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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Oct 2011

Vol. 743 No. 2

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 11, inclusive, answered orally.

Industrial Development

Sandra McLellan

Question:

12 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new business start-ups that have been achieved in the seven months since he came to office, on a county basis; and his targets for the next 12 months. [28887/11]

My Department does not compile specific annual statistics on the number of new business start-ups that have commenced trading in the State nor their geographic location. Such business start-ups would not be required to be advised to my Department or to the agencies reporting to me. Responsibility for statistical information rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The latest CSO Business Demography returns are in respect of 2009 and were published in 2011. Data in respect of subsequent years is not yet available.

Entrepreneurial activity can also be considered in the context of company formations and data from the Company's Registration Office (CRO) indicates that during the 7 month period in question 8656 companies were incorporated. This would appear to indicate an increase on 2010 which saw 14013 companies incorporated in the year as a whole. The establishment of Start Ups and supporting the development of innovation-led high potential start-up companies with a strong export focus is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland offers equity investment to HPSU clients on a co-funded basis, which typically leverages significant 3rd party investment.

The County and City Enterprise Boards support the micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote entrepreneurship at local level and to assist the development of sustainable growth-orientated micro-enterprises which can generate job creation at a local level and which, over time, can develop into strong export entities and transfer to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. Their focus has increasingly been on the development of sustainable growth-orientated local enterprise, which can deliver high quality job creation without displacement or deadweight. Through the provision of both financial and non-financial support the Boards have assisted many micro-enterprises in developing their growth and export potential.

Furthermore, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a Microfinance Start-Up Fund to provide loans to small businesses is being developed. My Department is taking the lead on this initiative and has met with relevant stakeholders, including the European Investment Bank, organisations with experience in the area of Microfinance in Ireland as well as with the relevant Government Departments. The Fund, including scheme design and appropriate delivery mechanisms, will be developed with a view to formalising proposals in the context of Budget 2012.

Details of start-ups assisted by Enterprise Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards since March 2011 are set out in the tables. It is intended that Enterprise Ireland will assist as many as 95 HPSUs in the course of 2012. Start-ups assisted by the CEBs in 2012 are likely to be of the same order as for 2011 with 700 enterprises likely to be assisted for the full year.

Start-ups assisted by Enterprise Ireland

County

No of Start-ups assisted since March 2011

Carlow

1

Clare

1

Cork

3

Donegal

2

Dublin

36

Galway

5

Kildare

1

Leitrim

1

Limerick

4

Louth

1

Meath

1

Offaly

1

Sligo

1

Waterford

3

Wicklow

2

Total

63

County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs)

No. of start-ups since March 2011

Carlow

12

Cavan

4

Clare

26

Cork City

13

Cork North

9

Cork South

19

Cork West

7

Donegal

7

Dublin City

21

Dublin South

4

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown

18

Fingal

16

Galway

21

Kerry

21

Kildare

11

Kilkenny

8

Laois

4

Leitrim

11

Limerick City

9

Limerick County

9

Longford

10

Louth

18

Mayo

7

Meath

9

Monaghan

7

Offaly

18

Roscommon

10

Sligo

12

Tipperary North

11

Tipperary South

4

Waterford City

20

Waterford County

19

Westmeath

17

Wexford

6

Wicklow*

0

Total

402

*Figures not available within deadline.

Credit Availability

Niall Collins

Question:

13 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether Irish business are experiencing great difficulties in accessing credit; the measures he will take to alleviate these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28825/11]

The initiatives taken by the Minister for Finance to restructure and re-capitalise the banking system is the principal response to making credit available. At the end of March 2011, a range of measures was announced to reorganise, recapitalise and deleverage the domestic financial system in order to restore the banks to health and continue to provide a secure banking system for deposits.

This latest restructuring of the domestic banking sector creates capacity for the pillar banks to lend in excess of €30 billion over the next three years in SME and other important sectors. This is in excess of Central Bank estimates of the likely demand for SME and mortgage credit over this period. Government has imposed lending targets on the two domestic pillar banks for the three calendar years, 2011 to 2013. Both banks will be required to sanction lending of at least €3 billion this year, €3.5 billion next year and €4 billion in 2013 for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs.

In addition to the initiatives of the Minister for Finance, work is underway within my Department on the design of a Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme. The Scheme will provide a level of guarantee to banks against losses on qualifying loans to job-creating firms to get banks lending again to industry and entrepreneurs. This Scheme will be closely targeted at commercially viable, well performing companies that have a solid business plan and a defined market for their products or services which can demonstrate repayment capacity for the additional credit facilities but which do not secure credit facilities due to the following two market failures:

Insufficient collateral for the additional facilities or,

Growth / expansionary SMEs which due to their sectors, markets or business model are perceived higher risk under current credit risk evaluation practices.

A loan guarantee would be provided by the guarantor (the State) to the lender, under strict criteria to target the identified market failure, thereby facilitating the outflow of additional credit from the banks. The scheme will be introduced on a temporary basis with a review after year one before any commitment is given to extending the scheme for a further period of time. This scheme will form a key component in the suite of initiatives aimed at ensuring the flow of credit.

Furthermore, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a Microfinance Start-Up Fund to provide loans to small businesses is being developed. My Department is also taking the lead on this initiative and has met with relevant stakeholders, including the European Investment Bank, organisations with experience in the area of Microfinance in Ireland, as well as with the relevant Government Departments. The Fund, including scheme design and appropriate delivery mechanisms, will be developed with a view to formalising proposals in the context of Budget 2012.

Industrial Development

Sean Fleming

Question:

14 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to bring forward proposals in relation to developing the digital gaming industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28830/11]

The Programme for Government identified digital gaming as a sector with high potential for jobs growth in the coming years. The global games sector is expected to increase in size from 59.3 billion US Dollars at present, to 82 billion US Dollars by 2015. Ireland is well placed to capture a share of this market and we could potentially create an extra 2,500 jobs in the sector within three years.

Over the last two years, we have seen over 25 new names enter the games landscape in Ireland, including leading global games companies such as EA/Bioware, Zynga, Big Fish, Activision and Popcap. We have a strong cohort of new Irish entrepreneurial companies in the sector and a number of our indigenous companies have achieved global recognition, including Havok, Demonware and Jolt Online. Last April, I asked Forfás to prepare a report for me on the potential of the games industry in Ireland. The Forfás report "The Games Sector in Ireland — An Action Plan for Growth", was presented to me in the last few weeks and was published last Monday, 10th October.

The report sets out the opportunities for growth in the sector in the next few years and identifies actions which need to be taken to underpin and accelerate growth in the longer term. The report confirms the potential that exists for Ireland to fully assert itself as a global games hub for the 21st century. The games sector can also be a catalyst for growth in the wider digital economy in related activities such as animation, TV/Film production, advertising, e-learning and the range of support services that are now an integral part of the games landscape.

The Forfás report contains a number of recommendations covering six key areas:

Building a cluster within the sector here in Ireland.

Enhancing skills and experience to support the industry as it evolves.

Building international visibility of the Irish games sector, highlighting what companies can achieve here in Ireland.

Accelerating growth in creative development activities.

Driving R&D and Innovation, and

Delivering robust and cost competitive broadband to underpin growth.

Success for Ireland in the games sector, however, is not a given — many other countries are pursuing aggressive strategies in developing the sector as a significant contributor to economic growth. We will need decisive action, both on the part of Government and the industry itself, to anticipate the future direction of the industry sector to respond appropriately. The industry has an important role to play by continuously upskilling its staff and through active engagement with Third Level educational institutions to ensure the relevance of courses they provide. Career opportunities in the sector also need to be promoted.

I will be considering the Forfás report in further detail with a view to identifying the most effective means of implementing the actions outlined in the report and I will work with my Government colleagues to deliver on these actions. The full report on the Digital Games sector is available on Forfás's website, www.Forfas.ie.

Mick Wallace

Question:

15 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will publish the plans and proposals prepared by the Industrial Development Agency Ireland for increased actions and activities in the south-east region due to be completed by 12 October 2011; the action he will take on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28869/11]

Ciara Conway

Question:

17 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress being made on a jobs strategy for the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28651/11]

Mick Wallace

Question:

23 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consult with stakeholders in the south east in relation to the plans and proposals prepared by the Industrial Development Agency Ireland for increased actions and activities in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28870/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 17 and 23 together.

As the Deputy is aware, following the TalkTalk closure announcement, I held a series of meetings with company management, workers, public representatives and business. The message from local stakeholders was very clear in that Waterford has not benefited from the advances in the good times and it has been badly affected in the more difficult times of late. On foot of that, I instructed my agencies to put together an action plan for Waterford and the South East region to look at the areas they can intensify, at the way the region is being supported and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the area. There was a sense that there needed to be this sort of hard analysis as to why Waterford and the Region, with the strengths it has, has not been more successful.

The agencies have now reported back and I am considering their responses with regard to how best to address the specific employment problems affecting the South East. I consider this course of action more appropriate than establishing a Task Force given the timeframe of the site closure, the need for swift action and the fact that a large amount of analysis has been undertaken in the past. When I have completed my considerations, we will look afresh at what action can be taken and whether there are further deeper issues, which need to be assessed in some other way. I am determined to give Waterford the priority it correctly deserves. We need to take a hard look at this to see how we can better support enterprise in the South East and set out the actions we can take in the near term and in the longer term.

As the various reports from the State agencies include commercially sensitive information, I will not be able to publish them as received. However, it is my intention to make known the additional activities and plans for enterprise support when I complete my considerations.

I acknowledge the support of Cabinet colleagues, in particular Ministers for Social Protection and for Education and Skills who responded immediately. FÁS and the Department of Social Protection staff immediately engaged with TalkTalk workers. The Minister for Education and Skills indicated that work on the proposal for a technological university, which is to be explored as part of the programme for Government, is being accelerated. Clear criteria will be developed for that opportunity, which arose in discussions. The Minister for Education and Skills has submitted an application under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to assist the workers that have lost their jobs.

While it is clear that Ireland is operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland and for the South East. In particular, IDA has begun marketing the TalkTalk facility and the skillsets of the workers internationally.

Jobs are at the very top of this Government's agenda, and if we are to achieve the turnaround in employment that we so badly need, we must implement radical reform across every aspect of the economy. I have spoken before about the need for an innovation revolution — a revolution that brings innovation out of the laboratories and into our businesses, our communities, our schools, our public bodies and every aspect of our economy.

We must broaden our strengths over and above the reliance on the traditional foreign direct investment that has served us so well. Within the multinational sector, we must seek to attract international entrepreneurs to start businesses in Ireland, and must strive continually to encourage the world-leading companies already here to locate the pioneering parts of their businesses here. However, we must also recognise that our indigenous companies have the potential to significantly increase their exports, and do what it takes to create a real indigenous engine of growth.

We must learn from the world-leading companies that we have attracted to Ireland and find ways of ensuring that our indigenous companies can lead the world in the vital processes that add value and create employment: productivity, design, management and research and development. If we are to bring about these types of changes, we need a plan, and that is why I have committed to prepare a comprehensive Jobs Strategy. This Strategy will not attempt to compete with the large number of reports already prepared on this subject, but will draw from the volume of material already available, as well as the level of expertise available both in Ireland and abroad. I have already started a rolling process of engagement on the issues and intend to create an action plan that Government can take to address our challenges.

The Strategy will aspire to:

Create over 200,000 jobs to have 2 million people at work again

Be the best country in which to run an enterprise

Significantly increase the share of our indigenous business in export markets

Return to and stay in the top five countries for cost competitiveness; and

Ensure once again that all our children can have a future in Ireland.

Job Losses

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

16 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs lost throughout the various skilled categories in each of the past ten years to date; the research undertaken to determine the reason for such losses; the action taken; the extent to which the issues noted have been resolved in the context of making this country an attractive location for investment in jobs in the future; the number of new jobs with a similar skill set requirement that have been created in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28853/11]

My Department does not collate data in relation to the number of jobs lost or created throughout the various skilled categories. However, the CSO in the Quarterly National Household Survey compiles data in relation to changes in employment by occupational category. In the time allowed it has not been possible for my Department to provide the data sought by the Deputy for a ten year period. However, I have circulated to the Deputy graphs which show the employment changes, in thousands, in certain occupations from Q4 2010 compared to Q3 2007 when employment peaked. Other data which may be of interest to the Deputy can be found on the CSO website.

There were declines of 400,000 across various occupational categories over the period — the occupations shown in the first graph are those in which there were net losses of 5,000 or more. This is a broad indicator of changes in employment by skill categories and qualifications. Some occupations have been in long term decline e.g. farm owners and managers. Some are highly dependent on growth in the domestic economy, disposable income and tourism. A significant proportion of the decline in recent years relates to construction, particularly in skilled trades and crafts.

The most common theme from the CSO preliminary census results for 2011 indicates that the occupations that have increased in the recession are mainly professional, managerial and or technical positions, reflecting a rising demand for higher skills and qualifications, for example, while the annual increase in ICT sector employment (+4% for 2010) is modest, an increasing share of employment within the sector is being accounted for by people with high-level skills. This is a result of a shift in subsector employment from hardware towards software; a general shift in the skills mix; and a pattern of simultaneous creation and loss of jobs, resulting in lower-skilled jobs being replaced with higher-skilled.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Irish Government on current and future skills needs of the economy and on other labour market issues that impact on Ireland's enterprise and employment growth. It has a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and met. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs provides advice to Government on skills issues impacting enterprise through skills foresight & benchmarking; strategic advice on building skills through education and training; data collection and analysis on demand and supply of skilled labour.

The Group works directly in consultation with enterprises (foreign and Irish-owned) to identify specific current and future skills needs. This analysis enables education and training providers to adapt provision to address skills needs. It is also used to underpin labour market activation programmes such as the recent HEA Springboard initiative, a competitive call for provision of higher education places for the unemployed.

The Department of Education and Skills has responsibility for the implementation of labour activation measures and a number of initiatives have been launched, including:

A €30 million labour market activation fund, supporting 55 projects by 42 providers delivered to 12,629 participants.

The Springboard Initiative which will provide 6,000 new places on higher education programmes for unemployed people. The initiative is targeted at those who were previously working but lost their jobs or were made redundant and who, with some upskilling, could fill current or future job shortages.

Another important initiative is JobBridge, the new national internship scheme that will provide work experience placements and will assist in breaking the cycle of unemployment for 5,000 jobseekers.

These labour market activation measures, combined with the increased numbers participating in further education and training and higher education, contribute to making Ireland a very attractive location for future start-ups, FDI and expansion within existing businesses. For much of the last decade, company location has been positive overall for Ireland. IDA Ireland has continued to attract and retain high value investments from leading global corporations. The combined influence of Ireland's improving competitiveness, our commitment to maintaining our 12.5% corporate tax rate, the development of our national infrastructure, the Government's investment in science, technology and innovation, and our strong skills base has been instrumental in this regard, and will continue to attract and increase the level of inward investment in Ireland. To date in 2011, the IDA has announced investment decisions which will create over 4,500 jobs in the Irish economy as the investments come on stream.

My Department works closely with the Department of Education and Skills and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs to ensure that our education and training programmes are developed and adapted to meet the needs of enterprises now and into the future.

Appendix 1

Source: CSO QNHS

Question No. 17 answered with Question No. 15.

Industrial Disputes

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

18 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will expedite payments to a person (details supplied). [28899/11]

This case refers to a Determination of the Employment Appeals Tribunal in which an award to the person was made and to the alleged failure of an employer to subsequently comply with its provisions. Enforcement of EAT Determinations is a matter for the courts. In this regard, I note that the person has secured an order of the Circuit Court seeking enforcement of the award. Enforcement, in these circumstances, is the responsibility of the relevant County Sheriff and my Department has no capacity to intervene.

Departmental Staff

Billy Kelleher

Question:

19 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of civil servants transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since the redeployment of responsibilities for trade to that Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28832/11]

My Department retains lead responsibility for trade policy including within the framework of EU Common Commercial policy and the WTO. These functions are directly linked to the sectoral enterprise and investment development responsibilities that are being developed by my Department and Agencies — as it is essential that we maintain a coherent approach between export, enterprise and investment policies. In addition, Export Control Licensing for military or dual use goods will remain in my Department. There are strong links between the licensing and control activity and the enterprise development role and the scientific and technical capacity of the agencies under my remit. In addition, my Department will continue to manage the compilation of detailed trade statistics, covering both exports and imports.

The Transfer of Functions Order which took effect on 1 June, 2011, has strengthened the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade by specifically transferring responsibility to that Department for the management and chairing of key Trade Promotion functions, specifically the Export Trade Council as well as responsibility for Joint Economic Commissions. Following the making of that order, three posts from the Bilateral Trade Unit of this Department were transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade later that month.

The Export Trade Council, now chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, oversees the implementation of the recommendations in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, which was launched in September 2010. I participate fully in the meetings and work of the new Council. That strategy has brought together all of the relevant agencies and Departments involved in promoting overseas trade, tourism and investment with an integrated approach to achieving a set of agreed priorities and targets for both existing and new high growth potential markets.

Responsibility for the organisation and management of Joint Economic Commissions (JECs), and for setting up any new Joint Economic Commissions, is now also a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Joint Economic Commissions are formal Intergovernmental bodies which provide a forum for discussing issues that relate to the development of economic and business cooperation and scientific and technological cooperation. Ireland currently operates five Joint Economic Commissions with key growth markets. I will work closely with the Tánaiste in planning a rolling programme of Trade missions. Our intention is to maximise the potential of these trade missions, by targeting market sectors and countries where there is significant potential for exports, research and business partnership and investment.

Departmental Reports

Derek Keating

Question:

20 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the names and number of external reports that were commissioned by his Department from 2004 to 2008 in tabular form; the cost of each one of these external reports; if these external reports were given out to tender; the name of the person or company who was commissioned for these external reports; his views of the benefits that these external reports served the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21414/11]

The information requested by the Deputy with regard to the external reports commissioned by previous Ministers in the Department from 2004 to 2008 is provided in tabular format. In the five year period, forty one reports were carried out at a total cost to the Department of €4,503,136.

In general, external reports are required, in the main, where the necessary expertise is not available within the Department or where there is a requirement to have an independent external valuation of a particular programme or policy area. As is clear from the information provided, with the exception of a small number of reports in specialist subject areas, the Department complied with the applicable tendering requirements where the amount was in excess of the threshold of €25k, which is the limit specified within the Department of Finance Public Procurement Guidelines for undertaking a formal tendering process. When commissioning reports that fall under the relevant threshold, standard practice in the Department is that at least three quotations are obtained.

In general, the commissioning of such reports contributes to the compilation of necessary evidence for the formulation of policy proposals which balance the needs of relevant stakeholders against the resources available to Government. On this basis, and given that the appropriate tendering procedures were followed in each case, I believe that the commissioning of these reports served the public interest. The Department advises that these reports were commissioned on the basis that the relevant Ministers were satisfied as to their contribution to the public interest.

Reports Commissioned by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: 2004-2008

2004

Name of Report Commissioned by Dept

Report Produced by

Objectives of Report

Cost(€)

Comment

Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity Plan

Helm Consultancy

To develop a Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity Plan for the Department

€84,172

Tendering procedure used

Evaluation of the expenditure review of Enterprise Ireland’s overseas office network and separate Evaluation of the IDA Property Programme

Prof. Helen O’Neill

An independent evaluation of the expenditure review report on IDA Ireland’s Property Programme and separate independent evaluation of the expenditure review of Enterprise Ireland’s overseas office network

€1,936

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

Analysis of the findings of questionnaires regarding the Enterprise Ireland overseas office networks and Department of Foreign Affairs missions

Ms Tara Downer

In the context of the expenditure review of Enterprise Ireland’s overseas offices network, an analysis of the findings of questionnaires regarding the agency’s overseas office networks and Department of Foreign Affairs missions.

€3,000

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

Expenditure Review of IDAIreland’s Property Programme

DTZ Pieda Consultancy and DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald

To provide an analysis of the role of property in attracting foreign direct investment.

€62,500 (consultancy fees) plus printing

Tendering procedure used

Usability Report of the Department’s website

Ennis Information Age Services

Audit of the Department’s website.

€7,139

Tendering procedure used

Customer Care Research

IPA and TNS/MRBI

Customer Care Research for the Department.

€78,752

Tendering procedure used

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) The First Years 2001-2005

Report of an International Evaluation Panel

Evaluation of SFI.

(Cost borne by Forfás)

Tendering procedure used

Consumer Strategy Group (CSG) Report — “Make Consumers Count”(including studies commissioned by the CSG)

A number of different consultants and supply / service companies were engaged by the Group during it’s lifetime to undertake work in respect of research, advertising, publications, web, etc.

The Consumer Strategy Group was appointed in March 2004 to advise and make recommendations for the development of a national consumer policy strategy.

€485,172

Tendering procedure used

Total

€722,671

2005

Name of Report Commissioned by Dept

Report Produced by

Objectives of Report

Cost(€)

Comment

Outcome of Consultations regarding the Employment Rights Bodies Group Report

Transition Management

To report on consultations with employment rights bodies and social partners

€11,616

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

An Assessment of the Increase in the Minimum Wage recommended by the Labour Court in 2005.

ESRI

Assessment of recommended increase to the minimum wage

€10,000

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

ESRI survey and report on the national minimum wage (NMW)

ESRI

To report on the results of the follow up survey on the NMW

€139,000 (this is the cost of survey and report)

The ESRI had carried out 3 previous surveys on the NMW which were tendered for — only 1 other company tendered for those projects. ESRIs methodology best suited the requirements set down. The proposal to award the contract was reviewed in accordance with D/Finance Circular 40/02.

Final Evaluation Report of Productive Sector Operational Programme (PSOP) 2000-2006

Fitzpatrick Associates

Compliance with EU Regulatory Requirements

€74,415

Tendering procedure used

Compliance with Company Law and the impact of the operations of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE)

llward Browne

To discover levels of compliance with Company Law and the impact of the operations of the ODCE.

€27,862

Tendering procedure used

Total

€262,893

2006

Name of Report Commissioned by Dept

Report Produced by

Objectives of Report

Cost(€)

Comment

An Assessment of the Increase in the Minimum Wage recommended by the Labour Court in 2006.

ESRI

Assessment of recommended increase in the Minimum Wage

€15,000

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

Audit of Patents Office Computer Systems

Tekenable

Conduct an auditof the PatentsOffice computer system to identify and quantify the benefits to be achieved by moving to latest technology.

€2,420

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

Report on the Economic Impact Assessment of Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Legislation.

Indecon

To report on the economic impact of occupational health and safety legislation and its effect on competitiveness and the economy.

€122,048 (includes printing costs).

Tendering procedure used

Total

€139,468

2007

Name of Report Commissioned by Dept

Report Produced by

Objectives of Report

Cost(€)

Comment

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

Vision Consultancy

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

€95,711

Tendering procedure used

Security Review

RITS

To conduct an Information Security Review of the Department’s ICT Systems and to make appropriate recommendations

€118,928

Tendering procedure used

Business Process Review

Vision 1 Software

To carry out a Business Process Review of the Department’s Insolvency Payments Section and to make appropriate recommendations

€20,364

Tendering procedure used

Market Research for Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

llward Browne IMS

To ascertain an overview of the company law compliance environment and the performance of the Office in the discharge of its functions.

€44,790 in 2007,€15,898 in 2008

Tendering procedure used

Value for Money Review of Science Foundation Ireland(SFI)

Indecon economic consultants

To examine SFI’s major funding programmes as part of the Government’s Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative.

€189,038

Tendering procedure used

Communications Strategy for Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Keating and Associates

To develop and advise on a Communications Strategy for ODCE

€32,670

Tendering procedure used

Bullying in the Workplace — Survey Reports, 2007.

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

2 national surveys were carried out to establish an update picture of workplace bullying in Ireland both in terms of the incidence of bullying for those in work and also to explore how organisations viewed the problem of bullying in their workplaces.

€277,006 (this was the combined total cost of the production of the 2 surveys, which were published in one report, includes printing costs).

Tendering procedure used

Total

€794,405

2008

Name of Report Commissioned by Dept

Report Produced by

Objectives of Report

Cost(€)

Comment

Data Backup and Storage Review

Computer Associates

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

€13,750

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

Business Process Review

Version 1

To prepare a report on the Insolvency Payments Section Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)

€13,177

Tendering procedure used

Project Management Review

Trigraph Professional Services

Review of ICT Unit Project Management Procedures & Practices

€2,995

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

IT Security Reviews

RITS

3 ICT Technical Reports on laptop encryption, the Department’s financials application and scans of on-line systems

€17,669

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

IT Security Review

RITS

Report of the forensics analysis of the European Structural Fund (ESF) website

€2,580

Below threshold for public advertising of contract

Companies Registration Office (CRO) Business Process Engineering Review (BPR)

Grant Thornton

BPR of the CRO

€71,874

Tendering procedure used

Review of Research, Development and Technological Innovation (RTDI) projects in receipt of EU Structural Funds

Contract-auditline (CAL)

Compliance with EU Regulatory Requirements

€38,130

Tendering procedure used

Health and Safety Active Monitoring Reports (Safety Audits) on each of the Department’s buildings

Corporate Risk Strategies Ltd.

The identify any risks/hazards in the Department and its Offices and to suggest control measures to be put in place to eliminate these risks so far as is reasonably practical.

€24,200

Tendering procedure used

Website Evaluation Report

IQ Content Ltd

Review of the Department’s website.

€41,261

Tendering procedure used

Evaluation of Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) Programme

Independent panel of experts chaired by Dr.Graham Farmello

To ensure that the DSE Programme remains strategically relevant and operationally efficient.

€52,541 (Represents half of the cost of the report, with the balance paid by Forfás)

Tendering procedure used

Report of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers

PriceWaterhouse- Coopers/ Emily Egan

To review the legislative framework in relation to the public interest aspects of media mergers and to make recommendations as appropriate.

€33,732

Tendering procedure used

Review of the Regulation of Petroleum Handling and Storage Facilities

ARUP Consulting Engineers

To support the Department in its review of Dangerous Substances legislation.

€145,301

Tendering procedure used

Report of Investigation of Bovale Developments

PwC Dublin

The ODCE initiated director disqualification proceedings based in part on this Report.The ODCE is satisfied that this Report and the ongoing legal action are serving the public interest.

€570,924

Contract awarded following interview process among several accountancy firms who were on the ODCE’s Panel of Accountancy Firms.

Report of Company Investigation (company name withheld until the legal proceedings commence)

PwC Belfast

The ODCE initiated director disqualification proceedings arising from its examination of this Report. These proceedings may be listed for hearing later this year. The ODCE is satisfied that this Report and the ongoing legal action is serving the public interest.

€155,565:It was carried out and paid for over 3 financial years2007 = €17,7932008 = €64,1302009 = €73,642

The Contractor in question had already completed an examination of the company under investigation, and was therefore the only firm qualified to undertake the assignment for the Office.

Report of the High Court Inspector into certain matters at DCC plc, S&L investments Ltd and Lotus Green Ltd.

Mr Bill Shipsey SC

The published Inspector’s Report clarified the circumstances surrounding the share dealings in question. The ODCE is satisfied that this Report served the public interest.

€1.4 million (2008-2010)

Tendering procedure used

Report on the Investigation into Petrol and Diesel Price Movements

National Consumer Agency

At the request of the then Tánaiste, the National Consumer Agency undertook to survey why pump prices for petrol and diesel had not fallen in line with the drop in the wholesale price of oil.

Cost borne by the National Consumer Agency

Not applicable

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

Competition Authority

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

Cost borne by the Competition Authority.

Not applicable

Report on The Cost of Running Retail Operations in Ireland

Forfás

At the request of the then Tánaiste, Forfás examined the comparative costs of running retail operations in a number of cities in Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands.

Cost borne by Forfás

Not applicable

Total

€2,583,699

Enterprise Support Services

Catherine Murphy

Question:

21 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the assistance available to start up and non-start up businesses for the employment of new staff; his plans for additional supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28789/11]

The role of my Department is to drive Ireland's competitiveness and productivity by creating the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities are grown and maintained. Operating under the aegis of my Department direct assistance to start-up and growth companies is provided by a number of Agencies including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland.

The role of the CEBs is to provide support for micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases, to develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.

The forms of financial assistance that are available, subject to certain restrictions and conditional on an agreed business plan include the following:

Priming Grant (payable up to 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser), available to micro-enterprises for business start-ups within the first 18 months of start-up.

Business Expansion/Development Grant (payable up to 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser), available to micro-enterprises to grow and develop the micro-enterprise.

Feasibility/Innovation Grant (payable up to €20,000 or 50% (S&E region)/60% (BMW region) of the investment, whichever is the lesser), available to micro-enterprises to assist with the cost of necessary pre-start up studies carried out for the purposes of assessing market interest in/demand for a proposed new product or service, the appropriateness of the associated funding plans, the general viability and sustainability of the venture and assistance with innovation.

In the case of Priming Grants and Business Expansion/Development Grants, all business costs directly attributable to starting a new business or growing and developing a business, save payments to State Bodies may be considered for support, including, where appropriate, an element of employment/salary costs for the 1st year of employment.

In addition, the provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of supports such as Programmes covering Start Your Own Business, Business Management and Capability Development, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education, and Women in Business networks. Due to the Boards unique relationship with their clients and the local business community they can specifically tailor their programmes to meet the evolving needs and requirements of these small enterprises going forward.

The range of financial and non-financial assistance available from the CEBs represents a broad suite of appropriate supports dedicated to the micro-enterprise sector. For the remainder of 2011 the CEBs will continue to support enterprise development in the sector and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development across the Country.

Sandra McLellan

Question:

22 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts he has made to reform the grant aid system here. [28888/11]

The various EU State Aid regulations and frameworks set out the types of activities that can be supported by the Member States and stipulate the maximum percentage of eligible costs that can be aided. These ceilings vary according to the type of aid measure involved but typically allow higher rates of aid for small and medium sized enterprises. Most measures are horizontal and do not have differentiated aid rates depending on the location of a company in the EU.

By contrast, the Regional Aid Guidelines govern the areas in which Member States may grant regional aid, more commonly known as investment aid. Investment aid is intended to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union in order to redress regional disparities. The Guidelines specify rules for the selection of regions which are eligible for regional aid and define the maximum permitted levels of this aid. Under Ireland's current Regional Aid Map, regions covering 50% of the population are entitled to grant Regional Aid.

Under the Regional Aid Map, the highest rates were afforded to the Border, Midlands and West (BMW) region. For the period of 2007 to the end of 2010, the region qualified for a rate of 30% for large firms; for medium and small firms the rates were 40% and 50% respectively. In accordance with the Guidelines, a reduced rate of aid for the BMW region is applicable from 1 January 2011: 15% for large companies, 25% and 35% for medium and small firms respectively. The maximum aid rates for eligible regions within the Southern and Eastern Region remain at 10% for large companies, 20% and 30% for medium and small firms respectively. No scope exists to renegotiate aid rates within the current Guidelines, which are due to expire on 31 December 2013. There are no proposals as yet from the European Commission on new Regional Aid Guidelines to apply after the end of 2013.

Question No. 23 answered with Question No. 15.

Economic Competitiveness

Gerry Adams

Question:

24 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the publication of Ireland’s competitiveness scorecard 2011 by the National Competitiveness Council. [24418/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

32 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reports or recommendations he has received from the National Competitiveness Council which reports to him. [24419/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 32 together.

Ireland's Competitiveness Scorecard 2011 was published by the National Competitiveness Council on 6th September. This annual benchmarking report analyses Ireland's competitiveness performance using 127 statistical indicators. These range from measures such as economic growth and quality of life, to policy inputs that will drive future competitiveness across areas such as the education system and the delivery of infrastructure. Drawing primarily on data from international sources (e.g. OECD, Eurostat, UN, etc.), the report benchmarks Ireland's performance, comparing and ranking it against 17 of our key competitors and the OECD or EU average.

The 2011 Scorecard finds that our competitiveness performance is mixed, with strengths in areas such as export performance, inward investment and improved productivity, but with weaknesses in other areas, including prices and labour costs. The National Competitiveness Council, in the report, states that a renewed focus on cost competitiveness is fundamental to our economic recovery. Notwithstanding the fact that cost competitiveness gains have been made since 2008, further significant progress is required to ensure Irish enterprises can compete internationally.

In addition to the annual benchmarking report, the National Competitiveness Council each year publishes "Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge", which, drawing from the benchmarking exercise, outlines the main challenges to Ireland's competitiveness and the policy responses required to meet them. The 2011 report will be submitted to the Government in the coming weeks for consideration. I have asked the NCC to ensure that the report focuses on specific actionable proposals that will drive Ireland's continued economic recovery.

The NCC also prepares a report on the "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland". The most recent report in this series was published in June of this year. The report analyses Ireland's cost competitiveness across five key business inputs: Labour costs, Property costs, Utility costs, Business and Professional Services costs and indirect business costs such as consumer prices. The main findings of the report are similar to the Competitiveness Scorecard, in that the business environment continued to show an improvement in cost competitiveness in 2010, but deeper structural improvements are necessary to ensure that costs do not rise again as the economy recovers.

In this regard, the Costs of Doing Business report made a number of recommendations to embed competitiveness in the economy in a structural way. I have brought these recommendations to the attention of my Ministerial colleagues in Government and I will continue to work with them to identify further actions that can be taken to improve our competitiveness, reduce costs to business and remove obstacles to employment creation. As part of its work programme, the NCC publishes other papers from time to time on specific competitiveness issues. All NCC reports are available on the NCC Website, www.competitiveness.ie.

Company Law

Denis Naughten

Question:

25 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to update the current partnership law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28649/11]

The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) gave in-depth consideration, over a period of 4 years, to the reform of partnership law, in particular to the possibility of introducing Limited Liability Partnerships for accountants and solicitors. In general, the CLRG did not find any strong tide of opinion running in favour of introducing Limited Liability Partnerships. However, the Group did say that the issue warranted some further consideration and recommended that the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation and the Department of Justice and Equality should establish a committee, made up of representatives of both Departments and of the CLRG, the Irish Accountancy and Auditing Supervisory Authority and the Courts Service, to consider whether accountants and solicitors should be permitted to form Limited Liability Partnerships or companies.

The issues at stake here are complex and wide ranging, particularly as it could involve the establishment of a new legal form which would have to apply generally and not only to the professions. The committee considering the issues will also have to take into account the taxation and transparency issues before coming to a conclusion and recommendations. In the meantime, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence will soon publish the Legal Services Regulation Bill and I understand that it will include provision for the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority, to be established by the Bill, to conduct research and consultation and make proposals on partnerships for the legal profession.

Finally, the overall position on liability has been changing in the last few years. Section 44 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 provides that a solicitor may contract with a client to limit his/ her liability to that client. Furthermore, S.I. 220/2010, European Communities (Statutory Audits) (Directive 2006/43/EC) Regulations 2010, provides, among other things, for the removal of the prohibition on auditors incorporating as a limited liability company.

Consultancy Contracts

Martin Ferris

Question:

26 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount that was spent on consultants in his Department in 2009 and 2010; and the amount that will be spent on consultants in 2011. [28882/11]

Details are provided in the table of the amount that was spent on consultants by my Department in 2009, 2010 and the amount that will be spent on consultants in 2011. It should be noted that my Department processes payments for expenditure on consultancy relating to the Offices under the remit of my Department and these payments are included in the figures provided.

Year

Expenditure on Consultants

2009

€740,028

2010

€536,455

2011*

€373,000

Note 1:

*Estimated expenditure taken from Revised Estimate 2011.

Skill Shortages

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

27 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in view of the mismatch of available skills and available jobs in the market and the expensive and often slow infrastructure within his Department in identifying new skills sets that will be needed in the immediate future, he will consider a new State sponsored jobs media based on the LinkedIn model that would connect employers with unemployed persons with relevant skills immediately. [28883/11]

FÁS Jobs Ireland is an online marketplace where jobseekers and employers can find information about employment opportunities in Ireland and across Europe. As responsibility for the FÁS Employment Services has transferred to the Minister for Social Protection I have referred your question to her for consideration and direct reply to you. With regard to the identification of new skills for the future, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs now comes under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills which has responsibility for the provision of training and education.

Emigration Levels

Dessie Ellis

Question:

28 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to reduce the level of emigration which has reached 50,000 persons a year; and if he will quantify .the level of emigration reduction his plan will achieve for each of the next three years. [28879/11]

Both inward and outward migration have been a feature of Ireland's labour force over the last three decades and they will continue to be a feature of a modern globalised economy where mobile workers follow job opportunities. Recent CSO data shows that 76,400 people were estimated to have emigrated in the year ended April 2011 while 42,300 entered Ireland in the same period giving a net outward migration of 34,000 approx in the period. Some 36,200 (47.4%) of those who left Ireland in the 12 months ending April 2011 were non-Irish nationals reflecting the diversity of our population and labour force in recent years.

Extract from CSO Population and Migration Estimates (,000)

Immigrants

Emigrants

Net migration

Year Ending April 2010

30.8

65.3

—34.5

Year Ending April 2011

42.3

76.4

—34.1

A closer analysis of the immigrant figures shows that 17,100 Irish national returned to Ireland in the year to April 2011- an increase of almost 4,000 compared to the previous year. Returning Irish nationals accounted for 40% of all immigrants in the twelve months to April 2011.

There is clearly a difference between voluntary migration, where people choose to work abroad, and a situation where people feel that they have to look elsewhere for work until such time as there are jobs available in the Irish economy to match their skills. In order to address this, the Government has set economic recovery and job creation as its core objectives. It is only by creating the right environment for businesses to expand that we will see new jobs coming on stream.

Building on the Jobs Initiative of last May, I have begun the process of preparing a comprehensive Jobs Strategy which will provide an action plan to support the creation of employment in the economy. It is expected that the Strategy will be published in January. In the meantime, the enterprise development agencies, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, and the County and City Enterprise Boards are continuing to drive and promote enterprise development, and consequently employment creation, in our economy.

The training, work experience and education measures that are being implemented by the Departments of Social Protection and Education and Skills are designed to help those who are unemployed gain valuable work experience, maintain close links with the labour market, improve their skills and education levels and ultimately improve their career prospects.

Many Irish people will continue to choose to emigrate for personal and career reasons and therefore it is not possible to estimate the level of emigration over the coming years. However, the Global Irish Economic Forum held in Dublin Castle last weekend showed that many Irish emigrants have been successful in the field of business and entertainment and they still have a close attachment to Ireland. The Forum showed that we can — and should — tap into our diaspora to help us to achieve economic recovery and create new jobs. In this context, the Government will be driving forward a number of initiatives and suggestions which emerged from the Global Irish Economic Forum last weekend.

Job Creation

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

29 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for job creation in view of the planned privatisation of State assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28871/11]

I announced last week that I have begun the preparation of a comprehensive Jobs Strategy at the request of the Taoiseach and Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs. Building on the Jobs Initiative of last May, this Strategy will provide an action plan to support the creation of employment in the economy.

It is only by creating the right environment for businesses to expand that we will see new jobs coming on stream. Part of the task is to ensure that critical infrastructure is put in place to allow enterprises to grow and take advantage of the opportunities that will arise in both traditional and emerging sectors. Ireland needs to continue to improve its key infrastructure, particularly in the areas of energy, water and broadband, to maintain Ireland's attractiveness as a place to do business.

These infrastructural services are important for companies in most sectors. For example, the pharmachem sector has a high dependence on water, all exporting companies need better broadband, and energy infrastructure is important for the whole of the economy and for society. Improving our infrastructure in these areas will also help us to exploit opportunities in emerging sectors such as Cloud Computing, Cleantech, and Health and Lifesciences. Identifying opportunities in these, and other, sectors will be part of the Jobs Strategy which I expect to publish in January. In this context, the establishment of NewERA, which was announced by the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Minister of State Fergus O'Dowd, on 29th September, is an important development.

NewERA will initially be established on a non-statutory basis as a Shareholder Executive within the NTMA. It will have responsibility for reviewing capital investment plans of the commercial semi state companies from a shareholder perspective, and will identify possible synergies between investment programmes of the different State companies, ESB, Bord Gais, EirGrid, Bord na Mona and Coillte. The NewERA approach will enable us to get the best value and efficiency in the development of energy, water and broadband infrastructure, and help to make Ireland a better place to do business and create jobs.

Export Markets

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

30 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the changes he has made in the seven months since he came to office to reorientate our foreign enterprise development services towards Brazil, Russia, India and China; and the changes that he will make in this regard in the next 12 months. [28886/11]

The agreed Programme for Government sets out clearly that Ireland's economic recovery must be export-led. That Programme commits us to achieve the maximum growth in exports, including the long-term development of new markets. The Government has given a commitment to progressively implement the recommendations in the strategy and action plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, entitled Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, developed by my Department last year, which will, inter alia, position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies. In terms of markets, it identifies potential to further grow our existing key markets — and, most particularly, to increase or gain a foothold in high-growth and high-potential markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China.

It must be appreciated that these four countries, collectively referred to as the BRIC countries, are a diverse group of markets at different stages of development and sophistication. Spread across different territories with differing cultures, languages, time zones and business styles and norms they present a number of additional challenges for companies seeking to do business in these markets.

Despite this, the enterprise development agencies, under the remit of my Department, are making progress in these countries. IDA Ireland has established a Growth Markets Division dedicated to the promotion of Ireland as an FDI destination from the BRIC countries, among others. And this year the Agency established second offices in both China (Shenzhen) and India (Bangalore). There is also experienced IDA representation in both Russia and Brazil. IDA has completed a promotional programme to Russia, with a second programme to be undertaken at the end of this month. The Agency has just completed a second promotional programme to Brazil this year.

Enterprise Ireland has identified and targeted a number of sectors and sub-sectors in each individual market that offer clear opportunities. It continues to work with its clients that have the expertise and experience to potentially win sales and grow exports in each market. In addition to the services supplied to clients by EI specialist Market Advisors in each market to drive export growth, EI has also established a High Growth Markets (HGM) team based in Dublin effectively giving an extended presence to each market back in Ireland and providing a local first point of contact for client companies in overcoming some of the challenges with regard to face-to-face interaction and time differences.

I, myself, led a Trade Mission to India in April last, with 22 Enterprise Ireland client companies participating, where I officiated over a successful programme of events to promote our exports to that country. Early next month, the Joint Economic Commission with Russia will be held.

Job Protection

Denis Naughten

Question:

31 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to secure jobs at the MBNA site in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28650/11]

My priority is that any decision taken by Bank of America (BOA) will have minimal impact on employees at the Carrick on Shannon operation and ensure that jobs are maintained at the facility. I emphasised this when I travelled to the USA recently and held discussions with BOA CEO and senior management. While the company has not made any final sale decisions, I am satisfied as to its current level of engagement with IDA Ireland.

IDA Ireland has had regular contact with local management since the announcement by Bank of America (BOA) to monitor the evolving situation and has engaged its international network of overseas offices to identify groups with a potential interest in the Carrick operation. It is still very early in the process of attempting to maximise future activity and employment at the Carrick facility. There has been positive preliminary interest. However it would clearly take some time for any definitive proposal to emerge and be selected. Fortunately, Bank of America has not set down any rigid timelines — so there is an opportunity for both it and the IDA to evaluate opportunities.

Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 24.

Departmental Agencies

Dessie Ellis

Question:

33 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of the administration of each of the enterprise development agencies; and if he will estimate the savings that would be achieved if the enterprise development agencies’ administration function was amalgamated and training synergies found with the new further education body SOLAS. [28880/11]

The estimated cost associated with the administration function (back-office, corporate services, corporate facilities etc) of Enterprise Ireland for 2011 is €13.2m out of an estimated operating budget (pay and non-pay) of €90m. This represents 14.7% of the overall operating expenditure. The balance of the operating costs, in addition to operating a network of 9 regional offices and 31 overseas offices, includes the salaries and other costs of staff who directly engage with client companies and who provide a range of services aimed at supporting and incentivising companies to invest more, employ more and know more in the context of winning export sales.

The current exchequer allocation for the network of County and City Enterprise Boards is €12.242m. In addition to the day-to-day operational running costs of the CEB network, this figure includes the salaries of business advisors and other staff who provide direct advice and mentoring to client companies which represents a strong investment in the micro-enterprise sector, notwithstanding the additional level of demand on CEB services generated in the current difficult economic climate.

The estimated cost associated with the administration function (back-office, corporate services, corporate facilities etc.) of IDA Ireland for 2011 is €10.27m out of an estimated operating budget (pay and non-pay) of €41.7m. This represents 25% of the overall operating expenditure. The balance of the operating costs, in addition to operating a network of regional and overseas offices includes the salaries and other costs of staff who directly engage with client companies with the aim of winning and embedding foreign direct investment in this country.

In the case of Shannon Development, the estimated cost associated with the administration function (back-office, corporate services, corporate facilities etc) for 2011 is €3.1m out of an estimated operating budget (pay and non-pay) of €17m. This represents 18% of overall operating expenditure. The balance of the operating costs, includes the salaries and other costs of staff who directly engage with client companies and who provide a range of services aimed at supporting and incentivising companies to invest more and employ more.

Currently, Forfás is carrying out work on the potential of increasing existing shared services within the agencies. Potential cost savings have not yet been quantified. My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is also carrying out another exercise on the potential for shared services across the public sector which is at an early stage.

The Government Decision on the establishment of SOLAS sets out the Government's strategy for the integration of further education provided by the VECs and training provided by FAS. The training provided by the enterprise development agencies under the aegis of my Department such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the CEBs are usually part of an overall package of funding for grant aided industry and while it is anticipated that that these agencies will develop linkages with SOLAS as its role evolves, it would be impossible, at this point to quantify the level or extent of savings that might emerge from any synergies found.

County Enterprise Boards

Catherine Murphy

Question:

34 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the changes he will make to the institutional and corporate arrangements for the county enterprise boards; if local flexibility will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28648/11]

The issue of restructuring the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) has been in the public domain since the publication of the McCarthy Group Report in 2009. I am of the view that it is timely and appropriate to re-structure, and re-focus, how the State delivers its support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector which is a key component of the small business sector and will be vital to our economic recovery in Ireland.

There are a number of schools of thought on the best way forward in relation to CEB restructuring. It will be important to ensure that there is a coherent and cohesive delivery of State support to the indigenous business sector based on clear enterprise policy principles laid down by this Department. Any restructuring must not compromise the State's engagement with, and support for, the micro-enterprise sector and, in particular, must not make it more difficult for the end-user to access the support services available for the Sector.

Within my Department we are currently seeking to determine the extent to which there should be restructuring of the CEBs, and the nature of that restructuring, having regard to the Programme for Government, and to other recommendations on CEB restructuring. I am also conscious of the need to achieve a rational and focused model for entrepreneurs, as well as the need to ensure that there is targeted local delivery of enterprise support, driven by a national enterprise policy, in a manner which eliminates overlap and duplication.

EU Funding

Seán Crowe

Question:

35 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has approached the European Investment Bank to co-fund capital building projects. [28876/11]

I have not formally approached the European Investment Bank to co-fund capital building projects. However, my Department has explored EIB funding options. Under Cycle 5 the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI), one project utilised European Investment Bank funding in order to co-fund a capital building project. The project involved was the TCD Biomedical Building which has been constructed on Pearse Street. €54,571,000 is exchequer funding and a further €20,594,000 funding was privately sourced by the HEI. Within, and subject to, the terms of the Borrowing Framework as established under Section 38 of the Universities Act (1997), universities are autonomous and, therefore, may act independently when seeking and securing loans.

Economic Competitiveness

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

36 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reductions in the cost of utility services that have been achieved in the seven months since he took office; and the reductions that will be achieved in the next 12 months. [28885/11]

Responsibility for the regulation of utilities is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, which is an independent statutory body under the remit of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Ireland's wholesale and retail electricity and gas markets are characterised by vigorous competition regulated by the CER.

From 1 October, residential gas consumers will be the only segment of the electricity and gas markets where prices will be regulated, with prices in the retail electricity market now fully deregulated. Prices in the electricity market and unregulated part of the gas market are wholly a commercial and operational matter for the suppliers.

The Government is committed to competition to exert downward pressure on prices. Competition is achieving competitive pressure on suppliers, by stimulating them to offer better deals and discounts, which will primarily benefit business and domestic customers. Customers are to be encouraged to work actively in securing better value offers in the market and in switching to suppliers delivering lower prices to reduce their energy costs.

From a business perspective, actions to date have improved Ireland's competitiveness position in the gas and electricity sectors. Analysis by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, of EUROSTAT data for the second half of 2010 shows that, for large business customers of electricity, Irish prices were between 7 and 9% of the eurozone average while prices for small to medium-sized business customers ranged from 4% below the average to 6% above, depending on the category. Gas tariffs remain competitive with business tariffs at 83% to 90% of the eurozone average.

Overseas Development Aid

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

37 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the criteria for which funding is allocated by Irish Aid to non-governmental organisations; the measures in place to ensure that these procedures are followed through once funding has been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28922/11]

The Government's aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. It is recognised internationally for its effectiveness, and for its concentration on some of the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Irish Aid channels a higher proportion of overall assistance through development Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) than other international donors, reflecting the strong support of the Irish people for the work of NGOs and missionaries. This funding is provided to support the long term development work of NGOs, in accordance with the objectives of the Government's aid programme, the work of NGOs on emergency and humanitarian assistance, and development education programmes.

All Irish Aid funding of NGOs requires Ministerial approval. Funding proposals submitted by NGOs are rigorously appraised by Irish Aid staff and, as appropriate, by external experts, against criteria which include quality of intended impact, sustainability, cost effectiveness in the use of resources and strength of management systems and oversight within partner organisations. In advance of approval of funding applications, it is a fundamental condition that annual audited accounts are provided by partners. In the interests of transparency, NGOs which receive significant levels of funding from Irish Aid are required to publish their audited accounts on their websites.

Funding by Irish Aid is strongly focused on the achievement of development results. Specific objectives and results are identified, against which all programmes are assessed and evaluated. All development aid funding is disbursed in line with these specific objectives. Procedures to ensure funding is used for intended purposes include regular field monitoring visits to programme partners, annual narrative and financial reporting against agreed objectives and budgets, end of programme evaluations and ongoing reviews of compliance.

In addition, the Evaluation and Audit Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade periodically evaluates and audits partners in receipt of significant funding. Recent audits have included the NGOs, Concern, Goal and Trócaire. These arrangements aim to ensure that Ireland's development funding to NGOs reaches those most in need and is subject to rigorous oversight. Irish Aid and our NGO partners are working in some of the most difficult environments in the world. I am satisfied that the assessment, monitoring, evaluation and audit systems which Irish Aid has put in place provide the best assurance that development aid funding is meeting its intended objectives.

Diplomatic Representation

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

38 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the location of Irish embassies currently without an ambassador; his plans to amalgamate or fill these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28966/11]

Currently there are vacancies at Ambassadorial level at our Embassies in Canberra, Holy See, Stockholm and Brussels. Irish Ambassadors are appointed by the President based on nominations by the Government. I will be submitting proposals to the Government in the very near future about filling existing Ambassadorial vacancies and others that are expected to arise over the next few months.

Grant Payments

Robert Dowds

Question:

39 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the grant awarded to an organisation (details supplied) in County Antrim to continue its work of reconciling Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland which it has undertaken since the 1960s; and if, in the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the payment will continue. [29006/11]

My Department, through the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds, has supported the Corrymeela Community for a number of years in its aims to provide a safe environment for people to build new relationships through dialogue and encounter and to foster reconciliation between all people in Northern Ireland. Corrymeela Community was awarded a grant of €150,000 in 2009 (three equal annual instalments of €50,000 for 2009, 2010 and 2011) to allow the organisation to provide residential workshop facilities to community groups and to further reconciliation through its Creating Communities Programme, which targets young people and families. The programme is designed to combat sectarianism and residentials and activities are offered for families and young people. While it is open to Corrymeela Community to apply for funding in future years, it is not possible at this stage to indicate whether or not a future application would be successful.

Diplomatic Representation

Simon Harris

Question:

40 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of embassies this State has; the location of these embassies; the current number of staff in these embassies and the way staffing levels compare to each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the budgets provided to each of these embassies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29076/11]

Ireland has 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 11 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis. The budget of each Mission is considered to be the locally-devolved administrative (day-to-day) budget including local staff salaries but not salaries of diplomatic staff, which are a charge on the Headquarters budget. Likewise, my Department's capital budget is not allocated to missions on an ongoing basis but is managed from Headquarters. Details of the budgets are included in the table below. The budgets of missions that manage significant programmes on behalf of Irish Aid reflect the additional management and oversight required for the effective implementation of those important programmes.

Administrative Budgets for Missions under Vote 28

Mission Name

2007

2008

2009

2010

BERNE

410,913

437,412

427,988

429,447

BERLIN

989,049

1,087,413

1,021,130

907,409

BOSTON

358,449

340,432

373,100

377,114

BRUSSELS (EMBASSY)

786,135

797,848

866,057

564,559

BRUSSELS (PR-EU)

3,212,811

3,287,727

3,312,397

3,322,071

BUENOS AIRES

322,915

356,510

372,902

438,541

CAIRO

423,112

460,950

396,525

382,190

CANBERRA

685,692

735,778

659,319

760,935

CHICAGO

374,739

361,004

326,566

345,200

COPENHAGEN

489,824

453,531

423,347

400,517

GENEVA

1,025,326

1,100,971

1,075,171

1,158,745

THE HAGUE

796,322

655,764

652,976

741,184

HOLY SEE

507,171

465,421

429,188

435,726

ABUJA

340,829

482,313

290,016

278,241

LISBON

372,323

421,384

376,881

347,406

LONDON (Includes PPO London)

4,802,407

4,176,511

3,807,568

3,448,547

LUXEMBOURG

689,555

697,480

692,201

687,546

MADRID

1,111,591

1,187,876

1,192,169

1,073,062

MOSCOW

894,959

621,369

759,994

758,895

NEW DELHI

675,856

746,064

474,056

743,338

NEW YORK — PMUN

1,830,274

2,163,309

1,266,438

1,773,546

NEW YORK — C.G.

2,078,888

1,695,637

1,761,317

1,798,093

OTTAWA

555,007

518,918

484,809

555,300

PARIS

1,735,974

1,728,866

1,684,107

1,698,403

ROME

1,123,927

1,226,389

1,200,155

1,187,410

SAN FRANCISCO

440,660

447,138

418,088

427,629

STOCKHOLM

425,044

405,238

396,501

474,031

TEHRAN

315,880

361,419

508,622

449,698

TOKYO

1,512,360

1,527,528

2,040,450

1,581,230

VIENNA

623,208

653,183

636,769

654,487

WASHINGTON DC

1,309,597

1,170,402

1,200,800

1,236,780

OSLO

681,225

684,003

594,344

551,146

STRASBOURG

411,768

429,925

425,598

415,027

RIYADH

354,774

360,173

505,645

344,037

ATHENS

473,132

466,756

479,663

489,042

BEIJING

717,438

702,587

674,053

728,852

SEOUL

463,052

702,932

336,119

677,583

WARSAW

859,674

900,958

823,095

782,993

HELSINKI

532,898

440,335

560,166

526,400

PRETORIA

780,024

710,107

533,210

684,301

PRAGUE

576,003

562,068

544,386

566,321

KUALA LUMPUR

360,576

349,914

343,486

362,896

BUDAPEST

448,096

476,165

487,050

453,678

OSCE — VIENNA

452,111

447,742

438,703

482,715

TEL AVIV

612,408

559,020

581,112

585,185

CARDIFF

218,563

171,720

80,028

Closed

EDINBURGH

287,684

213,313

221,185

229,941

ANKARA

409,800

412,782

389,863

394,114

MEXICO

576,947

508,335

451,487

441,289

SYDNEY

489,818

513,448

483,921

565,349

SHANGHAI

436,737

383,727

506,973

552,387

SINGAPORE

896,912

797,600

801,544

821,066

RAMALLAH

374,282

356,261

286,028

348,085

BRUSSELS (P.F.P.)

316,306

266,990

266,699

251,942

NICOSIA

380,745

419,018

405,689

397,820

LJUBLJANA

430,892

489,701

431,438

421,396

TALLINN

424,639

422,292

350,750

412,343

BRATISLAVA

366,101

380,017

409,568

358,004

BRASILIA

447,306

458,959

451,615

554,554

BUCHAREST

538,425

510,155

525,399

433,408

SOFIA

377,875

423,536

394,384

367,570

RIGA

383,636

379,309

368,369

341,547

VILNIUS

450,730

471,881

452,427

426,413

VALLETTA

307,828

316,038

326,847

324,574

ABU DHABI*

372,155

545,048

ATLANTA *

35,380

TOTAL MISSION EXPENDITURE

48,811,302

47,725,872

45,926,204

46,579,181

*Opened in 2010

Administrative budget of Embassies from Vote 29

Mission Name

2007

2008

2009

2010

Addis Ababa

1,069,681

1,120,947

1,004,946

986,204

Maseru

641,586

855,970

607,549

590,515

Llongwe

372,588

696,622

699,500

571,766

Maputo

1,296,893

1,642,201

1,362,203

1,080,345

Freetown

193,473

200,889

326,386

311,302

Pretoria

575,140

665,141

483,238

484,791

Dar Es Salaam

696,806

1,073,990

1,011,800

934,447

Kampala

1,265,261

2,046,346

1,368,460

1,212,029

Hanoi

462,089

578,967

581,847

644,703

Lusaka

1,138,391

1,484,288

1,078,568

1,201,480

Dili

176,523

214,729

250,211

208,411

Totals

7,888,432

10,580,092

8,774,709

8,225,994

The staffing information for 2011 requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below in respect of Missions abroad. The figures take account of officers of other Government Departments and offices, whose salaries and other costs are in some cases borne by the parent Department or office. Also included is a small number of staff indirectly engaged through local employment agencies, some on a temporary basis. Comparable figures for each of the previous four years are not immediately available. Programme staff employed locally by Irish development Missions are not included.

Mission

Current staffing complement

Changes over the period 2007-2010

Number of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers posted from HQ

Comment and/or reason, where relevant

Abu Dhabi

12

+12

2

Mission established in 2009;Total includes 6 Department of Justice and Equality visa office staff

Abuja

16

-1

2

Total includes 9 Department of Justice and Equality visa office staff, local staff post suppressed

Addis Ababa

9

5

Ankara

7

3

Athens

8

3

Atlanta

2

+2

1

Mission established in 2010

Beijing

26

5

Total includes 9 Department of Justice and Equality visa office staff

Berlin

12

5

Berne

5

2

Boston

5

2

Brasilia

6

2

Bratislava

5

2

Brussels (Embassy)

14

-2

3

Ambassador post currently vacant;Third Secretary post suppressed;includes Partnership for Peace Office;total includes 6 staff from other Departments and Offices

Brussels (PR-EU)

85

39

Total includes 40 staff from other Departments and Offices

Bucharest

7.5

2

Budapest

6

2

Buenos Aires

5.6

2

Cairo

10

3

Canberra

8.5

-1

1

Ambassador post currently vacant

Chicago

5.4

2

Copenhagen

6.4

-1

2

First Secretary post suppressed

Dar-Es-Salaam

8

5

Dili

3

-1

2

Third Secretary post suppressed

Edinburgh

3

-1

2

Third Secretary post suppressed

Freetown

3

2

Geneva

14

6

Total includes 4 officers from other Departments

Hanoi

8

5

Helsinki

5

2

Holy See

5

- 1.5

1

Ambassador post currently vacant, part-time local staff post suppressed

Kampala

8

4

Kuala Lumpur

8

2

Lisbon

6

2

Lilongwe

4

-1

3

Senior Development Specialist post currently vacant

Ljubljana

5

-1

2

Local staff post suppressed

London (including Passport office)

51

-35

31

Certain passport functions and posts transferred to HQ and others suppressed including 20 local staff posts;total includes 5 Department of Justice and Equality visa office staff and 5 officials from other Departments or officers

Lusaka

6

-1

3

Development Specialist post currently vacant

Luxembourg

6

-1

1

Third Secretary post suppressed

Madrid

14

4

Maputo

8

5

Maseru

4

2

Mexico

7

3

Moscow

20

6

Total includes 7 Department of Justice and Equality visa office staff

New Delhi

24

3

Total includes 10 Department of Justice and Equality visa office staff

New York — Consulate General

17

-1

5

Local staff post reassigned to Atlanta

New York — PMUN

16

+1

9

Development post added

Nicosia

6

2

Oslo

5

2

Ottawa

8

3

Paris

21

-2

7

Includes Mission to the OECD and UNESCO; 2 administrative posts suppressed

Prague

9

-1

2

Third Secretary post suppressed

Pretoria

14

-1.5

4

Third Secretary currently vacant, part-time local staff post suppressed

Ramallah

6

2

Riga

3

-2

1

Third Secretary post suppressed, local staff post suppressed

Riyadh

10

-1

2

Third Secretary post suppressed

Rome

11.8

-1

3

First Secretary post suppressed

San Francisco

5

-1

2

Local staff post suppressed

Seoul

6

2

Shanghai

7

3

Singapore

8

2

Sofia

7

2

Stockholm

5

-1

1

Ambassador post currently vacant

Strasbourg

6

2

Sydney

5

2

Tallinn

3

-2

1

Third Secretary post suppressed, local staff post suppressed

Tehran

6

2

Tel Aviv

5.5

-0.5

2

Part-time local staff post suppressed

The Hague

9

3

Tokyo

11

3

Valletta

3

1

Vienna (Embassy)

8

3

Vienna (OSCE)

15

+10

7

Mission temporarily strengthened in advance of Ireland’s OSCE chairmanship 2012

Vilnius

4.5

2

Warsaw

10.7

3

Washington DC

21

9

Total includes 3 officers from other Departments

Tourism Promotion

Simon Harris

Question:

41 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish embassies have a role in promoting Ireland as a tourism location; if he will consider seeking a more proactive role for our embassies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29077/11]

The advancement of Ireland's economic interests overseas is a key priority for my Department. This includes the promotion of Ireland as a tourist destination. Both at headquarters and through our Embassy network we work closely with all of the State Agencies including Tourism Ireland, which is tasked with helping to grow overseas tourism revenue and visitor numbers on an all-Ireland basis.

In all of the markets which Tourism Ireland has identified as priorities, under the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy Strategy, there is a Tourism Ireland representative nominated to the local market team, which is chaired by the local Ambassador and includes the other relevant State Agencies. These teams prepare annual market development plans to ensure a coherent approach to Ireland's promotional activities overseas. Throughout the year Embassies jointly run many promotional events with Tourism Ireland, including Trade Fairs, industry events, showcase events and other activities. In cities where there is no Tourism Ireland Office, our Embassies and Consulates deal with public enquiries and serve as distribution points for brochures and other printed matter promoting tourism to Ireland.

The support which Embassies can provide in the promotion of Ireland as a tourist destination is particularly evident around the St Patrick's Day celebrations which provide a unique opportunity to raise awareness of Ireland worldwide. This year, as in previous years, Embassies abroad worked closely with Tourism Ireland to co-ordinate promotional activity, including the "greening" of key international landmarks, organised by Tourism Ireland. Ambassadors co-hosted receptions and officiated at tourism related events. I might add that in non-priority markets, where Tourism Ireland do not have an office, Embassies and Consulates also play an active role in promoting the Island of Ireland as a tourism destination.

Banking Sector Recruitment

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

42 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons recruited on an annual basis to the Central Bank of Ireland since 2008 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28913/11]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

43 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the number and type of consultants brought into the Central Bank of Ireland on an annual basis since 2008; the start date of each consultant contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28914/11]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

44 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if any retired staff from the Central Bank of Ireland have been brought back into the bank on a consulting basis since 2008; the number of same that were brought back, broken down on an annual basis, and the length of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28915/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 to 44, inclusive, together.

The Minister for Finance has no role in recruitment of staff and hiring of consultants of the Central Bank of Ireland. However, I have been informed by the Central Bank of the following:

Number of appointments on an annual basis since 2008.

Year

No. of appointments

2008

126

2009

85

2010

265

2011

173.4

Number of consultants brought in on an annual basis since 2008.

The Central Bank has informed me that, in the time available, it is not possible to provide a separate start date for each of the 283 consultancy contracts concerned. However, the information requested by the Deputy is set out below by reference to the year in which the contracts commenced.

Year

Central Banking

Supervisory

IT

Facilities

2008

27

34

3

11

2009

20

29

0

9

2010

22

27

0

27

2011

21

26

7

20

Retired staff brought back by the Central Bank on a consultancy basis since 2008.

Four staff were brought back into the Bank on a consulting basis since 2008. However, in the time available, it was not possible to identify the length of time of each contract and I have asked that the information be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is compiled.

Consultancy Contracts

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

45 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has consulted with any outside agencies with regard to stressed mortgages; the names of these agencies; the nature of the advice provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28916/11]

I am informed by the Central Bank that in the context of the Financial Measures project, consultancy advice was provided in relation to all the relevant aspects of the stress testing exercise undertaken for AIB, EBS, Bank of Ireland and Irish Life and Permanent including mortgages. This work was undertaken by a team of consultants from three companies namely — Blackrock, BarCap and BCG.

Appointments to State Boards

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

46 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the appointments made to State agencies and boards under his remit for the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28962/11]

The Information requested by the Deputy in relation to appointments to bodies under the aegis of my Department is contained in the following tables.

2009

Name of Body

Name of appointee

Date appointed /reappointed

National Development Finance Agency (NDFA)

Mr John Corrigan (Chairman) Chief Executive, (NTMA) ex-officioMr Brian Murphy (Chief Executive) Director, (NTMA) ex-officio

4 Dec 200912 Jan 2009

National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission

Professor Frances RuaneMr Brian HilleryMr John Corrigan (ex-officio)

1 Jul 20091 Jul 2009 (re-appointed)4 Dec 2009

National Assets Management Agency

Mr Frank Daley (Chairperson)Mr Michael ConnollyMr William SoffeMs Eilish FinanMr Brian McEneryMr Peter StewartMr John Corrigan (ex-officio)Mr Brendan McDonagh (ex-officio)

All non ex-officio members appointed 22 Dec 2009

Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority

Mr John DunneMr Dermot Quigley

1 May 20091 May 2009

2010

Name of Body

Name of appointee

Date appointed /reappointed

Central Bank Commission

Professor John FitzgeraldMr. Max WatsonMr. Michael SodenMr. Des GeraghtyProfessor Blanaid Clarke

All appointed 01 Oct 2010

National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission

Mr Paul Carty (Chair)Mr Knut N KjaerMr John A Canning Jr

1 Aug 20102 Apr 20102 Apr 2010 (re-appointed)

National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) Advisory Committee

Ms Tytti NorasMr Brendan McDonaghMr Kevin Cardiff

1 Aug 2010 ( re-appointed)1 Sep 20101 Feb 2010

State Claims Agency Policy Committee

Mr Chris FitzgeraldMr Tony DelaneyBrigadier General Christopher Moore (retired)Ms Niamh Moran

20 Oct 201022 Feb 201022 Feb 201010 Mar 2010

National Assets Management Agency

Mr Steven Seelig

25 May 2010

Credit Union Advisory Committee

Mr Pádraig O’Cearbhaill (Chair)Ms Iris WhiteMr Michael O’ConaillMr Gerry MurphyMs Noreen ByrneMs Denise O’ConnellMr Donal McKillop

All appointed 1 Sep 2010

Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau

William Prasifka (Financial Services Ombudsman)Tom Comerford (Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman)Tom Finn, Head of Legal Services

Appointed in 2010

To date in 2011

Name of Body

Name of appointee

Date appointed /reappointed

National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) Advisory Committee

Mr Donal Roth

1 Jan 2011( re-appointed)

Central Bank Commission

Mr Alan Ahearne

08 Mar 2011

Commission on Credit Unions

Donal McKillop (Chair)Fiona CullenKieron BrennanBilly DoyleEileen FitzgeraldTom McCarthyTim MolanRobert MoynihanJames O’BrienDan O’GormanJoe O’TooleJohn WilsonAidan Carrigan

All appointed June 2011

Tax Code

Sean Fleming

Question:

47 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements in place regarding recouping VAT to the Exchequer when State agencies arrange the sale of assets abroad and when VAT may be charged on the sale commission or on the sale proceeds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28992/11]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the EU VAT Directive, with which the VAT law in EU Member States must comply, provides for a margin scheme for auctioneers of works of art. Under the margin scheme, VAT is charged on the commission or margin received by the auctioneer and not the full value of the item being supplied as would be the case under normal VAT rules.

However, it is important to note that auctioneers may elect to use the margin scheme for some sales and not others. The margin scheme arrangement is referred to as the "auction scheme" and the goods concerned are referred to as "auction scheme goods". In general, auction scheme goods are goods passed to the auctioneer by a person who is otherwise not entitled to a VAT input credit on their acquisition. The auctioneer is regarded as simultaneously buying and selling the goods and for VAT purposes does not treat the transaction as a sale where commission is charged. VAT, as mentioned previously, is accounted for on the margin and not the full consideration received.

Under the auction scheme VAT is accounted for in the Member State in which the auction takes place, that is, where the auction scheme goods are supplied. Where the auction is held within another EU Member State, VAT is charged in that Member State and not in Ireland. In such case, as there would be no liability to Irish VAT, the issue of recouping VAT to the Exchequer does not arise.

Financial Institutions Support Scheme

Jim Daly

Question:

48 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance if the bank guarantee scheme will remain the same and if deposit accounts containing up to €100,000 will be safe; the length of time the guarantee will remain in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/11]

The legal basis for the Deposit Guarantee Scheme in Ireland is set out in the European Communities (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 168 of 1995) as amended. These Regulations implement the European Union Directive on Deposit Guarantee Schemes (Directive 94/19/EC) as amended. As a statutory scheme implemented under EU law, the Deposit Guarantee Scheme is in place on an ongoing basis. The Scheme is administered by the Central Bank of Ireland and covers 100% of deposits held in any credit institution authorised in Ireland (including credit unions) up to a maximum of €100,000 per qualifying depositor per institution in accordance with the terms of the Directive. Generally, the Scheme covers deposits held in current accounts, demand deposit accounts and term deposit accounts with credit institutions.

The basic intention behind such a scheme is to reassure depositors that there is a safety net that will enable them to recover all, or at least most, of their savings in the event of a failure of a credit institution. This reassurance, in turn, helps to contribute to the stability of the financial system. While a review of the EU Directive is underway at present, this is not expected to have any impact on the coverage level already in place. Furthermore, on foot of a recent Government decision I have sought EU state aid approval for a prolongation of the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee (ELG) Scheme that guarantees, inter alia, retail deposits in excess of €100,000 and all other deposits, on the advice of the Governor of the Central Bank and of the other State authorities, on financial stability grounds. I have also consulted with the ECB.

The extension of the ELG Scheme is a necessary element in placing the Irish banking system on a sound footing and is also important in maintaining the confidence of deposit holders. Subject to receipt of EU state aid approvals, I propose to place a draft statutory instrument before both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval well in advance of the end of the year to enable the issuance period in the Scheme to be extended for one year to 31 December 2012.

Legislative Programme

Finian McGrath

Question:

49 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) (No. 2) Bill 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29018/11]

The material supplied by the Deputy refers to recent amendments to the Credit Union Act 1997 which were brought forward at Committee Stage of the Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) (No. 2) Bill 2011. The primary purpose of these amendments is to enhance the Central Bank's existing powers to issue regulatory directions. On foot of concerns raised by credit union representatives, I asked my officials to consult with the relevant credit union stakeholders, including the Commission on Credit Unions. Further amendments are proposed for Report Stage of the Bill to address the concerns raised without compromising the ability of the Central Bank to act on financial stability grounds. The Deputy might note that Report Stage of the Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) (No. 2) Bill 2011 is scheduled for today 12 October 2011.

Banks Recapitalisation

Sean Fleming

Question:

50 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements in respect of the €1 billion that is being recouped from the sale of Bank of Ireland shares to private investors; if he will confirm that funding provided to Bank of Ireland through the National Pensions Reserve Fund is to be lodged; the impact this will have on State finances; the implications in respect of the budget deficit for 2011; if he will publish the correspondence he issued to the National Treasury Management Agency and/or the National Pensions Reserve Fund in respect of the transfer of these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29062/11]

On 25 July 2011, I announced the successful conclusion of negotiations by the Government with private investors who, subject to appropriate regulatory clearances being obtained, committed to buy up to €1.123 billion of the NPRF's holding of Bank of Ireland ordinary stock. The investors committed to both initially purchase approximately €0.2 billion of stock and subsequently purchase the remainder after appropriate regulatory approvals had been obtained.

On 28 July 2011, I issued a direction to the NPRF under section 20A of the National Pension Reserve Fund Act 2000 (as amended) that, inter alia, the share consideration received from the disposal to the private investors is transferred from the NPRF to the Exchequer. Pursuant to this direction the net proceeds received from the initial disposal, of €233 million, have been transferred from the NPRF to the Exchequer. When regulatory approvals have been obtained, and the agreed remaining shares are acquired by the private investors, the resultant net proceeds will also be transferred to the Exchequer.

These net proceeds from the initial disposal have been classified as a capital receipt in the Exchequer account and they appear in Note 3 of the end-September Exchequer Statement which was published last week. These receipts benefit the Exchequer finances through reducing the Exchequer deficit. However they do not benefit the General Government measure of the deficit as they are the proceeds of a financial transaction from the swapping of one class of financial asset for another.

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

Question:

51 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the savings to be made to the Exchequer from placing an earnings ceiling of €80,000 on pensions contributions and standardising tax relief for pension contributions at 20%. [29126/11]

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the current annual earnings cap of €115,000 which operates to limit the level of tax-relieved personal pension contributions in any one year. The annual earnings cap acts, in conjunction with age-related percentage limits of annual earnings, to put a ceiling on the annual amount of tax relief an individual taxpayer can obtain on pension contributions.

A breakdown of the cost of tax relief on employee contributions to occupational pension schemes is not available by income tax rate, as tax returns by employers to the Revenue Commissioners of employee contributions to such schemes are aggregated at employer level. An historical breakdown is available by tax rate of the tax relief claimed on contributions to personal pension plans — Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) — by the self-employed and others, to the extent that the contributions have been included in the personal tax returns of those taxpayers. There is, therefore, only a limited statistical basis for providing definitive figures.

However, by making certain assumptions about the available information, the Revenue Commissioners inform me that the combined estimated full year yield to the Exchequer from reducing the current annual earnings cap of €115,000 to €80,000 and confining tax relief to the standard rate of 20% in respect of individual contributions to occupational pension schemes, RACs and PRSAs would be about €550 million.

FÁS Training Programmes

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

52 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to liaise with the educational and training sectors with a view to maximising job opportunities for apprentices, those who have not yet completed their apprenticeship and those seeking such placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29124/11]

FÁS has the statutory responsibility for the organisation and control of designated apprenticeship. FÁS does this in co-operation with my Department, the Institutes of Technology, employers and unions. Redundant Apprentices may register with their local FÁS Employment Services Office to avail of information on job vacancies. Information on job vacancies may also be accessed by telephoning FÁS Jobs Ireland at Free Phone 1800 611 116 or on the FÁS website at www.fas.ie. In addition, the following initiatives have been taken by FÁS to enable registered redundant apprentices to progress in their apprenticeships:

Change in Progression Rules

Redundant apprentices are now permitted to progress to their next off-the-job phase of their apprenticeships even though they have not yet completed their previous on-the-job phase.

Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme 2011

With the support of the social partners, FÁS is providing a temporary Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme whereby FÁS approved employers in the public and private sectors will provide redundant apprentices with training and assessment on-the-job at Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of their apprenticeships.

Competency Determination Mechanism

FÁS has introduced a Competency Determination Mechanism for the trades of Brick & Stonelaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plastering and Plumbing. This scheme is for redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phases 1 to 7 of their apprenticeships, but who do not meet the requirement of having completed the statutory 4 years (208 weeks) in employment.

Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme

Redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phase 1 to Phase 7 (or Phase 7 Equivalent Assessments) of their apprenticeships excluding the trades of Brick & Stonelaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plastering and Plumbing but who have not completed the statutory 4 years in employment as apprentices may be granted an exemption from this requirement by validating their competence under the Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme. FÁS will invite eligible redundant apprentices to submit a portfolio of evidence of trade related work experience gained at home and/or abroad and/or trade related further training and/or education undertaken during periods of redundancy.

Certificate in Craft Transferable Skills

FÁS and the HEA with the Institutes of Technology have developed a post Phase 6 programme for redundant apprentices who wish to access a programme at 3rd level in the Institutes of Technology. Redundant Apprentices who successfully complete this programme will receive a HETAC Special Award Level 3, 30 ECTS Credits. This award should entitle apprentices to enter year 2 of a relevant Higher Certificate (level 6) and in some particular cases may gain entry to Ordinary Degree Programmes Level 7. The Certificate in Craft Transferable Skills (optional) will be offered by the Institutes of Technology in Term 1 — 2011/2012.

Refresher Programme for Redundant Referred Apprentices

To assist referred apprentices who wish to progress, FÁS and the Institutes of Technology have developed a short duration programme to prepare redundant apprentices to repeat their outstanding assessments, and this programme will be offered by the Institutes of Technology in Term 1 — 2011/2012

Léargas has provided support to FÁS for apprentices to complete on-the-job training with assessment with employers in Germany and Finland. In the period 2009/2010 over 100 apprentices have undertaken the programme and FÁS has received approval for a further 43 redundant apprentice placement in 2011/2012

Conversion Programme — Electrical / Plumbing

FÁS has developed a Conversion Programme for redundant Electrical and Plumbing apprentices who have worked primarily in the Construction Sector to undertake additional training in modules associated with the Manufacturing and Facility Maintenance Sectors. The pilot programme provides a combination of off and on-the-job training in a FÁS Training Centre and with work experience in the Manufacturing and Facility Maintenance Sectors.

Fee Waiver Scheme

Course fees will be waived for redundant apprentices who attend FÁS day and/or evening courses in order to enhance their employable skills.

Training Sector/Employer Contact

FÁS is in regular contact with the Higher Education Authority, Construction Industry Federation, County & City Managers Association, TEEU, ESB Networks and other employers to request assistance for redundant apprentices to obtain on-the-job training with assessments and other training supports.

My Department along with FÁS will continue to explore ways to support and assist apprentices to progress and finish their apprenticeships.

Early Childhood Education

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

53 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children that commence school each year in September who have reached their fourth birthday in the months of July or August in the same year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28905/11]

The National School Annual Census collects data on the age of children classified by the year of their birth. Data is not collected on the month of birth and hence the data requested is not available. I believe a breakdown of births by month may be available on the website of the Central Statistics Office at www.cso.ie. While this information may be helpful, I am informed by the officials in my Department’s Statistics section that this information cannot be used as a precise measure as to which children have commenced school in a given year, as parents have the right to decide when their child starts primary school.

School Transport

Dara Calleary

Question:

54 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide funding to operate a shuttle bus service between the school bus drop off point and a new school (details supplied). [28908/11]

The planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Bus routes are planned in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable standard of service while at the same time ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner. Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils concerned are availing of a service within the guidelines of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. As a result I do not propose to provide additional funding for the operation of a shuttle bus service.

Special Educational Needs

Terence Flanagan

Question:

55 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28925/11]

I wish to clarify that the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The school, to which the child referred to by the Deputy, is attending has an allocation of 3 SNA posts and 44.1 Resource Teaching Hours. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.

The NCSE has now advised all mainstream schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, of their SNA allocation for the current school year, taking into account the care needs of qualifying pupils attending the school. The NCSE has recently published statistical information in relation to the allocation of Special Needs Assistant posts and resource teaching hours to Primary Special and Post Primary Schools. The information is provided on a county by county and school by school basis on its website at www.ncse.ie.

It is considered that, with equitable and careful management and distribution of these resources, there should be sufficient posts to provide access to SNA support for all children who require such care support to attend school, in accordance with Departmental criteria. The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of a process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism. It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.

Departmental Funding

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

56 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the responsibility for providing funding for street lighting outside of schools lies with his Department or with the local authority. [28937/11]

The provision of street lighting is a matter for the relevant local authority, and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, under the Roads Act, 1993.

Special Educational Needs

Eamonn Maloney

Question:

57 Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will approve the appointment of a replacement teacher at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/11]

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. As the Deputy Principal at the school referred to by the Deputy has retired, the school may wish to appoint an acting Deputy Principal from their existing staffing component in the interim until a selection process has been carried out and a Deputy Principal is appointed. The school should refer to Circular 07/03 for information on post of responsibilities.

Schools Refurbishment

Seán Crowe

Question:

58 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that there was no official correspondence from his Department aside from the note on the online claim system on 20 June 2011 advising schools not to enter into any capital works based on the minor works grant for the 2011-12 school year and outlining that a decision on it would be circulated to schools in September 2011; and if this scheme has been withdrawn. [28982/11]

Correspondence issued to the management bodies in the primary sector (Catholic Primary School Managers Association, Church of Ireland Board of Education, Educate Together and Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Gaeilge Teo) on the 20 June 2011 regarding the Minor Works Grant 2011/2012 in addition to the notice on the On Line Claim System. The notice on the On Line Claim System reads:

Primary schools are advised not to enter into any capital commitment this year in anticipation of a Minor Works Grant 2011/2012. In the context of the capital resources available to the Department and the prioritisation of these, a decision on the issue of the availability and level of a Minor Works Grant for the school year 2011/12 will be made in the autumn and schools will be informed.

The position as outlined in the notice remains.

School Transport

Sandra McLellan

Question:

59 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the transport difficulties being currently experienced by pupils attending a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will investigate this representation and fast track their schools transport appeal application process. [28985/11]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

60 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the case of a school (details supplied) in County Cork in which its union of parishes covers a catchment area of more than 400 square miles for the last 39 years, he will give details of his new policy and the way he came to his recent decision; and if he will outline the policy position in relation to pupils attending this minority school and accessing school transport particularly in view of the fact that they reside more than the 3.2 kilometres distance criteria but in this case are being denied transport because they are not deemed to be coming from a distinct locality. [28986/11]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

62 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Cork and because of its broad catchment area relies heavily on school transport for its survival, he will review his decision to reinstate the school transport to pupils currently attending this school. [28988/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 62 together.

Changes in the School Transport Scheme were announced by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. One of the changes announced included an increase to ten in the minimum number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain an individual school transport service. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that in this case, the number of applications from eligible pupils did not match the above requirement and consequently the service was withdrawn from the beginning of the current school year.

This minimum number requirement has been applied to all individual school transport services nationally from the commencement of the 2011/12 school year. As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, may apply for a remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. It is essential to stress that the wider context within which this change is taking place, is a situation of the most serious financial difficulties. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and this measure is an integral part of this. I understand that the appeal referred to by the Deputy is to be considered by the School Transport Appeals Board at their next meeting which is scheduled for Thursday 20th October 2011.

Seán Crowe

Question:

61 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that there are 321 schools in County Cork, seven of the schools are multi-denominational, 20 schools are under Church of Ireland management and the rest are under Roman Catholic management and that this year, according to his own statistics on the web, out of the 15 schools in Cork that lost their transport, four were under Church of Ireland management. [28987/11]

Seán Crowe

Question:

63 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the potential impact of a current interpretation of distinct locality on minority schools and rural Ireland, that is a service to convey a group of children whose homes are scattered points in a school district would not be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28989/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 63 together.

Changes in the School Transport Scheme were announced by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. One of the changes announced included an increase to ten in the minimum number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain an individual school transport service. This minimum number requirement has been applied to all individual school transport services nationally from the commencement of the 2011/12 school year. As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, may apply for a remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. Bus Éireann has advised that 11 schools in County Cork had services withdrawn under the minimum number requirement and three of these schools are under Church of Ireland management. A full list of schools in County Cork is available on my Department's website. It is essential to stress that the wider context within which this change is taking place, is a situation of the most serious financial difficulties. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and this measure is an integral part of this.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 59.
Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 61.

FÁS Training Programmes

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

64 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in furnishing a FETAC certificate to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when this person can expect to receive the certificate which is required to secure employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29004/11]

FÁS has confirmed to my Department that it expects to receive from FETAC the certificate for the person in question by the end of this month.

School Statistics

Patrick Deering

Question:

65 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the number of pupils attending primary school per county and per patronage. [29014/11]

The information requested on the number of primary pupils by county is provided by the National School Annual Census and is available on the Department's website, in table 2.18 of the Department's Annual Statistical Report at http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/stats_statistical_report_2010_2011.xls.

Alternatively the data can be access through the Department's Education Statistics Database at http://www.cso.ie/px/des/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=EDA57&ti=National+School+Pupils+by+Year,+County,+Statistic+and+School+Programme&path=../Database/DES/Primary%20Level%20Education%20Statistics/&lang=1. Information on patronage is not available at county level.

Higher Education Grants

James Bannon

Question:

66 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a full grant of €6,100 to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29032/11]

I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse or alter any of the changes to the student grant measures announced in Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil — Green Party Government. These changes included an increase in the qualifying distance criterion for the non-adjacent rate of grant from 24 kilometres to 45 kilometres.

The measurement of the distance from a student's home to college for student grant purposes is a matter for the relevant grant awarding body — the local authority or VEC where the student is ordinarily resident. It remains the case that the shortest most direct route to the institution attended is measured. No appeal appears to have been received in this case either by my Department or the Student Grant Appeals Board.

Mattie McGrath

Question:

67 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he is insisting on using old congested routes for examining the qualifying distance applicable when assessing whether an applicant qualifies for a higher education grant at the non-adjacent rate; his views that students should use the best route available to them when travelling to college; the reason he is insisting that students use old congested routes and avoid motorways; whether this a policy that he has set or should officials when deciding on the distance to be used be allowed to consider not only the shortest route but also the best route to avoid extra traffic build up on unsuitable routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29039/11]

The measurement of the distances for student grant purposes is a matter for grant awarding bodies — the relevant local authority or VEC. There has been no change as to how these distances are measured. As in the past for all cases, the shortest most direct route to the institution attended is measured. I understand that a range of mechanisms can be used, for example, online mapping such as AA Route Planner and Google Maps. If the distance is disputed, the matter should be taken up with the grant awarding body concerned. In some cases, it may be necessary to carry out a physical measurement.

Ombudsman for Children

Simon Harris

Question:

68 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the request by the Ombudsman for Children to extend the remit of that office to cover the working of the National Council on Special Education; if he has had discussions on this issue with the Ombudsman and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that the NCSE is under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29065/11]

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children was established under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 by the Minister for Health and Children. On 3rd June 2011 responsibility for the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 was transferred to the Minster for Children and Youth Affairs. I understand that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children has been in contact with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs regarding this matter. I also understand that under this Act the inclusion of the National Council for Special Education within the remit of the Ombudsman for Children requires a draft Order to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and a resolution approving this order approved by each such House.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs have advised that they intend to consult with my Department and with the Ombudsman for Children before finalising a proposal on this matter. Pending the making of any order by the Government to include the NCSE within the complaints and investigation remit of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, the Office and the NCSE have agreed an interim process through which the concerns which had been brought to the attention of the Office would be brought to the direct attention of NCSE for response.

Vocational Education Committees

Simon Harris

Question:

69 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way decisions were reached regarding the location of vocational education committee head offices; the person who made the final decision; the factors that were considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29066/11]

Simon Harris

Question:

70 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for existing vocational education committee head offices which will not be head offices once they are amalgamated with other VECs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29067/11]

Simon Harris

Question:

71 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role of a vocational education committee sub-office within the new configuration of VECs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29068/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 70 and 71 together.

Last week, I finalised and announced my decision in relation to the location of headquarters of the merged VECs. In arriving at this decision, I considered a range of factors including the need to ensure that the location of a VEC headquarters will, to the greatest extent possible, facilitate staff redeployment under a redeployment scheme within the context of the Croke Park Agreement and the need to operate at lowest cost having regard to the accommodation available in existing locations.

I expect that headquarters staff of a merging VEC who are employed in an office which has not been designated as a head office or sub office of the new structure will move to the designated headquarters location as soon as feasible, although in all cases, a sub-office will be maintained for the immediate term in order to facilitate an orderly merger. The role of headquarters staff of a merging VEC who are employed in an office which has been designated as a sub-office, and the use of offices which will no longer be used as administrative offices of VECs following the merger, will fall to be considered and worked through by the CEO of the merged entity in conjunction with my Department.

School Staffing

Simon Harris

Question:

72 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to assist graduate teachers who are currently unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29069/11]

Anecdotal evidence indicates that there is an over supply of teachers currently and that there are newly qualified teachers not yet holding teaching positions in schools. My Department has introduced a circular which obliges schools to recruit unemployed teachers ahead of retired ones, in an effort to ease the difficulties for those who cannot find work in the profession. In addition, the Deputy might also wish to note that the JobBridge National Internship Scheme has recently been extended to teachers. This provides newly qualified teachers with opportunities to undertake the necessary teaching duties to complete the process of probation and fulfil the requirements for full registration with the Teaching Council.

EU Funding

Tom Fleming

Question:

73 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for co-financing support from the European Globalisation Fund for retraining and upskilling tradespeople and building workers; the amount of funding to be made available; the number of workers who will be catered for; the number of places that will be available in County Kerry; and the envisaged commencement date. [29078/11]

On 7 October 201 the European Commission approved co-financing of €35.7m under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in respect of three applications for assistance submitted in June 2010 for almost 9,000 former workers made redundant in the construction NACE 41, 43 and 71 subsectors between 1 July 2009 and 31 March 2010. These applications still require to be approved by the other EU budgetary authorities of the European Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. In total, including national co-financing, the three applications will total €55m to provide guidance, training, education and enterprise supports to eligible beneficiaries.

A number of national measures, for which EGF co-financing has been sought, are already being provided by the relevant service providers and funded from national sources. These measures include career guidance, full, part-time and evening further education and training courses, apprenticeship on- and off-the-job training, full and part-time third level education programmes and related training and education allowances where appropriate. The main service providers delivering these supports are FÁS, Vocational Education Committees and publicly funded higher education institutes. Training is also being provided through contracted private providers and the technical employment support grant mechanism administered by FÁS.

As data is being collated from a number of service providers at present, it is not possible to provide a breakdown by county of expenditure and participation rates to date. It is estimated nationally that at least 4,500 interventions for this cohort have been commenced in the areas of guidance, training and third level education. All eligible individual beneficiaries will be contacted in due course and be made aware of the specific interventions available to them under the relevant EGF programmes. I will make a further announcement on how those interventions will be made available and on how eligible persons will be informed in the next couple of weeks.

Flood Relief

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

74 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures taken by the Office of Public Works to resolve flooding at a river at Ballycatlan, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, which has previously caused extensive damage to lands belonging to a person (details supplied); if plans can be put in place to erect a bridge across the river at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28961/11]

Two channels forming part of the Glyde and Dee Arterial Drainage Scheme flow through the lands concerned and the Office of Public Works (OPW) has a statutory responsibility to maintain this Scheme. One of these channels, and a portion of the other, was maintained by the OPW as part of the Scheme channel maintenance works carried out during 2010. However, it was not possible to maintain the remainder of the channel at that time due to an issue over the securing of access from this landowner.

On foot of a channel survey carried out by the OPW earlier this year, the maintenance of a channel downstream of the affected lands was undertaken. The OPW has this week inspected the channel to determine the impact of these works on the water levels through the lands of the person concerned upstream and whether any further works are required. Arrangements will then be made to maintain the remainder of the channel. It will be necessary to secure the co-operation of the landowner regarding access in order to undertake this maintenance. My Office is not in a position to erect a bridge on the lands, as the OPW does not build new bridges on existing arterial drainage schemes.

Departmental Agencies

Gerald Nash

Question:

75 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it envisaged that a voluntary redundancy scheme will be introduced at FÁS in the context of the reorganisation of the body under SOLAS. [28997/11]

Issues relating to FÁS are a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Education and Skills. My Department has received no proposal from the Department of Education and Skills in relation to a voluntary redundancy scheme in FÁS.

Public Service Agreements

Simon Harris

Question:

76 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Croke Park agreement; if he has received implementation plans for this agreement from each Government Department and State agency; the status of these implementation plans; the discussions he has had with the EU-IMF regarding the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29063/11]

Under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 , detailed action plans have been developed across each sector of the public service to underpin the change and reform process envisaged by the Agreement. The Action Plans were first developed in October 2010 and subsequently revised in January 2011. Public service bodies in each sector were required to prepare their first detailed report on the progress being made in implementing their Action Plans last May and this formed part of the first annual review of the Agreement undertaken by the Implementation Body.

The second phase of progress reporting on the Agreement is underway at present. Sectors are due to submit updated progress reports to the Implementation Body during October. These sectoral reports will be examined by the Body and published on its website (www.implementationbody.gov.ie). It is expected that Action Plans will need to be revisited later in the year when decisions have been taken by Government on the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure.

The Government has indicated that the Public Service Agreement represents a key enabler to meeting its fiscal targets under its obligations under the EU/IMF Joint Programme of Assistance. The quarterly returns made to date by the Government under the Programme on public service numbers and the pay bill have indicated that the numbers of public servants are falling and we are on track to meet the existing target of 302,000 public service posts by end 2011. Similarly, the Exchequer pay bill return for the first six months is in line with the 2011 pay bill targets. The Government has indicated that it wishes to honour the commitments given in the Public Service Agreement. However, this will only be possible if the Agreement is implemented in full.

Public Service Staff

Simon Harris

Question:

77 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a consistent policy in place within the public service regarding absenteeism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29064/11]

In relation to absenteeism across the public service each of the sectors has its own policy in place. In the Civil Service, the area for which I have direct responsibility, the policy for sick leave is governed by a number of Circulars which are published on the Personnel Code and available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website. The procedures were recently updated and are set out in Circular 9/2010 which codifies the procedures for the management of sick leave. These procedures reflect best practice and include provision for return to work interviews, monitoring the patterns of sick leave and referral of officers to the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service.

The local government sector has been addressing the issue of attendance management and absenteeism for many years now, not least through the gathering and analysis of statistics from the annual Service Indicator Reports. A Policy and Procedure for Attendance Management issued in 2006 by the Local Government Management Services Board and these were revised and re-issued in early 2011.

In the Education sector the Department of Education and Skills has recently issued a circular concerning the Sick Leave Scheme for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools (Circular 60/2010 available on the Department of Education and Skills website). Circular letter 33/2010, also published by the Department of Education and Skills and available on the website, sets out the sick leave scheme for special needs assistants.

In the Health Sector, the Health Services Executive has published policies entitled ‘Managing Attendance Policy and Procedures' and ‘Rehabilitation of employees back to work after illness or injury — Policy and Procedure', designed to address absenteeism and to support staff in returning to work following illness or injury. Both documents are available on the HSE website. In addition, my Department is initiating a review of sick leave provisions and will be bringing proposals to me on the matter.

Pension Provisions

Michael Moynihan

Question:

78 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason a single person in the public sector is compelled by law to pay a pension for a spouse and child even if they do not have a spouse or a child; and the way such a requirement can be justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29082/11]

The Commission on Public Service Pensions examined the issue of compulsory membership in its Final Report on Public Service Pensions in 2000. It did not recommend any change in the rules providing for automatic membership of the spouses' and children's schemes, nor in the refund arrangements for membership contributions.

Public service spouses' and children's schemes are structured on a group insurance basis and the member contribution rates take account of the fact that payment of benefits will not arise in respect of all members. If cessation or refund of contributions (other than in respect of contributions exceeding forty years) were to be permitted on the basis that no benefits were going to arise, this would weaken the integrity of the schemes and could undermine fundamentally the financing of the schemes.

It is generally not possible to determine that a person will never benefit from such schemes as they provide cover for marriages and civil partnerships after retirement, and adopted children and stepchildren are also covered. Also, there is now a wider range of scheme beneficiaries under the schemes than heretofore. For example, in relation to civil partnerships, Section 99 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 provides that a benefit under a pension scheme that is provided for the spouse of a scheme member is deemed to provide equally for the civil partner (as defined in the Act) of such a person.

There are no plans to make any changes with regard to contributions to existing spouses' and children's schemes. The details provided had already been sent to my Department by the person concerned in a letter dated 26 September 2011. A direct response issued on 10 October 2011.

Public Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

79 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the nationality of the firms which were successful in applying for public contracts in the years 2009 and 2010; and if he will break these down in order of value of public contract and size of firm. [28930/11]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of public contracts awarded by my Department in the years 2009 and 2010 is set out in tabular form below. The information provided outlines: nationality of firm; value of contract; nature of contract; and size of firm. In awarding contracts, the Department had full regard for the public procurement procedures and awarded the contracts in line with those requirements. The majority of firms that were awarded contracts during the relevant period were Irish. In determining the size of firms, the criteria used was: small firm — less that 50 employees; medium sized firm — from 50 to 250 employees and large sized firm — over 250 employees.

List of Contracts — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

2009

Nationality of firm

Value

Nature of contract

Size of Firm

Irish

€975,000

IT Helpdesk services

Large

Irish

€280,000 over max. 4 years

Upgrade and migration of IT system, and ongoing support and maintenance

Medium

UK

€268,341

Postal service *

Large

UK

€209,564

Undertaking a forensic assessment of the export credit insurance market in Ireland

Large

Irish

€170,000

Purchase of servers, storage and tape libraries

Large

Irish

€130,686

Contract cleaning

Large

Irish

€130,000

Purchase of PC’s from Government Framework

Small

Irish

€126,359

Off-site file storage

Large

Irish

€120,000

Network support services

Small

Irish

€110,000

Cleaning services

Medium

Irish

€105,349

Printing and posting of personalised letters service

Small/Medium

Irish

€85,000

Software support services

Large

Irish

€80,000

Purchase of Microsoft licences

Medium

Irish

€72,292

Audit services

Large

Irish

€60,917

Software licences & support

Large

Irish

€59,041

2 year drawdown contract for supply of storage shelving

Small

Irish

€54,141

Cleaning and hygiene supplies

Medium

Irish

€34,112

Software purchase, installation & support

Small, part of a medium-sized group

Irish

€31,242

Cleaning services

Large

Irish

€30,000

Design

Small

Irish

€30,000

Stenography services

Small

Irish

€30,000

Technical support services

Large

Irish

€24,905

Indexing, barcoding, and boxing of CRO documents

Small/Medium

Irish

€14,400

Supply of storage system expansion to CRO database

Small

UK

€9,800

Audit of EU co-funded enterprise agency R&D programmes

Small

2010

Nationality of firm

Value

Nature of contract

Size of Firm

Irish

€500,000

Purchase of wide area network connectivity

Large

Irish

€360,000 over max. 4 years

IT system support

Large

UK

€270,000

Purchase of Microsoft Office 2010 licences

Large

Irish

€250,000 estimated

Purchase of servers and storage devices

Large

UK

€180,015

Postal service

Large

Irish

€180,000 over max. 4 years

eForms licences, development and support

Small

Irish

€150,000 estimated

Purchase of PC’s from Government Framework

Small

Irish

€121,781

Off-site file storage

Large

Irish

€106,354

Printing and posting of personalised letters service

Small/Medium

Irish

€104,060

Business Process Re-engineering and Employment Appeals Tribunal and Rights Commissioner Service

Medium

Irish

€94,179

Postal Service

Large

Irish

€65,000 over max. 4 years

IT system upgrade and support

Large

Irish

€60,000 over 2 years

ICT training for Departmental staff (drawdown contract)

Small

Irish

€60,000 estimated

Purchase of specialised technical IT eLearning training

Medium

Irish

€60,000

Technical support services

Large

Irish

€55,575

Audit of EU cofounded enterprise agency R&D programmes

Medium

Irish

€41,687

Cleaning and hygiene supplies

Medium

Irish

€40,656

Lease of equipment and software on a short-term basis

Medium

Irish

€40,000

Purchase of network routing equipment

Large

Irish

€35,000

Purchase of backup/ disaster recovery software

Medium

Irish

€29,011

Communication services for NERA

Small

*Postal Service

The UK firm Pitney Bowes provided postal services to the Department in 2010. While this company provided the franking machines for stamping all outgoing post and managed this postal service, all outgoing mail was handled by An Post which is Irish. This postal service has since reverted to An Post as a result of a competitive tender process.

Export Markets

Willie O'Dea

Question:

80 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures available to small and medium enterprises who wish to break into emerging economy export markets; the new assistance measures he will provide to such SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/11]

The Programme for Government sets out clearly that Ireland's economic recovery must be export-led and commits us to achieving the maximum growth in exports. The Government has given a commitment to progressively implement the recommendations in the strategy and action plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, entitled Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, developed by my Department last year, which will, inter alia, position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies.

Through Enterprise Ireland, a comprehensive suite of business supports are available to exporting companies. These programmes are tailored to a company's stage of export development, such as the International Selling Programme and the Excel at Export Selling workshop series as well as "First Flight" workshops. Companies are offered the services of a Mentor to assist them, in a systematic way, with their export preparation and development needs.

As well as training programmes, Enterprise Ireland also helps companies retain the services of a Business Accelerator — an industry expert within a specific sector and market, with the experience, knowledge and contacts to support the company's expansion and development into an export market, while the Going Global Fund supports well established but domestically-focussed companies investigate business opportunities on the international market. The fund is designed to assist successful applicants to evaluate and assess overseas market opportunities; develop plans to tailor their current service/product offer for overseas markets; identify suitable channels to international markets; examine possibilities for web-enabling its service offer for export markets; and undertake overseas market research.

Through its "Client Knowledge Services" offer Enterprise Ireland allows client companies and potential exporters access to a comprehensive library of sector and market intelligence and information on "doing business overseas". This complements Enterprise Ireland's market advisors' work in the overseas office. Enterprise Ireland has also developed detailed "third-party provider" contacts (legal, tax etc.) in priority markets which can be accessed by new exporters as well as organising and engaging business networks in all markets wherever possible.

Enterprise Ireland also recognises the importance of ensuring a supply of high calibre graduates across all business functions in terms future economic growth. To this end it has recently launched the second call of its very successful Graduates 4 International Growth. This initiative brings together a graduate and a company that are both focused on making a lasting impact in overseas markets. Graduates, with the potential to be the next generation of business development executives, will be matched with an ambitious internationally trading company and will be provided with a structured means of acquiring new skills in international business. Graduates will also deliver a project that clearly links with their company's in market growth plans.

Key instruments to pursue trade expansion are, of course, Trade Missions and over the last five years, there have been a number of Trade Missions to key emerging markets such as the BRIC countries and others including the Middle East and South Africa. A further indicator of commitment to developing our trading relationships is the fact that the Department of Foreign Affairs has expanded its network of Embassies and Consulates in some of those countries and Enterprise Ireland has opened new offices to facilitate Irish companies developing export opportunities there. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has a dedicated High Growth Markets Unit in Dublin to provide further assistance to client companies doing business in a range of countries, including the key emerging markets.

Furthermore I have retained responsibility for trade policy and consequently, my Department is engaged in the promotion of Ireland's trade interests through, for example, the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements between the EU and third countries. A Free Trade Agreement is now in place with South Korea and another is under negotiation with India. I also place a particular emphasis on promoting less restrictive global trade arrangements by means of the current round of world trade talks at the World Trade Organisation and developing new opportunities for exporters by reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers through trade and regulatory discussions between the EU and China, Russia, Brazil and the United States.

All the efforts have borne considerable fruit. Between 2005 and 2010, merchandise exports to these countries have risen 73% and between 2004 and 2009 (latest available year). Services exports have risen by 622%. A key example of this success is the fact that Ireland now has a modest trade surplus with China, a dramatic turnaround from the position only three years ago when we had a trade deficit of €2.9bn with that country.

Employment Rights

Robert Dowds

Question:

81 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he plans to bring in legislation to protect low-paid workers. [28941/11]

On 26 July 2011 the Government agreed a package of radical reforms to the Joint Labour Committee and Registered Employment Agreement wage settling mechanisms. The reform proposals deal with recommendations made and issues raised in the Independent Report on the JLC/REA systems (Duffy/Walsh report) as well as the outcome of the recent High Court ruling in the Grace Fried Chicken constitutional challenge.

The proposed measures will provide for the retention of the JLC and REA systems, subject to the reforms that are required to place them on a more secure legal and constitutional footing. They will also reinstate a robust system of protection for workers in these sectors in the aftermath of the High Court ruling. Heads of a Bill to give effect to the reform proposals have been prepared by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, agreed by Government, and communicated to the Attorney General, who has agreed to give the highest priority to drafting this legislation. It is my intention is to have a Bill ready to introduce to the Oireachtas at the earliest possible opportunity this term.

EU Funding

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

82 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has had discussions with the EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science with a view to obtaining maximum support for the innovation and technology sectors; the extent, if any, of a planned programme agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29116/11]

Both I and the Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock, TD, continue to have meetings, as the opportunity arises, with the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, with a view to building strong relationships to ensure that Ireland maximises the benefits of our position in the EU in terms of jobs and opportunities to further develop our economy.

The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7), with a budget of over €50 billion for the period 2007 to 2013, is the EU's main instrument for funding research and development in Europe. In order to extract the maximum benefit from the opportunities available within FP7, a National Support Network has been put in place, headed by a National Director for FP7 based in Enterprise Ireland who leads a team of national contact points for various elements of the Programme. This support structure ensures that a coordinated and coherent approach is adopted towards FP7 across all of the Government Departments, agencies and other organisations involved. Through this support structure, a mix of guidance, advice and financial assistance is available to encourage researchers and companies, large and small, to avail of the opportunities within the Programme.

According to the European Commission's latest report on FP7, Ireland has secured over €333 million under the Programme to date. This illustrates that Ireland continues to punch above its weight in successfully accessing EU funding for research and development. In fact, the report shows that Irish Small and Medium-sized Enterprises have the highest participation rate in the Programme of all the 27 EU Member States.

I should emphasise that the competitive nature of EU research programmes means that funding is based on the quality of applications from research organisations from both the academic and the industry sectors. Ireland's strong performance in securing this level of competitive funding validates our strategy for the development of a knowledge-based economy, capable of sustaining economic growth and more and better quality jobs for this economy.

Job Losses

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

83 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs lost and created in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the extent to which particular sectors have been affected, positively or negatively, to a greater or lesser extent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29117/11]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

84 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which focus is on job creation in the low, medium and upper income areas with particular reference to the need to have a balanced, supportive and self-sufficient economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29118/11]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

85 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has evaluated the reason or reasons for any job losses over the past five years to date with a view to determination of cause and addressing the issues emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29119/11]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

89 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which jobs in the manufacturing sector or services sector lost over the past five years can be replaced in the future; if the reasons for such losses can be adequately addressed in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29123/11]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

90 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects to encourage job creation in the manufacturing and service sectors over the next five years with particular reference to identifying, in advance, world market needs and providing for such in all sectors in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29125/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 85, inclusive, 89 and 90 together.

Figures in respect of the number of jobs created or lost in firms assisted by the industrial development agencies, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, are compiled annually in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2011 will not be available until 2012. Details of the number of jobs created and lost in agency-assisted companies on an annual basis over the last five years are set out in Table A accompanying this reply. Details of jobs created and lost in those companies by sector are set out in Tables B and C.

My Department does not collect or retain information on the number of jobs that have been created or lost in County and City Enterprise Board assisted companies. However, statistical information in relation to details of jobs existing in companies assisted by the County and City Enterprise Boards is collated annually and is set out in Table D in respect of the last five years. Figures in respect of 2011 will be available in the early part of 2012.

In general terms, business decline, resulting in job losses, often arises due to a combination of issues affecting the long-term viability of a company, rather than a singular difficulty. In this context, some of the most commonly stated primary reasons for business decline and consequent job losses include:

Significant decreases in customer/market demand due to the recession in Ireland and key trading partners

Financial Difficulties (insolvency, bankruptcy, bad debts, inability to raise finance)

Increased competition from competitor companies (in some cases exacerbated by volatility in exchanges rates)

Loss of key customers

Rationalisation/Consolidation/Restructuring of Group structures involving the closure of a company unit.

Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate job creation. The Jobs Initiative announced in May focuses our limited resources on measures that offer the greatest potential for expansion and employment creation in the domestic economy.

The programmes supported by my Department and its agencies will be critical in achieving economic growth through promoting the export potential of enterprise in Ireland and driving our Smart Economy. The allocation of €508m in capital funding for 2011 will ensure the core programmes of the enterprise agencies are sustained and targeted as well as driving investment in research and development. This investment in the Enterprise Development agencies will drive recovery in the economy by facilitating the winning of foreign direct investments, the growth of indigenous exports and the creation of sustainable jobs.

The focus of Enterprise Ireland is aimed at the ultimate objective of increasing exports and consequently, employment in Ireland, and the agency operates a comprehensive range of supports to enable indigenous industry to grow and innovate. Enterprise Ireland has a job creation target of 60,000 under the Government's Strategy for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015.

The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards continue to support the development of micro-enterprise through the provision of both direct financial assistance (in the form of capital, feasibility and employment grants) and through indirect or "soft support" assistance such as management development, capability support and the development and delivery of activities to highlight and promote enterprise.

In March 2010, IDA Ireland published ‘Horizon 2020', its strategic blueprint for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland in the coming decade. FDI has been, and will continue to be, a key element in the export-led recovery of the economy. Building on existing regional strengths to ensure Ireland's economic development and optimising regional spread of overseas investments is central to IDA's core activities. The agency's targets for the period to 2015 as per the Government's Strategy for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment include:

The creation of 75,000 new jobs;

To secure an additional 780 inward investment projects;

To deepen the domestic value added of overseas firms in Ireland and to strengthen linkages and collaboration between foreign-owned and indigenous firms.

20% of new greenfield investment projects to come from high growth and emerging economies.

I am confident that the combined influence of Ireland's improving competitiveness, our commitment to maintaining 12.5% corporate tax rate, the development of our national infrastructure, the Government's investment in science, technology and innovation, and our strong skills base will continue to attract and increase the level of inward investment to Ireland.

Table A

Year

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Full Time Job Gains in Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development assisted companies

34,520

28,708

23,508

14,272

17,582

Full Time Job Losses in Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development assisted companies

21,347

24,141

30,290

45,927

23,704

Table B — Jobs Created in Agency-assisted Companies by Sector

Sector

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Manufacturing

17,871

13,082

10,329

7,043

7,408

International Services

11,320

9,841

8,889

5,196

7,999

Financial Services

3,073

3,595

2,646

998

1,235

Other

2,256

2,190

1,644

1,035

940

Total

34,520

28,708

23,508

14,272

17,582

Table C — Jobs Lost in Agency-assisted Companies by Sector

Sector

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Manufacturing

14,692

15,405

20,382

28,842

13,614

International Services

5,501

7,107

6,956

11,957

6,695

Financial Services

300

559

1,169

1,976

1,600

Other

854

1,070

1,783

3,152

1,795

Total

21,347

24,141

30,290

45,927

23,704

Table D

Year

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Jobs existing in CEBs Based on CEB Annual Employment Survey

32,279

34,545.5

33,811

30,726.5

32,910

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

86 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has managed to address issues affecting the competitiveness of the manufacturing and service sectors with particular reference to the need for the retention and creation of sustainable jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29120/11]

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) reports to me on costs and other competitiveness issues in all sectors of the Irish economy through its suite of reports, including the "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland" report. The latest report on Costs of Doing Business in Ireland, published in June 2011, found that the Irish economy continued to show an improvement in its competitiveness in 2010, building on a gradual restoration of performance since 2008.

Costs of doing business in Ireland have reduced in relation to labour, property, utilities and business services. However, the NCC points out that some of the cost reductions achieved to date are cyclical in nature rather than structural, and more needs to be done to ensure that costs do not rise again as the economy recovers. The Costs of Doing Business report made a number of recommendations to embed competitiveness in the economy in a structural way. I have brought these recommendations to the attention of my Ministerial colleagues in Government and I will continue to work with them to identify further actions that can be taken to improve our competitiveness, reduce costs to business across all sectors and remove obstacles to employment creation.

The manufacturing and internationally-traded services sectors in Ireland have begun to recover in the last two years and exports have performed strongly. They have been less affected by Ireland's difficulties in Banking and Public Finances than other sectors and have been in a position to avail of improvements in competitiveness, such as reductions in Ireland pay costs, energy costs and rental costs.

There are many opportunities in technology and innovation which are giving Ireland a competitive edge. We have established strong clusters in innovative sectors such as Medical Devices, ICT and the Pharmaceutical and Financial sectors, which continue to perform well. Ireland is well placed to exploit opportunities in new sectors such as Cloud Computing and Digital Gaming, Life Sciences and Clean-tech. Ireland's services sector continues to grow and in 2010 accounted for 45.3 per cent of total exports and we have well recognised strengths in many areas such as ICT and Business Services.

Manufacturing is an equally important engine of our economy and is the bedrock on which the growth in Ireland's economy was founded. While manufacturing is also in transition, it is an integral component of our economy and it will continue to remain so. Higher technological investment and higher value products will be the hallmark of future manufacturing operations in Ireland. The sector will be characterised by increased international competition and enhanced output volumes due to investments in technology and automation. These operations will be knowledge, capital and skills intensive, characterised by a participative innovative culture where management and staff continuously collaborate to drive innovation, productivity, agility, learning and adaptability.

The Jobs Initiative, which the Government introduced last May, will also support the maintenance of existing jobs, as well as facilitating the creation of new ones. The Initiative included a range of measures which will be taken across all Government Departments to stimulate the economy and help get people back to work.

With regard to my own Department, the Jobs Initiative included commitments to:

develop a temporary Partial Credit Guarantee scheme to improve access to credit for business;

introduce a Microfinance Fund for small business start-ups;

extend to the wider public sector — excluding commercial State bodies — the requirement to pay suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice;

amend the treatment of R&D expenditure in the accounts of companies;

improve access by SMEs to public procurement opportunities;

introduce a scheme to incentivise people to attract new jobs to Ireland.

I also undertook to improve competitiveness across the economy by reducing costs and administrative burdens on business and by reforming the statutory wage setting mechanisms.

All of these measures will create a more competitive environment for business, including in the manufacturing and services sectors, and will help to maintain jobs and generate new ones. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to identify actions that can be taken to reduce costs in other areas to improve the competitiveness of the economy and support the creation of jobs. I have also begun the process of preparing a comprehensive Jobs Strategy which will provide an action plan to support the creation of employment in the economy. I expect the Strategy to be published in January.

Trade Relations

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

87 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for the expansion and promotion of trade and commerce nationally and internationally with the objective of assisting with economic recovery; if he has set specific targets for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29121/11]

The agreed Programme for Government sets out clearly that Ireland's economic recovery must be export-led. That Programme commits us to achieve the maximum growth in exports, including the long-term development of new markets. The Government has given a commitment to progressively implement the recommendations in the strategy and action plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, entitled Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, developed by my Department last year, which will, inter alia, position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies. That Strategy takes a two-pronged approach, focussing on particular markets and also on sectors.

In terms of markets, it identifies potential to further grow our existing key markets — and, most particularly, to increase or gain a foothold in high-growth and high-potential markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and key Middle eastern countries. That Strategy has set a number of specific targets for our performance in key areas, to be achieved by 2015. Those targets, agreed by the relevant State Agencies — Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland — are to be implemented through a suite of actions driven by the agencies concerned.

Reporting on the progress of these actions will be co-ordinated by the Export Trade Council that held its first meeting on 29th September last, in which I participated. .At this meeting I set out my Department's priorities in relation to trade policy and how the new Council's activities can work with the wider enterprise agenda of my Department.

Key instruments to pursue trade expansion are, of course, Trade Missions and an ongoing programme of such Missions is underway. I led a mission to India earlier this year and I have just returned from another to the south-eastern United States. Minister of State Perry led a mission to Australia last month. These specific markets all present exciting opportunities for Irish companies to promote our exports, and are in addition, of course, to our on-going work in the more established export markets.

Our strong export performance is having a significant impact on economic recovery, with Net Exports having been a significant contributor to GDP over the last few years and continuing to do so in 2011. For that first six months of this year Merchandise Exports have grown by 7% and Services Exports by 8 % over the same period in 2010.

With my responsibility for trade policy, I am engaged in the promotion of Ireland's trade interests through, for example, the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements between the EU and third countries. A Free Trade Agreement is now under negotiation with India and another with South Korea came into effect on 1 July this year. I also place a particular emphasis on promoting less restrictive global trade arrangements by means of the current round of world trade talks at the World Trade Organisation and developing new opportunities for exporters by reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers through trade and regulatory discussions between the EU and China, Russia, Brazil and the United States. The ongoing success of our exporters should sustain and expand jobs at home and also contribute to economic recovery in the domestic economy.

Question No. 88 answered with Question No. 9.

Questions Nos. 89 and 90 answered with Question No. 83.

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

91 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the impact of the cuts affecting PRSI patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29096/11]

The dental benefit scheme is paid from the social insurance fund which, given current economic conditions, has required substantial subvention from the Exchequer in recent years. As part of a range of cost-saving measures intended to ease this pressure, the range of treatments available under the scheme was reduced in Budget 2010. The annual free examination has been retained to encourage qualifying customers to continue attending for regular check-ups and to assist in the early detection of the dental-related health issues referred to by the Deputy. Any future changes to the scheme will have to reflect the economic realities of available funding and competing priorities.

General Register Office

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

92 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is a delay in the issuing of birth certificates for infants born in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29110/11]

As this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, it has been referred to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

93 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if payment under the rent supplement scheme will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28911/11]

The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP. There is no record of an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to make an application for rent supplement she should contact the Central Rents Unit on Freephone 1800 201 698 or her local Supplementary Welfare Service Office.

Employment Support Services

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

94 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken to ensure that the positions advertised on JobBridge are suitable for internships which will benefit the internee on their future career path. [28920/11]

The JobBridge scheme contains a number of measures to minimise displacement including the following:

all Host Organisations must declare in their application that they are not displacing an employee and that they have no vacancy in the specific area;

the JobBridge team check all applications against recent vacancies advertised on the FAS Jobs Ireland website;

if the JobBridge team suspects that displacement may be an issue, they can liaise with regional FÁS management to find out more information on the company.

In order for all applications from host organisations to be approved they must also meet a number of criteria so as to ensure that the potential internships are of sufficient quality. These include the following:

That the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;

That the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.

In order for an internship to commence a Standard Internship Agreement must be signed by both the intern and the host organisation. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship and states the specific learning outcomes the intern will receive over the course of their internship. To ensure compliance with the scheme, my Department and the JobBridge team are monitoring internships to ensure that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme.

This involves the monitoring of monthly compliance reports which the host organisation uses to verify that the internship is proceeding as set out in the Standard Internship Agreement. In addition, contact with the host organisations and interns including random site visits will begin shortly as part of this process.

The scheme also has a ‘whistle blowing' feature, where any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria, including in cases of suspected displacement or poor quality, may contact the National Call Centre. All such claims will be investigated. Where it is proven that displacement has occurred in a Host Organisation their internship opportunities will be removed and they will not be allowed to participate in JobBridge.

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

95 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection the uptake of positions advertised on the JobBridge scheme by members of the public to date; and the number of companies signed up to be included on the scheme. [28921/11]

As of 4 October 2011, just over 2,800 organisations have advertised internship opportunities under the JobBridge scheme. Since the start of the JobBridge scheme just over 5,600 internship opportunities have been available. In relation to the number of participants on the JobBridge scheme, the latest figures show that a total of 1,769 individuals have commenced an internship under the scheme.

Departmental Agencies

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

96 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional staff that will be made available to the various Monetary Advice and Budgeting Service offices around the country; the way additional staff will be recruited; and the additional staff that will be provided to the Ballina office, County Mayo. [28947/11]

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The role of money advisors is to help clients to assess their financial situation, make a budget plan and deal with creditors.

There are 52 independent MABS companies operating the local MABS services from 65 locations throughout the country, with national support provided by the MABS NDL. In addition, the MABS National Telephone Helpline is available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and the MABS website can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie. Some 90% of clients presenting to MABS are assisted through the telephone helpline, which provides assisted self-help to ensure clients take steps to assess and address their situation.

The Citizens Information Board (CIB), who has responsibility for MABS, has put a new organisational structure in place, which enables CIB regional managers to get a greater insight into the nature of supports required by MABS companies on the ground to deliver an effective service. In addition, the CIB is looking at the processes being used by MABS companies with a view to reducing waiting times, taking account of service capacity across the network of companies.

Currently a MABS office is located at Cualgara, Teeling Street, Ballina, Co Mayo, providing money advice and budgeting services in North Mayo. The Board is aware of the client demand for money advice services in the North West region and a request for additional staffing in respect of North Mayo MABS has been received. This is under review in the context of requests from other services, the increased demand for services throughout the country, and the financial resources available. I am satisfied that the CIB will continue to closely monitor the position in relation to the resources available to individual MABS companies to ensure that effective services are delivered to customers requiring assistance.

Community Employment Schemes

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

97 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is a reluctance to continue the T code status of the community employment schemes; the criteria for ring fenced projects in FÁS; if she will respond to concerns addressed to her by the community projects working in this area. [28948/11]

Currently 1,000 community employment placements are ring fenced for persons undergoing rehabilitation from drug addiction. These are referred to as Rehabilitation CE Scheme Places. Specific criteria for the selection of placements and participants, agreed with the sector representatives, are in place. Further work is underway under the aegis of the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee to review the allocation of placements and to ensure that effective referral protocols are in place.

Community employment schemes are not coded in the manner suggested by the Deputy. Instead, the coding is used by FÁS to identify internally persons referred for placement and who meet the criteria. Persons inappropriately referred are not coded in this manner. A number of special conditions have been agreed for the delivery of the Special Rehabilitation CE Scheme Places. These include age of the participant, duration of placements, supervisory and approval arrangements, qualifying periods, accreditation of training and project support. I have no plans to change the existing arrangements. My Department and FÁS will continue to work with the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee to improve the effectiveness of this particular initiative.

Social Welfare Benefits

Mattie McGrath

Question:

98 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether applications for carer’s allowance are now taking over six months to process despite the fact that her Department’s voicemail states that decisions will given within three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28991/11]

Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on satisfying medical, means and residency conditions. In determining entitlement to the allowance there are, in certain cases, unavoidable time lags involved in making the necessary investigations and enquiries to enable accurate decisions to be made. Delays can also arise if people applying for the allowance are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claim.

The average time taken to award a claim for carer's allowance from 1 January 2011 to 31 August 2011 was 13.4 weeks. A total of 10, 446 applications were registered in this period (almost 63 per working day) and 9,302 were processed in the same period. The voice mail message is for the information of callers and reflects the average time to award a claim. Some claims will be decided quicker than that and some will take considerably longer, depending on individual circumstances. The message is updated periodically in accordance with latest figures.

I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that my Department is taking appropriate steps to resolve the situation. In particular, a major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer.

Accordingly, this project is being given high priority and involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in my Department, which has had, however a short term negative impact on claim processing times. The first tranche of new carer's allowance claims began to be processed under the new system in August 2011. While these new systems and processes will facilitate a significant improvement in overall processing times it should be noted that the intake of new carer's allowance applications continues to increase and that individual claims may still take some time to process.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

99 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when rent allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28999/11]

The community welfare service (CWS), and the community welfare officers providing it, formally transferred to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP. The Department's records show that no application for rent supplement has been received from the person in question. The person should now submit an application for rent supplement to the Department in respect of her current residence. This application will be decided based on her new circumstances and her newly sourced accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

100 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29009/11]

The community welfare service (CWS), and the community welfare officers providing it, formally transferred to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP. The person concerned is in receipt of a rent supplement of €213.50 per month which is the full amount payable based on her household circumstances.

Patrick Deering

Question:

101 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for carer’s allowance; and if she will expedite a response. [29015/11]

I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the above named person. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. The average time taken to process a claim to completion, including assessment of the claimant's means and the entitlement of the care recipient to full time care and attention on medical grounds is approximately 16 weeks.

Patrick Deering

Question:

102 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for carer’s allowance; and if she will expedite a response. [29016/11]

I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the above named person. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. The average time taken to process a claim to completion, including assessment of the claimant's means and the entitlement of the care recipient to full time care and attention on medical grounds is approximately 16 weeks.

Patrick Deering

Question:

103 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for carer’s allowance; and if she will expedite a response. [29017/11]

I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the above named person. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. The average time taken to process a claim to completion, including assessment of the claimant's means and the entitlement of the care recipient to full time care and attention on medical grounds is approximately 16 weeks.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

104 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will re-examine the refusal of a back to school grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29019/11]

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year. A person may qualify for a BSCFA payment if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels.

The persons concerned were refused BSCFA as their income exceeded the limit allowable for their family composition. The person concerned can request a review by contacting the BSCFA Review Section, Department of Social Protection, St. Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Details on how to request a review are available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie or on the refusal letter that has been provided to the applicant. However, due to the large volume of applications and requests for review received, information regarding the progress of individual reviews will not be available until such time as the applications have been examined and a decision taken.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way refusal for disability allowance is justified in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if this question will be accepted as grounds for an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29024/11]

In order to satisfy the medical conditions for receipt of disability allowance a person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year and as a result of the condition the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person's age, experience and qualifications.

When conducting an assessment, the medical assessor does not dispute the existence of the certified cause of incapacity but rather s/he assesses the duration of the illness and the degree to which the loss of function in work-related activities, resulting from the disease or injury, affects the person's ability to perform either their own job or alternative types of work.

The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 27 April 2011. The medical evidence supplied with her claim was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was of the opinion, based on the information supplied, that that person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the claim was refused and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 12 September 2011.

Further medical evidence, including that which accompanied this Parliamentary Question, has now been referred to a medical assessor. When the medical assessor's opinion is received by the deciding officer, s/he will review the decision and the person will be notified directly of the outcome. If the original decision remains unchanged after this review, the person concerned can lodge an appeal.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis for disallowance of entitlement to disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29025/11]

As part of a review of the continued entitlement to disability allowance of the person concerned, her medical suitability was assessed by one of the Department's medical assessors who was of the opinion that she was no longer medically suitable for disability allowance. A deciding officer accepted this opinion and the person's claim was disallowed. A letter issued to the person on 26 May 2011 advising her of this decision. Further medical evidence was subsequently received from the person which is being referred to a medical assessor for an opinion as to the person's medical suitability for disability allowance. As soon as a decision is made on this further medical evidence the person will be notified of the outcome.

James Bannon

Question:

107 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a top-up non-contributory pension, together with the free schemes such as the living alone allowance and fuel allowance, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29031/11]

An application for the State pension non-contributory (SPNC) from the person concerned was received on the 11th July 2011. The file has been forwarded to the local social welfare inspector (SWI) for investigation of the customer's entitlement to SPNC. He will be contacted shortly by the SWI to be interviewed regarding his application. When the SWI has completed her report, the file will be returned for a formal decision and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.

James Bannon

Question:

108 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements claimable by a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is coming off jobseeker’s allowance and will be working a 30 hour week at €250 per week, which will not be sufficient for them and their family to live on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29033/11]

The person concerned is currently in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance at a weekly rate of €250.40. Family Income Support is a weekly payment for payments for families at work on low pay. It is not subject to income tax and does not affect medical card eligibility. If the person concerned commences employment for 30 hours per week at a weekly rate of €250.00, he may be entitled to claim for Family Income Support. He can do so by completing the necessary application form or by contacting his local social welfare office.

James Bannon

Question:

109 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for family income supplement in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29035/11]

Family income supplement has been awarded to the person in question with effect from 21 April 2011. First payment, including arrears due, has recently been lodged to the person's nominated bank account. Payment will continue for 52 weeks as long as qualifying conditions are met.

Departmental Properties

Jack Wall

Question:

110 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposed capital programme regarding the refurbishment or replacement of social welfare offices; if an office (details supplied) in County Kildare is included in such a schedule and the timescale of each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29040/11]

The significant increase in the Live Register over the past number of years has placed additional pressures on my Department's local offices in terms of providing a satisfactory service to the public. The Department accepts that as a consequence, some of its buildings require refurbishment, extensions or, in some cases, replacement. The Department relies on the Office of Public Works (OPW) for the provision of new office accommodation. To this end it has requested the OPW as a matter of priority to acquire new local office accommodation in a number of locations throughout the country to enable it deliver a satisfactory service to the public.

These priority locations include Loughrea, Balbriggan, Swords, Castlebar and Newbridge. The provision of new offices is dependent on sufficient resources being made available to the OPW for these projects. The final schedule and timescale for each location will be discussed with the Office of Public Works in light of decisions on budgetary allocations that will be made in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

Social Welfare Benefits

Barry Cowen

Question:

111 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of farm assist; if there are applications outstanding; her plans to expand this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29113/11]

The farm assist scheme is a means-tested payment broadly similar to the jobseeker's allowance scheme. It features a more generous means test, which takes account of the specific nature of farming and, unlike jobseeker's allowance, farmers claiming this payment do not need to be available for work outside of the farm in order to qualify.

In recent years changes have been made to farm assist which means that it is now easier for low income farmers to qualify for support under the scheme. Improvements in the method of assessing earnings from insurable employment were also introduced in September 2007 which provides further gains for families claiming farm assist, where either spouse is also in insurable employment. As of the 30th of September there were 11,251 recipients in receipt of farm assist and a further 353 applications awaiting a decision. Any further changes to the farm assist scheme would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

Social Welfare Code

Barry Cowen

Question:

112 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will protect social welfare rates in budget 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29115/11]

The appropriate level of overall expenditure by my Department in the years ahead will be considered in the context of Budget 2012 and subsequent Budgets. Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for maintaining an adequate system of social protection as well as achieving future economic stability and growth. To this end, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, there will be an on-going requirement to curtail expenditure in 2012 and in later years.

There are considerable challenges ahead including the need to protect, as far as possible, the key income supports and services operated by my Department. This process will be informed by the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which has been completed by my Department, with the key decisions being made in the context of framing the Budget for 2012.

Employment Support Services

Willie O'Dea

Question:

113 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to address flaws in the JobBridge programme with respect to the specification of internships permissible under the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28845/11]

The JobBridge scheme contains a number of measures to minimise displacement including the following:

all Host Organisations must declare in their application that they are not displacing an employee and that they have no vacancy in the specific area;

the JobBridge team check all applications against recent vacancies advertised on the FÁS Jobs Ireland website;

if the JobBridge team suspects that displacement may be an issue, they can liaise with regional FÁS management to find out more information on the company.

In order for all applications from host organisations to be approved they must also meet a number of criteria so as to ensure that the potential internships are of sufficient quality. These include the following:

that the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;

that the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.

In order for an internship to commence a Standard Internship Agreement must be signed by both the intern and the host organisation. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship and states the specific learning outcomes the intern will receive over the course of their internship. To ensure compliance with the scheme, my Department and the JobBridge team are monitoring internships to ensure that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme.

This involves the monitoring of monthly compliance reports which the host organisation uses to verify that the internship is proceeding as set out in the Standard Internship Agreement. In addition, contact with the host organisations and interns including random site visits will begin shortly as part of this process.

The scheme also has a ‘whistle blowing' feature, where any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria, including in cases of suspected displacement or poor quality, may contact the National Call Centre. All such claims will be investigated. Where it is proven that displacement has occurred in a Host Organisation their internship opportunities will be removed and they will not be allowed to participate in JobBridge.

Social Insurance

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

114 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is seeking any changes to the PRSI system in order to provide a social welfare safety net underneath self-employed persons. [28889/11]

Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI Class A. For employees earning less than €356 per week, the rate of employer's PRSI is 4.25%.

PRSI coverage is related to the risks associated with employment or self-employment, the annualised system of contributions for self-employed people and the practicalities of administering and controlling access to short-term payments for self-employed people. A system of separate arrangements for employed and self-employed workers within a social insurance context is common in other European social protection systems.

Any changes to the PRSI system in order to provide a social welfare safety net underneath self-employed persons would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered in the context of a much more significant rise in the rate of contribution payable. The Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare was established by me earlier this year in fulfilment of the commitment made in the Programme for Government. The Advisory Group will, inter alia, examine and report on issues involved in providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable. It is intended that the Advisory Group should consider any proposals for change to existing arrangements in a cost-neutral or cost-reducing context.

Self-employed persons may establish eligibility to assistance-based payments including payments such as jobseeker's allowance. They can apply for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. In general, their means will take account of the level of earnings in the last twelve months in determining their expected income for the following year. In the current climate account is taken of the downward trend in the economy.

Employment Support Services

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

115 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the safeguards in place to guarantee that employees participating on the national internship programme are not exploited and achieve their objectives. [28891/11]

The JobBridge scheme has a number of measures designed to protect the intern and to ensure the integrity of the JobBridge scheme. In order for all applications from host organisations to be approved they must meet a number of criteria so as to ensure that the potential internships are of sufficient quality. These include the following:

that the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;

that the internship is not displacing an employee;

that the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.

In order for an internship to commence a Standard Internship Agreement must be signed by both the intern and the host organisation. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship and states the specific learning outcomes the intern will receive over the course of their internship. At the end of an internship, host organisations must supply the intern with a reference which includes a statement of all training undergone by the intern as part of the internship. To ensure compliance with the scheme, the Department of Social Protection and the Employment Services Division of FÁS are monitoring internships to ensure that they are of sufficient quality and that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme.

This involves the monitoring of monthly compliance reports that are required to be submitted by the host organisation verifying that the internship is proceeding as set out in the Standard Internship Agreement. In addition, contact with the host organisations and interns including random site visits will begin shortly as part of this process. The scheme also has a ‘whistle blowing' feature where any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria, including in cases of suspected displacement or poor quality, may contact the National Call Centre. All such claims will be investigated.

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

116 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the JobBridge programme needs to be re-evaluated to reflect the growing unemployment here. [28878/11]

JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, came into operation on 1st July 2011. My Department has been given sanction to offer at any one time 5,000 internships for unemployed individuals. As of Friday 7th October a total of 1,769 individuals have commenced an internship. In addition, there are currently 2,477 internships opportunities being advertised on the JobBridge website. While I am happy with the progress JobBridge has made in a little over 3 months, it is too early to consider whether the scheme needs to be expanded. However, my Department will continue to monitor the scheme closely.

While JobBridge is an important component of the Government's response in tackling Ireland's unemployment problem, it is just one of a number of activation measures on offer. The Government is providing a wide range of labour market activation measures designed to assist those who are unemployed. The Jobs Initiative, which was launched last May contains an additional 20,900 education, training and internship places for the unemployed. These labour market activation measures aim to provide unemployed people with enhanced opportunities to maintain and develop their skills and competencies and to improve their prospects of securing employment. Tackling Ireland's unemployment problem remains a priority of the Government and it will continue to require a whole of Government response.

State Property

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

117 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons for the delay in the transaction for lands (details supplied) which he wishes to purchase. [28990/11]

During 2010 a dispute arose in relation to a right of way giving access to the site in question and this delayed the completion of this purchase. This matter has now been resolved and contracts were received from the applicant's solicitors on the 20th of May 2011. I am advised that the purchase of this land is now progressing.

Arts Funding

John Lyons

Question:

118 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide information with regard to an exhibition, Dublin Contemporary 2011, hosted by the National Gallery of Ireland; the body that gave permission for this event to be hosted in State-owned buildings; the amount of public money allocated to fund this event; when permission was given for this exhibition to be hosted in the National Gallery of Ireland; and if he will provide information regarding the organisers of the exhibition. [29012/11]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

119 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the body that gave permission for the Dublin Contemporary 2011 event to be housed in State-owned buildings. [28972/11]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

120 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of public money given to the Dublin Contemporary 2011 event as funding. [28973/11]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

121 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when permission for the Dublin Contemporary 2011 exhibition to be mounted in the National Gallery of Ireland was given. [28974/11]

Sandra McLellan

Question:

122 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the name of the organisers of Dublin Contemporary 2011. [28975/11]

I propose to take questions Nos. 118 to 122, inclusive, together.

Dublin Contemporary 2011 (DC2011) is the largest contemporary visual art event of its kind and scale ever held in Ireland. Its mission is to create a dynamic experience of contemporary visual art within the specific cultural context of Dublin that resonates both locally and globally. Ireland has a unique cultural brand that is globally recognised and Dublin needs to be reinforced as an open, vibrant city that attracts and retains talented people, where creativity and innovation are encouraged and where leading companies want to invest.

DC2011 previewed on 5th September and is due to run until the 31st October. In its first month, it has already attracted much favourable media coverage — both at home and abroad — and it has also been critically well received. DC2011 aims to bring key cultural institutions across the city together with private galleries and public realm art installations to create the critical mass of a truly city-wide exhibition. The primary DC2011 site or hub is situated at Earlsfort Terrace within the grounds of the National Concert Hall. The use of the Earlsfort Terrace site for the exhibition was agreed with the Office of Public Works, which owns the site.

In addition to this core site, further DC2011 exhibitions are hosted at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Douglas Hyde Gallery, National Gallery of Ireland and the Royal Hibernian Academy. Agreements to hosts exhibition at these venues were negotiated between the DC2011 and individual management of the galleries concerned. In the case of the National Gallery of Ireland agreement was finalised in July of this year.

Responsibility for the development, management and delivery of DC2011 rests with the St. Patrick's Festival which was established in 1995 as Féilte Dhuibh Linne Teoranta, a company limited by guarantee and set up by Government to run major cultural events. The programme budget for DC2011 is of the order of €4m. This budget is to be met through a mix of revenues from ticket sales and merchandising, sponsorship, philanthropy and Exchequer support. To date in 2011, €1.16m has been paid by my Department in respect of the DC2011 programming budget. Once final costs, revenues and incomes are determined and audited, the full Exchequer contribution to the programming costs will be finalised.

National Gallery

Sandra McLellan

Question:

123 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to build a helipad as part of the redevelopment of the National Gallery of Ireland; if the effects of such a feature on the safety and protection of artworks housed in the museum have been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/11]

There are no plans for a helipad as part of the redevelopment of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Wildlife Protection

Tom Fleming

Question:

124 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will investigate the use of Larsen traps for the purpose of capturing birds in view of the incidents of misuse of these traps that have emerged recently in which acts of cruelty are reported in a number of incidents in County Kerry; and the action being prepared to address this issue. [29079/11]

My Department has responsibility for regulating the use of traps, snares and nets for catching wildlife. This is done in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2010 and the Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003. The use of Larsen Traps complies with the provisions of these regulations and is acceptable when carried out with due care.

National Parks

Tom Fleming

Question:

125 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current complement of workers at Killarney National Park, County Kerry; the vacancies that have arisen due to retirements in 2010 and 2011; his plans for replacement workers; and his intentions regarding the filling of these vacancies in the short term. [29080/11]

The total number of permanent staff assigned to Killarney National Park currently stands at 50. In addition, temporary staff are hired each year according to seasonal demand. At peak season this year 14 temporary staff were hired; currently 5 are employed. There were no retirements in 2010 and 2 staff retired in 2011. As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on filling staff vacancies across the public services remains in place. I am satisfied however that within this context, adequate staffing resources are in place in order to maintain the property referred to by the Deputy as a high quality visitor attraction.

Alternative Energy Projects

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

126 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to develop an ocean energy test site centre at Belmullet, County Mayo; and the progress made to date if any. [28955/11]

Wave and tidal energy, commonly known as ocean energy, is still at the RD&D stage globally. In 2008, the Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) was established in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to take forward Ireland's ocean energy programme.

Already by 2008, a number of Irish universities and the Marine Institute were pursuing research and initiatives in the ocean energy area and a quarter scale test site for devices had been established in Galway Bay. The intention was to eventually be able to test full scale grid connected pre-commercial wave energy prototypes. In order to achieve this goal, the OEDU in SEAI has been pursuing a strategy of developing a site where this testing could take place.

The proposed Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) project in Belmullet, County Mayo, is approaching a stage of development that would see it ready to enter the full consenting process within the next few months subject to budgetary considerations for 2012 and forward years. The test site includes two offshore test areas at 50m and 100m water depths which would in turn be connected to a shore based electricity substation.

The site off Annagh Head near Belmullet was selected in 2008 on the basis of a comprehensive study which looked at a variety of sites along the west coast of Ireland. The decision to choose Belmullet was based principally on the quality of the wave climate (amongst the best in the world), suitable grid for electrical connection, good shore infrastructure and deepwater with sandy seabed close to shore.

Arup Engineering Services was appointed in 2009 to manage the overall project while ESB International has provided engineering support since the commencement of the project. To facilitate local input into the project as well as address any potential concerns about the project, a local liaison service has been established in the local civic offices in Belmullet.

To facilitate a complete investigation of the proposed test site area a foreshore licence was granted that enabled a variety of surveys to take place. These surveys formed the basis of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is in progress for the past 12 to 18 months and includes environmental, mammal, marine traffic and bathymetry amongst others. This will in turn form the basis of a foreshore lease application for the offshore test areas and planning application for the sub-station, subject to budgetary considerations.

Telecommunications Services

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

127 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of utilisation of the metropolitan area networks in County Mayo indicating in each case if there is backhaul connectivity; and the resilience that exists. [28956/11]

There are five Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in County Mayo: Ballina; Ballinrobe; Claremorris; Kiltimagh and Knock. The MANS are managed, maintained and operated by e|net on behalf of the State and are available on a wholesale carrier neutral and open access basis.

Backhaul is available in each of the five MAN towns and three of these have been connected: Ballina, Claremorris and Kiltimagh. e|net has advised that the fibre backhaul to Ballina is fully resilient while the routes to Claremorris (fibre) and Kiltimagh (wireless) are not fully resilient. Although backhaul is available, there is currently no backhaul connection to the Ballinrobe and Knock MANs. Five service providers are connected to the Ballina MAN, 1 to the Claremorris MAN and 2 to the Kiltimagh MAN. The number of businesses being served by each service provider in those towns is a commercial matter for the service providers concerned.

Sean Fleming

Question:

128 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of the sell off of the channel 69 spectrum and the move to channel 38 for programmes making special event users, he will consider having the licensing rate reduced to a level in line with neighbouring countries; if he will examine the possibility of some financial support scheme to help them transfer their current stock of channel 69 equipment to the new allocated frequency range in channel 38 in line with the system that is operating in England and in Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28979/11]

The licensing of radio microphones is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I understand that channel 69 (854 — 862 MHz) is one of the channels available for radio microphone use in Ireland. At the International Telecommunication Union World Radio-communication Conference in 2007 it was agreed that channels 61 to 69 would be made available for mobile services. Subsequently the European Commission, in its Recommendation 2009/848/EC, recommended that analogue terrestrial TV services would be switched off in 2012 and that the above channels should be used for electronic communications services. This switch over will facilitate the roll out of high speed mobile broadband to communities across Europe. In complying with this Recommendation channel 69 will no longer be available for radio microphone use.

As the Deputy may be aware Ireland's national digital switch over strategy provides for a move to all digital TV services by the end of 2012, with the existing services in the 800 MHz band (including channel 61-69) due to be switched off at that stage.

ComReg conducted a public consultation on this matter in April 2010. The June 2009 decision of the UK Communications Regulator (Ofcom) to confirm Channel 38 (606 — 614 MHz) as a replacement for Channel 69 was raised during the consultation. In light of the Ofcom decision, and noting that Ireland is a small and open economy and the potential for economies of scale of equipment manufacture and roaming of services, ComReg considered that spectrum for radio microphones should be aligned with spectrum available for radio microphones in larger European markets.

Following consideration of responses received to its consultation, ComReg's view is that it would be appropriate to use a replacement channel aligned with the UK's channel for wireless microphones and it therefore announced in September 2010 that it would make Channel 38 available on an exclusive basis for radio microphone use in Ireland. All appropriate steps for the orderly change in use of the relevant spectrum have been taken.

The current cost of a licence for the possession and use of programme making and special event equipment, including radio microphones, for an event is a €12 administration fee and €12 per piece of equipment. The licence fee was established in 1986 and has remained unchanged since that time. As the Deputy will be aware ComReg is obliged to recover its administrative costs for the management of such licensing schemes. I am advised that it is not possible to make a direct comparison with other countries when considering licence fees given that the method of fee calculation in other countries is based on a number of different factors such as the number of channels required and duration of event. In Ireland the only factor taken into account in terms of fee calculation is the number of pieces of equipment used and this is enshrined in legislation.

ComReg has no remit in relation to compensation and my Department has no funds for a compensation programme as suggested by the Deputy. I understand that the situation in the UK is different as the UK Regulator previously gave assurances on the future use of channel 69 until 2018 but subsequently had to retract this assurance. I understand that radio microphone manufacturers and suppliers have been aware, since the International Telecommunication Union World Radio-communication Conference in 2007, of the fact that channel 69 would no longer be available for wireless microphone use from the end of 2012.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if and when broadband services will be available in the Knockanally area in County Kildare; his plans with respect to broadband service in this area with particular reference to both the ongoing need and demand for such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28993/11]

The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for commercial service providers. In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The Group Broadband Scheme, National Broadband Scheme (NBS) and Rural Broadband Scheme are all examples of where Government has intervened to ensure broadband availability in areas, particularly rural ones, where commercial investors have failed to provide services.

The area of Knockanally, County Kildare was not included in the NBS because the national mapping exercise carried out in advance of the scheme determined that the area was already covered from a broadband perspective. The Rural Broadband Scheme, which recently closed for applications, aims to identify the remaining individual premises in rural Ireland, outside the NBS areas, that are unable to obtain a broadband service and to provide a basic broadband to those premises, where requested.

The areas eligible for applications under the Rural Broadband Scheme included Knockanally in County Kildare. Almost 5,000 applications have been received under the scheme and my Department is currently processing applications where address details need to be clarified — this is a time consuming exercise but the aim is to clear these applications over the coming weeks.

The next step in the scheme is the Verification Phase, in which the Department will give Internet service providers the opportunity to serve the applicants under normal commercial terms. Subject to agreement with the companies concerned, the Verification Phase should be carried out over the period October 2011-January 2012. We would expect that some of the applicants under the Scheme will be offered a service by these companies during this phase.

The procurement process is expected to commence in parallel to select a service provider to offer a service to remaining applicants once the Verification Phase has been completed. My Department expects to identify the preferred supplier by the end of January 2012 and pending contract negotiations a service provider will be appointed by mid-February 2012. Roll out of the service under the Scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

Environmental Policy

John O'Mahony

Question:

130 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent weather conditions if he intends to extend the date for the spread of slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29093/11]

The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.

Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers as early as practicable in the growing season, in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution risks to water. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations provide for periods when the application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or heavy rain is forecast.

The Irish Farmers Association has requested a deferral of the start of the closed period by 2 weeks, given the abnormally high rain fall during the month of September. I have considered this application in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We recognise that the adverse weather conditions experienced in Ireland during September, in particular, have caused significant hardship for farmers and have made it extremely difficult to carry out regular farming activity. Consequently, I have decided, as an exceptional measure, to grant a two week extension to the period during which slurry may be spread, up to 31 October 2011.

Local Authority Housing

Dessie Ellis

Question:

131 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will sanction the purchase of land by Mayo County Council for the building of a home in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [28924/11]

My Department's Social Housing Investment Programme includes a number of measures to assist local authorities in meeting social housing need, including the housing needs of persons with a disability, based on traditional construction and acquisition programmes, projects advanced by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, and through the leasing of accommodation from private landlords. Funding of €6.366 million, of which €1.275 million relates to the provision of new social housing stock, was allocated to Mayo County Council under the 2011 programme. This included some €250,000 to enable the Council to meet expenditure on adaptation works and extensions to local authority housing stock to meet the needs of tenants with a disability.

There are no proposals with my Department at present in relation to this case. It is a matter for Mayo County Council to prioritise proposals for meeting all categories of housing need within the context of its overall social housing investment programme. My Department understands that the Council is currently exploring a number of housing options with a view to meeting the needs of the family in question.

Local Authority Services

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

132 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the responsibility for providing funding for street lighting outside of schools lies with the Department of Education and Skills or with the local authority. [28938/11]

Under the Roads Act 1993 the provision of street lighting is a matter for the relevant local authority and the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport. I have no function in this matter.

Ministerial Appointments

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

133 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the appointments made to State agencies and boards under his remit for the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28963/11]

A number of statutory processes are involved in appointments to State boards. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Government or by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. In other cases only particular public office holders may be appointed to certain boards. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of the Minister for Finance or following consultation with the Minister for Finance or Minister for Education and Skills, as appropriate.

The table sets out relevant information in respect of all persons appointed to the state boards under the aegis of my Department for the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011.

Name of State Body/Board

Year

Names of Persons Appointed

Building Regulations Advisory Board

2009

Mr Jay Stuart

2009

Mr Cian Ó Lionáin

2009

Ms Terry Prendergast

2009

Mr Sean Balfe

2010

Mr Kevin O’Rourke

2010

Ms Edel Collins

2011

Mr Aidan O’Connor

2011

Mr Paul Kelly

An Bord Pleanala

2011

Dr. Mary Kelly

2011

Ms Fionna O’Regan

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

2010

Councillor Billy Cameron

2010

Mr. Pat McMahon

2010

Ms. Fionnuala Hanrahan

Comhar, Sustainable Development Council

2009

Ms Jackie Maguire

2010

Mr Matt Crowe

2009

Ms Shirley Clerkin

2010

Mr John McCarthy

2010

Ms Mary Stack

2009

Dr Claire Penny

2010

Ms Mairead Cirillo

2010

Ms Finola McDonnell

2009

Ms Emer Dunne

2010

Ms Pat Farrell

2009

Mr Jack O’Sullivan

2009

Mr Frank Corcoran

2009

Ms David Korowicz

2009

Mr Pat Finnegan

2010

Ms Molly Walsh

2009

Ms Elaine Nevin

2009

Mr Seamus Boland

2009

Ms Niamh Garvey

2009

Fr Sean Healy

2010

Ms Ann Irwin

2009

Prof. Vincent O’Flaherty

2009

Ms Sue Scott

2009

Ms Deirdre McGrath

2010

Mr Ray Bates

2010

Mr Ciaran Byrnes

Dormant Accounts Board

2009

Ms Marian Hackett

2009

Ms Kate Feely

2009

Ms Rosaleen Glackin

2009

Mr Noel McPartland

2009

Mr David Martin

2010

Ms Mary Maguire

2010

Mr Colin Wilson

2010

Ms Eimer O’Rourke

2011

Mr Des Gunning

2011

Mr Michael Morley (Chairperson)

DDDA

2009

Prof. Niamh Brennan (Chair)

2009

Ms Yvonne Farrell

2010

Dr. Berna Grist

EPA

2009

Dr. Mary Kelly

2009

Ms. Laura Burke

2009

Mr. Dara Lynott

2010

Mr. Matthew Crowe

Housing Finance Agency

2010

Mr John Bolger

Housing and Sustainable Communities Ltd

2010

Mr Rich Howlin (Chairperson)

2010

Mr Eddie Lewis

2010

Mr John O’Connor

2010

Ms Marie McLaughlin

2010

Mr John McCloskey

2010

Mr Peter Carey

2010

Ms Ann McGuinness

2010

Mr Gordon Richards

Irish Water Safety

2009

Mr Dave Corcoran

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency

2009

Mr Tom Coughlan

2009

Mr Frank McGlynn

2009

Ms Mary Tully

2009

Chief Superintendent Gerry Mahon

2010

Chief Superintendent David Sheahan

2010

Mr David Sheahan

2010

Mr Michael Layde

Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

2009

Mr Tom Coughlan

2009

Mr Frank McGlynn

2009

Ms Mary Tully

2009

Chief Superintendent Gerry Mahon

2010

Chief Superintendent David Sheahan

2010

Mr David Sheahan

2010

Mr Michael Layde

Local Government Management Agency

2009

Mr E Sheehy

2009

Mr M McLoone

2009

Mr T O’Niadh

2009

Mr E Breen

2009

Mr J Tierney

2009

Mr T Mackey

2009

Mr P Carey

2009

Mr E Gleeson

2010

Mr. H Kearns

2009

Mr E O’Connor

2009

Mr. J. Allen

2010

Mr. B. Quinlan

2009

Mr. P. McDonald

National Building Agency

2010

Mr Rich Howlin (Chairperson)

2010

Mr Eddie Lewis

2010

Mr John O’Connor

2010

Ms Marie McLaughlin

2010

Mr John McCloskey

2010

Mr Peter Carey

2010

Ms Ann McGuinness

2010

Mr Gordon Richards

National Traveller Accommodation

2009

Ms Bridget Casey

Consultative Committee

2009

Ms Catherine Linehan

2010

Ms Caroline Keane

2010

Mr Denis Conlan

2010

Mr Jim Ganley

2010

Professor Séamus Ó Cinnéide (Chair)

2010

Councillor Liam Blaney

2010

Ms Bridget Casey

2010

Mr John Paul Collins

2010

Ms Mary Connors

2010

Ms Catherine Linehan

2010

Councillor Patricia McCarthy

2010

Ms Mary McDonnell

2010

Mr Conn Murray

2010

Mr David O’Connor

2010

Mr Séamus O’Connor

2011

Ms Mary Tully

Pobal

2009

Mr Clifford Kelly

2009

Mr Sean O’Baoill

2009

Ms Patricia King

2009

Mr Seamus Boland

2009

Mr Dan Joe O’Donovan

2010

Ms Marian Vickers

2010

Ms Ruth Cullen

2010

Mr Frank Cunneen

2010

Ms Brendan O’Malley

Private Rented Tenancies Board

2010

Ms Orla Coyne Chairperson

2009

Ms Aideen Hayden

2009

Mr Eoin O’Sullivan

2009

Mr Aidan Brennan

2009

Mr Finian Mathews

2009

Mr John Tiernan

2009

Mr Vincent P. Martin

2009

Mr Gene Feighery

2010

Mr Conn Murphy

2010

Mr Joseph Meehan

Rent Tribunal

2010

Ms Orla Coyne

2010

Ms Mary Doyle

2010

Ms Louise Moloney

2010

Mr Eoin O’Sullivan

2010

Mr Tom O’Reilly

2010

Mr Keiran Buckley

2010

Ms Mary Heaslip

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

2009

Mr. John O’Dea

2009

Dr. Patrick Gilligan

2009

Ms. Darina Muckian

2009

Ms. Adi Roche

2010

Ms. Fionnuala Barker

2010

Dr. Stephanie Ryan

2010

Mr. James Fitzmaurice

2010

Dr. Kevin Kelleher

Western Development Commission

2011

Ms Helen Rochford Brennan

2011

Mr Neville Bagnall

2011

Mr Jim Devenney

2011

Dr Seosamh O Ceallaigh

2011

Dr Katie Sweeney

2011

Ms Jackie Magiuire

2011

Ms Mary Devine O’Callaghan

2011

Mr Vincent Sweeney

2011

Mr Pádraig O hAoláin

2011

Mr Vincent Roche

2011

Mr Gerry O’Connor

2011

Ms Martina Minogue

Register of Electors

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

134 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow Irish residents living abroad vote in presidential elections and referenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28967/11]

In order to be able to vote at elections and referenda in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of persons who are entered in the register of electors. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting by whole-time members of the Defence Forces, members of the Garda Síochána, and Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners.

Subsequent legislation enacted by the Oireachtas has extended postal voting to other categories: electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996); electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day and full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State (the Electoral Act 1997); certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001); and electors who because of the circumstances of their detention in prison pursuant to an order of a court are likely to be unable to go in person on polling day to vote (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006).

The Programme for Government sets out a comprehensive range of constitutional reform measures including the review by a Constitutional Convention of the Dáil electoral system and giving citizens the right to vote at Irish embassies in presidential elections. I will bring forward proposals for change to electoral law in light of the decisions for change which may arise from these processes.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Clare Daly

Question:

135 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he participated in a climate policy workshop that was organised by IBEC; if this conference has any relevance to the fact that a major climate policy review is due to be published in the coming weeks; the reason no other stakeholders were consulted with in the run up to this review but IBEC; and his views on same. [28998/11]

At the invitation of IBEC, I agreed to give the closing address at their workshop on Responding to the Challenges and Opportunities of Climate Change which was held on 5 October 2011. I attended the closing session at which I was the only speaker. From my perspective, the workshop had no direct relevance to the timing of the climate policy review which I am finalising. There was no bilateral discussion on either the timing or content of the review.

In my closing address, I told the participants that my immediate priority is to complete the review of current national policy in light of existing and anticipated national greenhouse gas mitigation targets. That piece of work, which is almost finalised, will be an important contextual foundation on which the next phase of national climate policy development will be built. That next phase will need to involve engagement from all of the key stakeholders and I am currently considering how best to take that process forward after the review is finalised later this month.

The climate policy review has been raised in general terms at recent bilateral meetings which I have had with a number of stakeholders, including the Irish Environmental Network and the Irish Farmers Association. It was also raised at a recent bilateral meeting with the Irish Corporate Leaders on Climate Change at which both Business in the Community and Friends of the Earth were represented.

Local Authority Housing

Sean Fleming

Question:

136 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of the relevant local authorities, through whom funding is provided from his Department for voluntary housing co-operatives; if the local authority has any responsibility in relation to the standard of works or are they merely a conduit for funding with no responsibility in relation to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29010/11]

My Department's involvement with voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, the processing of applications and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the local authority.

Local authorities are responsible for the assessment and appraisal of all new voluntary sector projects and ensuring that they are advanced through the planning, procurement and implementation phases in accordance with the requirements of the Capital Works Management Framework for publicly funded capital projects. In the case of new voluntary or co-operative housing developments, it is a matter for the approved housing body, as Contracting Authority under the terms of the funding schemes, to ensure that such developments comply with the relevant statutory planning and building standards. The approved housing body, as Employer under the terms of the building contract, is responsible for ensuring proper standards of materials and construction.

Local Government Reforms

Mattie McGrath

Question:

137 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the remuneration package the members of a group (details supplied) established to implement his decision for a unified county council in Tipperary, will receive for their services to this group; his views that the formation of this group is biased towards north Tipperary based on its formation; his further views that an independent chairman would be more appropriate; the reason it was necessary to employ two retired civil servants for this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29021/11]

I do not accept that membership of the Group is biased towards North Tipperary. The appointment of members was based, inter alia, on their specific working knowledge of local government in Tipperary, expertise in local government matters generally and extensive experience of public administration at a senior level. While the County Manager from North Tipperary County Council will act as Chair, the Group will operate in conjunction with an independent external evaluator who will assist in covering all aspects of the Group's mandate in an objective and effective way. Moreover, the inclusion of a member from outside the local authorities in question will further underpin the objectivity of the Group. There is no remuneration for members of the Group.

Homeless Persons

Robert Dowds

Question:

138 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the sheltered housing provisions for recovering drug addicts in Dublin; if any of these services cater to families with children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29038/11]

Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and implementation of the homelessness strategy at local and regional level is being carried out through the framework of statutory homelessness action plans adopted by housing authorities. Dublin City Council (DCC) is the lead authority for the Dublin region and the Assessment and Placement Service at 160 Capel Street provides information and advice and an initial assessment to place people presenting as homeless into temporary accommodation. Accordingly every individual, whether they are recovering addicts or otherwise, will have their needs assessed by the Assessment and Placement Service and, subject to the outcome of their needs assessment, will be provided with appropriate accommodation.

There is a wide range of homeless accommodation options available in the Dublin region that cater for families including private emergency accommodation, supported temporary accommodation and permanent supported accommodation. There are also options available under the SLÍ scheme which assists people progress from homelessness to independent living in mainstream housing by co-ordinating appropriate tenancy and other mainstream supports to meet each individual's needs in their local community setting. In respect of social housing need more generally, under Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, the statutory responsibility for determination of eligibility and assessment of housing need is entirely a matter for the relevant housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council.

Foreshore Licences

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

139 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application for a foreshore licence (details supplied) in County Mayo. [29109/11]

When Mayo County Council initially applied for a foreshore licence in 2009 they acknowledged that additional information comprising a screening report for appropriate assessment and an ecological survey would need to be submitted to progress the application. This material was received by my Department on 15 September 2011 and has been forwarded to the relevant statutory consultees for examination. Instructions will shortly be given to the Council concerning public consultation. On completion of all consultation procedures the Marine Licence Vetting Committee will report on the case following which I will make a determination.

Proposed Legislation

Sean Fleming

Question:

140 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timescale for introducing legislation based on the report of the medical negligence working group which recommended the introduction of a periodic payment order scheme as an alternative to the current lump sum system of paying compensation in catastrophic injury cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29036/11]

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce legislation to facilitate courts making provision for structured settlements in circumstances where lump sums are currently awarded as a consequence of individuals suffering catastrophic injury because of the negligence of another.

Among the recommendations made in the Report of the High Court Working Group on Medical Negligence were that:

legislation be enacted to empower the courts, as an alternative to lump sum awards, to make consensual and non-consensual periodic payments to compensate injured victims in cases of catastrophic injury where long term permanent care will be required, for the costs of (a) future treatment, (b) future care and (c) the future provision of medical and assistive aids and appliances,

periodic payment orders should only be made in circumstances where the court is satisfied that continuity of payment under the periodic payments order is reasonably secure, and

the State, through the agency of the NTMA, be empowered to provide injured victims with the necessary security for periodic payments either by the provision of annuities to insurers and others or in such other manner as may be appropriate. Alternatively consideration should be given to the introduction of a statutory scheme whereby payments made under periodic payment orders will be statutorily protected and fully guaranteed.

Critical therefore to the successful operation of a statutory scheme for periodic payments will be the establishment of the necessary financial infrastructure to ensure continuity of payment is secure. In this regard the National Treasury Management Agency is conducting an actuarial review to examine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of periodic payment orders as an alternative to lump sum payments, or other options. The review will examine in particular the feasibility of the State acting as an annuity provider to insurers and indemnity providers in personal injury actions to enable compliance with the continuity and security of payments principle. The outcome of the review which I understand is expected to take six months to complete will inform the development of proposals underway in my Department to meet the Government's commitment to legislate in this area.

Coroners Service

Billy Kelleher

Question:

141 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been an audit on C71 forms completed by coroners’ offices in public hospitals; if there is any monitoring of these forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29041/11]

The C71 is a form completed by An Garda Síochána to notify a sudden, unexplained, violent or unnatural death to a coroner. It is copied to the District Officer of the Garda and Crime Investigation Branch. This form gives particulars of the deceased and a summary of the facts and circumstances surrounding a death. It is used by the coroner, who is an independent officer responsible for the medico-legal investigation of certain deaths, in his/her preliminary inquiries. I am advised that the question of auditing these forms in respect of deaths in public hospitals has not arisen in the context of coroners' inquiries which are limited to establishing identity and how, when and where a person died.

Council of Europe Conventions

Gerry Adams

Question:

142 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will sign the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. [28787/11]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

143 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will sign up to the Council of Europe Convention on violence against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28932/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office within my Department, actively contributed to all stages of the drafting process in relation to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Cosc is currently considering the steps which need to be taken to pave the way for a submission to the Government on the question of signature of the convention by Ireland. I anticipate that the matter will be submitted to the Government in the near future.

Proposed Legislation

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

144 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe in which he will introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims; and if he will include a review of all court procedures. [28933/11]

The commitment in the Programme for Government is to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims. The commitment will be progressed as soon as possible having regard to the need for consultations and the need to dispose of urgent legislative matters in my Department under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for the State.

The Deputy will appreciate that some significant reforms have been introduced over the last two years. The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 allows civil partners to apply for a safety order or a barring order subject to the same rules as a spouse. Further reforms were introduced by me in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. That Act removed the minimum required period of cohabitation before one of a cohabiting couple may apply for a safety order (previously, the applicant was required to have resided with the respondent for at least six of the previous twelve months), gave equal access to the protections of the Domestic Violence Act to opposite-sex and same-sex couples (the relevant provision previously referred only to couples "living together as husband and wife"); and widened the scope of section 2, which specifies who may apply for a safety order, to enable a person to obtain a safety order against a person with whom they have a child in common.

Human Rights Issues

Gerald Nash

Question:

145 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make provision for the working group established to advise him on the new human rights and equality commission to receive submissions from the public and from civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations; the timeframe for the conclusion of the work of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28940/11]

I have established a Working Group to advise me on the establishment of a new Human Rights and Equality Commission. This Group has been provided with clear terms of references and the process will also be informed by recent studies of the equality and human rights bodies commissioned by my Department, in which a broad range of stakeholder groups have been consulted. The timeframe for the Group will be short as I intend to have a new Commission in place by the end of February.

Deportation Orders

James Bannon

Question:

146 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will allow a person (details supplied) to remain in County Longford until he has completed his secondary education at a local school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29034/11]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 24th March, 2006 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following detailed consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 11th February, 2009, that it was proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of submitting written representations setting out reasons why he should not be deported. He was also advised of his entitlement to submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and also submitted representations pursuant to Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

Following the consideration of his application for Subsidiary Protection, a decision was taken that the person concerned was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. This position was notified to the person concerned by letter dated 19th May, 2010.

The case of the person concerned was then considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement before a Deportation Order was made in respect of him on 3rd June, 2010. This Order was served by registered post dated 9th June, 2010. Once a Deportation Order has been served, the enforcement of that Order becomes an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. As the person concerned remains the subject of a Deportation Order, he is required to leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State.

I am satisfied that the case of the person concerned was given careful and detailed consideration at all stages of the asylum and immigration processes. I am equally satisfied that all representations submitted by and on behalf of the person concerned were given the fullest consideration before the decision to make a Deportation Order was taken. Against this background, I see no reason to re-visit the case of the person concerned.

I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Crime Prevention

Simon Harris

Question:

147 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his policy on tackling domestic violence and supporting victims of domestic violence; the number of refuge centres in place for persons at risk of domestic violence; the location of these centres; the level of support they receive from him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29072/11]

The Government is very committed to tackling the scourge of domestic violence in this country. It is a very complex issue and a broad range of action is being taken across the country by many state and non-state organisations to prevent and respond effectively to such violence. Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office within my Department, has the key responsibility to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated ‘whole of government' response by the organisations concerned to domestic violence.

Central to the Government's policy on tackling domestic violence is the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010 — 2014, which was developed by Cosc, in consultation with a broad range of partner organisations, and is available on Cosc's website (www.cosc.ie). The strategy is a statement of the Government’s priority actions to address domestic violence up to the end of 2014. The main focus of the strategy is, on the one hand, to prevent the violence concerned and, on the other, to respond effectively to the violence. A Strategy Oversight Committee meets twice-yearly to review progress on the implementation of the strategy. The Committee, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, includes senior officials from key government departments and state agencies responsible for implementing actions in the strategy. In addition progress on the implementation of the strategy is driven and monitored by Cosc on an ongoing basis.

I am informed by the Department of Health that every HSE region in Ireland has at least one refuge providing crisis emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence. All but one (located in the Western region) are accessible on a 24 hour basis. The locations of refuges in each region are as follows: HSE South (6 refuges) — Kilkenny, Kerry, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Wexford; HSE West (5 refuges) — Limerick, Galway, Clare, Donegal, Mayo; Dublin North East (5 refuges) — Coolock, Blanchardstown, Dundalk, Drogheda, Meath; Dublin Mid Leinster (4 refuges) — Bray, Athlone, Rathmines, Tallaght.

As regards support for domestic violence refuges provided by my Department, this year Cosc, through its Local Awareness Raising Grant Scheme, provided funding to 8 refuges totalling just over €21,000. In 2010 the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, an independent body under the aegis of my Department, approved funding for 10 domestic violence refuges, mainly for the provision of a court accompaniment service. The funding involved came to a total of €207,345.

I am informed that state funding is also provided to domestic violence refuges by the HSE and by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I understand that in 2010 the HSE provided €10.5m. in funding for domestic violence refuges. The same year the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government provided in excess €1.9m. towards the maintenance costs of domestic violence refuges. The equivalent figure for 2011, up to the end of September, is over €1.3m. I am also informed that in both years additional funding, in the region of 10% of the Department's funding, would have been provided by the relevant local authorities.

I would ask the Deputy to note that the information provided above is in relation to refuge centres, which is the subject of the Deputy's question, but that the State also provides resources to domestic violence support services which are not refuge centres.

Mother and Baby Homes

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

148 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to investigate the activities of mother and baby homes that operated here; if there is a register of all the mother and baby homes that operated here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29127/11]

I will contact the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.

Defence Forces Reserve

Robert Troy

Question:

149 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Forces officers by rank and brigade. [28977/11]

A table outlines in detail the effective strength of Officers of the Reserve Defence Force, Army, Naval Service Reserve & RDF Training Authority — DFTC by rank as of 31 August 2011, the latest date for which figures are available. As of 31 August 2011 there were five hundred & thirty eight effective officers in the RDF.

Officers of the Reserve Defence Force — Effective Strength at 31 August 2011

Lt Col

Comdt

Captain

Lieutenant

Total

1 S Bde RDF

1

31

52

99

183

2 E Bde RDF

1

24

48

78

151

4 W Bde RDF

1

29

62

75

167

Naval Service Reserve

3

10

7

20

RDF Training Authority — DFTC

4

8

5

17

Total

3

91

180

264

538

Robert Troy

Question:

150 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence the number of officers promoted under DFR R5 para 31(2) each year since 2005 and to date in 2011; and if it is his policy to continue such promotions for those qualified in 2011. [28978/11]

The military authorities advise that in order to provide the information requested by the Deputy it is necessary to consult with each of the RDF Formations across the country and for this information to then be collated. It has not been possible to do this within the time available but the military authorities assure me that the work is being prioritised and will be provided to me for transmission to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.

I would like to advise the Deputy that the issue of promotions within the Reserve Defence Force is something that I have given consideration to recently. In doing so I was mindful that a Value for Money Review of the Reserve is ongoing and additionally there is a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which places a requirement on Government Departments to identify opportunities for savings across all aspects of business. Following consideration of the issue and pending completion of these two Reviews, I agreed to sanction limited promotions within the Reserve Defence Force to bring the current strength in all ranks to 70% (60% at Corporal rank) of the established strength in each rank as provided for in Defence Force Regulations.

Departmental Staff

Brian Walsh

Question:

151 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be allowed to retire on grounds of ill health in line with medical advice. [28983/11]

The person concerned, a civilian employee of this Department, has applied to retire on grounds of ill health. In line with normal practice, the Department, in assessing the application, has sought the advice of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the Civil Service. The CMO has advised that the application should not be accepted and that alternative working arrangements might be appropriate in this case. A second medical practitioner appointed to deal with an appeal from the employee in question has upheld the advice of the CMO.

The Department, on foot of the recommendation of the CMO, recently wrote to the employee to inform the person of the advice received in relation to the case and to enquire whether arrangements could be put in place to assist with a return to duty in the near future. The Department is awaiting a reply to that letter. Following receipt of a reply, the Department will, with the assistance of any further advice that may be required, be in a position to assess the employee's case further.

Grant Payments

Paul Connaughton

Question:

152 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the digitisation process will be completed on an agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that great financial hardship is being caused by this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28902/11]

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a discrepancy arose in relation to the area claimed on one of the land parcels. Officials in my Department have been in direct contact with the person named and the problem is now being addressed with a view to issuing payment as quickly as possible.

I am well aware of the financial pressures on many farm families and of the importance of grant and scheme payments to their incomes and cash-flow. I have given the highest priority to the processing and payment of outstanding Agri-Environment Options Scheme payments and to the elimination of all unnecessary delays.

Jim Daly

Question:

153 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a headage scheme application payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28936/11]

An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 April 2011, processing of which has recently been completed, thereby allowing payment to issue under the 2011 Disadvantaged Area Scheme on 7 October 2011. The 50% advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 17 October 2011.

Brendan Griffin

Question:

154 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the remaining 25% of 2010 agri-environment options scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28970/11]

The person named was paid €456.08 on 29th August representing 75% of the 2010 entitlement under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. I expect the remaining 25% of the 2010 entitlement to issue before the end of October. Payments in respect of 2011 will commence in December.

Brendan Griffin

Question:

155 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28971/11]

In the case of the Single Farm Payment, it should be remembered that, while the earliest payment date provided for under EU rules is 1 December, as I am particularly conscious of the difficulties caused for farmers by the current financial crisis and am also acutely aware of the significance to the wider rural economy of the Single Payment, earlier this year I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made as and from 17 October. This is the earliest possible legal date for making payments, it being the start of the new EU financial year.

With regard to the person named, an application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received on 12 May 2011. On processing the application an over-claim was identified on one of the parcels declared by the applicant. The person named was written to in this regard on 3 October and an official from my Department also contacted the person named directly. This issue has now been resolved thereby allowing the application of the person named to be further processed, with a view to payment issuing as soon as payments under the Scheme commence issuing generally.

Departmental Agencies

John O'Mahony

Question:

156 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason some agencies under his remit that have staff reduction targets under the Croke Park agreement are not participating in transfer procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29001/11]

All the relevant Agencies under my Department's remit are participating fully in all aspects of the Croke Park Agreement.

Grant Payments

Paul Connaughton

Question:

157 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was only paid for three of their six calves under the suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29020/11]

The person named registered six beef breed calves in 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment in respect of three animals issued on 20 June 2011. Errors have been identified on the remaining animals and a letter regarding these errors issued to the applicant on 10 October 2011. The case will be further processed on receipt of a response from the applicant.

Alternative Farm Enterprises

Terence Flanagan

Question:

158 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding mink farming (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29045/11]

The keeping of mink in this country is prohibited except under licences which are issued by my Department under the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection, is found to be compliant with a number of conditions. I am satisfied that all licensed fur farms operating in this country meet current national and EU legislative requirements. There are no fur animals other than mink currently being farmed in this country.

Grant Payments

Paul Connaughton

Question:

159 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when agri-environment option scheme will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship that is caused by delays in such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29060/11]

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment options scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in relation to the accumulation of actions on one of the land parcels. Officials in my Department have been in direct contact with the person named and the problem is being addressed with a view to issuing payment as quickly as possible.

I am well aware of the financial pressures on many farm families and of the importance of grant and scheme payments to their incomes and cash-flow. I have given the highest priority to the processing and payment of outstanding Agri-environment Options Scheme payments and to the elimination of all unnecessary delays.

Early Childhood Education

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

160 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has been furnished with an estimate of the numbers of children that miss out on early childhood care and education scheme payment due to their birth date falling in July or August and they commence school having reached four years; her views on the extra cost involved if she were to extend the date of the scheme to the end of August; if same will be worthwhile to cover this cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28906/11]

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every pre-school service in the State is participating in the ECCE programme, ensuring that it is available to children in all areas, and 63,000 children, or 94% of the eligible age cohort, availed of the free pre-school year in 2010/2011.

Children qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September in the relevant year. This means, for example, that children born between 2 February 2007 and 30 June 2008 qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2011 and children born in July and August of 2008 will qualify for the programme in September 2012. It is estimated that in the region of 3,500 children commence primary school when they are aged less than 4 years and 2 months, the majority of whom will have attended pre-school. The estimated cost of extending the programme to include this cohort of children would be approximately €9 million.

The ECCE programme will continue to be evaluated and developed as resources permit. In this context, I have asked officials in my department to examine options for the further development of the programme and the matter of age will be looked at as part of this.

Health Services

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

161 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is entitled to dentures free of charges. [28954/11]

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

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

162 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the Irish Dental Association is seeking an increase in the dental treatment services scheme budget from €63 million to €80 million to meet the demands of the scheme and the restoration of preventative treatments for all medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29108/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

192 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding dental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29087/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

194 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views that under the 1970 Health Act the Health Service Executive is obliged to take care of people’s oral health and it is failing to do so at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29091/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

195 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding dental treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29092/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

196 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a recent study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29094/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

197 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the Ombudsman recently, in her annual report, stated that it is a sad reflection on a system when a person with decaying teeth who has no resources to fund private treatment has to put up with decaying teeth until their annual entitlement recommences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29097/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

198 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 99.5% of dentists reported that the cutbacks are causing patients to leave decay and gum disease untreated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29098/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

199 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 82% of dentists reported an increase in patients presenting in pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29099/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

200 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 74% of dentists reported an increase in gum disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29100/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

201 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 74% of dentists reported an increase in patients presenting with loose teeth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29101/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

202 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 56% of dentists reported an increase in patients presenting with broken dentures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29102/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

203 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 11.5% of dentists reported that patients are aware of their entitlement under the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

204 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 74% of dentists reduced the working hours of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

205 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 64% of dentists decreased the number of staff working in their practice [29105/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

206 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a statement by an organisation (details supplied) that 67% of dentists reported that there are referring more patients to hospitals as a direct result of the patient being unable to obtain treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/11]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

207 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the job losses in the dental sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29107/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 162, 192 and 194 to 207, inclusive, together.

Unfortunately due to the current position of the public finances, it has been necessary to reduce the services available under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). However the Health Service Executive (HSE) has measures in place to ensure that patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs receive priority for treatment. In addition, a free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on the relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients.

In the current year to the end of August, treatments paid for under the DTSS included over 211,000 oral examinations, over 4,000 prophylaxis procedures (scaling and polishing), over 221,000 restorations (fillings) and almost 76,000 exodontic treatments. In addition over 17,500 prosthetics (dentures and denture reline) and over 15,700 denture repairs were provided. The operation of the DTSS will continue to be monitored to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of available resources.

I am aware that the Ombudsman made reference to current restrictions on dental services in her Annual Report for 2010.The duty placed on the HSE to make dental services available to persons with full eligibility has to be read in conjunction with Section 7 of the Health Act 2004 which requires that the HSE have regard to the resources available to it and to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of those resources.

Neither my Department nor the HSE have any functions in relation to the staffing of dentists' private practices. However, the Deputy may wish to note that in 2009 there was a net increase of 233 in the number of dentists contracted to provide services under the DTSS. During 2010 there was a net increase of 40 contracted dentists and in 2011, to date, there has been a net increase of 20 contracted dentists. Fees for dentists under the DTSS were reduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. A review of these fee reductions will commence in the near future. It should be noted that these reductions did not affect the income derived from dentists' private practices. Responsibility for the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme rests with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton TD.

Health Service Staff

Brendan Griffin

Question:

163 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding nursing administration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28903/11]

An Bord Altranais is the regulatory body for nurses and midwives wishing to practise in Ireland. The principle objective of An Bord Altranais is to regulate the professions of nursing and midwifery and to enhance the protection of the public in its dealing with these professions. An Bord Altranais is a self—funding body and is reliant on the collection of fees, authorised under the provisions of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1985, to continue to provide its many important functions. The Verification of Certification Fee referred to here is one of the authorised fees that may be levied by An Bord Altranais.

Health Services

Simon Harris

Question:

164 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to recognise fibromyalgia as an accepted Health Service Executive illness, allowing sufferers to benefit from a range of HSE supports and services, including home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28917/11]

This classification of disease is the international standard by which diseases are classified and is accepted by Ireland and endorsed by the World Health Organisation. The diagnosis and management of Fibromyalgia takes place in a number of settings including primary care, specialist services and rehabilitation, if required. There are no plans to change the range of supports available to patients with Fibromyalgia.

Simon Harris

Question:

165 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he intends to recognise Ménières disease as an accepted Health Service Executive illness, allowing sufferers to benefit from a range of HSE supports and services, including home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28918/11]

This classification of disease is the international standard by which diseases are classified and is accepted by Ireland and endorsed by the World Health Organisation. The diagnosis and management of Ménières disease takes place in a number of settings including primary care, specialist services and rehabilitation, if required. There are no plans to change the range of supports available to patients with Ménières disease.

Medical Cards

Simon Harris

Question:

166 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the requirement for Apert syndrome sufferers to have to continually re-apply for their medical cards; if his attention has been drawn to the stress that the current re-application requirement and procedure places on sufferers and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28923/11]

Under the General Medical Card Scheme, medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of general practitioners services. Eligibility for the medical card is based primarily on the means of the adult and his/her spouse or civil partner. Two years is now the average period nationally for which an individual or family holds a medical card before formal review under the General Medical Scheme (GMS). The review process is an important quality assurance aspect of the management of the GMS. The HSE has no plans to change these arrangements.

Health Services

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

167 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his views that a third review of domestic violence services by the Health Service Executive is an appropriate response by him to the increasing numbers of domestic violence victims as detailed in Safe Ireland’s annual figures recently released. [28934/11]

In the context of increased demand for domestic violence services, the HSE is currently engaged in a national and regional review of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services that are funded by the HSE. The aim of this review is to ensure that funding is allocated according to need and areas of high demand are appropriately resourced. The review will be completed by the end of 2011.

Health Service Staff

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

168 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the number of retired Health Service Executive staff who are directors of limited companies that have consultancy contracts with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28939/11]

The HSE does not have a facility to determine whether consultancy companies with which it contracts have former HSE employees as directors. The Executive considers that, were it to seek such information in the course of a procurement process, this could be deemed prejudicial. The Executive has procedures in place to ensure that employees who avail of a redundancy or early retirement scheme which prohibits re-employment within the HSE or the wider Public Sector are not re-employed either as employees or on a contract for service basis. However this does not affect such persons' rights to establish or become an employee of a private company.

Hospital Services

Tom Fleming

Question:

169 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide as a matter of urgency a dedicated fully equipped stroke unit at Kerry General Hospital, as evidence from the national clinical programme points to improved outcomes for patients who attend such units. [28958/11]

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

National Lottery Funding

Tom Fleming

Question:

170 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will acknowledge the tremendous fund raising efforts of the Kerry based charity Build 4 Life which has already fund raised €2 million, €450,000 of which was paid in VAT, towards the cost of opening a dedicated cystic fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital, by allocating €300,000 from the national lottery fund in order to complete this facility. [28959/11]

My Department has received an application for funding from the 2011 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department. The Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

Mental Health Services

Pearse Doherty

Question:

171 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who prior to 1 November 2011 were included under the terms of the psychiatric scheme; and if he will provide a breakdown of the percentage of these persons holding full medical cards. [28960/11]

Under the former Eastern Health Board, it was the practice to provide psychiatric medicines free to all patients who attended an outpatient clinic for services regardless of their eligibility status. Such arrangements were unique to the greater Dublin area. In all other former Health Board Areas, patients used either their medical card or Drug Payment Scheme card to access psychiatric medicines.

In 2009, the HSE decided to bring the arrangements for the supply of medicines to patients attending mental health outpatient clinics in the greater Dublin area into line with those operating in the rest of the country. These changes were introduced on a phased basis, starting on 1 October 2010 when medical card holders in the HSE Dublin North East area requiring psychiatric medicines were referred to their own GP for a GMS prescription. This arrangement is being extended to the Dublin Mid Leinster area from 1 November 2011. At the same time, Drug Payment Scheme cardholders will be required to pay for their prescription up to the co-payment threshold of €120 per month. Medical card holders will continue to receive their medication free of charge, subject to any applicable prescription charge. These arrangements will be kept under review.

There are no current figures available for the number of persons who were availing of the scheme that applied in the greater Dublin area. However, in 2007 there were 19,000 attendees at mental health out-patient clinics in the former Eastern Health Board area. For the basis of calculations, the HSE has assumed that half of these attendees were medical card holders.

People affected by these changes who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive will take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family, including the cost of medication.

Hospital Accommodation

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

172 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of beds in the critical care unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28964/11]

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

Hospital Staff

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

173 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; his plans to fill these vital positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28965/11]

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

Hospital Services

Denis Naughten

Question:

174 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the impact to the provision of acute services in County Roscommon of the redesignation of up to 20 acute medical beds at Roscommon County Hospital as step-down rehabilitation beds; the reason other acute hospitals servicing County Roscommon have failed to transfer back to Roscommon County Hospital non-critical acute medical patients from the county even after being requested to do so by local consultants on foot of its accident and emergency department being taken off call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28981/11]

The HSE plan implementing the changes to the Emergency Department Service at Roscommon County Hospital came into effect in July. The Urgent Care Centre now in place at Roscommon operates from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and is provided by non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) with clinical governance provided by an Emergency Medicine Consultant at Galway. In addition there is a Medical Assessment Unit at the Hospital and an out of hours GP service is in operation. An enhanced ambulance service has been put in place.

The changes at Roscommon were necessitated by the serious patient safety concerns of the HSE and of the Health Information and Quality Authority in relation to the accident and emergency service at Roscommon following the publication of the Authority's Report on Mallow Hospital in April 2011. This was compounded because of NCHD recruitment difficulties.

Roscommon County Hospital has a clear future and will continue to provide acute hospital care for the population of the Roscommon area. It will do this as part of a wider network of acute hospitals across the Western area and it will be supported by the other hospitals in the region.

I believe that smaller hospitals can and should provide as wide as possible a range of services, close to the local community. The key concern is that they are safe. A framework for the development of smaller hospitals is being prepared. The HSE has been asked to work up detailed draft proposals in this regard which will take account of the results of consultation with stakeholders.

The framework will specify what services will be transferred to smaller hospitals. Too often the focus has been on taking away services from smaller hospitals rather than on the services that they can provide.

I am pleased that services at Roscommon have recently been enhanced with the establishment of outreach plastic surgical services at the hospital. This is the first of a number of service enhancements at Roscommon. The issue of locating a satellite service centre of the National Rehabilitation Hospital at Roscommon is also actively being examined in the context of enhancing the hospital's role. I fully support the role of smaller hospitals like Roscommon in providing for patients whose care no longer requires them to be treated in larger centres. The transfer of patients back from surrounding hospitals occurs when the patient's acute care is complete, and by agreement with the patient, the referring consultant and the receiving consultant.

Mental Health Services

Sean Fleming

Question:

175 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his priorities for mental health services; if he will ensure that there are no cuts in expenditure in this area in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28994/11]

Simon Harris

Question:

184 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change; the funding in place for the implementation of this plan; the timeframe for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29070/11]

Billy Timmins

Question:

208 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the mental health services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29111/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 184 and 208 together.

The Government has prioritised the reform of the mental health service in line with A Vision for Change. This commitment was clearly shown in the Programme for Government which provides that €35 million will be ring-fenced annually from within the overall health budget to develop community mental health services and to ensure early access to more appropriate services for adults and children. This is currently being considered as part of the Estimates process for 2012 and future years. In addition, as 90% of mental health needs are dealt with at primary care level, the Government is committed to developing closer links between mental health services and primary care. It is envisaged that the provision of improved community-based services will ensure that people with mental health problems receive the treatment and after-care support needed to facilitate recovery.

A Vision for Change contains some 200 recommendations to be implemented over a 7-10 year timeframe. As implementation of the recommendations is primarily the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE appointed an Assistant National Director as the national lead for mental health to ensure delivery of mental health services in line with Government policy. While it is accepted that progress on implementation has been slower than originally anticipated, services in many parts of the country are pressing ahead with implementation which includes the phased closure of psychiatric hospitals. Significant progress has been achieved to date including: shorter episodes of in-patient 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.

It is the Government's intention that over time access to modern mental health services in the community will be significantly improved and my priority as Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health will be to further advance the implementation of A Vision for Change. Towards this end, I have asked the HSE to prepare an implementation plan, which will identify specific recommendations of A Vision for Change that can be progressed over the next three years, with timelines, detailed costs, structures and identifiable person(s) responsible for driving the change including delivery on the commitments in our Programme for Government. Issues related to staffing levels particularly in community mental health teams will be examined in this context.

A Vision for Change also recognised that all citizens should be treated equally and that access to employment for people with mental health difficulties should be on the same basis as any other citizen. We are endeavouring, through housing, education and community based health care, to provide the environment in which employment opportunities can be availed of by all on an equal basis.

Hospital Accommodation

Gerald Nash

Question:

176 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if he has received a request from the Health Service Executive for additional financial resources to address the overcrowding problem at our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28995/11]

The HSE National Service Plan 2011 which was approved in December 2010 requires the HSE to operate within the limits of its voted allocation of €13.456 billion. This represents a net reduction of €683m on the 2010 provision. The Service Plan also commits the HSE to delivering service levels for 2011 which are broadly in line with 2010 levels. All hospitals are required to operate within their allocated budgets and to meet the service level activity targets that the hospital has agreed for 2011.

I recognise that the management of funding allocations by public hospitals poses a serious budgetary challenge. It is clear that if existing spending trends remain unchecked there will be a significant overrun at the end of this year. I have made it clear that such an overrun is not acceptable given the state of the public finances and this country's obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding with the IMF and EU. I am in ongoing contact with the HSE to ensure that all necessary steps are being taken to avoid any budgetary overruns while at the same ensuring the maintenance of services in line with the commitments given by the HSE and public hospitals.

I am on record as saying that every individual agency must take responsibility and do everything possible to stay within budget while delivering their planned level of service. Under its reform programme the Government has committed to achieving greater efficiencies in patient care and service delivery. These efficiencies will not be easy to achieve but I am certain that over time they will help to ensure that more people get access to services within a given quantum of funding. In this regard it is important that the management capacity in our public hospitals is sufficiently robust to meet these challenges. The Deputy will also be aware that it is the role of the Special Delivery Unit, which I recently established, to address issues around the better and more efficient delivery of health services. The work of the SDU will contribute significantly to improving outcomes for patients and to greater efficiencies in the system to avoid any budgetary overruns while at the same endeavouring to ensure the maintenance of services in line with the commitments given by the HSE and public hospitals.

Emergency Services

Denis Naughten

Question:

177 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 20 September 2011, if he will furnish an accurate table clearly indicating the location of advanced paramedics; if he is satisfied with the fact that the west has the lowest level of APs to qualify in the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29002/11]

The number of advanced paramedics (APs) who have completed their training and the numbers due to qualify in January 2012 and July 2012 are as outlined to the Deputy in reply to his previous Parliamentary Question.

Candidates entering the advanced paramedic programme agree to work anywhere within an operational area. In order to ensure maximum flexibility in their deployment, on successful completion of the two year course candidates are not permanently assigned to specific ambulance stations, but are assigned to wherever they are required at a particular time. The average cost of training an AP is €127,000 and the skill level that they attain makes them extremely valuable resources in pre-hospital emergency care. Accordingly, it is essential to have the most flexible use possible through dynamic deployment, to ensure maximum availability to patients. Roscommon is a prime example, with a number of APs have been deployed to the greater area to operate a Rapid Response Vehicle twenty four hours a day.

Given the investment involved, it is essential that suitable candidates are nominated for what is a very onerous course, hence the need for a robust selection process. The National Ambulance Service assures me that it makes every effort to distribute course places across the country based on service needs and available candidates. However, there is more interest among staff in some areas of the country than in others to compete for a place in the national selection process. In September 2011, for the first time in a number of years the National Ambulance Service was able to fill all 44 available places on the two courses per year.

Health Services

Tom Hayes

Question:

178 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to reduce the extensive waiting times associated with audiology services in the public health system; his views on the use of the National Treatment Purchase Fund to allow those on waiting lists for extensive periods of time to seek appointments privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29003/11]

The report of the National Audiology Review Group was published in April 2011. The HSE is currently pursuing a number of recommendations that will have a direct impact on waiting lists for audiology services:

A group is carrying out an urgent workforce planning review for audiology. This group is due to complete its work by November 2011.

The HSE has sponsored ten candidates to complete an MSc in Audiology. The graduates will be ready to commence work in September 2013.

Newborn hearing screening is currently being provided in Cork University Hospital with a view to identifying congenital hearing impairment at a very early stage and will be rolled out in the remainder of the HSE South by year end. The programme will be rolled out in all other regions by mid 2012.

Each HSE Region is currently in the process of validating its waiting list and evaluating methods to reduce waiting times.

Consultation has commenced within the HSE in order to establish a unified patient management system for audiology. This will manage all scheduling and waiting lists.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government, to tackle waiting times in our health system. The Government believes that, despite our economic circumstances, there is scope for real and sustainable improvement in waiting times for patients, provided we put the proper information management systems in place and there is real accountability for delivering the improvements. On 2June, the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) was established. The core SDU team in the Department of Health works with closely associated teams from the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund. As part of that work, the SDU is establishing an infrastructure based on information collection and analysis, hospital by hospital.

James Bannon

Question:

179 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of the rehabilitation unit at a care centre (details supplied) in County Westmeath, which is already subject to restricted admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29030/11]

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

Departmental Offices

Sean Fleming

Question:

180 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his role and that of the Health Service Executive in relation to the confidential inquiry into maternal and child health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29037/11]

The title of the confidential enquiry into maternal and child health (CMACH) Ireland has changed to Maternal Death Enquiry (MDE) Ireland from April 2011. MDE Ireland aims to promote safer pregnancy by conducting confidential reviews into maternal deaths, identifying learning points, and using its findings to formulate and disseminate recommendations. The MDE is a ‘stand alone' office working in partnership with the Maternal Enquiry UK. It is funded and endorsed by the HSE. I acknowledge the important role that MDE provides in improving provision of care for mothers and babies.

The Maternal Death Enquiry (MDE) was initiated in England and Wales in 1952 and became UK — wide in the 1980's. Ireland became a participant in 2009. The aim of the Enquiry is to investigate why some women die during or shortly after pregnancy, and to learn how such tragedies can be avoided in the future. The findings from previous maternal death enquiries in the UK have been published in a triennial report titled Saving Mothers' Lives. Irish data will be included in the next triennial report. The reports contain analyses and trends of maternal deaths and importantly, recommendations for improving clinical practice and for national policy on delivery of maternity services. The overwhelming strength of successive Enquiry Reports has been the impact their findings have had on improving standards of care and clinical governance.

MDE Ireland's enquiry approach is based on a two-stage process of regional data collection and assessment of the case followed by central assessment to enable aggregation into a fully anonymised overall report. Until recently, the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries had the responsibility for providing the Maternal Death Enquiry in the UK. In April 2011, an expert group was established in the UK to determine the appropriate scope and plan for the future of the Maternal Death Enquiry. Until the review group has completed its work, all maternity units and other stakeholders throughout Ireland, in common with UK countries will continue to collect data in support of the Enquiry. The MDE Ireland office will continue to coordinate the process.

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

Question:

181 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the human tissue Bill will be published. [29042/11]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

182 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has confidence that consent is sought from relatives prior to any tissue and-or organs being removed during post mortems; if there has been a recent audit on post mortem practices in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29043/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

A recommendation in Dr. Madden's report, published in December, 2005 was that "An independent audit must be carried out of currently retained organs in all hospitals in the State”. In 2007, the Health Service Executive commissioned and independent audit in accordance with this recommendation. The terms of reference of the audit were:

1. To conduct an independent audit of currently retained organs in all hospitals in the State both pre and post 2000.

2. To assist the Health Service Executive to determine priority areas for action and inform the development of standards by identifying areas of good practice and highlighting areas for improvement.

The audit process involved validation visits to 36 hospitals and the report, published in July 2009 (The Willis Report), noted that consent was sought with regard to a hospital post mortem examination by doctors in all hospitals, supported by a multidisciplinary team in some cases. It is important to note that consent from the family of the deceased is not required if a post mortem examination is ordered by the Coroner. The report also provided a summary of policy and practice across all areas of post mortem examination practice, with examples of good practice and areas for priority focus.

The findings and recommendations of these key reports on post mortem practice and procedures have assisted the Health Service Executive and the National Post Mortem Examination Services Advisory Group in the development of the HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services, which have been submitted through the HSE’s Quality and Patient Safety Directorate and are awaiting ratification.

Departmental Records

Billy Kelleher

Question:

183 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the files and information considered during the Dunne inquiry and Madden report are still in storage and will remain in storage for the foreseeable future. [29044/11]

I can confirm that the files/information considered during the Dunne inquiry and Madden report remain in secure storage and I have no plans to change this arrangement.

Question No. 184 answered with Question No. 175.

Mental Health Services

Simon Harris

Question:

185 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the major lack of adequate child and adolescent psychiatric services in County Wicklow; the services that are currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29071/11]

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

Health Services

Simon Harris

Question:

186 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his policy on palliative care; if he will provide details of the implementation plan for this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29073/11]

The provision of modern, quality services is high on our agenda and is being approached in the context of overall health reforms as proposed in the Programme for Government In this context, our immediate aim relates to advancing the priorities as agreed in the HSE Service Plan for 2011 which includes;

Implementing the various Care at End-of-Life projects, agreed between the HSE and the Irish Hospice Foundation, via the Dignity and Design Challenge Fund.

Progress the National Children's Palliative Care Policy.

Develop a new Minimum Data for Palliative Care to give better information for future policies and services.

We also intend to progress various other initiatives, in line with overall resources and consultation with relevant stakeholders. These include progressing:

The HSE Five Year/Medium Term Development Framework (2009-13).

Bereavement Support Services

The Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme

On-going initiatives in relation to palliative care and advanced respiratory disease, heart failure and dementia.

The Department of Health will continue to liaise closely with the HSE, and relevant non-statutory providers, to ensure the best possible service provision for Palliative Care recipients.

Simon Harris

Question:

187 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a hospice for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29074/11]

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

Simon Harris

Question:

188 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the number of hospices here; the location of these hospices and the level of support, financial and otherwise, that these hospices receive from him and the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29075/11]

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

National Positive Ageing Strategy

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

189 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the National Positive Ageing Strategy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29083/11]

The Programme for Government published in March 2011 has committed to completing and implementing the National Positive Ageing Strategy so that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent full lives. However important health and social care issues are in later life, quality of life in later life, as at any stage of the lifecycle, has many other determinants such as income, housing and the built environment, transport, education and lifelong learning, employment and retirement and opportunities for participation and contribution to social and civic life.

In recognition that a wide range of policies, programmes and services impact directly on the lives of older people, development of the Strategy is being assisted by a Cross-Departmental Group (CDG), comprised of officials from 11 Government Departments, the Central Statistics Office and An Garda Síochána, and is chaired by the Director of the Office for Older People. It is not the intention that the Strategy will propose new service developments, rather it will set the strategic direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland.

The Strategy will set out a common framework for the development of operational plans by Government Departments. These operational plans will clearly set out each Department's objectives relating to older people. Mechanisms designed to monitor the implementation of measures contained in operational plans will also be developed in consultation with Departments. Work on developing the Strategy is on-going and taking place within the constraints posed by the present fiscal situation. This work will not be concluded before the end of the year.

Medical Cards

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

190 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [29084/11]

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

Health Services

Finian McGrath

Question:

191 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29085/11]

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

Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 162.

Billy Timmins

Question:

193 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29089/11]

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

Questions Nos. 194 to 207, inclusive, answered with Question No. 162.

Question No. 208 answered with Question No. 175.

Road Traffic Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

209 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason section 63 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 in relation to the presentation of licences in court has not come into effect; if he will confirm that more than 100,000 penalty points have not been applied to licences due to this loophole; if 96% of drivers who are before the courts due to traffic offences do not present their licence to the court; if this is the reason that so few drivers have reached 12 penalty points; if the resolution of this matter has taken so long due to the deficiencies in the information technology system of the Garda Síochána; if this loophole will be closed in October 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28904/11]

Under the Road Traffic Act 2002, penalty points are endorsed on the Irish driving licence record held on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF). A current driving licence is required in order for penalty points to be served. At present, it is a requirement, under road traffic legislation, for a driver appearing in court in relation to a road traffic offence to provide his or her driving licence to the Court. Section 63 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 introduces a new requirement for a motorist to provide a copy of their driving licence to the Court, to speed up the logistical and administrative recording of the licence details. I expect to commence section 63 at the end of November.

Road Network

Robert Dowds

Question:

210 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the revenue and the profit raised from the west link toll bridge for the past three years for which figures are available. [28942/11]

Robert Dowds

Question:

211 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of fines for each category of vehicle on the west link toll bridge. [28943/11]

Robert Dowds

Question:

212 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the revenue obtained from fines for the west link toll bridge for the past three years for which figures are available. [28944/11]

Robert Dowds

Question:

213 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the use made of the profits from the west link toll bridge. [28945/11]

Robert Dowds

Question:

214 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way vehicles not registered in the Republic of Ireland, particularly UK registered vehicles, are tracked for the purpose of barrier-free tolling and the imposition of fines when necessary. [28946/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 214, inclusive, together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road projects, including the M50 Toll Road, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007. In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

The NRA has primary responsibility for the operation of the barrier-free toll on the M50, and the tolling revenue generated accrues directly to the NRA and is reinvested by them in the national roads network. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NRA for direct response. Please advise my private office if there is no reply within ten working days.

Road Safety

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

215 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the research taken to support the proposed regulation making the wearing of high visibility clothing compulsory for motorcyclists; if he will consult with motorcyclists, the motorcycle industry and other interested parties before the introduction of any such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29007/11]

EU Regulations regarding motorcycle standards are under discussion in the EU at present. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) represents my Department at these discussions and I am informed that the proposals relate only to vehicle standards, not to the vehicle's use or the driver, and specify the standards to be applied to new motorcycles. The proposals present a legal framework for the type approval and increased market surveillance of mopeds, motorcycles and quads, which will replace and simplify the existing Framework Directive 2002/24/EC.

Contrary to suggestions that have been made by various parties, the proposed Regulations do not include provisions for mandatory wearing of high visibility clothing by motorcyclists, banning older motorcycles from urban areas or changes to driver licensing. The proposed Regulations are designed to improve the safety of those who belong to a vulnerable road user group and who account, proportionately, for the highest fatality and injury rates among all road users.

The main elements of the proposed Regulations relate to mandatory anti-lock braking system, prevention of tampering with the powertrain and automatic use of headlamp on. The Regulations are also designed to reduce vehicle emissions for these types of vehicles, which, statistics show, currently are not reducing in line with other road vehicles such as cars, buses and goods vehicles.

The Road Safety Authority has recently published an information note on the proposals on their website, and they are inviting feedback from stakeholders and the general public before 29th October, 2011. The RSA's Motorcycle Safety Action Plan has an action for the compulsory wearing of high visibility vests by 2014.

This initiative is based upon research into road traffic collisions involving motorcyclists. Observation studies conducted by the Road Safety Authority have in the past reported already high visibility clothing wearing rates of approximately 40% by motorcyclists in Ireland and it may be higher now. The RSA are carrying out a follow up study which is due to commence this month. The RSA will have analysed the data and will release the findings by the end of the year.

In the event that there are high wearing rates by 2014, the Road Safety Authority will then re-evaluate the need for compulsory wearing of high-visibility vests. However if there is a need to make a high visibility vest compulsory, the Road Safety Authority will not make a decision on the type of high visibility vests without consulting with motorcyclists and the industry. It is the intention of the RSA to encourage the use of high visibility vests by offering them free of charge to motorcyclists.

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