I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and his officials to discuss the Estimate for 2005 for his Department.
Vote 24 — Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Revised).
Vote 27 — Charitable Donations and Bequests (Revised).
Ta áthas orm a bheith i láthair anseo inniu le cur faoi bhráid an choiste na Meastacháin le haghaidh Vóta 27, An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta.
Seo an tríú bhliain don Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta a bheith ag feidhmiú go hiomlán don bhliain ar fad. Mar is eol don choiste, bunaíodh an Roinn seo chun forbairt inbhuanaithe agus cuimsitheach pobal na mbailte agus na tuaithe, na Gaeltachta agus na n-oileán a chur chun cinn agus a thacú; tríd sin cothroime réigiúnach níos fearr a chothú, mí-bhuntáiste a laghdú agus úsáid na Gaeilge a spreagadh. Tá an leithdháileadh comhlán €353.848 milliún ina mhéadú de 15% ar aschasadh na bliana 2004 agus tá an leithdháileadh glan, €341.618 milliún, 20% de bhreis ar athchasadh comhionann na bliana 2004.
Tá mé chun labhairt go gairid faoi na réimsí caiteachais a thagann díreach faoi mo fhreagracht sula bhfágfaidh me an coiste faoi mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Noel Ahern, a labhróidh faoin earnáil phobail agus dheonach, an tionscnamh drugaí, chomh maith le Vóta 24, a chuireann deonacháin carthanachta agus tiomnachtaí san áireamh.
Tá €17.886 milliún mar leithdháileadh le haghaidh bhuiséid riaracháin na Roinne i mbliana. Go príomha, soláthraíonn sé mar a leanas: tuarastal foirne le haghaidh 244; traenáil foirne agus costais taistil; iostas agus teicneolaíocht eolaíochta, trealamh oifige agus costais comhairlithe. Táim sásta go bhfuil go leor sa leithdháileadh chun freastal ar na héilimh.
Ta dhá ghníomhaireacht sa bhForas Teanga, Foras na Gaeilge agus an Ghníomhaireacht Ultach-Albanach. Sé an socrú atá ann maidir le maoiniú an dá ghníomhaireacht ná go soláthraíonn an Stát seo 75% don airgead i gcás Foras na Gaeilge agus soláthraíonn an Tuaisceart an 25% eile. Tá an socrú malartach ag obair maidir leis an nGníomhaireacht Ultach-Albanach. Tá an leithdháileadh €15.177 milliún don bhForas Teanga déanta suas as €14.517 milliún d'Fhoras na Gaeilge agus €660,000 don Ghníomhaireacht Ultach-Albanach.
Tá Ciste na Gaeilge maoinithe as fáltais ón gCrannchur Náisiúnta. Soláthraíonn Ciste na Gaeilge maoiniú bliantúil d'eagraíochtaí mar Bhord na Leabhar Gaeilge agus Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, chomh maith le réimse tograí eile a bhaineann le Gaeilge a chur chun cinn. Tá mé tar éis maoiniú iomlán de €3.362 milliún a sholáthar do 2005, ardú de 23% os cionn 2004 agus éascóidh sé sin tuilleadh idirghabhála forleathana chun tacú leis an dteanga.
Tá suim €700,000 a chur ar fáil d'Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga sa bhliain 2005, an chéad bhliain iomlán don oifig sin a bheith ag feidhmiú. Ceapadh an tUas. Sean Ó Cuirreáin don phost mar Choimisinéir Teanga i Mí na Feabhra 2004. Tá foireann de chúigear, as uimhir chroí-láir foirne na Roinne, curtha chuig oifig an choimisinéara atá suite sa Spidéal.
Tá scéim deontas tithíochta na Gaeltachta an-tábhachtach mar thaca teanga agus mar thaca do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Ta suim de €4 milliún a sholáthar sa bhliain 2005. Chuidigh deontais a tugadh faoin scéim le críochnú 151 tithe nua sa bhliain 2004, chomh maith le 544 tograí eile a bhaineann le fadú tithe, feabhsuithe baile agus oibreacha sláintíochta. Tar éis méadú cothrom ar líon na n-iarratas thar na mblianta, bhí laghdú beag anuraidh. Meastar go n-ardóidh ar an gcaiteachas arís i mbliana sa scéim seo faoi thionchar an éilimh. Mar sin, tá an soláthar suas 14% chun freastal ar seo.
Léiríonn an leithdháileadh €700,000 le haghaidh scéim labhairt na Gaeilge méadú de 25% os cionn na bliana anuraidh. I rith na scoilbhliana deireanach d'íoc mo Roinn cúnamh maidir le 2,587 teaghlaigh.
Faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge d'íoc mo Roinnse cúnamh maidir le 24,577 mic agus iníonacha léinn sa bhliain 2004, agus orthu sin bhí 1,249 daoine feasta. D'fhan a bhformhór i dtithe Gaeltachta; bhí níos mó na 600 teaghlaigh páirteach. Táim tar éis méadú de €1 a cheadú, ó €8 go dtí€9, sa liúntas laethúil a íoctar faoin scéim agus tá an leithdháileadh ardaithe go dtí €4.5 milliún chun freastal ar seo.
Tá meadú leanúnach seasamhach tagtha le blianta anuas ar an gcúnamh bliantúil a chuireann mo Roinnse ar fáil d'eagraíochtaí a oibríonn chun na Gaeilge a choinneáil sa Ghaeltacht. Tá meadú breise fós de €200,000 a chur ar fáil don bhliain seo, a thugann an t-iomlan suas go dtí€3.197 milliúin. Léiríonn an obair atá a dhéanamh ag na heagrais éagsúla an tiomantas atá ann don Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht san lá atá inniu ann. Tá luach anmhór agam ar obair na gcoistí agus na n-eagraíochtaí deonacha chun leasa na teanga, agus tá an-áthas orm a bheith in ann leibhéal na tacaíochta sin a ardú.
Bhíáthas orm Acadamh na hOllscoilaíochta Gaeilge a oscailt go hoifigiúil in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh an mhí seo caite. Chun tacú leis an saoraid thabhachtach seo, rinne mo Roinn ceangaltas maoinithe €1.02 milliúin an mhí seo caite, thar tréimhse trí bhliana, le Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. Deimhneoidh an tAcadamh go mbeidh cursaí triú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge ar fáil i gceantair Gaeltachta chun freastal ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta ina dteanga féin agus timpeallacht Ghaeilge a chruthú dóibh siúd a bheadh ag teacht ó chóras na nGaelscoileanna. Ní féidir béim ró-mhór a chur ar thabhacht an oideachais triú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge faoi láthair de bharr na n-éileamh atá ag eascairt ó Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiula agus an t-iarracht atá a dhéanamh chun aitheantais stadais oifigiúil a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge san AE.
Thosaigh Staidéar Teangeolaíochta ar úsaid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht anuraidh. Tá an staidear seo a dhéanamh ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, i gcomhar leis an Institiúid Náisiúnta um Anailís Réigiúnach agus Spásúil, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad, agus tá súil é a bheith críochnaithe faoi 2006 ar chostas iomlan de €550,000.
An bhliain seo caite rinne me fógra faoi chiste a bhunú ar fiú €1.56 milliúin é, chun tacú le Togra Pleanála Teanga. Tá dul chun cinn maith déanta ar an dtogra seo agus tá deontais suas go dtí €110,000 an ceann, bronnta ar chúig ghrúpaí, thar tréimhse trí bhliana, mar cuidiú leo chun pleananna teanga cuimsitheacha agus réadula a réiteach agus a chur i ngníomh.
Cuirtear deontais caipitiúla ar fáil faoi scéimeanna feabhsúcháin Gaeltachta de chuid mo Ranna-sa, le haghaidh feabhsuithe bóthar, forbairt muiroibreacha agus soláthar no feabhsú saoráidí, cosúil le hallaí pobail agus faichí imeartha. Tá na deontais ceaptha chun cur le beatha shóisialta, chultúrtha agus eacnamaíochta na Gaeltachta, agus le sin, an Ghaeilge a neartú mar theanga phobail.
Déanfar an soláthar €11.5 milliúin don bhliain seo a dháileadh amach mar a leanas: bóithre, €4.9 milliúin; saoraidí pobail, €3.5 milliúin; muiroibreacha, €3 milliúin; agus uisce agus séarachas, €0.1 milliúin.
Tá thart faoi 30 oileáin áitrithe thart faoin gcósta le daonraí suas go dtí 900 duine. Tá oidhreacht luachmhar ag na pobail oileánda, oidhreacht tógtha agus nadúrtha, chomh maith le saibhreas teanga agus saibhreas cultúrtha. Is dúshlán ar leith é buanú, forbairt agus neartú na bpobal ar na hoileáin agus is ceann é de phríomhchuspóirí mo Ranna-sa.
Ta soláthar €15.862 milliúin a chur ar fail do na hoileain sa bhliain seo. Sin meadú de 20% de bhreis ar aschasadh na bliana 2004 agus i bhfad níos mó na na suimeanna a chuireadh ar fáil do na hoileáin go dtí le fíordheanaí.
Cuirfidh an maoiniú seo ar chumas mo Ranna-sa leanúint de na hoileáin a fhorbairt, trí chur i ngníomh réimse beart atá ceaptha chun infrastruchtúir eacnamúil, shóisialach agus fisiciúil na n-oilean a fheabhsú.
I measc na dtionscnamh oileánda don bhliain 2005, tá tacaíocht do 14 seirbhísí farantóireachta ag obair go dtí 12 oileáin, chomh maith le aersheirbhís go dtí na hOileáin Árann agus seirbhís heileacaptair go dtí Oileán Toraigh — táthar ag súil seirbhís farantóireacht le haghaidh paisineirí, ar bhonn píolóiteach, a thosú go hlnis Fraoich, ar chósta Thír Chonaill i rith na bliana; tograí tógála céibheanna ar Oileán Cliara agus ar Inis Tuirc a chríochnú, agus tosú ar oibreacha dreideála agus obair ar aerstráice ar Inis Bó Finne na Gaillimhe; obair pleanála agus deartha i gcóir feabhsúcháin substaintiúla céibheanna ar na trí Oileáin Árann a thosnú; agus ciste fiontair a chur bun do na hoileáin neamhGhaeltachta, faoina cuirfear ar fáil €250,000 sa bhliain i gcaitheamh na gceithre mbliain atá ag teacht. Tá an ciste ceaptha chun spreagadh a thabhairt do bhunú mionfhiontar ar na hoileáin.
Faigheann Údarás na Gaeltachta maoiniú chun eacnamaíocht na Gaeltachta a fhorbairt chomh maith le Gaeilge a chaomhnú agus í a chur chun cinn mar chéad teanga labhartha ag pobal na Gaeltachta.
Sa bhliain 2004 theárnaigh an túdarás go láidir ó na deacrachtaí a chuir isteach ar staid na fostaíochta i 2002 agus i 2003. Cruthaíodh thart faoi 1,071 postanna nua lánaimire, agus tugann sin an t-iomlán atá i bpostanna lánaimsire i bhfiontair faoi bhrat an údaráis ag deireadh na bliana go dtí 7,507 — glanmhéadú de 161. Bhí meadú de 5% ar an líon fostaithe páirtaimsire agus ráithiuil go dtí 4,468.
Cuirfear maoiniú reatha de €13.83 milliúin ar fáil don údarás i mbliana. Chomh maith le caiteachas riarachain a fhriotháil, lena n-áirítear íocaíochtaí pinsin, caithfear, ar a laghad, €3.6 milliúin den tsoláthar seo, ar fhorbairt teanga, chultúir agus phobail sa Ghaeltacht.
Beidh €20.5 milliúin san iomlan ar fáil don údarás le haghaidh infheistíochta caipitiúla. Déanfar 20%, ar a laghad, den tsoláthar sin a infheistiú i dtograí a mbeidh úsaid na Gaeilge lárnach don ghníomhaíocht.
Mar is eol do chách, tá athruithe sonracha tar éis tarlú in aeráid thionsclaíoch agus eacnamúil na hÉireann le blianta anuas, agus ní taise don Ghaeltacht sa mhéad sin. Sna cúinsí seo, leanfaidh Údarás na Gaeltachta a bheith ag aimsiú earnálacha nua fostaíochta — mar theicneolaíochtaí eolasbhunaithe, fiontair mara agus turasóireacht chultúrtha.
Tá sé mar chuspóir ag clár forbartha aitiúil um chuimsitheacht shóisialta cur i gcoinne an mhí-bhuntaiste agus ionannas agus cuimsitheacht shóisialta agus eacnamúil a chur chun cinn, trí maoiniú a chur ar fáil do Chomhpháirtíocht Cheantair agus Pobalghrúpaí. Tá leithdháileadh de €45.7 milliúin á dhéanamh ar an gclár sa bhliain 2005. Sin meadú 6% ar aschasadh 2004.
Tá an Clár á riaradh ag an mBainistiú ar Fhorbairt Cheantair Teo, ADM, thar cheann mo Ranna-sa agus déantar gníomhartha a thacú thar trí chinn d'fhobhearta: seirbhlsl do dhaoine dífhostaithe; forbairt pobal; agus tionscnaimh aosánach pobalbhunaithe. Le tacaíocht ón gclár forbartha áitiúil um chuimsitheacht shóisialta, táós cionn 165,000 tosaithe a bheith páirteach i ngníomhíochtaí pobail do dhaoine óga i limistéir mí-bhuntaiste. Mar cheann ar sin, tá cúnamh tugtha do 20,000 daoine fásta chun fostaíocht a fháil, agus tá cúrsaí teastais oideachais agus traenála déanta ag ós cionn 22,000 daoine.
Is ceann de chuspóiri croí-Iáir mo Roinnse comhordú scéimeanna áitiúla agus forbartha pobal. Dáileadh soláthar sonrach, díreach ós cionn €3 milliúin, ar na gcuspóir seo sa bhliain 2004. Bhain 24 boird forbartha cathrach agus contae leas as an tionscnamh seo anuraidh le linn cistiú a bheith déanta ar réimse beartanna dírithe ar chomhordú a spreagadh idir na scéimeanna. Léiríonn an soláthar do 2005, díreach ós cionn €4 milliúin, meadú de 24%. Áirithe faoi seo tá an tsuim €500,000 le haghaidh tograí a spreagann deonaigh agus seirbhís dheonach ar an leibhéal áitiúil. Arís, tabharfar cuireadh do bhoird forbartha cathrach agus contae moltaí a dhéanamh dírithe ar chomhordú na seirbhísí seachadta a fheabhsú sna limistéir a bhaineann leo.
Through Area Development Management Limited and the Combat Poverty Agency, my Department has overall responsibility for implementation of ten measures of the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in the six Border counties, as well as two cross-Border measures in partnership with the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland and Co-operation Ireland. A substantial allocation of €22.739 million is being made to fund the various approved projects under the programme.
The CLÁR programme will continue in 2005 to build on its success in regenerating rural areas. Expenditure of some €35 million over the period 2002 to 2004 levered a further estimated €36.5 million in related public and private expenditure in areas which would otherwise have been bottom of the list for infrastructural investment. The provision for 2005 at €13.7 million shows a 13% increase on the out-turn for 2004. This figure will facilitate the continuation of investment under existing measures of the programme as well as provide scope for the introduction of new initiatives.
The RAPID programme is a focused Government initiative which targets the 45 most disadvantaged urban areas. Funding for the programme in 2005 will be more than double the out-turn for last year when I introduced a new funding mechanism, involving a significant capital allocation, to progress small-scale local actions in RAPID programme areas, through co-funding with other Departments and local agencies. In 2004 RAPID programme areas benefited through the development of playgrounds, improvement works in local authority housing estates and flat complexes, the allocation of additional top-up funding to successful applicants under the sports capital programme and the co-funding of initiatives with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This year the capital allocation has been increased to €7.5 million, giving potential for substantial achievement. I recently announced a further round of allocations, totalling €4.5 million, under the local authority housing estate enhancement programme, 2005-06, and will make further announcements under the RAPID programme soon.
The Western Development Commission promotes the economic and social development of the western region, namely, Connacht, Clare and Donegal. The 2005 provision for the commission has increased by 18% to €1.843 million. The western investment fund is a key element of the commission's strategy for accelerating the economic and social development of the western region. Allocations to the fund have increased significantly in recent years and a further 14 investments, valued at €3.1 million, were approved in 2004. The higher level of funding is being maintained in 2005, with a further €4 million being provided. Already this year eight projects, valued at €1.5 million, have been approved.
The area-based rural development initiative accounts for €10.85 million of the €12.197 million provided under the rural development schemes rubric. This initiative effectively mirrors Leader+ in the parts of the country not covered by the programme. The area-based initiative also covers tourism-based projects for the whole country. A sum of €608,000 is being allocated to the rural development fund to support rural development research and pilot actions to facilitate policy development. This figure includes €120,000 to fund Comhairle na Tuaithe, the Countryside Recreation Council which I established in 2004 following publication of the report of the consultation group on access to waymarked ways. Its membership encompasses representatives of all the main farming organisations and land owners, tourism marketing bodies, the Irish Sports Council, the Heritage Council and representatives of recreational users of the countryside. Meetings take place regularly to discuss issues surrounding access and the development of a countryside code. I look forward to receiving a report on the outcome of its deliberations later in the year.
The combined allocation for the Leader, INTERREG and PEACE programmes is €13.634 million, a 26% increase on the 2004 figure. Of this, €12.134 million will fund the Leader+ community initiative. The Leader programme involves the implementation of multi-sectoral business plans for the development of local action group areas. Under the INTERREG III Ireland-Northern Ireland programme, my Department is a joint implementing body for the rural initiative measure which provides support for cross-Border partnerships. Funding of €300,000 is provided in 2005.
My Department is also a joint implementing body for two agriculture and rural development co-operation measures under the PEACE II programme — cross-Border community development and cross-Border diversification. An allocation of €1.2 million has been made to cover these measures in 2005.
The rural social scheme which commenced in 2004 provides resources to maintain and improve local amenities and facilities in rural communities. Communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen while participants experience opportunities to improve existing skills and develop new ones as they perform valuable work in the community. My Department's Vote provides €12 million for the scheme with additional funding being made available from the Dormant Accounts Board. By mid-May the numbers on the scheme had risen to 1,586 participants and 82 supervisors. I expect all 2,500 available places to be taken up later in the year.
The provision for Waterways Ireland is €33.216 million, an increase of 16% on last year's out-turn. The allocation of €22.216 million for current expenditure covers the cost of maintaining the waterways and the administrative expenses of the body. The capital allocation of €11 million provides for the improvement of existing facilities as well as the development of new leisure destinations along the waterways. It also provides for new office accommodation for Waterways Ireland.
I hope I have provided the select committee with a good overview of my Department's main priorities and areas of expenditure for 2005. I will be happy to expand on any matter Deputies wish to raise. Meanwhile I will hand over to my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, who will speak on his areas of responsibility.
Does the Chairman want the long or the short version?
The short version will do because we have received the text of the Minister of State's presentation.
I will speak on a few areas for which I have direct responsibility within Vote 24, namely, the community and voluntary service, the drugs initiative, the young peoples' facilities and services fund, and, under Vote 27, funding for the Office of Charitable Donations and Bequests.
A total of €22.369 million has been provided for the community development programme this year, an 8.6% increase over last year's expenditure. The allocation has facilitated the funding of ten additional projects to date while five more are scheduled to come on stream. Thirteen projects received additional funding during the year to take on additional full or part-time staff. Next month a grants package of up to €500,000 for projects funded under the programme will be available for refurbishment of premises, equipment and planned training and education programmes.
Under the locally-based community grants scheme, we will provide support for local community and voluntary organisations to fund the purchase of equipment and the refurbishment of premises, etc. The programme also addresses the issues of disadvantage and isolation by trying to bring people and communities together. A total of €2.9 million has been allocated for this year's programme which will be advertised in the newspapers, probably in the first or second week of June.
Under the scheme of support for older persons, a provision of €2.8 million has been allocated this year. The scheme was advertised in recent weeks, three months earlier than last year. The funding represents a 25% increase on last year's spend.
Following the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity, funding for the support of the community and voluntary sector will be provided under several headings: the scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies has received €2 million this year; the scheme for training and supports in the sector received €600,000, and there is a programme of supports for national anti-poverty networks.
In March we announced a scheme for a range of initiatives, with a cost estimate of €2 million a year, designed to develop and support volunteering. The committee's report on volunteering was useful in this regard. These measures are designed to promote volunteering among young people. One of the projects was the young social innovators initiative, the final of which I attended recently in the Citywest Hotel. The investment of €200,000 a year for three years is very worthwhile because there were almost 2,000 transition year pupils at the event which was very successful. One has to be impressed with the projects they are undertaking. The package included some resources for a DIT volunteering initiative.
The drugs allocation this year is €31.5 million, a 15% increase on last year's out-turn and an 18% increase on the allocation for last year. It covers funding for the local and regional drugs task forces, the premises initiative, the young people's fund, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the national drugs strategy team.
Most of the local drugs task forces are located in Dublin, with 440 projects under their auspices doing good work. Six of the ten regional drugs task forces have submitted their plans to the team for consideration and the other four are due in the next month or so. I hope to be able to allocate funding in the near future as soon as the plans are assessed and approved.
Under the premises fund, we have allocated almost €13 million for 50 projects. Another round of funding is under way for this year.
Since the young peoples' fund was initiated, €85 million has been allocated and 450 projects or services are being delivered. It is based on the idea that there is no point in saying to young people not to get involved in drugs; there must be alternatives. A number of projects are under way under the scheme and they are a great help.
The National Advisory Committee on Drugs has a budget of €1.27 million and carries out research projects. The Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests are funded under Vote 27 — Office of Charitable Donations and Bequests. They operate under the Charities Acts 1961 and 1973.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus an Aire Stáit agus oifigigh na Roinne atá anseo le dhul fríd na Meastacháin seo. Is ócáid thábhachtach seo deis a bheith againn breathnú ar an dóigh a chaitear airgead na Roinne i rith na bliana.
Ar bhun pearsanta, gabhaim buíochas don Aire agus Aire Stáit as an chomhoibriú a thug siad do dhaoine siad do dhaoine cosúil liom féin. Is cuma an bhfuil muid i dteagmháil leo sa Roinn i mBaile Átha Cliath nó sna Forbacha nó fiú i nGaoth Dobhair. Tá súil agam nuair a bhogfaidh an Roinn go dtí an Cnoc Mhuire go mbeidh an comhoibriú céanna le fáil.
Tá ceithre ranna sna Meastacháin riaracháin, Gaeilge agus Gaeltacht, gnóthaí pobail agus tuaithe agus an freagracht atá ar an Aire Stáit.
Ag breathnú ar na Meastacháin chomh fada agus a bhaineann sé le riaracháin, is dócha gurb é an t-aon rud atá le tabhairt faoi deara ansin nó an t-ardú suntasach a tháinig ar chostais taistil agus cothaithe na Roinne le bliain anuas, ardú de 13%. B'fhéidir go léiríonn sin chomh gnóthach agus atá daoine sa Roinn agus iad ag dul ar fud na tíre.
Is féidir léargas níos fearr a fháil ar pholasaí díláraithe na Roinne. Phlé muid sin sa Dáil an tseachtain seo caite. Tá sé mall fadálach go leor. An dtig leis an Aire a rá linn cad é mar atá an cheist ag dul ar aghaidh? Tá deacrachtaí do ranna áirithe, an ceann atá ag dul go dtí mo cheantar féin mar shampla. Beimid ag súil le dul chun cinn air sin.
Baineann fo-mhírcheann B le Foras na Gaeilge. Is foras tábhachtach seo, ní amháin ó thaobh teanga agus cultúir de ach ó thaobh polaitíochta agus an náisiúin chomh maith mar tá an Tuaisceart agus an Deisceart ann. Sin an cuspóir atá againn — go mbeidh an tír aontaithe — agus tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh comhoibriú ann taobh istigh d'eagraíocht tras-Teorann.
Ciste na Gaeilge fo-mhírcheann 3 agus sin an chéad áit a dhéantar tagairt don Chrannchur Náisiúnta, Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe agus Iomairt Cholm Cille, eagraíochtaí atá ag déanamh oibre tábhachtaí le fada. Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil siad ag fáil cuidithe. Tá eolas againn níos fá chuid acu ná atá fán chuid eile. Ceann ina bhfuil suim agam féin ná Iomairt Cholm Cille. Cad é mar atá sin ag gníomhú agus cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta aige?
Tá lúcháir orm go bhfuil drámaíocht na Gaeilge Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe ag fáil aitheantais. Tá amharclann cáiliúil i mo cheantar féin Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair. Tá stair aici ag baint le drámaíocht. An bhfuil teagmháil rialta ag an amharclann leis an Roinn? Dá mbeadh, aon chuidiú a dhíth uirthi, tá súil agam go mbeadh sé ar fáil.
Feicim go bhfuil an Meastachán don Choimisinéir Teanga ag méadú ó €389,000 go dtí €600,000 i rith na bliana seo. Oifig thábhachtach í seo. Tá an coimisinéir agus a fhoireann ansin agus caithfidh siad bheith neamhspleách ón Rialtas agus ón Roinn. Tá sé tábhachtach go gcuirfí na hacmhainní ar fáil dóibh má tá siad le bheith éifeachtach agus a gcuid oibre a dhéanamh chomh beacht agus is féidir san am amach romhainn.
Tá ardú de €500,000 ar thithíocht sa Ghaeltacht agus tá áthas orm go bhfuil go leor tithe á dtógáil ansin. Tá an deontas mar atá sé le blianta fada. áfach. An mbeadh sé réadúil an deontas a ardú? Tá sé ag €5,000 le blianta agus tá costais ag méadú. Cé gur cuidiúé, is féidir níos mó a dhéanamh.
Tá scéim labhartha na Gaeilge ag méadú godtí €700,000. Sin scéim thábhachtach a dhéantar fríd na scoileanna. Muna bhfuil na daltaí ag fáil deontais labhairt na Gaeilge sna scoileanna, ní chailleann siad deontais eile.
Baineann fo-mhírcheann G leis na scéimeanna feabhsúcháin eile. Mhol mé scéim na mbóthar straitéiseacha roimhe agus molaim arís í mar tugadh prionsabal úr isteach ansin le theacht ón imeall go dtí an lár. Go minic bhí muid ag caint faoina mhalairt. Bhí €8 milliún anuraidh leis an scéim agus níl ach €4.9 milliún i mbliana. An dtig leis an tAire sin a mhíniú? Tá go leor muiroibrithe sa Ghaeltachta agus tá go leor le déanamh go fóill. Tá €3 milliún i mbliana le huisce agus séarachas chomh maith. Tá caiteachas ar na hoileáin ag méadú do €15.862 milliún agus is fiú airgead ar bith a chaitear ar na hoileáin. Tá saol crua ag na daoine ar na hoileáin le blianta fada agus ba chóir go mbeadh sé de chuspóir againn go mbeidh an caighdeán ceanna maireachtála agus áiseanna ar na hoileáin agus atá le fáil ar an mhórthír, le huisce, solas agus cumhacht le fáil. Dúirt an tAire sa Dáil gurbh iad na dá rud is tábhachtaí na bóithre agus uisce. Tuigimid go bhfuil uisce tábhachtach do na hoileánaigh agus an bóthar is tábhachtaigh do na hoileán an bóthar ón mhórthír, an turas farraige. Sin an fáth na céanna ar an mhórthír agus na céanna ar na hoileán chomh tábhachtach sin.
Tugaim aitheantas don obair atá déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar fud na Gaeltachta. Is cinnte go mbeadh na ceantracha Gaeltachta i bhfad níos laige ó thaobh fostaíochta de in éagmais an údaráis. Tá an t-údarás ag brath go mór ar dhíol a chuid acmhainní. Tá €14.825 milliún le theacht isteach as sin agus is mór an t-airgead sin agus ní aontaím go hiomláin leis an straitéis airgeadais sin. Tiocfaidh an lá nach mbeidh acmhainní ar bith fágtha ag an údarás. Cén dóigh a líonfar an bhearna idir an méid airgead atá ar fáil sa deontas caipitil agus an méid airgead atá ag teacht isteach ón díol na n-acmhainní. Tá borradh mór faoin na hiarratais atá ag teacht isteach ó gach ceantar Gaeltachta chuig an údaráis le tionscnaimh beaga. Cuirimid uilig fáilte roimhe sin má chuireann sé poist ar fáil ach tá gá níos mó ná riamh ag an údarás go mbeidh acmhainní go leor aige le freagra agus toradh a thabhairt ar na hiarratais go léir atá ag teacht isteach.
Thagair an tAire do CLÁR agus tá obair iontach déanta aige. Bhí mé ag breathnú ar léarscáil inniu agus tá ceantar I dTír Chonaill ó Anagaire go dtí an Fhál Carrach a thugann isteach Dún Lúiche, Mín an Chladaigh, Gort a Choirce agus na Crois Bhealaí. Tá sé mar oileán in iarthar an chontae. Tá scéim CLÁR ag teacht isteach go dtí an deisceart thart fá na Rosa, agus tagann sé isteach sa tuaisceart chomh fada leis An Chrioslach agus Dún Fionnachaidh ach tá an ceantar Gaeltachta sin fágtha ar leataobh. Tuigim na critéir a bhí i bhfeidhm — níor thit an daonra 50% — ach tá cúiseanna eile go bhféadfaí breathnú ar dhóigh eile ar an áit. Tá go leor fostaíochta caillte sa cheantar i láthair na huaire agus nuair a chuirtear san áireamh an méid daoine atá ag fágáil an cheantair gach seachtain, is cinnte go mbeadh titim suntasach ansin. Bíonn daoine ar shiúl i rith na seachtaine agus sa bhaile ag deireadh na seachtaine. Is mór an trua go bhfuil an ceantar sin fágtha ar leataobh mar dá mbeadh sé istigh bheadh na buntáistí atá sna ceantair sa Ghaeltacht agus faoi CLÁR le fáil ag an cheantar sin. Tá aithne ag an Aire ar an cheantar sin agus níl orm barraíocht a rá. Bíonn an tAire ann go minic agus is mór an trua nach bhféadfaíé a chur isteach.
Bhí an tAire ag plé le RAPID a bhaineann le cathracha, it is geared more towards urban than rural areas. There was a promise of €2 billion for the programme when the Government entered office but it is difficult to get an accurate picture of what is going on because so many Departments are involved: the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the Department of Education and Science; the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism. Every year a report should detail the money spent on the programme by each Department. It is difficult to discern if progress is being made and the money promised is being spent.
The community and voluntary sector was mentioned by the Minister for State, a hugely important area which provides vital social, health and community services, with organisations operating in every parish in the State. It has been estimated that their contribution has been worth €1.5 billion to the State every year, a huge amount. Their work must be recognised. However, the future is uncertain for them. They are not told their budget until well into the year. There have been instances where a community project employed ten people last year but this year could only afford five employees while trying to do the same work. I cannot see any reason they should not be included in social partnership.
We are losing the war on drugs. When I came here years ago, there were drugs in Dublin and one or two other places but now they are a problem in every parish in Ireland. Coke is being imported by the tonne. We read every day of seizures of €10 million worth of coke. It is tragic. Every week we hear of people being murdered and they are probably all drug related. We must address the problem in a more meaningful manner. Why is the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform dealing with the alcohol problem while the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltachta Affairs is dealing with the drugs problem? There should more co-ordination.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Aire Stáit agus na hoifigigh. Tááthas orm seans a fháil labhairt ar na Meastacháin don Roinn.
The National Advisory Committee on Drugs has an annual budget of €1.27 million to deliver on its three year research programme on the prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of drug misuse in Ireland. Its mandate has been extended by the Government until the end of 2008. What areas is it researching? What justification is there for extending its mandate to 2008?
Deputy McGinley's comment is valid that in many ways we are losing the war against drugs. It may not necessarily be the case with hard drugs but the use of soft drugs is becoming more prevalent. One can get what one wants anywhere. It is not as simple as analysing the problem of how to deal with it as there are so many agencies involved. At this stage, there is a strong case for the co-ordination of the prevention and treatment services under one Minister. It is a large problem and we are not winning.
Much of this activity generates large income for paramilitary or other criminal elements. The activities in which these groups are involved are certainly not in the interests of the State or its citizens. I am not seeking to blame the Minister. However, the Government and the Opposition need to examine the problem in a much wider context and develop a more co-ordinated approach. As many aspects of the services mentioned are located in many Departments, it is not conducive to the focused approach needed to come to terms with the problem.
Will the charities legislation be passed in the lifetime of the Government? I accept the enormity of the task involved but the matter is drifting. I am not confident this important issue will be dealt within the lifetime of the Government.
Comhairle na Tuaithe, the countryside recreation council, is dealing with the important issue of access to the countryside. I recall being involved in researching why certain continental visitors came on holiday to Ireland. There was a firm response that one factor was being able to walk freely in the mountains. Access to the countryside is very important, not only for the quality of life of our citizens but also for the tourism industry. The Minister indicated that a report on the issue would be published by the end of the year. However, is it just a talking shop with little action? It is not in anyone's interests that the matter is allowed to drag on. Will the Minister assure me that a balance between the interests of landowners and the right of access for people from rural and urban areas is being achieved?
Three additional posts in the Department were given for the rural social scheme. When I was Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, the then disabled person's maintenance allowance was transferred to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and became the disability allowance. Certain Departments have certain expertise in dealing with various issues. Is there a case to be made for the rural social scheme to operate from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, bearing in the mind the Department's expertise in that regard? Departmental officials could then be assigned to duties more in keeping with the Department's general mandate. I am not being critical of how the scheme has been administered. However, bureaucracy tends to be created when there are easier and more appropriate ways of providing for the administration for new schemes.
The Minister stated the majority of the Leader programme inspectorate staff are located in regional offices. How many staff are in the inspectorate? In which regional offices are they located?
There is a reduction in the postal and telecommunication services used by the Department. One area of concern regarding rural Ireland is the post office network. Is there a reduction in the volume of post emanating from the Department due to the use of new technologies? If so, we must examine how not to remove a valuable source of revenue from a service under a great deal of pressure.
A sum of €525,000 will be provided for a new Gaeltacht client database project. Is there a great necessity for such a project? What is its genesis? Is this the most important project in developing information technology systems within the Department?
Will the Minister address the issue of Foras na Gaeilge funding for the south-east region this year? When the Department gives up to €14.5 million to Foras na Gaeilge, surely the Waterford constituency which has a Gaeltacht and gaelscoileanna should not be outside the loop in obtaining funding?
A considerable amount, €3.3 million, is being allocated to Ciste na Gaeilge. What emanated from it in 2004? I would be the first to say that, regarding creative writing in Irish, no one would be happier than I to see that happening. How much is going to Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge and what is happening on foot of it? The same goes for Comhaltas CeoltóiríÉireann. How much money is going to it and why is it being allocated? What will happen then? Perhaps the Minister will also give me some detailed information on Taibhdhearc and Iomairt Cholm Cille.
The new office of the Language Commissioner — an Coimisinéir Teanga — is welcome. However, I have some concerns. In the report Mr. Ó Cuirreáin stated — these are not his exact words — that he did not feel all the blame for the current state of the Irish language should be apportioned to teachers. I am not sure whether it is his role to make such statements. The Minister said to me in the House that we should not become involved in the blame game regarding the current position of the language. There should be clarity regarding the commissioner when he strays outside his statutory role concerning the proper operation of the Official Languages Act 2003.
I welcome the fact that there is additional funding under the Gaeltacht Acts since it means additional houses and extensions for people with disabilities are being built in the region. Some of the issues I wished to raise have been dealt with by Deputy McGinley. I note from the look I am getting from the Cathaoirleach that she feels I should be drawing my remarks to a close. I will not make matters difficult for her.
I have one final point. The overall figures for scéim labhairt na Gaeilge are positive since there has been a slight increase. However, there are some areas, for example, Ros Goill and Carraig Ard, where that is not the pattern. To what extent is the Minister focusing on areas a bhfuil scéim labhairt na Gaeilge, maidir leis na daoine atá ag fáil deontas iomlán nó deontas laghdaithe, ag dul i laige? Céard díreach atáá dhéanamh aige chun é sin a chasadh timpeall le go mbeadh toradh níos fearr agus níos fiúntaí ar scéim labhairt na Gaeilge sna ceantair sin?
I have four brief questions for each person. Might a lack of clarity regarding the rural social scheme be stopping the target of 2,500 places from being met? Is it well enough advertised and promoted? Is there any intention to expand the RAPID programme? Has the Minister any hope of developing a scheme in conjunction with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to bring water into non-CLÁR programme areas?
As a point of information for the Aire Stáit, I see there are to be projects regarding the use of cocaine in the near future. We plan to have our report ready within the next month or six weeks and hope it may inform the work of the Department. I would love to see the work of the regional drugs task forces advanced as soon as possible. As the Minister of State said, it is not getting into the regions in the way it should and the process is very slow. Given that drink is currently not included in the drugs strategy, should, could or will the National Advisory Committee on Drugs have an input into the current debate on the liquor licensing reforms?
Ardaíodh go leor ceisteanna. Ba í an chéad cheist ná an ceann a d'ardaigh an Teachta McGinley maidir le cúrsaí taistil. Céard atá muid á dhéanamh anseo? Táimid ag cur athliúntas na bliana seo i gcomparáid le caiteachas na bliana seo caite. Tá méadú ag teacht ar ghníomhaíochtaí na Roinne, agus tá níos mó daoine ag bogadh thart, agus tá cúrsaí áirithe ag baint le dílárú. B'fhéidir nach gcaithfear iomlán an liúntais, ach cá dteastaíonn sé sin? Anuraidh, mar shampla, bhí an t-athliúntas níos mó ná an méid a caitheadh. Tá sé deacair orthu ag deireadh na bliana. Ní airgead an-mhór atá i gceist. Cén chaoi a dtiocfaidh rudaí i mbliana? Ba mhaith liom rud amháin a shoiléirú. Má chuirtear Aire thar sáile ar ghnóthaí Rialtais, fós is é a Roinn féin a íocann as. Mar shampla, dá gcuirfí mise ar son an Rialtais go dtí an taobh eile den domhan, chaithfeadh mo Roinn a íoc as, in ainneoin gurbh é ar son an Rialtais a bheinn ag taisteal. Caithfidh an soláthar sin a bheith ann. Braitheann sé ar go leor rudaí, ar thaisteal thar sáile agus mar sin de. Táthar thar a bheith cúramach sa Roinn ó thaobh costas agus cúrsaí taistil de, agus ní dóigh liom go bhfuil aon fhíon ag dul amú.
Tá ceist leanúnach maidir le Foras na Gaeilge agus dílárú. Tá Aire Stáit nua ó thuaidh, agus beidh mé ag lorg cruinniú leis chomh luath agus is féidir, ach tá i gceist brú ar aghaidh leis sin chomh scioptha agus is féidir.
Tá athbhreithniúá dhéanamh ar Iomairt Cholm Cille, agus caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil an mothú agam — b'fhéidir nach bhfuil an ceart agam — go raibh straitéis aici ag an tús, ach i ndiaidh pointe áirithe ní raibh sí ach ag tabhairt miondeontas amach anonn is anall. Is cuimhin liom nuair a thosagh muid í. Bhí mé féin agus an tAire Brian Wilson á threorú go mór, agus nuair a tháinig mé ar ais sa Roinn, b'fhéidir gur shíl mé go raibh sí ag scaipeadh deontas anonn is anall agus go raibh cuid den straitéis sin imithe ó mhaith. Tá athbhreithniú ar bun, agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an toradh agam go luath. Nuair a bheidh, beidh mé ag tógáil cinnithe. Ba mhaith liom bheith ag comhairliú le mo chomhghleacaí go bhfeice mé go mbeadh straitéis shoiléir ann. Céard faoi atá sí? An rud a bhí i gceist agam le hIomairt Cholm Cille ná Gaeil na hÉireann a thabhairt níos gaire do Ghaeil Alban.
Luaíodh tithíocht agus méid an deontais. I láthair na huaire tá mé ag breathnú ar chostais títhíochta ar na hoileáin. Níl aon amhras faoi ach go bhfuil nósanna athraithe go mór. Tá tithe á méadú, agus tá costais níos mó ag baint le hábhar a iompar isteach go dtí na hoileáin. Dúirt mé freisin an tseachtain seo ar Inis Mhór go bhfuil sé i gceist agam breathnú air an bhféadfaí cúnamh a thabhairt do dhaoine le tithe a dhéanamh "eco-chairdiúil" ó thaobh téimh de agus mar sin de. Bíonn rudaí ag dul suas san aer agus ag cothú fadhbanna san aeráid ó thaobh greenhouse gases de.
Chuir an Teachta ceist thar a bheith ciallmhar orm maidir le scéim bóithre Gaeltachta. Tá freagra simplí go maith air sin. Tá an méid atá ar fáil do scéimeanna feabhsúcháin sa nGaeltacht méadaithe i mbliana. Níl aon ghearradh siar ar an mbunMheastachán. I mbliana tá €11.5 milliún ann, agus in ainneoin gur caitheadh níos mó ná an méid a bhí ar fáil anuraidh, €11.267, tá méadú de €233,000 ann. Anuraidh, caitheadh €8 milliún ar na bóithre, agus thug mé €4.9 milliún i mbliana. An fáth ná go raibh súil againn an méid atá le caitheamh ar chéabhanna a mhéadúó 1.5 milliún go €3 milliún.
Abair aríst é.
Ó €1.5 milliún go €3 milliún.
Ar cad é?
Ar chéabhanna, mar oibreacha. Mura dtarlódh sé sin, nó mura mbeidh an chosúlacht air i lár na bliana go dtarlódh sé sin, tá mé in ann athbhreithniú a dhéanamh air sin, dul ar ais agus tuilleadh a chaitheamh ar bhóithre. Thuigfeadh an Teachta féin go mbeinn in ann caiteachas bóithre a mhéadú réasúnta scioptha.
Bóithre straitéiseacha?
Bóithre straitéiseacha, bóithre áise, bóithre abhaile nó rud ar bith a theastaíonn sa nGaeltacht. Ba é an dara cúis mhór leis an athrú ná go bhfuil éileamh níos mó ag teacht isteach — ó thaobh na Gaeilge, tá tábhacht ag baint leis seo — níos mó airgid a chaitheamh ar shaoráidí pobail. Má théitear thart ar na pobail Ghaeltachta anois, feictear go bhfuil an saol ag athrú. Bhí am ann nuair a bhí na bóithre áise ar na cinn ba mheasa — anois, b'fhéidir, is é na bóithre straitéiseacha. Tá rud amháin thar a bheith soiléir, áfach. Táéileamh níos mó ar fheabhsacháin ar choláistí Gaeilge, hallaí pobail, páirceanna peile agus mar sin de. Tá chuile rud ag éirí níos daoire. Chomh maith leis sin, creidim go straitéiseach go mbeidh orainn amach anseo breis airgid a chaitheamh ar áiseanna a chur ar fáil, mar shampla, i leithéidí Ghaoth Dobhair, Chorca Dhuibhne, na Ceathrún Rua, i leith tionscnamh Gaeilge, agus cosnóidh sé sin roinnt mhaith airgid.
Chuir mé €3.5 milliún ar fáil i mbliana le haghaidh hallaí, páirceanna peile agus coláistí Gaeilge le hais €1.6 milliún anuraidh. Tá a fhios ag an Teachta féin go bhfuil sé an-deacair a mheas cén uair a dhéanfar caiteachas ar hallaí. Aríst, b'fhéidir go mbeidh orm athbhreithniú a dhéanamh air sin i rith na bliana. Go bunúsach, áfach, tá an Estimate thuas san iomlán, ach bhí muid ag dul a chaitheamh níos mó ar mhuiroibreacha, hallaí agus áiseanna Gaeilge agus níos lú ar bhóithre. Cá bhfios ag deireadh an lae an n-oibreoidh sé amach? B'shin an straitéis a bhí ann, áfach. Mar a deirim, caithfidh mé an bád a stiúradh de réir mar a bheidh muid ag dul ar aghaidh tríd an mbliain.
Luaíodh Údarás na Gaeltachta agus foirgnimh a dhíol. Níl mé ag dul timpeall na n-argóintí seo ar fad, ach ba mhaith liom dhá rud a rá. Rinne mé comparáid, mar bíonn daoine i gcónaí ag caint ar an mbliain órga 2002, an bhliain ar socraíodh an Meastachán sul a dtáinig mé isteach sa Roinn. Bhreathnaigh mé ar na figiúirí don bhliain órga sin 2002 do Ghaeilge, Gaeltacht agus oileáin. Ansin, bhreathnaigh mé ar an mbliain 2005 do Ghaeilge, Gaeltacht agus oileáin. D'éirigh an Meastachán ó €82 milliún nó rud éicínt go €93 milliún. Sin figiúirí garbha anois. Ba léir go raibh an méadú sin ann, ach bhí boilsciú idir an dá linn. Chuaigh mé ar ais don bhfigiúr do 2002, agus fuair mé na figiúirí boilscithe tráthnóna inniu. Chuir méé sin le figiúr 2002, agus fuair mé amach go ndéanann sé thart ar €91 milliún. Fiú má chuirtear boilsciú san áireamh, tá an figiúr atá ar fáil do Ghaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Oileáin níos mó anois ná mar a bhí sa mbliain 2002.
Deir daoine go bhfuil ciorrú ar an Údarás, agus tá sé sin fíor. Cá bhfuil an t-airgead á chaitheamh, ansin? Tá an t-airgead á chaitheamh go príomhá ar chaiteachais bhreise ar oileáin, caipiteal, agus, ar ndóigh, tá an Ghaeltacht agus an Coimisinéir Teanga ann. Tá séá chaitheamh, áfach. Tá sé sin gan díol fhoirgnimh an Údaráis a chur san áireamh. Is é an caiteachas iomlán €2 milliún. Nuair a bhí mé ag breathnú thart orm féin, shíl mé nár leor an cineál ardaithe sin. Chuir mé ceist orm féin cén dream a bheadh in ann, gan aon dochar a dhéanamh dóibh féin, breis ioncaim a thabhairt isteach agus an figiúr seo a thabhairt suas do €100 milliún. Más féidir liom deal a dhéanamh leis an Aire Airgeadais, agus má dhíolann an tÚdarás foirgnimh, is féidir an t-airgead sin a athinfheistiú seachas, mar a tharlódh, é a sheoladh ar ais chuig an Státchiste.
Tá go leor foirgneamh ag an Údarás, agus bheadh sé ní b'fhearr iad a dhíol ar an margadh oscailte. Ar an mbealach sin, is féidir liom a rá go bhfuil an figiúr €7 milliún nó €8 milliún níos fearr ná mar a bheadh sé gan é seo. An bhfuil luach na bhfoirgneamh atá ag an Údarás ag dul síos ó bhliain go bliain? Níl, mar, má dhíolann an tÚdarás aon fhoirgneamh, tá cead aige an t-airgead a infheistiú ar ais i bhfoirgnimh. Mar sin, díolann an tÚdarás €7 milliún nó €8 milliún. Ba é an figiúr a thug sé dúinn ná €7 milliún, ach de réir mar a thuigim, tá ag éirí leis níos fearr ná sin. Fiú má dhíolann sé €7 milliún nó €8 milliún, caithfidh sé €15 milliun i mbliana ar fhoirgnimh nua, ar fhorbairtí nó ar hallaí. Beidh méadú glan seachas laghdú glan ar luach na bhfoirgneamh atá ag an Údarás. Tá sé cosúil le duine a dhíolann píosa talún anseo agus a cheannaíonn dhá phíosa talún ansiúd, leath amháin le hairgead nua agus leath eile leis an méid a fuair sé don gcéad phíosa talún. Is é beauty an ruda atá ar bun agam ná gur fhán na foirgnimh a dhíol muid in úsáid phobal na Gaeltachta, agus ní thuigim cén fáth a mbeadh éinne ina aghaidh.
Níl paróiste Ghaoth Dobhair nó an ceantar máguaird i gCLÁR, mar níor shásaigh siad na critéir. Is é an fhadhb atá ag scéim ar bith ar nós CLÁR ná, má tá áit ar bith taobh thiar de líne ar léarscáil, beidh duine éigin ag tabhairt amach. Is moladh do ChLÁR é go bhfuil daoine ag iarraidh dul isteach ann, ach caithfear a thuiscint freisin go n-imeodh luach CLÁR am ar bith a raibh chuile pharóiste tuaithe in Éirinn ann. Bheadh an t-airgead chomh scaipthe sin nach mbeach aon mhaith ann. Ar an ábhar sin, riar mé critéir réasúnta teann, agus ansin bhí orm bheith cothrom leis. B'shin an rud a rinne mé, agus ní thiocfaidh aon athrú i gceantair CLÁR leis an airgead atá ar fáil i láthair na huaire go dtí an chéad uair eile dá ndéanfar an daonáireamh. Tá na ceantair a luaíodh sa nGaeltacht, agus tá buntáiste mór acu i ngach uile scéim a bheadh acu faoi ChLÁR ar aon bhealach, scéim an uisce agus mar sin de.
The question was raised of RAPID and the €2 billion. Despite searching high and low, I cannot find any reference in the speeches of my predecessor or the Taoiseach to a figure of €2 billion. There was nothing in any of the scripts that I saw before the election. I cannot find the source regarding what was said about €2 billion; I am not even sure if it was said. It has become one of those urban myths that there was some commitment regarding €2 billion. However, the good news is that my colleague, who wears two hats, as Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, actually stacked up the money spent, including by his Department, on urban regeneration in RAPID areas. The total is an incredible sum, well more than €1 billion and rising rapidly. There is no question of the money being spent on RAPID areas.
There is an argument that none of us will ever be able to answer, namely, how much of that would have happened if RAPID had not been in place. That is the $64,000 question, since there was already a focus on such areas as Ballymun because they were so deprived. When I set up CLÁR I avoided the pitfall of too much reliance on reprioritisation, since that is hard to quantify. I suspect that most RAPID areas would now say the programme is making a difference through reprioritisation, dormant accounts and the new direct capital funding we are given. I know that because, for the first time since I entered office, there are many places just outside the RAPID areas knocking on the door to try to get in. That is a good sign for any programme. I am confident it is beginning to have an effect. The big money is being spent, but, as we all know, it is sometimes the small things that cause the problems.
It is amazing how, when a problem goes off the radar screen, it is forgotten that it ever existed. It is fair to say that there was a crisis before we set up Comhairle na Tuaithe. Every other day, there was some sort of dispute reported on the radio or in the newspapers about people being molested on land. It was causing great disquiet and doing incredible damage to tourism. In fairness to the partners, when they got around the table, almost without exception, they agreed that was not the way to approach the problem. That in itself has probably been worth a great deal of money to the economy. They now try to resolve issues around the table rather than on a hillside in the glare of publicity. That did no good to either protagonist, and it certainly did no good to tourism in Ireland. However, I agree that we must now conclude that phase of our work. We must move into a new phase of creating something positive for tourists and showing everyone in rural Ireland that there is a win-win situation. The rural social scheme is one of the elements in the way forward. I am aware of work being done by Ireland West Tourism with all the LEDU companies in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon to get projects developing products. Since they were LEDU companies, one had farmers involved. It was great to develop products with the farmers in at base line. All this talk and debating has created ideas on the ground. I do not have to do everything. The Government does not have to do everything to create circumstances where people start acting. They are definitely beginning to get it done, and I hope the example will spread across the country like a positive bush fire. That is beginning to happen.
I would also like to reach a proactive phase, using the rural social scheme and perhaps some capital money if I can secure it, initiating work on walkways and so on to raise quality. Someone pointed out to me today that Waterways Ireland is a very good example, since one can do a 20-mile stretch of a river on a weekend, sure that no matter where one lands, one will have showers, restaurants and all the facilities, making it an integrated service. One does not simply have water, then land, with nowhere to go to the toilet, shower or have a meal. I would like to bring that into walkways tourism.
There are eight Leader inspectors around the country in various locations, and perhaps we could send the details on to members.
I have the figures for the reduction in telecommunications posts and the breakdown of remaining posts. I understand the postal service amounts to €158,000 and telecommunications to €312,000. I do not know what the reduction is for telecommunications, but I suspect from various deals and discussions on telecommunications — I do not want to be quoted ex cathedra — that good work could be done in the Department. There are very good arrangements whereby we can ring through to extensions even from our mobiles, which saves a fair amount of money, rather than doing so on outside lines. My policy regarding any expense is that one should not spend money when one cannot. It is a challenge for post offices, but we have to move with the times. There is also no doubt that, as time goes on, we will try to save money by using e-mail. From a Department’s perspective, that makes sense.
Regarding Foras na Gaeilge and Port Láirge le Gaeilge, the former's decisions are taken at arm's length from the Minister. I hear what members say, but of course it is independent, and it would be wrong for me as Minister to interfere with any of the decision-making. I understand the Deputy's disappointment at how it worked out. However, with competitive tendering, we are always being told to use open criteria and competitions, and there will always be winners and losers. If the south east is getting no money, I can only conjecture that its applications were not up to scratch. I do not like to say that, and they would no doubt dispute it, but that is the only logical explanation, since I assure members that Foras na Gaeilge uses fair and equitable criteria in deciding on those applications.
Possibly more of a geographical basis to its operations might help.
One would have to write geographical criteria into the terms of reference.
I suggest that it be done.
We will note the suggestion that a regional spread should be written into the terms of reference and pass it on to Foras na Gaeilge. However, once one writes terms of reference, one cannot rewrite them when one gets the wrong answer, as I am sure the Deputy understands.
The outturn of Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge last year was €950,000. This year it will be €1,050,000, after a cost-of-living increase. We were examining some projects. We may have to change the name of Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge, since I am open to the idea of needing to consider such things as DVDs. Perhaps it will have to become Bord na Leabhar agus DVD Gaeilge. The board was set up long before the DVD was created. We must keep moving.
The figure for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was €560,000. Cén fáth a dtugtar an t-airgead sin do Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann? I suppose that it was for two reasons, the first being to support its work regarding Irish. It would also be disingenuous of me if I did not say that it is also its core funding as the national organisation for music. There could be an argument that we should fund the Irish language side and that someone else should provide the core funding. There are arguments both for and against that. Polyfunding from the State has its own problems, and trying to decide exactly what is for Irish and what for core funding can be difficult. The fewer funders involved in various agencies, the better, although I may be wrong and I am open to persuasion on that.
I was also asked about Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe. I have already answered DeputyMcGinley's question on Iomairt Cholm Cille. I have substantially increased the grant to Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, but I have also done work on that as we have examined what they were getting. We accepted that it was the national Irish-language theatre and that it was important that it was both a compántas and a theatre — a company producing plays and going around the Gaeltachtaí, and outside, and a theatre. I considered comparisons with other theatres, and recommendations were made to me to increase the funding. I will certainly take up the question of the amharclann i nGaoth Dobhair. Níl mé cinnte — ní cuimhin liom aon iarratas uaithi.
Níl mé cinnte. Níl mé ag cur in iúl go raibh sé ann. Níl mé cinnte ar chuir siad aon iarratas isteach. B'fhéidir nár chuir. Dá gcuirfidís iarratas isteach, bheadh eolas ag an bheirt againn air.
Ní cuimhin liom aon iarratas Gaeltachta agus, cinnte, níl aon iarratas faoi Chiste na Gaeilge nó sa nGaeltacht. Bheinn báúil dó. Anois, thar aon am, tá buntáiste mór ag baint le hamharclannaíocht trí Ghaeilge. De bharr fhorbairt na teilifíse trí Ghaeilge, tá réimse mór aisteoirí ag plé le TG4 anois a tháinig ó leithéidí An Taibhdhearc. Tá na figiúirí maidir leis na daoine atá ag freastal ar léiriúcháin Ghaeilge sa Taibhdhearc méadaithe go substaintiúil, agus tá pobal ann anois d'amharclannaíocht trí Ghaeilge nach raibh ann deich mbliana ó shin, de bharr obair na teilifíse agus TG4. B'fhéidir go labhródh an Teachta tuilleadh leo agus go n-iarrfadh sé orthu——
Fiche bliana ó shin.
Tá cead ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga commentaries a dhéanamh. Tá cead aige a bharúil a thabhairt faoin Acht, más buan mo chuimhne. Ní bheadh sé de cheart agam cur isteach ar obair an choimisinéara, atá neamhspleách.
Ardaíodh dhá cheist faoi scéim labhairt na Gaeilge. Bhreathnaigh mé ar na figiúirí a bhí ann i 1950 — 55 years ago. Bhí an t-airgead seo áíoc le teaghlaigh an t-am sin. Bhí teaghlaigh mhóra ann ag an am, agus bhí muiríní móra ar dhaoine. Abair go raibh meán de thriúr ag chuile family i 1950. Would the Deputy accept that as a fair figure three in a family in 1950 at any one time between the ages of five and 18? I hope that would not be unfair.
We will not be able to answer any more questions at this rate.
I am just going to finish this one, which is very interesting. I multiplied the figure for how much was paid out to families by three. They were paying to individuals then, and now we are paying to families. I therefore divided it by three on the basis that, on average, there would be a difference of three. The total was the same for most Gaeltachtaí — the same number of daoine if one accepts the figure of three per family. The total for some counties was smaller. I seem to remember that numbers for Mayo and Cork had fallen, but Conamara and Donegal were very much mar a bhí, as were the figures overall. Meath was up slightly. Despite what everyone is saying, if scéim labhairt na Gaeilge is any measure, there has been incredible stability over the last 55 years. I can provide these figures to the Deputy, which I have courtesy of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. They make an interesting commentary on some of the chatter going on regarding trends. I suppose there is no time to answer the Chairman's three questions.
The Minister can answer whichever question he prefers. We have been here since 4.15 p.m.
As the Chairman asked three good questions, I will answer them. We have had great support from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, but I cannot understand why 8,500 people are getting farm assist while we have only 1,500 people so far on the rural social scheme.
My suspicion is that those who gain most from the RSS, that is, the stronger farmers, are the ones who are missing, considering the area breakdowns. It seems clear there were areas where the Leader programme companies were previously involved in community employment schemes, knew the game and were able to get the people, whereas other areas are not so familiar with CE schemes and have no culture of this kind of scheme. There is some proselytising homework to do. Great effort has been put in by the staff.
We have only three staff members involved in this area. Area Development Management Limited does some work for us as well. Regarding which Department should be involved, as it is a work scheme rather than a social welfare scheme it should not be the Department for Social and Family Affairs. We get great support from that Department, which notifies its people about the scheme. It is a work scheme, a rural development scheme, handled through Leader programme companies. Four fifths of the scheme relates to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and one fifth of it has a connection with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Because my Department is developmentally-driven, and considering what was said about walkways, the scheme is in the right shop.
The problem with extending the areas is that unless one gets a huge increase in cash, the money is diluted. The extension theory is interesting and I understand what the Deputy is saying.
Those people without RAPID and CLÁR are jealous.
I am delighted that jealousy is arising with regard to RAPID. It shows we are making some impression. I am positively disposed to the matter of water schemes for areas outside CLÁR, but would have to get agreement from the Department of Finance and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I subscribe to the idea that very sparsely populated rural areas inside or outside CLÁR need a boost to get water into every house. In this day and age, some type of public scheme, be it a group water scheme privately owned but in effect, a public or community scheme, should extend to every house in the country. My heart is in that, and I will pursue the issue with my colleagues as the year goes on. It is important.
The national advisory committee on drugs does a considerable amount of work. Research is one of the four pillars of the strategy and the committee has either completed or is working on 38 projects. The longitudinal study, for example, is ongoing. Over the past year the advisory committee has carried out an overall study of the prevalence of drugs nationally, as well as a major report on heroin use. Six weeks ago it produced a report on drug use among the homeless. A major report was launched in Portlaoise on dual diagnosis, a serious problem involving people with mental health problems who also have addiction problems. Regarding this matter, there is some element of passing the buck within the health services. We are trying to create a new status of dual diagnosis so that people can be treated rather than fobbed off from one sector to another.
The drugs advisory committee has carried out a report on cocaine use, a major report on cannabis use and one on harm reduction methods. These involve much more than needle exchange, and include other drug paraphernalia which contribute to the spread of infection, because it is accepted by many of the treatment centres that some people are addicted to drugs, so that the centres try to improve their health quality and zone in on harm reduction methods.
Before we extended the remit of the national advisory committee on drugs, it was externally evaluated and came up with a clean bill of health. Regarding its surveys, one would have to return to the issues on an occasional basis. For example, drugs were a problem initially confined to Dublin, and the last report showed that the number of heroin users in Dublin had more or less stabilised, but a couple of thousand users had been identified outside Dublin. That was the first such study or survey done. To see if one is making an impression, one needs comparative figures every couple of years. It is part of the work programme of the national advisory committee on drugs to develop some fairly big projects relating to drugs and crime, as well as rehabilitation. The mid-term review of the drugs strategy group, which we will launch on Thursday, 2 June, will indicate the need to move further towards rehabilitation. Methadone, for example, was fine as a short-term measure but is not the final answer, and the drugs advisory committee will consider that too. Research and professional evaluation in the area are very necessary, and the advisory committee is doing some good work. The end of its term of office will coincide with the end of the drugs strategy, which runs to 2008.
Are we losing the war on drugs? The mid-term review of the drugs strategy group notes that much good progress is being made regarding the four pillars of the strategy. While there are 100 different action plans in the strategy, the review suggests that some of them need to be re-focused and re-prioritised. However, those who think the drugs problem is going away are fooling themselves. We recognise that the problem has spread outside Dublin. It will not go away and there is no quick fix. There are different drug problems. There are those who call themselves recreational users, who might be able to dabble in drugs now and again and then walk away from them without any problem, but the drugs strategy initially began attempting to deal with the problem in a social inclusion context.
Drugs are very much linked to poverty, early school leaving and unemployment. Heroin usage stemmed from that background and there is no quick fix. There are many success stories in the drug abuse area but also many problems. There are 12,500 heroin addicts in Dublin and 2,000 outside the city. The problem has spread into the towns of Leinster — Arklow, Portlaoise, Tullamore and Athlone. It may have gone a little further but the problem outside Dublin is concentrated on the Leinster towns. Since we know the problem has spread outside Dublin, it was decided to have regional drugs task forces, of which there are ten. Plans from six of them have been received in the past six or eight weeks and are being evaluated. We hope to make decisions on them over the next month or six weeks and the plans will then be rolled out. The plan for the south-east area has been received, but not the one for the north-west. If either of the Deputies have influence in the matter, that would help.
The north-west area submitted the alcohol action plan.
That may well be so. There is a problem, with an overspill from Derry as an urban area.
The national advisory committee on drugs has done some fantastic work. Some of its reports are very weighty with a great deal of reading in them. Copies can be supplied to committee members on request, if they have not already seen them.
The terms of reference of the national advisory committee on drugs relate only to illegal drugs and I do not think it would become involved in the issue of alcohol abuse.
Cocaine was mentioned and while the number of heroin users has stabilised in Dublin, the age profile is getting older and fewer young people are becoming involved. Some of them may be using other drugs. Ecstasy was popular for a while and now it is cocaine.
Whatever about the reservations people have about methadone, it is a substitute treatment for heroin. There is no equivalent substitute treatment for cocaine, which is a fundamental problem. People who are using it, or friends or relatives, find that the problems the individual sufferers have are not short-term. It is not so obvious as with other drugs and friends or relatives do not accept there is a problem so readily. Neither do people see themselves as having a problem, so it is much slower to entice them into treatment. The main treatment pivots around counselling, behavioural and alternative therapies, acupuncture, massage, head massage and so on. There is no simple remedy such as methadone, so it is a problem.
We have started some pilot programmes over the last five or six months, which were approved just before Christmas. The Health Service Executive is involved with some of these in a few parts of Dublin. There may be a problem, but a great many people are slow to recognise that they have got one and so are much slower to come forward. Many people who come forward are known to us and are already on heroin. There is a tendency for many of the same people who have been stabilised on one drug to go on to another.
Work is continuing apace with the Department on the issue of charities. It is major and very complex legislation and will probably contain about 200 sections. I may have been somewhat ambitious when I said some months ago that we might have it published by the end of 2005. I do not believe we will meet that target, but it is certainly a priority in the Department. It is in An Agreed Programme for Government and is getting full attention in the Department. It is a major piece of work.
The Law Reform Commission published a study on trust law, on its own behalf. We commissioned it to do a study on charitable trust law, about which both of those reports were issued. As part of the consultation process, people had a number of weeks to send in their views and submissions on them. These are now being evaluated and we are expecting the final report from the Law Reform Commission. All of these matters, including the charitable trust law report, will be feeding in to the legislation and will comprise the relevant sections of the Bill. I sincerely hope we get it out in time. I do not particularly want to be ramming it through in the final weeks of May 2007. I would like to have it published, passed and out of the way. It is getting the priority it needs within the Department and certainly we are determined to get that work done. However, it is very difficult and much of the stuff as regards these other reports is coming through all the time. It is a priority within the Department and I hope to be able to meet the scheduled timeframe. I do not know what happens near the end of a period of Government, whether a stocktaking exercise is done to see what will or will not be done. Hopefully it will be completed by early next year so we can get it into the Dáil and pushed through as quickly as possible. I always like to set a target and beat it. However, there have been one or two setbacks, so I do not believe we will see it by Christmas.
Ba mhaith liom mo buíochas a thabhairt don Aire, Aire Stáit, oifigí na Ranna agus na Teachtaí. Some of us have been here for a long session and I thank those who came in for the second session as well as those who were here for the first.