

96

11/02/10

Hertz

100

97

22/02/10

Allianz Worldwide Care

30

98

24/02/10

Warner Chilcott

200

99

01/03/10

PPD

250

100

04/03/10

HP

60

101

04/03/10

PAS Technologies

10

102

22/03/10

eBay

150

103

24/03/10

IBM

200

104

30/03/10

Citrix Systems Ireland

30

105

31/03/10

Dell

100

106

14/04/10

Generali PanEurope

30

107

26/04/10

United Technologies Corporation

37

108

26/04/10

International Energy Research Centre (IERC)

50

109

12/05/10

Mirror Controls International (MCI)

50

110

13/05/10

MSD

150

111

20/05/10

Telefónica

100

112

21/05/10

SAP/Business Objects

75

113

24/05/10

Webroot

50

114

26/05/10

EA

200

115

31/05/10

AXA Global Distributors

200

116

01/06/10

ENERCON

30

117

01/06/10

Straker

25

118

09/06/10

MFG.com

50

119

13/06/10

Zurich Group

240

120

18/06/10

Biotrin

40

121

24/06/10

LinkedIn

35

122

25/06/10

Spencer Stuart

100

123

29/06/10

FCStone

26

124

01/07/10

Merit Medical

100

125

05/07/10

Stream Global Services

425

126

09/07/10

Eli Lilly

100

127

15/07/10

UnitedHealth Group

200

128

19/07/10

Lumension

20

129

20/07/10

Covidien

200

130

30.07.10

Kelloggs

50

131

03.08.10

ServiceSource

70

132

20.08.10

Google

200

133

01.09.10

Helsinn

10

134

17.09.10

Fi-Tek

50

135

27.09.10

Otterbox

50

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1723 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33637/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The amount spent by my Department on mobile phone bills since 2007 is as follows:

Year

€

2007

€152,834

2008

146,155

2009

125,719

Jan – Jun 2010

60,944

The number of staff in the Department with mobile phones paid for by the Department has varied over the years but in August 2010 the number was 152. The mobile phone operator who has a contract with my Department is Vodafone. That contract was tendered for under the Mobile Services Framework Agreement for the Civil Service and commenced on 1 October 2008.

The above figures do not include the 8 Offices of my Department which have their own budgets.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1724 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33703/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The number of persons (full time equivalent (FTE)) employed in my Department, broken down by grade, is outlined in the following table.

Grade

Number of Staff

Secretary General

1.00

Assistant Sec.

5.00

Special Adviser

2.00

Principal Officer

30.00

Assistant Principal

74.50

Admin. Officer

8.00

Higher Executive Officer

129.76

Executive Officer

227.90

Staff Officer

32.35

Clerical Officer

294.60

Accountant Grade 1 / Head Accountant

8.00

Auditor

2.00

Chief Executive Officer

1.00

Chairperson & Deputy Chair

3.00

Members

6.00

Controller of Patents

1.00

Corporate Compliance Manager

1.00

Director

3.00

Examiner of Patents / Senior Examiner of Patents

4.00

Solicitor

3.00

Legal Adviser

5.80

Personal Assistant

4.00

Personal Secretary

4.00

Civilian Drivers

6

Service Staff

48.00

Telephonist

2.30

Total

907.21

There are 13 Agencies under the remit of my Department. The number of staff (FTE) employed in each Agency by grade is set out as follows. As part of the Employment Control Framework agreed between my Department and the Department of Finance I have allocated additional posts to Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority in order to ensure that they have sufficient resources to meet their targets.

The Health and Safety Authority

Grade

Number of Staff

CEO

1.0

Assistant Chief Executive

4.0

Programme Manager

4.0

Inspector Grade 1

17.9

AP/ AP Higher

7.0

Inspector Grade 11

40.4

Inspector Grade 111

63.5

HEO

13.1

EO

17.6

CO

18.5

Services Officer

2.0

Total

189.0

Science Foundation Ireland

Grade

Number of Staff

Director General

1

Prof Accountant Grade 1

1

Grade 1 (A/Sec)

1

Director

2

Level F

15

Level E

11

Level D

6

Level C

9

Level B

4

Total

50

Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1

Principal Officer

3

Assistant Principal

1

Professional Accountant Gr 1

5

Executive Officer

1

Clerical Officer

1

Total

12

Shannon Free Airport Development Co. Ltd

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1.0

Assistant Chief Executive

1.0

E1

7.0

E3B

11.0

E3A

12.0

E3

32.0

E4

16.5

E5

20.5

CL1A

8.5

Clerical

7.5

Total

117.0 FTE

IDA Ireland

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1

Executive Director

2

Grade 1

5

Level F

18

Level E

71

Level D

91

Level C

38

Level B

31

Levels A

1

Total

258

The National Standards Authority of Ireland

Grade

Number of Staff

CEO

1.00

Senior Principal Scientific Officer

3.00

Principal Scientific Officer

12.00

Senior Scientific Officer

65.35

Experimental Officer

4.00

Technical Grade 2

29.50

Technical Assistant

4.00

Level E

1.80

Level D

9.40

Level C

20.80

Level B

21.70

Sheltered employment at St Michael’s House for intellectual disabilities

2.00

Total

174.55

Enterprise Ireland

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1.0

Executive Director

4.0

Divisional Manager Grade 1

14.0

Level F

69.0

Level E

294.0

Level D

140.0

Level C

100.0

Level B

71.5

Levels A

1.0

Technical Grades

24.0

Local Overseas

90.0

International Graduates

32.0

Total

840.5

Forfás

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1.0

Grade 1

2.0

Level F

12.0

Level E

23.0

Senior Scientific Officer (SSO)

8.0

Level D

27.5

Level C

22.0

Level B

13.0

Levels A & SA

3.0

Total

111.5

InterTrade Ireland

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1

Director

3

Manager

13

Deputy Manager

11

Executive Staff

9

Administrative Staff

5

Total

42

The National Consumer Agency

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1.0

Principal Officer

2.8

Assistant Principal

3.0

Higher Executive Officer

8.8

Executive Officer

17.6

Clerical Officer

10.2

Staff Officer

1.6

Total

45.0

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Grade

Number of Staff

Chief Executive

1

Director

2

Principal Officer Higher

1

Principal Officer

4

Assistant Principal Higher

11

Assistant Principal

11

Higher Executive Officer

16

Executive Officer

12

Clerical Officer

17

Total

75

The Competition Authority

Grade

Number of Staff

Chairperson — Deputy Secretary

1.0

Member — Assistant Secretary

3.0

Principal Officer

8.0

Assistant Principal

1.0

Case Officer

18.3

Higher Executive Officer

2.0

Executive Officer

2.4

Clerical Officer

4.0

Garda Sergeant

1.0

Total

40.7

County and City Enterprise Boards

Chief Executive Officer

Assistance Chief Executive Officer

Business Advisor

Administration Staff

Total Staff Number (Whole Time Equivalent)

Carlow

1

1

0

2

4

Cavan

1

1

1

1.6

4.6

Clare

1

0

1

1

3

Cork City

1

1

1

1

4

Cork North

0

0

1

1

2

Cork South

1

1

1

1

4

Cork West

1

0.8

1

1

3.8

Donegal

1

1

1

2

5

Dublin City

1

1

1

2

5

Dublin South

1

0

0.8

2

3.8

Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown

1

1

1

2

5

Fingal

1

1

1

1

4

Galway

1

0

1

1

3

Kerry

1

1

1

1.3

4.3

Kildare

1

1

0

2

4

Kilkenny

1

1

1

1

4

Laois

1

1

0

1

3

Leitrim

1

1

1

1.2

4.2

Limerick City

1

1

1

1

4

Limerick County

1

0.8

1

1

3.8

Longford

1

1

1

1

3

Louth

1

1

0.8

1.4

4.2

Mayo

1

1

0

1

3

Meath

1

0.8

0.8

2

4.6

Monaghan

1

0

1

2

4

Offaly

1

1

1

1

4

Roscommon

0

0

1

1

2

Sligo

1

1

1

1

4

Tipperary North

1

1

1

1

4

Tipperary South

1

1

1

1

4

Waterford City

0

1

0

1

2

Waterford County

1

1

0

1

3

Westmeath

1

1

1

1

4

Wexford

0

1

1

1

4

Wicklow

1

1

1

2

5

Total

31

28.4

28.4

45.5

133.3

Trade Agreements

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1725 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the trade agreements that are in existence between Ireland and Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq; his plans to expand trade links with the region and to break down barriers to trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33757/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Ireland does not have any trade agreements with Middle Eastern countries. Trade policy is an EU competence and the EU is currently either in negotiation currently, or already has Trade agreements with both individual countries in that region or with country groupings such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. Specifically on Iraq, an EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was concluded with that country last year. Ireland's interests are taken into account in such negotiations and we can benefit from the terms of any such agreements.

I am very conscious of the trade opportunities presented by the key economies in the Middle East and we have developed strong levels of economic activity, particularly with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Next month I will be leading a Trade Mission with a large number of Enterprise Ireland client companies to both of these countries. My Department held a very successful Joint Economic Commission with our Saudi Arabian counterparts earlier this year, at which various trade and economic cooperation issues were developed.

The Government's new Strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment, which was launched by the Taoiseach and myself yesterday, highlights the opportunities for trade with high — growth economies including those in the Middle East region and I am confident that we will continue to build on the progress made over recent years.

Industrial Development

Sean Sherlock
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Sean Sherlock
Question:
1726 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if any potential investors have been identified to develop the industrial development authority technology business and technology park in Fermoy, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33760/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’ Keeffe)
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The day-to-day management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is an operational matter for the agency and not one in which I have a function.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that the agency hosted a site visit to the Fermoy Business & Technology Park by an overseas Life Sciences company on 11 November 2009. In addition, a second Life Sciences company visited Fermoy on 12 May 2010. Both companies also visited a number of other locations and it is too early to say if these proposals will progress further.

The ultimate decision on where operations are established lies with the client company, whose primary objective is to establish in the location most aligned with the business needs of the company.

County Enterprise Boards

James Bannon
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James Bannon
Question:
1727 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding an application for a feasibility and innovation grant for a hybrid wind & solar project, which was submitted in May 2010 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33866/10]

Minister or Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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My Department officials have established that the Deputy is enquiring about a grant application to Longford County Enterprise Board (CEB). As agencies operating under the aegis of my Department, the role of the 35 CEBs is to provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level.

While my Department provides funding to the CEBs it has no function in the day-to-day decision making activities of the Boards. The CEBs are independent companies, limited by guarantee and, therefore, legal entities in their own right. Decisions on applications for assistance from the CEBs are made independently by the Boards, subject to eligibility criteria, on the advice of their evaluation committees.

All of the CEBs operate to the same criteria in relation to the assistance which they can offer i.e. they can support the establishment and/or the development of enterprises provided that the projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability and which over time may develop into strong exporting entities. In addition to providing direct financial assistance, the CEBs also provide a range of indirect business advice and information assistances such as mentoring services, management capability training and development programmes, and e-Commerce training initiatives.

Longford CEB is keen to support businesses involved in the renewable energy sector and have communicated their interest to the project promoter.

I am advised that in the case of this particular grant application, the project promoter was advised by letter in mid-September 2010 that the application could not be approved at this time. The CEB have provided considerable advice and support, including mentoring support, to the project promoter over the last 12 months and, whilst the Board have not approved grant support at this time, the promoter has been advised that upon further development of the project's business plan, the services of the Board, both financial and non-financial, remain available to the project.

In order to more fully explore the range of options that may be available to him and to further develop the project's business plan, the project promoter should therefore maintain contact with Longford County Enterprise Board, Longford Enterprise Centre, Templemichael, Ballinalee Road, Longford (Tel. No. 043-3342757; e-mail: info@longfordceb.ie) to discuss the business needs with the relevant staff of the Board.

Redundancy Payments

Jimmy Deenihan
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Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
1728 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when statutory redundancy will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34074/10]

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

I can confirm that my Department received a statutory redundancy lump sum claim on 24 September, 2010 in respect of the above individual. This claim awaits processing.

In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the current processing time for these claims is between 6 and 7 months and claims dating from February 2010 are currently being processed. Of course in some instances, where the necessary supporting documentation for lump sum claims is not provided to my Department, or where queries arise, processing of claims can be further delayed until the required documentation is provided and/or outstanding queries are resolved.

My Department continues to make every effort to reduce processing times. Measures already taken in the Department to alleviate the pressures on the Payments area include:

Almost doubling the number of staff working solely on redundancy payment claims through reassignment to a current level of 52 full time equivalents;

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

Establishment of a special call handling facility in NERA to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses concerned about their payments;

Better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;

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

I would also point to the fact that in the 8-month period up to the end of August 2010, the number of claims processed by my Department was 51,800, a 96% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2009 (26,405) which also exceeds the total number of claims processed for the whole year 2009 (50,664).

Currently the weekly intake of new claims is an average of just over 1,200. Overall, new claims received in the first eight months of 2010 amounted to 43,449, a fall of just over 20% over the corresponding 8-month period in 2009 when 54,439 claims were lodged. The claims backlog which reached its highest level at 43,000 in the latter quarter of 2009 has been reduced to a level of 32,137 at the end of August 2010 representing a reduction in the backlog of almost 11,000 claims.

Responsibility for the payment functions arising under the Redundancy and Insolvency payment schemes is due to be transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011. In transferring the functions between Departments, it is the intention that this will operate seamlessly and without any adverse impact on the service levels being experienced by individuals or the business community awaiting payment of redundancy claims.

Economic Competitiveness

Frank Feighan
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Frank Feighan
Question:
1729 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if there are credit difficulties for Irish business trading with China because of our international credit standing; the assistance that will be made available in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31696/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Ireland's exports to China have expanded very significantly in recent years to the extent that we now have a trade surplus with that country. In addition, the number of Irish companies, which have established themselves in the country, has grown steadily. The Chinese market has been a strong performer in the Government's strategy to expand and diversify our exports. I have not been made aware of any significant problems encountered by Irish companies in relation to their obtaining credit for their exporting activities to China, because of Ireland's international credit standing.

Graduate Support Schemes

Mary O'Rourke
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Mary O'Rourke
Question:
1730 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the graduate internship programme will commence and where details on this programme may be found. [32909/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Enterprise Ireland's (EI) support to graduates currently falls into two categories, the Graduates 4 International Growth (Pilot Programme) and the Enterprise Ireland International Graduate Programme.

The Graduates 4 International Growth (G4IG) programme, which was launched on 30 August 2010, aims to place 50 top-level college graduates in export-led Irish firms. It is 18 months in duration, with participants based for a minimum of 12 months in an overseas market (Europe excluding the UK, North America, Brazil, Russia and The Gulf). It has a strong focus on action learning and project work coupled with skills modules on relevant topics such as cultural diversity, market development/strategy, sales and marketing. The programme matches graduates who show potential with ambitious internationally trading companies and provides them with a structured means of developing new skills in business development, while also delivering a key project for the companies involved.

Details are available for both companies and graduates at http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/G4IG. The closing date for applications was 27 September 2010.

Enterprise Ireland's International Graduate Programme involves a placement of 2 years. This programme aims to provide 15 graduates with in-depth overseas marketing and business strategy know how. Graduates with primary and post-graduate degrees across disciplines such as business, social science, science, manufacturing technology and engineering who would like to make a career in international Irish businesses are eligible. Details are available on: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/About-Us/Our-People/Overview-Careers-in-Enterprise-Ireland.html

Graduates taking part in the 2010 International Graduate Programme commenced working in their overseas locations on 27 September.

Applications for the 2011–2013 programme will be invited in October 2010 and the closing date will be 31 January 2011.

Redundancy Payments

Paul Connaughton
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Paul Connaughton
Question:
1731 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is entitled to redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33444/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara. Calleary)
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My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.

I wish to advise the Deputy that on the basis of valid claims entered in the Redundancy Payments System in my Department, there is no record of a redundancy claim having been received in respect of the individual in question.

Under the Redundancy Payments Scheme all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on being made redundant. An employee is entitled to two weeks pay for every year of service, plus a bonus week, subject to the prevailing maximum ceiling on gross weekly pay which is currently €600 . Eligibility for persons to qualify under the Scheme requires that:

The employee must have at least two years continuous service (104 weeks) in the employment of the employer;

The employee must be in employment that is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full-time employees must be in employment which is insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts; this does not apply to part-time employees;.

The employee must be 16 years and upwards;

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

It is up to the employer concerned in the first instance to determine whether or not in fact a redundancy situation obtains and, if so, to notify my Department using an RP50 form which can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.entemp.ie

Disputes in relation to redundancy entitlements can be referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) for adjudication. The EAT is located at Davitt House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 and the website of the EAT is a useful resource and is located at www.eatribunal.ie.

In the normal course, application for redundancy should be submitted to my Department on an RP50 form completed and signed as appropriate by the employer and the employee. This form can be completed online or downloaded from the Department's website at www.entemp.ie. In the case of forms submitted online, it is necessary also to submit a signed hardcopy of the form. Claims are not imported onto the Redundancy Payments System until a signed copy is received.

If the necessary supporting documentation required from the employer is not provided to my Department, the employee will be advised by my Department to take a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) against the employer to seek a determination establishing the employee's right and entitlement to redundancy. Once such a determination is available, the Department is then in a position to make the payment to the employee concerned. Should the outstanding documentation be provided by the employer during the period while the case is pending a hearing before the EAT, this would allow the claim to be processed by my Department in the usual way.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1732 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in respect of any State owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and if he will provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31959/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Agencies that come within my Department's remit are all non-commercial bodies, principally, though not exclusively, in the enterprise development sector such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA, County Enterprise Boards, etc., or on the regulatory side such as the Health and Safety Authority.

A list of Agencies of my Department, detailing the date on which the Department received their Annual Report and subsequently the date on which it was laid before the Oireachtas, is set out as follows.

Name of Agency

Date Department received 2009 Annual Report

Date 2009 Annual Report Laid before Oireachtas

Date Department received 2008 Annual Report

Date 2008 Annual Report Laid before Oireachtas

Enterprise Ireland

24 June 2010

6 July 2010

11 June 2009

30 June 2009

Forfás

18 May 2010

03 June 2010

8 June 2009

30 June 2009

IDA Ireland

28 June 2010

6 July 2010

23 June 2009

7 July 2009

National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

Awaiting C&AG Audit Sign-Off

Awaiting C&AG Audit Sign-Off

11 September 2009

16 September 2010

Shannon Development Company

28 May 2010

6 July 2010

22 May 2009

30 June 2009

InterTrade Ireland 1

23 August 2010

Pending

2 December 2009

9 February 2010

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)

25 June 2010

4 Aug 2010

15 July 2009

24 Aug 2008

Competition Authority 2

26 Feb 2010

25 Feb 2010

27 Feb 2009

27 Feb 2009

National Consumer Agency

19 May 2010

24 June 2010

21 April 2009

29 May 2009

Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority

4 May 2010

24 June 2010

11 May 2009

30 June 2009

Health and Safety Authority

30 March 2010

21 June 2010

4 June 2009

23 June 2009

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

16 July 2010

20 August 2010

11 June 2009

27 July 2009

Labour Relations Commission 3

22 September 2010

Pending

27 October 2009

27 October 2009

35 County & City Enterprise Boards

Carlow

Awaiting C&AG Audit Sign-Off

Awaiting C&AG Audit Sign-Off

27/11/2009

01/12/2009

Cavan

ditto

ditto

27/11/2009

01/12/2009

Clare

ditto

ditto

11/11/2009

16/11/2009

Cork City

ditto

ditto

11/11/2009

16/11/2009

Cork North

ditto

ditto

10/12/2009

16/12/2009

Cork South

ditto

ditto

02/10/2009

05/10/2009

Cork West

ditto

ditto

19/11/2009

20/11/2009

Donegal

ditto

ditto

10/12/2009

16/12/2009

Dublin City

ditto

ditto

29/01/2010

03/02/2010

Dublin Fingal

ditto

ditto

10/12/2009

16/12/2009

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown

ditto

ditto

27/11/2009

01/12/2009

Galway County & City

ditto

ditto

27/11/2009

01/12/2009

Kerry

ditto

ditto

11/11/2009

16/11/2009

Kildare

ditto

ditto

10/12/2009

14/12/2009

Kilkenny

ditto

ditto

19/11/2009

19/11/2009

Laois

ditto

ditto

19/11/2009

19/11/2009

Leitrim

ditto

ditto

27/11/2009

01/12/2009

Limerick City

ditto

ditto

27/11/2009

01/12/2009

Limerick County

ditto

ditto

22/12/2009

06/01/2010

Longford

ditto

ditto

22/12/2009

06/01/2010

Louth

ditto

ditto

22/12/2009

06/01/2010

Mayo

ditto

ditto

22/01/2010

27/01/2010

Meath

ditto

ditto

07/01/2010

11/01/2010

Monaghan

ditto

ditto

07/01/2010

11/01/2010

Offaly

ditto

ditto

22/12/2009

06/01/2010

Roscommon

ditto

ditto

11/11/2009

16/11/2009

Sligo

ditto

ditto

10/12/2009

16/12/2009

South Dublin

ditto

ditto

07/01/2010

11/01/2010

Tipperary NR

ditto

ditto

11/11/2008

16/11/2009

Tipperary SR

ditto

ditto

01/10/2009

05/10/2009

Waterford City

ditto

ditto

11/11/2009

16/11/2009

Waterford County

ditto

ditto

10/12/2009

16/12/2009

Westmeath

ditto

ditto

24/09/2009

29/09/2009

Wexford

ditto

ditto

19/11/2009

20/11/2009

Wicklow

ditto

ditto

07/01/2010

11/01/2010

e 2008 InterTradeIreland Annual Report and Accounts were presented at the North South Ministerial Council Sectoral meeting on 16 December 2009 at which the Report was noted. The Annual Report was noted at the Government meeting on 9 February 2010. The 2009 Annual Report is awaiting joint agreement by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland, prior to being submitted to Government.

2 Section 42(3)(b) of the Competition Act 2002 provides for the Competition Authority (and not my Department) to arrange for copies of its Annual Reports to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

3 The Labour Relations Commission's audited accounts were not available at the time of printing the Annual Report. These have just become available and I am advised that a submission on same is being prepared for my attention.

Question No. 1733 answered with Question No. 1700.

Question No. 1734 answered with Question No. 1682.

Copyright Laws

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1735 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the difference in approach between the USA and the EU in respect of the right of electronic search and network companies to make use of material under copyright protection, with the USA permitting fair use so long as it does not interfere with the commercial model of the copyright holder; and if he will consider taking initiatives at EU level to get EU law aligned to that in the USA to maximise the opportunity for European countries to participate in the digital market. [32207/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Conor Lenihan)
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I can confirm that my attention has been drawn to the difference in approach in the EU and the USA in relation to exceptions and limitations to copyright and "fair use" in particular.

I should also mention that I have been approached by copyright and related rights owners who are concerned that their national and international rights are being eroded, especially in the digital environment.

The issue concerned, in the broadest terms, is the difficult question of the delicate balance intrinsic in copyright matters. On the one hand, owners of copyright and related rights are anxious to protect their rights and to obtain a fair return for their efforts; on the other hand, users are concerned to have reasonable access and use of copyright material.

In the European Union, a series of Directives on copyright harmonise the copyright laws of Member States and comply with international treaties. The directive that is most relevant to copyright exceptions is the Information Society Directive [Directive 2001/29/EC] which obliges Member States to provide for exclusive rights. It also introduces a regime of compulsory and permitted exceptions to these rights. A technical reproduction exception is mandatory, while Member States may provide for the remaining listed exceptions at their own discretion.

Copyright law in the United States contains exceptions and limitations that allow specific uses of copyright material. However, United States copyright law is exceptional among that of comparable jurisdictions in that it has an open-ended ‘fair use' exception that is not restricted to specific purposes. This has led to a certain lack of clarity as to what are the exceptions, with the result that exceptions to copyright in the US have generally been defined by the courts. Ireland — in common with the UK (the source of the common law approach both in the Irish and US jurisdictions) — while complying with EU law, adopts a middle course in dealing with this issue. The Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 allows specific exceptions in relation to education, libraries, archives, public administration, disability, incidental inclusion etc. Sections 50 and 51 of the Act also provide exceptions in relation to "fair dealing" for research, private study, criticism or review to an extent which will not unreasonably prejudice the interest of the owner of the copyright.

If a US-style ‘fair use' type provision were to be adopted in Europe, it could result in a wider range of purposes being regarded by the courts as falling within an exception. There are likely to be widely varying expectations about what these additional purposes might be. These would probably then have to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the relevant court(s). It is possible that courts operating in 27 independent legal systems might well take different approaches. Technological protection measures and digital rights management arrangements would also have to be taken into account.

The issue of scope of exceptions and limitations is currently being discussed in the European Union as well as in international intellectual property fora such as WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation). It is recognized that while the digital era presents opportunities in this respect, it also contains difficulties which have to be addressed. The EU copyright model of prescriptive exceptions is seen as a fair and transparent model. Further exceptions may be added where appropriate.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1736 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32273/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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Table 1 below outlines the number of persons (full time equivalents), broken down by grade, employed in my constituency office and in those of my predecessors, including each Minister of State from 14th June 2007 to date in 2010. It also includes the salary and overtime costs for each individual. These figures do not include Special Advisers as they are not assigned to constituency offices.

Table 2 identifies the travel expenses paid to persons within each constituency office from 2007 to date in 2010. In relation to constituency offices on Departmental property the following is the position. Since June 2007, a constituency office in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment/Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in Kildare Street has been used by myself and my predecessors (Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D. and Minister Micheál Martin T.D.). The dimensions of that office amount to 26 square meters approximately. Since June 2007, the only Minister of State who has been provided with a constituency office on Department property is the current Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan T.D. The dimensions of his constituency office amount to 31 square metres approximately. It is not possible to provide an estimate of the value associated with those constituency offices or to provide an accurate estimate of the costs of providing utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs for those offices because those constituency offices represent an insignificant amount of space within the Department's building in Kildare Street.

Table 1: Breakdown of Salary & Overtime costs for staff in Ministers & Ministers of State Constituency Offices from 2007

Ministers since 14th June 2007

June 2007 – May, 2008

2007

2008

2009

2010

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment: Micheal Martin, TD

Personal Assistant:

.6 w/s

6,127.17

.5 w/s

7,489.48

Personal Secretary:

1

14,520.97

1

27,161.58

24,176.57

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

12,461.35

13,180.31

.8 w/s Clerical Officer

11,828.88

8,726.96

1 Clerical Officer

20,810.39

15,892.61

0.00

85,878.85

76,497.42

0.00

0.00

Minister for Labour Affairs: Billy Kelleher, TD

Personal Assistant:

1

21,120.10

21,698.02

Personal Secretary:

1

12,021.94

11,456.40

Civil Servants:

n/a

33,142.04

33,154.42

0.00

0.00

Minister for Innovation Policy: Michael Ahern, TD

Personal Secretary:

1

27,555.93

18,969.38

Persoanl Assistant:

1

25,769.61

16,754.85

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

16,530.36

11,364.63

69,855.90

47,088.86

0.00

0.00

Minister for Trade & Commerce: John McGuinness, TD

Personal Secretary:

1

25,442.24

26,955.31

Personal Assistant:

1

23,086.45

25,897.68

Secretarial Assistant:

1 (includes redundancy paid in ’09)

1,540.77

17,657.91

Secretarial Assistant:

1

7,611.30

10,540.51

Civil Servants:

n/a

57,680.76

81,051.41

0.00

0.00

7th May, 2008 to 22/3/10

2007

2008

2009

2010

Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Mary Coughlan, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

34,950.16

49,647.47

16,959.80

Personal Secretary:

1

32,973.64

48,269.46

15,358.75

Temp. Sec. Assistant

1

20,519.60

29,508.73

11,573.73

Civil Servants:

1 Executive Officer

22,811.45

34,106.07

7,326.98

1 Clerical Officer

21,395.85

34,167.02

11,791.19

1 Clerical Officer

23,433.09

38,594.54

12,915.14

.8 w/s Clerical Officer

16,044.37

24,798.46

8,288.21

0.00

172,128.16

259,091.75

84,213.80

7th May, 2008 to 21/4/09

2007

2008

2009

2010

Minister for Trade & Commerce: John McGuinness, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

44,262.39

19,061.74

Personal Secretary:

1

47,113.60

20,080.61

Secretarial Assistant:

1

19,290.80

12,246.27

Secretarial Assistant:

1

20,049.78

9,924.08

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

16,220.20

8,689.72

0.00

146,936.77

70,002.42

0.00

Minister for Labour Affairs: Billy Kelleher, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

39,081.37

19,393.26

Personal Secretary:

1

22,112.85

11,391.46

0.00

61,194.22

30,784.72

0.00

Minister for Innovation Policy: Jimmy Devins, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

34,268.00

18,771.86

Personal Secretary:

.5 w/s

8,363.17

4,662.03

.5 w/s

13,574.58

7,272.43

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

20,968.92

10,824.14

0.00

77,174.67

41,530.46

0.00

Ministers of State resigned on 21/4/09 and re-appointments made on 22/4/09

From 22/4/09 to present (Ministers of State)

2007

2008

2009

2010

Minister for Trade & Commerce: Billy Kelleher, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

46,344.05

49,967.05

Personal Secretary:

1

12,318.34

18,580.56

1 (replacement for staff member on maternity leave)

29,479.29

33,273.16

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

26,096.57

27,778.81

0.00

0.00

114,238.25

129,599.58

Minister for Labour Affairs: Dara Calleary, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

30,503.61

35,438.80

1 resigned on 15/5/09

1,472.43

0

Personal Secretary:

24,408.43

29,158.21

Civil Servants:

n/a

0.00

0.00

56,384.47

64,597.01

Minister for Innovation Policy: Conor Lenihan, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

40,271.69

41,576.97

Personal Secretary:

1 (resigned 28/5/10)

28,875.86

17,762.84

1 (replacement from 9/6/10)

0.00

9,382.44

Civil Servants:

1 Executive Officer

25,200.16

29,114.94

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer transferred out 15/10/09

12,999.76

0

1 Clerical Officer on secondment from D/H&C

0.00

0

0.00

0.00

107,347.47

97,837.19

22/3/10 — Tanaiste & Minister for ETE, Mary Coughlan and staff transferred to D/Education and Science

From 23/3/10 — present

2007

2008

2009

2010

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Innovation: Batt O’Keeffe, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

0.00

19,798.00

Personal Secretary:

1

0.00

17,989.60

Civil Servants:

1 Executive Officer

0.00

13,271.62

1 Clerical Officer

0.00

15,028.02

0.8 w/s Clerical Officer

0.00

7,998.33

0.00

0.00

0.00

74,085.57

246,557.55

695,225.93

679,379.54

450,333.15

Table 1: Overview of Salaries and Overtime for each Minister and Minister of State Office from 2007 to date

2007

2008

2009

2010

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment: Micheál Martin, TD

85,878.85

76,497.42

0.00

0.00

Minister for Labour Affairs: Billy Kelleher, TD

33,142.04

94,348.64

145,022.97

129,599.58

Minister for Innovation Policy: Michael Ahern, TD

69,855.90

47,088.86

0.00

0.00

Minister for Trade & Commerce: John McGuinness, TD

57,680.76

227,988.18

70,002.42

0.00

Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Mary Coughlan, T.D.

0.00

172,128.16

259,091.75

84,213.80

Minister for Innovation Policy: Jimmy Devins, T.D.

0.00

77,174.67

41,530.46

0.00

Minister for Labour Affairs: Dara Calleary, T.D.

0.00

0.00

56,384.47

64,597.01

Minister for Innovation Policy: Conor Lenihan, T.D.

0.00

0.00

107,347.47

97,837.19

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Innovation: Batt O’Keeffe, T.D.

0.00

0.00

0.00

74,085.57

246,557.55

695,225.93

679,379.54

450,333.15

Table 2: Breakdown of travel expenses paid to constituency staff

2007

2008

2009

2010

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment: Micheal Martin, TD

Personal Assistant:

.6w/s

n/a

n/a

.5 w/s

0.00

0.00

Personal Secretary:

1

n/a

n/a

Personal Secretary:

1

0.00

0.00

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

99.23

90.03

.8 w/s Clerical Officer

93.53

97.03

1 Clerical Officer

110.13

113.23

302.89

300.29

0.00

0.00

Minister for Labour Affairs: Billy Kelleher, TD

Personal Assistant:

1

n/a

n/a

Personal Secretary:

1

n/a

n/a

Civil Servants:

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Minister for Innovation Policy: Michael Ahern, TD

Personal Secretary:

1

n/a

n/a

Personal Assistant:

1

0.00

592.45

Civil Servants:

n/a

0.00

0.00

0.00

592.45

0.00

0.00

Minister for Trade & Commerce: John McGuinness, TD

Personal Secretary:

1

335.61

16,215.45

6,528.77

Personal Assistant:

1

74.93

0.00

Secretarial Assistant:

1

0.00

0.00

0.00

Secretarial Assistant:

1

205.99

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

58.63

229.97

410.54

16,480.07

6,758.74

0.00

Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Mary Coughlan T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

3,766.49

1,072.08

Personal Secretary:

1

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Temp. Sec. Assistant

1

0.00

Civil Servants:

1 Executive Officer

0.00

0.00

0.00

1 Clerical Officer

0.00

0.00

0.00

1 Clerical Officer

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.8 Clerical Officer

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

0.00

3,766.49

1,072.08

0.00

Minister for Innovation Policy: Jimmy Devins, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

510.74

0.00

Personal Secretary:

.5 w/s

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

.5 w/s

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Civil Servants:

1 Clerical Officer

0.00

0.00

0.00

510.74

0.00

0.00

Minister for Trade & Commerce: Billy Kelleher, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

n/a

n/a

Personal Secretary:

1

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Civil Servants:

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Minister for Labour Affairs: Dara Calleary, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Personal Secretary:

1

0.00

Civil Servants:

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Minister for Innovation Policy: Conor Lenihan, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

n/a

n/a

Personal Secretary:

1

n/a

n/a

Civil Servants:

1 Executive Officer

n/a

n/a

1 Clerical Officer

0.00

0.00

n/a

n/a

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Innovation: Batt O’Keeffe, T.D.

Personal Assistant:

1

n/a

n/a

Personal Secretary

1

n/a

n/a

Civil Servants:

1 Executive Officer

0.00

1 Clerical Officer

0.00

.8 Clerical Officer

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

713.43

21,650.04

7,830.82

0.00

Western Development Commission

Frank Feighan
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Frank Feighan
Question:
1737 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in view of his statements that Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Authority are getting funding to employ up to 50 people so that they can meet their targets, the impact that this will have on the Western Development Commission; his views on recommendations to amalgamate the WDC into Enterprise Ireland; the way in which funding can be provided to employ extra staff without reference to the skills that are already available in the other enterprise agencies already in existence; his further views on the fact that in view of the reduction in the budget of the WDC and the WDC investment fund there are staff that are well qualified to build up enterprises and employment in the west and this lack of budget has meant they cannot effectively do that; the reason the WDC has not been given extra funding; if he will give details of the sort of jobs and the locations being considered; if there is an opportunity for the WDC staff to participate; and the way in which this decision fits into the reviews being done on enterprise support within the State. [32566/10]

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

The staffing levels for each Department and its associated offices and agencies will be determined by an Employment Control Framework to be agreed with the Department of Finance. I do not anticipate that the staffing levels for my Departmental Group, including the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland, will have an impact on the Western Development Commission.

I am examining all the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes relevant to my Department. The Group's recommendation in relation to the delivery of indigenous enterprise supports through Enterprise Ireland also concerns a number of other Departments. A decision in respect of the recommendation will be a matter for consideration by Government in due course. Responsibility for the Western Development Commission rests with my colleague, the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Pat Carey.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1738 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented; if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32835/10]

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1739 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would give a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32850/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1738 and 1739 together.

My Department and the 8 Offices of my Department currently occupy 11 buildings within the State. A list of the buildings involved is in the tabular statement.

With the exception of a building in Shannon occupied by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), none of the buildings or premises occupied by my Department and the 8 Offices of my Department are rented or leased by the Department or the Offices concerned. In general, all buildings and premises occupied by my Department and its Offices are provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) without any cost to the Department or the Offices. In many of those cases the buildings/premises are rented or leased by the OPW and the information requested by the Deputy in relation to leasehold interests, building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking etc. could only be supplied by the Office of Public Works.

NERA's Shannon accommodation is held under a four-year licence agreement between the OPW and NERA on the one hand and Westpark Shannon Limited on the other. The licence agreement commenced in February 2009. The licence fee, which was paid by NERA in 2009, amounts to €156.08 per square metre, subject to a maximum charge of €32,480 per annum (exclusive of VAT). Since 1 January 2010 the OPW has assumed responsibility for the payment of the licence fee costs for NERA's Shannon accommodation. The licence agreement provides for a review every four years. The first review will take place in March 2013. NERA has also indicated that it is satisfied that it secured a very competitive rate when leasing its office accommodation in Shannon in cooperation with the OPW.

All of the buildings listed in the tabular statement are occupied by the Department or the Offices of the Department. Due to the decentralisation process and the reduction in staff levels generally in the Department and in the Offices of the Department in recent times, a certain amount of office space has become available in most of the buildings and my Department is currently engaged in a process to ensure that the buildings occupied by the Department are occupied to the optimum levels possible.

Location of Building

Occupant

23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation

Earlsfort Centre, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation

Davitt House, 65A Adelaide Road, Dublin 2

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation

Employment Appeals Tribunal

NERA Regional Office

14 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

Companies Registration Office

Registry of Friendly Societies

16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4

Labour Relations Commission

Labour Court

Government Buildings, Hebron Road, Kilkenny

Patents Office

Government Buildings, O’Brien Road, Carlow

National Employment Rights Authority (NERA)

Companies Registration Office

Centre Park House, Centre Park Road, Cork

NERA Regional Office

Westpark Business Campus, Shannon, Co. Clare

NERA Regional Office

Finisklin Business Park, Sligo

NERA Regional Office

Work Permits

Olivia Mitchell
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Olivia Mitchell
Question:
1740 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will reconsider the refusal of a green card to a person (details supplied) who meets all of the qualification criteria and whose entry visa is essential to job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33142/10]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Dara Calleary)
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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. All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

I wish to advise the Deputy that this application was refused on the 23rd June 2010 on the grounds that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits for highly skilled, highly paid positions or, in respect of non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or, where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification. Furthermore, the Green Card Scheme is designed for high-level, strategic skill shortage occupations and the position on offer does not appear to fall within the Scheme.

Having examined an appeal, the Appeals Officer upheld the original decision in this case on the 17th August 2010. As this application has already been refused and upheld on appeal, I regret that it is not possible to re-visit this application.

Economic Competitiveness

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1741 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the findings of studies carried out by his Department and its agencies on electricity prices here; the amount they exceed the EU and eurozone average; the impact of electricity prices on competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33200/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The National Competitiveness Council, whose work is underpinned by research and analysis carried out by Forfas, examined electricity costs as part of its "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2010” report, which was published last July. The report benchmarked industrial electricity prices for large energy users and for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) against a number of other EU Member States and the Euro area for 2009.

The report shows that in 2009, the cost of electricity for high energy users in Ireland decreased by 24%, the largest decrease amongst the benchmarked locations. The gap between Ireland and the Euro area average in 2009 was 5%, representing a significant improvement from the second half of 2008 when Irish electricity prices were 37% higher than the Euro area average. Electricity costs for SMEs decreased by 17% in 2009, again the largest decrease amongst the benchmarked locations. The gap between Ireland and the Euro area for SME electricity costs in 2009 was 15%, down from a gap of 36% the previous year Comparisons with the EU average as a whole are not available in the Competitiveness Council report.

Electricity prices have an impact on competitiveness and that is why the Government is working to ensure that we have a competitive, secure and sustainable energy sector to support the economy. This objective is being facilitated by increased competition in the sector and by significant capital investment in the national grid. Other measures in place include grants for energy efficient products, supports for renewable energy providers, and support services offered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to companies to assist them in reducing their energy bills.

State Banking Sector

Lucinda Creighton
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Lucinda Creighton
Question:
1742 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress he has made on a Government-backed loan guarantee scheme for viable small businesses; the reason work on such a scheme did not begin when Ireland entered recession in September 2008; and when such a scheme will be available to small businesses. [33995/10]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)
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The provision of credit to our enterprise sector, especially to SMEs, should primarily come from a properly functioning banking sector. The whole focus of Government policy on banking since 2008 has been to return the banks to a position where they can access funds and lend these funds on to viable businesses and households to support enterprise growth and economic recovery.

Government has taken decisive actions in order to get credit flowing again to business. The Bank Guarantee Scheme, the 2009 Recapitalisation Scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and the establishment of the National Assets Management Agency have all contributed to the stabilisation of the banking sector with a view to facilitating the flow of credit. The 2010 Recapitalisation package builds on the earlier initiatives and includes additional supports for enterprises, including SMEs. In particular, AIB and Bank of Ireland have both committed to making available not less than €3 billion each for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs in both 2010 and 2011. This must include funds for working capital for businesses.

Both banks have each published Lending Plans for 2010 and 2011 that include a sectoral and geographic breakdown of how they intend to divide up this new lending. Implementation of these Plans is being monitored by the Credit Review Office. While there has been some recent reported improvement in access to bank credit for small companies in June, July and August, I acknowledge that there is still a long way to go before the country gets back to so-called ‘normal lending'. I am in regular contact with the main banks in relation to their lending to businesses and will, together with my colleague the Minister for Finance, continue to ensure that they meet their lending commitments.

In developing any further initiatives, it would be important that they would complement, rather than substitute, the main banks' lending commitments and activities under the recapitalisation package and also that there would be value for money from the taxpayer's perspective.

Loan guarantee schemes can be designed to address known credit market failures for viable firms, such as low collateral or lack of market knowledge on the part of the lender. My officials are working with their colleagues in the Department of Finance, the Credit Review Office, Enterprise Ireland and Forfas to address these issues for viable SMEs including the option of a loan guarantee scheme. Substantial progress has been made in identifying the critical elements involved in any further initiatives.

Rail Services

Joe Carey
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Joe Carey
Question:
1743 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on his meetings with interested groups regarding a rail stop at Crusheen, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31834/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I can confirm that I met with representatives of the Crusheen Rail Group in April last with regard to a proposal prepared by Iarnród Eireann regarding the development of a railway station at Crusheen. As the Deputy is aware, I do not have responsibility for the provision of transport infrastructure and I have highlighted to Iarnród Eireann my expectation that those bodies with primary sectoral responsibility in this area would further consider the proposal. Given the resources available to my Department and the level of commitments that already exist, in particular under the CLÁR Programme, I am not in a position to make any commitment to this project at this time.

Community Development

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1744 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will support a matter (details supplied). [31837/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
Share

Funding contracts under the scheme referred to by the Deputy are due to expire on 31 December 2010. The review to evaluate the scheme is still ongoing. All organisations involved in the scheme were consulted as part of the review process. I expect this to be concluded shortly. On the basis of the findings of the review, I will consider the options available to me. As soon as a decision is made on the future of the scheme, my Department will be in touch with all of the organisations funded under the current scheme.

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1745 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are any open programmes for funding in respect of a project (details supplied). [32172/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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The €425m Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013, which is EU co-funded, places an emphasis, inter alia, on building the capacity of rural dwellers, particularly in the context of the use of technology. Under the Programme, eligible initiatives include the development of training facilities in rural areas and facilitation of distant learning through the use of new technologies. The programme also supports the building of capacity of rural dwellers to utilise ICT, including internet to access e-services and other public/commercial electronic applications. In this context, the project referred to by the Deputy may be eligible in principle under the RDP. There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the individual group's local development strategy and in line with my Department's operating rules and the relevant EU regulations. Contact details for groups can be found on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1746 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the programme for community development projects if a national agreement has now being agreed; the number of groupings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33320/10]

Brian O'Shea
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Brian O'Shea
Question:
1755 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs when a decision will be reached on the future of community development projects in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33877/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1746 and 1755 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, the Local Development Social Inclusion and the Community Development Programmes have been superseded by the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). A key difference between the new LCDP and its predecessor programmes is the fact that, when fully implemented, it will be delivered nationally on an integrated basis by a reduced number of companies.

A national model involving full integration of CDPs with Local Development Companies has been set out by my Department. However, it was made clear from the start of the process that other options could be considered. Alternative models were, however, required to meet a range of criteria, including a reduction in the number of structures, promoting the potential for integrated delivery of services to the public, supporting efficiencies and reducing company law compliance requirements for CDPs.

I am pleased that I have been able to approve alternative models put forward by the HSE South, by the Limerick City CDPs/Paul Partnership and by the Women's Sector CDPs. While the deadline for receipt of further proposals has now passed, a small number of other alternative models remain under active consideration by my Department. The groups involved will be advised of the outcome shortly.

Security of the Elderly

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1747 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to increase the funding and the number of security for older person's schemes; the number of schemes that drew down funding to date in 2010 and in each year for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33324/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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The Seniors Alert Scheme replaced the Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP) with effect from 24 May 2010. Funding of over €2.1m was provided to community groups under the CSOP in 2009. Overall, some €3.1m has been provided in my Department's Vote for the CSOP/Seniors Alert Scheme in 2010, an increase of 50% on the 2009 provision. Details of the number of community/voluntary groups and the level of funding provided to them under these programmes for the years 2007-2010 (to date) are set out in the table below.

Year

No. of groups receiving funds

Amount

2007

464

€3.71m

2008

522

€4.31m

2009

432

€2.13m

2010 to date

392

€1.51m

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1748 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans in relation to the recently launched report Monitoring Poverty Trends in Ireland 2004-2007: Key Issues for Children, People of Working Age and Older People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33326/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I launched the ESRI Report Monitoring Poverty Trends in Ireland 2004-2007: Key Issues for Children, People of Working Age and Older People on the 7th September last. The Report was commissioned by my Department as part of its role to monitor progress in tackling poverty and social exclusion in line with government targets.

The findings highlight the significant progress that was made in reducing poverty between 2004 and 2007 for all lifecycle groups. Specifically, the consistent poverty rate fell from 6.6% to 5.1% of the population over three years, a reduction of a quarter. The at-risk-of-poverty rate declined from 19.4% to 16.5%, a fall of 15%. There were significant improvements in the poverty rate for older people, younger children and children in larger households. Among the working age population, there were large decreases in poverty among lone parent families and single people.

The Report makes clear that these reductions in poverty reflect the policies adopted by Government in the mid-2000s, notably in terms of welfare payments. Other developments, such as higher employment and increases in the minimum wage, also contributed to the decrease in poverty. Looking to the future, the report highlights a number of policy issues for consideration.

Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The overall goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 introduced in February 2007 is to reduce the number of people experiencing consistent poverty to between 2% and 4% by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016. The latest poverty results for 2008, published in November 2009, indicate that the Government is on track to meet this target.

Despite the altered economic and fiscal circumstances, the Government remains committed to building a socially inclusive and fair society. The overall goal is to restore economic growth, maximise employment and to protect those who are most vulnerable. The ESRI report will make an important input in shaping the policy responses formulated by Government to achieve this goal.

Company Closures

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1749 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of grant aid awarded to a company (details supplied) in County Mayo during the time period in which they were located in County Mayo; the breakdown of grant aid which was given to this company on a year by year basis for the past ten years in tabular format. [33448/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1750 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of grant aid if any which was returned to the Department by a company (details supplied) in County Mayo when it relocated to another area. [33449/10]

Michael Ring
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Michael Ring
Question:
1751 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the date when a company (details supplied) in County Mayo was established and the date when the company ceased operations in County Mayo. [33450/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1749 to 1751, inclusive, together.

I am informed that that the grant-aid paid over the past ten years to the company referred to by the Deputy was as detailed in the table below:

Year

€

2001

—

2002

—

2003

403,780

2004

594,242

2005

285,299

2006

202,138

2007

420,127

2008

—

2009

—

2010

—

Total

1,905,586

I also understand that no repayment of grant-aid was made by the company, which was established in 2002 and ceased operations in late 2009.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1752 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within the Department who have mobile phones paid by the Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33634/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department currently has a contract with Vodafone for the provision of mobile phone services. This contract was awarded under the Department of Finance Mobile Phone Framework Agreement. The number of official mobile phones/blackberry devices currently issued by my Department is 109. The cost of these devices (including modems) for the periods referred to by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Year

Cost

€

2007

102,578

2008

92,659

2009

54,486

1 January–30 June 2010

27,074

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1753 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33700/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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The number of persons employed in my Department in terms of whole-time equivalents (WTE) is 293 and a break-down by grade is set out in the table below. The table also includes a breakdown in respect of persons employed in the relevant agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group. It should be noted that the Dormant Accounts Board does not employ staff. However, a member of staff within my Department provides secretarial assistance to the Board on a half-time basis.

Body / Agency Name

Total Number currently employed

Number employed at a grade higher than PO level

Number employed at PO level (or equivalent)

Number employed at AP level (or equivalent)

Number employed at HEO level (or equivalent)

Number employed at EO level (or equivalent)

Number employed at CO level (or equivalent)

Other Grades

Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

293.270.7

6

20.8

46.8

84.0317

47.9634

68.1634

19.5122

Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests

5.800

0

0.0

1.0

1.000

0.800

2.000

1.000

Western Development Commission

14.400

0

1.0

2.0

7.400

1.000

3.000

0.000

Údarás na Gaeltachta

95.720

4

16.0

23.8

24.540

15.580

11.800

0.000

An Coimisinéir Teanga

7.000

1

1.0

2.0

1.000

1.000

1.000

0.000

Waterways Ireland

*374.000

2

7.0

7.0

13.000

15.000

22.000

308.000

Equality Authority

36.300

1

3.0

4.4

10.600

5.550

8.750

3.000

Equality Tribunal

34.200

1

4.0

14.7

2.000

3.000

7.500

2.000

Irish Human Rights Commission

10.000

1

2.0

2.0

1.000

1.000

3.000

0.000

National Disability Authority

35.500

0

4.0

12.0

5.000

10.000

2.000

2.500

Family Support Agency

37.800

0

1.0

3.5

6.000

4.000

14.500

8.800

*(including 10 seasonal employees)

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster-Scots Agency

Based in N.I:17.80 Based in South:1.59

0

Based in N.I:1

Based in N.I:3

Based in N.I:61

Based in N.I:3.8

Based in N.I:40.59

0

Foras na Gaeilge

50

1

3

8

9

8

6

15 (6 of these based in NI)

Community Development

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1754 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the status on an application (details supplied) made for funding to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33719/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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My Department received a submission in 2008 from the relevant local authority in regard to the facility referred to by the Deputy. However, while my Department was positively disposed towards the proposed development, it was not in a position to commit financial assistance towards it due to substantial existing commitments that fell to be honoured at the time. In the context of the continuing high level of such commitments and the limited resources available, it will not be possible to commit funding towards this development in the short- to medium-term.

Question No. 1755 answered with Question No. 1746.

Poverty Levels

Arthur Morgan
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Arthur Morgan
Question:
1756 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the proportion of persons at risk of poverty; the proportion of persons at risk of poverty for each of the past five years; the regional and local differences in the risk of poverty in 2010 and for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31924/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The overall goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016, which was introduced in February 2007, is to reduce the number of people experiencing consistent poverty to between 2% and 4% by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016. The latest poverty results for 2008, which were published in November 2009, indicate that the Government is on track to meet this target. The principal source of data on poverty rates is the European Survey on Income and Living Conditions, which is published by the Central Statistics Office every year and is available at www.cso.ie/eusilc/pub_rel_eusilc.htm. In 2008, 4.2% of the population was living in consistent poverty. This represented a fall of 35% from 2006, when 6.5% of people were experiencing consistent poverty. In 2008, 14.4% of the population was at risk of poverty. This is a fall of 15% from 2006, when it stood at 17%. The CSO reports for 2006 to 2008 show that in the NUTS 2 regions, the consistent poverty rate in 2007, which is the latest year for which data have been reported, was 4.6% in the Southern and Eastern region and 6.7% in the Border, Midland and Eastern region. The at risk of poverty rate in 2007, which is the latest year for which data have been reported, was 14.3% in the Southern and Eastern region and 22.6% in the Border, Midland and Eastern region. The CSO reports show that the consistent poverty rate and the at risk of poverty rate in the NUTS 3 regions in 2008 were as follows:

NUTS 3 regions

Consistent poverty rate

At risk of poverty rate

%

%

Border

4.6

16.5

Midlands

7.6

23.5

West

4.2

17.2

Dublin

3.5

9.8

Mid-East

2.3

10.2

Mid-West

3.5

22.0

South-East

4.4

15.5

South-West

5.7

14.0

The CSO reports do not contain information on local differences in the risk of poverty in 2010 or in the past five years. The overall decline in poverty between 2006 and 2008 highlights the critical role played by Government intervention in tackling poverty and social exclusion. The key driver in the reduction of poverty was social transfers. In 2008, social transfers reduced the at risk of poverty rate from 43% pre-social transfers to 14.4% post-social transfers, which represented a poverty reduction effect of 67%.

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1757 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in respect of any State-owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when the Department received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31956/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to State bodies or agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group. The Deputy will note that, in the case of most of the bodies or agencies in question, annual reports are approved by the Government, usually in tandem with the audited annual accounts. In a small number of cases, Government approval is not required under the terms of the legislation specific to the bodies or agencies in question. The Deputy might also wish to note that responsibility for the Family Support Agency transferred to my Department from the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 May 2010. Responsibility for the Equality Authority, the Equality Tribunal, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the National Disability Authority transferred to my Department from the Department of Justice and Law Reform with effect from 1 June 2010.

Body / Agency

2009 Annual Report

2008 Annual Report

Date of Receipt

Date of Approval

Date of Receipt

Date of Approval

Board of the Commissioner of Charitable Donations and Bequests

Awaited

N/A

Submitted 15/07/2009

Approved by Government on 16/09/2009

Dormant Accounts Board

Submitted 22/03/2010

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 16/06/2010

Submitted 30/03/2009

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 20/05/2009

Western Development Commission

Submitted 16/04/2010

To be presented to Government shortly*

Submitted 28/04/2009

Approved by Government on 09/10/2009

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Awaited

N/A

Submitted 02/10/2009

Approved by Government on 10/11/2009

An Coimisinéir Teanga

Submitted 09/02/2010

Approved by Government on 23/03/2010

Submitted 03/02/2009

Approved by Government on 05/05/2009

Waterways Ireland

Draft submitted March 2010 & currently with C&AGs for review

To be submitted to Government when annual accounts & report have been certified/ signed off by C&AGs

Draft submitted 06/04/2009

Noted by Government on 29/10/2009

An Foras Teanga, comprising:

Ulster-Scots Agency

Draft submitted June 2010 & to be reviewed by C&AGs

To be submitted to Government following approval by C&AGs

Draft submitted April 2009 & to be reviewed by C&AGs

To be submitted to Government following approval by C&AGs

Foras na Gaeilge

Draft submitted May 2010 & to be reviewed by C&AGs

To be submitted to Government following approval by C&AGs

Draft submitted March 2009 & to be reviewed by C&AGs

To be submitted to Government following approval by C&AGs

Equality Authority

Submitted 12/06/2010

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 03/08/2010

Submitted 28/07/2009

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 27/08/2009

Equality Tribunal

Submitted 22/04/2010

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 29/06/2010

Submitted 25/08/2009

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 03/09/2009

Irish Human Rights Commission

Submitted 20/08/2010

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 08/09/2010

Submitted 06/07/2009

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 08/07/2009

National Disability Authority

To be submitted before statutory deadline of 30/09/2010

Approval by Government not required but will be laid before Houses of the Oireachtas

Submitted 30/09/2009

Approval by Government not required but laid before Houses of the Oireachtas on 01/10/2009

Family Support Agency

Submitted 08/09/2010

N/A

Submitted to D/SFA on 20/10/2009

Noted by Government on 11/12/2009 & then laid before Houses of the Oireachtas

*Following anticipated receipt of audited annual accounts from C&AG.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1758 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32270/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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The details requested by the Deputy, to the extent that they can be ascertained by my Department, are set out in the tables that follow this reply, with regard to each Minister and Minister of State holding office during the periods in question. Details of the extent and value of office space in my Department's HQ used for constituency office purposes is a matter for the Office of Public Works, which manages the State's property portfolio. It should also be noted that the telephone costs reflected in the tables relate only to costs incurred in external constituency offices. The telephone billing system in my Department does not allow for the apportionment of costs incurred in office space in HQ used for constituency office purposes.

1. Pat Carey, T.D., Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs

My constituency office is located in Finglas and I also have a constituency office in my Department's HQ. The property in Finglas is neither owned nor rented by my Department.

Year

No of staff

Salaries (including Employer’s PRSI) and overtime

Expenses

IT

Phone

Fixtures & Fittings

€

€

€

€

€

24 March 2010 to date

4

86,354

Nil

891

150

4,181

2. Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív's constituency office was based in Galway. The property in Galway was neither owned nor rented by my Department.

Year

No of staff

Salaries (including Employer’s PRSI) and overtime

Expenses

IT

Phone

Fixtures & Fittings

€

€

€

€

€

1 January 2010 to 23 March 2010

4.8

57,326

Nil

2,134

1,483

Nil

2009

4.8

205,946

392

3,253

6,378

960

2008

5.0

199,272

75

2,592

5,644

8,738

4 June 2007 to 31 December 2007

5.0

64,869

42

1,404

3,659

918

3. Mary White, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Human Rights and Integration

The Minister of State, Deputy White has constituency offices in Carlow and Kilkenny and also has a constituency office in my Department's HQ. The properties in Carlow and Kilkenny are neither owned nor rented by my Department.

Year

No of staff

Salaries (including Employer’s PRSI) and overtime

Expenses

IT

Phone

Fixtures & Fittings

24 March 2010 to date

2.8

€41,951

Nil

€3,403

€2,491

€1,295

4. John Moloney, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability and Mental Health

The Minister of State, Deputy Moloney is currently a Minister of State at my Department, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, and the Department of Education and Skills. No constituency costs have been incurred by my Department in relation to Minister Moloney.

5. John Curran, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy

The Minister of State, Deputy Curran had a constituency office in Clondalkin and also had a constituency office in my Department's HQ. The property in Clondalkin was neither owned nor rented by my Department.

Year

No of staff

Salaries (including Employer’s PRSI) and overtime

Expenses

IT

Phone

Fixtures & Fittings

€

€

€

€

€

1 January 2010 to 23 March 2010

2

35,358

Nil

1,326

654

Nil

2009

3

139,124

Nil

8,711

3,904

Nil

13 May 2008 to 31 December 2008

3

87,436

Nil

Nil

3,034

Nil

6. Pat Carey, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy

While holding the position of Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy from June 2007 to May 2008, I had, as indicated above, a constituency office located in Finglas and also had a constituency office located in the Department's HQ.

Year

No of staff

Salaries (including Employer’s PRSI) and overtime

Expenses

IT

Phone

Fixtures & Fittings

€

€

€

€

€

1 January 2008 to 12 May 2008

3.8

83,440

15

Nil

1,878

Nil

14 June 2007 to 31 December 2007

3.8

70,879

143

Nil

1,133

Nil

Community Development

Jack Wall
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Jack Wall
Question:
1759 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he proposes any actions within communities or groups as a result of recently launched publications designed to assist unemployed people, produced by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33327/10]

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has responsibility for a wide range of programmes and schemes targeting community, local and rural development. The key principle underlying our activities is the provision of support to enable communities to identify and address problems in their own areas. The overall aim is to provide support to communities, in the most appropriate way, as they work to shape their own futures, address their own common goals and achieve their full potential. In terms of encouraging and promoting employment, enterprise and community activity and participation, my Department manages a number of key programmes, including:

The Local and Community Development Programme which specifically supports individuals into employment and self-employment through education, training, work experience, job placement, enterprise and the social economy in urban and rural areas. Funding of €67.5m has been made available in 2010 for the Programme;

The Rural Development Programme 2007 — 13 under which funding of some €425m is available for the purpose of improving the quality of life in rural areas and promoting the diversification of the rural economy;

The CLÁR Programme, which provides co-funding to help accelerate investment in selected priority developments in areas that have suffered significant depopulation. Funding of €8m is being provided for the Programme in 2010; and

The RAPID Programme, which, through its focus on deprivation and social exclusion, seeks to address the impact of the economic downturn on vulnerable communities and to provide opportunities for social and economic recovery.

As I said at the launch of the INOU publications, the changed circumstances in which we live require a sharpening of focus for us all in terms of addressing the nature of the problems which now present themselves. In response to the changing context in which disadvantage is being experienced, effective support at local and community level is a key part of the programmes my Department supports.

Irish Red Cross Society

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1760 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will support a matter (details supplied). [32078/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent statute-based charitable organisation with full power to manage its own affairs. The Minister for Defence has no function in the administration of the society and does not get involved in the daily running of its affairs. As a state party to the Geneva Conventions, Ireland is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. National societies carry out their humanitarian activities in conformity with their own statutes and national legislation. They must always maintain their autonomy so they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the International Red Cross Movement. The principles under which the society achieves its objectives are humanity, universality, unity, impartiality, independence, neutrality and voluntary service. The society has certain rights arising from the Geneva Conventions. The Government is required to discharge certain obligations to the society; for example, to ensure its independence. The Geneva Conventions have been given effect in Irish law. The society, while being a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is legally separate and independent from the federation. The federation acts as a resource, rather than a monitoring body, to the society. It does not have a policing role. The structure of the society is governed by legislation. It is my intention that much-needed reform in this area should be progressed without undue delay. I am confident that the recent appointment by the President of Mr. David J. O'Callaghan as chairman of the central council will help expedite matters in this regard. The Irish Red Cross Society receives partial funding by way of an annual grant-in-aid from the Defence Vote. It is important that Exchequer funds and funds received by way of public donation be properly accounted for. I understand that the society is reviewing its processes in this regard. The society has been the subject of intense media coverage recently. Some of the coverage relates to internal matters that are the subject of ongoing internal disciplinary and legal proceedings. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on such matters.

Defence Forces Inquiries

Pat Rabbitte
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Pat Rabbitte
Question:
1761 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the inquiry into the allegations that Irish Army officers were involved in purchasing arms on the black market in South Africa for a group operating in the Seychelles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32185/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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I am advised by the military authorities that the investigation into the matters referred to has recently concluded and I expect to receive a full report shortly. In order to afford due process and fair procedures to any people who may be the subject of this investigation, and to ensure the outcome of the investigation or any follow-up action that may arise as a result of it are not prejudiced in any way, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further at this point.

Defence Forces Reserve

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1762 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding non-commissioned officers and private soldiers on retirement from the Permanent Defence Forces joining the Reserve Defence Forces; his plans if any, to make amendments to the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32356/10]

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1765 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if members retiring from the Permanent Defence Force can transfer directly to the Reserve Defence Force and retain their rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1762 and 1765 together.

Defence Force Regulation R5 provides, inter alia, for the terms and conditions of enlistment for former Permanent Defence Force non-commissioned officers and private soldiers who wish to join the Reserve Defence Force. Paragraphs 6(a)(i) and (ii) of the Regulations specify the categories that are eligible for enlistment i.e. “former members of the Permanent Defence Force who have had not less than one year’s full-time military service and who are not more than 40 years of age on offering themselves for enlistment;” and “former members of the Permanent Defence Force who, immediately prior to discharge, held the rank of Sergeant or Petty Officer as appropriate or higher non-commissioned rank and who are not more than 45 years of age on offering themselves for enlistment.” Furthermore, paragraph 17 of the Regulations states that a former enlisted person of the PDF “may be enlisted in the non-commissioned rank last held by them if a vacancy exists in Establishments for a non-commissioned officer of such rank or, if such vacancy does not exist, in a lower non-commissioned rank in which there is a vacancy.” Finally, paragraph 6 of the Regulations also states that applicants must “be of a medical standard as laid down from time to time by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support).” Notwithstanding the current Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions in the Public Service, the number of former PDF enlisted personnel who have joined the RDF in recent years is minimal, i.e. nine personnel in 2008; four personnel in 2009; and one person to date this year. I wish to advise that I have no plans to make amendments to the current situation at this time.

Irish Red Cross Society

Finian McGrath
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Finian McGrath
Question:
1763 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will appoint a highly qualified, skilled and experienced chairperson to the Red Cross and to initiate an investigation into the undeclared Tipperary bank account in which €162,000 raised for victims of the Asian tsunami lay dormant for more than three years. [32388/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent statute-based charitable organisation with full power to manage its own affairs. The Minister for Defence has no function in the administration of the Irish Red Cross Society and does not get involved in the day-to-day running of its affairs. Mr. David J. O'Callaghan was recently appointed by the President as the new chairman of the Irish Red Cross. Mr. O'Callaghan is a former career civil servant with vast experience of public administration at senior management level. He has extensive experience of matters relating to the Irish Red Cross Society from his previous post as Secretary General of the Department of Defence, which he held from 1995 to 2004. I am confident that Mr. O'Callaghan will help expedite the reform process that is under way in the Irish Red Cross Society. The issue of the referred bank account is being dealt with by the society. I understand that all funds have been properly accounted for and that there is no suggestion of any wrong doing in relation thereto. The society has put in place new and revised procedures so that such circumstances do not recur.

Departmental Properties

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1764 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the total number of offices and properties rented by his Department; their location and use; if his Department is occupying all of the office space currently rented, if not the location of such office space and the length of time that this space has been unoccupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32833/10]

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1772 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence in respect of the offices and properties which his Department are currently renting, if he would furnish a breakdown of all leasehold interests to include building size, current rent, lease terms, rent reviews, break options, landlord service charges, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32848/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1764 and 1772 together.

The Department has a total of 56 properties rented for the use of the Reserve Defence Forces for training purposes. Ten properties are in use full-time and the remainder are in use on a part-time basis. There are no properties rented by the Department for use as office space. The table that follows this reply gives an outline of the properties concerned. Rents are reviewed on a regular basis and are based on a number of factors, including the size, location and quality of the facility. Information regarding the specific rents paid in respect of each premises is commercially sensitive. However, the total annual rents being paid in respect of all such premises in 2010 is in the region of €122,350.

Property Rented on a Full-Time Basis in 2010

County

Address

Size

Terms

Clare:

Kilrush Creek Marina (NSR) Kilrush,

Building — 4000sq ft Yard — 3400 sq ft.

Licence agreementfrom 1/1/2010 –31/12/2010for one year onlyat the discretion of the Licensor

Cork:

Weir St., Bandon

1585 sq ft.

Letting agreement commenced in 2001 for a term of 10 years

Donegal:

Unit 4, Court Place, Carndonagh

12.4 mtrs × 7.6 mtrs

Letting agreement commenced 1985

Galway

Tuam Hutsite

Hutsite only 2244 sq ft.

Longstanding local agreement

Leitrim:

8 Park Lane, Carrick–on–Shannon

839 sq ft

Longstanding local agreement

Mayo:

Foxford, Ballina

2 Storey Terraced House.

Longstanding local agreement Rent adjusted in accordance with C.P.I.

Monaghan:

Cross St. Carrickmacross

2 Storey Building

Longstanding local agreement

Monaghan

Drumgoask, Monaghan

40ft × 40ft

Letting agreement commenced in 2010 for a term of 5 years

Offaly:

Kilcruttin, Tullamore. Ground Floor Unit

1863 sq ft.

Longstanding local agreementRent adjusted in accordance with C.P.I.

Sligo:

Unit 12B, Cleveragh Business Centre

683.24 sq ft.

Agreement commenced in 2006for a term of 10 years- rent review after 5 years

Property Rented on a Part-Time Basis in 2010

County

Address

Size

Terms

Carlow

Hutsite, Carlow Workhouse

Hutsite only 150ft × 120ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre, Tullow

30ft × 21ft

Longstanding local agreement

Cork

Town Hall, Bandon — 2 rooms.

34ft × 31ft &21ft × 15½ ft.

Longstanding local agreement

Parochial Hall, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry

50ft × 20ft

Longstanding local agreement

Beara Sports Hall, Castletownbere

130ft × 75ft

Longstanding local agreement

Charleville Community Hall, Chapel St.

20ft × 15ft

Longstanding local agreement

Macroom GAA Club

Ent Hall 5.59mx1.89m Hall 16.37m × 6.04m

Licence agreement commenced in 2008 and from year to year thereafter

Industrial Hall, Clonakilty

60ft × 80ft

Longstanding local agreement

St. Patrick’s Hall, Dunmanway

82ft × 35ft

Longstanding local agreement

Scoil Mhuire Hall, Kanturk

98ft × 53ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre, Kilworth

Hall

Longstanding local agreement

Kinsale Municipal Hall

50ft × 36ft

Longstanding local agreement

Parish Hall, Roscarbery

1430sq ft.

Longstanding local agreement

GAA Club, Millstreet

63.4ft × 40.3ft

Longstanding local agreement

Scoil Phadraig, New Road, Mallow

School Gym 70ft × 40ft

Longstanding local agreement

Donegal:

St. Finians Hall, Falcarragh

37ft × 18ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Massinass, Creeslough,

57ft × 21ft

Longstanding local agreement

Galway:

Halla Éinne, An Cheathrú Rua

80ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre Glenamaddy

50ft × 80ft

Longstanding local agreement

Coláiste Na Toirbirte, Headford

30mtrs × 25mtrs

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Portumna

50ft × 16ft

Longstanding local agreement

Tuam Town Commissioners

Plot measuring 141’x 48’

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre, Oughterard

23ft × 20ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Centre Glenamaddy

Hall

Longstanding local agreement

Glenfarne Hall

Hall

Longstanding local agreement

Leitrim:

Parochial Hall, Drumlea, Corrawallen

Not available

Longstanding local agreement

Mayflower Ballroom, Drumshambo

Not available

Longstanding local agreement

Limerick:

Community Centre, Abbeyfeale

40ft × 20ft

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Boher

31ft × 15ft

Longstanding local agreement

Muintir Na Tíre Hall, Hospital

90ft × 60ft

Longstanding local agreement

Newcastlewest, (Hut Site)

Hutsite only

Longstanding local agreement

Community Hall, Pallasgreen

12ft × 15ft

Term Year to YearMonths notice in writing to vacate.

Mayo:

Scouts Den, Ballina

40ft × 25ft

Longstanding local agreement

Claremorris Town Hall

39ft × 90ft

Longstanding local agreement

Roundford Community Hall, Hollymount

72ft × 35ft

Longstanding local agreement

Swinford Community Hall

90ft × 60ft

Longstanding local agreement

Meath:

Gilsen Boys School, Oldcastle

45ft × 60ft

Longstanding local agreement

Offaly:

St. Mary’s Hall, Ferbane

60ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Tipperary:

St. Patrick’s Parochial Hall, Ballymacarberry

70ft x30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Tipperary Town (Hut Site)

Hutsite only

Longstanding local agreement

Waterford:

Community Centre, Cappoquin, Villierstown

2000 sq mtrs.

Longstanding local agreement

Wexford:

Community Hall, Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy

45ft × 30ft

Longstanding local agreement

Cushinstown Parish Hall

Not available

Commenced in 2007 and from year to year thereafter

Scout Hall, Gorey

Not available

Commenced in 2010; rent paid annually in advance

Wicklow:

Tinahely Parochial Hall

38ft × 21ft

Longstanding local agreement

Question No. 1765 answered with Question No. 1762.

Departmental Staff

Richard Bruton
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Richard Bruton
Question:
1766 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed in his Department by grade; the number of agencies under his remit; and the number of staff employed in each agency by grade. [33701/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The agencies under the aegis of the Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. Information in relation to the number of whole-time equivalent staff employed, by grade at 31 August 2010 is set out in the following table:

Grade

Department

Civil Defence Board

Army Pensions Board

Secretary General

1.00

Assistant Secretary

2.00

Director

1.00

Principal

11.60

Director General (Principal Officer)

1.00

Assistant Principal

29.70

2.0

Prof Accountant

1.00

Technical Officer II

1.0

Higher Executive Officer

51.26

4.70

Administrative Officer

2.00

Executive Officer

66.83

4.80

1

Staff Officer

27.40

Clerical Officer

111.70

8.0

1

Storeman

1.00

Storekeeper

2.0

Services Officer

12.80

1.0

Services Attendant

1.00

Watchman

2.00

Superintendent of Cleaners

1.00

Cleaners

4.00

The Department has no staff attached to Coiste an Asgard.

Defence Forces Property

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1767 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the decisions he has made regarding the future of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34102/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The future of Cathal Brugha Barracks, along with any further consolidation across the Defence Forces as a whole, will be among the issues considered in the context of the Estimates process having regard to the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. The Defence property portfolio is kept under ongoing review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. Any properties that are considered surplus to military requirements will be disposed of and the funding invested to meet the current and future equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces.

Defence Forces Recruitment

David Stanton
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David Stanton
Question:
1768 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence when the eligibility criteria for cadetships in the Permanent Defence Forces was last revised; his plans to make any changes to the upper age limit and required educational qualification criteria; if there is any flexibility on the eligibility criteria for former or current PDF or Reserve Defence Force members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34104/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The cadetship competition is the entry level for the officer rank of the Defence Forces. Each year, prior to advertising for a cadet intake to the Permanent Defence Force, the eligibility criteria relating to the previous competition are examined and any changes required are discussed with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers. The cadetship competition was revised in 2005 to increase the maximum entry age to 28 and to award bonus marks to candidates with previous experience in the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force. There are no plans to increase the upper age limit for cadet recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force. Educational requirements are revised on an ongoing basis with the most recent amendments being in 2009. All applicants for a cadetship in the Defence Forces must satisfy all of the eligibility criteria of the governing conditions for the competition.

Government Jet

Joe McHugh
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Joe McHugh
Question:
1769 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Defence the costing for the use of the Government jets in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33388/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings: the direct cost, which is the cost that is additional to those associated with having the aircraft and only arises when the aircraft is flown and may include the cost of maintenance, fuel and support services, such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges; and the total cost, which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, such as depreciation and personnel costs. The average hourly costs associated with Air Corps aircraft used in the provision of the Ministerial Air Transport Service, which are kept under review and were updated in 2005 and most recently in 2009, are as follows:

Aircraft

2005

2005

2009

2009

Average Direct Cost Per Hour

Average Total Cost Per Hour

Average Direct Cost Per Hour

Average Total Cost Per Hour

Gulfstream IV

€3,500

€7,100

€4,050

€7,890

Learjet 45

€1,000

€2,100

€1,270

€2,950

Details of hours flown per aircraft type for the last five years are contained in the following table:

Year

Type

Hours

2006

Gulfstream IV

411.52

Learjet 45

232.67

2007

Gulfstream IV

281.33

Learjet 45

170.25

2008

Gulfstream IV

344.92

Learjet 45

234.33

2009

Gulfstream IV

220.42

Learjet 45

239.17

2010 (Jan-Aug)

Gulfstream IV

136.5

Learjet 45

104.6

Departmental Agencies

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1770 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence in respect of any State owned enterprise under the aegis of his Department, when they received the most recent annual report of that company; the date on which the Department approved the annual report; and to provide the same information for the previous financial year. [31957/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
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There are no State enterprises under the aegis of the Department. The Department has responsibility for the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the board of Coiste an Asgard.

Ministerial Staff

Leo Varadkar
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Leo Varadkar
Question:
1771 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence in respect of the current year in terms of full-time equivalents the number of persons employed in his, or if applicable his predecessors’, constituency office; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries and expenses to each individual; the location or locations of such constituency office; if those offices are on departmental property, to state the office space dedicated to such an office and the estimated value of same; the estimated cost of the provision of utilities, services and other miscellaneous costs to the office; if he will provide the same information for 2008, 2009 and from 14 June to the end of 2007; if he will provide the same information for Ministers of State attached to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32271/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
Share

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea, T.D, Department of Defence, Dublin.

14 June 2007 to 31 December 2007

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2007

Executive Officer

1

Executive Officer PPC Scale €30,628 – €48,594

Nil

Staff Officer

1

Staff Officer Scale €33,258 – €44,407

Nil

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer PPC Scale €23,221 – €37,652

€1,433.28 (Higher Duties Allowance)

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,086 – €36,546Start date 28 August 2007

Nil

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Scale €22,058 – €35,773

Nil

Clerical Officer (worksharing)

0.8

Clerical Officer Scale €22,058 – €35,773

Nil

1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2008

Executive Officer

1

Executive Officer PPC Scale as of 01/09/2008 €32,179 – €51,054

Nil

Staff Officer

1

Staff Officer PPC Scale as of 01/09/2008 €36,779 – €49,104

Nil

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Higher Scale as of 01/09/2008 €24,255 – €38,397

€465.50 (Overtime)

Clerical Officer

2

Clerical Officer PPC Standard as of 01/09/2008 €24,397 – €39,558

€364.78 (Overtime) €179.16 (Higher Duties Allowance)

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Standard Scale as of 01/09/2008 €23,174 – €37,584

€321.89 (Overtime)

1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2009

Executive Officer

1

Executive Officer PPC Scale €32,179 – €51,054End date 5th February 2009

Nil

Staff Officer

1

Staff Officer PPC Scale €36,779 – €49,104

€1,368.04 (Higher Duties Allowance) €70.61 (Travel & Subsistence)

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €24,255 – €38,397

Nil

Clerical Officer

2

Clerical Officer PPC Standard €24,397 – €39,558

Nil

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €23,174 – €37,584

€1,664.71 (Higher Duties Allowance)

Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea, T.D, Department of Defence, Dublin.

1 January 2010 to 18 February 2010.

Minister for Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D, Department of Defence, Dublin.

23 March 2010 to date.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2009

Staff Officer

1

Staff Officer PPC Scale €36,779 – €49,104

Nil

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Higher Scale €24,255 – €38,397

Nil

Clerical Officer

2

Clerical Officer PPC Standard €24,397 – €39,558 €

€114.75 (overtime)

Clerical Officer

1

Clerical Officer Standard Scale €23,174 – €37,584

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) scales apply where officers were employed since 6 April 1995, pay class A rate PRSI and make a personal pension contribution. Overtime, travel and subsistence expenses are paid at standard Civil Service Rates and in accordance to Civil Service Regulations.

Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea, T.D, Constituency Office, Limerick,

14 June 2007 to 31 December 2007.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2007

Personal Assistant (Non-established)

1

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €44,314-€52,379 (Excludes long service increments)

Nil

Personal Secretary (Non-established)

1

Secretarial Assistant Contract Scale €22,064 – €42,571End date 27th October 2007

€4,257.11 (Attraction Allowance paid up to 27 October 2007)

Secretarial Assistant Contract Scale €22,064 – €42,571Start date 9th November 2007

€440.86 (Attraction Allowance from 9th November to 31st December 2007)

1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2008

Personal Assistant (Non-established)

1

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale as of 01/09/2008 €46,558 – €55,030 (Excludes long service increments)

Nil

Personal Secretary (Non-established)

1

Secretarial Assistant Contract Scale as of 9/11/2008 €23,182 – €44,726

€2,826.13 (Attraction Allowance paid from 1st Jan 08 to 8th November 2008) €41.00 (Travel & Subsistence)

As of 9th November the attraction allowance was incorporated into salary.

1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2009

Personal Assistant (Non-established)

1

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €46,558 – €55,030 (Excludes long service increments)

Nil

Personal Secretary (Non-established)

1

Secretarial Assistant Contract Scale €23,181 – €44,726

Nil

1 January 2010 to 18 February 2010.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2009

Personal Assistant (Non-established)

1

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €46,558 – €55,030 (Excludes long service increments)

Nil

Personal Secretary (Non-established)

1

Secretarial Assistant Contract Scale €23,181 – €44,726

€153.52 (Travel & Subsistence)

Minister for Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D, Constituency Office, Clare, 23 March 2010 to date.

Grade/Position

Number

Salary Scale

Expenses 2009

Personal Assistant (Non-established)

1

Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale €46,558 – €55,030 (Excludes long service increments)

Nil

Personal Secretary (Non-established)

1

Executive Officer Standard Scale €29,024 – €42,760

Nil

The employment contract of the non-established officers referred to is coterminous with the appointment of the relevant office holder. Infirmary Road is a State-owned building, currently occupied by the Department of Defence. The Office of Public Works has indicated that it is not possible at this time to apply a notional rent to the space apportioned to the Offices of the Minister. The costs associated with the accommodation of staff based in constituency offices are met by the Minister's own resources and supplemented by the Constituency Office Maintenance Allowance available to all Deputies. All costs in relation to the Ministers of State's constituency office are borne by Department of the Taoiseach.

Question No. 1772 answered with Question No. 1764.

Overseas Missions

Seán Power
Share
Seán Power
Question:
1773 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces currently serving abroad on overseas service; the areas in which they are serving; if he will indicate the future plans he has for further overseas service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32967/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
Share

Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army, excluding Reserves, and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. Ireland is contributing 148 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement below. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 43 personnel and the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 19 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Staff are also deployed at the organisational headquarters of the EU, OSCE and NATO.

With regard to future deployments, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered. Following the unexpected withdrawal of the Defence Forces battalion from Chad earlier this year, we are currently examining a number of options for future deployment. Contact has also been made with the UN in relation to its requirements for missions. A number of options are being developed in terms of capabilities and possible missions. When these options have been further examined by Civil and Military management I will be in a position to consider the proposals and bring forward recommendations to Government as appropriate.

Members of the Permanent Defence Force Serving Overseas as of 2 September 2010

Mission

No.

1.

UN Missions

(i)

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ

8

(ii)

UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) — Israel, Syria and Lebanon

12

(iii)

MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)

3

(iv)

MONUSCO* (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) (* Formerly MONUC, renamed 1 July 2010)

3

(v)

UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)

2

(vi)

MINURCAT (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad) — HQ

11

NUMBER OF PERSONNEL ON UN-MANDATED MISSIONS

39

(vii)

EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

43

(viii)

EUTM Somalia (EU-led Training Mission in Uganda)

5

(ix)

KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) — HQ

13

KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) No 1 IRCON

6

(x)

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan)

7

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS

113

2.

Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

(i)

OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina

2

(ii)

OSCE Mission in Belgrade — Serbia

1

(iii)

Staff Officer, Higher Level Planning Group, Vienna

1

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH THE OSCE

4

3.

EU Military Staff Brussels

7

4.

Nordic Battlegroup HQ Staff — Sweden

13

5.

Military Representatives/Advisers/Staff

(i)

Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York

1

(ii)

Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna

1

(iii)

Staff Appointments, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna

2

(iv)

Military Representative to EU (Brussels)

4

(v)

Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)

2

(vi)

Military Representative to NATO/PfP Co-ordination Cell/Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium

1

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS

148

Decentralisation Programme

Seán Power
Share
Seán Power
Question:
1774 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the planned decentralisation of his Department to Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32968/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
Share

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the construction and fit-out of the Department's new premises on Station Road, Newbridge. The fit-out of the building is being completed. The relocation of all of the Department's Dublin-based staff and a number of military personnel is expected to take place within a number of weeks.

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Hayes
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Brian Hayes
Question:
1775 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the amount his Department spent in each of the last three years and in the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills; the number of staff within his Department who have mobile phones paid by his Department; the mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service; the tender, if any, that applies to the service being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33635/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)
Share

The following table provides the information requested in relation to the total spend by the Department in each of the last three years and the first six months of this year on mobile phone bills:

Year

Total Expenditure Including VAT

€

2007

52,057

2008

54,018

2009

52,703

January – June 2010

23,385

The number of staff within the Department holding mobile phones paid by the Department is 111. It is departmental policy that unofficial calls are subject to salary deduction. The mobile phone operator that has the contract for supplying this service is Vodafone. This contract was awarded in October 2009 using the Department of Finance mobile framework.

Adjournment Debate

Back to table of contents

Prison	Scheduled Opening Hours (per week)	% hours open January – May 2010
Midlands	32.0	36
Portlaoise	36.5	82
Cloverhill	35.0	66
Mountjoy	35.0	47
St Patrick’s Institution	35.0	99
Wheatfield	24.0	50
Loughan House	7.0	91
Shelton Abbey	10.0	98
Castlerea	20.0	28

	Assistant Industrial Supervisor	Industrial Supervisor	Industrial Training Instructor	Industrial Manager
Arbour Hill	3.0			1
Castlerea	7.5	2.0
Cloverhill				1
Cork	2.0
Dóchas Centre	3.0	2.0
Limerick	6.0			1
Loughan House	4.0
Midlands	4.0	1.5
Mountjoy	15.0	1.0
Portlaoise
St.Patrick’s Institution	5.0	1.0
Shelton Abbey	2.0
Training Unit			3
Wheatfield	11.0		2
Totals Vacancies In Each Grade	62.5	7.5	5	3

Prisons	Total patients during August 2010
Cloverhill Prison	172
Dochas Centre	65
Limerick Prison	26
Midlands Prison	68
Mountjoy Prison	249
Portlaoise Prison	24
St Patrick’s Institution	1
Wheatfield Prison	98
TOTALS	703

Education Unit	2008	2009	2010
Arbour Hill	29,282	19,975	20,000
Castlerea	71,529	52,047	50,000
Cloverhill	30,398	24,754	23,000
Cork	75,174	38,667	38,000
Dóchas	48,868	40,794	35,000
Limerick	51,784	48,042	48,000
Loughan House	50,906	42,287	30,000
Midlands	181,458	95,929	65,000
Mountjoy	64,690	50,426	50,000
Portlaoise	120,695	87,533	50,000
Shelton Abbey	36,148	30,481	25,000
St Patrick’s	71,045	72,546	50,000
Training Unit	30,885	23,401	20,000
Wheatfield	227,789	116,549	70,000

Libraries	2008	2009	2010
Dublin	265,099	215,956	198,000
Laois	113,247	111,367	90,000
Roscommon	169	99,391	54,000
Cavan	23,536	15,334	14,500
Wicklow	17,638	17,149	14,500
Limerick	—	—	12,000

Others
HOPE Project, Cork	17,000	17,000	10,000
Dillons Cross, Cork	5,400	9,000	10,000
Alternatives to Violence	35,000	7,000	—
National College of Art and Design	81,795	40,848	25,000
Arts Council	14,610	21,000	21,000
Open University	220,539	138,043	120,000

Prison/Place of Detention	Number of Prisoners on 23 hour lock up
Arbour Hill Prison	0
Castlerea Prison	23
Cloverhill Prison	1
Cork Prison	14
Dóchas Centre	0
Limerick Prison	6
Loughan House	0
Midlands Prison	26
Mountjoy Prison (male)	153
Portlaoise Prison	0
Shelton Abbey	0
St. Patrick’s Institution	40
Training Unit	0
Wheatfield Prison	45
Total	308

Date	Appeals outstanding
2005	1,267
2006	2,500
2007	3,150
2008	3,412
2009	2,312

Year	Garda Station	Inquest held	Inquest decision	Other outcome
2007	Tralee	No		Ongoing GSOC case
2007	Terenure	Yes	Ongoing	Ongoing GSOC case
2009	Navan	No		Ongoing GSOC case
2010	Tallaght	No		Ongoing GSOC case
2010	Templemore	No		Ongoing GSOC case
2010	Dundalk	No		Ongoing GSOC case

Grade	Whole-time Equivalent (rounded)
Secretary General	1
Director General INIS	1
Assistant Secretary	5
Principal Officer	77
Assistant Principal Officer	148
Higher Executive Officer	200
Administrative Officer	23
Executive Officer	341
Staff Officer	33
Clerical Officer	619
Head Services Officer	1
Services Officer	55
Director Probation Service	1
Deputy Director Probation Service	3
Assistant Director Probation Service	2
Assistant Principal Probation Officer	10
Senior Probation Officer	50
Probation Officer	230
Community Service Supervisors	43
State Pathologist	1
Deputy State Pathologist	2
Director Forensic Science Laboratory	1
Deputy Director Forensic Science Laboratory	4
Forensic Scientist Grade 1	9
Forensic Scientist Grade 2	26
Forensic Scientist Grade 3	21
Senior Laboratory Analyst	9
Laboratory Analyst	14
Chief Inspector, Garda Síochána Inspectorate	1
Data Protection Commissioner	1
Chairman Refugee Appeals Tribunal	1
Director General Irish Prisons Service	1
Director, Irish Prisons Service	2
Inspector of Prisons	1
Translator Grade 2	1
Senior Inspector of Explosives	1
Inspector of Explosives	2
Accountant Grade 1	2
Accountant Grade 2	3
Solicitor	1
Legal Officer	1
Financial Crime Analyst	3
Forensic Accountant	1
Statistician	2
Psychologist	1
Employee Assistance Officer	1
Legal Researcher	1
Researcher	3
Civilian Driver	1
Total	1,961

	2008	2009
Overtime	2,263,980	1,717,194
Travel & Subsistence (Home & Foreign)	1,593,010	703,466

	Number
Section 53 Children Act, 2001 — Returned to Parent/Guardian	129
Section 53 Children Act, 2001 — Brought to Custody of H.S.E	18

Year	Vote 29	Other ODA	Total ODA	% of GNP
	€ million	€ million	€ million	%
2005	465	113	578	0.43
2006	595	219	814	0.54
2007	726	145	871	0.54
2008	769	152	921	0.59
2009	572	150	722	0.54
2010	536*	135*	671*	0.52*

Country	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
	€ m	€ m	€ m	€ m	€ m
Uganda	27.7	32.1	37.4	41.7	35.4
Mozambique	27.2	25.4	32.8	34.2	41.4
Ethiopia	28.1	29.9	33.9	36.1	27.6
Tanzania	24.3	25.6	33.6	38.0	33.4
Zambia	18.1	19.4	23.1	23.9	22.8
Malawi	0	0	0	9.8	8.8
Vietnam	2.9	7.1	20.2	20.7	12.8
Lesotho	9.7	8.2	10.0	9.2	11.5
Timor Leste	3.8	5.8	4.6	5.0	3.4

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D.
Grade/Position	Location	Number	Remuneration
Executive Officer	Iveagh House, Dublin	1.00	Executive Officer PPC Standard Scale €30,516 – €47,975 per annum
Personal Assistant	Cork	1.00	Secretarial Assistant Scale €22,023 – €42,122 plus a 10% Attraction Allowance
Personal Secretary	Cork	1.00	Executive Officer Standard Scale €29,024 – €45,616 per annum
Clerical Officer	Iveagh House, Dublin	0.80	Clerical Officer Higher Scale €23,042 – €36,267 per annum
Clerical Officer	Iveagh House, Dublin	1.00	Clerical Officer PPC Salary Scale €23,177 – €37,341 per annum

(42 observers on 11 missions)
Country	Organisation	Role	Forename	Surname
January
Georgia	OSCE	STO	Peter	Ballagh
Georgia	OSCE	STO	Patrick	Carroll
Georgia	OSCE	STO	Niall	Gormley
Georgia	OSCE	STO	Mary	Russell

March
Russia	OSCE	STO	William	Bulman
Russia	OSCE	STO	Mark	Hearns
Russia	OSCE	STO	Seamus	Martin
Russia	OSCE	STO	Michael	McNamara
Russia	OSCE	STO	Jacqueline	Monahan
Russia	OSCE	STO	Ken	Price

April
FYROM*	OSCE	STO	Michael	Diffily
FYROM	OSCE	STO	Teresa	Hughes
FYROM	OSCE	STO	Donal	MacDonald
Indonesia	EU	STO	Mary	Dowling
Indonesia	EU	STO	Adrienne	Boyle
Indonesia	EU	STO	Eamonn	Daly
Indonesia	EU	LTO	Desmond	Kieran
Sri Lanka	EU	STO	Shane	Brennan
Sri Lanka	EU	STO	Victoria	Somers

October
Kosovo	CoE	STO	Ronan	Gargan
Kosovo	CoE	STO	Frank	Kennefick
Kosovo	CoE	STO	Sheelagh	Mooney
Afghanistan	EU	Core Team	Michael	McNamara
Belarus	OSCE	STO	John Paul	Coakley
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Kathryn	Coll
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Eithne	MacDermott
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	George	Bermingham
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Deirdre	Bourke
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Denis	Connell
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Michael	Davitt
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Sean	Guerin
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Gerard	Keown
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Aidan	Kirwan
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Niall	McCann
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Carmen	MoncluÂs
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Patricia Adrienne	Reilly
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Denis	Connell
Ukraine II	OSCE	STO	Denis	Connell
Ukraine II	OSCE	STO	Carmen	MoncluÂs

December
Ukraine III	OSCE	STO	Austin	Gormley
Ukraine III	OSCE	STO	Carmen	MoncluÂs
Ukraine III	OSCE	STO	Denis	Connell

Year	Amount Spent on Mobile Telephony Services	No of Staff provided with mobile phone
	€
2007	161,862	184
2008	155,547	185
2009	89,681	196
2010 to date	85,218	187

Grade	Number (September 2010)
Secretary General	1.00
Second Secretary General	2.00
Deputy Secretary General	5.00
Assistant Secretary General/Legal Adviser/Chief Medical Officer	38.00
Principal Development Specialist/Higher Principal Officer/Counsellor/Principal Officer/Senior Development Specialist	101.00
Higher Assistant Principal Officer/First Secretary/Assistant Principal Officer/Assistant Legal Advisers/Translator/Accountant	224.00
Higher Executive Officer/Librarian/Third Secretary/Administrative Officer	177.35
Executive Officer	99.40
Staff Officer	41.60
Clerical Officer	452.90
Political Appointees	9.00
Civilian Drivers	5.00
Cleaners	16.00
Service Officers	29.00
Nightwatchman	3.00
Total	1,204.25

	€m
2% reduction in 10.75% rate to €40,000	429
Reduce 8.5% rate to 4.25%	232

Constituency Office
Grade	Remuneration
Non civil servants
1 Personal Assistant	€46,646 – €59,213 (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)
	€47,812 – €60,693 (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)
1 Constituency Assistant	€46,646 – €59,213 (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)
	€47,812 – €60,693 (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)
1 Personal Secretary	€22,064 – €42,571 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)
	€22,616 – €43,740 plus 10% Attraction Allowance (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)
Established civil servants
1 Executive Officer	€30,628 – €48,594* (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)
	€31,394 – €49,809* (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)
1 Clerical Officer	€23,221 – €37,652* (14/6/07 to 28/2/08)
	€23,802 – €38,593* (1/3/08 to 6/5/08)

Week Ending	Recipients
01/01/10	15,101
29/01/10	15,296
26/02/10	15,719
26/03/10	16,044
30/04/10	16,448
28/05/10	16,682
25/06/10	16,869
30/07/10	17,241
27/08/10	17,433
17/09/10	17,513

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 29 Sep 2010

Written Answers

Telecommunications Services

Pat Rabbitte

FÁS Training Programmes

Enda Kenny

Numeracy Levels

Joe Carey

Third Level Fees

James Bannon

Departmental Agencies

Liz McManus

Higher Education Grants

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Departmental Expenditure

Pat Breen

Arthur Morgan

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Special Educational Needs

Ulick Burke

Further Education

Martin Ferris

Early School Leavers

Arthur Morgan

School Transport

Jim O'Keeffe

Special Educational Needs

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Departmental Funding

Michael D'Arcy

Teaching Qualifications

Martin Ferris

School Accommodation

David Stanton

Sean Sherlock

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Bernard J. Durkan

Psychological Service

Emmet Stagg

School Accommodation

Bernard J. Durkan

Community Employment Schemes

Seymour Crawford

Computerisation Programme

Deirdre Clune

State Examinations

Deirdre Clune

Schools Building Projects

Jim O'Keeffe

Educational Qualifications

Arthur Morgan

Overseas Visitors

Deirdre Clune

European Economic and Social Committee

Mattie McGrath

Mattie McGrath

Mattie McGrath

Andrew Doyle

Andrew Doyle

Mattie McGrath

Mattie McGrath

Dáil Reform

Joe Carey

Job Creation

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Joe McHugh

Departmental Expenditure

P. J. Sheehan

Census Information

Leo Varadkar

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 2010

Coolock	Jobseeker’s Benefit	Kilbarrack	Jobseeker’s Benefit
2009	4,745	2009	5,792
Aug 2010	2,760	Aug 2010	2,698

Grade	Number of People	Number of Posts
Secretary General	1	1.00
Assistant Secretary	5	5.00
Principal Officer	64	63.40
Assistant Principal	192	187.43
Administrative Officer	12	11.60
Higher Executive Officer	657	631.42
Executive Officer	917	873.90
Staff Officer	655	605.13
Clerical Officer	2,550	2,335.47
Service Grades	118	114.98
TOTAL	5,171	4,829.33

Scheme	Expenditure 2009	Year to End July 2010
	€(000)	€(000)
Jobseeker’s Benefit	1,725,780	797,326
Jobseeker’s Allowance	2,003,117	1,562,630
Child Benefit	2,506,119	1,284,036
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	1,030,355	578,563

	2009 Provisional Outturn	2010 REV Estimate
	€ Millions	€ Millions
Programme Expenditure Current	7,705.0	8,221.9
Programme Administration
— Pay	151.9	149.1
— Non Pay	99.8	89.3
Gross programme expenditure	7,956.7	8,460.3

Administration %	3%	3%

County	Length of time
Cork	2 months
Donegal	11 months
	4 months
	3 months
Louth	1 week

	Allowed	PartiallyAllowed	Disallowed	Total
2004	36	1	155	192
2005	239	5	413	657
2006	269	51	466	786
2007	210	14	634	858
2008	179	18	818	1,015
2009	279	49	1,055	1,383
2010	414	64	2,084	2,562

Duration in Years	Number
Less than 1	234,922
Between 1 and 2	110,973
Between 2 and 3	33,653
Between 3 and 4	14,597
Between 4 and 5	9,267
Between 5 and 6	6,764
Between 6 and 7	4,954
Between 7 and 8	3,671
Between 8 and 9	2,658
Between 9 and 10	2,006

Body/Institution	Date of Most Recently Received Annual Report	Year of Annual Report Most Recently Received	Date Laid Before Houses of the Oireachtas	Receipt Date of Annual Report Previous to Most Recent One	Year of This Previous Annual Report	Date Laid Before Houses of the Oireachtas
Arts Council	23/12/2009	2008	13/07/2010	18/12/2008	2007	31/07/2009
Crawford Art Gallery	2010	2008	To be laid.	2009	2007	17/12/2009
Fáilte Ireland	03/09/2010	2009	To be laid.	05/07/2009	2008	23/09/2009
Irish Film Board	07/01/2010	2008	21/06/2010	16/02/2009	2007	24/07/2009
Irish Museum of Modern Art	10/08/2010	2009	To be laid.	17/07/2009	2008	11/12/2009
Irish Sports Council	10/06/2009	2008	30/09/2009	03/10/2008	2007	15/12/2008
National Concert Hall	17/05/2010	2009	17/06/2010	06/04/2009	2008	23/11/2009
National Gallery of Ireland	08/09/2010	2009	To be laid.	13/11/2009	2008	18/12/2009
National Library of Ireland	09/12/2009	2008	17/12/2009	2008	2007	2008
National Museum of Ireland	18/06/2010	2009	To be laid.	18/06/2009	2008	11/09/2009
National Sports Campus Development Authority	19/11/2009	2008	08/02/2010	20/01/2009	2007	Being submitted to the Houses on 29/09/2010
Tourism Ireland*	06/09/2010	2009	To be laid.	20/07/2009	2008	21/09/2009

	Subhead	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
		€000s	€000s	€000s	€000s	€000s
D1	National Archives	37	54	41	52	66
D2	National Archives	1,619	1,751	2,153	1,813	1,654
	National Archives	1,656	1,805	2,194	1,865	1,720
D3	IMMA	8,835	8,272	8,241	7,317	6,671
D3	Chester Beatty Library	3,083	3,208	3,459	3,083	2,714
D3	National Concert Hall	3,927	4,090	3,894	3,478	3,105
D3	Crawford Gallery	1,174	1,980	1,988	1,753	1,579
D4	Cultural Projects	7,098	6,680	6,974	5,317	4,420
D5	Cultural Infrastructure	20,346	38,094	35,021	17,842	16,491
D6	Culture Ireland	2,327	4,202	4,748	4,550	4,083
D7	Arts Council	82,310	83,000	81,620	73,350	68,649
D8	National Museum	19,842	18,332	19,017	15,415	15,125
D9	National Library	11,817	12,702	11,875	10,742	9,348
D10	Irish Film Board	19,426	22,159	23,189	20,340	19,272
	Total Vote 35	181,842	204,523	202,219	165,052	153,177
V33	National Gallery — Vote 33	9,351	12,611	12,466	10,903	10,416

Year	Funding Allocated to Local Authorities for Arts Capital Projects
	€
2005	40,000
2007	6,785,000
2008	4,300,000
2009	Nil*
2010	Ni*
Total	11,125,000