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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 2010

Vol. 720 No. 4

Written Answers

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 7 to 41, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 42 to 52, inclusive, answered orally.

North-South Implementation Bodies

Andrew Doyle

Question:

53 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with his Northern Ireland counterpart regarding ongoing financial support for North and South agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39356/10]

My Department supports and co-funds two North/South Implementation Bodies under its remit — Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga (comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency/ Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch). These Bodies were set up under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999. My Department has ongoing discussions with its co-sponsor Department in Northern Ireland — the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure — on the funding of the Bodies and in relation to their work programmes.

I participated earlier today in meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council in both Inland Waterways and Language Sectoral formats with my Northern counterpart, Mr. Nelson McCausland, MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, and Minister Ruane, to discuss issues arising from our Departments' joint responsibilities in this area. Issues in relation to draft 2011 business plans and budgets for the two Bodies were discussed at the meetings. We also discussed the current economic and fiscal challenges facing both jurisdictions and how best we can support and promote co-operation in our joint areas of responsibility in these circumstances.

Offshore Islands

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

54 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the facilities and public services available in each inhabited island off the coast, that is, sewerage, water, electricity, education, recreation and transport to the mainland; the number of inhabitants and age profile on each island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/10]

My Department provides subsidies — costing some €5.7m in 2010 — for a range of transport services to and from the main inhabited islands. These services include passenger, cargo, air and connecting bus services. Details of the various services can be found on my Department's website www.pobail.ie and I am arranging for a copy to be circulated with the Official Report. The number of subsidised services has increased from 7 in 1997 to more than 20 in 2010. In addition, my Department pays grants for the management of the island airstrips on the three Aran islands in order to facilitate the operation of daily scheduled air services under a Public Service Obligation contract.

The traditionally high cost of transport for passengers and cargo to the islands has also been addressed with the capping of passenger fares for islanders on contracted ferries (€8 for adults and €5 for students and children), which has been welcomed by the island communities. There has also been a significant reduction in cargo tariffs, as well as the provision of new heavy cargo services for a number of islands including Toraigh in County Donegal and Cléire, Sherkin, Heir, Long and Whiddy in County Cork.

Over the period 1997 to 2010, almost €120m has been allocated by my Department (and its predecessors) for the improvement of infrastructure for island communities. This unprecedented level of investment has resulted in significant improvements to access infrastructure both on the islands and at mainland locations serving the islands. Examples of the developments undertaken include:

the construction or improvement of piers and harbours at a locations in Counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Cork;

the construction of airstrips at Clifden and Inishbofin, and the resurfacing of airstrips on the Aran Islands;

the provision of new helipads on Árainn Mhór and Cléire;

coastal protection and pier improvement works on Inishbofin, and

major pier developments at Caladh Mór and Cill Rónáin on the Aran Islands.

Programmes of work co-funded with local authorities over the years have facilitated improvements to roads, public lighting, village renewal, water schemes and environmental projects. Also in recent years my Department has provided assistance for recreational facilities and other social amenities, including, for example, playgrounds and football pitches on a number of islands. The Deputy will appreciate that the detailed information sought by him in regard to other services would be matters for the relevant Government Departments or local authorities, as appropriate. Information in regard to the number of inhabitants on each island is contained in Table II of the 2006 Census Report, which can be accessed at www.cso.ie. I am also arranging for a copy to be sent directly to the Deputy.

Subsidised Transport Services and Airstrip Management for the Islands

Island

Name of operator

Service Type

Term of Contract

Current Year Subsidy

Ferry Services

Toraigh

Turasmara

Passenger & Cargo

1/7/08 – 30/6/16

263,000

Toraigh

Comharchumann Thoraí Teo

Heavy Cargo

8/4/08 –

25,000

Árainn Mhór

Cara na nOileán Teo/Maoin na Farraige

Passenger Roll on/Roll off

1/9/09 – 31/8/14

206,000

Inis Bigil

Michael Leneghan

Passenger

1/10/07 – 30/9/14

22,609

Inis Bigil

Comhar Iorrais Teoranta Rural Transport Programme

Bus

1/10/07 – 30/9/14

14,250

Inishturk

Clare Island Ferry Co. & Clew Bay Cruises

Passenger & Bus

1/12/07 – 30/11/12

341,005

Clare Island

O’Malley Ferries now O’Malley Ferries (Clare Island) Ltd

Passenger & Bus

1/2/06 – 31/1/11

99,000

Inishturk/Clare Island

Clare Island Ferry Co. & Clew Bay Cruises

Cargo

1/8/08 – 31/7/13

83,852

Inishbofin

Inishbofin Island Discovery Ltd

Passenger & Bus

1/2/06 – 31/1/11

246,860

Inishbofin

Blackshell Farm Ltd

Cargo

1/6/08 – 31/5/13

310,000

Galway City — Oileáin Árann

Lasta Mara Teo* €27,000 sanctioned to provide 20 extra sailings per year

Cargo

1/1/08 – 31/12/12

950,000*

Ros an Mhíl — Árainn

Island Ferries Teo

Passenger & Bus

1/2/08 – 31/1/13

42,997

Ros an Mhíl — Inis Oírr/Inis Meáin

Island Ferries Teo

Passenger & Bus

1/11/07 – 31/10/12

687,240

Bere Island

Bere Island Ferries Ltd

Passenger Roll on/Roll off

1/11/08 – 31/10/13

83,664

Bere Island

Murphy’s Ferry Service Ltd

Passenger Roll on/Roll off

1/11/08 – 31/10/13

31,872

Sherkin

Carbery Isle Ferries Ltd

Passenger

1/5/08 – 30/4/16

93,713

Whiddy

Whiddy Island Ferry Service

Passenger

1/11/07 – 31/10/15

59,760

Cléire

Tithe Saoire Chléire Teo

Passenger & Cargo

1/3/07 – 28/2/10

243,336

Cléire

Thar Tonn Teo/Naomh Ciaran II

Passenger

1/3/10 – 30/11/10

209,322

Long Island

Danny Murphy

Passenger

1/12/06 – 30/11/11

40,000

Heir Island

Camp Roaringwater Ltd

Passenger

1/6/06 – 31/5/11

26,192

Cléire, Sherkin, Heir Island, Long Island & Whiddy

S.I.D.S.

Heavy Cargo

1/1/10 -

35,000

Air Services

Tory Helicopter

HSE West Donegal Community Care, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Air Service

1/12/07 –

70,000

Na Mine – Oileáin Árann PSO

Aer Arann Islands

Air Service

1/9/09 – 31/8/13

1,464,960

Árainn Airstrip Management

Michael T Hernon T/A Inis Mór Airport

Airstrip Management

1/3/10 – 28/2/11

185,000

Inis Meáin Airstrip Management

Comharchumann Inis Meáin

Airstrip Management

1/1/10 – 25/6/10

64,604

Inis Meáin Airstrip Management

Aer Arann Islands

Airstrip Management

9/7/10 – 28/2/11

160,225

Inis Oírr Airstrip Management

Comhar Caomhán Teo

Airstrip Management

1/3/10 – 28/2/11

105,000

Departmental Programmes

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

55 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to deal with the issues arising from the economic situation with particular reference to the emerging needs of those in both urban and rural settings who are likely to have a greater reliance on services provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39451/10]

As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances, we continue to be faced with difficult decisions. Over the course of the economic downturn, the Government has considered a number of measures to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn for 2009 and 2010 and also to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the Government — and indeed my Department — remain committed to the range of urban, rural, Gaeltacht and island communities we serve. Indubitably, given the prevalent financial circumstances, objectives will have to be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money against these constraints.

The Deputy will appreciate that the 2011 allocations for my Department will not be decided until the Estimates process is completed within the framework of the forthcoming Budget. However, I can confirm that I will strive to protect, to the greatest extent possible, the daily front-line services provided with funding from my Department, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities.

National Drugs Strategy

Pat Breen

Question:

56 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently published report by an organisation (details supplied) which notes that heroin use is in the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39341/10]

I welcome the publication of the report outlining the continued extensive work undertaken by the organisation in question in dealing with the drugs problem. Heroin use remains as a major problem in our country. All the indications are that, while the use of heroin is relatively stable in the Dublin region, it has become more widely dispersed around the country, particularly in the major cities and in towns across Leinster. Responding to this problem continues to be a priority under the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16.

It is difficult to establish an accurate baseline of the prevalence of opiate use in the country. A report from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) in December 2009 indicated that there were 11,807 known opiate users in 2006, but that there was considerable doubt over the number of unknown users — those who had not come into contact with drug treatment services, hospital services or the Gardaí. A study is currently being carried out on behalf of the NACD to assess how best to estimate overall opiate user numbers.

Meanwhile, new opiate substitution services have opened this year in Cork, Tralee and Wexford, and these will be followed shortly by facilities in Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick, Dundalk and Drogheda. This is being done by the HSE with financial support from my Department. Further services in the Midlands are being actively considered. My Department has also provided funding for the provision of needle exchange and other services in Drogheda. Services commenced this month and will cover the North-East region. Also, progress is being made on the expanded provision of rehabilitation services, including detoxification facilities.

The report to which the Deputy refers indicates that 4,092 people availed of the organisation's needle exchange service in 2009. This represents a reduction on the 2008 (4,657) and 2007 (4,705) figures. Also, the number of new needle exchange clients at 642 showed a continued decline from 2007. Overall, it is encouraging that injecting opiate users are making the first steps to access treatment services as this will help to reduce the risks of the spread of blood borne viruses, improve the overall health of individuals and is likely to encourage some opiate users, at least, to engage further with treatment and rehabilitation services.

I am determined that real progress will be maintained to implement the demand reduction actions of the National Drugs Strategy under its prevention, treatment and rehabilitation pillars. This will involve the continued working of all sectors in a co-ordinated and targeted way to achieve the implementation of the agreed actions.

Decentralisation Programme

Enda Kenny

Question:

57 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of departmental and agency staff now decentralised; the amount spent on interim accommodation for both his Department and agencies under the remit of his Department since the commencement of the decentralisation project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39374/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's headquarters are scheduled to decentralise to Charlestown, Co Mayo, under the Decentralisation Programme. To date, a total of 100 staff have relocated to interim accommodation in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. This number has now reduced to 81 owing to recent reductions in staff numbers and also the transfer of the Rural Social Scheme and Community Services Programme to the Department of Social Protection. Two properties are being leased in Tubbercurry by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of my Department. OPW has advised that the yearly rental costs for both properties is just under €175,000, while fit-out costs of €402,000 have also been incurred to date.

The Deputy will also be aware that in December 2009, in light of the budgetary constraints and affordability issues, the Minister for Finance decided to defer proceeding with permanent accommodation in Charlestown at this time. This location, along with 4 other deferred projects, will be considered as part of an overall review of the Decentralisation Programme in 2011. Under the Decentralisation Programme, 10 staff of my Department were also due to decentralise to Na Forbacha, Co. Galway, and this process has now been completed. The officials in question have been accommodated in an extension to the offices in Na Forbacha, planned prior to decentralisation, and no material extra costs have arisen from this move.

In relation to the bodies that are funded from my Department's Vote Group, I can advise that, in line with the Decentralisation Programme:

25 staff relocated with Pobal to offices in Clifden, Co Galway, and that number has now reduced to19, following staff reductions. Rental and services charges for this accommodation amounted to €475,501 to end-September 2010.

Foras na Gaeilge have recently relocated 5 staff to Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal. I am advised that no rental costs have been paid as yet in respect of this office.

16 staff have decentralised to offices in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, with the Equality Authority. OPW are meeting accommodation and rental costs arising.

10 staff have relocated to interim accommodation in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, with the Equality Tribunal. OPW are meeting accommodation and rental costs arising.

Each of these projects will be considered further as part of the overall review of the Decentralisation Programme in 2011.

Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge

Brian O'Shea

Question:

58 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Brian O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta leis an dréacht-Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [39299/10]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

83 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Eamon Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil aon mheastachán déanta ag a Roinn ar cad a chosnóidh sé an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur in áit. [39302/10]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

92 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Eamon Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta an mó cruinniú a bhí ann i mbliana den Chomhchoiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge, dáta an chruinnithe i ngach cás. [39301/10]

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh 58, 83 agus 92 le chéile.

Mar is eol do na Teachtaí, tá an dréacht-Straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge foilsithe ag an Rialtas ó dheireadh 2009 agus cuireadh os comhair an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais do Ghnóthaí Turasóireachta Cultúir, Spóirt, Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta í le breithniú. Tuigtear dom go raibh cruinnithe éagsúla ag an gComhchoiste le páirtithe leasmhara níos luaithe i mbliana agus d'aontaigh an Comhchoiste ar aighneacht le 39 moladh inti. Fuarthas moltaí an Chomhchoiste ar 28 Iúil 2010 agus táthar á mbreithniú ag mo Roinnse i gcomhair le Ranna ábhartha eile. Táthar ag siúl leis an obair seo a thabhairt chun críche go luath.

I bhfianaise na hoibre comhairliúcháin a bhí idir lámha ag an gComhchoiste, ní raibh aon chruinniú den Choiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht i rith 2010 go dáta. Táthar ag dréim, áfach, le cruinniú a thionól ar 17 Samhain 2010 ar mhaithe leis an dréacht dheiridh den Straitéis a scrúdú agus, ina dhiaidh sin, tá súil agam, í a thabhairt os comhair an Rialtais le ceadú.

Go dtí go mbeidh glactha leis an Straitéis go críochnúil, ní féidir meastachán costais a chur ar na gníomhaíochtaí a eascróidh as. Beidh costasú le déanamh, ar ndóigh, ar na pleananna earnálacha a eascróidh as an Straitéis. An cur chuige is tábhachtaí ag an bpointe seo, ar ndóigh, ná a chinntiú go bhfuil muid ag baint an luach agus an éifeachtacht is fearr as na hacmhainní atá ar fáil cheana féin agus go bhfuil siad ar aon líne le tosaíochtaí na Stratéise féin.

Community Development

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

59 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Leader programme can provide grant aid for sports clubs wishing to expand their facilities for the benefit of their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39283/10]

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

62 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has or will allocate funding for the provision of playgrounds in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 62 together.

The Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 has funding of €425m available to be allocated to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to identify and provide appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities that would not otherwise be available to them. In principle, therefore, it is possible that the provision of playgrounds and the expansion of sports club facilities for the benefit of rural communities would be eligible for funding under the RDP. The Deputy should be aware, however, that the mainstream activities of sporting clubs and organisations are not eligible under the RDP. Any improvements made to club facilities with assistance from the RDP must be available for the use of all members of the community.

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 local development strategies of the individual groups and in line with my Department's operating rules and EU regulations.

Irish Language

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

60 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to promote bilingualism in Irish and English in the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/10]

In its 2006 Statement on the Irish Language, the Government affirmed its policy to strengthen the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking community, with the emphasis being on the transmission of the Irish language to the next generation as a living household language in the Gaeltacht and empowering future generations of young Gaeltacht parents to raise their children through Irish. I am sure that the Deputy shares my view of the importance of Irish survives as the living community language in the Gaeltacht.

While my Department recognises the tremendous advantage of fluency in English, the emphasis in the Gaeltacht will be on the continued transmission of the Irish language from generation to generation. As the Deputy will be aware, the draft 20-year Strategy for Irish was published in draft form in late 2009 and was subsequently referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in order to allow for a further period of consultation and cross-party debate. The Committee issued its report, including a significant number of recommendations, on 28 July last. These are being examined at the moment in conjunction with the relevant Government Departments and I anticipate that this work will be completed shortly.

I hope to bring the draft Strategy back to Government for approval in the near future. The Strategy, once approved, will provide the basis for future Government support for the Irish language in the Gaeltacht.

National Drugs Strategy

Sean Sherlock

Question:

61 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of calls received to date in respect of the dial to stop drug dealing campaign; if figures are available regarding the geographical spread of the calls; if the initiative is based country wide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39298/10]

Mary Upton

Question:

75 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding invested in the relaunch of the dial to stop drugs campaign; his views on the last campaign; the new initiatives in this relaunch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39276/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 75 together.

The Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign ran in three phases — across 15 Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas — in 2008 and 2009. To the end of last week, there were almost 8,000 calls made to the confidential line. Calls are spread right across the country, including areas that have not directly run a campaign, which highlights the fact that the confidential number is open to all to use, regardless of the area one comes from. Due to the volume of the information involved, I am arranging to send the geographical information requested directly to the Deputies.

A comprehensive evaluation of the original campaign was carried out and this highlighted the benefits of the phone line, e.g., providing valuable drug dealing information to the Gardaí. In addition — and indeed equally important — it noted the intangible benefits of the safe and anonymous contact with Gardaí afforded to concerned citizens and communities. Allied to this is the definite sense of community empowerment that has been cited repeatedly by Drugs Task Forces.

With the positive evaluation, the ongoing support of the Gardaí and the positive community feedback, I decided to relaunch the campaign with a more national focus. In this regard, on 6 October last I announced a two week national promotional campaign, to be followed by local campaigns at Drugs Task Force level. I have made funding of €53,500 + VAT available to support the national campaign and over €100,000 + VAT for participating Drugs Task Forces. Four local campaigns have already commenced with preparatory work on the other campaigns in train. A full evaluation of the current phase of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign will be carried out on its completion at the end of the year.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 59.

Rural Development

Willie Penrose

Question:

63 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to tackle the growing problem of rural isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39291/10]

The Government is committed to ensuring the economic and social well being of rural communities and to providing the conditions for a meaningful and fulfilling life for all rural dwellers, as part of our key priorities in building an inclusive society and combating poverty. My Department undertakes a range of actions that work to address rural isolation and related social exclusion issues, as well as encouraging and promoting employment and community activity and participation. These include:

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;

The CLÁR Programme, which provides co-funding to help accelerate investment in selected priority developments in areas that have suffered significant depopulation;

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;

The Seniors Alert Scheme, which is based on the concept of contact with people at local level. Funding is provided to local community and voluntary organisations to assist and stimulate broader community support for older people, specifically through a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members; and

A specific ‘Social Initiative Scheme', which we are currently working on with the GAA, which aims to build a social network for older men. As the Deputy may be aware, this initiative has developed from a forum hosted by President McAleese and I am keen to assist it as an example of a community-focussed response to rural isolation.

My Department also initiated the Rural Social Scheme, which transferred recently to the Department of Social Protection. One of its identified benefits has been tackling rural isolation amongst the part-time farmer and fisherpersons who participate in the Scheme. The €425m Rural Development Programme 2007-13 aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. Projects funded through the programme have a diverse range of impacts and can directly and indirectly influence the issues of social exclusion and rural isolation. For example, this year the Local Action Group that implements the programme on my Department's behalf in Co. Clare funded research entitled ‘The future of Technology in Addressing the Social Exclusion and Isolation of Older Persons, and their Carers in Co Clare’. Examining rural isolation in the context of how technology can support isolated members of rural communities is an innovative way of looking at a common problem and is the type of analysis promoted and encouraged explicitly by the programme

Bóithre Straitéiseacha agus Bóithre Áise

Dinny McGinley

Question:

64 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta cad é an t-allúntas a cuireadh ar fáil i mbliana: (a) do Bhóithre Straitéiseacha; (b) do Bhóithre Áise, sna ceantair Ghaeltachta; agus an mbeidh allúntas ann don bhliain seo chugainn faoi na scéimeanna céanna. [39271/10]

Tá soláthar de €2m curtha ar fáil i Meastacháin mo Roinne in 2010 le haghaidh feabhsúcháin sa Ghaeltacht, ar a n-áirítear bóithre straitéiseacha agus áise, muiroibreacha, grúpscéimeanna uisce agus a leithéid a chur i gcrích. Baineann €950,000 den soláthar seo le bóithre áise agus bóithre straitéiseacha. Níl aon chinneadh déanta maidir le soláthar 2011 go fóill.

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Dinny McGinley

Question:

65 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé ar intinn aige dul ar aghaidh le Bainisteoir Reigiúnach buan a cheapadh d’oifig an Údaráis i nDún na nGall; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [39270/10]

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá moratóir i bhfeidhm maidir le líonadh post i ranna agus in áisínteachtaí Stáit i gcoitinne agus, ach an oiread le gach eagras Stáit eile, ní mór d'Údarás na Gaeltachta cloí le téarmaí an mhoratóra agus a chuid acmhainní foirne a bhainistiú dá réir.

Departmental Programmes

Mary Upton

Question:

66 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding provided to RAPID areas this year; his plans to increase this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39278/10]

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within designated RAPID areas nationally. It is a matter for individual Departments to report on the provision of funding and progress on delivery with regard to projects under their responsibility in the different RAPID areas. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Government Departments and State agencies. The latest data in respect of the Programme is available on Pobal's website at http://www.pobal.ie/Funding%20Programmes/Rapid/Pages/Funding.aspx and the Deputy may find it useful to access this information.

My Department administers the RAPID Leverage Schemes, which are designed to support small-scale projects identified locally by Area Implementation Teams in each of the RAPID areas. These schemes are co-funded by relevant agencies and support projects that focus on estate enhancement, graffiti removal, traffic calming, community closed-circuit television, health and sports facilities and the provision of playgroups. The table lists the funding provided to RAPID areas by my Department in 2010 to date. Funding levels for 2011 for all Programme areas in my Department, including RAPID, are under consideration as part of the estimates preparation process.

Scheme

Paid in 2010 to date

Playgrounds

1,559,995.72

Sports Capital Top-Up

2,190,255.87

Health Co Funded

385,547.25

Schools Capital Grants

212,746.01

CCTV

531,203.00

Total

4,879,747.85

Liz McManus

Question:

67 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if all the areas awarded with RAPID status have a juvenile diversion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39288/10]

The Garda Youth Diversion Programme is administered by the Department of Justice and Law Reform. I understand that the programme operates in, or adjacent to, 50 of the 51 RAPID areas. Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, which was newly designated as a RAPID area in 2009, is the sole exception at this time.

Dormant Accounts Fund

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

68 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding available to communities through the dormant accounts fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39282/10]

The Dormant Accounts Acts provide for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in accounts determined to be dormant into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). Since its establishment in April 2003, to the end of September 2010, the transfers to the DAF have totalled some €587.5m, which includes interest earned of some €34.4m. Funds reclaimed in that period by account holders amounted to approximately €202m.

Allocations from the DAF — in accordance with Part 6 of the 2005 Act — are focussed on programmes or projects to assist:

1. the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;

2. the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. persons with a disability.

The value of the DAF at the end of September 2010, net of liabilities, was some €62.4m. This figure excludes €44.4m maintained in a Reserve Account to meet future reclaims by account holders and to cover expenses associated with the operation of the DAF.

In light of the reduced level of funds available for disbursement from the Dormant Accounts Fund — and against the background of the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, which recommended the abolition of the Dormant Accounts Board — the Government has approved the Heads of a Bill that will dissolve the Dormant Accounts Board and make appropriate arrangements for the transfer of its functions to my Department. Drafting of the Bill has commenced and I anticipate that it should be published during the current parliamentary session. As soon as the legislation is enacted, I would envisage presenting a new Disbursement Plan to Government for its consideration. Further details of projects to which funding has been allocated to date and a summary of the status of the DAF are available on my Department's website at:

www.pobail.ie/en/DormantAccounts.

Departmental Programmes

Denis Naughten

Question:

69 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he is taking to facilitate the expansion of the role of integrated development companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38984/10]

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has, over the past number of years, been pursuing a process of cohesion of local delivery structures in order to simplify and enhance the effectiveness of the delivery of a range of local development programmes. The realignment of local delivery structures has reduced the overall number of local development bodies from 94 to 52, comprising 15 local development companies (Partnerships) in urban areas and 37 integrated LEADER/Partnership bodies in rural areas and has extended the remit of these companies to all areas of the country. These entities are all independent companies limited by guarantee. The next phase of the reform agenda, which is now underway, is focused on improving and ‘joining up' the outputs of programmes, as well as further advancing the consolidation of community and local development structures.

My Department has extensive and ongoing engagement with the local development companies and provides funding to them to implement a number of programmes which enhance their capacity to be key facilitators of development in their respective areas. These programmes include:

The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) which has superseded the Local Development Social Inclusion and the Community Development Programmes. As part of its overall goals, the LCDP 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 over its lifetime for the purpose of improving the quality of life in rural areas and promoting the diversification of the rural economy.

My Department will continue to work closely with the companies over the coming years to assist them in achieving positive outcomes for the communities they serve.

Community Development

Jack Wall

Question:

70 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects in County Kildare that have received funding under the equality for women measure; the number of applications from County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39277/10]

The Equality for Women Measure 2008-2013 provides targeted opportunities for women in employment, training, entrepreneurship and decision-making, using ESF and Exchequer funding. To date, two phases of the Measure have been advertised extensively, inviting applications from a wide range of service providers, including community-based not-for-profit groups, recognised training bodies, State agencies, trade unions and employer groups. The 2008-2013 Measure was first advertised in 2008 and focused on initiatives to enable disadvantaged women to acquire skills to prepare them to for employment or to enter mainstream training or education.

Three project applications were submitted by groups based in County Kildare. Each application was appraised on its own merits and none scored highly enough to receive funding. Due to the economic downturn, it was only possible to make funding of €30,000 each available to 37 groups. These groups were offered a second tranche of funding and the total commitment under this two year phase was about €2 million. A new call for proposals was made earlier this year, again with a media campaign. The scope of the Measure was broadened to include additional entrepreneurship initiatives and the advancement of women who are in employment. On this occasion, no applications were received from projects located in County Kildare.

Following the appraisal of 190 applications, completed by Pobal, 43 projects received funding offers of up to €50,000 each, earlier this month. This funding, totalling €1.903 million per annum, may be renewed, subject to conditions. The Measure will be reviewed again in late 2011 and may be refocused and/or re-advertised at that time.

Juvenile Diversion Programmes

Liz McManus

Question:

71 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if, under the Garda juvenile diversion programmes, his Department has any input into these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39287/10]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

81 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has met with other Government Departments in respect of continued anti-social behaviour in communities; if such meetings have included local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39289/10]

Willie Penrose

Question:

87 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department has had a role in the joint policing committee programme in view of the importance of such schemes to our communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 81 and 87 together.

With regard to the National Youth Justice Oversight Group, which monitors the progress of the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010, while my Department is represented on the group, the development of juvenile diversion programmes is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, and the Garda Síochána. Officials of my Department regularly meet and liaise with other Government Departments and local authorities on a wide range of matters in relation to the programmes we deliver, including those programmes which seek to tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour in communities. This would include meetings related to the RAPID Programme, which nationally supports the development and implementation of locally-led responses to anti-social behaviour and community safety.

Over the past number of years, several innovative measures were introduced to RAPID areas in the area of community safety, including, an anti-graffiti programme supported by the Departments of Justice and Law Reform; Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and my own Department, which facilitated an anti-graffiti impact in a range of cities and towns. Another such measure was the community-based CCTV Programme, funded under the RAPID programme, which was operated by the Department of Justice and Law Reform, in close liaison with my own Department.

As the Deputies will be aware, my Department also has responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. Given the role of substance misuse as a contributor to anti-social behaviour, such behaviour is a key concern for many of the Drug Task Forces funded by my Department, which liaise on a regular basis with relevant local authorities, agencies and organisations on this issue. In relation to the Joint Policing Committee programme, responsibility for this programme is also a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform. My view, however, is that this programme has considerable potential in terms of dealing with problem drug use and this is reflected in the actions relating to the programme outlined in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016.

Security of the Elderly

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

72 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of groups in County Kildare registered under the senior alerts scheme; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/10]

To date, eight groups have registered to operate the Seniors Alert Scheme in County Kildare. The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table.

Community Group

Area of Coverage

Evergreens/Clane Senior Citizens

Clane/Rathcoffey

Lullymore Barnaran Drumsru and Cappanargid Community Alert

Lullymore/Barnaran/Drumsru/Cappanargid

Maynooth Senior Citizens Committee

Maynooth/Ladychapel

SVDP Naas

Laois/Carlow/Kildare

Monasterevin Old Folks

Monasterevin Parish

Naas & District Community Alert

Nass & surrounding areas

Kilcullen Lions Club

Kilcullen/Calverstown/Brannockstown

Newtown/Donadea Senior Citizens ARA

Newtown, Donadea, Ballycalan, Cloncurry, Ballagh

National Drugs Strategy

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

73 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if, under the national drugs strategy, his Department has any view on the number of juvenile diversion programmes as operated by the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39286/10]

The work of the Garda Juvenile Diversion programmes in all areas where they have been established is seen as being important in the context of the National Drugs Strategy, as it makes a significant contribution to the targeting of youth at risk with respect to drug use. I understand that a total of 100 projects are being operated under these programmes — details are available on www.iyjs.ie. The important role of the Gardaí in tackling the drug problem on the ground in our communities is reflected in their active participation on Drugs Task Forces across the country.

Departmental Funding

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

74 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether cuts made to the community and voluntary sector during the course of the economic downturn have been disproportionate considering that in 2009 when Government expenditure increased by 6% his Department’s budget, which funds essential community infrastructure decreased by 8% and in 2010 while Government expenditure decreased by 8% his Department’s budget was cut by 10%; his plans to reverse this trend and defend the community and voluntary sector from budgetary reductions. [38986/10]

As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances we continue to be faced with very difficult decisions. Over the course of the economic downturn, the Government has considered a number of measures to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn for 2009 and 2010 and also to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Government — and indeed my own Department — remain committed to supporting the community and voluntary sector.

To the greatest extent possible, savings in this area have been sought through efficiencies, rather than through reductions in services. While the allocations in most expenditure programmes were reduced for 2010, my primary concern has been to make every effort to ensure that the daily front-line services provided with funding from my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities. Clearly, in the prevalent financial circumstances, objectives will have to be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money, notwithstanding these constraints. The Deputy will appreciate that the 2011 allocations will not be decided until the Estimates process is completed within the framework of the forthcoming Budget.

Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 61.

Constitutional Amendments

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

76 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on his review of the need to hold a referendum to consider amending Article 41.2 of the Constitution, broadening the role of women in the home to one which recognises the role of the parent in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39273/10]

The language in Article 41.2 of the Constitution has been criticised by the Committee which reviews the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It has also been reviewed by the Constitution Review Group and the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, each of which proposed new formulations to replace the existing language. My Department is currently considering these recommendations and the wider implications of the proposals before bringing a recommendation in this regard to Government.

Security of the Elderly

Jack Wall

Question:

77 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding provided by his Department under the senior alert scheme to date; the amount per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39274/10]

As the Deputy is aware, the Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP) was replaced by the Seniors Alert Scheme on 24 May 2010. Applications continue to be processed under both schemes and my Department has provided funding of €1.56m to date. Both schemes are demand-led initiatives to help community groups address issues of isolation and the security fears of older people. Expenditure in each county is directly related to the number of applications received from community groups operating in support of older people. My Department does not set county allocations under the Schemes. The table below shows the amount of funding provided per county in 2010 to date.

County

County

County

Carlow

21,699

Kilkenny

35,395

Offaly

51,373

Cavan

93,491

Laois

32,239

Roscommon

3,750

Clare

48,954

Leitrim

15,511

Sligo

32,490

Cork

155,635

Limerick

52,090

Tipperary

68,378

Donegal

36,829

Longford

29,265

Waterford

27,530

Dublin

201,856

Louth

39,607

Westmeath

59,679

Galway

153,020

Mayo

71,511

Wexford

61,733

Kerry

76,317

Meath

38,834

Wicklow

38,573

Kildare

39,143

Monaghan

79,410

Departmental Agencies

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

78 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had any communication with the European Parliament petitions committee regarding funding and staff cuts at the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40312/10]

I have not had any communication with the European Parliament Committee on Petitions in this regard.

Irish Language

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

79 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to carry out a cost benefit analysis on the expenditure of his Department on the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/10]

As indicated in response to other Questions in the House today, the draft 20-year Strategy for Irish was published in draft form in late 2009 and was subsequently referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in order to allow for a further period of consultation and cross-party debate. The Committee issued its report, including a significant number of recommendations, on 28 July last. These are being examined at the moment in conjunction with the relevant Government Departments and I anticipate that this work will be completed shortly.

I hope to bring the draft Strategy back to Government for approval in the near future. The Strategy, once approved, will provide the basis for future Government support for the Irish language. In terms of value for money, I should make the point that the focus in implementation of the Strategy will be on ensuring best use and effectiveness of existing resources in terms of positive outcomes for the language. Clearly, the effectiveness of all the programmes and interventions in this area will fall to be assessed afresh in the light of the Strategy, once it has been finalised.

This work will, of course, build also on other relevant value for money assessments undertaken by my Department in recent years, including the Value for Money & Policy Review of Ciste na Gaeilge 2000-05 and the Review of Expenditure Improvement Schemes in the Gaeltacht 2006.

National Drugs Strategy

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

80 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the absence of community indicators along the lines of those recommended by reports (details supplied) from the national drugs strategy is a shortcoming and the steps he will take to develop and introduce such indicators. [38988/10]

The indicators set out in the report referred to by the Deputy have now been incorporated into the procedures for all projects when requesting interim funding from a Drugs Task Force. This information provides for a significantly increased level of detail on project activity, including the target group involved, methods used, category of project, staffing levels and numbers of people accessing services. In addition, a more rigorous financial feedback system has been developed.

The Drugs Task Forces are charged with creating and maintaining an up-to-date overview on the nature and extent of drug use, and the services available in their area/region, through the gathering of all relevant information from the organisations and services involved. It is my view that Drugs Task Forces have a good overview of what the key issues facing their communities are with respect to problem drug use.

It is the role of all Drugs Task Force representatives to ensure that all relevant information available to their organisations is provided to the relevant Task Force for the purpose of developing a ‘Community Profile.' This could include (as outlined in the NACD Report: A Community Drugs Study: Developing Community Indicators for Problem Drug Use (2006)):

a profile of the range of drugs being used: information from the HSE (e.g. methadone treatment data) and the Health Research Board (e.g. data from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System);

a profile of the local housing development (including information on evictions or potential evictions) and use of public spaces;

a profile of drug-related deaths in the area;

a profile of crime and community safety in the region (drugs seizures, public order and anti-social arrests and charges, acquisitive crime, seizures/ number of cases sent for forensic analysis, Garda data on known opiate users);

social capital — informal social support networks, structure, density, size and composition by age, gender, ethnicity etc., including a profile of community participation/ volunteering; and

school attendance.

The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) has been further developed over the last few years and it now provides for the extraction of information by Drugs Task Force area. This service is expected to be available on-line shortly, which will enable Drugs Task Forces to interrogate data with a view to gaining an understanding of treatment trends in their own areas.

Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 71.

Interdepartmental Committees

Joe Costello

Question:

82 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is working with other Government Departments in respect of the growing concerns on the availability of alcohol to our younger population through home delivery services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/10]

A Steering Group, jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Health and Children, is currently finalising proposals for a National Substance Misuse Strategy that will align alcohol and drugs policies. The Steering Group includes representatives of various Government Departments and agencies, as well as industry, community and voluntary sector representatives. The issue of distance-sales of alcohol, involving deliveries to various locations, has been discussed in this context with a view to ascertaining if improvements can be made. Meanwhile, the emphasis is on the enforcement of the existing legislation.

Question No. 83 answered with Question No. 58.

National Drugs Strategy

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

84 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the south inner city drugs task force; the progress made on the task force’s strategic plan 2008 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40313/10]

Each Task Force is responsible for the development and implementation of its Strategic Plan. These plans are based on the five pillars of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 — Prevention, Rehabilitation, Supply and Reduction, Treatment and Research. The Task Forces routinely report on progress through the Drugs Advisory Group. Arising from its analysis of local conditions and needs, each Task Force including the South Inner City Drugs Task Force, has developed strategic plans based on the five pillars. The South Inner City Task Force is funding 39 projects to deliver its local strategy and it reports that progress has been made under all pillars. I will be meeting the Chairs of all of the Task Forces shortly to review progress.

Community Development

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

85 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps taken by him to progress the active citizenship agenda since responsibility for same was transferred to him in May 2010. [39272/10]

I welcome the integration of the Active Citizenship agenda into my Department, which will complement our ongoing efforts to encourage voluntary activity and community development. My Department will be supported in its role by the Steering Group on Active Citizenship, chaired by Ms Mary Davis, whose members have a wealth of experience of working to develop community engagement and encourage greater levels of civic engagement by citizens who are committed to making a positive difference within their communities.

As the Deputy will appreciate, a successful democracy is dependent on the extent to which its citizens become involved in the issues that affect them in their daily lives and generally playing an active part in shaping communities around the country. By maximising the role of my Department to include an Active Citizenship-focussed approach to develop greater citizen engagement, I believe that we can deliver real and lasting benefits to the lives of all members of our communities.

The Government continues to work with communities and organisations to highlight and promote the importance of increasing civic engagement by citizens, including voluntary and philanthropic activities that strengthen the fabric of community life across Ireland. I believe that a strong, vibrant community infrastructure is vital in order to maximise our potential to provide a better quality of life for all, despite the significant economic challenges that we now face.

At EU level, Ireland has been to the forefront of identifying Active Citizenship as a policy area which needs to be addressed and strengthened. Lately I was pleased to chair the inaugural meeting of the Irish Steering Group for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 (EYV2011). Central to the year is the whole concept of Active Citizenship, of which volunteering is just one part.

Progressing the recommendations of the Taskforce is a matter for several Departments as well as my own. I am pleased that a number of the recommendations have been advanced to date, including the following: · Audits of existing community facilities have been completed and appropriate arrangements are being made by local authorities to make them available at local level. The main purpose of the audits is to establish current level provision and that, in the event of future public funding for community facilities, any applications for such financing support would take account of the results of the audit in terms of identifying needs in specific geographic areas.

The Taskforce recommended the strengthening of local civic participation, which informed the preparation of the Green Paper on Local Government: Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change. The White Paper on Local Government, which will present settled Government policy on a range of local government matters, including participative democracy measures, is currently being finalised by the Cabinet Committee on Local Government.

The Department of Education and Skills has encouraged schools to make their premises available for community use. In addition, a scheme is currently funded under the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage Fund) to enable DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick City to open after school hours to maximise community use of school premises and facilities. All of the DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick City, a total of 22 schools (16 primary and 6 post primary), are participating in this scheme.

There are approximately 200 new after-school activities running in all 22 schools.

At second level senior cycle, the NCCA (National Council for Curriculum Assessment) is developing a syllabus for a full optional exam subject called ‘Politics and Society' as an extension of the current Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) subject in Junior Cycle, which currently gives students practical experience of active citizenship.

In relation to the adult education sector, the range of Further and Adult Education programmes are geared towards enabling participants to contribute more fully to the social, cultural and economic life of this country, through education and information courses.

Active Citizenship was a key theme of the Social Inclusion Week arranged by local authorities last week as part of the Irish National Programme of activities supporting the EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010. My Department also supported an all-island conference on "Combating Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion" which I addressed last week. In this regard, the Steering Group liaised with my Department and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and advised on Active Citizenship awareness around the country.

Departmental Programmes

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

86 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the meetings he has had with other Ministers or his Department with other Departments in respect of amalgamating or transferring funding from the Leader to county enterprise programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39296/10]

Denis Naughten

Question:

89 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he is taking to support local enterprise start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38983/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 89 together.

The main objectives of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. The individual measures under the Programme, including indicative allocations, are as follows:

Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families — €16.66m e.g. Development of niche tourism and educational services such as arts and crafts, speciality food provision, open farms etc Support for business creation and development — €48.26m e.g.

Support to start a new business or expand an existing enterprise including the adoption of new technologies.

Encouragement of tourism activities — €45.4m e.g. Maintenance of vernacular features in a way that protects the heritage of the features such as disused railway lines and canal towpaths.

Basic services for the economy and rural population — €49.61m e.g. Identification and provision of appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities, not otherwise available to them.

Village renewal and development — €54.2m e.g. Farmers Markets.

Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage — €51.7m e.g. Alternative or renewable energy actions addressing suitability of new technologies to meet community energy needs.

Training and information on adapted and new skills — €29.45m e.g. Development of training facilities in rural areas (fixed or mobile).

Implementing co-operation projects — €10.7m.

Skills acquisition and animation — €34.63m

Details of the expenditure to date under each programme measure is set out in the table. I am pleased with the progress to date under the RDP, which continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. This has resulted in the proliferation of innovative and sustainable development projects around the country, which are providing invaluable support to rural communities in these difficult times, and there is no question of funds being diverted away from the RDP.

Indirect and direct support to start up enterprise is critical for the achievement of the aims of the RDP. The main body of direct funding for enterprise creation is under the Business Creation and Development measure, which has a programme allocation of €48.26 million. This measure provides for a range of assistance types for start-up enterprises and the expansion of existing enterprises. Funding under the measure has already provided direct start-up and development support to rural microenterprises in such diverse sectors as Renewable Energies, Food Processing and Audio & Video production.

Direct support for enterprise development can also be provided through the Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activity Measure (€16.66m) and Encouragement of Tourism Activities Measure (€45.4m). These measures are aimed directly at providing support for the creation of on-farm employment opportunities in non-agricultural activities and services and the provision of support for rural tourism initiatives, respectively. Other measures of the programme are designed to provide indirect support to start up enterprises, including a training measure which aims to develop the capacity of rural dwellers to allow them to avail of funding opportunities under the programme. This includes training to facilitate the development of enterprise ideas into viable business opportunities. Further measures of the programme provide for the development and maintenance of the social, cultural and economic infrastructure to facilitate the creation of vibrant rural communities, which are necessary for the sustainable economic development of rural Ireland.

The RDP currently has registered project activity of €73 million, with almost €55 million at an advanced stage of development. This activity has the potential to leverage in excess of €43m in private matched funding, with €33m of this linked with the most advanced projects. Expenditure to date amounts to almost €27.7 million, which includes funding for a diverse range of projects from support for micro-enterprise in rural areas to the building and maintenance of community infrastructure and the provision of training in a variety of disciplines for rural dwellers. I am confident that all of the activity funded under the RDP to date is contributing to the creation of the right conditions for the generation of sustainable, long-term job opportunities in rural areas.

I can assure the Deputy that I work closely with my Cabinet colleagues, particularly Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, T.D., to promote increased co-operation between groups promoting LEADER and other agencies either directly or indirectly involved in supporting enterprise — specifically the County Enterprise Boards. Our aim is to ensure that we maximise the impact of all of the funding available and support enterprise and job creation in rural areas to the greatest extent possible, while at the same time ensuring that no unnecessary or inefficient overlaps or duplication occur.

Expenditure to date under each RDP programme measure

RDP Measure

Project Expenditure to Date

Diversification into non-agricultural activities

790,235.25

Business creation and development

4,136,944.22

Encouragement of tourism activities

3,665,205.35

Basic services for the economy and rural population

12,315,137.43

Village renewal and development

2,758,422.22

Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage

1,961,569.54

Training and information

1,944,052.97

Skills acquisition, animation and implementation of local development strategies

28,255.07

Implementing co-operation projects

162,709.74

Total

27,762,531.79

My Department further supports enterprise through Údarás na Gaeltachta, which has a primary aim of reversing the downward employment trend in the Gaeltacht and seeking to effect the transition from a declining manufacturing sector to employment in services, including Irish-language centred employment. The organisation also provides supports for community-based projects in the areas of language development, childcare, youth services and rural development.

A total of €30 million has been allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta from my Department's Vote for the year 2010. It is worth noting also that extra funding of €2m was provided as an additional support to the organization at the end of 2009, bringing the overall allocation for 2009 to €39.6 million. Thus, over the two year period, 2009-2010, an tÚdarás will have received almost €70 million from my Department's Vote in order to allow it to pursue its objectives.

In addition to Exchequer voted funding, An tÚdarás also has access to other sources of income that enable it to promote and stimulate employment creating initiatives, for example, income generated from schemes, such as the Community Employment Scheme and the Rural Social Scheme and income from dividends, fees and the sale and lease of assets. Funding is also made available to An tÚdarás by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation through the Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Enterprise Stabilization Fund. These supports are important to businesses in the Gaeltacht and help them to continue trading and to protect jobs. Last year, for example, these two schemes safeguarded 605 jobs.

Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 71.

Irish Language

Joan Burton

Question:

88 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the €300,000 spent on translating county development plans into Irish (details supplied) could have been spent on developing the use of the Irish language in some other way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39303/10]

Since the Official Languages Act was enacted in 2003, my Department has been conscious of the need to operate it in as efficient and cost-effective manner as possible. In relation to the publication of official documents in bilingual format, I am strongly of the view that documents which fall under section 10 of the Act, such as Annual Reports and Statements of Strategy, should be published by way of CDs or the internet, rather than hard copy. I am aware that a number of public bodies already follow this practice. Indeed, the Coimisinéir Teanga specifically advocates this approach to public bodies in the Guidebook on the Act that his Office published and circulated to all bodies in 2008.

There are also other ways in which public bodies can achieve greater cost-effectiveness in the area of translation, for example, by planning for translation earlier in the process and by the greater use of standardised templates for documents such as annual reports. The development by Foras na Gaeilge of a number of support services, including the roll-out of the accreditation system for translators and the development of an Irish Language Translation Memory Resource for public bodies, will also help to ensure that such bodies receive a translation product that is reliable and meets a high standard.

The Official Languages Act requires local authority draft development plans to be produced simultaneously in Irish and English since they are key consultation documents. The requirement to publish official documents in Irish is strictly limited to very specific documents and does not encompass all official documents as often suggested in the media. I would also make the point that the numbers of hard copies of draft development plans in Irish sold to the public is not a measure of their usage since they can be consulted or downloaded free-of-charge from local authority websites. It is important that local authorities encourage the public to engage with them and with the planning process in Irish as well as English. To do otherwise would marginalise the Irish language by excluding it from this important area of public affairs. It is counterproductive to promote Irish as our national language in education and other areas if we do not facilitate its usage by the public in their interaction with the state and its agencies, local authorities included.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 86.

National Drugs Strategy

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

90 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in the context of his responsibility for the implementation of the national drugs strategy, the steps he intends to take to introduce an agreed input model for budgets because of the current difficulties disaggregating the actual spend on drugs across the various Departments and agencies involved. [38987/10]

For some years now Departments and agencies involved in delivering the National Drugs Strategy have provided estimates of their expenditure in combating problem drug use. The figures that are compiled relate to services that are, for the most part, directly aimed at dealing with the drugs issue under the Strategy. Thus the estimates do not include mainstream services that impact positively in varying ways on the overall drugs problem. In these cases is not feasible at present to accurately disentangle a drug-related element of the overall funding.

Under the Research & Information pillar of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, Action 50 envisages the development and implementation, in association with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), of new drugs indicators at national level for three areas, including public expenditure. This is a Europe-wide initiative and the Health Research Board has been allocated the lead role here on this Action. It is envisaged that the matter will be progressed, in association with other EU Member States, over the period of the Strategy.

Community Development

Emmet Stagg

Question:

91 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the make up of the new regional forum on integration; if all counties were represented in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39275/10]

I have established a Ministerial Council on Integration to provide a forum where migrants can speak directly to me regarding their experiences of integration in Ireland and thereby promote better-informed policymaking by identifying any issues and bringing them to attention.

The establishment of the Council is one of the initiatives outlined in the policy statement —Migration Nation: Statement on Integration Strategy and Diversity Management — and is part of progressing work around migrant integration policy in Ireland.

Expressions of interest for appointment to the Council were sought through advertisements in both the national and regional press. Applications were invited from persons from the migrant community who are legally resident in Ireland for two or more years or who have acquired Irish citizenship. Some 500 valid applications were received in my Office from persons resident in 26 counties before the closing date of 7 July 2010. In making appointments to the Council, I considered various matters such as the need to have a balance between countries of origin, places of residence in Ireland and the desirability of having an appropriate gender balance.

Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 58.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

93 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40718/10]

Having regard to the broad nature of the Deputy's question, the significant time period involved, and the number of Social Partnership organisations in question, it is not possible to compile this information in the period allowed for reply. I will forward this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

School Accommodation

Michael McGrath

Question:

94 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [40372/10]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Design Team, for the school building project to which he refers, was recently given authorisation to proceed to tender.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

95 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) requesting a new primary school in that area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40390/10]

I wish to confirm that my Department has received correspondence in relation to the establishment of an Educate Together school in the area referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy may be aware the Commission on School Accommodation is currently reviewing the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools. The Commission is due to report to me shortly at which stage I will have to consider policy matters and necessary arrangements and revised procedures that will need to be put in place. While the review is ongoing it is not intended to establish any new primary schools except in cases where new schools are warranted because of increased demographics. This means that new schools will not be established for reasons unrelated to demographic growth.

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. The Portobello area was not included in these initial identified areas. 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 school requirements in the area referred to will be considered in this context.

School Staffing

Finian McGrath

Question:

96 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will support a matter (details supplied). [40408/10]

The issues raised by the Deputy primarily relate to the forthcoming budget.The Government is currently working on the estimates process for December's budget. We will also be setting out in some detail our budgetary plans for the next 4 years. It is only by taking the difficult decisions now that we can ensure that our economy returns to growth again. This will put the delivery of our public services on a more sustainable basis rather than on our current reliance on borrowed money. My Department cannot give any guarantees in relation to budgetary impacts on education. Clearly, my Department as one of the large spending Departments will have to play its part in the budgetary process. However, as a Government we will be doing our best to minimise the impact for front-line public services.

The Deputy also raised issues about the amendment to section 30 of the Teaching Council Act. Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001, which has not yet been commenced, provides that only registered teachers can be remunerated out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. While it is still the aim of the Minister that all teachers in schools be registered with the Council (and therefore fully qualified), it is apparent that to commence Section 30 as it stands could have a serious negative impact for a small number of schools where, in specific circumstances, unqualified personnel are required in the short term. Section 12 of the Education (Amendment) Bill 2010 is necessary for the amendment of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act to allow for the employment, only in certain exceptional and limited circumstances, of persons who are not registered teachers under the Act.

It is the policy of my Department that only qualified personnel should be employed by schools. Circular 40/2010, which issued earlier this year, directs schools to ensure that teachers proposed for appointment to publicly paid teaching posts are registered with the Teaching Council and have qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which they are proposed. In addition, my Department recently issued a reminder to school authorities calling on schools to give priority to newly or recently qualified teachers when making appointments for periods of substitution and other temporary appointments.

Higher Education Grants

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

97 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when an appeal against a decision to refuse a higher education grant will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) who is currently attempting to go back to education following loss of employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40435/10]

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding 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.

Schools Building Projects

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

98 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the relocation of a primary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [40445/10]

The school authority of the school referred to by the Deputy has recently written to my Department advising that, following meetings with Department officials and senior officials of the County Council, the Patron acquired a site, subject to planning, to facilitate the construction of a new school building. My Department will be responding in due course to the issues raised in the correspondence from the school.

In accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects, the project for this school has been assigned a Band 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 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.

Vocational Education Committees

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

99 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the criteria she will apply in deciding the location of the headquarters of the amalgamated vocational education committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40459/10]

The Government have decided to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16 and to the merger of particular city and or counties. The location of the headquarters of the new VECs will be determined later. This will require engagement by my Department with the VECs concerned. A number of factors will come into play such as suitability of existing properties; capacity to cater for combined staffing; options for property disposals; relative scale and associated staff numbers of existing VECs; and whether headquarter options in an area are centrally located or at the boundaries of the area.

Departmental Agencies

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

100 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff currently employed at FETAC in the area of monitoring training providers’ compliance with standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40464/10]

FETAC monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of each provider's quality assurance system. All FETAC staff have a responsibility to monitor provider activity and a proactive approach to monitoring is taken by staff in all functions of FETAC, including in provider registration and certification and assessment activities supported by external examiners and authenticators. FETAC agrees each provider's procedures for quality assurance and the procedures demonstrate the provider's commitment and capacity to maintain and improve the quality of its programmes and services. Providers are required to develop and document a series of policies and procedures capturing their existing best practice, complemented by an internal monitoring and evaluation system to recognise excellence and facilitate improvement.

Currently there are 1.5 whole time equivalent FETAC staff employed in the area of monitoring provider's compliance with their quality assurance agreements on quality of provision. In 2008 FETAC recruited and trained three contract staff to undertake provider monitoring. The three monitors' contracts expired in early May 2010 and were not renewed due to the moratorium on public sector recruitment. As a result of the non-renewal of the monitors' contracts, FETAC has put in place updated arrangements on provider monitoring. This involves FETAC's dedicated monitoring staff being supported by senior staff and staff working in areas such as provider registration as well as through assistance from experienced external authenticators.

School Meals Programme

Michael Ring

Question:

101 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if financial assistance will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo in order for the school to continue to provide hot meals to its students. [40472/10]

The school to which the Deputy refers received once off funding in the amount of €41,000 in 2007 under the Fund for the Development of Targeted Educational Responses to Certain Children at Risk. Payments were made in two instalments €27,072 paid on 31 December 2007 and €14,028 on 29th January 2008. The purpose of this funding was to provide for the infrastructural costs associated with setting up a canteen which were detailed in the schedule attaching to the school's application of 16th May 2007. The day to day running costs for the canteen were not approved for funding. The school was advised in December 2007 that there was no commitment for further funding from the scheme. The scheme has since been terminated and no further applications can be considered.

Departmental Transport

Simon Coveney

Question:

102 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of State vehicles in use by her Department; if a small pool of vehicles is in use; if so, the number, make and age of these vehicles; the annual cost of fuel, depreciation, staffing for these vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40496/10]

There are no state vehicles in use by my Department.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

103 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under her Department or any of the agencies within her Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40710/10]

My Department made funds available to bodies in the Education Sector to assist in the establishment of partnership arrangements in the workplace, aimed at involving staff in the change and modernisation process, delivering improvements in performance and improving the working environment. The funding provided support for staff and facilitation resources, training in partnership skills, communication material, national and regional partnership meetings and administration costs. The provision of funding was contingent on the submission of a Business Case outlining partnership strategy and objectives and was required to be supported by a recommendation from the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, which was consulted in all cases. Details of the funding provided since 2000 are outlined in the attached document.

Details of funding provided to bodies in the Education Sector in support of Partnership in the Workplace

Body

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Total

VEC National Partnership Forum

38,982

230,000

214,000

215,000

230,000

230,000

170,000

175,000

175,000

60,000

1,737,982

Institutes of Technology National Partnership Forum

431,711

760,000

730,000

950,000

975,000

17,574

3,864,285

Higher Education Authority

253,948

816

254,764

Marino Institute of Education

50,000

63,000

75,000

120,000

145,000

453,000

Royal Irish Academy of Music

2,700

2,700

St. Angela’s College of Home Economics, Sligo

6,750

6,750

St. Catherine’s College of Home Economics

1,890

1,890

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

5,714

5,714

Oberstown Youth Centre

12,585

1,172

13,757

Total

253,948

477,223

1,013,925

995,172

1,228,000

1,280,000

367,574

315,000

175,000

175,000

60,000

6,340,842

Pension Provisions

Paul Kehoe

Question:

104 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers in substitute positions in primary schools that are having pension related deductions made to their payment and the amount of money that was deducted from these teachers during the period September 2009 to September 2010. [40722/10]

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded direct to him.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

105 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the deductions in salary from a person (details supplied) are correct and if they have pension entitlements from the contributions being made. [40723/10]

Officials of my Department will contact the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to the deductions made from his salary. Generally, since the 2nd June, 2002, a teacher is eligible for the award of superannuation benefits where they have a minimum of 2 years pensionable service. Where a teacher commenced teaching after April 2004, superannuation benefits are payable from their 65th birthday. If a teacher does not have the minimum required service on resignation, the superannuation contributions less appropriate tax are refunded on request.

Tax Collection

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

106 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Finance if an application for a tax rebate will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40387/10]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, to ensure compliance with the conditions of the credits claimed, additional information was requested. The application will be processed on receipt of this additional information.

Flood Relief

Paul Connaughton

Question:

107 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance if a flood assessment has been carried out in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Galway who as a result of a flood were left without a house until two weeks ago; if he will state if the Office of Public Works and Galway County Council have assessed this particular case; if there are any structural changes that can be made that would reduce the chances of such flooding happening to this house in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40413/10]

The event referred to by the Deputy was caused by flooding of the Shiven River, which forms part of the River Suck Joint Drainage District for which Galway County Council and Roscommon County Council have a maintenance responsibility.

Galway County Council carried out an inspection at the location involved in June of this year. However, OPW understands that the Council has been unable to date to identify viable measures to address the flood problem. If mitigation measures are identified by the Council, it would be open to them to apply for funding for these measures under the OPW Minor Flood Works scheme. If an application is submitted, it will be considered having regard to the eligibility criteria of the scheme and the overall availability of resources for flood risk management

International Agreements

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

108 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish Government intends to negotiate a settlement with the Swiss Government in relation to Irish tax fugitive funds based in Swiss banks along the lines recently agreed between the UK Chancellor and his Swiss opposite number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40420/10]

On 25 October the United Kingdom and Switzerland signed a declaration on the initiation of negotiations on the expansion of cross-border cooperation in tax matters and improved market access for banks. These negotiations are expected to commence at the beginning of 2011. Ireland recently concluded negotiations with Switzerland on a Protocol to the Ireland Switzerland Double Taxation Convention. This Protocol includes the new OECD Article on Exchange of Information which will enable information to be obtained by the Revenue Commissioners in relation to bank accounts held by Irish residents in Switzerland. I should state that interest earned on all such accounts are fully taxable in Ireland at the taxpayer's marginal rate of tax.

Tax Code

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

109 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on current tax arrangements between Ireland and offshore banking locations in Europe including the Isle of Man, the Channel Isles, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Andorra in relation to offshore bank deposits of Irish tax fugitives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40421/10]

In order to improve access to bank information held offshore and to promote international co-operation in tax matters I can advise the Deputy that Tax Information Exchange Agreements are in force with the Isle of Man, Jersey, Liechtenstein and Gibraltar. An Agreement with Guernsey has been concluded and ratified by Ireland. It will come into force when it has been ratified by Guernsey. A Tax Information Exchange Agreement has yet to be concluded with Andorra although that jurisdiction has given a commitment to meet the OECD's standards on exchange of information for tax purposes.

In addition, I can also advise the Deputy that a protocol to the Ireland Switzerland Double Taxation Agreement has recently been agreed which incorporates a new article on exchange of information which will permit access to bank information. These new agreements and arrangements allow the Revenue Commissioners to make enquiries in relation to any Irish taxpayer where there is evidence that offshore accounts have been used to facilitate tax evasion.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

110 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if has investigated any offshore banking arrangements based in Gibraltar organised to evade or avoid Irish employee or contractor tax and PRSI contributions; the steps he is taking to bring such tax avoidance and or evasion to an end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40422/10]

Ireland has a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with Gibraltar which is in effect from the beginning of this year. This covers direct taxes (income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax), capital acquisitions tax and value added tax. It enables the Revenue Commissioners to request information that is relevant to a tax investigation. This includes information in relation to bank accounts and ownership information for companies. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible, from the information provided, to identify the types of Gibraltar banking arrangements to which the Deputy refers. If the Deputy has any further information, the Revenue Commissioners would be anxious to follow up on it.

International Monetary Fund

Michael Creed

Question:

111 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if in the event of a further deterioration in the public finances and or a lack of confidence by the international financial markets in the Irish economy consideration has been given within his Department to the likely involvement of the International Monetary Fund in the management of the Irish economy; the practicable implications of its involvement on the day-to-day running of the Department of Finance; if he will publish any draft consideration of this possibility as considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40446/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, this Government has taken firm action over the last two years to tackle the deterioration in the public finances. Those actions are resulting in a stabilisation of the underlying general government deficit this year. We are now preparing a Four-Year Plan for Budgets and Growth which will set out the pathway to stabilising general government debt and to bringing the deficit below 3% of GDP by the end of 2014. This is part of the wider strategy being pursued by Government which has comprehensively addressed the difficulties facing the banking system, which is bringing sustainability to the public finances and which is seeing ongoing improvements in competiveness. Pursuing these policies is essential for a return to growth, the evidence of which we are already beginning to see. Accordingly, the question posed by the Deputy does not arise. There is no question of seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund and no such request has been made.

Tax Code

Joe Carey

Question:

112 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance if he will take into consideration the key recommendation of the tourism renewal group report and abolish the travel tax in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/10]

As a matter of policy, taxation measures are reviewed on a regular basis and particularly as part of the Budgetary process. 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, both Germany and Austria have announced plans to introduce an air travel tax with effect from 1 January 2011.

Bank Deposits

Tom Hayes

Question:

113 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the amount each Department and Government agency has put on deposit with Anglo Irish Bank every year since 2007, including the amount that has been placed for this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40465/10]

As the Deputy will be aware, Anglo Irish Bank is run on an arms length commercial basis. The matter of the identity of individuals or entities which hold deposits with the bank is confidential and commercially sensitive.

Departmental Transport

Simon Coveney

Question:

114 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Finance the number of State vehicles in use by his Department; if a small pool of vehicles is in use; if so, the number, make and age of these vehicles; the annual cost of fuel, depreciation, staffing for these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40495/10]

My Department does not have a pool of state vehicles at its disposal.

Departmental Staff

Róisín Shortall

Question:

115 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have commenced apprenticeships with the Office of Public Works who were subsequently offered fixed contracts in the years 2000 to date in 2010 and the subsequent number of those who have been made redundant. [40505/10]

I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that 91 apprentices commenced employment with the Office of Public Works between 2000 and 2010. Of this number, 51 apprentices were either released on completion or otherwise failed to complete their apprenticeships. At the moment 15 apprentices are still in training. On completion of their apprenticeships, 25 were retained in employment as qualified craftsmen, 3 of these being on a fixed term basis. No apprentices were made redundant.

Tax Collection

Bobby Aylward

Question:

116 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow an outstanding tax debit be paid by instalments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois. [40510/10]

This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that they are prepared in this instance to consider payment of the tax debt through an instalment arrangement and that they have tried unsuccessfully to contact the person concerned. The person concerned should now make contact with Mr. Larry Dunne in the Collector General's Office, Government Offices, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary (Phone 067 — 63321 or 63120) so that the matter can be finalised.

Public Service Contracts

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

117 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of construction companies working on public sector projects registered outside the Republic of Ireland and not registered with the Construction Industry Federation pension scheme; the number of these companies who are in breach of the registered employment agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40530/10]

The details in relation to construction companies working on public sector projects registered outside the Republic of Ireland and their Pension Schemes is not held centrally in the Department of Finance; it would be held by individual contracting authorities.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

118 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the approximate percentage of public sector construction related works being awarded to companies registered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40531/10]

The percentage of public works contracts awarded to Irish companies in 2009 is approximately 90% as per statistics supplied to the National Procurement Service in the OPW.

Tax Code

Billy Timmins

Question:

119 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40683/10]

As the Deputy is aware, it is not the usual practice to comment on any possible changes in taxation prior to the annual Budget.

Pension Provisions

Róisín Shortall

Question:

120 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to his recent announcement that new public servants will have their pensions calculated on career average earnings, if he will provide figures in respect of future new entrants in tabular form of the gross pension cost as a percentage of pensionable remuneration; if he will provide a breakdown of this cost that is met by pension contributions of the employee, and the net pension cost to the State, with a breakdown for specific public sector employees such as established civil servants, teachers, nurses, gardaí and others and factoring in entitlement to the State pension. [40690/10]

The cost effect of the new single pension scheme will depend on the final details of that scheme. These are under active consideration in my Department in the context of the preparation of the necessary legislation to give effect to the new measure and have not yet been decided by Government. While I am not in a position to give the detailed figures requested by the Deputy, I can confirm that the new scheme will reduce the gross pension cost as a percentage of pensionable remuneration. In this connection I would direct the Deputy to the Comptroller & Auditor General's recent Special Report on Public Service Pensions which gives indicative figures based on certain assumptions. I would add that the cost benefits to be delivered by the new scheme will vary depending on levels of future recruitment to the public service, service periods, pay and other factors over the next half century and comparison is not straightforward.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

121 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40713/10]

The details requested by the Deputy for the period requested are set out in the following table.

Department of Finance

Name of Body, Committee or Groups associated with Social Partnership

Date Established

Details of funding allocated to the body

Details of funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and purpose of these allocations

Informal Forum on issues arising in Community and Voluntary Sector

2006

None

None

Name of Body, Committee or Groups associated with Social Partnership

Date Established

Details of funding allocated to the body

Details of funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and purpose of these allocations

Central Monitoring Committee for the NDP 2007-2013 (the Committee included Social Partners).

September 2007

€18,137.46 being the cost of hosting three Monitoring Committee meetings in November 2007, May 2008 & January 2009.

NIL — no funding was provided to Social Partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies.

Name of Body, Committee or Groups associated with Social Partnership

Date Established

Details of funding allocated to the body

Details of funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and purpose of these allocations

Public-Private Informal Advisory Group (on PPPs)

1999

Nil

N/A

During the period referred to by the Deputy, technical assistance funding was provided for Public Private Partnerships as part of co-financing to Structural Fund-aided activities under the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme. Some of the funding under this programme was paid to the social partners as detailed in the table below:

Date of Payment

Social Partner in Receipt of Funding

Details of funding allocated to the body

Purpose of these allocations

06/12/2002 31/12/2003 28/04/2005

ICTU ICTU ICTU

23,729 20,391 11,831

50% contribution to fund information, training and awareness activities. These activities were intended to support the broadest dissemination of appropriate information and to develop a deeper understanding among Trade Union members of the issues involved in Public Private Partnerships.

30/08/2005

ICTU

15,383

50% contribution to the costs associated with the publication, launch and dissemination of Congress guidance entitled Guidelines for Unions on Consultations with State Agencies and Public Authorities in the Republic of Ireland concerning Public Private Partnerships.

08/05/2002

Construction Industry Federation

30,775

50% contribution to fund information, training and awareness activities to ensure effective engagement with PPPs in the construction sector.

Special EU Programmes Body

Downloads of the relevant Programme databases have confirmed that a number of bodies involved in social partnership have received support under the following European Funding Programmes over the last 15 years: PEACE (1995-1999), PEACE II (2000-2006), INTERREG IIIA (2000-2006) and INTERREG IVA (2007-2013).

Tables 1 and 2 provide detail on the projects that have received funding. Please note that these tables should be read in conjunction with the caveats outlined below. Please also note that the SEUPB does not hold the database relating to projects funded under the INTERREG IIA (1995-1999) Programme and access to this information has not been possible within the required timeframes.

PEACE III and INTERREG IVA CAVEATS (2007-2013)

The information presented is based on a download from the Systems 2007 database on 21.10.10. The database is live and dynamic and is reliant on funding bodies to provide and update information. Where required an exchange rate of £1 = €1.1 has been used. This information is based on a download of the central database on 30.09.10. The database is live and subject to change and is reliant of funding bodies to provide and update information. For INTERREG IIIA, an exchange rate of £1=€1.55 has been used for commitment and £1=€1.45 for payment. For Peace II and Peace II extension, an exchange rate of £1=€1.55 has been used for Peace II and £1=€1.45 for the Peace II extension where required.

PEACE (1995-1999)

Information presented is taken from the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (SSPPR) Database, which was wholly reliant on funding bodies to provide information. The amounts awarded to each project have been recorded in sterling on this database and although a data cleansing exercise was conducted upon closure of the programme, it is important to note that some inaccuracies may still exist.

Table 1: Funding to Social Partnership Groups — INTERREG IVA, INTERREG IIA, PEACE II Programmes

Funding Programme

Organisation Name/ Project Title

Description

Total Award

Letter of Offer Issued

INTERREG IVA

IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council IBEC-CBI JBC Programme 2007 to 2013

The JBC Programme 2007 to 2013 proposes to deliver benefits for SME’s which will involve over 40 Strategic Initiatives focused in 3 main areas of People / skills; Infrastructure; and Innovation, R&D.

1,745,462

06/04/2009

INTERREG IIIA

IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council SME Development Programme 2002 to 2006

The aim of the project was to increase cross-border SME economic development and competitiveness in the INTERREG region.

1,457,078

15/03/2004

INTERREG IIIA

Irish Farmers Association Growing Relationships — leadership programme for farm women

The Leadership Programme for farm women focuses on giving rural women enhanced confidence, communication skills, networking ability and an understanding of policy making processes.

41,626

16/02/2004

INTERREG IIIA

Age Action Ireland Positive Ageing

The purpose of the project is to improve the quality of life of all older people and their family carers in all the border counties, combating age discrimination and promoting equality and diversity.

513,713

22/05/2006

PEACE II

St Vincent de Paul Society Vincent’s Minibus Service

Provision of a minibus in the Ballymote/flying Horse Area of Downpatrick to facilitate all the groups in that particular area.

123,165

24/09/2003

PEACE II

St Vincent de Paul Society De-Paul Development Project

The project will raise employment prospects due to qualifications gained through different courses. The capacity building programme for people of all ages will improve the chance of employment of low achievers and parents returning to the workforce. These courses encourage networking among all ages and both sides of the community.

15,500

28/11/2003

Table 1: Funding to Social Partnership Groups — INTERREG IVA, INTERREG IIA , PEACE II Programmes — continued

Funding Programme

Organisation Name/ Project Title

Description

Total Award

Letter of Offer Issued

PEACE II

St Vincent de Paul Society The Children of Oz Summer Scheme 2003

The project is to provide a summer scheme for the 4-7 year old members of the Flying Horse community. It will also provide a summer school to cater for the needs of children entering primary seven who are due to sit their eleven plus examination and children from P3 — P6 who have been identified as needing extra help.

8,940

10/07/2003

PEACE II

St Vincent de Paul Society Location Enhancement Project

Put in place flowers, window boxed shrubs and communal flower beds to meet recreation needs of 14 house schemes for senior citizens and other socially excluded persons.

11,000

30/09/2003

PEACE II

St Vincent de Paul Society S.V.P. Mountainview Centre Out of School Project

Assisting people in need with second hand furniture visits and other help. operating our community action project: breakfast club, afterschool club, ply/child care. Mentoring scheme, family learning.

16,275

09/04/2004

PEACE II

St Vincent de Paul Society Ozanam Multi-purpose Community Centre

Phase II — Recreational Meeting facility

70,000

05/06/2004

PEACE II

Irish Rural Link

To support short-term contract employment and associated programme costs including the update print and distribution of Community Networks Directory.

29,085

13/12/2000

Irish Rural Link

Organise and facilitate consultation meetings in cross-border region with community groups/networks and with appropriate development agencies.

PEACE II EXT

St Joseph’s Conference, St. Vincent De Paul, Rathmullan Ozanam Social Activity Centre Rathmullan

No description provided.

66,497

24/03/2006

PEACE II EXT

St Vincent de Paul Society St.Vincent de Paul Holiday Home Bundoran

No description provided.

66,500

24/03/2006

Table 2 — Funding to Social Partnership Groups — Peace Programme — SSPPR Database

Date Approved

Applicant

Project

Description

Approved

£

05/02/1997

Carers National Association

Carers National Association

Carers National Association N.I.

60,600

04/02/1999

Carers National Association

Carers National Association

Continuation — Information and Development Project

15,000

14/08/1996

Cushendall Conference of SVDP

Community transport accessibility.

Grant will be used to expand the already extensive transport scheme offered by the group to allow for usage by rural elderly.

1,500

25/09/1997

IBEC / CBI

TradeNet

TradeNet is aimed at supporting SME’s in the Border Regions and in the Belfast-Dublin Corridor

360,000

13/11/1996

IBEC / CBI Joint Business Council

The Belfast / Dublin Economic Corridor

The project is designed to highlight the benefits of the development of the corridor.

10,000

06/01/1999

IBEC/CBI Joint Business Council

SME Supply Chain Networking Conference

The proposed conference will bring together SMEs by promoting best practice in the area of supply chain management.

17,385

01/01/2000

IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council

IBEC/CBI Trade Development Programme

The objectives include identifying barriers to North/South trade and taking action to remove them.

83,250

24/02/1997

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

To support the youth section of the ICTU to research the possibility of developing a network of marginalised young people North and South.

2,915

13/12/2000

Irish Rural Link

Irish Rural Link

Update print and distribution of Community Networks Directory.

11,500

01/10/1996

Irish Rural Link

Irish Rural Link

Feasibility of networking in the border region with umbrella organisation.

3,000

08/11/1996

IRL Cross-border Networking Project

Irish Rural Link

To employ a community link person to facilitate the networking of rural community groups on a cross-border basis.

95,929

Table 2 — Funding to Social Partnership Groups — Peace Programme — SSPPR Database — continued

Date Approved

Applicant

Project

Description

Approved

£

26/06/1996

N.I. Committee I.C.T.U./Belfast Unemployed Resource

N.I. Committee I.C.T.U./Belfast Unemployed Resource

Northern Ireland Low Pay Unit

2,750

04/02/1997

Newcastle conference of St. Vincent De Paul Society

Sup-Short breaks scheme

To acquire a mobile home which accommodates low income facilities for providing holidays for disadvantaged families and the elderly.

9,000

08/12/1996

Ozanam Daycare SVDP

Development of a PlayCare project.

Development of a PlayCare project.

35,000

03/08/1999

Promoting Cross Border Networking/Irish Rural Link

Nurturing New Links

Promote cross border networking between rural communities.

10,000

13/12/1999

Regional Employment Service

Regional Employment Service

Development of the Regional Employment Service offering practical, ongoing support for the expansion of services to unemployed people and other disadvantaged people.

19,995

13/09/1996

Saint Vincent de Paul Society (Dungannon)

Saint Vincent de Paul Society (Dungannon)

SVDP Community Centre

2,500

24/02/1999

Society of St Vincent De Paul

Thrift Shop Improvements

To improve and increase the retail selling space of the existing outlet

5,000

22/10/1996

Society of St Vincent de Paul

Vincents Manufacturing Services Ltd

Training and Manufacturing of Recycled Electrical Appliances

87,000

20/10/1998

Society of St Vincent de Paul (Coalisland)

Holy Family Conference — Just For Me

No Information available.

800

07/02/1997

Society of St Vincent de Paul (Downpatrick)

Vincents Community Initiative

To investigate the feasibility of a electrical service repair, home help and furniture restoration service.

3,000

Table 2 — Funding to Social Partnership Groups — Peace Programme — SSPPR Database — continued

Date Approved

Applicant

Project

Description

Approved

£

21/10/1996

St Patrick’s Conference (Society of Saint Vincent

St Patrick’s Conference (Society of Saint Vincent

Vincents Community Initiative Downpatrick

2,300

09/12/1998

St Vincent De Paul

Action Vincent

Skills Development in home care child care etc & Programme of personnel development.

5,000

11/02/1998

St Vincent De Paul

St Vincent de Paul Resource centre

Establish a resource and training centre in Enniskillen

20,000

03/01/1997

St Vincent de Paul Society

6 week series of talks.

Talks will address issues of personal development and home management.

1,400

29/01/1997

St Vincent de Paul Society

Furniture Removal Van

Furniture removal van to help the organisation to transport furniture etc

12,000

26/10/1999

St Vincent De Paul Society

Home Management For Single Parents

Toys and equipment for creche, cookery books, cooking utensils, video and TV rental etc. To include an incentive scheme of £20.00 to those who finish.

3,000

27/07/1999

St. Mary’s Conference

St. Mary’s Conference

To renovate a derelict house to provide a drop in centre, recreation room and meeting room to respond to the needs and requirements of the wider community.

1,850

27/04/1999

St. Vincent De Paul “Thrift Shop”

St. Vincent De Paul “Thrift Shop”

Proposal to build a furniture store in a derelict yard purchased from Donegal Co. Council to store furniture for low income families being rehoused.

7,500

01/06/1998

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul

Vincents Community initiative

Launderette servicesecond-hand furniture

16,000

Revenue Commissioners

In regard to Social Partnership Revenue meets the cost of a clerical officer (on the max of the Clerical Officer scale €36,267) who has been seconded to the Ballymun Partnership since 1993. This arrangement was requested and supported by the Department of the Taoiseach in response to the nomination of the individual by the Irish congress of Trade Unions to represent the Ballymun Partnership Company.

Tax Code

Paul Kehoe

Question:

122 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the options available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40724/10]

The query relates to a farmer transferring his property to his sons. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following would be the position for Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) and Stamp Duty.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

The transfer from father to sons would be a disposal for CGT purposes, but the person making the disposal may be entitlement to "retirement relief". If at the time of transfer, the farmer was aged 55 years or more and had owned and farmed the land for the ten years immediately preceding the transfer, the disposal to his sons would be entirely free from CGT.

Retirement relief would also apply, to a transferring farmer aged 55 years or more, in two other circumstances — if the land had been let at any time in the period of 15 years ending with the disposal, and immediately before the land was first let in that period of 15 years, the land had been owned and farmed by the farmer for the period of ten years immediately preceding the date of first letting, or the land had been subject to the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming and immediately before entering the scheme, the land had been owned and farmed by the farmer for the preceding ten years.

If retirement relief was available to the farmer and the sons disposed of the assets transferred within six years of acquisition, then the sons would be charged on the relieved gain of the father, in addition to any gain of their own on the disposal.

Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)

CAT includes both gift and inheritance tax. The transfer of a farm by a farmer to his two sons is a gift and a charge to CAT may therefore arise on the gift taken by the sons. The current rate of gift and inheritance tax is 25%.

The CAT code, however, includes tax-free thresholds based on the relationship between the person who provides the gift or inheritance (the disponer) and the person who receives the gift or inheritance (the beneficiary), below which no CAT is payable. The tax-free threshold applying to a gift taken by a child from a parent in 2010 is €414,799. Each child is separately entitled to receive up to this amount from parents before any CAT would be payable. Any other gifts or inheritances received by a child from his parents since 5 December 1991 are also taken into account when applying the tax-free thresholds for the purpose of calculating CAT.

The CAT tax-free thresholds are adjusted on an annual basis by reference to the Consumer Price Index as published by the Central Statistics Office.

The sons, apart from their separate CAT tax-free threshold of €414,799, may also each be entitled to CAT agricultural relief, which reduces the value of agricultural property for CAT purposes by 90%. In order to qualify for CAT agricultural relief, 80% of each child's total assets, after having received their gift, must consist of agricultural assets.

Therefore, overall, if each of the sons is entitled to claim CAT agricultural relief, each son can effectively take a gift of agricultural property up to the value of €4,147,990 from his father before any CAT would arise on the gift. The value of €4,147,990 would be reduced by 90% Agricultural Relief to a net value of €414,799 and each of the sons would also then be separately entitled to claim their CAT tax-free threshold of €414,799 from parent to child and thus no CAT would be payable.

Therefore, if the sons were entitled to Agricultural Relief on the lands transferred to them by their father, no CAT would arise on either son once the value of the lands received by each son was below €4,147,990. This also assumes no other gifts or inheritances were received by either child from the parents since 5 December 1991.

Other reliefs from CAT may apply in certain circumstances — for example, if part of the property transferred is a dwelling house occupied by one of the sons as his only or main residence, he may be able to claim dwelling house relief.

Finally, in the event that a charge to both CAT and CGT arose on the gift of agricultural property by the father to the sons, then a credit for the CGT paid by the father would be allowed against the CAT payable by the sons to avoid double taxation on the same event.

Stamp Duty

A gift of land attracts a stamp duty liability based on the market value of the land transferred. The rates of stamp duty which apply are set out in the table below. The stamp duty payable is reduced by 50% in the case of a property transfer from a parent to his children.

Section 81AA of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 provides for an exemption from stamp duty on the transfer of agricultural land to a farmer who is under 35 years of age and who is the holder of certain educational qualifications which are listed in Schedule 2B of the Act.

Market Value

Rate of Duty

Up to €10,000

Exempt

€10,001 to €20,000

1%

€20,001 to €30,000

2%

€30,001 to €40,000

3%

€40,001 to €70,000

4%

€70,001 to €80,000

5%

Over €80,000

6%

Mental Health Services

Billy Timmins

Question:

123 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [41005/10]

Billy Timmins

Question:

157 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [40692/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 157 together.

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. Under Section 31(1) of the Health Act, 2004, the HSE is required to prepare an annual National Service Plan.The Plan, which must indicate the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the HSE, is submitted to the Minister for Health and Children for approval. The appropriate management of the health services also means that the mental health services must be funded in an equitable and sustainable manner.

The estimated cost of the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’ is €150m over 7-10 years. Development funding totalling €54 million has been allocated to the HSE since the launch of the Report in 2006. In addition, almost €1 million was allocated this year under the Dormant Accounts Fund for a programme of suicide prevention measures to help communities to develop integrated local action plans for suicide prevention. To further the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’, the 2010 Employment Control Framework for the health service provided an exemption from the moratorium on recruitment and allowed 100 psychiatric posts to be filled by nurses or therapists.

There are substantial resources already invested in mental health. The reconfiguring and remodelling of these resources will be the main focus for the immediate future. While implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’ has been somewhat slower than originally anticipated it is important to say that in many parts of the country, services are pressing ahead with the implementation of the policy. Significant progress has been achieved including: shorter episodes of inpatient care, improved child and adolescent mental health services, fewer involuntary admissions and the involvement of service users in all aspects of mental health policy, service planning and delivery. Acute admissions to St Brendan’s Hospital have ceased. Plans for the transfer of acute inpatient admissions from St Ita’s Hospital to a new purpose built unit on the Beaumont Hospital Campus are proceeding.New Community Nursing Units in Ballinasloe and Mullingar have been developed. The number of child and adolescent inpatient beds will increase from 30 to 52 before the end of 2010. This together with the Mental Health Commission code of practice relating to the admission of children under the Mental Health Act 2001 will greatly reduce the need to admit children to adult units.

The specific question in relation to a named individual has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply, as it is a service matter.

Departmental Funding

Mary Upton

Question:

124 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that an organisation (details supplied) will continue to be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40368/10]

I am a strong supporter of health research and believe that it makes significant contributions not only to the achievement of health research goals but to broader social and economic ones. This has been acknowledged in the Renewed Programme for Government and also in the Action Plan for Health Research. That Action Plan recognises the significant level of investment made by this organisation in health research in this country.

In recent years funding has been made available from the allocation to the Health Research Board towards the joint funding research scheme operated in conjunction with the organisation. However, the allocation to health agencies for 2011, including the Health Research Board, will be determined after the Budgetary process is concluded and I am not in a position to provide details of any funding which might be available to the organisation at this stage of the process.

Health Services

Pat Breen

Question:

125 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40391/10]

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

Health Service Staff

Dan Neville

Question:

126 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that more than half of all the staff cut from the Health Service Executive, HSE, in 2009 came from the mental health services despite the fact that they only represent 9% of the HSE’s workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40393/10]

The Government has made clear that a critical part of its strategy to restore the public finances is to achieve sustainability in the cost of delivering public services relative to State revenues. To help achieve this goal, it will be necessary to restructure and reorganise the public service and to reduce public service numbers over the coming years. This requires that the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the health service will continue to apply until the numbers have fallen to the level set out in the Employment Control Framework for the health sector. The Framework for 2010-2012 gives effect to the Government decision on employment policy in the public sector and provides that there will be a net reduction in employment to 2012. This includes a target reduction in numbers in 2010 to achieve the overall reduction of 6,000 from March 2009 to the end 2012 and consequential pay roll savings. Based on numbers reductions already achieved in 2009, the net target reduction to end 2012 is 4,560 WTE (or 1,520 per annum). While there is provision in the HSE's Employment Control Framework for some exemptions and exceptions these are limited because of the need to achieve the required payroll savings.

Under the ECF 2010-2012 grades exempted from the moratorium/special provisions include: clinical Psychologist, Behavioural Therapist, Counsellor — replacement posts and up to 230 in addition to the Dec 09 outturn; and up to 100 Psychiatric Nurses vacancies where they are required to support the implementation of A Vision for Change. The HSE’s Health Service Personnel Census indicates that the change in the numbers employed, in the public health service of 1,272 wholetime equivalents, between end 2008 and end 2009 by grade category is as follows:

Numbers (WTE excld career break) employed in the public health service, by grade category

Grade category

31/12/2008

31/12/2009

Change between Dec 08 and Dec 09

% Change between Dec 08 and Dec 09

Medical/ Dental

8,109

8,083

-26

-0.32%

Nursing

38,108

37,466

-642

-1.68%

Health & Social Care Professionals

15,980

15,973

-7

-0.04%

Management/ Admin

17,967

17,611

-356

-1.98%

General Support Staff*

12,631

11,906

-725

-5.74%

Other Patient & Client Care*

18,230

18,714

484

2.65%

Total

111,025

109,753

-1,272

-1.15%

Notes:

(1) Excludes Home Helps. (2) Student nurses are included in the 2008 employment ceiling on the basis of 3.5 students equating to 1 wholetime equivalent. The employment level adjusted for student nurses on the above basis is 111,001 WTEs. (3) Student nurses are included in the 2009 figures on the basis of 2 students equating to 1 wholetime equivalent — the figures above are already adjusted.

*The data for Other Patient and Client Care and General Support Staff may have been affected by reclassification between grade categories.

The census also indicates that between year end 2008 and year end 2009, the number of mental health nurses decreased by 4% but the number of clinical psychologists increased by 3.5%. It is clear, therefore, that the Deputy's assertion that half of the reduction of health service staffing in 2009 came from the mental health services is incorrect. As I have already outlined, the target reductions in the Employment Control Framework are necessary to restructure the public service and to reduce public service numbers, and to support the Government's strategy to restore the public finances.

Medical Cards

Bobby Aylward

Question:

127 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card has issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [40395/10]

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

Health Services

Pat Breen

Question:

128 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40423/10]

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

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

129 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. [40428/10]

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

Medical Cards

John Browne

Question:

130 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange to have an entitlement to a medical card reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [40442/10]

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

Health Services

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

131 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to set up a national foot screening programme for persons with diabetes considering that early detection can help avoid the distress and cost entailed in medical treatment and possible amputation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40450/10]

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

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

132 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40508/10]

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

Paul Connaughton

Question:

133 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the support from the public, patients and staff for the retention of a home (details supplied) in County Galway; if this home will be kept open for the immediate future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40511/10]

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

Health Service Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

134 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the use of agency nurses in each of the Health Service Executive regions to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40513/10]

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

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

135 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if there has been a curtailment in providing early scans to pregnant women because of a shortage of staff in maternity hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40514/10]

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

Proposed Legislation

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

136 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish her plans regarding amending the legislation on the use of ECT on patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40515/10]

Following detailed consideration of the issue, I intend to bring forward proposals for legislative amendment to Government. Heads of a Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2010 are close to finalisation and will be submitted to Government very shortly.

Health Service Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

137 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant dermatologists in each of the Health Service Executive regions; her plans to appoint any further such consultants this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40516/10]

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

138 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 31 March 2009, if she will provide information on the outpatient waiting time for appointment with a consultant dermatologist in each of the acute public hospitals which have such a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40517/10]

My Department has been informed that a reply has issued to the Deputy from the HSE on this matter.

Health Services

Pat Breen

Question:

139 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when an application will be processed in respect a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40520/10]

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

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

140 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 24 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40665/10]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as a matter of urgency.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

141 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 24 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40666/10]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as a matter of urgency.

General Medical Services Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

142 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 24 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40667/10]

I am advised by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that general practitioners are paid in accordance with their contract and there are no moneys outstanding. Where claims are made on a timely basis in accordance with the rules, payments are issued on time and in full.

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

143 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 24 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40668/10]

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

Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

144 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40669/10]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as a matter of urgency.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

145 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 161, 162 and 245 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40670/10]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as a matter of urgency.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

146 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40671/10]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as a matter of urgency.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

147 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40672/10]

I understand that the HSE will reply directly to the Deputy this week in relation to this matter.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

148 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40673/10]

I understand that the HSE will reply directly to the Deputy this week in relation to this matter.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

149 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40674/10]

As stated in my previous response, the information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department as a matter of routine. Therefore, my Department has again requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

150 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40675/10]

I am informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that a reply issued to the Deputy on 14th October 2010. I have asked the HSE to re-issue this response to the Deputy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

151 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40676/10]

My Department has written to the HSE requesting a progress report on the matters referred to and a response is awaited.

Health Service Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

152 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 236, 237, 238 and 239 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40677/10]

The HSE has confirmed that the detailed information requested by the Deputy regarding Social Workers has been sought nationally and is currently being collated. This involves the examination of considerable documentation, due to the detailed nature of the information requested, and it is anticipated that this information will be available at the end of November.

Health Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

153 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40678/10]

I am informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that a reply issued to the Deputy on 13th September 2010. I have asked the HSE to re-issue this response to the Deputy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

154 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 29 June 2010, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [40679/10]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still awaiting information back from a number of areas. I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as a matter of urgency.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

155 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. [40680/10]

As stated in my previous response, the information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department as a matter of routine. Therefore, my Department has again requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Billy Timmins

Question:

156 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40681/10]

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

Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 123.

Preschool Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if any grant or assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40698/10]

I understand from a clarification given by the Deputy, that this question relates to a pre-school service provider who wishes to participate in the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, implemented by my Office.

Some 4,300 pre-school services, or 95% of those in the State, are participating in the ECCE scheme. Some 3,800 services entered the scheme from January 2010 and a further 500 entered it in September. The closing date for receipt of applications from new entrants to the scheme in September 2010, was 30 April 2010. Applications were made, in the first instance, to the local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC) and were then forwarded to my Office for approval and entry into contract. I understand that neither the local County Childcare Committee nor my Office has any record of an application having been made by the provider in question.

A call for applications to enter the scheme from September 2011, is expected to be made in early 2011 and the provider in question may wish to contact Kildare County Childcare Committee for further information at that time.

Medical Cards

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if full medical cards will be re-awarded to a family (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40700/10]

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

Departmental Agencies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

160 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under her Department or any of the agencies within her Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40715/10]

In common with all Government Departments, my Department has set up and developed partnership structures to engage management, unions and staff at all levels in progressing the modernisation agenda of the civil service and as a means of involving staff in the ongoing business of the Department, including identifying and addressing organisational and work-related issues and challenges generally. While these partnership structures have been involved in the administration of certain schemes in my Department, e.g. the Merit Award Scheme, no funding was ever directly allocated to the different partnership groups.

As was the case with each sector of the public service, the health sector was required to establish a performance verification group, the Health Sector Performance Verification Group (HSPVG), in order to verify compliance to commitments under the relevant national partnership agreements (initially under Sustaining Progress and then under Towards 2016). This Department paid a total of €127,799.94 in fees and expenses to the Chairs and independent members of the HSPVG between 2003 and 2008. The work of this group has since concluded and is no longer in operation.

The Health Services National Partnership Forum (HSNPF) was also established as a joint management / trade union steering committee for workplace partnership in the Irish health service. The HSNPF was established in 1999 on foot of the provisions of Partnership 2000, the national agreement on social partnership then in place. It continued to promote a partnership approach to change and problem solving in the health services under the subsequent national partnership agreements, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, Sustaining Progress and Towards 2016. The Forum was originally funded by way of a grant from this Department through certain former Health Boards.

At the request of the Secretary General, in the context of the review of the SKILL programme, my Department has prepared a report on travel associated with Management-Union Partnership activities and in which Department officials participated; and Funding for Management-Union Partnership activities other than SKILL. A full copy of this report is available on my Department's website, www.dohc.ie. According to this report, the following amounts of relevant funding were identified between the years 2000 and 2004:

Health Sector National Partnership Forum

Office of Health Management (OHM)

Other

Totals

€m

€m

€m

€m

2000

3.555

.463

1.613

5.631

2001

3.915

.549

.102

4.566

2002

3.864

.99

.8

5.654

2003

3.844

.69

1.38

5.914

2004

4.084

1.22

1.27

6.574

It should also be noted that the report clarified that the above funding supported a range of activities by bodies such as the Office for Health Management and the Health Service Employers Agency, including, but not confined to management-union partnership. It was not possible to reliably separate management-union partnership funding from funding for other purposes. Since the establishment of the HSE, under the Health Act 2004, the Health Vote became the responsibility of the Executive from 2005 onwards. As such, I have referred your query in relation to funding of the Forum from 2005 to the HSE for direct reply.

Road Network

Joe Carey

Question:

161 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the amount of money that was granted to each local authority in County Clare in response to the exceptional road related costs associated with repairing the damage sustained in late 2009 and early 2010; the amount of this money that remains to be drawn down by each local authority in County Clare as at the end of October 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40447/10]

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department.

Local authorities provided details of exceptional road related costs, which fell outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance as a direct result of the damage sustained in late 2009/early 2010. I took account of this information received when deciding on the allocations to local authorities of €411million for 2010. I decided to defer the planned rehabilitation works on regional and local roads in 2010, in order to provide greater flexibility to local authorities to address the damage sustained and I requested that they carefully target resources to address, on a priority basis, the most urgently required repairs.

It is not, therefore, possible to isolate specific amounts of money from the funds allocated to each local authority in County Clare in the manner sought by the Deputy, but I understand that all of the funding allocated to these local authorities for regional and local roads in 2010 will be drawn down by year-end. However, the following table shows for information the amount allocated to each local authority in County Clare, the amount paid to date and the balance remaining to be paid at end October 2010.

Local Authority

Allocation

Payment to end October 2010

Allocation Remaining

Clare County Council

15,586,498

9,194,859

6,391,639

Ennis Town Council

410,000

127,716

282,284

Kilrush Town Council

139,000

111,250

27,750

Departmental Transport

Simon Coveney

Question:

162 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Transport the number of State vehicles in use by his Department; if a small pool of vehicles is in use; if so, the number, make and age of these vehicles; the annual cost of fuel, depreciation, staffing for these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40493/10]

The Minister has the use of a State car, the details of which are available from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Details of the State cars in use by Air Accident Investigation Unit and the Irish Coast Guard are set out below:

State Vehicles — Air Accident Investigation Unit

Make

Age

Annual Fuel cost

Description of use

Depreciation (if known)

No of Staff involved in staffing of these vehicles

Toyota Landcruiser

5 years

€3,600 approx

Immediate response vehicle for air accident investigation — carries specialised investigative, safety and survival equipment

60%

Vehicles used by duty Inspectors in response to callouts

ISUZU D-Max

1 year

€2,000 approx

Immediate response support vehicle for air accident investigation — carries personnel specialised investigative, safety and survival equipment

10%

Vehicles used by duty Inspectors in response to callouts

State Vehicles — Irish Coast Guard

Make

Age

Annual Fuel cost

Description of use

Depreciation (if known)

No of Staff involved in staffing of these vehicles

FIAT DUCATO 1.4 TON × 3

9

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

FORD RANGER × 5

3

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

FORD TRANSIT × 21

8

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

FORD TRANSIT 280 MWB 75PS

7

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

HONDA Quad bikes × 9

4

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

HONDA QUAD bikes × 4

5

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

HONDA Quad bikes × 6

3

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

ISUZU DMAX × 4

5

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

ISUZU TROOPER VAN × 3

7

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY × 5

12

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY × 2

11

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

MERCEDES BENZ VAN × 3

2

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

MERC-UNIMOG × 1

24

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

SAME 4X4 TRACTOR × 1

18

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

SUZUKI QUAD × 5

6

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

SUZUKI QUAD × 13

8

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA HI-LUX × 5

2

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA HI-LUX × 5

1

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA HILUX × 8

7

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA HILUX × 1

3

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA HILUX D4D DOUBLE CAB × 2

7

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER × 9

2

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER × 1

5

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER × 2

6

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER × 12

9

See total below

*See note 1

n/a

Volunteer

FORD MONDEO × 1

5

See total below

*See note 2

n/a

Pool stores

FORD MONDEO × 2

3

See total below

*See note 2

n/a

Pool HQ

FORD TRANSIT × 1

7

See total below

Fulltime staff use

n/a

2

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER × 5

4

See total below

Fulltime staff use

n/a

1

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER TDI × 1

9

See total below

Fulltime staff use

n/a

1

Total fuel costs from Jan 2010 to Oct 2010

€71,450.49

Note 1: Where a vehicle is described as ‘Volunteer', this vehicle can be driven by any Irish Coast Guard volunteer or full time member provided they have a clean driver's license appropriate to the vehicle type and have been approved to do so by their Officer in Charge.

Note 2: Where a vehicle is described as ‘pool', it is for use by fulltime staff of the IRCG so upwards of 5 people may use it.

Departmental Agencies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

163 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40719/10]

Since the established of the Department of Transport in January 2002, the groups established for Social Partnership purposes were a Public Transport Partnership Forum and an internal management-union group. My Department did not award any money to these groups. With regard to Agencies under the aegis of my Department, this is a matter for the Agencies themselves.

Garda Deployment

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

164 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to enhance the security of public transport commuters and staff through a separate transport policing unit or any other mechanism in view of the recent spate of anti-social and violent attacks on the Luas tram and other public transport systems; his views regarding this alleged recent rise in anti-social and criminal attacks on public transport staff and commuters and if he has been briefed by the Department of Transport or the Railway Procurement Agency on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40416/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that liaison mechanisms are in place between An Garda Síochána and transportation services, including Luas, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann in the Dublin Metropolitan Region at both senior management and local level. Designated Inspectors from the Dublin Metropolitan Region Traffic Corps have been nominated to liaise with each of the service providers to address any policing issues which arise.

I am further informed that policing measures, including high-visibility patrols and covert operations, are in place in Garda Districts and Divisions along the Luas and Iarnród Éireann lines to support security measures put in place by Luas and Iarnród Éireann management. This includes dedicated initiatives, particularly at night, during festivities and other occasions when there is a high volume of traffic. Crime trends relating to public disorder and other anti-social behaviour associated with public transportation are closely monitored by senior Garda management within the Dublin Metropolitan Region and appropriate action is undertaken as necessary.

There are ongoing contacts at senior level between my Department and the Department of Transport. Garda management liaises on an ongoing basis with the Railway Procurement Agency. Responsibility for the allocation of resources within An Garda Síochána rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team. It is currently not considered necessary to establish a dedicated transport policing unit.

Organised Crime

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40436/10]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are two categories of organised crime groups operating in this jurisdiction. The first category consists of individuals / groups that are well established and tightly structured involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by less cohesive group structures and criminal activities which are mainly confined to Ireland. I am further informed that information regarding such criminal groups is disseminated on a regular basis to Europol.

Membership of organised crime gangs tends to be fluid and the nature of criminal activity is such that offences committed by members of gangs may or may not be connected with the individual's membership of such gangs. It is not therefore possible to ascertain the precise number of criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction Members of An Garda Síochána are utilising all available legislation, including legislative provisions introduced by the Oireachtas in 2009 amending the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 with regard to organised crime. In addition, An Garda Síochána will continue to develop and implement strategies to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods to facilitate targeted operations to enable early intervention and prevention of such crimes. Specific initiatives are regularly undertaken alongside standard policing duties where the responsibility of enforcing all aspects of the criminal law lies with each member of An Garda Síochána.

Crime Levels

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of reported gun crimes including killings in each of the past three years; the extent to which successful prosecutions have followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40437/10]

In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Citizenship Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

167 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 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40438/10]

A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in November 2007. The application is now in the final stage of processing and the person in question was requested to submit documentation required to complete processing of the application in a letter issued on 18 October, 2010. Upon receipt of the required documentation the application will be finalised.

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

Question:

168 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); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40439/10]

I refer the Deputy to the Reply given to his Parliamentary Question No. 218 on 2 December 2009. 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, is evading deportation, and is therefore illegally present in the State.Should she come to the notice of the Gardaí, she would be liable to arrest and detention. The person concerned should, therefore, present herself to the GNIB without any 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 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.

Victims’ Commission

Terence Flanagan

Question:

169 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [40451/10]

Since its inception in 2005, the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has provided €268,500 in grant assistance to the Court Support Services and it continues to provide grant assistance in 2010. The Commission has devoted considerable time and energy over a number of years to addressing long-standing governance issues in the Court Support Services. Since June 2009, the Management Board of the service has been actively working to resolve these issues.

An independent report on the governance of the service made a number of recommendations, including in relation to unvouched expenses, which the Management Board is in the process of implementing. A service continues to be available from the Court Support Services. I am assured that the Board of the Court Support Services is fully committed to providing the best possible service to victims of crime on a sustainable basis and that a full resumption of service will follow as soon as possible.

Garda Stations

Jack Wall

Question:

170 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the refurbishment of a Garda station in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40487/10]

The programme of 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 am advised by the Office of Public Works that refurbishment works at the Garda Station referred to by the Deputy have commenced and it is expected that the work should be completed by the second quarter of 2011.

Departmental Transport

Simon Coveney

Question:

171 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 12 October 2010 in reference to the small pool of vehicles, the number, make and age of these vehicles; the annual cost of fuel, depreciation, staffing for these vehicles; if they are solely for use within the Department of Justice and Law Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40491/10]

As I indicated in my answer to the PQ in question on 12 October, the two multipurpose vehicles are available for transportation of official post, documents, files and other materials. They may also be used on occasion to transport officials where otherwise a taxi may be required. The two diesel engined multipurpose vehicles in question (Ford Galaxy and Ford Tourneo) are almost four years old; they can be configured as the need arises for use as people carriers or for carrying materials. No precise details are available on the fuel spend, but it is around €80 per month per vehicle.

The driving of these vehicles is part of the regular duties of a number of departmental Service Officers and as such, additional staffing costs where they arise are nominal. For the sake of completeness, I should also add that in addition to the use of these vehicles in assisting the efficient discharge of departmental business, they also give rise to significant savings in taxi costs which would otherwise be required in the absence of such a facility.

Simon Coveney

Question:

172 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if the Department of Justice and Law Reform has sole responsibility for issuing State vehicles; the guidelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40492/10]

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

175 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if there are guidelines in place regarding the use of State cars; if he will outline any such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40684/10]

I proposed to take Questions Nos. 172 and 175 together.

Office Holder cars are provided to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Government Ministers, President, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, former Taoisigh and Presidents pursuant to a long standing arrangement maintained by successive Governments. Office Holder vehicles form part of the Garda fleet and as such are operated by An Garda Síochána.

Cash for Gold Schemes

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

173 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that have been raised at recent community meetings at the proliferation of gold shops and gold trader operations across the Dublin region; if there is any licensing procedure in place for the establishment and operation of gold shops, on-street or door-to-door gold trading operations; if there is no licensing procedure in place if he will introduce legislation to facilitate a licensing system for this trade; if there is an invigilation procedure in place for the items of jewellery and other gold products that are received by these businesses as it has been alleged that the proceeds of house break-ins are perhaps turning up in this trade; the procedures in place to compel the owners and vendors of gold operations to clarify that all their items have been legally acquired; if he will organise spot checks to be carried out by An Garda Síochána on gold trading operations in relation to jewellery and other gold items that have allegedly been stolen in house burglaries and notified to An Garda Síochána by householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40506/10]

As I have previously advised the House, neither my Department nor An Garda Síochána have any function in relation to the regulation of legal transactions in jewellery and gold. With regard to the general regulation of business, registered companies are governed by the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 and related EU legislation which is enforced primarily by the Director of Corporate Compliance.

Insofar as the issue relates to possible criminality associated with the ‘cash-for-gold' industry, An Garda Síochána enforce the provisions of the criminal law in respect of theft and robbery, including the theft and robbery of jewellery and gold. I am informed that provisional indications are that burglaries involving jewellery are running at levels similar to last year. Garda management is aware that a number of outlets have been established in various areas that are buying gold for cash. A number of established jewellers are also buying gold and jewellery for cash.

While the informal purchase of jewellery and precious items is not specifically regulated in criminal legislation, the circumstances under which they are bought or sold may indicate the commission of certain offences. For example the handling of stolen property and or the possession of stolen property, which are offences under sections 17 and 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 respectively, may be indicated through the specific circumstances under which transactions are effected. If members of the public have suspicions that goods being sold or traded may have been stolen, the correct action is for these suspicions to be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation.

Residency Permits

James Bannon

Question:

174 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath currently undertaking a training course which is due to end in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40525/10]

I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that they have not received an application for further leave to remain in the State from the person mentioned by the Deputy. The person concerned should be advised to write to the General Immigration Division of my Department, which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, providing full details and documentation of his plans to stay in Ireland to enable my officials to decide on his case.

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. 175 answered with Question No. 172.

Prison Education Service

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

176 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost of providing work, training and education programmes in each prison here in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40685/10]

I wish to inform the Deputy that due to the multiplicity of staffing arrangements involved in the provision of education, work and training, it is not possible to disaggregate, with any degree of accuracy, the costs that relate solely and exclusively to the provision of these activities. The number of authorised posts directly involved in providing education, work and training in each of the prisons is set out in the table.

Staff in the education area are teachers employed by the relevant Vocational Education Committee and are funded by the Department of Education and Skills. The table reflects the number of personnel in the context of teaching hours provided. Staff in the work and training area are employees of the Irish Prison Service.

Institution

Education (Wholetime Equivalents)

Work and Training

Arbour Hill

10.05

14

Castlerea

16.23

20

Cloverhill

8.00

13

Cork

19.10

15

Dóchas

7.00

7

Loughan House

9.52

9

Limerick

16.05

17

Midlands

34.20

29

Mountjoy

17.23

50

Shelton Abbey

7.41

8

Portlaoise

19.64

10

St Patrick’s Institution

20.05

19

Training Unit

7.50

10

Wheatfield

20.10

37

Asylum Support Services

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

177 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of direct provision centres here; the number of asylum seekers in each centre in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the cost of running each centre in each of those years; the number of bedrooms in each centre in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40687/10]

It has not been possible to compile the information requested in the time available to answer the question but it will be forwarded direct to the Deputy under separate cover, as soon as possible. In the meantime, I would like to refer the Deputy to the website of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) — www.ria.gov.ie — where the agency publishes monthly statistics on a range of matters, including information on the current list of centres. The website provides statistics on the number of asylum seekers resident in centres from December 2008 and she may find this of use to her pending receipt of the information sought.

Asylum Applications

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

178 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for asylum in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40701/10]

I refer the Deputy to his Parliamentary Question No. 508 of Tuesday, 20 April, 2010 and the written Reply to that Question. The position in the State 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) and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

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

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.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

179 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40716/10]

No bodies, committees or groups associated with Social Partnership were established within the remit of my Department or agencies of my Department during the period of time in question (other than the Performance Verification Groups established under the Social Partnership Agreement Sustaining Progress for the purpose of verifying progress under the Agreement).

Garda Training

Richard Bruton

Question:

180 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide details of the training modules for Garda recruits and the time devoted in their training programme to each module; if he is satisfied that enough training is given to prepare gardaí for hardline violent situations on the streets. [40721/10]

The student/probationer programme which is of two years duration aims to develop student gardaí into probationer gardaí that are competent in a wide range of policing duties including violent situations. The training consists of separate but integrated phases.

In 2008 the Garda Commissioner established An Garda Síochána Training and Development Group to review all training and development for Garda and civilian staff in An Garda Síochána to equip the organisation to deliver an effective and efficient professional service in line with best practice. The report, published in May 2009, made a number of key recommendations including a recommendation that a new training and development model should be put in place and that the student/probationer training programme should be radically restructured into 3 phases. Phase I would be for 32 weeks at the Garda College, at the end of which successful students would be attested (i.e. become members of the Garda Síochána with full police powers). Phase II would be for 65 weeks based in Garda stations, and Phase III would consist of 7 weeks of exam preparation, exams and assessments.

The implementation of these recommendations is of course a matter for the Commissioner in full consultation with all interested parties. This student and probationer training and continuous on the job training are intended to provide Gardaí with the academic and experiential skills to meet the challenging demands of modern policing. The full report is available online at the Publications section of the Garda web site — www.garda.ie.

Coroners Service

Paul Kehoe

Question:

181 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the following matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40725/10]

Under the Coroners Act, 1962, a Coroner is an independent office holder with responsibility under the law for the medicolegal investigation of the circumstances of sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths. Neither I nor my Department have any role in individual cases but I have asked the Coroner to expedite this matter.

Deportation Orders

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

182 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when deportations are effected and if arrangements are made by his Department for transport at the arrival airport to take people to their accommodation in their home country, or if they are left to their own devices upon arrival. [40727/10]

The Garda National Immigration Bureau is responsible for effecting removals from the State including the escorting of deportees while on flights. I am informed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau that prior to all such flights, contact is made with the relevant Embassies and they are made aware of names of all deportees and any other relevant information. It has been the experience to date that deportees are, in most circumstances, met upon arrival by family members.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

183 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40714/10]

No bodies, committees or groups associated with Social Partnership have been established under my Department during the past 15 years. There are no agencies operating under the aegis of my Department.

Social Welfare Appeals

Dan Neville

Question:

184 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if the appeals office will now accept an application for habitual residency as an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [40371/10]

I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that a form for the opening of an appeal has been forwarded to the person concerned and requesting her to state the grounds for her appeal. On receipt of her reply the appeal will be opened and processed in the normal manner. 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.

Dan Neville

Question:

185 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance application which is on appeal will be dealt with as soon as possible in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick and if the person will be given the opportunity of an oral hearing. [40373/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11 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. As part of this consideration, the Appeals Officer will decide if an oral hearing is appropriate in this case. 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 Allen

Question:

186 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be reached on the appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork, against the decision to disallow their family income supplement on the grounds that they do not work 38 hours per fortnight. [40382/10]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that in appeals for Family Income Supplement, where it appears that the reason for the decision may not have been fully understood, the letter of appeal is referred to Family Income Supplement section requesting that the decision be clarified to the appellant. The person is advised that if s/he is still not satisfied following receipt of this clarification that the appeal will be formally registered and processed.

In the case of the person concerned his/her letter of appeal was forwarded to Family Income Supplement section for clarification on 19 August 2010. The Family Income Supplement section issued a clarification letter to the person concerned on 28 October 2010. There has been no response from the appellant. 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

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

187 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give details of the number of persons in receipt of farm assist for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the amount paid out for farm assist for the years 2005 to 2010, in tabular form on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40384/10]

The number of recipients of Farm Assist, together with expenditure on the scheme, is contained in the table below. Information on expenditure is not recorded on a county basis.

Farm Assist

Participants

Expenditure

€m

Dec 2005

7,824

67.3

Dec 2006

7,480

71.1

Dec 2007

7,376

78.7

Dec 2008

7,496

84.9

Dec 2009

8,972

93.3

Sep 2010

10,325

81.8

Social Welfare Code

Seán Barrett

Question:

188 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is a condition of receiving rent supplement that the tenancy be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, and that the non-principal private residence charge has been paid on the rented property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40386/10]

It is not a requirement of the rent supplement scheme that the landlord has paid the non-principal private residence charge on the property or that landlords must be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) before a rent supplement is paid to a tenant. The Department provides details of all current rent supplement recipients and landlords to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on a quarterly basis, with a view to assisting local authorities with a range of housing issues, including the transfer of rent supplement recipients to the rental accommodation scheme and inspections of standards for private rented houses.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, landlords are legally obliged to register tenancies with the PRTB. The Department is also working closely with the PRTB to ensure that all tenancies where rent supplement is in payment are registered with the PRTB. To that end, the Department provides details of new rent supplement payments to the PRTB to enable them identify tenancies that are not registered and to take any follow-up action necessary.

Landlords are legally obliged to register tenancies with the PRTB within one month from the start date of the tenancy or at a later date on payment of an increased fee. For this reason, it is not practicable for the Department to insist that a tenancy be registered with the PRTB before payment of rent supplement can be made. There are also instances where a rent supplement tenancy need not be registered with the PRTB, for example, in the case of renting a room in a house or where a premises is owner occupied.

Social Welfare Appeals

Dan Neville

Question:

189 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for illness benefit which is on appeal will be dealt with as soon as possible in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [40389/10]

Payment of illness benefit, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened on 23 October 2010 and the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed. The Social Welfare Appeals Office 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

Question:

190 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when social welfare payment will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40429/10]

A social welfare inspector will interview the person concerned in the next week concerning her request for a review of her means. On completion of this review, the file will be passed to a deciding officer for decision.

Social Welfare Code

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

191 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlement to a payment such as widow’s pension or attendant payments apply from the date of application or the date of death of a spouse where application in either case was not made at time of death; if the Ombudsman has ruled in respect of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40431/10]

All late claims for social welfare benefits are determined in accordance with the legislative provisions set out in Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and in Regulations made under that section. Where a person applies within 12 months of the date of death of a spouse, the claim is backdated for the full 12 months. Where the date of application is later than this, proportional backdating of payment is applied. Further backdating may be applied in certain circumstances where the customer provides additional relevant information.

It is not clear what the Deputy means by attendant payments, but a widowed person aged between 60 and 65 whose late spouse was in receipt of the household benefits package may continue receiving the package if he or she is receiving State pension (transition), widow's/widower's (contributory) pension, widow's/widower's (non-contributory) pension, one-parent family payment (widows/widowers), widow's or widower's pension under the occupational injuries benefits scheme, an equivalent social security pension/benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement or an ordinary Garda widow's pension from the Department of Justice and Law Reform. There has been no ruling made by the Ombudsman in relation to the late claim of widow or widower's pension.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

192 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was deemed ineligible under the habitual residency clause by his Department but granted on appeal by the Health Service Executive under the same legislation; if he is aware that they have been deemed to have established centre of interest on foot of the full extent of their residency here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40432/10]

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 independent 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. At the time of the appeal the appeals officer was aware of the Health Service Executive's decision to award rent allowance and supplementary welfare allowance to the person.

An appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence. It is open to the person concerned to send any evidence which he sent to the Health Service Executive to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for review or he can reapply for disability allowance and his claim will be assessed from a current date.

Social Welfare Appeals

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

193 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a review of the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for a non-contributory old age pension, having been in receipt of widow’s pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40486/10]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 25 August 2010 together with the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal. 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 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.

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:

3 additional Appeals Officers were assigned to the Office since January 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. 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.

Pat Breen

Question:

194 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons from County Clare who are awaiting an appeal decision for carer’s allowance, domiciliary allowance, jobseeker’s allowance and disability allowance as of 28 October 2010; the length of time it is taking to process these appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40502/10]

Pat Breen

Question:

195 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons from County Clare who are awaiting an oral hearing following their appeal for carer’s allowance, domiciliary allowance, jobseeker’s allowance and disability allowance as of 28 October 2010; the length of time they are awaiting an oral hearing; the length of time it is taking to process oral hearings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40503/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that statistics are not maintained on a county by county basis and it is not in a position to supply the information sought by the Deputy in relation to Co. Clare.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

196 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1314 of 29 September 2010, if he will provide an update regarding this appeal, which was originally lodged with the appeals office over a year ago and when this appeal will be heard. [40512/10]

Further to my response to PQ 33256/10 on 29 September 2010, I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there is no update to the information given previously. 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

James Bannon

Question:

197 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40527/10]

An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on 21 June 2010. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for domiciliary care allowance. A letter issued to the person concerned on 3 September 2010 advising her of the decision to refuse domiciliary care allowance. Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. As yet, no appeal has been registered in this case.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

198 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the 30 hour rule in respect of rent and mortgage interest supplement is operated in the circumstances where a person is availing of the back to work enterprise allowance in view of the fact that the participant will be working at his or her new business for over 30 hours a week. [40688/10]

Rent or mortgage interest supplement is not normally payable where a person or their spouse or partner is in full-time employment, that is for 30 hours or more a week. However, provision was made in 2007 whereby a person on rent supplement participating on the back to work enterprise allowance scheme, who is accepted as eligible for accommodation under the rental accommodation scheme ("RAS"), may return to full-time work, subject to a means test, without losing the entire rent supplement payment. Those who transfer to RAS and engage in employment will have the advantage of the differential rent scheme which is administered by the various local authorities.

Arrangements are also in place to allow a person to participate in the back to work enterprise allowance or to engage in full-time employment and retain entitlement to mortgage interest supplement for up to 4 years on a tapered basis. If a claimant is on an approved scheme they can retain 75% of their mortgage interest supplement in year 1, 50% in year 2, and 25% in years 3 and 4. This arrangement is subject to the claimant's income being below an income threshold, currently €317.43. Any amount of back to work allowance payable and family income supplement is disregarded in the assessment of household income. PRSI and reasonable travelling expenses are also disregarded.

Proposed Legislation

Róisín Shortall

Question:

199 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans, if any, to delete section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 or to otherwise change the two year rule in respect of the qualifying criteria for the habitual residency condition. [40689/10]

The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1st May 2004. A person who does not satisfy the habitual residence condition is not eligible for specified social welfare payments, regardless of citizenship, nationality, immigration status or any other factor. The purpose of this condition is to safeguard the social welfare system from abuse by restricting access for people who are not economically active and who have little or no established connection with Ireland.

Determination of a person's habitual residence is made in accordance with Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. I have been advised of the points made at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection at their meeting on 27th October which examined this topic, particularly regarding the confusion in understanding the 2 year rebuttable presumption clause in subsection (1). My Department is examining the implications of amending the legislation in this regard.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare currently receiving jobseeker’s benefit will be awarded jobseeker’s assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40694/10]

Jobseeker's allowance will be awarded to the person concerned when her jobseeker's benefit claim expires on 6th November 2010.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of rent allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40696/10]

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that it is currently assessing the entitlement to arrears and will contact the person concerned directly when the decision has been made.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

202 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40717/10]

The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Funding

Finian McGrath

Question:

203 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will support a matter (details supplied). [40410/10]

My Department has not received an application for support from or on behalf of this exhibition.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

204 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under her Department or any of the agencies within her Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40720/10]

Since its establishment in June 2002, my Department has not established any specific bodies, committees or groups to deal with matters arising from the social partnership agreements. However, the Department's internal Partnership Committee has a role in the implementation, in the organisation, of the Civil Service modernisation agenda which forms part of the social partnership agreements. The Partnership Committee formed Sub-Groups to progress specific aspects of this agenda, including in the areas of human resources, communications and information technology. No funds have been provided to the Committee or its Sub-Groups. The modalities of the implementation of social partnership agreements in the agencies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the agencies themselves.

Local Authority Charges

Seán Barrett

Question:

205 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the rationale for landlords who sign up to the rental assistance scheme not being required to pay the non-principal private residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40385/10]

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

222 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the basis on which landlords who have signed up to the rental accommodation scheme are not required to pay the non-principal private residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40726/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 222 together.

All properties provided to meet social housing need (including Rental Accommodation Scheme properties) are excluded from the application of the Non Principal Private Residence charge on the basis that the costs of providing such housing is borne by local authorities with the support of the Exchequer.

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Brian O'Shea

Question:

206 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the various sewerage schemes in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40396/10]

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 Waterford. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of some €75 million in County Waterford during the three year period of the Programme.

The current position in relation to the provision of new sewerage infrastructure in County Waterford is set out on a scheme by scheme basis in the following tables.

Waterford County Council Sewerage Schemes

Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012: Contracts to Start

Scheme

Current Position

Ballinroad Sewerage Scheme (SLI)

Rising main complete and pumping station to be constructed.

Cheekpoint Sewerage Scheme

Wastewater Treatment — Design BuildContract Documents currently being prepared by Council.

Clonea Power Sewerage Scheme

Contract 2 (Network & Treatment)Design brief is awaited from Council.

Lismore Sewerage Scheme (SLI)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade.Design Brief being prepared by Council.

Waterford Grouped Towns & Villages Sewerage Scheme (Ardmore, Tallow, Stradbally, Cappoquin, Dunmore East, Kilmacthomas, and Ballyduff/Kilmeaden)

Tallow Collection System — Complete. Kilmacthomas Collection System — Complete. Cappoquin Collection System — At construction since March 2010. Ardmore Advance Works — At construction since March 2010. Stradbally Collection System — At construction since September 2010. Dunmore East Collection System — Revised contract documents are awaited from Council. Ardmore Collection System — Council expect to invite tenders shortly. Ballyduff/Kilmeadan Collection System — Council expect to invite tenders shortly. Wastewater Treatment Plants DBO Contract — The Wastewater Treatments Plants for the 7 Villages are to be procured by way of a Design Build Operate Contract (DBO). Revised contract documents are awaited from Council.

Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012: Schemes at Planning

Scheme

Current Position

Ballyduff Upper Sewerage Scheme

Preliminary Report being assessed by Council.

Passage East Sewerage Scheme

In the early stages of planning.

Tramore Sewerage Scheme (Collection System)

Preliminary Report currently being prepared by Council.

Planning Issues

Seán Power

Question:

207 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is appropriate for a local authority to attach a condition to the granting of a planning application seeking full payment of levies where a change of use is sought, planning permission was previously granted, all conditions attaching to that planning permission were complied with, no further improvement to the local infrastructure is required, no further expenditure is required from the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40404/10]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

215 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the publication of a draft development levy scheme is a reserved function of a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40462/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 215 together.

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 apply. Section 149 of the Local Government Act, 2001 provides that every function of a local authority which is not a reserved function is an executive function of the local authority. The publication of a draft development contribution scheme is an executive function of the local authority.

A development contribution must be attached to a permission for a change of use where this is specified in the relevant development contribution scheme, subject to any waivers provided in the scheme. If the elected members consider that this is inequitable, it is open to them to amend the scheme when it comes up for review.

Wildlife Protection

Joe McHugh

Question:

208 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide advice regarding conservation regulations that apply to agricultural land bordering rivers that have become habitats for wild geese and wild ducks in the past ten years; to direct this information towards farms whose annual crops are damaged by the forage of such wild birds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40406/10]

Under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Birds Directive I have certain responsibilities relating to the protection of wild birds and their habitats. The Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 provide for the making of orders relating to the provision of open seasons for the hunting of protected game birds and mammals. The game birds in question include various species of geese and duck. The hunting season for these game birds varies depending on the species but does not extend outside the period from 1 September to 31 January. These orders are reviewed from time to time, taking account of the conservation needs of the individual species. For example, during the freeze which occurred last winter, I considered it necessary to curtail the Open Season for waterfowl for approximately two weeks.

Although the hunting of birds is covered in general by the orders providing for open seasons, individual licences are required under Section 30 of the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) for hunting on foreshore, lakes and inland waters belonging to the State. While such licences are applicable to the hunting of fauna generally, they are in practice obtained for the hunting of wildfowl, and are subject to the provisions of the open season orders.

Separately, under the terms of the EU Birds Directive Member States are allowed to make derogations from its protective measures where certain wild bird species, including crows, magpies and pigeons, are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or to air safety. I make declarations which renew these derogations every four months. The current declarations are for the period September to December 2010. These declarations are given wide publicity by my Department. Notices relating to the current period were placed in the national newspapers as well including in publications such as the Irish Farmers Journal and the Irish Shooters Digest. In addition, the various declarations were also placed on my Department's website and on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The current declarations include amended provisions deleting the use of non-meat based poisoned or anaesthetic bait for the control of grey crows and magpies. This is to reflect the current legal position whereby there is no poison which can be lawfully used against birds. General advice in relation to wild bird conservation is available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at www.npws.ie. Local offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be happy to offer advice in specific cases.

Special Areas of Conservation

Joe McHugh

Question:

209 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department and or its national parks and wildlife section envisages any special protection areas or special areas of conservation designations in an area (details supplied); to provide maps of any such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40407/10]

Joe McHugh

Question:

224 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support the following matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40729/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 224 together.

My Department is reviewing the suitability of lands in the area in question for designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA). If I decide that lands should be formally proposed for designation then my Department will notify, and consult with, landowners and land users in the area. Maps of the proposed lands will be made available as part of this process.

Building Regulations

Finian McGrath

Question:

210 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [40409/10]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 199 of 14 October 2010 which sets out the position in this matter.

Local Authority Lands

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

211 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 506 of 27 October 2010, if he will indicate the location of the 32 acres of land on the Malahide Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40417/10]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

212 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 506 of 27 October 2010, to confirm if the lands (details supplied) have been transferred to the Housing and Sustainable Communities Ltd; if that body has the right to dispose of those lands as it so wishes whether for housing or other purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40418/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.

In the information provided by Dublin City Council as part of the land audit carried out in April 2010, the site in question is referred to as Ayrefield/Malahide Road. My Department has no further details as regards the location of the site. My Department has not received an application from Dublin City Council, seeking inclusion of this site or the others named above in the Land Aggregation Scheme.

Land transferred to Housing and Sustainable Communities (HSC) Ltd. under the Land Aggregation Scheme will continue to be available for social housing if housing projects are advanced by authorities under the Social Housing Investment Programme. Land may also be made available for alternative use, including non-housing and community infrastructure purposes. Any disposal of land by HSC Ltd. will be subject to consultation with relevant bodies, including the local authority concerned, to ensure the best use of land from planning and value for money perspectives.

Departmental Agencies

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

213 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the mandate and activities of the Housing and Sustainable Communities Ltd.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40419/10]

In July 2010 Housing and Sustainable Communities Ltd. was established as a subsidiary of the National Building Agency. The Constitution of the Company, including the Memorandum of Association, is available on the website of the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency — www.housing.ie . At present the company is involved in the management of land transferred to it from local authorities under the Land Aggregation Scheme. Other tasks envisaged for the company and provided for in its legal basis would include support of housing authorities in delivering housing units under the social housing leasing initiative.

Local Authority Housing

Joe Carey

Question:

214 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money granted to Clare County Council for the purposes of providing energy efficient homes in the local authority housing stock in 2010; the number of homes which have benefited from these improvement works to date; the plans to provide funding for such purposes in the 2011 budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/10]

Clare County Council was allocated €500,000 in 2010 under the scheme for retrofitting of energy efficiency improvements to social housing stock. The Council is currently undertaking a programme of works under this scheme and will submit a claim for recoupment of appropriate costs before the end of 2010. The works being undertaken are a matter for Clare County Council having regard to the conditions of the scheme, the particular works required to its social housing stock and their prioritisation. Until Clare County Council has submitted its 2010 recoupment claim my Department will not be in a position to confirm the number of units on which works have been carried out. The matter of Clare County Council's 2011 allocation for this scheme will as usual be considered in the context of the Social Housing Investment Programme allocations following the annual Estimates process.

Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 207.

Planning Issues

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

216 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by potential planning applicants seeking to arrange pre-planning meetings with Kildare County Council planners; if he is further aware that it can take three months or more to arrange a pre-planning consultation; his views on whether this situation is detrimental to investment and good planning in the county; the way this arrangement complies with the models of best practice which he would wish to see in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40509/10]

Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that an applicant who has an interest in land may request a pre-application consultation regarding a proposed development and that the planning authority should not unreasonably withhold agreement to enter into such a consultation. My Department's Development Management Guidelines (June 2007) state that every effort should be made to facilitate, as far as is practicable, reasonable demands for pre-application consultations, and planning authorities should use whatever format is considered appropriate to their circumstances to facilitate such requests. The Guidelines, in addition, also state that efforts should also be made to provide consultation in the form requested and that planning authorities should aim to facilitate such requests as soon as possible, but in any event within 2-3 weeks.

The above-mentioned Guidelines were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and planning authorities are required to have regard to them in the exercise of their planning functions. I understand that Kildare County Council prioritise applications for pre-application consultations, having regard to employment generation potential, and make every effort to facilitate such requests within 1-2 weeks.

Social and Affordable Housing

Denis Naughten

Question:

217 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is any restriction on a person being an applicant for social housing in more than one county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40518/10]

It is open to any person or household to apply to any housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. Under existing legislation, households can apply to multiple authorities. The social housing reform programme, which was given legislative effect by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, provides for a new process of housing needs assessment. Regulations will be made shortly, which will give detailed effect to the provisions of the Act, and will provide for a single application (that is a person or household may only apply once to one housing authority but with the option of indicating other areas in which offers of accommodation would be acceptable) in order to access social housing support.

Waste Disposal

Paul Kehoe

Question:

218 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the rate of landfill tax per tonne from 1 January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40521/10]

The current rate of landfill levy is €30 per tonne. It has been agreed by Government that this rate should be increased to €50 per tonne in 2011. As the Waste Management Acts limit any increase in the landfill levy to a maximum of €5 in any financial year it will be necessary to enact new legislation to implement the agreed increase to €50 in 2011.

In March 2010 I published for public consultation draft sections of a new Bill, the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which included provision to allow for such an increase. On foot of this consultation a number of submissions were received and are being considered. It is my intention to publish the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill in the current session. The date of implementation for the increase in the landfill levy to €50 will be set out in Regulations which will be made following enactment of the Bill.

Departmental Bodies

James Bannon

Question:

219 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding an application for Heritage Council funding on behalf of a group (details supplied); if he will advise on other heritage grants available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40526/10]

The significant places of public worship grants scheme is funded under the built heritage capital programme of my Department. The Heritage Council is responsible for the administration of grants under the scheme including the call for applications, assessment of applications and awarding of grants. I understand from the Heritage Council that the application for funding in respect of the Kilbixy Church restoration project submitted in May 2010 was deemed incomplete by the Council. As such, the project was not considered for funding this year.

Details of the relevant grant schemes funded through my Department's built heritage capital programme are set out in the table.

Grant Scheme

2010 Provision

Description

Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme

€1.38 million

The scheme is administered directly by the Department. It provides grants for the restoration and conservation of buildings of significant architectural heritage merit which are in civic ownership or occupation and generally open to the public.

Significant Places of Public Worship Grants Scheme

€0.50 million

The scheme is administered by the Heritage Council on behalf of the Department. It provides grant assistance for major conservation works to places of public worship which are of national or greater importance, are protected structures and generally open to the public. Information in relation to this scheme is available from the Heritage Council.

Local Authority Conservation Grants Scheme

€3.75 million

The scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department. It provides grant assistance for the conservation of protected buildings i.e. those buildings which are on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) maintained by each planning authority. Information in relation to this scheme is available from the relevant local authority.

The Heritage Council also administers a programme of grants, which is funded through my Department, in the areas of Heritage Research, Heritage Management, and Heritage Education, Community and Outreach. Information in relation to this grants programme is available from the Heritage Council.

National Spatial Strategy

Finian McGrath

Question:

220 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money spent under the gateway innovation fund, GIF, for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; the locations where money was spent and projects funded; if there are moneys earmarked in 2010, 2011 and 2012 under the GIF; and, if so, the proposed projects and their locations. [40533/10]

The Gateway Innovation Fund was originally provided for under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 to stimulate and support innovative and locally co-funded projects that will prioritise gateway development in line with the National Spatial Strategy. The Fund was deferred in 2008 with no allocations having been made.

The Department of Finance report Infrastructure Investment Priorities 2010-2016: A Financial Framework, which was approved by Government in July 2010, makes provision for the re-establishment of the Gateway Innovation Fund with an indicative level of funding of €200 million from 2012. A copy of the investment priorities report is available on the Department of Finance website at www.finance.gov.ie. My Department intends to liaise with the lead local authorities in the gateways on the matter in early 2011.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

221 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or under any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership which were established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; and the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies during the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40712/10]

My Department provides support to various groups involved in social partnership. Grants are provided towards the administrative and general expenses of a number of organisations and bodies that provide information, research or representative services in the housing area. This funding assists such organisations in the delivery of housing objectives and services.

Funding is provided through the Irish Environmental Network for ecological, environmental non-governmental organisations in respect of core activities, capacity building, research, training and participation in social partnership (the Environment Pillar of social partnership was established formally in 2009). The Network also receives funding to support its role during Biodiversity Week.

Grant aid is provided to An Taisce as a contribution towards the administration costs of the Blue Flags scheme, the international award for water quality and beach excellence, and for the operation of the Green Coast Awards, which recognise beaches of high environmental quality. Funding is provided for Coastwatch Ireland which is an environmental NGO working towards informed public participation in planning, protecting and managing the coastal zone.

In addition, under the various national social partnership agreements, workplace partnership was introduced and implemented successfully in the local government sector. To assist in this process and support a range of initiatives, funding was provided on an annual basis at central level to, and disbursed by, the Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group (LANPAG) that is comprised of management, trade union and Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government representatives.

Details of funding of these bodies are set out in the following table.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCo)

0.180

0.192

0.195

0.230

0.255

0.217

0.206

Irish Council for Social Housing

0.370

0.395

0.410

0.602

0.531

0.451

0.429

Society of St. Vincent De Paul

0.080

0.067

0.065

0.060

0.060

0.051

Irish Environmental Network

0.245

0.219

0.331

0.332

0.988

0.702

0.922

Irish Environmental Network (Biodiversity Week)

0.000

0.000

0.075

0.000

0.000

0.068

0.090

An Taisce — Blue Flag

0.123

0.038

0.086

0.185

0.125

0.096

0.039

An Taisce — Clean Coast / Green Coast

0.005

0.000

0.000

0.000

0.115

0.104

0.066

Coastwatch Ireland

0.004

0.005

0.000

0.000

0.017

0.000

0.005

Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group (LANPAG)

3.400

3.500

4.600

4.800

4.100

3.100

1.005

Allocation Drawn down

3.408

3.500

4.350

3.000

4.100

3.100

0.000

Data are provided above in respect of 2004 to 2010. My Department introduced a new financial accounting system in 2004 and the extraction of information from the previous accounting system in respect of the expenditures involved would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 205.

Road Network

Niall Collins

Question:

223 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the definition, if any, of a sub-standard road in the Planning and Development Acts, Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities, or any other planning regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40728/10]

While roads and transportation issues are addressed in planning legislation, regulations and guidelines, there is no definition of a sub-standard road contained in these.

Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 209.

Alternative Energy Projects

Emmet Stagg

Question:

225 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 27 May 2009, the status of the proposed biomass district heating scheme under the Dundalk 2020 project; the reason no preferred bidder was appointed; the reason no update has been sent to the final tenderers; the amount that has been spent on consultants and legal advisers by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on this project; the amount of a CONCERTO grant that was allocated to this project; if this grant has now been foregone or can be reallocated to another project in Ireland. [40411/10]

The final tender submissions in relation to the Dundalk biomass district heating scheme were received in late 2009. The principal reason for the delay in finalising the Competition is the necessity to ensure demonstrable value for money for the Contracting Authorities, the (HSE, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), and Louth VEC/Department of Education and Skills) in awarding any such contract. No decision has been made with respect to any of the Final Tenders. An update will be sent to the Tenderers before the end of November.

Approximately €90,000 has been spent since 2008 on legal advice and a similar amount on technical consultancy in providing support to the three Contracting Authorities and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. As a result of this work, model contracts and technical support have been developed to support any future district heating projects.

The amount of EU CONCERTO funding allocated to this project is dependent on the size of biomass installation, and is still available up to a potential maximum of €600,000. The funding would be allocated to the preferred bidder (Energy Supply Company — ESCO) on agreement between EU Commission and the ESCO. No funding for the district heating project has been spent to date. The CONCERTO fund is available for this project for 5 years (from 2007) and can be reallocated within the project but not to any other projects in Ireland.

Broadcasting Services

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

226 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy in the area of local radio broadcasting. [40434/10]

Government policy in relation to the area of local radio broadcasting is set out in the Broadcasting Act, 2009. This recognises the continued importance and need for community broadcasting, and provides for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, to prepare a scheme for the granting of funds to support certain categories of new sound broadcasting programmes. One of the objectives of the scheme is to develop local and community broadcasting. The funds are granted through the Broadcasting Fund which is administered by the BAI. Under the 2009 Act the allocation for the Fund was increased from 5% to 7% of net television licence fee receipts.

The Act also requires the BAI to facilitate the transmission of community broadcasting services by entering into "community content provision contracts" with community interests. The BAI may also, of its own initiative, or at the request of a local community or a community interest, carry out an assessment of the needs of a community in respect of broadcasting. My colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs oversees the Community Services Programme, which can also provide funding to community radio.

The Broadcasting Act also sets out the conditions under which licences are granted. Responsibility for the award of sound broadcasting contracts to radio stations, including local radio stations, rests with the BAI. Further information on such issues is obtainable from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Appropriate information and contact details are on their website www.bai.ie.

Alternative Energy Projects

Liz McManus

Question:

227 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the new biomass tariffs; if he will confirm whether a State aid submission has been sent to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/10]

In May of this year, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for electricity generated from biomass, ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15 cent per kilowatt hour depending on the technology deployed. State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the new feed in tariffs can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid submission together with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and this will be forwarded to the Commission today.

Bobby Aylward

Question:

228 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will guarantee a REFIT rate of €0.15 cent per kW-h to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to allow them to proceed with the development of an anaerobic digester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40532/10]

Anaerobic Digestion plants will be supported under new Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) scheme for electricity generated from biomass. This scheme is not yet open to applications, and therefore no commitment can be made in relation to individual projects. State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the biomass tariffs can be implemented. My Department is finalising the State Aid submission with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for transmission to the Commission today. There will be a number of criteria to be met by applicants under the scheme including compliance with High Efficiency CHP standards.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

229 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or under any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership which were established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in this period; and the purpose of these allocations. [40707/10]

The Social Partnership Agreement, Partnership 2000, provides for the creation of Partnership Committees in every Government Department. Such a Committee, which was in existence on the formation of my Department in June 2007, continues to function. No funding has been allocated to that Committee or persons associated with that Committee. Social partnership bodies in agencies under the aegis of my Department are the matter for the agencies in question.

Grant Payments

Michael McGrath

Question:

230 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an area aid grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40369/10]

Michael McGrath

Question:

231 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40370/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2010. The advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, issued on 28 October and 29 September, respectively. This application was subject to a random satellite eligibility inspection, on foot of which a ground inspection was conducted. The ground inspection confirmed that a significant portion of the area declared by the person named was ineligible for payment, which resulted in penalties being proposed. My officials will shortly write to the person named in this regard, outlining the level of penalty proposed and identifying the breaches of Scheme rules in question.

Animal Feedstuffs

Michael Creed

Question:

232 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider reviewing the licensing requirements for compound feed manufacturers where sales are confined to a local geographical area and where volumes of sales are restricted in view of the requirement to support primary producers in the tillage sector and the desirability of farm-to-farm sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40374/10]

EU Regulation 183/2005 on Feed Hygiene Regulations stipulates, inter alia, that all operators involved in the manufacture of compound feed must be registered with or approved by the competent authority in each Member State and must comply with its provisions to ensure feed safety. The Regulation does not contain any provision to allow Member States derogate from this requirement.

Grant Payments

Phil Hogan

Question:

233 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40377/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2010. The 50% advance payment, which issued 18 October, was in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the further payment due issuing shortly thereafter.

Michael Lowry

Question:

234 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application for a forestry planting grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40397/10]

An application from the person in question for afforestation grant aid is currently being processed by my Department. I understand that there is an issue with Provenance Certificates which is the subject of correspondence between my Department and the applicant's registered forester.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

235 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a single farm payment and an area-based payment have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40399/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 29 April 2010 with a claimed area of 8.90 hectares. On processing the application a parcel of land declared by the person named overlapped with another applicant's claimed area and both parties were written to in this regard. The person named incorrectly claimed the area in overlap, as it did not form part of the folio submitted by that person. The issue is now resolved and the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas for the person named has been fully processed and payment will issue shortly on the reduced area of 8.66 hectares.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

236 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a single farm payment has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the payment issued only on behalf of 12 entitlements when the applicant has 19.2 entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40400/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 07 May 2010. Payments under the Single Payment Scheme commenced on 18 October, with an advance payment of 50% issuing in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application required digitisation, immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, payment due in respect of the Single Payment Scheme will issue to the person named.

Denis Naughten

Question:

237 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a payment will issue to a person (detail supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40405/10]

An application under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 April 2010. Payments under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Single Payment Scheme have commenced nationally on 22 September 2010 and 18 October 2010 respectively. The person named submitted their application with 7 land parcels requiring re-digitisation. My Department has now completed this process. However, a response from the person named with regard to an over-claim is currently being processed. Immediately this process is complete, provided no further errors are identified, the application will be processed in full with a view to payments due issuing shortly thereafter.

Billy Timmins

Question:

238 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40425/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 21 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Animal Identification Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the results are now being processed. Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payments Scheme all Ground Eligibility Inspections must be completed before any payment can issue to any applicant under either scheme, including those not selected for a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

In 2010 some 3,500 farmers were selected for Ground Eligibility Inspections and all of these inspections were completed in advance of the first payments made under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme. A further 4,200 inspections were conducted by remote sensing without the need to visit the farm. In the vast majority of cases that were inspected amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing with priority being given to applications that were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

Wildlife Conservation

John Cregan

Question:

239 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the discussions between his Department and the national parks and wildlife service on the effects of afforestation and wind farms on the habitat of the hen harrier to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40427/10]

My Department is currently involved in discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the potential impact of proposed afforestation projects in a number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which have seen significant wind farm development in recent years. The discussions, which are examining the combined effect of afforestation and wind farms on hen harrier habitats within the SPAs, are expected to conclude before the end of 2010.

Grant Payments

Michael Creed

Question:

240 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proposal, if any, his Department is going to introduce to compensate farmers for higher bank interest charges on their bank loans to participate in the farm waste management scheme arising from the Government’s decision to pay the grants due on a phased basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/10]

The arrangements for payment of the remaining grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis were confirmed in early 2009 with 40 per cent being paid in that year as claims were approved. A further instalment of 40 per cent was paid early in 2010 and the final instalment of 20 per cent is due to be paid in early 2011. I also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount would be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants were partially deferred in the manner set out above. This payment will also be made in 2011. I have no plans to alter these arrangements.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

241 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40454/10]

Earlier this year, in response to the widespread frost which damaged the crops of potato and vegetable growers, I introduced an emergency, targeted aid scheme, designed to give a level of support to those affected. The conditions attaching to the scheme included the following:

Financial aid will only be paid in instances where genuine damage to crops was caused by the severe frost in January 2010.

All applications will be subject to an on-farm inspection and the damaged crops must be evident.

Aid will not be payable where frost damage to crops is covered by the farmer's insurance policy.

Decisions on applications will be made on a case-by-case basis taking into account the overall crops enterprise operated by the grower.

I am pleased to say that the application of the person named has now been fully processed and payment of the aid will issue shortly.

Niall Collins

Question:

242 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive their payments under the single farm payment scheme and under the disadvantaged area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40463/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 27 April 2010. While the advance payments under both Schemes have issued to the person named, these have been based on those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed with a view to the payments due issuing shortly thereafter.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

243 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment in respect of two separate schemes will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40466/10]

An application under the 2009 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2009. This application was fully processed and payment in full issued. Subsequently, however, a Cross Compliance penalty of 5% was applied, which has consequences for the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and REPS. While the person named was advised of this penalty in writing, I have arranged for an official of my Department to make direct contact with the person named regarding this matter.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

244 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40467/10]

My Officials have been in contact with the person named and are awaiting additional information from him in order to process his application for payment.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

245 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40468/10]

The person named submitted an adjusted plan in order to be admitted to the REPS 4 Scheme. My officials have been in touch with the applicants REPS Planner in the matter and will be writing to the applicant shortly regarding the outcome of his application.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

246 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40469/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2010. As a number of the land parcels declared by the applicant required digitisation, the advance payment, which issued to the person named, was calculated on the basis of the land clear at that stage. Immediately the re-digitising process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the further payments due issuing shortly thereafter.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

247 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40470/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payments Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2010. An advance payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued to the person named on 21 September and the balancing payment issued on 20 October 2010. The advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 18 October. Balancing payments under the Single Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 1 December 2010.

Animal Welfare Bodies

Michael Ring

Question:

248 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide funding to an organisation (details supplied); if he will allocate either similar funding as in 2009 or an increased amount in view of the necessary work it carries out and the substantial increase in its costs since 2009. [40478/10]

An application for ex-gratia funding has been received from the organisation in question. Provision of ex-gratia assistance this year is subject to the availability of funds and the application will be considered in this context and having regard to competing claims for financial assistance submitted by other animal welfare bodies.

Grant Payments

Michael Moynihan

Question:

249 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in issuing the payment for the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue. [40479/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantages Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 31 March 2010. The person named received an advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October on the basis of the land cleared at that time, as a number of parcels listed on the application required re-digitisation. While this process is now complete, it was found that the reference areas on a number of parcels had been over-claimed by the applicant in his application form. This required correspondence with the person named in order to clear the error and resolve the matter. Immediately this issue is resolved the application will be further processed, with a view to payment at an early date.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

250 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in issuing the payments for the disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork and when he expects payments to issue. [40480/10]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2010. Advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases based on the land cleared at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named requires re-digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the further payments due issuing shortly thereafter.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

251 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in issuing the payments for the disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork and when he expects payments to issue. [40481/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payments Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2010. The advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme, which issued on 20 October and 18 October respectively, were on the basis of the declared land clear at that stage. While a number of parcels listed on the application required digitising, as this process is now complete, the further payments due will issue shortly. Balancing payments under the Single Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing from 1 December 2010.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

252 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in issuing payments for the disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork and when he expects payments to issue. [40482/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payments Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. All of the land parcels declared required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, and providing no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the payment due under both Schemes issuing shortly thereafter.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

253 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in issuing payments for the disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork and when he expects payments to issue. [40483/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 29 April 2010. As a number of the land parcels declared by the applicant required digitisation, the advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme, which issued to the person named on 21 September and 18 October, respectively, were calculated on the basis of the land clear at that stage. Immediately the re-digitising process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the further payments due issuing shortly thereafter.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

254 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in issuing payment for the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork and when he expects payment to issue. [40484/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payments Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2010. A number of parcels on the application required digitising and this process is now complete. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas scheme issued to the person named on 20 October. The person named received advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme on the 18 October. Balancing payments under the Single Payment Scheme are due to commence on 1 December 2010.

John O'Mahony

Question:

255 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of the 2,897 Mayo farmers currently in REPS 4 that have received payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40497/10]

Payments in respect of the REPS 4 2010 scheme have not yet commenced. The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as soon as possible, the checks are likely to take some weeks to complete. The balancing payment of 25% can issue once all on-the-spot inspections for the year have taken place. The programme of inspections is well advanced at this stage.

John O'Mahony

Question:

256 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of the 1,468 Roscommon farmers currently in REPS 4 that have received payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40498/10]

Payments in respect of the REPS 4 2010 scheme have not yet commenced. The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as soon as possible, the checks are likely to take some weeks to complete. The balancing payment of 25% can issue once all on-the-spot inspections for the year have taken place. The programme of inspections is well advanced at this stage.

John O'Mahony

Question:

257 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of the 2,926 Galway farmers currently in REPS 4 that have received payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40499/10]

Payments in respect of the REPS 4 2010 scheme have not yet commenced. The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as soon as possible, the checks are likely to take some weeks to complete. The balancing payment of 25% can issue once all on-the-spot inspections for the year have taken place. The programme of inspections is well advanced at this stage.

John O'Mahony

Question:

258 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Mayo who are entitled to disadvantaged area payment; the number who have received their correct payment; the reason the correct payment has not been made; when will all farmers receive their payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/10]

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 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme 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.

A total of 11,646 applications were received from County Mayo under the 2010 Scheme, of which, 9,646 have received payment. It should be appreciated, however, that annually in the region of 1,000 applicants, who are identified as having declared DAS-eligible land, do not qualify for payment, due to not otherwise meeting the Scheme requirements, principally either the requirement as regards the minimum stocking density (0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for a three consecutive month period), or the minimum holding size of three hectares. Payments under the 2010 Scheme are continuing to issue as individual cases are processed.

John O'Mahony

Question:

259 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Mayo who are entitled to the single farm payment; the number who have received their correct payment; the reason the correct payment has not been made; when will all farmers receive their payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40501/10]

The earliest permissible date for payment under the EU Single Payment Scheme is 1st December. However, in 2010 I made a special case to the European Commission and secured agreement to make an advance payment of 50% from 18th October. As in the case of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, I arranged for payments to be made to applicants, where the only outstanding issue was non-digitised maps. In addition, for the first time I made provision this year to have supplementary amounts paid to farmers who did not receive their full advance payment because all of their land was not clear at the time of the advance.

The balancing SPS payments of 50% will commence on 1st December. My Department received, from applicants in County Mayo, a total of 11,176 Single Farm Payment applications. Since payments commenced two weeks ago, 9,709 farmers of these have received an advance payment. There are 856 farmers remaining that have received a partial payment as they have submitted maps, which require re-digitising. Advance payments under the 2010 Scheme are continuing to issue as individual cases are processed and the errors that are currently holding-up payments are cleared. In addition, those who have received partial advance payments will receive supplementary amounts as their applications are fully processed provided that there are no other errors involved.

Willie Penrose

Question:

260 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to have payments due under the single farm payments scheme, disadvantaged areas scheme and the REP scheme paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if this payment can now be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40664/10]

An application under the 2010 Single Payments Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2010. A number of parcels listed by the person named required re-digitisation and this process is now complete. Full payment of the Disadvantaged Area Scheme will issue to the person named in the coming days while the 50% advance on the Single Farm Payment will also issue shortly. Balancing payments of the Single Payment Scheme are due to commence on 1 December.

The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments as soon as possible, the checks are likely to take several more weeks to complete. The person named will receive his 75% REPS 4 payment at this stage, provided that his application has cleared all checks. The balancing payment of 25% can issue once all on-the-spot inspections for the year have taken place. The programme of inspections is well advanced at this stage.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

261 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive their area aid single farm premium and their suckler cow grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40703/10]

The person named registered 63 animals under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme and was paid in full. 40 animals were registered under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has issued on three animals and the remaining animals have been processed for payment, which will issue shortly. An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. One of the parcels listed on the application of the person named requires re-digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the payment due issuing shortly thereafter.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

262 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40706/10]

It was not possible to provide the information requested within the required timeframe. However, I have arranged for this information to be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Correspondence

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

263 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to confirm that he personally, or a member of the staff in his ministerial office or a member of his Department’s staff, acting as his representative or on his behalf, received a letter, sent by registered post, addressed to him and marked personal, from a person (details supplied) on 6 September 2010; where this letter is currently residing within his Department; if he will instruct his officials to formally acknowledge the receipt of this letter by return post; if he will personally read and reply to the letter so that the serious matter between his Department and this person can be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40412/10]

This correspondence was received in my Office and a reply will issue to the individual concerned as soon as possible.

Departmental Transport

Simon Coveney

Question:

264 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of State vehicles in use by his Department; if a small pool of vehicles is in use; if so, the number, make and age of these vehicles; the annual cost of fuel, depreciation, staffing for these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40494/10]

My Department has only one small 1.5 cc Renault van which is used for the collection and delivery of documents etc for the Department within Dublin where the Department and its Offices are located in 6 different buildings. The Renault van was purchased new in June 2008 and is not due for replacement for some years. Last year the total cost of diesel fuel for the Renault van was €668.61 and the depreciation came to €2,718. The Service Officers who drive the 2008 Renault van for the Department do so as part of their normal duties.

Job Losses

Enda Kenny

Question:

265 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he had been contacted by a company (details supplied) in County Mayo in advance of the 200 redundancies announced this week; his views on the announcement of these redundancies; his plans to liaise with the company in respect of possibly avoiding these redundancies and safeguarding the remaining 800 positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40528/10]

Enda Kenny

Question:

266 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to any proposals by the Industrial Development Authority to ensure new employment is provided to replace the 200 positions being made redundant at a company (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the IDA has been contacted by the company in respect of the announced 200 redundancies; the activity that has been undertaken by the IDA to promote employment within County Mayo during 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40529/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.

IDA Ireland is in constant contact with Baxter Pharmaceuticals, one of its key client companies in County Mayo. The Agency works on an ongoing basis with the company, and in particular was closely involved with the company in developing its transformation programme, which was announced 3 years ago. In November 2007, Baxter announced a €75m investment programme to transform its operations /manufacturing plants at Castlebar and Swinford, County Mayo, strengthening the future of both plants. The investment was made to develop new technologies and higher value products, improve manufacturing processes, upgrade facilities and re-skill staff. At the time the company employed 900 full time staff plus 100 temporary employees at its Mayo plants.

On the 28th October 2010 the company announced that it planned to seek 150 permanent voluntary redundancies, and the conclusion of 50 temporary contracts. According to the company the decision to seek redundancies was taken following the economic downturn, the subsequent impact on European healthcare cost-savings measures and the ongoing need to improve cost competitiveness. It ensures the manufacturing operations in Mayo are strengthened. The company remains committed to its Mayo plants, which remain a central part in the global Baxter manufacturing network, and will continue to invest in process and technology improvements at the plants. The company will continue to employ circa 900 people when the redundancies are completed.

Key to IDA Ireland's Strategy for County Mayo within the West Region is to progress the development of a knowledge based economy so that the county and particularly the linked hub of Castlebar and Ballina with Westport as a priority location can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment. IDA Ireland's strategy for the West region is to:

Support the growth and development of the Region's existing clients by working with them to increase their strategic importance through additional functions and activities

To market the West region to overseas clients in order to secure new Greenfield investment.

Strengthen the West Region's product offering by working with relevant partners, including Local Authorities, third level institutions and service providers to enhance the region's Ecosystem.

Provide property solutions with supporting infrastructure to attract foreign direct investment.

In this regard, IDA has and is investing significantly in the provision of planned and focused property solutions in the West region and specifically in Mayo with the development of Business and Technology Parks in Westport and Castlebar and the purchase of c.11.55ha of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road in Ballina from Mayo County Council. There are 18 IDA supported companies in Mayo employing over 2,918 in permanent jobs and circa 500 in temporary and contract employment.

IDA Ireland recognises the need to provide high value employment opportunities in Mayo which will provide sustainable long-term jobs. IDA Ireland's strategies have proved successful to date in Ireland, despite the difficult and ever changing global economy. The level of foreign direct investment in Ireland, relative to the size of the economy, is one of the highest in Europe. IDA Ireland is confident that the strategies and policies being pursued in County Mayo together with the ongoing commitment to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of overseas investment and jobs. The most recent example of this was the announcement last month by healthcare company Hollister to create a further 250 jobs in Ballina.

Employment Support Services

John Deasy

Question:

267 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs being supported in Waterford city under the employment subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40660/10]

John Deasy

Question:

268 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs being supported in Waterford county under the employment subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40661/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

Due to confidentiality reasons and the potential to identify individual companies, Employment Subsidy Scheme (Temporary) approvals for any county are not broken down into city and county approvals. Under the first call of the Employment Subsidy Scheme, 8 companies in Waterford City and County were approved €2,310,400 towards 254 subsidies. These companies committed to maintain 2,624 employees to 30 November 2010. Under the second call of the Employment Subsidy Scheme, 29 companies in Waterford City and County were approved €1,290,380 towards 161 subsidies. As a result of being approved these subsidies, these companies committed to maintain 1,612 employees to 30 November 2010.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

269 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40711/10]

It has not been possible, in the time available, for my officials to compile the information requested. However, I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as all the information has been compiled.

Employment Support Services

Richard Bruton

Question:

270 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has had meetings with the administration of an organisation (details supplied) to search for new buyers who would preserve the skills and experience of the workforce; if he will play a role in the approval of acquisitions or mergers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40730/10]

Immediately following the announcement of the impending redundancies in Quinn Insurance, I met with the Court appointed Administrators in the company of officials from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and FÁS. The Administrators briefed us on the situation within the company.

Following the redundancy announcement, I put in place an inter-agency group comprising the relevant state agencies and I appointed former chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, Dan Flinter as chair, to ensure that every possible resource was put in place to support the employment prospects of all those affected. The work of this group included provision of information in relation to further education and upskilling, seeking other employment opportunities as well as exploring their potential as regards setting up a new business. Under the merger provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 and subject to certain financial thresholds, proposed mergers and acquisitions require regulatory clearance from the Competition Authority. I have no role in this process, other than in the case of "media mergers" to which no threshold notification limitations apply.

Employment Rights

Richard Bruton

Question:

271 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of workers estimated to be employed at each of the various regulated wages, minimum wage, joint labour committees, regulation orders and so on; the number of cases of non-compliance identified by the National Employment Rights Authority; the number of workers involved; if he will indicate whether cases of non-compliance arose from inability to pay or merely a refusal to respect the provisions. [40732/10]

Reliable data on the number of workers that come within the scope of Employment Regulation Orders, Registered Employment Agreements and other regulated wages are not available.

The table provides details of the number of employers inspected under the REA, ERO and NMW provisions. It shows the total number of employers that were found to be in breach of these provisions. It shows a breakdown between non-monetary breaches and monetary breaches. Non-monetary breaches largely relate to record keeping. These figures relate to all of 2009 and up to 22nd October 2010 and refer to breaches in respect of The National Minimum Wage, Registered Employment Agreements, and Statutory Instruments (Employment Regulation Orders) that were detected by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) in the course of inspections. The NERA Case Management System does not allow for the capture of details in relation to the numbers of workers involved, or the reasons why employers failed to comply with the respective provisions.

2009

2010 (to 22 Oct)

No. of Employers inspected

Total No. in Breach

No. with Monetary Breaches

No. of Employers inspected

Total No. in Breach

No. with Monetary Breaches

NMW

2,981

200

165

1,235

83

50

REA

410

177

114

228

124

72

ERO

1,256

807

668

901

611

458

4,537

1184

947

2,364

818

580

Departmental Programmes

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

272 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to address the problems experienced by those disadvantaged in rural areas in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39493/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

273 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to address the problems experienced by those in disadvantaged in urban areas in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39494/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

276 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to extend the CLÁR scheme to cater for the increasing needs arising from the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39497/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

277 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans if any to extend the RAPID scheme to cater for the increasing needs arising from the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39498/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

279 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has carried out an assessment of the emerging needs of rural communities with a view to how best to address such issues in the ongoing economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39500/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

280 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has carried out an assessment of the emerging needs of urban communities with a view to how best to address such issues in the ongoing economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39501/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

282 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he intends to expand or extend the range of schemes operated directly by his Department or groups or bodies under its aegis to assist community based groups involved in the campaign against drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39503/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

283 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to modify urban oriented schemes operated by his Department to meet requirements of the continuing economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39504/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272, 273, 276, 277, 279, 280, 282 and 283 together.

As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances, we continue to be faced with difficult decisions. Over the course of the economic downturn, the Government has considered a number of measures to maintain not only a prudent fiscal outturn for 2010 but also to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the Government and my Department remain very committed to the entire range of urban, rural, Gaeltacht and island communities we serve. Clearly, given the prevalent financial circumstances, objectives will have to be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money against these constraints. The Deputy will appreciate that the individual 2011 allocations for my Department will not be decided until the Estimates process is completed within the framework of the forthcoming Budget. However, I will strive to protect, to the greatest extent possible, the daily front-line services provided with funding from my Department, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities.

Grant Payments

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

274 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applicants for assistance for grant aid directly through his Department or groups or bodies under its aegis in each of the past two years in County Kildare; the extent of the response; the extent to which provision is likely to be made for such schemes in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39495/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

275 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applicants for assistance for grant aid directly through his Department or groups or bodies under its aegis in each of the past two years; the extent of the response; the extent to which provision is likely to be made for such schemes in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39496/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

278 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of recipients of various forms of grant aid or assistance through schemes operated through or by his Department in the past 12 months; the position regarding such schemes in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39499/10]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

281 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the full range of schemes or incentives operated by his Department or bodies under its aegis with a view to addressing the needs of rural communities affected by the ongoing economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39502/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274, 275, 278 and 281 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on our website at www.pobail.ie . In addition, details of payments made from subheads part-funded from the National Lottery are listed on my Department's website. My Department's gross expenditure outturn for 2008 was €540.421m and for 2009 was €458.863m. The Further Revised Estimate gross allocation for 2010 is €440.864m. The table provides a breakdown for each of my Department's programme areas.

Programme Area

Expenditure 2008

Expenditure 2009

Further Revised Estimate Allocations 2010

€m

€m

€m

Developing Communities

171.142

160.843

131.785

Tackling Drugs Misuse

65.207

39.377

36.182

Rural Development

97.111

92.678

85.490

Gaeltacht and Islands Development

111.296

86.745

62.943

Promotion and Maintenance of the Irish Language

7.420

8.902

8.012

North-South Co-Operation

68.011

52.676

52.229

Equality

n/a

n/a

11.063

Disability

n/a

n/a

6.401

Other Services

n/a

n/a

27.218

Administration

20.234

17.465

19.541

Total

540.421

458.863

440.864

While expenditure under these programme areas takes place countrywide, it is not possible to give a full county-by-county breakdown of the funding. For example, a number of my Department's programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no comprehensive or detailed breakdown on a county basis are held by my Department. In addition, groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not necessarily constituted on a single-county basis.

In view of the wide range of my Department's schemes and programmes and the large volumes of applications received thereunder on an ongoing basis, I am not satisfied that the work involved in compiling and collating the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy would be feasible or justified. However, if the Deputy has any specific queries relating to a particular scheme, I would be glad to seek to provide him with the relevant information.

Questions Nos. 276 and 277 answered with Question No. 272.
Question No. 278 answered with Question No. 274.
Questions Nos. 279 and 280 answered with Question No. 272.
Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 274,
Questions Nos. 282 and 283 answered with Question No. 272.

Departmental Expenditure

Frank Feighan

Question:

284 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the implications the infrastructure investment projects, 2010 to 2016, will have for his Department; the projects that will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39639/10]

Firstly, may I draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that the figures set out in the document referred to by him relate solely to the capital allocations for my Department and do not take account of the significant amounts allocated to its currently-funded programmes. While the recently published Capital Review does propose a significant reduction in my Department's capital allocation from €105m in 2010 to €86m for each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, my understanding is that all of these figures will be subject to ongoing review. In addition, proposed allocations post-2013 will also be informed by a mid-term review. Furthermore, all of the figures are indicative at this time and the 2011 allocations will not be decided until the Estimates process is completed within the framework of the forthcoming Budget.

As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances we are faced with difficult decisions. The Government has considered a number of measures to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn, not only for 2010 but also to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

Within this context, my primary concern is to make every effort to ensure that the daily front-line services provided with funding from my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities. In the prevalent financial circumstances, objectives will have to be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money notwithstanding these constraints.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Frank Feighan

Question:

285 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently published Economic and Social Research Institute report on poverty trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39640/10]

The findings of the ESRI report highlight the significant progress that was made in reducing poverty between 2004 and 2007 for all life cycle groups. Specifically, the consistent poverty rate fell from 6.6 per cent to 5.1 per cent of the population over three years, a reduction of a quarter. The at-risk-of-poverty rate declined from 19.4 per cent to 16.5 per cent, a fall of 15 per cent. 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 higher welfare payments and increased employment.

Combating poverty and building an inclusive society remain key priorities The overall goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 is to reduce consistent poverty to between 2 and 4 per cent by 2012 and to eliminate it by 2016. The latest 2008 poverty results show 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. I believe that the ESRI report will make an important contribution to shaping the policy responses formulated by Government to achieve this goal.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

286 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40708/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible in the time available to provide the information requested relating to certain payments made by my Department and by bodies funded from its Vote Group. I will arrange to have the information forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Decentralisation Programme

David Stanton

Question:

287 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if his Department or the Defence Forces will be purchasing or providing bus services or other transport services to bring personnel affected by decentralisation to new offices in Newbridge, County Kildare; if so, the number of personnel involved and the estimated cost of same per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40704/10]

The Department of Defence is moving to Newbridge, Co. Kildare under the decentralisation programme. All of the Department's Dublin based civil service staff will relocate to Newbridge. The Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chiefs of Staff and a number of other military personnel will also relocate. Relocation of staff to the new building has commenced and will be completed by 8 November 2010. There are no plans to organise, provide or purchase transport services for staff reporting to the new premises in Newbridge.

David Stanton

Question:

288 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if his Department or the Defence Forces are purchasing or providing bus or other transport services to bring personnel to work as a result of workplace location changes; if so, the number of personnel involved; the locations to which they are being transported; the cost of this transport respectively on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40705/10]

The Department of Defence is moving to Newbridge, Co. Kildare under the decentralisation programme. All of the Department's Dublin based civil service staff will relocate to Newbridge. The Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chiefs of Staff and a number of other military personnel will also relocate. There are no plans to organise, purchase or provide transport for staff as a result of workplace location changes.

Departmental Bodies

Róisín Shortall

Question:

289 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of all bodies, committees or groups under his Department or any of the agencies within his Department’s remit associated with social partnership established in the past 15 years; the details of all funding allocated to these bodies in that period; the details of all funding provided to social partnership bodies or persons associated with such bodies in the period and the purpose of these allocations. [40709/10]

There are no bodies, committees or groups under the Department of Defence or any of the agencies within the Department's remit associated with Social Partnership.

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