Tuesday, 17 Nov 2015

Written Answers Nos. 483-505

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (483)

Robert Troy

Question:

483. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the service improvement team engaged to examine the future funding of a school (details supplied) in County Longford will give its report, given it is now 12 months since it commenced its work and it indicated it would report within three months; if he will make the necessary funding available to bridge the shortfall and ensure this crucial service is put on a sustainable footing into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40733/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Funding of schools is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills. I understand that, in this instance, the Deputy is referring to day supports and training services funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and provided by St. Christopher's in Longford to adults with an intellectual disability.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Psychological Services

Questions (484)

Robert Troy

Question:

484. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the current level of psychological service of two days per month at a school (details supplied) in County Longford is adequate for 160 plus persons availing of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40734/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

International Relations

Questions (485)

Micheál Martin

Question:

485. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made contact with the President of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40026/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I assume the Deputy refers to the recent elections in Turkey, when President Erdoan’s AKP party was returned with an overall majority.

I last met with President Erdoan when I visited Turkey earlier this year in the context of the centenary commemorations at Gallipoli, when the warm relationship between Ireland and Turkey was recalled.

As I have said previously in this House, the Irish Government looks forward to working with the new Government in Turkey in an open and constructive manner on the many issues of mutual concern, both bilaterally and in the context of Turkey’s importance as an EU partner.

International Terrorism

Questions (486)

Clare Daly

Question:

486. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a book of condolences has been opened for the victims of the Russian aeroplane crash, as many citizens would like to pay their respect. [40127/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

It was with great shock and sadness that I learned about the tragic loss of so many lives in the terrible air disaster over the Sinai Peninsula on 31 October. The Taoiseach has written to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to convey the sympathies of the Government and the Irish people. I would also like to express again my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and their loved ones at this difficult time.

A book of condolences was opened by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Dublin on 2 and 3 November to allow Irish citizens an opportunity to express their respects and sympathies. The book was signed on behalf of the Government by Minister of State Dara Murphy TD.

Israeli Settlements

Questions (487)

Clare Daly

Question:

487. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to respond to the European Union plan to introduce labelling for goods produced in settlements in the West Bank. [40717/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The guidance on indications of origin of settlement produce adopted by the European Commission on 11 November has been produced in response to requests by myself and other Ministers over some time, and I therefore welcome its appearance.

The guidance does not change the regulations in force, but draws the attention of importers and retailers to the simple fact that Israeli settlements in the West Bank or the Golan heights are not in Israel, and that produce from settlements may not therefore be labelled as coming from Israel.

As no change in law is involved, the required response is one of publicising the advice given. I am having the advisory notice added to my own Department’s website. My Department is also writing to other Departments, asking them to bring the guidelines to the attention of relevant bodies dealing with labelling or consumer protection.

North-South Ministerial Council

Questions (488)

Denis Naughten

Question:

488. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade which Department has overall responsibility for biosecurity, other than in the case of animal health; his views that it is a matter for the North-South Ministerial Council to ensure uniformity across the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40115/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ministers from the Government and from the Northern Ireland Executive meet regularly to discuss matters of mutual interest within the agreed sectors of co-operation. I understand, therefore, that aspects of biosecurity, including plant life and health, food safety, the protection of the environment and the control of invasive species have been discussed within the Council by the relevant Ministers.

Where common approaches to handling issues of concern to both jurisdictions on the island can bring mutual benefit then these should be discussed between the relevant Ministers and Departments, including within the North South Ministerial Council.

Human Rights

Questions (489)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

489. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that 151 persons were executed in Saudi Arabia in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland and its EU partners oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, and work for its suspension and abolition around the world. Abolition of the death penalty has been one of Ireland’s priorities at the United Nations. I have noted with concern the increased use of the death penalty in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia.

In conjunction with our EU partners, our concerns regarding the use of the death penalty, both in general and in relation to specific cases, have been conveyed to the Saudi authorities both at Ministerial level and through diplomatic channels. We can have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when the 28 EU Member States speak with one voice, as on this issue.

On 8 July 2015, HRVP Mogherini stated publicly that the EU will continue to closely follow the issue of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia in general, and to voice its concerns to the Saudi authorities.

We will continue to call for the abolition of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia and in all other countries where it continues to be used, in conjunction with our EU partners and at the UN.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (490)

Brendan Smith

Question:

490. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the report from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, on the serious drought in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40420/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland has had a long-standing engagement with Ethiopia, one of our seven Key Partner Countries in sub-Saharan African. This year alone we have provided over €26 million through our bilateral aid programme to address poverty, vulnerability and hunger in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in almost 30 years, as highlighted by the report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It is estimated that up to 15 million people will need support in early 2016, when the worst impact of the drought will be felt. 40,000 people have already abandoned their land and 200,000 livestock have perished. The cost of food has increased by as much as 73% in some areas and severe water shortages are resulting in women and girls travelling up to 30 km per day to reach the nearest water source.

Droughts are unfortunately not new to Ethiopia. The Government of Ethiopia has demonstrated leadership in putting in place long term programmes which help farmers and rural families cope with the short term consequences of sudden climate shocks. Ireland has been an important supporter of this approach, providing €10.4 million this year to the Productive Safety Nets Programme, which will support up to 8 million of those affected by the drought.

The Government of Ethiopia is responding to the current severe crisis with an additional allocation of US$192 million this year for food aid, water, transport, animal feed and other assistance. Given the scale of the crisis, the Government has also requested humanitarian support from the international community, including Ireland.

In response, Ireland has provided €3.5 million to support UN OCHA and our NGO partners – Trócaire, Goal and Concern – to address the immediate humanitarian needs as a result of the drought. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa has also taken a leading role, on behalf all development partners, in dialogue with the Ethiopian Government. We have advocated for a greater response across the donor system and Embassy officials have met with the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture to progress the joint response to the humanitarian situation.

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most vibrant economies. Timely intervention now will help ensure its economic growth and protect development gains. We will continue to closely monitor the situation as it unfolds and ensure that Ireland’s assistance in 2016 continues to be well-targeted and responsive to the humanitarian needs on the ground.

Consular Services Provision

Questions (491)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

491. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a consular visit for a prisoner (details supplied) who is in Low Moss Prison, Glasgow, Scotland and who has suffered a recent assault in the prison, given concern for the prisoner's ongoing safety. [40473/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department is aware of the case of this Irish citizen who is currently detained in Low Moss Prison, Glasgow. Officials in our Consulate General in Edinburgh have written to the individual earlier this month offering consular assistance, and await a response.

EU Membership

Questions (492)

Brendan Smith

Question:

492. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent communication by the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, to the European Commission regarding British membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40739/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I welcome Prime Minister Cameron’s letter of 10 November to the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk, in which he provided further details of his government’s EU reform agenda. This represents an important step forward and we now look forward to working with the UK Government and our 26 other EU partners in securing an agreement that will hopefully help ensure continued British membership.

Our approach in upcoming negotiations will be guided principally by our conviction that common Irish and British EU membership is hugely important to our country’s national interests, our bilateral relationship with the UK and the EU as a whole. We will therefore be as supportive of the UK as we can be throughout this process. At the same time, as I have said before, we will not support anything that might fundamentally undermine the Union or our own country’s position within it. The Government has been making a concerted effort to ensure that our EU partners understand the particular issues that could arise for Ireland in connection with any change in the nature of the EU-UK relationship. We are also actively engaged with the British Government on the subject. Just last week the Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Cameron in Downing Street and I will be meeting with Foreign Secretary Hammond in London next week when we will discuss the matter once more.

The focus, across Government, remains doing everything we can to secure an outcome that allows for continued British membership of the European Union. Ultimately, however, the decision will rest with the British people and we need to continue to be sensitive and respectful of the democratic process underway in the UK.

School Transport Availability

Questions (493)

Jack Wall

Question:

493. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school bus ticket for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40398/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The child in question is not attending her nearest school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.

In this regard, Bus Éireann has advised that there are spare seats on the existing service and the family should contact their local Bus Éireann office (01 830 2222) if they wish to avail of school transport on a concessionary basis.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (494)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

494. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will establish modern-day craft programmes to facilitate apprenticeships in key areas such as in cooking and food preparation, where the apprentice is trained in the craft, receives work experience, and is paid. [40659/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

A comprehensive review of the Irish apprenticeship system was undertaken by an independent review group that reported in December 2013. Following consideration of their recommendations and consultation with stakeholders a new Apprenticeship Council was appointed in November 2014.

The first task of the Apprenticeship Council was to issue a call for proposals from consortia of industry and education and training providers for new apprenticeships with a deadline of end March 2015. The response to the call was very strong, with 86 proposals received across a range of sectors of the economy.

The Council evaluated the proposals received making recommendations on proposals that should be prioritised for development into sustainable apprenticeships. The Council assigned the proposals to three categories, with category one proposals, which were adjudged to be both sustainable and ready to enter a detailed planning and development stage, being the initial priority for development.

The outcome of the evaluation process has resulted in the placement of 25 submissions in category 1; 35 in category 2 and 25 in category 3.

Under category 1 the new sectors for apprenticeships include Manufacturing and Engineering, Tourism and Sport, Financial Services, Information Technology Transport Distribution and Logistics and Business Administration and Management.

Within the Category 1 group, there are proposals at varying stages of development and it is anticipated that some project plans will need more work. Once plans have been considered and approved, the Council will prepare a detailed overall development timeline for the category one proposals. It is envisaged that the majority of programmes would be in a position to move to enrolment in 2016.

Teacher Data

Questions (495)

Helen McEntee

Question:

495. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers employed in primary schools in County Meath in September of each of the years 2010 to 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39999/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy for the years 2010 to 2014 is available in the table below. The information for the 2015/2016 academic year is not yet available.

Teachers in Mainstream Primary Schools, Co. Meath 2010-2015

-	2010/2011	2011/2012	2012/2013	2013/2014	2014/2015
Teaching Teachers	883	907	925	947	965
Non-teaching Principals	52	52	57	57	59
Other Teachers (Full Time Equivalent)	285	295	284.5	290.5	310
Total Teachers	1220	1254	1267	1295	1334

Teacher Data

Questions (496)

Helen McEntee

Question:

496. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers employed in post-primary schools in County Meath in September of each of the years 2010 to 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40000/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Information relating to teaching posts allocated at post primary level is not disaggregated by county. The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to schools at primary and post-primary level, including the number of teaching posts allocated to schools (See table 3) http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Key-Statistics/Key-Statistics-2014-2015.pdf. The most recent published information relates to the 2014/2015 school year. Data in relation to the 2015/16 school year will be published later in the current school year.

Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (497, 498, 499, 500)

Helen McEntee

Question:

497. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital expenditure on primary education in County Meath in each of the years 2011 to 2014; the expected outturn for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40001/15]

Helen McEntee

Question:

498. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital expenditure on post-primary education in County Meath in each of the years 2011 to 2014; the expected outturn for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40002/15]

Helen McEntee

Question:

499. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected capital expenditure on primary education in County Meath over the course of the Government’s capital investment plan 2016 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40003/15]

Helen McEntee

Question:

500. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected capital expenditure on post-primary education in County Meath over the course of the Government’s capital investment plan 2016 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40004/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 to 500, inclusive, together.

Capital expenditure incurred in the primary and post-primary sectors in the years 2011 to date in 2015 in County Meath is as follows:

2011 - €22.0 million

2012 - €19.9 million

2013 - €41.2 million

2014 - €24.0 million

2015 - €28.2 million

I refer the Deputy to my statement on 29 September 2015 on the announcement of the Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021.

Over the next six years some €3.8 billion in direct funding will be invested in education projects. An additional €200 million in PPP funding over the life time of the capital programme will result in more than €4 billion in public investment.

As the investment in the primary and post-primary sectors over the period 2016-2021 will involve the provision of permanent school places under the Large Scale Projects Programme, the Additional Accommodation Programme and the Prefab Replacement Initiative as well as expenditure on site acquisitions, ICT investment, summer works schemes, emergency works and the issue of the minor works grant as well as other smaller programmes, it is not possible over such a range of activities to determine likely expenditure on a county basis.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (501)

Alan Farrell

Question:

501. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new, permanent building for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40044/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm that a project to provide for a new school building on a greenfield site for the school to which the Deputy refers was included in the 2012 - 2016 Construction Programme.

I can advise that my Department is working closely with Fingal County Council in relation to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for a new school building for the school in question and we continue to liaise with them in advancing this process. The technical feasibility of a preferred site option is currently being assessed. However due to the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, it is not possible to provide further information at this time.

State Examinations

Questions (502)

Helen McEntee

Question:

502. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills if extra concessions will be made for a leaving certificate student (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40062/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate examinations.

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

School Placement

Questions (503)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

503. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify a situation (details supplied) regarding access to school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40076/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Government is continuing to provide additional school places to cater for rising enrolments and is simultaneously diversifying the choice of school patronage available to parents. We are experiencing an ongoing increase in school enrolments and in that context the overarching priority has to be to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place. At the same time, it is a priority for the Government to move to a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. In this regard the patronage divesting process is underway. In addition, the establishment arrangements for all new schools place a strong emphasis on parental choice.

All schools are required to have an enrolment policy and this must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under the Equal Status Act, 2000 schools are not permitted to discriminate against an applicant for admission on any of the grounds set out in the Act. However, the Act makes provision for exemptions to apply in the case of single sex schools and in the case of schools where the objective is to provide education in an environment that promotes certain religious values. The legislation provides that an educational establishment does not discriminate where the establishment is a school providing primary or post-primary education to students and the objective of the school is to provide education in an environment which promotes certain religious values, it admits persons of a particular religious denomination in preference to others or it refuses to admit as a student a person who is not of that denomination and, in the case of a refusal, it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school. Schools that comply with the requirements of the Equal Status Act do not therefore discriminate on religious grounds.

As you are aware, I published the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill earlier this year. This Bill provides an over-arching framework to ensure that how schools decide on who is enrolled and who is refused a place in schools is more structured, fair and transparent.

The Bill does not propose changes to the existing equality legislation. However, the Bill provides for schools to explicitly state in the school's admission policy that it will not discriminate against an applicant for admission on the grounds of disability, special educational needs, sexual orientation, family status, membership of the traveller community, race, civil status, gender or religion while including provision for single sex schools and denominational schools to reflect, in their admission policy, the exemptions applicable to such schools under equality legislation.

The Bill also provides for schools to publish an enrolment policy which will include details of the school's arrangements for students who do not want to attend religious instruction.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (504)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

504. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence regarding resources for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40084/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The correspondence referred to by the Deputy covered many areas and I have set out below the position in relation to each of them.

In relation to teaching posts, the criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts, including GAM/EAL (learning/language support) is published annually on the Department website. The staffing arrangements for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015.

Under these arrangements a school's GAM/EAL allocation for the 2015/16 school year is based on its mainstream classroom posts for the 2014/15 school year. Appendix C of Circular 0005/2015 lists the GAM/EAL allocation for all schools. Schools have autonomy on how to deploy the resource between language support and learning support depending on their specific needs. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has recommended the introduction of a new resource allocation model for schools, which will allow schools to allocate resources to pupils taking into account their individual learning needs, as opposed to being based primarily on a diagnosis of a particular disability. It is also designed to factor in the educational profile of the student cohort in the school. A pilot of this new resource allocation model is currently taking place in a number of schools. In relation to school buildings, I want to assure you that funding is being made available as part of the Government's continued commitment to fund improvement and upgrading works in existing school buildings throughout the country. In this regard, I am pleased to be able to tell you that, earlier this month, I was able to announce that a minor works grant will be paid to primary schools later this year. I also announced that a multi-annual Summer Works Scheme will be run in 2016 and 2017. The Summer Works Scheme for 2016 is now open for applications on the Esinet portal with full details of the Scheme itself on the Department's website www.education.ie. The school in question can apply for funding under the 2016 Scheme for any high priority works needed to the building. In relation to funding, my Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools. The amount of grant paid to an individual primary school for capitation and ancillary services is determined by the school's enrolment, subject to a minimum grant for both capitation and ancillary services in respect of schools with enrolments up to 60, and a maximum ancillary services grant in the case of schools with enrolments of 500 or more. I have no plans to change these arrangements. In 2015 the capitation grant is €170 per pupil, and the Ancillary Services Grant is €147 per pupil. The Deputy may wish to note that Circular 40/2009 clarifies issues relating to the allocation of funding for primary schools. The circular states that capitation funding provided for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. I do recognise however the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. In Budget 2015 I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years and a further increase in education spending was achieved in Budget 2016. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (505)

Pat Deering

Question:

505. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding for a new school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if approval and funding will be provided in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40117/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement earlier today of the new Construction Programme, for 2016-2021, which aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The new Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.

In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation and to provide additional accommodation to meet increases in enrolments.

The Programme includes 310 major school building projects where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021.

The timeline for when work is expected to proceed is outlined in the announcement. Each project is listed in the year when the commencement of construction works is anticipated. The Department will be in communication with all those schools on the programme in relation to the next steps to be taken, at the appropriate time, as the projects progress through the various stages of the architectural planning process.

Details of all projects on the Six Year Construction Programme 2016 – 2021 will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated regularly. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a project for Kilkenny CBS is included in the Programme.