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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 2004

Vol. 580 No. 1

Written Answers

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies received from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 10 to 95, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 96 to 102, inclusive, answered orally.

Tax Code.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

103 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance his views on the case for tax neutrality to accompany carbon taxation in order that the proceeds of the new tax are used to reduce the tax burden on other resource-friendly items. [4724/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, and following on my Budget Statement regarding carbon energy taxation last December, I published a carbon energy tax consultation paper prepared by my Department on 31 July of 2003. This consultation paper was designed to facilitate discussions on the introduction and design of the carbon energy tax while recognising that there are divergent views on the issue. Submissions in response to the paper were invited from interested parties to be received in this Department by 30 September 2003, but extra time was given where requested by organisations to complete their submissions. Some 117 submissions have been received by my Department in response to the carbon taxation consultation paper. The current step in this process is the examination of submissions received in the Department. All relevant issues, including the case of tax neutrality to accompany carbon taxation, will be taken into account in the consideration of the proposal. As part of the consultation process, these submissions are now also available publicly via my Department's website.

European Court of Auditors.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

104 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent report commissioned by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs which criticised the way in which members are chosen for appointment to the European Court of Auditors; his plans to seek changes in the method of appointment or the selection of those chosen for nomination during the period of the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30491/03]

The treaty establishing the European Community provides that members of the European Court of Auditors shall be chosen from among persons who have belonged to external audit bodies in their respective countries or who are especially qualified for the office. The treaty also provides that the European Parliament is to be consulted on appointments to the court.

It is important that the court's operation is based on sound judgement, independence and integrity as well as conforming to the highest professional standards. This is well served by having members from all member states with an intimate knowledge of their own State's administration and culture. Ideally, the members of the court also should have a mix of backgrounds and relevant experience. The current Irish member of the court, Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn, and previous Irish members fully met the requirements for appointment to the court and have served the court with distinction.

The Deputy will be aware that the treaty provisions for the court will, like all other treaty provisions, be subsumed into the current Inter-Governmental Conference which is intended to lead to the adoption of an EU constitution. In this respect, the draft EU constitution produced by the European Convention last year retained the existing arrangements for appointing members to the court. There is a widespread consensus among member states that the existing arrangements for the court are working well and should be retained. The priority of the Irish Presidency is to do what we can to facilitate and expedite agreement on the draft EU constitution. As such, we will be seeking to consolidate and build on the existing consensus to the maximum extent possible.

I am aware of the recommendations made in the report commissioned by the Joint Committee on European Affairs. However, the Irish Government and most member states are satisfied with the structure, operation and integrity of the court. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the fine work the court has done in its continued commitment to protecting the financial interests of the EU.

Tax Compliance.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

105 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he has concluded his consideration of correspondence received from the Standards in Public Office Commission drawing his attention to limitations in the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, arising from consideration of a case (details supplied); if he has now decided on the steps to be taken to address the issues raised by the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4770/04]

I have not concluded my consideration of this matter. As I informed the House previously, I received correspondence from the Standards in Public Office Commission in December about certain provisions of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. That correspondence concerned section 21 of the Standards in Public Office Act, which provides for evidence of tax compliance on the part of ordinary Members of the Houses to be furnished to the standards commission. Specifically, a tax clearance certificate, which would have issued to the person not more than nine months before and not more than nine months after the election date, and a statutory declaration, which was made by the person not more than one month before and not more than one month after the election date, must be furnished to the commission.

Section 21(4) provides for investigation by the Standards in Public Office Commission where a person contravenes subsection (1). In a letter to me of 2 December 2003 the Standards in Public Office Commission suggested that consideration be given to amending subsection (4) to provide that the commission may, where appropriate, investigate whether evidence of tax compliance provided to it by Members of the Oireachtas under subsection (1) was "false or misleading". It was necessary to consult internally within my Department on the suggestion made by the Standards in Public Office Commission and, following that consultation, to seek the advice of the Attorney General on certain issues. I will give further consideration to this matter when the advice of the Attorney General has been received.

Question No. 106 answered with QuestionNo. 101.

Offshore Accounts.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

107 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Ansbacher accounts at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases in which settlements have been agreed and the total amount paid to date; the number of cases still outstanding; if additional action has been taken by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the report of the Ansbacher inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has inquired into 289 cases to date and 60 of these cases have concluded settlements with Revenue. The 289 cases, taking account of spouses and connected companies, consist of 300 names. A total of 211 cases have been under active investigation. The remaining cases consist of 62 non-resident persons, including 17 former Irish residents, 12 individuals who claimed the 1993 amnesty provisions and four cases with insufficient identity information. The number of connected entities in relation to cases under investigation is nearly 700.

To date a total of €38.74 million has been received, mostly by way of payments on account, in respect of 79 cases. This is made up of 69 cases involving Ansbacher or Ansbacher type arrangements with payments received of €31.02 million and ten other cases involving offshore funds or deposits with payments received of €7.72 million. The 60 cases which have concluded settlements with Revenue consist of 28 cases which were settled with payments amounting to €16.10 million, included in the amount to which I have just referred, 25 non-resident cases which are covered by the provisions of double taxation agreements, five which had no additional liability and two which were covered by the 1993 amnesty provisions.

The information in the High Court inspectors' report has been carefully considered as regards the tax liabilities of the persons concerned. Revenue has also made an application to the High Court for access to the supporting papers to the report. The matter was heard by the High Court in November 2002 and judgement is reserved. Revenue has informed me that the investigations are time consuming and complex and are likely to continue for some time to come.

Disabled Drivers.

John Gormley

Ceist:

108 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance the details of a review of the disabled drivers tax concession scheme sent to his office in September 2002. [4798/04]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

116 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in publishing the review group report on drivers/passengers with a disability; when the review group was first established; when it reported to him; and when he intends to publish the report. [4695/04]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

128 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when the report of the review group concerning disabled drivers and passengers will be published; the reason for the long delay in its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4399/04]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

149 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he has proposals to reform and extend the disabled drivers scheme. [4807/04]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

260 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to the interdepartmental review of the 1994 disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions; when it is expected to extend the current limits of the scheme; the reason for the long delay in bringing the matter to a conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5083/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 116, 128, 149 and 260 together.

As I stated in a reply to a previous parliamentary question, the interdepartmental report of the review group on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme is under consideration in my Department. The report is a substantive one and any recommendations contained in this report need to be examined carefully. On completion of this process, I envisage that the report will be made available publicly.

Pension Provisions.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

109 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Finance if surpluses in the social insurance fund and the pension contributions of public servants will be lodged to the national pensions reserve fund. [4712/04]

The National Pensions Reserve Fund Act provides for the establishment of a pensions reserve fund to meet as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare and public service pensions from the year 2025. The Act further provides that the annual contribution to the fund by the Exchequer shall be an amount equivalent to 1% of gross national product. There is no provision to lodge either the surplus of the social insurance fund or the pension contributions of public servants into the fund.

I gave consideration to transferring the social insurance fund surplus into the national pensions reserve fund when drafting the legislation. However, I decided against that option for a number of reasons. The social insurance fund, which holds the proceeds of employer, employee and self-employed social insurance contributions, makes benefit payments for a wide range of social insurance contingencies. As well as old age, it also pays for disability, unemployment and other benefits. Therefore, while the national pensions reserve fund was established to meet the sole contingency of old age, the social insurance fund meets a range of demands, many of which are short term in nature. Having regard to this, it would be impractical to try to apportion the surplus between these various contingencies. In addition, given the liability structure, the wide range of contingencies covered and future demands on the fund, it is likely that it will be necessary to draw down on the reserves of the social insurance fund long before the initial 2025 draw down from the national pensions reserve fund.

As regards public sector pension schemes, the majority of these schemes are financed on a "pay as you go" basis. The purpose of the national pensions reserve fund is to move from a complete reliance on a "pay as you go" basis for pension funding to a situation of a partial funding of future liabilities. The national pensions reserve fund will not meet the full cost of future Exchequer pension liabilities. The annual contribution of 1% of gross national product is considered to be the most appropriate, feasible and efficient way to make the necessary Exchequer contribution to the partial funding of all future Exchequer social welfare and occupational pension liabilities on an ongoing basis.

Tax Code.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

110 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he plans to take to ensure that all taxpayers fully know their rights to claim all reliefs, particularly in view of the recent figures showing that many do not claim for reliefs to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that each year all PAYE taxpayers receive a certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut-off point setting out their entitlements. This certificate is accompanied by a detailed letter setting out a wide range of information. In 2004, this accompanying letter contained information about the main personal tax credits available for 2003-04; the tax rates and tax bands for 2003-04; the exemption limits for single, widowed and married persons; benefit-in-kind changes; how to claim medical expenses tax relief; mortgage interest and medical insurance relief; services charges relief; and how to claim an adjustment to your tax credit certificate by telephoning a lo-call number shown. As regards self-employed taxpayers, their statutory return form, which is issued annually, contains reference to all claimable reliefs and allowances.

The Revenue Commissioners newly redesigned website provides easy to access customer service information on the full range of reliefs available to taxpayers. The homepage on the website also contains a news section where Revenue alerts customers to items of current interest. At present, Revenue's home page contains a message for taxpayers on health expenses relief and by clicking on this the customer is provided with an explanatory note and information on how to complete the relevant forms which can be downloaded from the site. Additionally, Revenue provides a range of leaflets in all its public offices which give details of reliefs available.

Pension Provisions.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

111 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed regarding the impact of proposed changes in regard to public service pensions; the discussions he intends to have with public service unions prior to the introduction of the new arrangement on 1 April 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4759/04]

I am aware of the concerns of certain unions regarding the impact of the changes to public service pensions for new entrants announced in budget 2004. When I announced my reform package I stated that the public service unions would be fully informed about the implementation of the changes in pension age for new entrants before their planned introduction with effect from 1 April 2004. In this connection I confirm to the Deputy that this process is under way. A committee has been established under the aegis of the public services committee of ICTU and a number of meetings have already taken place between the public service unions and officials of my Department and other relevant Departments. There are a number of issues of implementation which these discussions are helping to clarify.

Special Savings Incentive Scheme.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

112 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether any scheme should replace the special savings account when it expires. [4706/04]

The specific goal of the SSIA scheme was to encourage people to save over a period of at least five years. Its effect has been to stimulate such savings over varying income ranges which is evident in the extensive take-up by many low income earners. The scheme has been a success in those terms. The scheme has a specific duration. Any proposals for new schemes either to replace the SSIA scheme or other schemes would be considered as part of the normal annual budgetary process taking account of public policy objectives and Exchequer cost implications.

Tax Code.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

113 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance the number of breaches detected of the Waiver of Certain Tax, Interest and Penalties Act 1993 in respect of each year since 1994; the number of prosecutions initiated and convictions secured arising from such detections; if he has satisfied himself with the way the law is being applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4750/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are two ways in which a taxpayer may have been in breach of the amnesty, first, in making a declaration that he or she did not comply with the terms or, second, a declaration was not made. I am informed that Revenue does not have figures for the number of detected breaches of the amnesty. As a result of the confidentiality conditions built into the 1993 amnesty legislation, such breaches are difficult to identify and prove. No individual has been successfully prosecuted to date for failure to comply with the obligatory provisions of the Waiver of Certain Tax, Interest and Penalties Act 1993.

Growing numbers of individuals and companies have been successfully prosecuted in recent years as a result of Revenue investigations and although these investigations have in some instances involved consideration of possible amnesty breaches, it was not possible in any of them to obtain the evidence necessary to meet the required standards of beyond reasonable doubt in relation to those offences. Revenue's criminal investigation programmes have been refocused recently with the establishment of an investigations and prosecutions division, one of whose functions is to increase the number of prosecutions for serious tax evasion. Where in the course of investigations amnesty offences are identified, they will be investigated with a view to taking a criminal prosecution.

Given the real evidential difficulties which arise in successfully bringing a case through the courts for amnesty non-compliance, I am satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners are making every effort to ensure the law is applied in the manner intended.

Budget Statement.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

114 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the consideration he is giving to changing the way the annual budget is presented and is considered by Dáil Éireann. [4801/04]

My financial statement on budget day outlines the main taxation and spending measures proposed. The details of these measures are contained in the accompanying budget book, which is distributed to Members on budget day. The budget book also sets out in a clear and comprehensive manner the Government's overall budgetary targets and incorporates Ireland's EU stability programme update.

As regards the way in which the annual budget is considered by the Dáil, the budget and Finance Bill debates provide the House with the opportunity to give their views on the budget. I do not have any plans to change the way in which the annual budget is presented to and considered by Dáil Éireann.

Revenue Powers.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

115 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended to provide the Revenue Commissioners with the additional powers recommended by the Revenue powers group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/04]

John Gormley

Ceist:

135 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance if new powers being given to the Revenue Commissioners will be supported through additional resources from his Department. [4799/04]

John Perry

Ceist:

171 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recommendations (details supplied) of the Revenue powers group. [4691/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 135 and 171 together.

I established the Revenue powers group, chaired by Mr. Justice Frank Murphy, to examine Revenue's main statutory powers and report to me on any changes needed. I am grateful to the group for its considerable efforts in producing the report within a demanding timescale. I have decided to allow a period for debate and public reflection on the many and varied issues with which the report treats. Thus, with one important exception that would have arisen anyway, a power to allow Revenue access information held by a non-resident entity over which a domestic financial institution has control, I am not implementing any of its recommendations in this year's Finance Bill but will be reviewing all of the group's recommendations for next year's Bill.

My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners have begun examining the contents of the report. Given my view that it is appropriate to allow time for these issues to be considered, I do not consider it appropriate to comment at this time on individual recommendations, such as those concerning new powers.

The Revenue powers group did not make any recommendation concerning resources for Revenue, but I have made sure that Revenue have sufficient resources to carry out their functions. Since 2000 I have allocated 400 additional staff to Revenue to give key work areas, such as audit, the extra capacity needed.

Question No. 116 answered with QuestionNo. 108.

Tax Code.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

117 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance his views on the desirability of capping the aggregate value of special tax reliefs which can be claimed by an individual. [4709/04]

There is no cap on the aggregate value of special tax reliefs which can be claimed by an individual. However, as the Deputy may be aware, in budget 1998 I announced, as and from 3 December 1997, that an annual cap of €31,750 would apply on the amount of capital allowances that an individual taxpayer could claim against non-rental income in regard to capital expenditure incurred on certain industrial buildings. Any unrelieved capital allowances can be carried forward for offset against the individual's rental income. Industrial buildings such as factories, docks, hotels, etc. are affected by this provision as well as buildings under the area based schemes such the urban, rural, town renewal schemes and a range of other schemes such as multi-storey car parks, private hospitals, etc. There is also a cap of €31,750 on the annual amount that can be claimed by individual investors under the business expansion scheme and as well as cap of €31,750 on the maximum annual amount that can be invested in a qualifying film under the scheme of relief for investment in films. In the case of the latter scheme, this is further restricted as only 80% of total investment is eligible for relief under the scheme.

In my response to the Dáil debate on Second Stage of the Finance Bill, I referred to the fact that the special reliefs provide undoubted economic and social benefits. On the other hand, they narrow the tax base, have a cost, and inevitably are used by high earners to reduce their tax bill. A judgment must be made as to whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It is my view that imposing an overall cap on the aggregate value of special tax reliefs which can be claimed by an individual would undermine the effectiveness of many incentive schemes in providing the economic and social benefits referred to above.

Decentralisation Programme.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

118 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the Government's proposed decentralisation programme; when the programme will begin; the proposed timeframe for the completion of the programme; the consultation there has been with public service unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4753/04]

I have appointed a decentralisation implementation committee to drive forward the implementation of the programme. The committee, which is chaired by Mr. Phil Flynn, will prepare an implementation plan and will report back to Government by the end of March 2004.

Tax Code.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

119 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases detected by the Revenue Commissioners in regard to the Financial Resolution of Dáil Éireann on budget day 2003 to close off a VAT loophole being exploited by certain developers and builders; the total loss to the Exchequer in terms of tax foregone; when the matter first came to the attention of the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4751/04]

As the Deputy is aware, I took the first available opportunity in budget 2004 to deal with an unacceptable interpretation of the VAT law in this area. Developers have attempted to avoid VAT by artificial means by attempting to put themselves in a position where they are not entitled to take a deduction for VAT incurred on the development of a site and thereby claimed that they did not have to charge VAT on the sale of such sites. This is an abuse of VAT law as there are few cases, if any, where a developer is not entitled to a deduction for VAT suffered on the development of residential sites.

On budget night, it was then indicated that the potential loss of VAT in respect of one case could amount to €18 million. However, I am now informed by the Revenue Commissioners that while it is not possible to establish with any certainty the total amount of tax that would have been paid but for this particular VAT scheme the €18 million figure identified in one case is now significantly less. To date the particular interpretation of VAT law has been found to be in use in a total of 20 cases but a countrywide investigation is ongoing in relation to other cases in which there are indications that the scheme may have been used. Revenue continue to contest the validity of the scheme with a view to recouping any VAT not correctly accounted for.

I am informed that the Revenue Commissioners first became aware of the use of such an interpretation in a number of cases last summer. The Revenue Commissioners had previously encountered isolated similar instances of efforts by taxpayers to take sites out of the VAT net. These had been challenged successfully in most instances on a case by case basis. The Revenue Commissioners are devoting considerable resources to identifying the incidence of the scheme and pursuing the correct VAT liability.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

120 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the progress which has been made by the Revenue Commissioners in their discussions with the Portuguese authorities with a view to closing off a tax loophole which allows those who sell off assets here to avoid tax by taking up residence in such countries as Portugal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4744/04]

In response to a parliamentary question on 10 December 2003, I stated that I had been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a first round of negotiations for a protocol to amend certain provisions of the Ireland-Portugal double taxation convention was held between the relevant Irish and Portuguese tax officials in Lisbon on 19 to 21 May 2003. The Revenue Commissioners have now informed me that a second round of negotiations has been scheduled for the week commencing 8 March 2004.

Section 69 of the Finance Act 2003 contains an amendment to Irish domestic law which imposes a charge to capital gains tax on an individual in respect of a deemed disposal of certain assets on the last day of the last year of assessment for which the individual is taxable in the State, prior to becoming taxable elsewhere, where the individual disposes of these assets while resident outside the State and returns to the State within five years. I announced this anti-avoidance measure in my 2003 budget on 4 December 2002 with effect from that date.

Decentralisation Programme.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

121 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance if a risk assessment has been undertaken by accounting officers in agencies affected by decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4686/04]

This is a matter for each Accounting Officer and will be looked at in the normal course of planning for decentralisation.

National Development Finance Agency.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

122 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance the number of projects examined to date by the National Development Finance Agency; and the outcome in terms of the recommended system of funding of these projects. [4710/04]

The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, was established on 1 January 2003. One of its functions is to advise State authorities on the optimal means of financing the cost of public investment projects to achieve value for money. The NDFA's role includes advising on the financing and risk evaluation of Ireland's public private partnership procurement projects and raising or arranging finance for national development plan projects. In this respect it provides a centralised expert service to Departments and certain other State authorities. In addition to its advisory role, the NDFA has the power to raise funding itself or through special purpose companies up to a total of €5 billion to finance infrastructure projects. I understand that this facility has not been invoked so far.

I am advised that the agency has completed or substantially completed its input on six infrastructure projects with a combined value of over €700 million and has organised EIB and other private lending facilities of some €250 million for these projects.

In my recent budget speech, I initiated a major change in the financial treatment of capital spending by introducing five year capital envelopes. These envelopes include a commitment to keep the level of Exchequer funded capital investment at close to 5% of GNP over the period 2004-08. A significant development in these capital envelopes are specific targets for projects financed through public private partnership or by the NDFA. These targets increase from 3% of total spending in 2004 to 15% by 2008 and amount to €3.6 billion in total. The NDFA will have an important role to play in advising Departments and agencies in regard to the optimum financing of these projects to achieve value for money.

Tax Code.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

123 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering changes in the test for deciding whether a person is a resident here for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4722/04]

I have no plans to further review the tax laws in regard to residency status. The current comprehensive system was set out in the 1994 Finance Act after detailed consideration by Government of all relevant issues.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

124 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to obtain better estimates of the cost of tax reliefs and of the impact on tax paid by those benefiting. [4699/04]

As the Deputy may know, where information in regard to individual reliefs is provided separately on tax returns form it can be captured electronically and may be examined centrally by Revenue. An example of this would be the data relating to the artists exemption where virtually all the information relating to numbers of claimants and the amounts exempted from tax can be obtained.

Aside from the tax returns forms, the cost in terms of tax foregone of other provisions, such as urban renewal or the business expansion scheme, can be estimated through the information caught by certification processes and a number of schemes such as tonnage tax are availed of by few claimants and can be gauged from a survey of returns.

However, it is important that data be improved to facilitate assessments of such expenditures and reliefs. The Department of Finance has been working closely with the Revenue Commissioners to investigate information and data capture issues arising with a view to producing possible solutions. The challenge is twofold: the first is to identify the optimal manner of obtaining the information that is required to monitor and cost existing reliefs and the second is to obtain such information with due regard to not overburdening compliant taxpayers.

Bearing this in mind the Revenue Commissioners will be introducing a number of changes to the forms relating to the annual return of income in respect of the tax year 2004 and to the P35 form, which is returned to Revenue at end year with totals for earnings and deductions for each employee, in respect of the tax year 2005. These changes will yield additional information regarding the cost of various tax reliefs and relief in regard to pensions.

I will include amendments on Committee Stage of the Finance Bill 2004 to underpin these changes. In addition, the use of the Revenue on-line system, ROS, has been increasing and will continue to be encouraged. Returns filed in this way can readily accommodate information data capture in relation to tax reliefs being claimed without overburdening the taxpayer.

In addition to keeping schemes under review, especially in the context of the annual budget and Finance Bill process, to ensure they continue to meet the purpose or purposes for which they were introduced, detailed reviews of the costs and benefits of various tax reliefs are carried out from time to time. Recent examples of this are the reviews carried out on tax reliefs for urban renewal, films and the business expansion scheme.

EU Funding.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

125 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Finance his views on proposals for cuts in the finance contributions made to the EU by member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4757/04]

John Bruton

Ceist:

141 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has adopted a view in regard to the financial envelope for the EU budget and the role of the European Parliament in joint decision making in this regard. [4687/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 141 together.

As Deputies will be aware, the Commission on 10 February last published its communication on its proposals for the future financing of the EU in the post-2006 period. The communication initiates a negotiation on the multi-annual framework for the EU budget, otherwise known as the financial perspective, for the period after 2006. The current framework, known as Agenda 2000, covers the period 2000-06. It took some two years to negotiate and it can be expected that there will be a similarly protracted negotiation on the proposals now made in the Commission communication.

The first significant consideration of the communication will be at the General Affairs and External Relations Council of Ministers meeting, chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen for the Irish Presidency of the EU on 23 February.

The Government is very conscious of its responsibilities as Presidency in ensuring an effective and even-handed conduct of the negotiations. In this respect the Council at its meeting will be giving preliminary consideration to the communication. The main result of this consideration is expected to be to initiate a process, or road-map, for the future negotiation rather than to enter into detailed negotiation at this early point.

The Government's overall approach in the negotiations will be to seek to ensure that the final agreement is in the best interests both of the EU and Ireland. In this regard, we will be fully committed to achieving a balanced overall outcome that takes full account of all aspects. This would take into account the level of contributions, which is mainly from the Exchequer and, therefore, the taxpayer, spending on agriculture, which is of such vital importance to farmers, and the allocation for the Structural Funds, including the present Objective One Regions of the Union.

I am conscious that some broad national positions are being staked out by some member states and that some of those have called for the maintenance of EU spending in real terms at its current level but, as I have indicated, this will be a protracted negotiation and national positions will evolve in the course of the negotiations.

With regard to the European Parliament, we would expect that the Parliament will continue to play the substantial and constructive role in the negotiation process that it has played since financial perspectives were introduced in the late 1980s. The 2000-06 financial perspective is encompassed by an Inter-Institutional Agreement, the IIA, of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure. The IIA allows for the agreement of the post-2006 financial perspective, failing which the expenditure ceilings set out in the IIA will continue.

There is currently no treaty basis for the financial perspective. However, the current intergovernmental conference text provides for a treaty basis for the financial perspective which would consolidate Parliament's existing role in this very important area of policy.

Economic Evaluation.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

126 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposal of an evaluation unit within his Department for independently evaluating capital projects as proposed by the ESRI. [4719/04]

The key responsibility for the evaluation, planning and execution of capital projects rests with line Departments and the relevant implementing agencies. My Department has a strong concern to promote the pursuit of optimal value for money by Departments and has provided guidance to Departments in this regard. This guidance is set out in the 1994 capital appraisal guidelines. These guidelines are designed to enhance the quality of project management and appraisal, including the conduct of more rigorous cost benefit analysis and to promote better value for money generally. My Department is drafting revised guidelines in the light of experience of the operation of the existing guidelines and of the implementation of infrastructure projects in recent years.

As regards the specific proposal to establish an evaluation unit in my Department, I advise the Deputy that the NDP-CSF evaluation unit is an independent evaluation unit under the aegis of my Department which is co-financed by the Exchequer and the EU and has responsibility under the direction of the technical assistance monitoring committee for evaluation of the NDP operational programmes and related issues. In this regard it has engaged in, or overseen, a number of evaluations since the commencement of the NDP, including the evaluation of investment in key capital programmes such as the road network and in public transport. The NDP-CSF evaluation unit has also been engaging with my Department in relation to the ongoing work on the revision of the capital appraisal guidelines.

My Department co-ordinates the expenditure review initiative, ERI, under which Departments conduct internal evaluations or reviews of their key expenditure programmes or policy areas on the basis of centrally agreed criteria. Final responsibility for conducting reviews, submitting them for external quality assessment, disseminating their findings and implementing their recommendations rests with each individual Department. My Department also provides the secretariat to the expenditure review central steering committee, ERCSC, a committee chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and comprising a number of secretaries general and an external expert. The ERCSC supports the expenditure review process at a strategic level. This includes making recommendations on future reforms to the process.

More generally the issue of the evaluative capacity of my Department will be kept under review in the context of the five year rolling capital envelopes framework which I announced in the 2004 budget, the ongoing work programme of the NDP-CSF evaluation unit and the review of the capital appraisal guidelines.

State Property.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

127 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date by the Office of Public Works in its examination of the State property portfolio with a view to identifying vacant, under-utilised or surplus property; when he expects that the examination will be concluded; the properties which have to date been sold or identified as being suitable for sale; if the OPW has advised that it is unlikely to seek to dispose of significant amounts of State property in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4763/04]

I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 10 December 2003. The position is unchanged since then.

Question No. 128 answered with QuestionNo. 108

Disabled Drivers.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

129 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the present disabled drivers scheme has very limited application and that the backlog of appeals is entirely unsatisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4806/04]

It is a fundamental requirement for the above relief that the applicant must meet the medical criteria specified in the regulations and be in possession of a primary medical certificate to that effect issued by the appropriate senior area medical officer who is an official of the relevant health board. Where the issue of the required certificate is refused this can be appealed to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, an independent body, whose decision is final.

The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concession under this scheme are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. The six types of disablement are as follows: persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; persons who are wholly without the use of one of their legs and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that they are severely restricted as to movement of their lower limbs; persons without both hands or without both arms; persons without one or both legs; persons wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; and persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and who have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.

The report of the interdepartmental group on the disabled drivers and passengers scheme, which is under consideration in my Department, examines the criteria for eligibility and its recommendations as regards applicability are being looked at.

Any consideration of a change to the scheme, will among other factors, have to take account of any cost implications. I have been informed there are up to 360,000 persons in Ireland who could be regarded as disabled to some degree or other. These include both persons with medical conditions other than those covered by the scheme, and those with medical conditions covered by the scheme. The substantial tax benefits of the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' scheme make for considerable interest in and desire to be admitted to the scheme. The cost of reliefs, excluding annual road tax costs, is estimated to be in the region of €36 million in 2003, as compared with €5.1 million in 1994.

My Department has no involvement in the operation of the disabled drivers' medical board of appeal. However, I am informed that there is currently a backlog of appeals to be dealt with by the board. This is an indication of the level of demand for tax relief under the scheme. In addition, the backlog seems to be exacerbated by the fact that many of those who appeal to the board are aware that they do not meet the medical criteria specified in the regulations but still insist on exercising their right of appeal.

I am taking steps to improve the situation by expanding the size of the panel of doctors who sit on the board from the existing three doctors to five, which should facilitate more meetings of the board. The board currently requires all three members in attendance to hold a meeting.

Tax Code.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

130 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date with regard to the negotiations between the Revenue Commissioners and the authorities in the Cayman Islands with a view to the conclusion of a tax information exchange agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4745/04]

In response to a parliamentary question on 10 December 2003, I stated that first round negotiations between the Cayman Islands authorities and the Revenue Commissioners for a tax information exchange agreement were held in Dublin on 24 November 2003. As I indicated in my response, negotiations have only commenced and so it is not possible to comment on the likely outcome at this stage. The Revenue Commissioners expect that a further round of negotiations will take place later this year but no date has yet been fixed.

Proposed Expenditure.

Damien English

Ceist:

131 Mr. English asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to introduce new procedures for the presentation of proposals for spending and taxation in Dáil Éireann which would be more meaningful and more timely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4693/04]

The Estimates outline the Government's main spending proposals and they are presented by the Minister for Finance to Dáil Éireann in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Dáil. The Minister for Finance normally presents the pre-budget or Abridged Estimates Volume, AEV, to Dáil Éireann approximately two weeks before budget day. The post-budget or Revised Estimates Volume, REV, are normally presented to the Dáil within eight weeks of the start of the fiscal year to which they relate. The Estimates by departmental Vote are then subject to individual scrutiny and approval by the relevant Oireachtas committee.

As regards taxation, the financial statement on budget day outlines the main taxation measures proposed. The details of these proposed measures are contained in the accompanying budget book, which is distributed to Members on budget day. The budget and Finance Bill debates provide the House with the opportunity to give its views on these measures. I do not have any plans to amend the above arrangements. I would, however, inform the Deputy of some reforms introduced and ongoing consideration under way which are of relevance to his question.

In my Budget Statement of 3 December 2003, I announced a major change in the financial treatment of capital spending through the introduction of rolling five year multi-annual capital envelopes. In implementing the new envelope system, I intend to allow Departments to carry over to the following year, subject to Dáil approval, any unspent Exchequer capital allocations, up to a maximum of 10% of each year's voted capital allocation.

The capital envelopes, including the carryover arrangement, as well as leading to improvements in the management of capital programmes, will mean changes in the presentation of voted capital moneys to the Dáil. The Finance Bill 2004 makes provision for the new carryover arrangement. Under the new arrangements, as envisaged in the Finance Bill, the Dáil will be apprised of the amounts to be carried over in the AEV and it will be asked to approve the amounts on three separate occasions: the Appropriation Act of the carryover year; a ministerial order which must be approved by the Dáil in the following year; and in the REV of the following year.

Changes by way of tidying up or rationalisation of subheads and Votes have been made in the REV in recent years in consultation, as appropriate, with the Committee of Public Accounts. I intend to continue this process in the 2004 REV which will contain a significant rationalisation of the presentation of the subheads in the Agriculture and Food Vote.

The 2003 public capital programme included new project level information. My Department will build on this presentational improvement and include material relating to the capital envelopes in the 2004 public capital programme which will be published, along with the REV, at the end of the month.

Work is ongoing on a pilot project under the aegis of my Department, involving the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Social and Family Affairs and Transport as pilot departments. The purpose of the pilot project is to examine ways of improving the links between departmental strategy statements, business planning and resource allocation and performance measurement. The results of this pilot project will be evaluated and consideration will be given as to whether this approach should be mainstreamed across Departments. If it is considered that the pilot project should be further developed and mainstreamed, I will bring proposals to Government and to the Committee of Public Accounts. I expect that the pilot project working group will furnish its draft report by the end of May.

G7 Meeting.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

132 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on his attendance at and participation in the G7 meeting in the United States on 8 and 9 February 2004 in his capacity as President of ECOFIN. [4772/04]

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

147 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance his views on the economic effects of the recent G7 meeting. [4795/04]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

153 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the details of the recent summit meeting of leaders of industrialised nations which he attended in Boca Raton, USA. [4803/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 147 and 153 together.

In accordance with long standing arrangements, I attended particular sessions of the meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers and central bank governors at Boca Raton in Florida on 6 and 7 February in my capacity as President of the euro group — the informal grouping of ECOFIN Ministers from the eurozone member states. Those sessions dealt with the topic of surveillance in regard to the world economic situation.

Speaking for the euro group at the G7 meeting, I reviewed the outlook for the eurozone economy and outlined our overall macro-economic policy approach, as well as our efforts in relation to structural reform. Commenting on the global economic scene, I noted the dangers posed by the global imbalances, in particular, emphasising the need to have an orderly correction. Other Ministers reported welcome signs of economic upturn. Following the meeting a communiqué was issued by the US which holds the presidency of the G7 this year.

I reported on the G7 discussions at the euro group and ECOFIN meetings of 9 and 10 February. The euro group noted the outcome of the G7 meeting and the agreement on the statement which was issued following the meeting. They also noted that the G7 statement, which embodies the position agreed at the euro group on 19 January, was generally well received. It is too early to form a view on the effects of the meeting.

Basic Incomes Working Group.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

133 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance when he next expects to receive a report from the working group on basic incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1020/04]

Arising from a commitment in Partnership 2000 for inclusion, employment and competitiveness the steering group on basic income was established. The group commissioned a number of reports and finished its work in March 2001. No further reports are expected from the group. The group's work contributed to the development of the Government's Green Paper on basic income which was published in September 2002 on foot of a commitment in the 1997 Government programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

134 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the different tax treatment of separated, cohabiting and married parents; and the rationale for this structure. [4689/04]

Under the income tax code, married parents may elect for joint assessment, separate assessment or single assessment. Under joint assessment, the couple can transfer their personal credit and part of their bands between them. In the case of a married couple, where only one spouse has income, the facility for joint assessment allows the earning spouse to avail of the married personal credit, which is double the personal credit of a single person, and an increased standard band. In addition, the home carer tax credit may be claimed by a married couple who are jointly assessed for tax where one spouse remains working in the home to care for children or other dependent persons.

Under separate assessment, each spouse is assessed on his or her own income, but one spouse's unused personal credit, reliefs and the transferable portion of the standard rate band may be transferred to the other spouse. This means that the tax payable under separate assessment does not exceed the tax payable had that couple elected to be jointly assessed. The home carer credit may not be claimed by spouses who opt for separate assessment.

Under single treatment, each spouse is treated for tax purposes as if unmarried. Under single treatment, one spouse's unused credits, reliefs and standard rate band cannot be transferred to the other spouse. As with separate assessment, the home carer credit may not be claimed by spouses who opt for single assessment.

Separated couples, whether parents or not, are generally treated as if unmarried — that is, assessed as single persons — but they may, where a legally binding maintenance arrangement is in place, jointly elect to be treated for tax purposes as if the separation had not taken place.

The general position in the case of legally enforceable maintenance agreements is that, where the couple are treated for tax purposes as if unmarried, a tax deduction for maintenance payments for the benefit of his or her spouse is granted to the paying spouse but the payments are taxed in the hands of the receiving spouse. However, if the couple jointly elect to be treated for tax purposes as if the separation had not taken place, then the payer does not receive a tax deduction for the maintenance payments and the receiving spouse is not taxable on them. On the other hand, non-legally binding maintenance payments are not taxable in the hands of the receiving spouse but the paying spouse cannot claim a tax deduction for them.

Maintenance payments in respect of children are not taxable in the hands of the children or the receiving spouse. The effect of this is that the payments are treated the same way as if the taxpayer was providing for the child out of his or her after tax income. This is in line with the tax treatment of all other parents, where the cost of maintaining their children is not tax deductible.

Parents who are separated from each other may each claim the one parent family credit in respect of their child where that child resides with the parent at any time during the year of assessment. However, a man and woman living together as man and wife are specifically excluded by the tax code from entitlement to the one-parent family tax credit.

It is possible in certain circumstances for separated persons who jointly elect to be jointly assessed for tax purposes to claim the home carer tax credit. However, in such circumstances and because of the joint assessment, the one-parent family credit may not be claimed by either parent.

Cohabiting parents are treated as single persons and there are no special income tax allowances for unmarried couples living together. The tax system treats members of cohabiting couples, with or without children, as separate and unconnected individuals. Each partner is a separate entity for tax purposes and credits, bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other. The home carer credit may not be claimed by cohabiting couples, as the credit is restricted to married persons who are jointly assessed for tax.

To the extent that there are differences as outlined in the tax treatment of the different categories of couple, such difference arises from the objective of dealing with different types of circumstances while at the same time respecting the constitutional requirement to protect the institution of marriage. I have no plans to change the different treatments under the tax code at this time.

Question No. 135 answered with QuestionNo. 115.

ECOFIN Meeting.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

136 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance the degree of public participation that will accompany the meeting of the European Union Finance Ministers to be held in Punchestown, County Kildare. [4797/04]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

144 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if a final price has been agreed with the company that was awarded the contract for public relations work arising from the planned meeting of EU Finance Ministers at Punchestown racecourse in April 2003; the total value of the contract; the duties and responsibilities the company will undertake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4758/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 144 together.

The informal meeting of the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers of the European Union — ECOFIN Council — in Punchestown on 2 to 4 April will be one of the largest to take place in Ireland during the Irish Presidency. Some 300 delegates and up to 400 media personnel will attend the event. The national delegations will be headed up by Ministers for Finance and governors of central banks, and will come from the ten new member states which join the EU on 1 May and from the 15 existing member states.

The public will be kept fully informed on the meeting in a number of ways. As indicated, there will be a large media presence, which will be mainly from abroad but also from Ireland. The media presence is to ensure that the public not only in Ireland but in the rest of the EU, in the ten newly acceding countries and, indeed, even further afield, receive full reports on the discussions at the meeting.

The foreign media will be interested not only in the meeting itself but also in Ireland generally and in the Irish economy. For instance, there is a particular appetite on the part of journalists from the ten new member states for appropriate information on how Ireland has benefited from membership of the EU, and special arrangements are being made to provide such information in this regard.

There will also be full coverage of the meeting on the Irish Presidency website at www.eu2004.ie The Presidency website has grown enormously in importance in recent years as a means of public communication. I am fully satisfied that through the media reports and the website coverage the public will be kept very well informed on the meeting.

With regard to the consultancy company being employed in relation to the meeting, the final price for the company's services is €83,400. This company will augment my Department's preparations for the meeting through the provision of advice on the detailed programme management of the event. It will be appreciated that an event of this size makes exceptional demands on my Department's resources. I am satisfied that the employment, through competitive tender, of the firm of consultants to provide the support services outlined is fully justified and will contribute significantly to the success of the event itself.

Freedom of Information.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

137 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date with regard to efforts to clear the backlog of appeals in the Office of the Information Commissioner; the number of appeals outstanding at the latest date for which figures are available; the average time being taken to hear an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4761/04]

The following information has been supplied to my Department by the Office of the Information Commissioner. The number of review applications received by the Information Commissioner, and accepted as valid, increased by 58% between 2002 and 2003, from 585 to 924. During 2003 the Information Commissioner completed reviews in 729 cases compared with 534 cases in 2002, which is an increase of 37%. Of the 729 cases completed in 2003 six were received in 1999; 62 were received in 2000; 81 were received in 2001; 143 were received in 2002 and 437 were received in 2003.

At 31 January 2004 the Information Commissioner had 796 valid reviews on hand. The comparable figure for 31 January 2003 was 622 representing an increase in the on hand figure of 28% as between the two years. The 796 cases on hand are broken down as follows in terms of year of receipt: received in 1999 — two; received in 2000 — 19; received in 2001 — 182; received in 2002 — 130; received in 2003 — 451; and received in 2004 — 12 totalling 796.

Figures are not available as to the average time taken to conclude reviews — appeals. The commissioner is dealing both with applications received as well as with older cases, including some applications received in 2000. Any average figure thus derived would need to be treated with caution. However, the commissioner hopes to be able to give fuller details of case completion time scales in her annual report for 2003.

Economic Competitiveness.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which tax or excise duties imposed in the budget are affecting inflation and ultimately economic competitiveness when compared with other EU and non EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4804/04]

In this year's budget the goal of keeping inflation low took precedence and I made only limited changes to indirect taxes and excises. The effect of the indirect tax and excise changes will add less than 0.4% to the consumer price index. These changes will bring in €243 million in additional revenue, which is needed to fund public services.

Our rate of inflation moderated significantly over the course of 2003 and continues to do so. Inflation in January this year, as measured by the consumer price index, fell to 1.8%, its lowest level since October 1999. HICP inflation — the standardised measure for the EU — fell to 2.3% in January compared with a euro area average of 2.0%. This is the smallest differential with the euro area average since the beginning of monetary union. When compared to our major trading partners in December 2003, the rate of inflation measured 1.9% in the United States and 2.8% in the United Kingdom, compared with a rate of 1.9% here.

Securing the competitiveness which has been so instrumental to our economic development, and thereby safeguarding jobs, is a key priority for this Government. The recent strengthening of the euro and its negative impact on our competitiveness further emphasises the need to keep domestic costs down.

Economic and Monetary Union.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

139 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the details of the most recent meeting of eurozone Finance Ministers with the European Central Bank. [4800/04]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

165 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on his attendance at and participation in the meeting of Finance Ministers in Brussels on 9 February 2004. [4773/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 165 together.

I presume the Deputies are referring to the euro group meeting on 9 February which I chaired. I also chaired the ECOFIN Council meeting on the following day. As the Deputies will be aware, the euro group is an informal meeting of the 12 eurozone Finance Ministers which usually takes place on the evening before the ECOFIN Council.

Regarding the substance of the meeting, I reported on my participation, as President of the euro group, in the meeting of the group of seven leading industrial countries, G7, in Florida on 7 February. The euro group noted the outcome of the G7 meeting and the agreement on the statement which was issued following that meeting. It noted that the statement which embodies the position agreed at euro group on 19 January was generally well received.

We discussed updated stability programmes from eurozone members Greece, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The stability programmes are submitted each year in line with the Stability and Growth Pact. Although these member states each have different budgetary and economic positions, the discussions reinforced the common commitment of all member states to pursuing sound public finances. Council opinions on each of these stability programmes together with a Council opinion on the convergence programme of the United Kingdom were adopted at the ECOFIN meeting on 10 February.

At the euro group, we welcomed an update by the President of the Economic and Financial Committee composed of senior treasury and central bank officials on recent discussions regarding the arrangements for considering the position of acceding countries in relation to the exchange rate mechanism, ERM II. This is a part of the routine and necessary preparation given that acceding countries will be able to enter ERM II after 1 May next. In line with normal procedure, European Central Bank President Trichet participated in the euro group discussions.

Pension Provisions.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

140 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the approach advocated by the ESRI for the deployment of funds set aside for the national pensions reserve fund. [4720/04]

I am aware of various views expressed by individuals and institutions concerning the national pensions reserve fund, NPRF. The NPRF was established in April 2001 with the objective to meet as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare and public service pensions to be paid from the year 2025 until at least 2055. I have no plans to alter the basic levels at which contributions are made to the NPRF.

As explained in answers to other parliamentary questions in regard to the national pensions reserve fund, I am committed to the investment mandate of the fund as set out in section 19 of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000. This provides that, in investing fund moneys, the commission shall seek to optimise total financial return provided the level of risk is acceptable to the commission. Therefore, the commission is required to adopt a standard commercial investment policy and it does not have discretion to choose not to invest in particular sectors or companies for anything other than commercial reasons. Accordingly, there is nothing to prevent the commissioners from investing in projects in Ireland should they be satisfied that such investments are likely to yield a commercial return.

I note that the ESRI has stressed the importance of infrastructural spending. It should be clear that the Government is fully committed to the development of the national infrastructure. As I announced in my recent Budget Statement, the Government will implement multi-annual capital investment envelopes over the period 2004 to 2008, providing for investment of about 5% of GNP per annum, which is twice the EU average.

Question No. 141 answered with QuestionNo. 125.

Tax Code.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

142 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date in his review of tax incentive schemes, especially in view of the finding of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General that in 2002 the top 400 earners benefit from tax breaks to the value of €70 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/04]

All tax reliefs and incentives were reviewed in the context of budget and Finance Bill 2004. On foot of that review and having considered the many pre-budget submissions which were made to me, I made a number of announcements regarding various tax reliefs in my 2004 Budget Statement and these and other necessary provisions are now included in Finance Bill 2004 which was published earlier this month.

The provisions include an extension of film relief to end 2008 with an increase in the amount per film that can be raised under the relief to €15 million and significant administrative changes to tackle abuse. There is also an extension of the termination date for various area based tax incentive schemes to 31 July 2006 to relieve pressure on construction resources to meet the December 2004 deadline and allow for an orderly winding down of these schemes. In line with my position on targeted reliefs, the business expansion scheme and the associated seed capital scheme are also being extended to end 2006 and the company limit is being increased to €1million. However, he extension and changes to both of these schemes are subject to a commencement order to allow clarification of potential EU state aid issues raised by the European Commission. It must be accepted that, of their nature, tax reliefs even where they can be justified for good public policy purposes will reduce the tax bills of those in the higher income bracket.

As the Deputy will be aware, the figures referred to by the Comptroller and Auditor General are extracted from a study carried out by the Revenue Commissioners in 2002 on the effective tax rates for high earning individuals based on the tax year 1999-2000. A similar study was undertaken in 1997. I placed copies of both these studies in the Oireachtas Library.

One of the conclusions drawn from the 1997 study was that the use of capital allowances on the expenditure on buildings in tax designated areas and on hotels was one of the main methods of reducing the tax bills of high earners to very low levels. Subsequently, in the budget for 1998, I capped the amount of annual capital allowances on such buildings that could be set off against non-rental income and, in the case of hotels throughout most of the country, I abolished in total the capital allowances against non-rental income.

The 2002 study indicates an increase in the effective tax rate of high earners in 1999-2000 compared with earlier years. However, it is clear that some high earners continue to achieve substantial reductions in their tax liability as a result of certain tax reliefs. The study indicates that property based capital allowances continue to be the chief instrument used by high income earners to reduce their taxable income by substantial amounts. It is also clear that the 1998 changes were not fully in effect by 1999-2000.

I assure the Deputies that all tax incentive schemes will continue to be kept under review, especially in the context of the annual budget and Finance Bill process, seeking at all times to ensure that there is an appropriate balance between the provision of particular incentives for good public policy reasons and the availability of opportunities for higher earners to reduce their tax exposure.

Stability and Growth Pact.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

143 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance the position of the Government in regard to the legal case being taken by the European Commission on the failure of the European Council to properly implement the Stability and Growth Pact. [4796/04]

Liz McManus

Ceist:

159 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the steps he intends to take as President of the EU Council of Ministers to seek a resolution of the dispute between the Commission and the Council of Ministers regarding the application of the Stability and Growth Pact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4755/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 159 together.

On 28 January 2004, the European Commission initiated a case before the European Court of Justice on certain issues relating to the application of the Stability and Growth Pact by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, ECOFIN, at its meeting on 25 November 2003.

The legal issues involved will be adjudicated upon by the court and, in my capacity as President of the Council of Ministers, I have no direct role or function in the matter. As the matter is before the court, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment until the case is decided.

Question No. 144 answered with QuestionNo. 136.

Special Savings Incentive Scheme.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

145 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the number of special savings investment scheme accounts opened at the latest date for which figures are available; the average amount of savings per investor per month; if, on the basis of any such figures, his Department can now give a definite figure for the likely cost to the Exchequer of the special savings investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4762/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the 2003 SSIA annual returns are being furnished by all qualifying savings managers. The closing date for submission of these returns is 28 February 2004. Consequently, the latest date for which figures are available is for the year 2002. Based on these 2002 annual returns furnished by all qualifying savings managers, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total number of active accounts at 31 December 2002 was 1,143,418 and the average monthly subscription was €158.

It is not possible to give a definitive answer as to the eventual cost of the scheme as it is subject to a number of variables such as where participants die, withdraw from the scheme or vary their monthly contributions. The cost of the scheme in 2003 was €531.9 million. The estimated cost in 2004 is €540 million. This, however, is not a conclusive figure, and the final figure may be different if account holders change their monthly contributions. The total gross cost over the period of the scheme will be reduced by the exit tax to be received at the end.

The special savings incentive account, SSIA, scheme was designed to be available to as many people as possible. Its success is reflected in the significant number of people who have opened an account. The minimum contribution was set at €12.50 per month, which is approximately €3 per week, in the hope that this would encourage widespread participation in the scheme, including social welfare payment recipients and those on limited incomes.

Based on the analysis of the 2002 returns, the proportion of investors saving at the maximum level was 38% and the proportion at the minimum level was 2%. The monthly subscription levels at 31 December 2001 and 31 December 2002 are as follows:

Monthly subscription level

At 31/12/2002

At 31/12/2001

%

%

Minimum €12.50

2

2

€12.50 — €59.99

19

11

€60 — €149.99

30

28

€150 — €253

11

6

Maximum €254

38

53

While available data does not permit all account holders to be matched with income levels, the following are the income levels for SSIA holders who were matched with the Revenue income distribution tables for the tax year 1999-2000. This is the latest tax year available for income distribution.

Income Category

Income Range (based on income levels for 1999/2000)

% of account holders 2002

% of account holders 2001

Low

less than €20,000

45

40

Medium

€20,000 — €50,000

42

45

High

greater than €50,000

13

15

Tax Code.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

146 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by his Department in its consideration of the consultation papers on carbon taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4760/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, and following on my Budget Statement regarding carbon energy taxation in December 2002, I published a carbon energy tax consultation paper, prepared by my Department, on 31 July of last year. This consultation paper was designed to facilitate discussions on the introduction and design of the carbon energy tax while recognising that there are divergent views on the issue. Submissions in response to the paper were invited from interested parties to be received in my Department by 30 September 2003, but extra time was given where requested by organisations to complete their submissions. Some 117 submissions have been received by my Department in response to the carbon taxation consultation paper. My Department is examining the submissions, many of which are quite lengthy and detailed. As part of the consultation process, these submissions are now also available publicly via my Department's website.

Question No. 147 answered with QuestionNo. 132.

Decentralisation Programme.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

148 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the timescale for the decentralisation of 50 Revenue Commissioners jobs to Listowel, County Kerry; if a site has been identified for the new office; the number of civil servants who have volunteered to relocate to Listowel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4788/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the timescale for the decentralisation of 50 staff to Listowel is dependent on the availability of suitable accommodation in the location and the completion of the decentralisation implementation committee's implementation plan. A site has not yet been identified in Listowel. The Office of Public Works is undertaking an initial assessment of proposals.

Civil servants have not yet been requested to volunteer for Listowel, so there is no information on the numbers of volunteers. When the decentralisation implementation committee's implementation plan is completed the situation regarding sequencing, timescales, etc., will be clearer. This information will assist civil servants in making more informed choices.

Question No. 149 answered with QuestionNo. 108.

Departmental Staff.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

150 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance the number of full-time civil servants within his Department, who first entered the service as political advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/04]

In the period since I took office as Minister for Finance, there have been no appointments as permanent and pensionable civil servants in my Department of people who were political advisers prior to appointment.

Tax Collection.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

151 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by the Revenue Commissioners into allegations that tax improprieties may surround trust operations in a bank (details supplied) in Jersey; if the Commissioners have reached a determination with regard to whether or not these trusts facilitated tax evasion as distinct from tax avoidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4746/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that this investigation is still ongoing and that substantial progress has been made. Arising from a voluntary disclosure programme, 254 individuals came forward and made voluntary disclosures. To date in excess of €102 million has been received by the Commissioners. Revenue now intend to pursue vigorously those individuals who failed to come forward, using all powers available to them. Criminal prosecution will be considered in these cases subject to obtaining the relevant evidence. It is clear from some of the disclosures and the amount collected to date that some trusts were used to evade tax.

Benchmarking Awards.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

152 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the number and value of awards withheld under benchmarking; and the recommendations of the performance verification group in each case. [4704/04]

Those prison officer grades which are represented by the Prison Officers' Association are the only Civil Service grades for which increases recommended by the public service benchmarking body have not been approved. The body recommended a total increase of 4% for these grades and one quarter of that increase has been paid with effect from 1 December 2001 in accordance with the agreed amendment to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Payment of the 2% second phase of the benchmarking increase and the 3% increase under Sustaining Progress due on 1 January 2004 was subject to a verification process.

The Deputy will be aware that there are industrial relations difficulties in the prison service arising from the proposals to introduce an annualised hours system and to eliminate overtime working. The justice and equality performance verification group has deferred making a decision in regard to the prison officer grades pending ongoing developments in this area.

Question No. 153 answered with Question 132.

Garda Stations.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

154 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he will prioritise the purchase of a site for the new Garda station in Castleisland, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/04]

Tom McEllistrim

Ceist:

160 Mr. McEllistrim asked the Minister for Finance when the alternative site will be identified by his Department for Castleisland Garda station, County Kerry. [4400/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 160 together.

The Commissioners of Public Works have identified a number of sites in Castleisland for a new Garda station on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The acquisition of a suitable site will depend on an acceptable price being reached with the vendor, the priority accorded to Castleisland by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and availability of sufficient funds to complete the purchase.

Offshore Accounts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

155 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that all offshore deposit accounts are restricted to those who are actually non-residents and that there are no circumstances whereby a local depositor can achieve offshore status while remaining full time here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4805/04]

There is no prohibition in law on Irish people holding offshore deposit accounts. Irish resident taxpayers who hold offshore deposit accounts must fully declare all their income and profits, including amounts placed in such accounts, for tax purposes.

Decentralisation Programme.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

156 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the numbers of civil servants within his Department who have indicated that they wish to move to its new administrative location; the number who wish to remain in Dublin or be transferred to another Department or State agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4793/04]

As the Deputy is aware, I have appointed an implementation committee to prepare and submit an overall implementation plan on decentralisation by the end of March 2004. It was decided not to conduct a survey of the staff of the Department in regard to decentralisation as, until the implementation plan is completed, they will not have the information they need to assist them in making an informed decision on the matter. When the implementation plan is completed research will be commenced amongst Department staff as to their interest in decentralising to Tullamore and other locations.

A number of expressions of interest have been received from staff of my Department and from other Departments in regard to decentralisation and those have been noted, but will not be processed further pending receipt of the implementation plan.

Tax Collection.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

157 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the clerical medical insurance-NIB inquiry at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases in which settlements have been agreed and the total amount paid to date; the number of cases still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4768/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that arising from the clerical medical insurance-NIB inquiry, 452 cases have been targeted for investigation. To date, Revenue has collected €48.91 million in tax, interest and penalties as a result of the investigations. This is made up of €44.13 million paid in relation to 285 settled cases and €4.78 million in respect of payments on account, in cases still under investigation. I understand that 110 cases were finalised with no additional liability arising.

In 2003, three cases were prosecuted, with fines being imposed in two cases and a suspended sentence imposed in the other. The individuals concerned have also settled their tax affairs and paid the outstanding tax, together with interest and penalties. A further case is under investigation with a view to prosecution.

Aggregate results of the ongoing investigations have been published each year since 1998 in the annual reports of the Revenue Commissioners. Individual details of settlements have also been published where the provisions of section 1086 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 applied.

Decentralisation Programme.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

158 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Department of the Taoiseach was excluded from the decentralisation proposals announced by him in his budget speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30745/03]

The main criteria used to select Departments and agencies for decentralisation are set out at page B25 of the budget for 2004. It was decided not to transfer any staff from the Department of the Taoiseach out of Dublin having regard to the core business, relative size and nature of the Department's work, the number of staff serving in the Department and the need to ensure that any units being transferred would be sufficiently large to constitute viable work units.

Question No. 159 answered with QuestionNo. 143.
Question No. 160 answered with QuestionNo. 154.

Tax Code.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

161 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the question of allocating quotas under an emissions trading regime in the context of the proposed carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4682/04]

Emissions trading and the allocating of quotas under an emissions trading regime is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. However, emissions trading arrangements will be taken into account in the consideration of a carbon tax regime. I am informed that EU member states are required by the EU Directive on Emissions Trading to publish, by the end of March 2004, their national allocation plans in regard to the pilot phase which runs from 2005 to 2007. The quantity of CO2 allowances being made available to Ireland's emissions trading sector was announced on 5 February last by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

162 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the tax changes and incentives initiated and maintained during his term of office in regard to the horse breeding and the horse racing industries. [4802/04]

Since 1997 the rate of excise duty on betting was reduced from 10% to 5% with effect from 1 July 1999 and reduced from 5% to 2% with effect from 1 May 2002. There have been periodic changes also to the VAT livestock rate, which applies to the supply of live horses.

Prior to the Finance Act 2003 there was no obligation on a taxpayer to make a return of exempt income or profits from the sale of services of mares by stallions. However, in the Finance Act 2003 this position was changed to ensure that income or profits, although exempt, are included in the annual return of income to the Revenue Commissioners. The new requirements apply in respect of chargeable periods commencing on or after 1 January 2004.

State support to the bloodstock sector falls under the direct remit of the Minister for Agriculture and Food while State support to the horse racing industry is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. The question of the position in relation to any particular issue with regard to direct State funding to these sectors is a matter in the first instance for the individual Minister concerned.

Offshore Accounts.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

163 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date by the offshore assets group of the Revenue Commissioners in its investigations into the use, for the purposes of tax evasion, of offshore bank accounts and trusts by Irish residents; the total amount of such funds identified to date; the total amount of tax collected in respect of these accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4743/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their offshore assets group was established in the autumn of 2001 for the purpose of enquiring into the use, for the purposes of tax evasion, of offshore bank accounts and trusts and the purchase of properties abroad. Since then the group has been examining this matter generally and currently has three financial institutions under inquiry in regard to the offshore activities of their subsidiaries.

Arising from these inquires and other voluntary disclosures, the Revenue Commissioners have to date collected in excess of €170 million from persons holding funds offshore. It is not possible for the Commissioners to establish the amount held abroad by Irish residents related to tax evasion as the funds held by Irish residents in offshore jurisdictions by financial institutions, including subsidiaries of Irish financial institutions, are obtained from a wide variety of sources. For example, such funds may include moneys relating to accident settlements, retirement gratuities, foreign earnings during periods of non-residence and so on which may be legitimate from an Irish tax point of view.

The Commissioners will be inquiring into all offshore accounts and trusts held by Irish residents, including those held in offshore subsidiaries of Irish financial institutions. These inquiries, while seeking to establish the tax liabilities of Irish residents holding offshore accounts, will also deal with the institutions' compliance with general tax law and with their obligations under the Finance Acts 1992 and 1995 to report to Revenue where they facilitated the opening of an offshore account or the sale of a material interest in an offshore fund.

Rail Network.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

164 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the progress of his consideration of the report commissioned from a company (details supplied) into a number of issues arising from the proposed city centre to Dublin airport metro; the reason his Department commissioned this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4769/04]

In September 2003, my Department engaged Goodbody Economic Consultants to conduct a study into a number of issues related to the business case for the proposed construction of a metro from Dublin city centre to the airport. The report was received in October 2003 and subsequent clarification of a number of points has been required. The Department commissioned the report to assist in the formulation of advice to the Minister on a project which, if approved by Government would have major financial implications for the Exchequer.

Question No. 165 answered with QuestionNo. 139.

Stability and Growth Pact.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

166 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance the details of the most recent ECOFIN meeting at which discussions concerning the Stability and Growth Pact were had. [4791/04]

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council, ECOFIN, met on Tuesday, 10 February, and the discussions included consideration of the updated stability programmes and convergence programmes of a number of member states, in line with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact.

The member states concerned were Greece, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and the Council adopted agreed opinions on the member states' updates. Further details can be had at the EU website where the minutes of the ECOFIN meeting are publicly available.

Non-Resident Accounts.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

167 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance the number of High Court orders sought to date by the Revenue Commissioners under the Finance Act 1999 to require financial institutions to supply names, addresses and other relevant information regarding holders of bogus accounts at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases in which orders have been granted; the general progress made to date in identifying the holders of such accounts who did not avail of the recent voluntary disclosure scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4766/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 18 applications for orders under section 908 have been made and have been granted. When one includes institutions which have been taken over or amalgamated with other institutions, these orders seek information in respect of accounts in 26 financial institutions. No further applications for such orders are pending in regard to the bogus non-resident account inquiries.

A large volume of information has been reported to Revenue under the High Court orders. Inquiry work in regard to the examination of the first batch of taxpayers commenced on 11 October 2002. Further general issues of inquiry letters were made in January, May, July, September and October 2003 and January 2004. These general inquiry letter issues relate to 91,000 non-resident accounts that had Irish addresses connected to them. A total of 177,000 inquiry letters have been issued to taxpayers in respect of these non-resident accounts. The final general inquiry letter issue took place in January 2004.

While it is clear that Revenue is facing a long programme of investigations over a number of years, the Revenue Commissioners have informed me that they are satisfied that significant progress has been made in this the final phase of the investigations. Since 15 November 2001 payments of €267 million have made to Revenue by taxpayers who held bogus non-resident accounts. The total recovery to date in regard to all of the DIRT look back audits and underlying depositor inquiries is €714 million.

Euro Exchange Rate.

John Perry

Ceist:

168 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance his views on the efforts of European Ministers to reduce the strength of the euro. [4692/04]

As Minister for Finance, I have not commented in the past on the euro exchange rate and I do not now propose to make any specific comment on the euro exchange rate. The Eurogroup Ministers' meeting on 19 January 2004, with the ECB President Jean Claude Trichet, agreed the following statement on the euro exchange rate:

Concerning exchange rates, our long-term strategy does not change: the euro must keep its value over the medium and long run, in line with economic fundamentals. In the present circumstances we particularly stress stability and we are concerned about excessive exchange rate moves.

I also recently attended the meeting of G7 Finance Ministers in Florida in my capacity as President of the Ecofin Council. The statement issued by the G7 Ministers included the following comments on exchange rates:

We reaffirm that exchange rates should reflect economic fundamentals. Excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates are undesirable for economic growth. We continue to monitor exchange markets closely and co-operate as appropriate. In this context, we emphasise that more flexibility in exchange rates is desirable for major countries or economic areas that lack such flexibility to promote smooth and widespread adjustments in the international financial system, based on market mechanisms.

Departmental Procurement.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

169 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed that the Office of Public Works did not comply with all EU rules in regard to the awarding of contracts in connection with the Irish Presidency of the EU; the number of contracts awarded worth more than €162,000; if all of these were advertised in the Official Journal of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4765/04]

I am aware that concerns have been expressed in relation to the procurement of certain goods and services by the Office of Public Works in connection with the EU Presidency. Arising out of these concerns, I have initiated an independent examination of the matter. The purpose of the examination is to establish, in so far as possible, the facts in relation to this matter. I expect the results of the examination to be available shortly. It is not possible at this stage nor would it be correct for me to make any comment on the specifics of the situation pending the completion of the examination. However, steps are being taken to ensure that goods and services are supplied on the basis of competitive tendering that is transparent and fair.

By way of general comment, it is obviously a matter of concern that any suggestion of impropriety should attach to the award of public contracts by the OPW or by any Government Department or agency. The OPW, through the activities of its various business units, including the Government Supplies Agency, plays a significant role in the procurement of property, construction and other goods and services on behalf of Departments and agencies. Because of the central role it plays in the procurement area, the OPW has consistently striven to ensure that it conforms to the highest possible standards of fairness, transparency, integrity and value in the awarding of public contracts. I believe that it achieves this objective across the broad range of its services.

It is the general policy of the OPW that all procurement activity in the organisation abides by the principles and rules set out in the national public procurement guidelines issued by the Department of Finance and in the EU public procurement directives. In essence, this means that contracts for the supply of goods and services should be awarded by way of competitive tender where practicable.

When the results of the independent examination become available, I will consider these carefully and take whatever steps I consider appropriate in the circumstances. My sole objective will be to ensure that the integrity of the procurement process in the OPW is maintained to its current high standards and strengthened where necessary.

Insurance Industry.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

170 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Finance if it is planned to reduce or eliminate the insurance levy. [4690/04]

I have no plans to reduce or eliminate this levy, which yielded about €100 million in 2003.

Question No. 171 answered with QuestionNo. 115.

Departmental Agencies.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

172 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn the serious concern expressed by coroners at delays in inquests as a result of the inability of the State Laboratory to complete test results; the steps being taken to deal with this situation in view of the distress caused to families by such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/04]

I am conscious of the importance of the service provided to the coroners by the State Laboratory and the impact it inevitably has on relatives of people whose deaths are the subject of inquests at a time of great distress. I know the management of the laboratory share that sensitivity and constantly monitor the service by reviewing available resources, outsourcing possibilities and complexity of analyses.

Additional resources have been allocated to the toxicology section and there has been a substantial increase in the number of analyses completed. However, there is still a backlog of cases, due to an increase of 50% in the past two years in the number of cases referred, and a general increase in the complexity of the analyses required.

A range of measures are being taken at present to reduce the turnaround time of samples sent to the laboratory and processed by its toxicology section. Additional priority is to be given to the coroners' cases over other work of the section. Laboratory management are also reviewing the procedures and processes in the toxicology area with a view to automating as much as possible.

The possibilities of reducing the complexity of testing were discussed between the State Laboratory and the coroners and their representatives, as doing so would have an immediate impact on turnaround times. However, it was not considered possible to reduce the complexity of tests performed by the laboratory given the constant demand from families for comprehensive analysis, the increasing complexity of the cocktail of drugs potentially taken by victims which requires sequential analyses to be carried out and coroners' requirement for quality analytical data, which will withstand scrutiny in a court.

The State Laboratory is relocating to Backweston in the summer and it is expected that the new laboratory there will, when the move is completed, enhance the quality of service provided to all its clients including the coroners' service.

Insurance Industry.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

173 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Finance if he has taken an initiative in the context of the Irish Presidency of the European Union to implement a Single Market regime in respect of insurance products in the interest of cross-frontier trading and the consequential benefit to consumers arising from the increased competition in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4176/04]

Competitiveness is a key priority of the Irish Presidency. In the area of financial services, including insurance, my priority is to make progress on the completion of the financial services action plan.

This plan aims, among other measures, to improve the functioning of the Single Market, to the benefit of insurance policyholders and other consumers of financial services. It does so by removing barriers to cross-border trade in financial services and thus increasing the range of choice available to consumers.

Directives on insurance solvency and insurance mediation have already been approved under the plan. The insurance solvency directive sets new solvency margin requirements for insurance companies. This increases the amount of capital that a company must hold to help meet unexpected events and thus offers increased assurance to policyholders, wherever they are living. The insurance mediation directive makes it easier for intermediaries to operate anywhere in the Single Market, thus increasing the choice of insurance products available to customers and helping to ensure they can trust any associated advice. It is a matter for the Commission to propose new legislation. Further proposals in relation to insurance may potentially be brought forward during the course of the Presidency, or shortly thereafter.

Achieving a fully functioning Single Market in the insurance area is a key dimension of the Government's insurance reform programme, so as to increase the range of competitively priced insurance products available to Irish consumers.

Stability and Growth Pact.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

174 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Finance his policy in relation to the enforcement of the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4718/04]

Ireland supports the Stability and Growth Pact which provides the framework for sound public finances in the EU. I believe that the rules of the pact should be enforced firmly and faithfully, not just because of the legal requirements, but because the provisions make good sense in themselves. During Ireland's Presidency of the Council of Ministers, our priority is the continued implementation of the pact.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

175 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans during the Irish Presidency to seek changes to the Stability and Growth Pact, to enable Europe to achieve the ambitious growth objectives set out in the Lisbon process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4756/04]

John Bruton

Ceist:

178 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether and on the way in which the Stability and Growth Pact and the subsequent EU regulations to give it legal effect, ought to be reformed. [4397/04]

I propose taking Questions Nos. 175 and 178 together.

Ireland supports the Stability and Growth Pact. During Ireland's Presidency of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council our priority is the continued implementation of the pact.

In principle, I am in favour of introducing more flexibility into certain aspects of the pact. I have made this clear in the past, when I supported the Commission's proposals for some limited reforms in November 2002. However, the general view among my colleagues in ECOFIN is that there should be a period of reflection so that we can consider in a thoughtful and deliberate way how the EU economic governance system operates. We need to ensure that any proposed changes to the Stability and Growth Pact are developed on the basis of a consensus, so that any reforms can command the broad level of support that is required.

The European Commission has indicated that it will shortly bring forward its own initiative on improving economic governance in the EU, including proposals for improving the workings of the Stability and Growth Pact. I anticipate that this initiative will contribute to the ongoing deliberations on this matter.

Decentralisation Programme.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

176 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the details of the response to the Office of Public Works's recent advertisement seeking expressions of interest in providing office or other space for the proposed decentralisation programme; the number of applications received; if leases or commitments to purchase have been entered into by the OPW; if a survey has been carried out with regard to the percentage of the current space occupied by Departments, sections or agencies identified for decentralisation which is subject to long-term leases; the action it is intended to take in regard to such long-term leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4754/04]

More than 700 proposed property solutions were received in response to the advertisements placed in the newspapers by the OPW. These include offers of sites only, existing buildings and proposals to build. No contractual negotiations to lease or purchase properties will be entered into by the OPW until all the proposals received as well as all options to use State-owned properties, have been assessed and evaluated and will be concluded over the coming weeks.

The OPW is in the process of compiling and analysing all lease and title data in respect of the office space currently occupied by Departments and State-sponsored bodies earmarked for decentralisation. The results of this exercise will form the basis for the formulation of options for the rational State accommodation in the Dublin area post-decentralisation. These options are likely to include: disposal of State-owned buildings; redevelopment of buildings; early termination of leases and; relocation of Departments/offices within the Dublin portfolio.

Offshore Accounts.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

177 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance the basis of the recent reported settlement between the Revenue Commissioners and the owners of Ansbacher Cayman arising from the Ansbacher inquiry; the amount paid in settlement; if this represents the full and final settlement of tax liability by the owners; the amount still estimated to be outstanding in terms of the tax liability of others involved in the Ansbacher affair; the steps being taken to recover this money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4771/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has recently concluded a settlement with Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited, a Cayman Islands based bank, for €7.5 million. The settlement involved was reached after detailed exchanges on the various tax issues arising followed by lengthy negotiations between Revenue and the bank and its advisors.

The grounds of the Revenue claim were that the company had an established place of business in the State and carried on business in the State through a branch or agency from the early 1970s and that the bank's liabilities included tax on profits of the Irish branch and on certain yearly interest payments. The bank held an opposing view on this and contended that it did not carry on a business in Ireland through a branch or agency and that it did not have Irish tax liabilities. The settlement was reached following detailed discussions with the bank on the various tax issues and against a background of unique circumstances and potentially lengthy and protracted litigation. The amount of the settlement, €7.5 million, is a composite amount in full and final settlement of the bank's liabilities.

The settlement with Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited brings the tax collected, so far from the investigation into the Ansbacher and related accounts to more than €38 million. The investigation is continuing and Revenue have successfully obtained five High Court orders against financial institutions and third parties for books, records and other documentation which are relevant to liabilities of Ansbacher account holders. Investigations are time-consuming and complex and it is not possible to place an estimate on the amounts of further tax to be recovered from the enquiries.

Revenue have informed me that extensive use is being made of its legislative powers to seek books, records, documents and information in the cases being investigated and that the enquiries and investigations are likely to continue for some time to come.

Question No. 178 answered with QuestionNo. 175.

EU Funding.

John Bruton

Ceist:

179 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on a report (details supplied) to the effect that a disproportionate share of €600 million worth of EU peace and reconciliation moneys for the Border counties and Northern Ireland went to bodies associated with provisional republicanism; and if he intends to take steps in this matter. [4402/04]

The existing EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, known as PEACE II, is a unique EU funded programme for all of Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland, that is the six counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo.

PEACE II aims to help Northern Ireland become a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland. The programme runs from 2000 to 2004 and will provide around €707 million for projects of which €141 million will be spent in the Border region. The EU contribution is €531 million. The programme represents a continuation of PEACE I that covered the period 1995 to 1999 to which the EU contributed €500 million.

To be inclusive, the PEACE II programme funds a wide range of projects across Northern Ireland and the Border region, including ex-prisoner groups, from both traditions. The total sum committed by the programme to ex-prisoner groups, from republican and loyalist traditions, amounts to €11.9 million. This represents around 1.9% of the total value of awards by the programme to all projects.

The PEACE II programme offers potential projects financial support as long as they meet strict funding criteria and can demonstrate that the moneys will go toward activities that promote peace and reconciliation. All projects go through the same application process and procedure and are subject to the same funding criteria. The programme also operates stringent and transparent monitoring and financial controls and all projects are subject to regular checks to ensure that the aims of the project, as set out in the application, are being fulfilled.

With regard to the allegation that some of the projects are run by figures associated with Sinn Féin, within the terms and conditions of funding there is a clause that clearly states that no PEACE II moneys may be used for political purposes and activities.

Age Dependency Ratio.

John Bruton

Ceist:

180 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the age dependency ratio (details supplied) here in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000; his projection for 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050; and if he will give details of the definitions used in these calculations. [4377/04]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table:

Actual and Projected Old Age Dependency Ratio

Year

Old age dependency Ratio (M1F2)

Actual

1961

19.4

1971

19.2

1981

18.2

1991

18.5

2001

16.6

Projected

2011

17.9

2021

23.1

2031

29.1

2041

37.1

2051

46.5

Notes:

Years ending in "1" have been selected as they coincide with years in which a census was taken up to 1991.

The old age dependency ratio is the ratio of the number of persons aged over 65 years to those aged 15-64.

The projections for 2011 onwards are based on the M1F2 scenario. The M1 migration assumption envisages net inward migration declining from 15,000 per annum during the 2001 to 2006 period to 5,000 per annum during the 2011 to 2051 period. The F2 assumption envisages the total fertility rate declining to 1.75 by 2011 and remaining constant thereafter.

The projections use the 1996 census results as the baseline. The 2002 based projections are due for publication in mid-year. Use of the 1996 baseline instead of that for 2002 is not likely to have any major impact on the magnitude of the projected old age dependency ratio.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

181 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4539/04]

Within the last seven years, there have been no cost overruns in respect of contracts or procurements funded directly, or indirectly, by my Department.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

182 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4554/04]

Details of all reports, consultancies and other advisory or PR commissions awarded by my Department in the past five years (1999 — to date) are listed in the Table 1. Details of bodies under the aegis of my Department are listed in Table 2.

Table 1: Department of the Taoiseach

Name

Description

Overall Cost

Date

St. John's University New York

Basic Income Study (Phases 1 and 2)

34,283

1999

ESRI

Basic Income Study (Phases 1 and 2)

97,521

1999

PA Consulting Group

Audit of year 2000 contingency plans

7,000

1999

Deloitte & Touche

Business Analysis and review of Financial Management Function

46,691

1999-2000

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Consultancy eCabinet

152,094

2000-2002

Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD

Study of progress on Partnership

50,789

2000

Drury Communications

Development of PMDS Pack

7,093

2000

IPA

Development of guidelines for the preparation of strategy statements & assistance with customer action plans

4,916

2000

Dominic McCanny

Analysis of HRM questionnaire

952

2000

BFK Design

Development of PMDS Pack

14,134

2000

Hays Management Consultants

Effective systems of feedback on PMDS

45,774

2001

CBC

Customer service guidelines document

152

2001

Dr. Jane Pillinger

Equality diversity research

38,823

2001

Authur Anderson

Management Information Framework

93,440

2001

Mr. Alex Matheson, OECD

Evaluation of SMI

14,014

2001-2002

PA Consulting Group

Evaluation of SMI

426,437

2001-2002

IPA

Preparation of HR strategy guidelines document

18,284

2001

Oracle

Management Information Framework — Financial System

229,623

2002

Deloitte & Touche

Value for Money Audit of Mobile Phones

7,618

2001

IBEC

Review of Health and Safety

4,889

2001

Hosca Management Consultants

Employee Opinion Survey

12,077

2001

Octagon Ltd

IT Strategic Principles

8,400

2002

Dr. Patrick Butler

Evaluation of Customer Action Plans

30,473

2002

Peter White

Development of Communications Strategy

850

2002

Prof. Philip Lane

Commentary on Beter Regulation Submissions

4,500

2002

Bearing Point

HRMS

103,220

2002-2003

Watson Wyatt

Employee Opinion Survey

18,150

2003

Grayling Gilmore PR Consultants*

EU Presidency Logo Launch & Public Relations Campaign

60,000

2003

Jacobs and Associates

Economic Report

12,947

2003

Martin Cave

Economic Report

589

2003

* Met from funds provided by Department of Foreign Affairs

Table 2: Bodies under the aegis of Department of the Taoiseach

Information Society Commission

Name

Description

Overall Cost

Date

MRBI

Research survey of the general public designed to establish levels of awareness of, and engagement with, the technologies associated with the evolving Information Society

35,951

1999

MRBI

Survey of Irish businesses to establish awareness of technology

23,814

1999

Edelman Worldwide

PR Consultancy for Netd@ys

66,026

July to November 1999

MRBI

Update of 1999 research survey to assess the impact of Netd@ys

12,214

November 1999

MRBI

Research into awareness and usage of information and communications technology amongst Irish businesses

21,332

2000

MRBI

Research into General Public Awareness and Usage of Information and Communications Technology 2000

32,355

2000

Paul Tanney

Report on Personal Use of Technology

317

2000

NW Labs

To examine the issues of convergence and the implications for telecommunications communications regulation for Ireland

26,977

2000

Centre for Research in Technology in Education

Research material for seminar

20,890

2000

Dunnion Partners

Development of Government websites review and report

4,609

2000

KPMG

Investigation of tax incentives & barriers to e-working in Ireland

6,349

2000

Barry McCall

Copywriting of Business & General Public Research reports

1,371

2000

Farrell Grant Sparks

Research into future needs for Ireland's development as an Information Society

30,669

2000

Chapman Flood Mazars

Auditing Services being supplied for Equalskills Initiative

19,600

2001

Chinook Consulting

Evaluation of Equalskills Initiative

18,165

2002

ElectricNews.net

Production of eGovernment Ireland Bulletin

24,040

2002 — ongoing

Text 100

Messaging Workshop for ISC members

6,655

2002

MRBI

Business Survey on attitudes to the Information Society in Ireland

28,740

2002

MRBI

General Public Survey on attitudes to the Information Society

56,628

2002

Models Research (now Itech Research)

Consultancy and report on inclusive Information Society Development

59,931

2002-2003

Accenture

Consultancy and report on a National ePayments Strategy

155,334

2002

Fleishman-Hillard Saunders

Engaged on a retainer basis to manage a communications and media strategy for the ISC

68,275

2002 — ongoing

Parallel IT

Electronic Document Management Exchange

13,613

2003

Sonas Innovation

Consultancy and report on Ireland's Broadband Future

49,610

2003

CBC

Editorial work on Broadband Report

3,993

2003

Dublin City University

Research on perspectives of Information Society thinkers (20%)

1,331

2003

ESRI

Analysis of General Public and Business Surveys 1996-2002

7,260

2003

National Forum on Europe

Keating & Assoc.

Media Strategy and Market Survey

6,278

2002

Caroline Erskine

PR Consultancy

75,372

2002-2003

Conor Joyce

PR Consultancy

54,288

2002-2003

All Party Committee on Constitution

IT Assist

Advice on e mail and internet systems

460.90

1999

Gerard Hogan SC

Research on referendums

480

2001

Laura Rattigan BL

Legal Research

1,663

1999

Frank Farrell In house Services

Creation of a database to record public submissions on the Committee's Reports

190

1999

Moss Technologies

Year 2000 Compliance

307

2000

Shelbourne Public Affairs

Public Relations

16,837

2000-2001

Sureskills.com

IT support

3,687

2000

Diarmuid Rossa Phelan

Legal Research

6,200

2000-2001

Richard Humphreys

Research on Rights

16,349

2001 to date

Seán de Fréine

Feasibility Study

500

2002

Donall Ó Maolfábhaile

PR consultancy

11,600

2002-2003

Tribunal of Inquiry (Payments to Messrs. Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry)

Baker Consultants

Design, implement and host a Web site

15,416

1999 to date

Confidential

Computer related data consultancy

7,536

1999

Moss Technology Limited

Year 2000 compliance report and follow up

6,567

1999

Confidential

Commercial Research

3,851

2000

Ionet Ltd.

Demonstration

107

2001

Moss Technology

Report on Tribunal IT network and system

3,055

2001

Confidential

Specialist Data etc. analysis

46,948

2003

National Centre for Partnership and Performance

Bradley McGurk Partnership

Corporate Identity

26,358

2001-2002

Woodgrange Consultancies

Irish Times 2000

7,999

2001

Bill Roche

Consultative Process & Strategic Planning

31,743

2001

Tom Neville

Guidelines on Organisational Change

20,570

2001

Bradley McGurke

Corporate Identity

21,066

2001 to date

Options Consultancy

Information & Consultation Project

5,445

2002

Options Consultancy

Learning Strategy

16,845

2002-2003

Tom Neville

Employee Financial Involvement

30,949

2003

Pearn Kandola

Competency Development

11,206

2003

ESRI

Surveys (Forum on the Workplace of the Future)

76,481

2003

Align Management Solutions

Health Strategy Using a Partnership Approach

7,000

2003

Roy Greene

Scoping Paper (Forum on the Workplace of the Future)

4,980

2003

Maria Maguire

Scoping Paper (Forum on the Workplace of the Future)

26,988

2003

John Geary

Scoping Paper (Forum on the Workplace of the Future)

5,600

2003

Align Management Solutions

Consultation Paper (Forum on the Workplace of the Future)

1,400

2003

National Economic and Social Forum

ESRI

Labour Market Study

2,539

1999

Hay Consultants, D. Halloran and C. O'Connell

Social Housing

10,351

1999

Anne Clarke

Local Employment Services

8,387

1999

Agtel (video)

Social Housing

38,092

2000

NI Housing Executive

Social Housing

7,389

2000

C. O'Connell

Social Housing

1,206

2000

Freda Keeshan

Lone Parents

2,971

2000

Hay Consultants

Labour Shortages

2,920

2000

Mary Murphy

Labour Shortages

1,778

2000

Kieran McKeown

Lone Parents

6,223

2001

Anne Clarke

Lone Parents

4,400

2000

NUI Maynooth

Lone Parents

7,927

2000

Goodbody

Draft Opinion on National Anti Poverty Strategy

3,143

2000

UCD (Equality Studies Centre)

Draft opinion on Equality Issues

18,056

2000

Professor Chris McCrudden

Draft opinion on Equality Issues

2,184

2000

Ian O'Donnell

Prisoners and Ex Offenders

6,096

2001

Tamarron

Work on NESF Report No. 23

5,079

2001

ESRI (Brian Nolan)

Health

8,832

2002

ESRI (Emer Smyth)

Early School Leavers

3,892

2002

Maureen Lynott

Evaluation of working arrangements

3,239

2002

Eithne Fitzgerald

Older Workers

3,600

2002

Jerry Sexton

Older Workers

15,392

2002

ESRI Survey

Older Workers

15,730

2002

ESRI Questionnaire

Social Capital

12,342

2002

PA Consulting Services Ltd.

LGBs

8,105

2002

Ann Clarke

Older Workers

3,282

2002

Mary Murphy

NAPS

400

2003

Carmel Corrigan

NAPS

3,939

2003

Mary Murphy

Child income support paper

1,440

2003

Bernard McDonagh

LGBs

1,431

2003

National Economic and Social Council

Dr. John Sweeney & Dr. Kieran McKeown Social and Economic Research Consultant

Preparing background documents for Strategy Report No. 105

14,366

1999

Dr. John Geary Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business UCD

Preparing background documents for Strategy Report No. 105

5,333

1999

Dr. Richard Boyle Institute of Public Administration

Preparing background documents for Strategy Report No. 105

5,377

1999

ESRI

Research for a project undertaken with regard to a Strategic Review of a Tax and Welfare system as referred to under PPF.

12,697

2001

Síle O'Connor

Research for reports No. 107 & 108

6,984

2001

J. Visser

Paper for Report No 111

13,069

2001

Indecon Consultants

Consultancy fees re: Regional Development in the North West

21,202

2001

Edgeworth Organisational Consultants

PR Consultancy

1,200

2003

National Millennium Committee

BDO Simpson Xavier Consulting

Detailed assessment of a proposal for a Millennium Tower (the old Jameson chimney at Smithfield in Dublin)

6,299

1999

Peter Owens DDB

Advertising/information campaign

413,047

1999-2002

Pembroke Communication

Public Relations Work

107,350

1999-2002

Ireland Film & Television Network

Millennium Event Guide

42,766

2000

PC Associates

Creation and distribution of Millennium Newsletters and production and management of the Millennium Book

236,278

1999-2002

BFK Design Limited

Design of the Millennium Logo, put the logo on disc for use by authorised bodies, and to create large backdrops for use at various Millennium launches

45,750

1999-2002

Fusio Limited

Design, set up website

27,282

1999-2002

Campus & Stadium Ireland Development Ltd (transferred from the Department of the Taoiseach's Vote in 2001)

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Feasibility studies

602,906

Up to December 2000

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal Consultancy

13,346

Up to December 2000

Wilson Hartnell

Public Relations

70,530

Up to December 2000

RIAI

Architectural consultancy

19,046

Up to December 2000

Deloitte & Touche

Tax Consultancy

15,872

Up to December 2000

Departmental Staff.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

183 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the projected costs in 2004 for the communications unit in his Department; the number of staff assigned to this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4871/04]

There are six staff assigned to the communications unit and it estimated the total cost of the unit for 2004 is €314,402. Of this, €120,428 is a direct cost to my Department with on average €38,795 being borne by the five other Departments who have staff seconded to the unit.

I will make a statement on this matter when responding to a similar question that has been put down for oral reply.

National Archives.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

184 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the files which were released recently by his Department under the National Archives Act 1986; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4872/04]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

185 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of files which were withheld by his Department from the National Archives in respect of 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4873/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

A total of 720 files or file parts were transferred to the National Archives by my Department and released for public inspection on 1 January, 2004. Six files were withheld.

I will make a statement on these matters, when responding to identical questions that have been put down for oral reply.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

186 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number and nature of the files requested from his Department by the Mahon tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4874/04]

Requests for files and papers made by the tribunal to my Department are required to be kept confidential. The matter of a statement will be addressed in my reply to a similar oral parliamentary question from the Deputy, due for reply shortly.

Freedom of Information.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

187 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department during each month of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4875/04]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

188 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department during 2003; the way in which the number compares with the total during 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4876/04]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

189 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department during each month of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4877/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 189, inclusive, together.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to freedom of information requests relevant to my Department is contained in the following tables.

Comparisons between the yearly number of applications show an increase between 1999, with 207 requests, and 2001, with 276 requests. The trend was downward after that with 146 requests in 2002 and 142 requests last year. Comparison between the last two months of 2003 and of 2002 show a decrease last year from 33 to nine. All requests received in my Department are processed in accordance with both the 1997 Act and the 2003 Act, and their implementation is kept under constant review.

Freedom of Information Requests 2002

Received

Granted

Part Granted

Refused

No records

Transferred

Withdrawn

January

20

8

4

0

4

2

2

February

12

4

2

0

2

0

4

March

14

6

5

0

2

0

1

April

10

4

3

0

1

2

0

May

10

2

3

2

2

0

1

June

9

1

1

2

4

1

0

July

10

1

1

2

2

2

2

August

8

2

3

1

1

0

1

September

7

0

4

0

3

0

0

October

13

5

2

2

2

2

2

November

15

6

4

1

2

0

5

December

18

10

3

0

0

0

0

Total

146

49

35

10

25

9

18

Freedom of Information Requests 2003

Received

Granted

Part Granted

Refused

No records

Transferred

Withdrawn

January

21

2

7

4

4

2

2

February

29

9

11

2

5

1

1

March

30

10

9

3

6

0

2

April

10

4

2

0

3

0

1

May

11

1

4

0

6

0

0

June

7

2

2

0

2

0

1

July

13

2

5

0

4

1

1

August

6

3

1

0

1

1

0

September

4

2

2

0

0

0

0

October

2

0

1

0

0

0

1

November

6

3

1

1

1

0

0

December

3

0

1

1

1

0

0

Total

142

38

46

11

33

5

9

Official Engagements.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

190 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting in Dublin with the German Chancellor, Mr. Schroder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4878/04]

I met Chancellor Schroder in Government Buildings on Monday, 9 February. We had a useful and constructive exchange of views on the Intergovernmental Conference.

We agreed on the importance for Europe of the new constitution and we are united in wanting to see the IGC concluded as soon as possible. We had a wide-ranging discussion on the IGC including on the principle of a dual majority voting system to which Germany is very strongly committed. A priority for us is to try to establish whether it is possible to find agreement on how that principle can be implemented in a way which takes account of the concerns of everyone. I thanked the Chancellor for the assurance of Germany's continued support for our approach.

We also had time to touch on a number of other issues including the forthcoming spring European Council and future financial perspectives. On the spring European Council, I briefed the Chancellor on our approach which will be to have a focused strategic discussion on how best to achieve the economic and social goals we have set ourselves.

Ministerial Staff.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

191 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the names, duties and annual salaries of each of the special or political advisers appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4879/04]

The names, titles and annual rates of remuneration of my special advisers are tabled below. Katherine Bulbulia, programme manager to the Tánaiste, is also based in my Department.

The role of the advisors is to keep me informed on a wide range of issues including business, financial, economic, political, administrative and media matters. Under the direction of the programme manager, their primary function is to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government.

Each of the advisers liaises with a number of Departments and acts as a point of contact in my office for Ministers and their advisers. They attend meetings of Cabinet committees and cross-departmental teams relevant to their responsibilities. They also liaise, on my behalf, with organisations and interest groups outside of Government.

In addition, a number of my advisers have specific responsibilities for speech drafting. My programme manager meets other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis. He monitors and reports to me on the programme for Government.

Name

Title

Annual Salary

Gerry Hickey

Programme Manager & Special Adviser

185,298

Gerard Howlin

Special Adviser

100,369

Úna Claffey

Special Adviser

109,634

Brian Murphy

Special Adviser

77,357

Joe Lennon

Special Adviser

109,634

Katherine Bulbulia

Programme Manager to Tánaiste

129,708

Carl Gibney

Special Adviser to Minister of State and Chief Whip

72,128

Human Rights Issues.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

192 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in the context of the programme of the Irish EU Presidency, she will work to ensure that the proposed regulation in trade in torture equipment is adopted by the Council of Ministers in order that the EU has export controls in place for torture and death penalty related equipment before the accession of the ten new member states on 1 May 2004. [4579/04]

The Commission proposal for a Council regulation concerning trade in certain equipment and products which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment was examined on a number of occasions by the Council working party on trade questions in Brussels during 2003. On the basis of this work, and in the light of positions taken by member states, it was decided that the Commission should present a revised proposal.

At this time, the revised Commission proposal is still awaited by the Council. After receipt of the revised proposal, which is expected in March or April, the Irish Presidency will seek to ensure that the proposal is adopted as soon as possible.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

193 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by her Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4540/04]

During the past seven years, my Department has entered into a very significant number of contracts and procurements in order to fulfil its administrative functions.

Ensuring that any list of contracts and procurements entered into by the Department since 1997 is comprehensive and exhaustive. Establishing whether or not overruns occurred, and the nature of such overruns, will require a very significant amount of staff time and resources and cannot be provided within the current timescale. I have instructed officials of my Department to compile the details for the Deputy, and have them forwarded to him as soon as possible.

My Department awards contracts and procurements based on the most economically advantageous tender and strives to ensure that all contracts or procurements offered provide the greatest value for money possible. Officers of my Department closely monitor these contracts for their full duration.

Indirect expenditure by my Department's agencies on contracts and procurements are day-to-day matters for those agencies and, as such, I have no function in the matter.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

194 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by her Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4555/04]

Arising from recommendations from the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, my Department records details of all consultancy type projects since 2000 on an interdepartmental consultancy database. The attached schedule sets out details of all such consultancies in respect of the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 as transcribed from the database. It also includes similar details in respect of the year 1999.

A feature of my Department's procedures for approving funding for consultancies under the consultancy subhead, subhead A07, is that before any funding is approved by the management board, the section requesting such funding must make a strong business case, outlining the anticipated benefits, the value-added nature of the consultancy, and the argument for engaging outside consultants in preference to undertaking the work using the internal resources of the Department.

Consultancies 2003

Information & Communications Technology

Core International

Additional functionality added to payroll system

8,245.75

System Dynamics Ltd

Analysis of IT reqs. for PIAB

25,712.50

Curach Technologies Ltd

Analysis of system specification for new redundancy system

19,602.00

Client Solutions Ltd

BASIS/OASIS Review

2,999.00

Bluewave Technology

Data reforming

907.50

Oak Tree Press

Developing Content for BASIS Website

2,420.00

System Dynamics

Development of Integrated Database

48,500.00

Sword SA

Development work on the Ptolemy system for Patents Office

78,966.99

EDI Factory Limited T/A Celerity

E-Filing Development for CRO

130,298.28

Zerflow Limited

E-security for CRO

15,479.00

Vizor Ltd

Enhance functionality to Insurance Division's In-Reg system

4,991.25

Systems Dynamics Ltd

Enhanced functionality to the Rep Tracking Systems

11,314.00

Deloitte and Touche

Enhanced to Register of Friendly Societies system following legislative change

6,715.50

Deloitte and Touche

Enhancement to Redundancy, Insolvency and Recoveries system following legislative changes

4,174.50

Client Solutions Ltd

Enhancements to BASIS Website

34,141.36

Client Solutions Ltd

Enhancements to BASIS Website

12,671.12

Fujitsu Consulting Ltd

Implementation of a new financial management system

405,346.71

Connect Global Solutions Ltd

Intranet Design, Development and Implementation Project

88,639.00

NRD Ireland Limited

IT Systems Development for CRO

997,008.17

Deloitte & Touche

IT Systems for PIAB

40,656.00

Connect Global Solutions Ltd/System Dynamics Ltd

Maintenance and Development of Domino/Lotus Notes System

97,535.00

RGC Technologies Ltd

Network Support

157,488.55

Version 1

Oracle database consultancy

26,607.90

Xwave Solutions Ireland Ltd

Peoplesoft HRMS implementation

37,395.96

Currach Technologies Ltd

Research and presentation on java development

2,178.00

Curach Technologies

System development of Employment

283,412.25

Advance Systems (Ire)

Upgrade of TMS to version 4

2,649.90

Eircom Plc

IT Service Support

420,000

Decision Support Systems

Design of Windows XP Image

25,000

Concept Design

Website Development

36,300

Norway Registers Development

RSS Development

716,427

Norway Registers Development

E-Filing Development

143,409

Siobhan Dolan

User Friendly Computer Training

350

Consultancies 2003

Legal advice, etc.

Eileen Barrington

Enforcement

2,057.00

P. Dillon Malone BL

Enforcement action

3,837.00

Stephen Davies

Expert Advice (Court Action)

6,000.00

Kevin D'Arcy

Expert Advice (Court Action)

6,050.00

Feichin McDonagh

Expert Advice (Court Action)

15,125.00

David Barniville

Expert Advice (Court Action)

12,910.70

Competition Analysis

Expert Advice (Court Action)

6,350.00

Paul Sreenan

Expert Advice (Court Action)

13,612.50

Niamh Hyland

Legal

1,512.50

Eileen Barrington

Legal

2,420.00

Denis McDonald

Legal

11,277.23

Gerard Hogan

Legal Advice

1,391.50

Michael M Collins

Legal Advice

11,071.50

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal advice to IAASA re section 182 Companies Act 1990

10,285.00

McCann Fitzgerald, Solicitors

Legal advice re IAASA

4,840.00

Kilroys Solicitors

Legal Advisers

590,335.77

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal Consultancy

28,108.59

Arthur Cox

Legal Consultancy

2,849.03

Dermot Gleeson

Legal Consultancy

3,535.00

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal Consultancy enforcement

40,208.59

Allil O'Reilly

Legal Consultant

6,050.00

Rebecca Sparrow

Legal Consultant

7,262.50

Michael O'Leary

Legal Consultant

7,250.00

Peter Fitzpatrick & Company

Legal Services

1,330.85

Paul Gallagher

Legal Services

4,685.97

Colm Mac Eochaidh

Legal Services

1,210.00

Colm Mac Eochaidh

Legal Services

1,210.00

O'Meara, Geraghty, McCourt

Legal Advice to ODCA

107,098.

Other Consultancies 2003

Gerald Fitzgerald

Advisory Panel Member Fee

5,000.00

Deloitte & Touche

Audit of Financial spreadsheets for Productive Sector OP

12,230.70

LECG LTD

Banking Study Consultancy

76,204.84

Institute of Public Administration

Customer Care Research

35,000.00

Institute of Public Administration

Customer Care Research project Ph2

13,827.00

CDG Design Limited

Design of Logo for IAASA

6,050.00

Rachel McLoughlin Consulting Limited

Design of Project Management Scheme

6,680.00

Insurance Services Office Ltd

Development of Book of Quantum for PIAB

35,000.00

McCann Fitzgerald

Drafting Memo and Arts of Association for IAASA

9,680.00

Trinity College

Economic Consultancy

6,292.00

Compecon

Economic consultancy/Expert Advice (Court Action)

47,507.63

Clean Technology Centre

Environmentally-related project phase2

29,149.90

European Policy Research Centre

EU State Aid Policy

28,710.21

Ms Tara Downer

Expenditure review of EI Overseas office

3,000.00

Maria Gilsenan

Human Resources

9,005.44

Institute for the Study of Social Change (ISSC)

Insurance Market analysis

6,300.00

City University London

Insurance Report

41,534.93

Fitzpatrick Associates

Interim & Mid Term Evaluation for Preparation of Evaluation for EQUAL C.I.

23,716.00

Kompass Ireland Publishers Ltd

Late Payments commercial transactions

1,951.00

TNS/MRBI

Market Research

32,978.00

MRBI

Market Research on Impact of ODCE

18,453.38

Fitzpatrick Associates

Mid Term Evaluation for EHRD

218,504.00

Indecon Consultants

Mid Term Evaluation of Productive Sector OP

173,356.00

Farrell Grant Sparks

Preparation of report on Mainstreaming for EQUAL CI

23,999.20

National Economic Research Associates Inc

Prof. Services re Capital radio takeover by SRH

42,401.00

DTZ Pieda Consulting

Property Solutions for attraction of Foreign Direct Investment

50,000.00

PE Consulting Services (Ireland) Limited

Recruitment of CEO Designate for IAASA

33,271.00

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Recruitment of CEO for PIAB

37,828.23

City University London

(Cass Business School)

Report on insurance industry

41,534.93

Tamarron Ltd

Research Project to support EQUAL CI

15,372.00

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Review of ESF Measure of Interreg

1,331.00

Mr.Tom Walsh

Review of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1989

64,396.80

Bearing Point formerly KPMG Consulting

Review of Vocational Training for People with Disabilities

20,267.50

Scan Image Services Irl. Ltd

Scanning documentation for Legal Action

69,908.29

IMI/TCD

Staff Survey

25,000.00

IMI

Staff Survey

15,000.00

Cyril Connolly

Statistical Research

1,500.00

Europe Economics

Study into the Insurance Industry

145,200.00

Indecon

Study of Professions Consultancy

6,987.75

Keith Kelly

Tailoring and delivery of VB course

2,359.50

Professional Training

Training in VB

2,950.00

Mazars

Verification checks on Small Business OP

37,625.00

ESRI

Wage levels in the economy

65,123.00

Connect Global Solutions

Work Permit Review

2,722.50

ESRI

Workplace of the future

52,635.00

Saville & Holdsworth Ltd

Consultation for S.O. Competition

74,497.00

Saville & Holdsworth Ltd

Consultation for P.O. Competition

15,245.00

O'Donovan Associates

Consumer Credit Act

48,190.00

Caden Communications

Communications Advice to ODCA

44,033.00

Enterprise Ireland

Testing of Electrical Appliances

182.00

TNS MRBI

Market Research

13,000.00

Baker Consultants Ltd

Reg. of IAASA as Domain Name

153.00

PE Consulting

Recruitment of CEO Designate for IAASA

34,180.00

Consultancies 2002

Information & Communications Technology

Internet Business Ireland

Development of ESF Website

8,407.00

Deloitte and Touche

Consultancy Assistance re Financial Management System

35,337.00

Bunnyfoot

Usability & Accessibility review of BASIS website

26,228.28

Bluewave Technology

Preparation of Access Development Standards

11,858.00

Connect Global Solutions

Development of Phase 1 of the Intranet

45738

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Development of an ICT Strategy

63,404.00

Computer Associates

Review of Backup Strategy

6,000.00

Bluewave Technology

Access development

11,150.00

Similarity Systems

Data clean-up

17,606.00

RG Consultancy

IT: support & maintenance

571.34

RG Consultancy

IT: support & maintenance

998.25

RG Consultancy

IT: hardware & software development services

2,262.70

RG Consultancy

IT: hardware & software development services

5,989.50

RGC Technologies

IT: software development services

732.05

RGC Technologies

IT: support & maintenance

25,083.30

Sword SA

e-register & Database

56,195.38

Sword SA

e-journal

2,050.95

Propylon

e-journal

68,970.00

System Dynamics

Development of Specification for Database

9,317.00

BARK

IT

8,700

Consultancies 2002

Legal advice, etc.

Eamonn Leahy, Leahy & Co

Assistance with Late Payment Legislation

4,823.00

O'Mara Geraghty McCourt

Ongoing Legal Consultancy-Provision of Legal Advice to Director of C.A.

94,638

Michael O'Leary

Legal

1,210.00

James Devlin

Legal

12,625.00

Declan Murphy

Legal

4,040.00

Brian Cregan BL

Legal

4,600.00

Shane Murphy S.C.

Legal Opinions

4,800.00

Grainne Clohessy BL

Legal Opinions

600.00

Paul Anthony McDermot BL

Legal Opinions

3,000.00

William Abrahamson BL

Legal Opinions

300.00

Richard Nesbitt, S.C.

Legal Opinions

800.00

Mark Sanfey BL

Legal Opinions

15,600.00

Mark Sanfey BL

Legal Opinions

12,500.00

Eoghan Fitzsimons S.C.

Legal Opinions

22,200.00

Eoghan Fitzsimons S.C.

Legal Opinions

19,800.00

Mark Sanfey BL

Legal Opinions

4,000.00

Eoghan Fitzsimons S.C.

Legal Opinions

8,000.00

Michael Collins S.C.

Legal Opinions

2,000.00

Remy Farrell BL

Legal Opinions

8,100.00

Paul Anthony McDermot BL

Legal Opinions

3,000.00

Shane Murphy S.C.

Legal Opinions

2,500.00

Michael Cush S.C.

Court-related Documentation and Representation

12,700.00

Eanna Molloy S.C.

Court-related Documentation and Representation

8,300.00

Rochford Brady Legal Services Ltd.

Outdoor Legal Agency Work, Legal Opinions, Consultations

600.00

John O'Donnell S.C.

Legal Opinions

800.00

Roger Sweetman S.C.

Legal Opinions

1,500.00

John McBratney SC and Mark Sanfey BL

Legal Opinions

34,500.00

Gwen Malone

Stenography Services

4,900.00

Other Consultancies 2002

ERSI/Goodbody's

Impact Evaluation of EU Employment Strategy

129,551.00

Bearing Point

Review of Vocational Training for People with Disabilities

52,136.87

Fitzpatrick Associates Economis Consultants

First interim Evaluation and Mid-term Evaluation of the EQUAL Programme

23,716.00

Chapman Flood Mazars

Evaluation of Measure 5 of the Small Business Operational Programme

5,333.00

Institute of Public Administration

Research on Customer Care standards

26,681.00

Economic and Social Research Institute

Research on National Minimum Wage Levels

43,415.00

Cork Institute of Technology

Research on the adoption of Environmental tools and Practices by Irish Companies

19,433.00

Ryan Glennon & Co Ltd

Research on Shannon Development Financing flows

29,754.00

Darkhorse Marketing Solutions Ltd

Survey of Equity Capital

14,520.00

Matheson Ormsby Prentice Ltd

Research on Regulation of Unsolicited Commercial Emails

7,260.00

Irish Management Institute

Action Learning Research Project

8,380.00

NUI Galway

IR — Research on Change

21,496.00

Burtenshaw Kenny Consultants

Investigation under the Anti-Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying Policy

4,159.10

New Ways of Working

To evaluate the Dept's Teleworking Pilot Scheme

4,598.00

Mercer Human Resource Consulting Ltd

Review of the staffing, recruitment and business process of the LRC

96,558.00

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young

Cross Departmental Feasibility Study on delivery of a number of Gov. services

270,737.50

Currach Technology

Development of the Employment Rights Enforcement System

384,979.00

Ryan Glennon & Co Ltd

Financing Review of Shannon Development

29,753.90

Farrell Grant Sparks

Preparation of report on Mainstreaming for EQUAL C.I.

23,999.20

Fitzpatick Associates

Interim & Mid Term Evaluation for EQUAL C.I.

23,716.00

Indecon Economic Consultants

Background research and analysis for Authority's Study of Professions

132,767.00

Maria Gilsenan & Co

Human Resource consultancy connected to Authority's recruitment programme

9,420.00

Marsh Financial Services Ltd

Expert analysis of insurance issue

3,267.00

MRBI

Research project into awareness of competition

26,741.00

LECG. Ltd

Background research and analysis for Authority's Study of banking sector

81,150.00

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Executive recruitment of Member of the Competition Authority

33,630.00

O'Donovan Associates

Ongoing Financial Consultancy

73,051.00

Caden Communications

Ongoing PR consultancy regarding Communications

38,192.39

Enterprise Ireland

Ongoing Testing Services of electrical appliances

2,262.70

PricewaterhouseCoopers

To examine criteria for selection public interest companies

38,236.00

P-E Consultancy Services (Ireland)

To assist in Interim Board to select a C.E.O.

10,200.00

Concept Design Group

To design a logo for IAASA

2,000.40

BARK

Various Graphic Design

22,300.00

Consultancies 2001

Information & Communications Technology

IR£

Baker Consultants

IT Consultancy

1,943

Clear Systems Solutions

System development + Org review projects

7,713

Coopers & Lybrand

System development + Org review projects

107,702

Deloitte & Touche

System development + Org review projects

25,834

Interact

System development + Org review projects

15,530

Oracle Europe Manu. Ltd

System development + Org review projects

55,174

Lar Burke

Evaluation IT System for use in project assessment

1,331

Quest Computing Ltd

System development + Org review projects

26,305

Exselan Computer Systems

Export Credit Sector IT System

14,134

Sword Ltd

Ptolemy System for Patents Office

155,000

Interact

Dept. website development

36,025

Progressive Systems Ent Ltd

Progress database of Dept's Financial Management System

13,400

Ernst & Young

System development & Org review projects

36,000

W3 Services

Web Design

14,520

Baker Consultants

Website development CRO

20,803

Deloitte & Touche

Various IT systems upgrade and project developments

559,900

Siemens Ltd

Oracles Receivables Development CRO

22,506

Filenet Ltd

Image system upgrade work CRO

1,512

Hewlett Packard Irl Ltd

Systems upgrade CRO

7,562

IBM

System development + Org review projects

25,713

Quest Computing Ltd

System development + Org review projects

40,000

Oracle Europe Manufacturing Ltd

System development + Org review projects

180,000

Sword Ltd

System development + Org review projects

141,527

CARA Computers

System development + Org review projects

25,410

Flextime

System development + Org review projects

6,115

O'Reilly Consultants

IT System

3,648

RG Consultancy

IT System Upgrade

18,845

EDI Factory

Electronic filing project

14,500

Deloitte & Touche

Systems Development

380,000

Clear System Solutions Ltd

System Development

1,524

Baker Consultants

Website design

6,050

CARA Computers

System development + Org review projects

75,153

Adrenalin Ltd

IT Consultancy

2,016

Prose

IT System procurement

49,496

Prose

IT Asset register

19,604

Deloitte & Touche

IT System remedial work

13,297

EPS

IT Bespoke system

19,542

Connest Business Solutions

IT Bespoke system

20,570

Version 1 Software

Database administration

8,712

Sword Ltd

IT System for Patents Office

108,055

Blue Wave Technology

Professional Advice

4,446

EDI Factory

Electronic filing project

19,000

Deloitte & Touche

System Development

577,421

CARA Computers

System development + Org review projects

12,634

Deloitte & Touche

Management Information Framework

155,680

Adrenalin Ltd

IT Consultancy

4,630

Xwave

E-public services strategy

42,000

Vizor Ltd

IT System upgrade

50,151

PricewaterhouseCoopers

IT System

1,259,310

Deloitte & Touche

Euro remedial work

159,870

Quest Computing Ltd

Euro remedial work

42,984

Version 1 Software

Euro remedial work

55,440

Prose

IT System development

26,998

Version 1 Software

Database administration

40,971

Connect Business Solutions

Systems enhancement

26,284

Decision Support Systems

Netware consultancy

21,000

Bianconi Research Ltd

IT Security Review

17,400

Renaissance

Mail Security Consultancy

900

Sword Ltd

Systems Development

379,000

Consultancies 2001

Legal advice, etc.

IR£

Patrick J. Morrissey & Co Solrs

Legal fees

1,838

Michael Collins SC

Legal fees

342

Phil Flynn/Dan McAuley

Enquiry under Sect. 38(2) Industrial Relations Act

78,816

Patrick J. Morrissey & Co Solrs

Legal fees

50,223

Michael Collins SC

Legal fees

14,438

James Phillips BL

Legal fees

10,071

O'Mara Geraghty McCourt

Legal fees

141,378

Dermot Mc Carthy SC

Report on use of pre-hearing assessment EAT

9,600

Patrick J. Morrissey & Co Solrs

Legal fees

7,472

Patrick Keane SC

Legal fees

5,545

James Phillips BL

Legal fees

3,725

Connolly Lowe

Legal fees

2,213

Declan Murphy

Company Law Review

4,840

Quin & Hampson

Legal Fees

775

O'Hare & Associates

Legal Fees

35,136

Gwen Malone Stenographers

Stenographers‘ Fees

4,251

Doyle Court Reporters

Court reporters‘ costs

3,273

Byrne Curtin Kelly

Witness Costs

363

Horwath Bastow Charleton

Liquidation Fees

169,400

Antonio Bueno QC

Legal Fees

87,687

O'Mara Geraghty McCourt

Legal Advice

65,050

Kilroys Solicitors

Professional Advice

1,852

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal Advice

2,147

James Devlin

Consulting on aspects of consolidating Company Law

33,879

Justin Dillon

Legal Advice

1,134

Doyle Court Reporters

Court reporters‘ costs

10,980

Byrne Curtin Kelly

Witness Costs

9,795

O'Hare & Associates

Legal Fees

37,830

O'Mara Geraghty McCourt

Legal Advice

62,202

James Devlin

Consulting on aspects of consolidating Company Law

52,000

Arthur Cox Solicitors

Legal Advice

10,200

Prof. Michael Bourne

Assignment re IIPA judicial review proceedings

6,000

Colm Dunne

Assignment re IIPA judicial review proceedings

6,000

James Nix

Legal Consultancy

4,416

Emmet Coldrick

Legal Consultancy

4,512

Cian Ferriter

F.O.I Legal Consultancy

1,980

John Hennessey

Legal Advice

39,624

Gwen Malone

Stenographers‘ fees

5,367

Brian Hutchinson

Legal Advice

3,200

Other Consultancies 2001

IR£

Dept of Economics, TCD

Study of Dublin Taxi Market

4,000

Dept of Economics, UCD

Report on Health Insurance Market

9,700

Irish Management Institute

Staff Development

5,000

AIB Corporate Finance

Consultant Study on IFI

23,595

Anne Connolly

SMI Resources

8,300

Michael McNamara

Management Consultancy Service

5,000

Tom Martin & Associates

Evaluation of Pilot Network Scheme

4,895

Sean Healy

Working Group on Sunday Trading in the Retail Sector

2,100

ESRI

Study in relation to National Minimum Wage

122,080

Deloitte & Touche

Review of Redundancy & Insolvency System

87,000

Deloitte & Touche

Review of Community Employment Programme

54,450

Coopers & Lybrand

Process modelling exercise Patents Office

40,000

Coopers & Lybrand

Design Sector Study

49,822

Fitzpatrick & Associates

Project on use of market driven approach

544

Pat Kearney

Assessment of County Enterprise Board Plans

8,700

Brendan Murphy

Assessment of County Enterprise Board Plans

2,200

Ciara Mc Carthy

Assessment of County Enterprise Board Plans

2,200

Ron Immink

Survey of childcare facilities funded by CEBs

4,000

Network Resources Ltd

Evaluation of Opportunities for Small Firms — Irish Public Sector Market

74,415

Chapman Flood

Study of financing needs of Small Business

47,795

Eustace-Patterson

Evaluation of Local Employment Service

29,855

BCT Communications

Advice on printing activities

605

BDO Simpson Xavier

Investigation into bank charges

28,937

EIRI Associates

Study of job options

5,324

Michael Kelleher

Study on mobile phone antennas

7,260

Oak Tree Press

Production of ’Start Your Own Business‘ Guide

35,400

O'Donovan & Associates

Advice on examination of applications made by Financial Institutions

35,088

PricewaterhouseCooper

Production of Business Guide

41,000

Tim Hastings

LRC Annual Report

2,480

Farrell Grant Sparks

Multimedia Study

10,160

Film Makers of Ireland

‘AV Sector’ Study

4,538

IBI Corporate Finance

Advise on sale of IFI

60,500

Imogen Bergin & Gerard O'Neill

Study of telefuture working

6,347

Kevin Bonner Business Insight

Advisory to Donegal Employment Initiatives

7,260

McGarry Consulting

Study on Franchising

24,745

Irish Management Institute

Design of senior management development programme

75,640

Deloite & Touche

Review Job Initiatives

20,000

ESRI

School Leavers Study

47,000

Glenwood Research

Report of National Advisory Council on Teleworking

9,200

Fitzpatrick Associates

Project on use of Market Driven Approach

16,413

Vision Consulting

Business Analysis of ESF Section

14,978

IBI Corporate Finance

Sale of IFI

24,200

Cooper & Lybrand

Design Sector Study

22,477

Ernst & Young

Business Modelling Study

27,043

Dept of Agribusiness UCD Business Insight Ltd

Examination of allegations into anti-competitive practices in Beef Industry

102,144

and Davy Kelleher McCarthy Ltd

Ditto

Creative Inputs

Corporate ID

13,915

Goodybody Economic Consultants

Retail Planning Guidelines Study

19,236

IndeconEconomic Dev Consultants

Evaluation of Ireland's participation in Expo 2000

87,033

Enterprise Ireland

Testing Services

27,662

O'Donovan & Associates

Consumer Credit Advice

55,541

The Radio Centre

Communications Advice

12,584

PricewaterhouseCooper

BPR

79,376

Ernst & Young

Determination of appropriate fees

14,600

Wall 2 Wall

Public Relations

10,927

Deloitte & Touche

Organisational Review

61,710

Slattery PR

Public Relations

2,293

Prof. Martin E. Cave

Technical Consultancy

2,011

Michael Power

Professional Advice

3,740

Cathy Young

Public Relations

3,837

Irish Marketing Surveys

Survey ebusiness awareness

2,208

Fitzpatricks Associates

Evaluation of failure — Small Business in Ireland

46,585

Fitzpatricks Associates

Evaluation of failure — Small Business in Ireland

23,100

Irish Marketing Surveys

Survey ebusiness awareness

2,190

Enterprise Ireland

Testing Services

12,187

PricewaterhouseCooper

Organisational Review ODCA

39,480

The Radio Centre

Communications Advice

39,603

O'Donovan & Associates

Consumer Credit Advice

69,174

Consumer Association of Ireland

Pricing Surveys

19,982

ESRI

Research Study on the Impact of the National Minimum Wage

60,075

Cathy Young

Public Relations

2,519

Chapman Flood Mazars

Audits of Small Business

38,400

The Circa Group

Evaluation of Training Network Programme

88,980

Tom Martin & Associates

Review of sheltered employment for people with disability

32,580

Watson Wyatt

Professional Advice

34,950

PricewaterhouseCooper

BPR

99,795

Ernst & Young

Drafting of Procedure Manual

18,902

Deloitte & Touche

Audit work

73,853

Mercator Marketing Research Ltd

Créche Research

7,020

Tom Walsh

Review of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989

50,000

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Consultancy on certain aspects of the RFS

18,000

Wall 2 Wall

Public Relations

22,883

Maria Gilsenan

Human Resources

480

MRBI

Casual Trading Research

60,516

Baker Consultants

Redesign of routing structure

1,200

Astron Consulting

Euro business impact analysis

2,178

IPA

Customer Care Research Project

32,185

A & L Goodbody

Report on UCIT Regulations

2,804

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Systems strategy consultancy

103,020

IndeconEconomic Dev. Consultants

Evaluation of Ireland's participation on EXPO

43,166

Consultancies 2000

Information & Communications Technology

IR£

RG Consultancy

IT System Upgrade

18,845

EDI Factory

Electronic filing project

14,500

Deloitte & Touche

Systems Development

380,000

Clear System Solutions Ltd

System Development

1,524

Baker Consultants

Website design

6,050

CARA Computers

System development + Org review projects

75,153

Adrenalin Ltd

IT Consultancy

2,016

Prose

IT System procurement

49,496

Prose

IT Asset register

19,604

Deloitte & Touche

IT System remedial work

13,297

EPS

IT Bespoke system

19,542

Connest Business Solutions

IT Bespoke system

20,570

Irish Marketing Surveys

Survey ebusiness awareness

2,208

Version 1 Software

Database administration

8,712

Sword Ltd

IT System for Patents Office

108,055

Consultancies 2000

Legal advice, etc.

IR£

Declan Murphy

Company Law Review

4,840

Quin & Hampson

Legal Fees

775

O'Hare & Associates

Legal Fees

35,136

Gwen Malone Stenographers

Stenographers‘ Fees

4,251

Doyle Court Reporters

Court reporters‘ costs

3,273

Byrne Curtin Kelly

Witness Costs

363

Horwath Bastow Charleton

Liquidation Fees

169,400

Antonio Bueno QC

Legal Fees

87,687

O'Mara Geraghty McCourt

Legal Advice

65,050

Kilroys Solicitors

Professional Advice

1,852

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal Advice

2,147

James Devlin

Consulting on aspects of consolidating Company Law

33,879

Other Consultancies 2000

IR£

Dept of Agribusiness UCD, Business Insight Ltd and Davy Kelleher McCarthy Ltd

Examination of allegations into anti-competitive practices in Beef Industry

102,144

Creative Inputs

Corporate ID

13,915

Goodybody Economic Consultants

Retail Planning Guidelines Study

19,236

IndeconEconomic Dev Consultants

Evaluation of Ireland's participation in Expo 2000

87,033

Enterprise Ireland

Testing Services

27,662

O'Donovan & Associates

Consumer Credit Advice

55,541

The Radio Centre

Communications Advice

12,584

PricewaterhouseCooper

BPR

79,376

Ernst & Young

Determination of appropriate fees

14,600

Wall 2 Wall

Public Relations

10,927

Deloitte & Touche

Organisational Review

61,710

Slattery PR

Public Relations

2,293

Prof. Martin E. Cave

Technical Consultancy

2,011

Michael Power

Professional Advice

3,740

Cathy Young

Public Relations

3,837

Fitzpatricks Associates

Evaluation of failure — Small Business in Ireland

46,585

Fitzpatricks Associates

Evaluation of failure — Small Business in Ireland

23,100

Consultancies 1999

Information & Communications Technology

IR£

Baker Consultants

Website Development

20,803

Deloitte & Touche

IT Systems upgrade& Project Develop.

559,900

Siemens Ltd

Oracles Receivables Development CRO

22,506

Filenet Ltd

Image System upgrade Work CRO

1,512

Hewlett packard Irl. Ltd

System upgrade CRO

7,562

IBM

System development + Org review Projects

25,713

Quest Computing Ltd

System development + Org review Projects

40,000

Oracle Europe manufacturing Ltd

System development + Org review Projects

180,000

Sword Ltd

System development + Org review Projects

141,527

CARA Computers

System development + Org review Projects

25,410

Flextime

System development + Org review Projects

6,115

O‘Reilly Consultants

IT System

3,648

Consultancies 1999

Legal advice, etc.

IR£

Patrick J. Morrissey & Co. Solrs

Legal Fees

7,472

Patrick Keane SC

Legal Fees

5,545

James Phillips BL

Legal Fees

3,725

Connolly Lowe

Legal Fees

2,213

Other Consultancies 1999

IR£

Deloitte & Touche

Review Job Initiative

20,000

ESRI

School Leavers Study

47,000

Glenwood Research

Report of NAC on Teleworking

9,200

Fitzpatrick Associates

Project on use of Market Driven Approach

16,413

Vision Consulting

Business Analysis of ESF Section

14,978

IBI Corporate Finance

Sale of IFI

24,200

Coopers & Lybrand

Design Sector Study

22,477

Ernst & Young

Business Modelling Study

27,043

EU Regulations.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

195 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if all county councils are complying with the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997; if she will give details of any instances where a particular county council was penalised for non-compliance with the aforementioned legislation together with particulars of penalties imposed since the legislation was enacted in January 1998 in the case of each county council in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4611/04]

The area of late payment in commercial transactions comes within the area of responsibility of my Department. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 (SI 388 of 2002) came into operation on 7 August 2002. Under the regulations, sections 4 to 11 of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 were repealed. It is the regulations, rather than the Prompt Payment Act, which now govern payment practices in both the public and private sectors. This legislation provides an entitlement to interest in the event of payment for a commercial transaction being late. The entitlement to interest is a matter for the supplier to follow up or to enforce.

In December 2002 my Department wrote to all Departments asking them to advise public bodies under their aegis that they should continue to report their payment practices as they had under the 1997 Act. County councils must publish an annual report and, accordingly, details of their payment practice should be published in the annual report. I do not have details of instances where any county council may have been pursued for late payment interest.

Industrial Development.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

196 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has activated the early warning response system in her Department with regard to the proposed sale of a company, details supplied, to new owners and the possible impact of restructuring on the operations at Dublin Airport; and the steps she is taking to strengthen the position of the Irish operator in any restructuring. [4668/04]

In August 2002, FLS Industries announced its intention to dispose of its aerospace business as part of a disposal of non-core businesses. It is understood that the sale of FLS Aerospace (including FLS, Dublin) has not yet been completed and is subject to the approval of various regulatory authorities. IDA Ireland is closely monitoring developments and has sought an early meeting with SR Technics, the purchasers of FLS Aerospace, to discuss its future plans for the Irish operation.

Financial Services Regulation.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

197 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of claims occurring from the collapse of a company (details supplied); the impact that these claims are having on jobs; if she will provide a portion of the insurance levy to compensate some of these claimants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4671/04]

I no longer have responsibility for insurance undertakings. From 1 May 2003, the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, is responsible for practically all of the financial services industry, including the registration and supervision of insurance undertakings and the services provided by them. I do not have the information that the Deputy is requesting in relation to the company to which the Deputy refers.

The levy that the Deputy refers to is a tax, stamp duty, and is levied on non-life insurance policies at the rate of 2% on an insurer's gross premium income in respect of risks located in Ireland. The proceeds of the levy go to the Exchequer and any review of this levy is therefore a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Companies Legislation.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

198 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new exemption threshold in respect of the Companies (Auditing and Accountancy) Act 2003 will come into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4672/04]

The main purpose of the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003, which was signed by the President on 23 December 2003, is to provide for the establishment and functions of a new supervisory body, the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority, but a number of other amendments and additions to company law are also provided for in the Act. These include the provisions of section 53, which increase the turnover threshold below which certain private companies which otherwise meet the requirements in section 32 of the Companies (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1999 are eligible for exemption from the statutory requirement to have their accounts audited.

While I hope to be in a position to commence most of the substantive provisions of the Companies Act 2003 in the near future, if there is likely to be any significant delay in this regard, I will give consideration to early commencement of individual sections, including section 53.

Community Employment Schemes.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

199 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of participants in community employment in County Kerry; the number of participants at the end of the years 2001, 2002 and 2003; the reasons for the reduction in the number of participants in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4828/04]

The allocation of community employment places on a county-by-county basis is a matter for FÁS and I have no function in the matter. In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, participation levels have gradually been reduced in line with reductions in long-term unemployment and a strategic shift in policy in favour of training and other more appropriate supports.

Year-end participation levels on CE for the past three years are as follows:

Year

Year-end places

2001

30,809

2002

24,991

2003

19,848

No further reduction in participation levels is targeted in 2004.

Pension Provisions.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

200 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an employer can insist that an employee take out an occupational pension when he has already taken out a private pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4967/04]

My Department has no statutory responsibility for the regulation of occupational pension schemes. The supervision of such schemes and their operation are matters for the Pensions Board established by my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs under the Pensions Act 1990.

Health and Safety Regulations.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

201 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether an upgrade in health and safety inspection procedures and legislation is necessary with regard to high tower cranes following two recent near disasters in Dublin city in view of proposals for large scale high rise developments across the city, including in the northern fringe. [5010/04]

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2001, S.I. No. 481 of 2001, contain detailed provisions relating to the construction, maintenance, inspection, operation, testing and examination etc. of lifting appliances, including tower cranes. They also contain requirements regarding specific certified training of tower crane drivers.

In addition the Health and Safety Authority and the National Standards Authority of Ireland intend to publish a joint standard/code of practice, this year, on the safe operation of cranes in the construction industry. This has been prepared in consultation with all the key players in the construction industry.

Bullying in the Workplace.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

202 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans her Department has to introduce legislation to criminalise bullying in the workplace. [5049/04]

A task force on the prevention of workplace bullying was established on 21 September 1999 to identify the size of the problem and the sectors most at risk and to develop practical programmes and strategies to prevent workplace bullying.

The task force examined the existing legislation on industrial relations, employment equality, protection and health and safety issues. Serious consideration was given to the need for new or amending anti-bullying legislation. The task force were of the view that the existing legislation is comprehensive in its application and that it would be premature to expand the already comprehensive code of labour law until one has been completely satisfied that it has been fully and properly utilised. I have no plans, at present, to introduce new legislation.

Economic Competitiveness.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

203 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason Ireland has become uncompetitive despite having an apparently low inflation rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5075/04]

The most recent inflation figures from the consumer price index show an inflation rate of 1.8% in January 2004. This is significantly lower than the 5.1% rate of increase recorded in February 2003. The reduction in the rate of inflation, is encouraging and is in keeping with the objective set in the partnership programme, Sustaining Progress. The goal of Sustaining Progress is to create a virtuous circle of low inflation, moderate wage growth and higher productivity, thereby providing a firm competitive business environment for Irish industry.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that Ireland remains competitive as a guarantee to future economic success and to correctly position ourselves to take advantage of improvements in the global economy. The annual competitiveness report, 2003, produced by the National Competitiveness Council, while confirming many of Ireland's strengths, highlighted the many challenges we face and the difficult choices we have to make in the present uncertain global economic environment. Strengthening competitiveness requires a number of actions and both the Government and I are fully committed to taking the appropriate measures as I have stated on previous occasions.

The Government is continuing to take steps to strengthen competitiveness across the economy and to implement specific measures to tackle cost pressures in key areas for Irish industry. One such area is insurance. As the Deputy will be aware I am in the process of implementing a programme to fundamentally reform the insurance market to tackle the issue of high premiums, which have had a detrimental effect both on consumers and on business competitiveness. I am committed to continuing with the reform programme and bringing about improvements in the functioning of the insurance market. A key aspect of this is the establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, under the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003. The PIAB is expected to be up and running in the near future. It will reduce the litigation costs associated with delivering compensation.

I have stated on several occasions that the principal and most sustainable method for reducing costs and maintaining them at an acceptable level is to increase competition in all sectors of the economy. We cannot afford to have sheltered sectors of the Irish economy immune from price competition. Competition in all sectors must be encouraged to ensure goods and services are provided at an efficient and affordable price. The powers and resources of the Competition Authority have been increased substantially to enable them to effectively tackle cartels and abuses of dominant position and to recommend regulatory reforms to improve competition in key markets.

Work Permits.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

204 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the refusal to issue new work permits in certain occupational sectors applies to employees already working in those sectors; if she agrees that this policy effectively prevents these workers from changing employers; when this policy will be changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5095/04]

Work permits are not issued in respect of certain ineligible job categories. These include low skilled clerical, administrative and general operative jobs where workers should be readily available in Ireland and the wider EEA, in sectors such as retail, transport, hotel and catering, construction etc and for child minding in domestic circumstances. Full details are available from my Departments website and from FÁS. This restriction does not apply to the renewal of existing work permits.

Where an employee wishes to change employers, a new permit can be applied for, but not to fill a job on the ineligible list. This should not prevent a worker applying for jobs that are eligible, including jobs in the meat and mushroom industries, farming and forestry sectors to mention just a few. The list of ineligible categories is kept under constant review by my Department in consultation with FÁS and was last updated in December 2003.

After EU enlargement, in May 2004, it is anticipated that new work permits will be granted only for higher skilled, higher paid employment, the balance of our overseas personnel needs being met from within the enlarged EU labour market.

The Department will readily renew permits of persons already working here, on receipt of a valid application.

Competition Authority.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

205 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of documents that have been delivered to the Competition Authority arising from a summons to each financial institution; and when a report in respect of charges, fees and so on will be published. [5175/04]

The Competition Authority is an independent statutory body with a specific role to enforce Irish competition law, something it is charged with doing primarily to protect and benefit the consumer.

I am aware that the authority is undertaking, on its own initiative, a study of competition in the provision of banking services in the State. It is empowered to do this under section 30(1)(a) of the Competition Act 2002.

The authority's study is currently focusing on two specific market sectors, personal current accounts and SME lending, and is looking at these sectors from the perspective of barriers to entry and the degree of rivalry. As part of the study, the authority has obviously sought information and documentation from a number of banks and clearing organisations operating in Ireland.

I have no idea of how many documents have been delivered to the authority in response to such requests. It would, of course, be highly improper of me as Minister to interfere in any way with the conduct or independence of the authority's study.

It is the intention of the authority that its report will be available in the autumn.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4541/04]

The position is that the type of detailed statistical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. It would take a disproportionate amount of time to compile this information as it would necessitate examination of all procurement files over the seven year period mentioned. I regret therefore that I cannot accede to the Deputy's request.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/04]

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Year

Name

Purpose

Cost €

1999 — 04

Brady, Shipman, Martin

Drawing up of an integrated Area Action Plan for Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Cork

128,902

1999 — 04

Sir Frederick Snow & Partners Ltd.

Review of policy in relation to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel

12,817

1999 — 00

Mr. L. Dunbar

Review of the Medical Corps

4,360

1999 — 00

Anti Bullying Centre, Trinity College

To conduct an investigation into an allegation of bullying

6,599

2000 — 01

Exselan Computer Systems

To facilitate development of Department's E-Government Strategy Statement

22,093

2000 — 04

Brian Meehan & Associates

Grounds of Appeal on behalf of the Minister relating to Aeronautical Development Planning & Development Control matters adjacent to Casement Aerodrome

20,682

2001

Deloitte & Touche

Study in relation to the introduction of the Management Information Framework in the Department and the Defence Forces

129,883

2001

Saville & Holdsworth Ltd.

Assist in the conduct of job evaluation for the Defence Forces

44,268

2001

Intercontinental Aviation Consultants

Carry out an Air Operations Safety Audit of the Air Corps

55,442

2001 — 02

Dr. Eileen Doyle

(Chairperson) Report concerning the nature and extent of any harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment in the Defence Forces

63,000

2001 — 02

Gallagher & Kelly Public Relations

Public relations service

32,048

2001

Margaret Considine

Assist in the selection of advertising agency

4,920

2002

Sweeney Communications

Public relations service

12,235

2002- ongoing

Dr. Eileen Doyle

Chairperson, Monitoring Group to give effect to recommendations of the Report concerning harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment in the Defence Forces

117,400

2003

Mr. Martin McCoy

Assist in the Department's preparations to seek ISO 9000 accreditation

9,901

2003 — ongoing

Mr. Dominic McCanny

To conduct an investigation into an allegation of bullying

26,029

2003 — ongoing

Deloitte & Touche

Assist with specification and selection of Management Information Framework System

25,662

In addition, consultants with appropriate expertise are engaged by the Department as necessary to provide technical services in connection with building, engineering and equipment projects etc. and in connection with psychometric testing for Army, Naval Service and Air Corps cadetships and trainee technicians.

Defence Forces Staff.

David Stanton

Ceist:

208 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number promoted to corporal under DFR A10 paragraph 37(4) and A Admin Instr Part 10, paragraph 303, in the past 12 months; the number who applied and who were not successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4649/04]

The military authorities have advised that in 2003 a total of 171 personnel were promoted to the rank of corporal. Of these, 168 were promoted under the terms of Defence Force Regulation A 10, paragraph 37(4). One private was promoted to corporal under the terms of A Administrative Instruction Part 10 paragraph 303. Two privates were promoted to corporal under the terms of Defence Force Regulation A 10, paragraph 38 (8).

Privates may be promoted to the rank of corporal to fill vacancies in the establishment upon the authority of the general officer commanding the command. Such vacancies are not normally advertised and are made on the recommendations for promotion by the unit commander.

Defence Forces Review.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

209 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made on the implementation of the implementation plan in 1998 and the report of the steering group on the special study of the Reserve Defence Force; the number of recommendations which have been implemented; the plans the Government has to implement the rest; and the likely timeframe for full implementation. [4733/04]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

211 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the position of the implementation plan on the Defence Forces 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4968/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 211 together.

On 15 January 2003 I approved, in principle, the report of the Reserve Defence Forces review implementation board for the implementation of the recommendations of the special steering group on the Reserve, which had reported to me in September 1999.

The Permanent Defence Force is now organised in a three-brigade structure and a Defence Forces training centre. The Reserve Defence Force will be similarly reorganised and restructured and it is envisaged that the implementation of these changes in the Reserve Defence Force will take place over a period of approximately six years.

The White Paper on defence recognised that a notable and important feature of the existing FCA organisation is its countrywide, geographical spread. This particular aspect will, in general terms, be retained in the future. The full organisational and establishment details of the new Reserve will be determined in the course of the ongoing detailed implementation process. Plans are currently being prepared within each brigade for the amalgamation of FCA units in line with the proposals outlined in the steering group report. The objective of this process is to ensure that better training and other facilities will be provided to members of the Reserve Defence Force. No decisions have yet been taken on the location of proposed newly amalgamated units but the military authorities have advised me that all proposed amalgamations will provide an optimal environment for personnel in the relevant areas to partake in the new enhanced Reserve Defence Force.

Members of the FCA are already seeing the benefits of the reorganisation process in terms of better clothing and improved equipment and more and better quality training. As the process develops we will see additional benefits in terms of a clearer role for the Reserve, a better overall organisation structure, and opportunities for suitably qualified Reserve personnel to serve overseas. We will also see benefits from the closer integration of the Reserve with the Army.

I must emphasise I am very mindful of the need to preserve and to retain the very many traditional and well established strengths of the current Reserve system, not least the admirable spirit of individual voluntary commitment, close social links with local communities and a good depth and scope as regards nation-wide geographical spread.

Planning is ongoing by the military authorities but no final decision on the amalgamation of FCA units will be taken until I have had the opportunity to examine and approve the final amalgamation proposals.

Defence Forces Property.

John Bruton

Ceist:

210 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the Gormanstown Military Camp lands. [4741/04]

On 1 July 2003, the Government agreed that Gormanston Camp, County Meath, would be among the State lands released under the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative.

The intention is that this initiative will be targeted at those who in the past would have expected to purchase a house from their own resources but find that they are unable to do so in the current market. The release of State lands under this Initiative is a critical first step in ensuring early delivery of affordable housing units.

The modalities regarding the transfer of Gormanston Camp are under active consideration in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department for the development of the affordable housing initiative.

Question No. 211 answered with QuestionNo. 209.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

212 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Defence if he would acknowledge that a draft protected area order was prepared in relation to Baldonnel aerodrome in accordance with section 36 of the Defence Act 1954 and that such a draft order related to building restrictions of varying extents within four sub-areas around the aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4975/04]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 150 on 16 December 2003 wherein I outlined the position in relation to restrictions on the use of land in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome.

Following a review of the Department's safety policy regarding Casement Aerodrome in 1999 a revised policy statement, based on the recommendations of the consultants who conducted the review and having regard to the security requirements for this military establishment, was forwarded to South Dublin County Council for incorporation into their development plan.

The security zone and the approach areas (four), which conform to International Civil Aviation Organisation criteria, form part of the safety policy. The various restrictions on development in the vicinity of the aerodrome are, accordingly, reflected in the current plan.

Section 7(1)(e) of the Local Government Act 1991, requires a local authority, in performing its functions, to have regard to the policies and objectives of the Government and any Minister of the Government in so far as they may affect or relate to its functions. The present arrangement which was designed to ensure the safety of military air traffic en route to and from Casement Aerodrome has operated satisfactorily down the years and, accordingly, it has not been necessary to introduce a protected area order as provided for at section 36 of the Defence Act 1954 .

Defence Forces Personnel.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

213 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if duplicate documents will be issued outlining the Army service of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who served in Fermoy, County Cork, and has lost the original documents; if the documents will include reference to their HGV driving licence and records to enable them to convert this to a full licence issued by any local authority; and if this matter will be expedited. [4984/04]

A certificate of service (LA89) is issued to all personnel on discharge from the Permanent Defence Force. This document contains all the relevant information pertaining to an individual's military service, including testimonials. It is not possible for a duplicate LA89 to be issued. However, a statement of service (AF643) may be issued on application to Other Ranks Administration Section, Defence Forces Headquarters, Infirmary Road, Dublin 7.

Military personnel, who held a military driving permit (AF154), may at time of discharge apply for a certificate of competency to enable them to apply for a civilian driving licence. This certificate of competency is valid for five years. The individual in question was discharged from the Defence Forces in 1987, so any such certificate would by now be invalid in any event.

Grant Payments.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

214 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford only received payment for 11 and not 17 cows under the beef premium; the options available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4516/04]

The person named submitted two applications under the 2003 special beef premium scheme. The first application was received on 28 May 2003 in respect of 12 male animals. Advance payment of 80% of €1440 for these animals issued on 29 January 2004.

A second application was received on 15 September 2003 in respect of 17 male animals. Following computer validation of this application, one of these animals showed as a female, while a further five were shown as sold within the retention period. Therefore, the advance payment of €1320, which issued on 29 January 2004, was in respect of 11 animals. Following correspondence with the person named and review within my Department, the position with regard to the five animals sold within retention has been resolved and an advance payment in respect of these animals will issue shortly. As only male animals are eligible for the scheme, no payment is due in respect of the animal identified as female.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4542/04]

There have been no cost overruns on contracts or procurements in the strict sense during the past seven years. However on occasion my Department has approved some additional costs mainly arising from changes in specifications. These relate in particular to IT projects and the Punchestown event and exhibition centre.

In relation to IT projects, it is the practice when outsourcing bespoke software development to do so on the basis of a fixed price for the specified work. To this extent the cost of the work set out in the request for tender does not vary. However in such tenders the supplier is normally asked to quote a daily rate for additional work or changes that arise during the duration of the contract. The option of having additional work carried out at these rates is included the contract. Any such additional work or changes to existing work is controlled under and must be approved by the Department before being carried out by the supplier.

With bespoke software development, no matter how well business functionality is specified, it is likely that some new functionality requirements will arise during development. The extent to which this will arise depends both on the duration and scale of the development. Where the supplier through no fault of the Department requires more effort to complete a task, the additional effort is normally at their own loss.

An exception to this was the NASA project, my Department's new accounting system. It became clear that the software delivered did not meet the Department's requirements especially in relation to Government cash accounting. My Department had to renegotiate the contract to have a suitable solution delivered.

Because of the extended implementation timescale, there were increased costs for external management consulting. The total external costs of the project came to €6.4 million excluding VAT. The total overrun on the original contract together with consequential costs in additional contracts for management consultancy comes to €3.3 million excluding VAT.

Major IT projects carry inherent risks that some specified functionality may not be deliverable by the solution providers. In order to minimise these risks the Department has revised its policy on such projects and current policy includes: minimising the customisation of packaged software solutions; and segmenting of major projects into smaller phases, each of which is signed off and delivered before proceeding with further phases.

On 1 August 2000 the Punchestown event and exhibition centre was provided with funding which would not exceed €13.3 million. This was increased by €1.5 million on 3 October 2001 to meet local authority planning requirements regarding sewage treatment and additional car parking. In the end a total of €14.6 million was paid for the project.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4557/04]

The information requested is being forwarded to the Deputy.

Milk Quota.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

217 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if additional milk quota will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the special arrangement for hardship cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4573/04]

Allocations of milk quota from the national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system.

The person named submitted an application for additional quota on the grounds of hardship in the current 2003/04 milk quota year. As the application form was not fully completed it was returned to the applicant. When the completed form has been returned to my Department it will be considered by the tribunal and a decision will be taken in this case.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

218 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if additional milk quota will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the special provision for hardship cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4574/04]

Allocations of milk quota from the national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system.

The person named last applied to the tribunal in the 2001/2002 milk quota year but there is no record of him having applied in the current 2003/04 quota year. While the deadline for application in respect of the current quota year has passed an application may be made for the 2004/05 quota year when the application forms become available in the autumn.

Common Agricultural Policy.

John Perry

Ceist:

219 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on correspondence (details supplied). [4602/04]

John Gormley

Ceist:

224 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the external effects of CAP reform, for example on developing countries, will be fully dealt with by the EU Agriculture Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4726/04]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

228 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will ensure that CAP reforms which benefit Irish farmers will not impact negatively on farmers in other countries, especially African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. [4965/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 224 and 228 together.

The recent reform of the CAP will be of benefit to developing countries. Decoupled payments will replace production-related supports, thereby reducing the potential distortion impact of these measures.

The Council of Agriculture Ministers and the European Union generally are acutely aware of the needs of developing countries and of the implications for them of policy decisions taken at EU level. The EU has provided over many years for preferential access to EU markets for exports from developing countries through the ACP association agreement, the generalised system of preferences and other preferential trade agreements. More recently, the EU has offered duty-free and quota-free access to all imports except arms from the least developed countries. Also, in the context of the current WTO round of trade negotiations, the EU has offered generous arrangements under the heading of special and differential treatment for developing countries.

Potato Disease.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

220 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the disease in seed potatoes similar to foot and mouth disease in animals; and the action he is taking to ensure that the spread of this disease is contained and eradicated in due course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4605/04]

I presume the Deputy is referring to an outbreak of ring rot on a farm in Wales, which occurred in November 2003.

Ring rot is a bacterial disease that only affects potatoes. It is not airborne and does not survive in soil without a host crop, but it can survive for some time on machinery, handling equipment and stores. Ring rot is primarily introduced by the planting of infected seed potatoes.

Under Council Directive 93/85/EEC all member states are obliged to carry out annual surveys for ring rot. The directive also lays down detailed measures, which must be observed in relation to the detection, prevention, spread and eradication of the pathogen. Last year my Department took 600 samples under the survey across the whole potato sector involving the national crop of seed and ware and imports from the EU and third countries. The sampling regime is based on risk analysis and to date all samples have proved negative for ring rot.

A single infection of ring rot on one farm in Wales in November 2003 was confirmed. This triggered a review of our measures, which have proven adequate to date. I will continue to monitor the situation in the United Kingdom closely in consultation with the authorities there.

In addition, testing for ring rot is being reviewed in the context of the risks involved and all commercial growers, with the co-operation of the IFA, have been asked to identify their seed source to supplement existing information for risk assessment for the disease. Some re-orientation of existing controls, with an increase in inspection levels, follow-up sampling and testing has also been undertaken.

Growers and traders have been advised as to what precautions should be taken to reduce the risks of an outbreak and spread of the disease. Such measures include good rotation and hygiene and the purchasing of seed, from reliable sources. Traders should ensure that there is proper labelling and documentation and deal only in quality potato products, at all times.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

221 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation regarding an application for the redesignation of the remainder of Monaghan as severely handicapped; when the application went to Brussels; when he expects a decision on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4632/04]

The position is that on one occasion in 2002 and on three occasions in 2003 of my Department raised the issues of extension and reclassification of Ireland's disadvantaged areas at meetings with the EU Commission.

On all four occasions the Commission services strongly made the point that a review request for reclassification of any area could lead to a demand for justification of the current designation and classification of all Ireland's existing disadvantaged areas.

On the most recent occasion when my Department's officials endeavoured to progress this matter at a meeting with the Commission on 9 December last they were advised again by the Commission to be well aware of the risk associated with an examination of any formal request for reclassification.

In the light of the Commission's attitude, which has its basis in negative comments by the Court of Auditors, my Department is examining at present how best it can progress this matter further.

Control of Horses Legislation.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

222 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Control of Horses Act 1996 applies to unlicensed commonage in view of the fact that there is no reference to commonage in the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4650/04]

Under section 17(1) of the Act a local authority may by-laws declare all or any part of its functional area to be a control area where it is satisfied that horses in that area should be licensed having regard to the need to control the keeping of horses, the need to prevent nuisance, annoyance or injury to persons or damage to property by horses and such other matters as it considers relevant. Therefore, commonages can be included within the provisions of section 17 of the Control of Horses Act.

Common Agricultural Policy.

John Gormley

Ceist:

223 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will call for a review, under the auspices of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers, of CAP reform and its effects on ACP agriculture; and if he will seek for agricultural trade issues to be addressed as an integral part of the ACP-EU economic partnership agreement negotiations. [4725/04]

The Council of Agriculture Ministers is acutely aware of the needs of developing countries and of the implications for them of policy decisions taken at EU level. I am satisfied that the recent reform of the CAP will be of benefit to developing countries, including ACP countries. Decoupled payments will replace production-related supports, thereby reducing the potential distortion impact of production-related supports.

Trade with ACP countries is governed by the terms of the ACP-EU partnership which was signed in Cotonou in June 2000 under which the EU grants non-reciprocal trade preferences to imports from ACP countries. In September 2002, the ACP countries and the EU officially launched negotiations on a series of economic partnership agreements which will replace the existing arrangements with reciprocal agreements that are WTO compatible and which will retain an element of differential treatment for the ACP countries. The economic partnership agreements will cover trade in agricultural products. The current preferential trade regime has been extended pending completion of the negotiations.

Question No. 224 answered with QuestionNo. 219.

John Gormley

Ceist:

225 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will insist on moving away from the ideological position that new forms of support are non-trade distorting to a recognition that new forms of support have an impact on production and trade, the precise impact of which on developing countries will need to be assessed on a case by case basis. [4727/04]

The reform of the Common Agriculture Policy as agreed last year in Luxembourg has resulted in a continuation of the move from product support to producer support. The key for Ireland, due to my decision to go for full decoupling at the earliest date, is that the single farm payment will no longer be linked to the production of individual agricultural commodities. This complies with the criteria for the green box as set down by the World Trade Organisation.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development uses the term "non or minimally trade distorting" for the range of policies which do not have any significant impact upon production and I believe that this term applies to the decoupled payment regime now being established for Irish agriculture.

The recent reform of the CAP will be of benefit to developing countries as decoupled payments will replace production related supports, thereby reducing their impact and potential to distort trade and markets.

Grant Payments.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

226 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when it is proposed to issue grant aid under the native woodland scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4813/04]

I am not aware of any application for grant aid under the native woodland scheme from the person in question.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

227 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he has taken to secure the classification as severely handicapped of the part of County Monaghan not currently so designated. [4901/04]

The position is that on one occasion in 2002 and on three occasions in 2003 of my Department raised the issues of extension and reclassification of Ireland's disadvantaged areas at meetings with the EU Commission.

On all four occasions the Commission services strongly made the point that a review request for reclassification of any area could lead to a demand for justification of the current designation and classification of all Ireland's existing disadvantaged areas.

On the most recent occasion when my Department's officials endeavored to progress this matter at a meeting with the Commission on 9 December last they were advised again by the Commission to be well aware of the risk associated with an examination of any formal request for reclassification.

In the light of the Commission's attitude, which has its basis in negative comments by the Court of Auditors, my Department is examining at present how best it can progress this matter further.

Question No. 228 answered with QuestionNo. 219.

Grant Payments.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

229 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding new entrants to farming under force majeure; and his views specifically in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [4998/04]

Following my decision that all direct payments under the livestock premia and arable aid schemes will be decoupled from production with effect from 1 January 2005 and replaced by the single payment scheme, I decided that farmers who feel that their farming enterprise was adversely affected by force majeure/exceptional circumstances could apply to my Department to have their case considered.

An application has been received from the person named, and is currently under consideration and the person named will be notified of my Department's decision in due course. It is expected that the full details in relation to new entrants will be clarified with the publication of the EU Commission's detailed rules concerning the application of Council Regulation EC no 1782/2003.

GATT Licences.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

230 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department is conducting an investigation into the possible misappropriation of GATT licences to connected companies under EU regulations, relating to the importation of meat; when the matter first came to the attention of his Department; when he expects that such an investigation will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4999/04]

My Department is not conducting an investigation into any aspect of GATT licences.

The Deputy may be referring to correspondence between the European Commission dated 7 July 2003 and some member states concerning the number of approved operators under Regulation (EC) No 780/2003 (GATT frozen beef). The Commission asked member states to proceed to a further examination of the applications and address specific questions relating to these applications. The questions related to proof of beef sector activity in 2003 by the applicant companies, contact, VAT and company registration details. It also asked member states to state if a comparison had been made between the list of applicants in 2003 with the list in respect of the previous year to establish that the companies were not connected in terms of management, staff and operations.

My Department provided a comprehensive reply to the Commission by letter dated 18 July 2003. There has been no further contact from the Commission in this regard.

Badger Numbers.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

231 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of badgers that were killed in each of the 26 counties for each of the years from 1995 through to 2003. [5097/04]

The following table sets out the information requested for the years 1995-2002. The figures for 2003 are not yet available.

County

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Carlow

0

108

72

116

157

114

41

142

Cavan

176

146

63

87

81

240

98

186

Clare

239

219

159

151

338

286

134

183

Cork

92

138

209

500

423

323

379

525

Donegal

36

65

171

134

165

119

68

88

Dublin

0

3

0

3

32

5

0

1

Galway

58

105

8

40

48

76

85

83

Kerry

15

34

24

7

61

170

122

162

Kildare

8

15

22

16

24

165

25

290

Kilkenny

307

439

366

261

297

243

209

233

Laois

103

306

139

139

91

135

76

191

Leitrim

30

52

55

23

173

253

229

227

Limerick

22

45

32

66

87

119

18

146

Longford

99

68

88

72

105

165

108

147

Louth

0

0

15

19

40

131

52

111

Mayo

112

65

22

31

30

173

373

424

Meath

19

0

0

10

17

11

164

412

Monaghan

132

233

141

194

249

464

212

331

Offaly

110

240

204

167

224

315

126

352

Roscommon

0

236

79

45

108

186

166

413

Sligo

84

92

56

156

124

346

219

290

Tipperary

161

230

126

114

303

351

199

306

Waterford

18

29

1

51

67

43

115

330

Westmeath

84

229

84

45

86

74

0

103

Wexford

89

21

18

17

75

98

192

181

Wicklow

17

39

17

10

128

122

148

258

Totals

2,011

3,157

2,171

2,474

3,533

4,727

3,558

6,115

Flood Relief.

John Bruton

Ceist:

232 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when the final report by consultants (details supplied) on flood alleviation works to be initiated along the Tolka River will be published; the meeting he has had with representatives from these consultants with regard to the final publication of their report on works to alleviate the flooding of the River Tolka in the Meath and Fingal County Council areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4532/04]

The final report of the River Tolka flooding study was published by Dublin City Council, which is the contracting authority for the greater Dublin drainage study of which the study of the River Tolka forms part, in December 2003 and details the measures required to protect homeowners against flooding along the river. The report was commissioned in association with Meath and Fingal County Councils, and the Office of Public Works, which funded the report. The final report is available for viewing in Meath County Council's area office and library in Dunshaughlin and has also been published on the Council's website. It is also available for viewing in Fingal County Council's offices in Swords and will soon be published on its website. Dublin City Council has also published the report on its website and it is also available at its offices in Wood Quay as well as Drumcondra library.

As the Deputy will be aware, OPW has been undertaking flood alleviation works since mid 2003 on behalf of Meath County Council in the Dunboyne and Clonee areas on foot of the interim report produced by the consultants in late 2002. These works comprise the interim and phase 1 works as described in the final report and will be completed later this year. I am satisfied that these works, when completed, will give long-term protection from flooding in the Dunboyne and Clonee areas from the Castle Stream and River Tolka.

Fingal County Council has now approved a package of works it its area, and detailed design is currently being prepared. OPW and the council have reached agreement on the implementation of the proposed works and it is hoped that the works will commence in the next few weeks.

Disabled Drivers.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

233 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the entitlements for VRT exclusions to include Aniridia; when this will be included on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4533/04]

I assume that the Deputy in referring to the disabled driver's and disabled passenger's (tax concessions) scheme.

An interdepartmental group was established to review the disabled driver's and disabled passenger's (tax concessions) scheme. The group examined all aspects of the scheme. I have received the report of the review group and it is currently being considered. Any recommendations contained in this report will receive full consideration.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

234 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4543/04]

Contracts in my Department are generally of limited cost and of an advisory nature and significant cost overruns are therefore not a frequent feature. My Department has identified two contracts in which overruns occurred. A contract with the IPA for a review of the internal audit function in the Department saw an increase of €5,445 on an original contract price of €3,630. The cost increase arose because it became clear, after the commencement of the project, that more in-depth interviews were necessary to complete a satisfactory review.

In the NDP/CSF information unit, which operates under the aegis of my Department, a contract with Drury Communications Limited for public awareness research saw an overrun of €2,767 on a contract of €48,567 because the survey questionnaire finally agreed was significantly longer than originally estimated.

Prevention of a recurrence in the sort of cases mentioned above would require more comprehensive specification of the projects prior to commencement and this will be done as far as possible. Presumably the Deputy's main interest is in relation to capital projects. In view of this and although the OPW is not funded directly or indirectly by my Department, that office will communicate any relevant information in relation to its contracts or procurements during the past seven years direct to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

235 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4558/04]

My Department had spending on reports, consultancies and other advisory or PR commissions as mentioned by the Deputy in each of the five years 1999 to 2003. In addition, the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland (ECBI), which was within my Department's remit, also incurred such expenditure in the years 1999 to 2002. The NDP/CSF unit, which operates under the aegis of my Department, also had such spending, but a breakdown of that spending is only available by project.

The total in respect of each year for the Department and the ECBI, and the total for the NDP/CSF unit for the years in question, are shown in the following summary table:

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Department of Finance

1,317,454

1,399,827

5,281,142

2,871,437

1,994,184

Euro Changeover Board of Ireland

644,680

1,177,762

5,972,921

1,424,754

NDP/CSF unit — Total for 1999 to 2003 €3,289,749

The information sought by the Deputy is set out on a year by year basis for the Department and the ECBI in the detailed tables that follow. As will be seen from the tables, some projects involved payments in more than one year. In the case of the NDP/CSF Unit the information is provided for each individual project.

Department of Finance 1999

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Ernst & Young

10,158

Assisting in recruiting a PPP Project Specialist.

McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

58,734

Advice regarding Liability of the Minister for Finance in respect of Pension Entitlements of former Civil Servants.

Howard Johnson/HCM Consultants

166,765

Payment for actuarial services in respect of the discharge of certain Exchequer pension liabilities — Telecom Éireann An Post, IAA, Coillte.

Mercer Limited

25,395

Additional Voluntary Contributions/ Purchase of Notional Service.

Irish Pensions Trust Limited (Mercer Limited)

73,645

Further actuarial review of Impact of Changes to Pension scheme terms.

Fitzpatrick Associates (in conjunction with Ernst & Young)

72,261

Review of Public Sector Pay Determination.

Compaq Computer Ireland Ltd.

532,450

Payable Order Reconciliation System for the bank clearing process for the Paymaster General's Office (project continued from 1998).

Deloitte & Touche/Expense Reduction Analysts Limited

74,413

Annual audits on the operation of travel policy by Government Departments and Offices and Club Travel Limited. (Expense Reduction Analysts Limited were hired through Deloitte & Touche.)

Data Options

83,052

Outsourcing of data entry work for Paymaster General's office during very busy periods.

Mr. Billy Power

3,212

Consultancy in relation to public service pensions.

Mr. Laurie McDonnell

3,809

Process Auditor to the sale of ICC Bank.

ABN AMRO Corporate Finance and McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

46,091

Provision of corporate and legal advice with regard to the sale of ICC Bank plc.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

41,359

Secondment of an accountant to provide financial, accountancy and related advice.

Arthur Cox Solicitors

126,110

Provision of legal advice with regard to the proposed merger and flotation of ACC and TSB Bank.

Department of Finance 2000

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

DKM Economic Consultants

30,672

Advice to the Minister in relation to the charging of a fee for UMTS licences.

Mercer Limited

19,046

Actuarial Review of SW pensions in connection with the National Pensions Reserve Fund.

Mercer Limited

2,539

Additional actuarial work on draw down arrangements for National Pension Reserve Fund.

Howard Johnson/HCM Consultants

50,458

Payment for actuarial services in respect of the discharge of certain Exchequer pension liabilities — Telecom Éireann An Post, IAA, Coillte.

David Duffy Prospectus Strategy Solution

21,888

Advice on Corporate Governance aspects of Review of Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Deloitte & Touche/Expense Reduction Analysts Limited

97,154

Annual audits on the operation of travel policy by Government Departments and Offices and Club Travel Limited. (Expense Reduction Analysts Limited were hired through Deloitte & Touche.)

Deloitte & Touche

184,632

Consultancy in connection with the competitive process to award a new licence to operate the National Lottery.

Information Consultants Pty Limited

1,778

Production of Train the Trainer Manual for FOI.

Hay Management Consultants

2,868

Evaluation of Chief Executive positions in Commercial State Organisations.

Mr. Lauri McDonnell

3,809

Process Auditor to proposed merger and flotation of ACC and TSB Bank.

Arthur Cox Solicitors

12,855

Provision of legal advice with regard to the proposed merger and flotation of ACC and TSB Bank.

IBI Corporate Finance, Davy Stockbrokers and Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette

478,573

Provision of corporate and financial advice with regard to the proposed merger and flotation of ACC and TSB Bank.

McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

47,081

Provision of legal advice in relation to An Post ESOP implementation.

Ms. N. Hynes

4,622

Provision of Accountancy advice in relation to the Management Information Framework Project.

Mr. David Kingston

1,508

Paper and Presentation re the potential structure of the National Pensions reserve Fund.

Data Options

44,441

Outsourcing of data entry work for Paymaster General's office during very busy periods.

Mr. Billy Power

1,371

Consultancy in relation to public service pensions.

ABN AMRO Corporate Finance and McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

264,668

Provision of corporate and legal advice with regard to the sale of ICC Bank plc.

Arthur Cox Solicitors

61,237

Provision of legal advice to the sale of TSB.

Marie O'Brien

1,524

Report in operation of civil service crèche in Lr. Mount St.

McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

38,410

Secondment of a Solicitor to assist in relation to legal and related matters arising within the Department.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

28,693

Secondment of an accountant to provide financial, accountancy and related advice.

Department of Finance 2001

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Howard Johnson/HCM Consultants

16,881

Payment for actuarial services in respect of the discharge of certain Exchequer pension liabilities — Telecom Éireann An Post, IAA, Coillte.

Robson Rhodes

9,535

Work undertaken for the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers.

MMP Business Programme

11,740

Review of the Management Information Framework Project Structure.

Arthur Andersen

53,329

Provision of corporate and financial advice with regard to the sale of TSB Bank to Irish Life & Permanent.

Deloitte & Touche

145,323

Review of the Department's management information requirements.

Deloitte & Touche

54,450

Consultancy in connection with the competitive process to award a new licence to operate the National Lottery.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers

114,276

Review of the existing PPP structures.

Capita Consulting

68,972

Consultancy to review the Appropriation Accounts and a pilot project on accruals.

Deloitte & Touche/Expense Reduction Analysts Limited

97,000

Annual audits on the operation of travel policy by Government Departments and Offices and Club Travel Limited. (Expense Reduction Analysts Limited were hired through Deloitte & Touche.)

Deloitte & Touche

12,697

Provision of advice to Department in relation to the negotiation of the National Lottery Licence with An Post National Lottery Company.

Fitzpatrick Associates

4,609

Presentation on Private Sector Pay Structures and Benchmarking.

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young

25,925

Quality assurance review of the draft IT Strategy.

Hay Management Consultants

5,688

Evaluation of Chief Executive position in a Commercial State organisation (Shannon/Foynes).

Hay Management Consultants

4,571

Evaluation of Chief Executive position in Commercial state organisations (Rail Procurement Agency/Eirgrid/Ordnance Survey Ireland.)

McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

11,512

Provision of legal advice in relation to An Post ESOP implementation.

Joe Carr of Chapman Flood Mazars Ltd

28,000

Provision of Financial Management advice to the Steering group on Systems review of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

Mr. Brian Lenihan

1,955

Study on the provision of a Nursing degree in the third level Education Sector.

Sean Bourke Solicitors

83,920

Payments in respect of a judicial review.

DKM Economic Consultants

35,045

Advice to the Minister in relation to the charging of a fee for UMTS licences.

Masons Solicitors

72,200

Engaged to advise and assist in the competitive process to award the National Lottery licence.

Mercer Ltd;

26,119

Actuarial exercise in connection with National Pensions Reserve Fund.

Compaq

7,695

Project Consultancy — Security Audits, April 2000 — December 2000.

Data Options

31,054

Outsourcing of data entry work for Paymaster General's Office during very busy periods.

Fitzpatrick Associates

103,164

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Hay Management Consultants

117,640

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

PE Consulting Services

4,800

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Saville and Holdingsworth (Irl) Ltd;

4,800

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

IPC Consulting Facilitators

4,800

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

MCG Consulting Group

172,006

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Dr. Edmund Molloy / Advanced Organisation & Management Development Ltd.

23,884

Membership of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting officers

Mercer Ltd;

157,200

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

TBP International Ltd;

195,126

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Mr. Billy Power

2,724

Consultancy in relation to public service pensions.

Mr. Laurie McDonnell

3,175

Process Auditor to the sale of ICC Bank.

ABN AMRO Corporate Finance and McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

584,406

Provision of corporate and legal advice with regard to the sale of ICC Bank plc.

Arthur Cox Solicitors

35,424

Provision of legal advice to the sale of TSB.

A & L Goodbody

1,545,875

Provision of legal advice in relation to IFSRA.

A & L Goodbody

155,783

Provision of legal advice in relation to sale of ACC Bank.

Solutions People Mgt Consultants

635

Training for Investigators under the civil services anti harassment, sexual harassment and bullying policy.

Goodbody Economic Consultants

71,665

Research into Career Progression of Staff with a disability in the civil service.

PricewaterhouseCooper

855,402

Study in relation to eProcurement Initiative.

McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors

26,371

Secondment of a solicitor to assist in relation to legal and related matters arising within the Department.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors

45,711

Secondment of a solicitor to assist in relation to legal and related matters arising within the Department.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

55,868

Secondment of an accountant to provide financial, accountancy and related advice.

Deloitte and Touche

32,293

Secondment of accountant to provide financial, accountancy and related advice.

Department of Finance 2002

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Seamus Dowling

5,500

Customisation of database for Departmental Training Unit.

Merrion Corporate Finance

95,231

Provision of corporate and financial advice in relation to the sale of ACC bank.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

103,697

Audit of Completion Accounts in relation to sale of ACC bank.

Gerard Hogan SC

960

Provision of legal advice in relation to the establishment of the new financial services regulatory authority.

PM Centrix

1,936

Provision of computer system workshop.

Spin Solutions

968

Web hosting consultancy.

E-Blana

1,542

Assistance in computer installation.

Langley Freeman Design Group Ltd;

5,585

Layout and design work.

Capita Consulting

30,928

Provision of Request for tender Template to reflect common accounting and technical needs for Management Information Systems.

Ican Interactive Advertising

134,000

Marketing and promotion of the e Tenders website.

Hay Management Consultants

2,641

Workshop for Secretaries General on performance related awards for Assistant Secretaries.

Hay Management Consultants

4,571

Evaluation of chief executive positions in state organisations.

Hay Management Consultants

225,797

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Alpha Consulting

48,053

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

TBP International Ltd;

111,896

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

DLA

265,629

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Watson Wyatt Partners

632,115

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

Tim Hastings and Associates

6,144

Consultancy relating to Benchmarking process.

KPMG Consultants

2,396

HRMS Time and Attendance computer system interface scoping project.

KPMG Consultants (now known as Bearingpoint)

178,825

HRMS Implementation project. Customised version of Peoplesoft Human Resources Management System.

Brindley Advertising

23,379

Public awareness campaign to highlight issue of dormant accounts. Half of payment only — other half of payment made by Dept; of Social and Family Affairs.

Mr. Billy Power

1,194

Consultancy in relation to public service pensions.

Hewlett Packard

19,905

Study in relation to the options available to the Paymaster General's Office for upgrading of server used for the Payable Order Reconciliation system.

Hay Management Consultants

2,783

Workshop for Secretaries General on performance related awards for Assistant Secretaries.

Messers. Dermot Quigley, Kevin Bonner and Maurice O'Connell

42,112

Estimates for the Public Services 2003 — Payments to members of the Independent Estimates Review Committee.

Dell Computer (Ireland)

1,452

Computer consultancy with Sureskills.

Deloitte and Touche

34,568

Provision of assistance in the detailed specification of new software to support the department's Management Information Framework project.

Softworks Computing Ltd;

27,164

Implementation, configuration and customisation of time and attendance system.

Microsoft Consulting Ltd;

6,149

Customisation of Sharepoint Portal.

Sysnet Ltd;

3,175

Unix support for 2002.

Dell Computer (Irl)

1,459

Consultancy for Microsoft Exchange.

Blue Wave Technology Ltd;

25,410

Development of Estimates Returns database.

Blue Wave Technology Ltd;

3,388

Development of additional reporting requirements for Estimates Returns database.

Capita Business Services Ltd;

30,928

Development of template specification of common accounting and technical needs of departments for Management Information Framework.

Ican Ltd;

702

Preparation of promotional material for e tenders website.

E-Blana Ltd;

7,115

Development and support of additional functionality on e tender website.

Hosca Management Consultants

18,150

Conduct of a Climate Survey in the Department of Finance.

A & L Goodbody

74,640

Provision of legal advice in relation to IFSRA.

A & L Goodbody

212,977

Provision of legal advice in relation to sale of ACC Bank.

O'Donnell Sweeney Solicitors

156,776

Provision of legal advice regarding drafting of ‘Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Bill 2002’.

Goodbody Economic Consultants

35,833

Research into Career Progression of Staff with a disability in the civil service.

International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD)

3,403

Survey of tax incentives for payment of renewable energy in the EU.

PricewaterhouseCooper

6,598

Study in relation to e Procurement Initiative.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors

92,010

Secondment of a solicitor to assist in relation to legal and related matters arising within the Department.

Deloitte and Touche

122,191

Secondment of accountant to provide financial, accountancy and related advice.

Mr. R Boyle (IPA)

4,840

Provided four days training for Expenditure Review Initiative.

Farrell Grant Sparks

2,360

Provision of training in conjunction with IPA in relation to the assessment of staffing needs and structures across the civil service 2002 and ongoing to 2004.

Software Resources Ltd;

13,581

Assistance with the implementation of the new Management Information System.

Deloitte & Touche

39,030

Advice and support in relation to financial system implementation and documenting of financial policies and procedures.

Siobhan Lynam

13,205

Research into the representation of women in the IT sector in the Irish civil service

Mr. P.H. Mullarkey

7,682

Chairmanship of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting officers

Dr. Edmund Molloy / Advanced Organisation & Management Development Ltd.

8,262

Membership of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting officers

Mr. Patrick Lauri McDonnell

3,826

Membership of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting officers

Department of Finance 2003

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

McCann Fitzgerald/Raymond Burke Consulting

54,450

Advice on tender procedures and drafting of contracts for the provision of foreign travel

Max Smith Project Services Queensland

30,000

Development of Strategic Asset Management Framework

Bearing Point

18,132

Review of the use of Purchasing Cards in the Irish Public Sector

Adam Smith Consortium

10,500

Research on Pensions Issues in PPP's

Deloitte & Touche

120,000

Research on Public Sector Benchmark and Value for Money Comparison in PPP's

I-CAN Ltd.

1,494

Preparation of advertisement for e tenders Website

eBlana Enterprise Group

8,149

Development of new functionality and ongoing maintenance for the e tenders website.

CIC (Commercial Information Company)

70,653

Management of e tenders website.

Millstream

73,319

New contract for management, maintenance and development of the e tenders website

IBM

14,414

Technical review of e tenders website.

IPA

7,563

Advice in conduct MIF Training Needs Analysis

McCann Fitzgerald

30,250

Secondment of a solicitor to assist in relation to legal and related matters arising within the Department.

Deloitte and Touche

54,964

Secondment of an accountant to provide financial, accountancy and related advice.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice

55,704

Secondment of a solicitor to assist in relation to legal and related matters arising within the Department.

Deloitte& Touche

28,713

Assistance to an interdivisional study group on Shared Services.

Propylon

7,986

Public Service Interoperability

Brook Hill

10,450

Public Service Interoperability

Accenture

18,150

Public Service Identity Management

Deloitte & Touche

17,424

Study of Best Practice in HR

Deloitte & Touche

88,481

To provide advice and support in relation to the procurement of a Financial Business Intelligence application to support the implementation of the e-Estimates project.

IPA

1,210

Fee for preparation and presentation of session on quality assurance for ORAC

Bearing Point

7187

Fee for People-soft Consulting services for amending the HRMS

Brian Lenehan

3,515

Statistical analysis etc re educational centres

Core Computers

26,644

Develop and install NEP Extract Module

Catalysto Ltd

3,500.00

Design Logo for Documentation and Stationery Civil Service Language Centre.

Langley Freeman.

15,572.70

Design for Civil Service Training and Development Framework document for Civil Service Training and Development Centre

Colorprint

15,545

Printing of Civil Service Training and Development Framework

Mr R Boyle (IPA)

7,620

Provided four days training for ERI.

Q4 Consultnats

83,400

Provision of advice on detailed management of informal ECOFIN meeting.

Hosca Consultants

6,050

Conduct of a Climate Survey in the Department of Finance.

A & L Goodbody

77,171

Provision of legal advice in relation to sale of ACC Bank.

Hay Management Consultants

2,662

Workshop for Secretaries General on performance related awards for Assistant Secretaries.

Softworrks Computing Ltd;

14,000

Customisations to time and attendance system.

Goodbody Economic Consultants

16,940

Assessment of Railway Procurement Agency business case for metro line to Dublin Airport

Software Resources Ltd;

818,609

Assistance with the implementation of the new Management Information System.

Deloitte & Touche

148,762

Advice and support in relation to financial system implementation and documenting of financial policies and procedures.

Mercer

25,000

Quality assurance of data for Pensions Benefit/Administrative system

Euro Changeover Board of Ireland 1999

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Lansdowne Market Research Limited

14,043

Research on public awareness of the Euro.

Deloitte & Touche

4,044

Advice on blueprint for cash Changeover Plan and assistance in development of changeover oversight plan.

Carr Communications

44,724

Provision of public relations services in relation to the Euro changeover.

Brindley Advertising

581,869

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

Euro Changeover Board of Ireland 2000

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Carr Communications

54,703

Provision of public relations services in relation to the Euro changeover.

Irish Marketing Surveys

41,443

Research on public awareness about the Euro.

Brindley Advertising

226,403

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

Adept Creative Services Ltd;

445,746

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

All Ireland Media Ltd;

409,467

Purchase of media space for Euro changeover advertising.

Euro Changeover Board of Ireland 2001

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Carr Communications

117,234

Provision of public relations services in relation to the Euro changeover.

Irish Marketing Surveys

40,615

Research on public awareness about the Euro.

Deloitte & Touche

145,683

Assistance in development of the Euro changeover oversight plan.

Brindley Advertising

6,288

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

Adept Creative Services Ltd;

1,294,176

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

All Ireland Media Ltd;

4,368,925

Purchase of media space for Euro changeover advertising.

Euro Changeover Board of Ireland 2002

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

Carr Communications

37,394

Provision of public relations services in relation to the Euro changeover.

Adept Creative Services Ltd;

129,838

Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign.

All Ireland Media Ltd;

1,246,651

Purchase of media space for Euro changeover advertising.

Deloitte & Touche

10,871

Assistance in oversight of Euro changeover preparations.

NDP/CSF Evaluation Information and IT Units

Paid out of the Technical Assistance Programmes of the Community Support Framework for the Structural Funds

Name of Consultant

Cost

Brief Description of Project

IPA

1,152

Consultancy regarding ongoing evaluation in the CSF.

Fitzpatrick Associates

3,687

Consultancy re: prior Appraisal of NDP 2000-2006.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Belfast

76,184

Ongoing Evaluation of the Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

ESRI

274,898

Ex-Ante Evaluation of the Investment Priorities for Post — 1999 Structural and Cohesion Funds.

IPA

2,305

Project advice on production of CSF Indicators paper.

IPA

28,597

Drafting and production of Structural Funds Procedures Manual.

Fleishman-Hillard Saunders

41,272

Consultancy on NDP Communications Strategy.

Drury Communications Research

51,334

Public awareness research on NDP/CSF 2000-2006.

ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd

2,888.09

Ex-ante evaluation of Ireland/Wales Interreg IIIA.

ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd

12,001

Evaluation of Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area.

ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd

14,403

Ex ante evaluation of Ireland/Wales Intrreg IIIA

ESRI/Deloitte & Touche

32,559

Phase One of a study of the Labour Market Impact of Human Resources (Education and Training) Interventions in the Community Support Framework for Ireland, 1994-1999.

ESRI

59,612,

Phase Two of above study.

Indecon Consultants

64,450

Public transport evaluation.

Fitzpatrick Associates

78,678

Roads evaluation.

Fitzpatrick Associates

139,661

Human resources evaluation.

CMG UK Limited

768,811

Analysis, Design and Development of a computerised system for the Structural and Cohesion Funds management.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

96,792

Report on Planning Phase 1 for CSF/ ERDF/Cohesion Fund Community Initiatives Computer System.

Capita Consulting

40,207

Human resources follow-up surveys.

Curtin Communications

402,758

Provision of publicity services relating to NDP/CSF.

Windmill Lane

109,221

Design / development of NDP website.

Arthur Andersen

160,552

Review of the financial management and control systems relating to the European Regional Development Fund, the EU Cohesion Fund and the EFTA Cohesion Fund.

Fitzpatrick & Associates

125,964

Review of Project Appraisal and Selection Procedures in the Community Support Framework for Ireland, 1994-1999.

Economics Dept NUI

2,032

Labour Market Impact of HR. Interventions.

Economics Dept NUI

2,032

Labour Market Impact of HR. Management.

Coopers & Lybrand

£5,000 Sterling

Economic Appraisal of an Ireland/Northern Ireland Interreg Economic Development project application entitled “The Cross Border Furniture Development Programme”.

ESRI

97,008

Mid term review of the Community Support framework 1994-1999.

ESRI

35,736

Eco auditing.

Allen recruitment

76,521

Information technology system design.

Allen recruitment

3,896

Maintenance on Oracle Data Upload Programmes

Memorex

189,202

Information technology consultancy.

RTS

16,751

Software consultancy.

Web Factory

111,422

Web design.

Office Objects Ltd.

1,219

Oracle contract programming.

Adept Creative Facilities

60,607

Advertising campaign for NDP/Copywrite art and design.

Data Way

303

Information technology system support.

Lansdowne Market research

14,822

NDP public awareness research.

Expert and Consultancy

4,306

Information technology system consultancy.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

40,021

Carrying out of 5% verification checks

Deloitte & Touche

5,929

Professional services rendered in relation to Ireland/Wales Interreg II

FPM Chartered Accountants

8,696

Systems based corporate audit on Special EU Programmes Body

Fluid Rock Ltd.

54,732

Hosting and maintenance of web site.

Keating Associates

10,890

PR consultancy.

Institute of Public Administration

14,250

Compilation of publication on Cohesion Funds.

IDOM Consultants

11,000

Drafting of the Programme Complement for the Atlantic Area Interreg IIIB Programme in line with Commission requirements.

Flood Relief.

John Bruton

Ceist:

236 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will allocate sufficient funds to allow long term works to commence to provide a solution to the flooding at Mornington when the consultants report has been presented to Meath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4717/04]

The report on proposed measures for dealing with flooding in Mornington was received by the Office of Public Works from Meath County Council on the 12 February 2004. An environmental impact statement is currently being prepared. Until such time as these reports have been examined no decision can be made in relation to the feasibility or, indeed, the funding of works at Mornington.

EU Funding.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

237 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken and intends to take to ensure that post 2006 EU funding to the Border, midlands and western region for infrastructural projects will at least hold to recent levels, in line with self-evident need, be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4740/04]

The Commission's communication on its proposals for the future financing of the EU, post-2006, published on 10 February last, will require close examination by all new member states, including Ireland. The same will apply to the third cohesion report, expected shortly, which sets out in more detail the Commission's views on how cohesion policy should evolve after 2006.

Deputies can recall that the negotiations on Agenda 2000, the equivalent process that established the EU budget framework for the period 2000 to 2006, took some two years to negotiate. We can expect a similarly lengthy negotiation on the communication now being made by the Commission for the post-2006 period.

The Government, of course, is very conscious of its responsibilities as Presidency of the EU in ensuring an effective and even-handed conduct of the negotiations. The main priority for the Irish Presidency is to initiate a process, or road-map, for the future negotiation, rather than to enter into detailed negotiation at this early point.

The Government's overall approach in the negotiations will be to seek to ensure that the final agreement is in the best interests both of the EU and of Ireland. In this regard, we will be fully committed to achieving a balanced overall outcome that takes full account of all aspects. EU cohesion policy is targeted at the poorest member states and regions of the EU. Given Ireland's very substantial economic progress in recent years, it is to be expected that the level of transfers to Ireland after 2006 will be significantly reduced compared to what we received under Agenda 2000. The Government will, of course, seek the best possible arrangements for Ireland's regions within the framework of the EU's overall cohesion policy. The Government is conscious in particular of the ongoing development needs of the Border, midland and western region, especially in the area of infrastructure. The Deputy can rest assured that the Government will keep the regions' needs to the forefront in the negotiations.

The Government is also conscious of the development needs of the new member states and will show solidarity with them by supporting substantial assistance from the Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds to them.

Tax Strategy Group.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

238 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance when the Tax Strategy Group last met; and its agenda and programme of work for 2004. [4778/04]

The Tax Strategy Group is an interdepartmental committee chaired by the Department of Finance, with membership comprising senior officials and advisors from the Departments of Finance, the Taoiseach, Enterprise Trade and Employment, Social, Community and Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners.

The precise terms of reference of the group are: to examine and develop proposals for measures in the areas of taxation, PRSI and levies, for the budget and the Finance Bill within agreed Government parameters for the overall Budget position and in the context of the framework of a medium term and longer term strategy set out in the Government's programme; to examine the strategic approach for a general social welfare package; and to assess the interaction of income tax/PRSI/levies proposals with social welfare proposals including child income support, and in particular the impact of this interaction on the labour market and income distribution.

Under its terms of reference, the group will be examining, over the course of the coming year, a range of issues, with a particular focus on budget 2005 and the subsequent Finance Bill and Social Welfare Bill.

Many of the past policy papers and minutes of the meetings of the group can be found on the Department's website, www.finance.gov.ie It is intended that further documents relating to the budget and the Finance Bill 2004 will be made available in April 2004.

The most recent meeting of the group took place on 27 January 2004 to discuss proposals for the 2004 Finance Bill.

Garda Stations.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

239 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the acquisition of a site for the proposed new Garda station at Castleisland, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4787/04]

The Commissioners of Public Works have identified a number of sites in Castleisland for a new Garda station on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The acquisition of a suitable site will depend on an acceptable price being reached with the vendor, the priority accorded to Castleisland by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and availability of sufficient funds to complete the purchase.

Pension Provisions.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

240 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of small self-administered pension schemes in the years 1997 to date; the number of participants; the estimated cost in tax foregone of such schemes from 1997 to date; the highest amount of relief availed of; and the average amount. [4816/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there are approximately 2,500 small self-administered pension schemes in existence but it is not possible to separately identify those established since 1997.

Employer contributions to small self-administered pension schemes are treated as a trading expense. Employee contributions are netted off as deductions from an individual's income before arriving at the definition of income for tax purposes.

Figures of pension contributions by employers and employees are not captured in such a way as to provide a dedicated basis for compiling estimates of cost to the Exchequer, the highest amount of relief or the average amount of relief allowed. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioner's records.

Tax Code.

John Bruton

Ceist:

241 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the statutory time allowed for the transfer of a tax deduction card for an employee from one employer to another employer, to ensure that they are on emergency taxation for as short a period as possible when each of the employer's records are on-line and are accessible via computer link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4819/04]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax deduction card is not transferred between employers when an employee moves from one employer to another employer.

Where an employee changes employment, the procedure is as follows: the former employer is obliged to complete a form P45 (Income Tax — Pay As You Earn — Cessation Certificate). Part 1 of the form P45 is submitted to the appropriate income tax district dealing with that employer. Parts 2 and 3 of the form P45 are delivered to the former employee. Once parts 2 and 3 of the form P45 are given by the employee to the new employer, that employer may apply the tax credits and standard rate cut-off point shown on it for the purposes of calculating the PAYE arising in the new employment. The new employer then sends form P45 (part 3) to the appropriate income tax district. A tax deduction card or a certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut off point is issued by the appropriate income tax district in the name of the new employer.

In the absence of the form P45 parts 2 and 3, the new employer is obliged to apply the emergency tax rates until such time as the employee produces a certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut off point in the new employer's name or a tax deduction card is issued to the new employer by the appropriate income tax district. The new employer refunds any income tax overpaid when the tax deduction card or tax credit certificate is received.

There is no statutory time limit in relation to the issue of a certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut off point/a tax deduction card for the new employer.

Public Sector Procurement.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

242 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the investigation being carried out by the British Office of Fair Trade in relation to competition in Government procurement spending; if a similar investigation is being carried out here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4824/04]

I understand that the UK Office of Fair Trading intends reviewing how public sector procurement is affecting competition. The review will focus on access for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to the public procurement market. My Department has no plans to conduct a similar review at present.

My Department is responsible for the national public procurement website, etenders.gov.ie, which is the national public procurement opportunities website. It is the key reference point for suppliers and service providers, including SMEs, wishing to do business with the public sector. As the number of registered suppliers continues to increase I would expect SMEs to gain more access to public sector procurement opportunities, going forward.

Flood Relief.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

243 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the progress towards flood prevention in Ennis, County Clare; the likely timetable; the role of the OPW; and if he can guarantee that the necessary funding will be available. [4881/04]

Following the severe flooding in Ennis in 1995 Clare County Council along with Ennis Town Council (then UDC) decided to undertake the Ennis main drainage and flooding study. The Office of Public Works funded the costs of the River Fergus flooding aspects of the study and a preliminary report was completed in 2001. The report is currently being considered by OPW for advancement under its programme of flood relief projects.

As the Deputy will be aware, in November 2002, I initiated a major review of the State's approach to flooding with the primary objective of developing a cohesive national flooding policy in the future. That report is currently being considered by Government Departments before being submitted to the Government in the very near future. The recommendations of the review group will have an important influence on the whole flood management area in the future, and I am confident that the recommendations will, in the long term, substantially mitigate the impact of flooding on Irish society.

There are heavy demands on OPW at present for the funding of flood relief projects and the timescale for progression of any flood relief scheme in Ennis is, therefore, dependant on the necessary capital funding being available over the next few years and consideration of issues arising from the policy review. I would like to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, to ensure that a scheme is progressed as soon as possible.

Tax Code.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

244 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance if his self employment section will send a nil net liability for 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 to the Department of Social and Family Affairs for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who needs to be allowed to pay the self employment contribution directly to social welfare to qualify for a contributory old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4969/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it appears from their records that the taxpayer has never been registered as a self-employed individual. On submission of a completed return of income form together with details of the taxpayer's previous tax history a nil net liability letter will, if appropriate, issue to the taxpayer provided the income is below the exemption limit.

This letter can then be furnished to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and any self-employment voluntary PRSI contribution paid. A form 11 return of income together with a covering letter issued to the taxpayer on Friday, 13 February 2004.

I am further advised that the taxpayer's income tax affairs are dealt with in the Kildare, Meath, Wicklow customer services district of the Revenue Commissioners, Grattan House, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, telephone number 01- 6474000, extensions 44744, 44745, 44854, 44855.

GATT Licences.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

245 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners are conducting an investigation with the EU Agency, OLAF, into the loss of customs revenue arising from the possible misappropriation of GATT licences to connected companies under EU regulations, relating to the importation of meat; when the matter first came to the attention of his Department; when he expects that such an investigation will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5000/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that an investigation is currently being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the application, issue and use of GATT licences under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 954/2002 by 16 Irish companies who had used these licences to import beef from South America into Netherlands and Italy at a reduced rate of import duty. In all, 29 Irish companies had been approved to avail of quota under this Regulation during the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003.

This investigation was initiated following a request received from the European Commission's anti-fraud agency, OLAF, at a meeting on 4 February 2003 when certain matters were brought to the attention of the Commissioners. While it is too early to say when the investigation is likely to be concluded, I am informed that it is currently being actively pursued and will be brought to conclusion at the earliest possible date.

Decentralisation Programme.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

246 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance the number of submissions for the provision of facilities under the decentralisation proposals in Birr, Tullamore, Edenderry, Portarlington and Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5012/04]

The number of property decentralisation proposals received by the Office of Public Works in respect of Birr, Tullamore, Edenderry Portarlington and Portlaoise is as follows:

Location

No.

Birr

15

Tullamore

13

Edenderry

5

Portarlington

9

Portlaoise

22

These proposals, which include both offers of sites and buildings, are currently being analysed. This analysis includes local inspections which are currently being carried out.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

247 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance the criteria to be used in deciding the location which will be chosen for decentralisation in each of the appointed towns; the amount of points allocated for each criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/04]

The Office of Public Works has received of the order of 700 proposed property solutions in respect of the decentralisation programme. These proposals include offers of sites or existing buildings or proposals to build. The assessment of these proposals is now underway. The main criteria by which they will be evaluated were set out in the advertisement, seeking property solutions, which was placed by the OPW in the newspapers at the end of last year. They are as follows:

1. the proposed cost of the accommodation offered either by way of lease, outright purchase or on a deferred purchase basis; 2. the proposed time scale within which the accommodation can be provided; 3. the quality of the design and specification; 4. the potential for future expansion exhibited by any proposed site or building; 5. the proximity of the site/building to amenities and any available transportation node; 6. the practicality of any car parking proposal submitted in relation to the site/building; and 7. premises should comply where appropriate with all relevant sections of the Health and Safety Acts, the building regulations and the Planning Acts and should be fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

248 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance the criteria for deciding whether to purchase or lease a site or building for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5014/04]

Over 700 proposed property solutions have been received by the Office of Public Works in relation to the decentralisation programme. These proposals include offers of sites or existing buildings or proposals to build. No negotiations to either lease or purchase properties will be entered into by the OPW until all the proposals received, as well as all options to use State-owned properties, have been assessed and evaluated. The decision to lease, purchase or build ultimately will depend on the specific range of proposals available for each of the decentralised locations.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

249 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance the Department responsible for making decisions in relation to the selection of sites for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5015/04]

The Office of Public Works will decide on the suitability of decentralisation programme sites in consultation, as appropriate, with the Department/body scheduled for decentralisation.

Tax Code.

John Cregan

Ceist:

250 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the entitlements or discretionary benefits, from a tax point of view, for persons. [5030/04]

I assume that the Deputy is referring to a married couple who have elected to be jointly assessed for income tax and who are caring for their grandchildren. In that case, the couple would be entitled to receive the married person's credit of €3,040 per annum and, if each spouse is working in the PAYE sector, each would be entitled to receive the employee credit of €1,040 per annum. If one of the spouses is aged 65 or over, they may receive the married age credit of €410 per annum. These entitlements are not affected by the fact that the couple are caring for their grandchildren.

The home carer's tax credit of €770 per annum may be obtained in respect of a child whom the claimant or the claimant's spouse is in receipt of child benefit, provided the annual income of the second spouse does not exceed €5,080. If the annual income of the home carer exceeds that amount, the tax credit is reduced by half the excess (effectively €1 of tax credit is subtracted for every €2 by which the income exceeds €5,080) so that where the annual income exceeds €6,620 no tax credit is due.

If the couple pay medical insurance premiums in respect of themselves and/or in respect of their grandchildren, they would be entitled to receive tax relief at the standard rate at source in respect of such premiums.

In addition, the couple are entitled to tax relief at their marginal rate of tax in respect of unreimbursed medical expenses which they incur in respect of themselves and/or their grandchildren. In such circumstances, a de minimis amount would be applied and the couple would be obliged to bear the cost of the first €250 of unreimbursed expenses in a tax year in respect of themselves and their grandchildren. Further details of this relief may be found in the detailed guide entitled “Health/Medical Expenses Relief” which is available on the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie

An incapacitated child credit of €500 per annum may be claimed in respect of a child who is permanently incapacitated either physically or mentally from maintaining himself or herself and had become so before reaching 21 years of age or finishing full-time education. The couple may avail of this credit in respect of one or both of their grandchildren if one or both are incapacitated.

An employment of a carer allowance may be claimed where a person, or a spouse or a relative is permanently incapacitated by reason of physical or mental infirmity for a tax year and a person is employed to care for the incapacitated person. The allowance applies at an individual's marginal rate of tax for expenses up to €30,000 per annum. Where the cost of employing a carer is shared by family members, the allowance can be shared between them subject to the overall ceiling in any one year. Therefore, the cost of employing a carer can be shared by the incapacitated person and their relatives.

There are various other discretionary reliefs which may be available to the taxpayers themselves, such as Schedule E expenses, rent relief, mortgage interest relief, relief for service charges, relief for contribution to approved superannuation schemes, but, the fact that the couple are caring for their grandchildren has no impact of the availability of these reliefs.

Tax Yield.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

251 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total accruing to the Exchequer under all taxation headings, including VAT, VRT and excise duties from the public transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5069/04]

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on tax returns generally does not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified. In these circumstances the amount of tax revenues collected under all taxation headings in respect of the public transport sector cannot be readily identified from the overall yield from taxation. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

252 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the revenues accruing to the Exchequer under all headings from the motor industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5070/04]

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on tax returns generally does not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified. In these circumstances the amount of tax revenues collected under all taxation headings in respect of the motor industry, other than the yield of VAT, excise and VRT from various commodities associated with the motor industry, cannot be readily identified from the overall yield from taxation. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.

Provisional figures for 2003 indicate that the yield from VAT and VRT from the motor industry is of the order of €1.3 billion. The detailed breakdown is shown in the following tables:

2003 VAT Yield — €m

Cars

429.7

Motor Cycles

7.3

Car Repairs

36.0

Car Accessories

26.9

Total

499.9

2003 VRT — €m

Cars

806.7

Motor Cycles

3.3

Car Derived Vans

6.9

Commercial Vehicles

2.6

Total

819.5

Of course, other revenues are generated from motoring as distinct from the motor industry. For the Deputy's information, these yields are set out in the table below:

2003 VAT Yield — €m

Petrol

312.0

Auto Diesel

35.0

Motor Oil & LPG

2.4

Car Hire

13.6

Driving Instruction

3.0

Haulage

29.0

Total

395.0

2003 Excise Duty — €m

Petrol

852.9

Auto Diesel

731.6

Auto LPG

0.1

Total

1584.6

Flood Relief.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

253 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department has liaised with Kildare County Council with a view to addressing the issue of ongoing flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip, County Kildare, and a number of other locations throughout the county; if it is intended to address these issues in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5071/04]

The Office of Public Works met with officials from Kildare County Council earlier this month. The county council confirmed that a report has been commissioned in relation to flooding at Leixlip and this will be forwarded to OPW for consideration in due course.

Kildare County Council will also revert to the OPW in relation to a number of issues that need to be resolved so that the planned work on the Morrell River can be completed. The county council also agreed to consider the need for additional information on the proposed flood relief measures at Ardclough.

Tax Code.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

254 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of this country's taxation levels, he has examined the cause or causes of an apparent lack of competitiveness in Ireland's economy when compared with other EU and non-EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5072/04]

The recent report of the National Competitiveness Council sets out clearly the reasons why Ireland's competitiveness position has been under pressure. The council's report states that Ireland's tax environment is still attractive compared to international competitors.

Securing the competitiveness which has been so instrumental to our economic development, and thereby safeguarding jobs, is a key priority for this Government. The objective of my recent budget was to secure competitiveness by keeping inflation low. Competition worldwide is exerting downward pressure on prices and incomes. As an open economy we are more exposed than most and we face intensifying competition for international investment and the jobs that go with it. We need to get our costs and prices back into line with our competitor countries.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

255 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has taxation proposals to enhance Ireland's economic competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5073/04]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

256 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he can address the issue of economic competitiveness through the taxation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5074/04]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

257 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined from a taxation point of view the goods and services which appear to contribute to a lack of competitiveness in the economy; the action he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5076/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together.

Taxation is only one contributing factor in our economic competitiveness. Other factors include, for example, economic and technological infrastructure, education and skills levels, the level of entrepreneurship and enterprise, and our ability to be innovative and creative. At the same time, levels of direct and indirect taxation impact directly on our competitiveness.

Since first coming to office in 1997, the Government's taxation policy has been to keep down the levels of personal and business taxation in order to strengthen and maintain the competitive position of the Irish economy. The strategy is outlined in An Agreed Programme for Government and is underpinned generally by the provisions of the Sustaining Progress agreement.

To this end we have lowered our corporation tax rates to a level where the most recent report of the Competitiveness Council, the Competitiveness Challenge 2003, published in November 2003 indicated that, in a selection of 16 comparator countries, Ireland has the most competitive rate of corporate taxation. It is also interesting to note that the same report indicated that among the same 16 countries, Ireland has the second lightest burden of regulation on international firms, second only to Finland.

In addition, since 1997 progress has been made in reducing marginal and average personal income tax rates. Both the standard and top rates of personal taxation have been reduced by 6 percentage points each since 1997. They stand currently at 20% and 42%, respectively. The standard rate bands have also been widened considerably. As a result, average tax rates have been reduced at all income levels. The most recent data available from the OECD in its publication Taxing Wages relating to the year 2002, indicates that, for a single person on the average production wage, Ireland has the lowest tax wedge in the EU; the EU average tax wedge is 40.5% while the figure for Ireland is 24%. Overall, therefore, we have made significant progress over the last seven years or so in improving the impact of taxation on competitiveness.

There is a need to keep our tax provisions under review from a competitiveness perspective. Budget 2004 provided for a 20% tax credit against corporation tax which will be available to companies for qualifying research and development expenditure above a certain baseline. This new credit will assist the enterprise sector to make a decisive transition from high-volume, lower-value activity to high-value, knowledge-intensive activity. It will also complement the various direct research and development grant supports which are also available through various agencies of the State.

In budget 2004, I also announced proposals to encourage companies to locate their regional headquarter and holding companies in Ireland. The Finance Bill 2004 provides for an exemption from tax on gains on the disposal of a shareholding in a subsidiary, whether Irish or foreign, and makes a number of related changes to the scope of our provisions for relief against foreign tax in respect of dividend income paid to parent companies. This measure will help to ensure that Ireland remains competitive and that we can maintain and attract high quality investment projects to Ireland leading to additional future employment opportunities.

In relation to taxation and its impact on the price of goods and services, this impact is also considered as part of the annual budgetary decisions on VAT and excises.

Going forward, the Government are committed to ensuring that our taxation policy remains consistent with the key priority of maintaining competitiveness so as to sustain economic growth and maintain high levels of employment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

258 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which budgetary levies imposed by his Department impact negatively on the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5078/04]

In this year's budget the goal of keeping inflation low took precedence and I made only limited changes to indirect taxes and excises. The effect of the indirect tax and excise changes will add less than 0.4% to the consumer price index. These changes will bring in €243 million in additional revenue which is needed to fund public services.

Our rate of inflation moderated significantly over the course of 2003 and continues to do so. Inflation in January this year fell to 1.8%, its lowest level since October 1999. HICP inflation, the standardised measure for the EU, fell to 2.3% in January, its smallest differential with the euro area average since the beginning of monetary union.

Decentralisation Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

259 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which decentralisation proposals outlined in the budget are implemented or scheduled for implementation in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5082/04]

I have appointed a decentralisation implementation committee to drive forward the implementation of the programme. The committee, which is chaired by Phil Flynn, will prepare an implementation plan and will report back to Government by the end of March 2004.

Question No. 260 answered with QuestionNo. 108.

Tax Code.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

261 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the procedures that are in place to ensure that Irish citizens claiming residency abroad for tax purposes comply with the requirement to be out of Ireland for a minimum of 183 days; if he has satisfied himself that the existing procedures are adequate; if there are plans to review the procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4830/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have the entitlement to make all relevant enquiries in relation to any tax return or statement made to them and, where appropriate, to carry out an audit to verify the accuracy of the return or statement. This applies to returns or statements made by persons claiming to be non-resident as it does for all other taxpayers.

Audits and other interventions by the Revenue Commissioners are made on the basis of indications of risk. The status of claims to non-residence is included in risk profiling. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the procedures to be adopted in relation to validating a claim to non-residence in the case of an audit or intervention will depend on the circumstances in each case. The administration of these procedures is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and I am informed by them that these procedures are kept under review.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

262 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance if his undertaking to introduce amendments in the Finance Act 2002 relating to the tax treatment of the ESOT shareholding following the Valentia takeover of the company was a necessary requirement for the successful completion of the Valentia bid. [5053/04]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

263 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance the basis of his decision to include the amendments to section 13 of the Finance Act 2002 which allowed for existing ESOT to benefit in cases in which a takeover company had insufficient share capital available to do a full ordinary share for share exchange. [5054/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.

Section 13 of the Finance Act 2002 provides that the transfer and appropriation of securities other than ordinary shares to the beneficiaries of an ESOT or APSS in the circumstances of certain takeovers may take place in a manner which preserves the tax benefits to the participants. The point at which income tax is foregone is when the shares are passed into the ESOT, which in the case of Eircom took place in 1999 and not arising from any amendments contained in section 13.

In June 2001, the tax advisers to the ESOT contacted officials in the Revenue Commissioners and my Department to discuss the tax implications for the Eircom ESOT of the proposed takeover of Eircom. Having considered the issues involved, I indicated in June 2001 that I was prepared to propose an amendment and this I duly did in the Finance Act 2002. This was made known in my response to a Dáil question from the then Deputy and now Senator Derek McDowell on 14 November 2001 on this subject.

Had the change not been made, the ESOT would have had to distribute cash to the beneficiaries as the ESOT would not have been permitted to acquire the preference shares, giving rise to a clawback of some of the income tax foregone in 1999. However, this revenue would only have arisen if the takeover had proceeded.

The legislative changes simply provided the membership of the Eircom ESOT with a level playing field to choose to support whichever bid they wished to support.

In the event, two takeovers were in a position to take immediate advantage of these legislative changes. The first was the takeover of the land-line business of Eircom by the Valentia consortium and the second was the takeover of ACC Bank by Rabobank.

I have made numerous changes to the ESOT legislation to facilitate ESOT's in changing circumstances to ensure that they retain the benefits available to them. This is because, by their nature, ESOTs are tailor-made to each particular circumstance.

Emigrant Issues.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

264 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made progress in relation to trying to legalise Irish persons working in the United States of America; if discussions have taken place in this regard; and if the Government is actively trying to procure an amnesty for Irish people living illegally in the US, particularly those who have lived in the US for many years. [4530/04]

In recent weeks, two proposals aimed at helping to regularise the situation of undocumented foreign nationals in the United States have been put forward.

On 7 January, President Bush announced a proposal to introduce a new form of temporary work permit which would be available to both undocumented foreign nationals currently in the US and those seeking to enter with a job already arranged. Shortly afterwards, Senator Tom Daschle and Senator Chuck Hagel announced a bipartisan plan for immigration reform that would enable undocumented foreign nationals in the US to legalise their status if they fulfilled certain conditions.

I welcome both of these proposals as constructive efforts to deal with the situation of the undocumented in the US in a constructive and sympathetic way. While there appears to be no prospect of a formal amnesty for the undocumented at the present time, the Daschle-Hagel proposal in particular appears to offer undocumented Irish people an opportunity to obtain permanent legal residency.

I will monitor the progress of these proposals through the US Congress closely. Through our embassy in Washington and through my own contacts with political leaders in the US, I will continue to encourage and support measures that would benefit undocumented Irish citizens in the US.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

265 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4544/04]

The Department of Foreign Affairs is not aware of any situations where there have been cost overruns on contracts or procurements for the period referred to by the Deputy. The Office of Public Works has responsibility for engaging contractors for major works in buildings occupied by this Department at headquarters as well as for the substantial procurement of furniture and furnishings.

The Department has three major IT related projects underway: the automated passport production system, an upgrade of the IT infrastructure and an upgrade of communications links to missions abroad. All three projects are on time and within budget.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

266 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4559/04]

The Department of Foreign Affairs commissions consultancies where specialised knowledge and-or skills are not available within the Department and, particularly in the case of the Development Cooperation Ireland, DCI, programme, where an independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. DCI consultancies cover a wide range of sectors including HIV-AIDS, education, health and rural development.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two votes — Vote 28 — Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29 — International Cooperation, and the information requested by the Deputy in relation to each Vote follows.

The Deputy may wish to note that under Vote 28, the majority of expenditure on consultancies for 2002 and 2003 related to the upgrading of the Department's information technology infrastructure at headquarters and our missions abroad and the automated passport production system, APS. The latter is essential to meet future demands for passports in an efficient and effective manner and to comply with new international security regulations for passports. Once these projects are complete, it is expected that engagement of consultants will be significantly reduced.

An outsourcing specialist was recruited in 2002 to oversee the commissioning of consultancies under Vote 29. Since then, procedures and systems have been reviewed and strengthened to ensure that maximum value for money is achieved.

Ongoing work, including publications, stationery design, promotion of the EU Presidency, etc., in relation to the EU Presidency is being carried out by Red Dog Design. The final cost of this project will not be known until the Presidency is finished.

Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs):

Name

Nature of Consultancy

Total

Padraig White

To advise the Garvaghy Road community on broad issues of strategy with particular reference to economic issues. 1/9/1999 — date

33,458.92

William Schabas

Representation of Ireland at meetings of the Council of Europe's Special Committee on the Legal Status of NGOs (Nov 2001 — Oct 2002)

1,370.00

Noel Dorr

IGC Representative (2000 — 2002)

49,116.95

Pricewaterhouse

Obstacles Mobility Study — 2002

47,870.24

Employment Conditions Abroad

Review of cost of living allowances for staff abroad (March 1999)

7,941.00

Drury Communications

In 2002, the Communicating Europe Group, which is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs, commissioned an independent consultancy to compile a report on a comprehensive communications strategy aimed at improving the transmission of information about the EU to the Irish public.

62,999.86

BearingPoint (including hardware costs)

APS Project Consultancies. BearingPoint are the main contractors for the APS project and, as such, have responsibility for the supply of hardware, software, design solutions and development. The cost of system development etc is an integral part of the contract and cannot be separated from other consultancy type costs (2002 — date)

18,614,288.14

Clifford Associates

APS Project Consultancies (2002 — to date)

19,770.75

Cornwell Consultants

APS Project Consultancies (2002 — to date)

200,075.36

Mason, Hayes & Curran

APS Project Consultancies (2002 — to date)

237,279.74

Farrell, Grant, Sparks

APS Project Consultancies (2002 — to date)

18,786.00

Employment Conditions Abroad

Review of Foreign Services Allowances — 2001

775.16

McCann Fitzgerald

Equality Review of Foreign Services Allowance system — 2002

15,427.50

Professor Gerard Quinn

Compulsory State Report required for the submission under the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (September to December 2000)

6,348.00

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Report of the future viability of the Irish Centre at Digbeth, Birmingham

Stg 19,388.00

Dr Tom Hardiman

Representation of Ireland on ASEF Board (October 2000 — date)

90,385.43

Ms Geraldine Skinner

Legal Consultancy Services (July 2002)

3,990.58

Anglia Polytechnic University

Study of Resource of Info/Analysis on Irish Communities Abroad ( March 2002)

70,224.85

Mr Raphael Siev

Legal Consultancy Services

495.20

Mr Eugene Downes

Cultural Programme Coordinator (May 2000 — Date)

139,508.75

Fiach MacConghail

Programme Manager, Irish Cultural Centre, Paris (May 2001 — date)

82,576.44

Cap Gemini

Implementation of the Department's Management Information Framework (2002/03)

79,057.78.

Mazars Consultants

Conversion of the Department's payroll system (from Unipay to Corepay) (July — Dec 01)

148,498.41

Sybase

Year 2000 compliance — February — April, 1999

27,040.00

Clear

Year 2000 compliance — June — September 1999

3,660.00

Rits International

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2001-2003

321,466.26

Cap Gemini Ernst Young

Development of Department IT Strategy — 2002-2003

177,834.14

Octagon

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2002

9,876.63

DSS

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2002-2003

472,974.71

Cara

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2002-2003

358,327.69

Crannog Software Ltd

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2002-2003

61,678.45

Cornwell

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2003

137,764.64

Hewlett Packard

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes — 2003

80,159.28

Microsoft

Technical services to assist delivery of IT Programmes —2003

30,461.00

Development Cooperation Directorate Consultancy Costs 1999

Consultant

Consultancy Title

€ Amount

Brendan Rossiter

Local Government Reform Programme, Tanzania Feb 1999

8,400.92

Cathal Higgins

Evaluation of Breakthrough to Icibemba Nth. Province Zambia Feb — March 1999

7,903.51

Noel O'Connell

Teacher Training Review, ESDP Tanzania, March 1999

11,564.60

Brenda Corcoran

Ex-Post Evaluation, Lusaka Maternity Clinics Feb 1999

6,504.50

Cathy Gaynor

Working Group on Gender, Paris Feb. 1999

1,403.58

Colin O'Sullivan/ Lagin Consulting

Irish Aid Financial Systems Review

6,456.62

Finola Finnan

Monitoring Mission HSDP, Ethiopia (Jan 99)

8,178.28

Heiki Wihuri/ International Water & Sanitation Centre

Water & Sanitation Sector Study Lesotho, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Feb-May 99

55,617.07

Nicholas Chisholm

Working Party on Development Cooperation and the Environment, Paris, Feb. & Oct. 1999

3,030.48

John Grindle

PROAGRI Programme, Mozambique: Meeting, Dublin, March 1999

9,142.11

Dr Andrew Burke

Ed-SDP Appraisal, Tanzania, March 1999

10,590.89

Finola Finnan

Establishment of Consultants = Register for the Education Sector, March — April 99

3,809.21

Anne Ryan

Ed-SDP Appraisal, Tanzania, March 1999

8,234.89

Moss McCormack

Joint Ministry of Health/Partners Appraisal Health Sector Programme, Tanzania March 1999

6,728.47

Nicholas Chisholm

European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development, The Netherlands April 1999

1,111.57

Peadar Cremin

Education Policy and Guidelines March 99

4,761.52

Vivienne Flanagan/ Lagin Consulting

Personnel Management Systems: Phase 1 April 1999

11,173.7

Vivienne Forsythe

Evaluation of Irish Aid Support to Gedo Region Somalia March 1999

1,642.43

Kieran Kelleher

Tanga Mid-Term Review, Tanzania April 99

8,591.56

Andrew O'Connell

District Health Review, Uganda April 1999

9,205.6

Carol Coombe

Participation in the ESDP, Uganda April 1999

9,269.09

Paul Cassidy

Management Needs Analysis April — July 99

32,378.32

Jim Fitzpatrick

Desk-top study on new priority country for Irish Aid

9,142.11

Robert Ainscow

Management Needs Analysis May — July 99

26,029.63

Helen O'Neill

Article for Irish Aid Annual Report — May 99

1,269.74

Nicholas Chisholm

Attendance at Preliminary Appraisal Committee meetings (June 99 — May 2000)

8,081.17

Noel Whelan

Attendance at Preliminary Appraisal Committee Meetings (June 99 — May 2000)

8,888.17

Albert de Groot/ N.E.I.

Debt Relief Mission to Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique & Zambia — May 1999

26,664.5

Denis Gallagher/ REPIM (Irl) Ltd

Debt Relief Mission to Ethiopia, Tanzania Mozambique & Zambia — May 1999

16,217.09

Jane Stanton/ Oxford Policy Management

Review of Ireland Aid Involovement in: — IFC Technical Assistance Trust Fund Programme — World Bank Consultancy Trust Fund — EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund — Economic Development Institute

22,056.62

Timothy O'Dempsey

Development of Community-based Training Programmes, Ethiopia, April — May 1999

10,157.19

Orlaith McCaul

Benchmarking and Baseline Study, Muheza, Tanzania — June 1999

7,618.3

Kim Forss/Andante Consultants AB

Sector Aid (SWAPs) Seminar — Dublin, June

2,920.4

Robert Drayton

Review of Irish Aid Fellowship Programme June-July 1999

7,618.43

Finola Finnan

Technical Support for Lab Projects in Zambia and Tanzania

11,714.08

Orlaith McCaul

Irish Aid Review, Lesotho

6,348.69

Albert de Groot/ Netherlands Economic Institute

Debt Relief Mission to Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia May 1999

20,074.67

Maria McLoughlin

Burundi Peace Talks Process, Tanzania

40,345.93

Oxford Policy Management

Review of Irish Aid Involvement in: — International Finance Corporation Technical Assistance Trust Fund Programme — World Bank Consultancy Trust Funds — European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Technical Cooperation Fund — Economic Development Institute June — July 1999

42,361.45

Development Studies Centre

Benchmarking and Baseline Study in Muheza — Tanzania June 1999

6,299.12

Philip Ryan/ Precept Consulting

Management Review, Irish Aid — Tanzania, June

10,199.48

Lagin Consulting Ltd

Irish Aid Financial Systems Review: Phases 4 & 5

13,827.45

Vivienne Flanagan/ Lagin Consulting

Personnel Management Systems Review: Phase 2 July — October 99

32,972.56

Gavin Olney

Micro-finance Seminar (Addition to existing study undertaken in Jan 99)

631.42

Elna Bering/ T & B Consultants

Review of Irish Aid involvement with United Nations Institute for Training And Research, Dublin & Geneva Sept-Oct > 99

9,138.8

Timothy O'Dempsey (RCSI)

Operational Research Programme: Zonal Health Bureau, Ethiopia, July 1999

2,196.57

Cathal Higgins

Basic Education Support Programme Review, Northern Province Zambia July — August 1999

12,597.78

BDO Simpson Xavier

Financial Management Systems Review of NGO Block Grant Recipients July-Aug 99

74,846.54

Netherlands Economic Institute

Evaluation of Irish Aid support to Public Sector Management Project in Zambia

21,459.88

Development Studies Centre

Logical Framework Training, Lesotho, August-Sept, > 99

3,932.91

Ciaran Sugrue/ St Patricks College

Review of Primary Education Project, Lesotho Aug-Sept 99

3,480.77

Vivienne Forsythe

Preparation of a Background Paper on Development Policies and their Impact on Children August 1999

6,421.4

Niall McElwee

Preparation of Background Paper on Development Policies and their Impact on Children August 1999

4,628.26

Andrew O'Connell

Review of District Health Programmes in Kilosa and Ulanga September 1999

6,515.66

Development Studies Centre

Training for Log Frame Analysis (Consultancy Services Lesotho February 1999)

5,302.43

Cathal Higgins

Follow-up of Basic Education Support Programme, Northern Province, Zambia, September 1999

3,036.62

Kevin Moore

Feasibility Study on Ugandan Investment Agency (UIA) — September 1999

6,866.12

John Grindle

(1) Review of District Development Programmes, Uganda, and (2) Synthesis of Country Programme Evaluations — September 1999

1,830.97

Finola Finnan

Pilot Study on Model Laboratory Service at District level — Tanzania September 1999

4,260.15

Moss McCormack

Management Development for Health Officials, Ministry of Health, An Appraisal, Tanzania September 1999

5,784.91

Dr Jim Fitzpatrick

Consultancy on the Utilisation of expertise from Ireland in the Aid Programme

21,509.36

Centre for International Education, Oslo

Seminar for Health/Education advisers: September 1999

3,541.95

Centre for International Education, Oslo

Review and Planning Exercise for the Education Sector in Palestinian Administered Areas, September 1999

8,928.56

HRDC (Mike Ratcliffe)

NGO Block Grant Evaluation — Cambodia 1-31 October 1999

5,730.15

Bernard Wood

National Forum on Development Aid, Keynote Speaker

6,469.95

Jean Long

Review of Copperbelt Maternity Clinics & Essential Obstetric Care Projects, Zambia, October 1999

6,348.02

Nick Chisholm

Attendance at expert meeting on Agriculture & Food Security during the International Centres Week of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Network, Washington Oct 99

5,713.44

Netherlands Economic Institute

Macro-Economic Training, Mozambique Oct 99

13,595.78

Vivienne Forsythe

Health Sector Development Programme Joint Review Mission November 1999

11,120.65

John Grindle

Attendance at UN Experts Meeting on criteria for LDC identification including Vulnerability Index, New York, October 1999

2,565.53

Aidan Mulkeen

Evaluation of Lesotho Media Review November 1999

4,760.43

Joseph Ruddy

Management Training for Tourism Training Project in Tanzania Nov-Dec 99

13,651.31

Overseas Development Institute

Working paper on the status of Sector Wide Approaches to Development

34,952.77

Dr Ciaran Sugrue

Education Sector Development Programme Joint Review Mission, Ethiopia, November — December 1999

8,561.37

Dr Andrew Burke

Education Sector Development Programme, Joint Review Mission, Ethiopia, November — December 1999

8,367.17

Gavin Olney

Micro-finance Study Lesotho, November — December 1999

4,818.69

Moss McCormack

Health Sector Appraisal, Lesotho, November December 1999

7,226.73

James Murphy/ Grant Thornton

Study of Financial Systems Support for Palestinian Energy Authority

7,681.92

Conor Ward

Support to Bethlehem University Outreach Programme, May — November 1999

19,124.38

Collette Dowling

Support to Bethlehem University Outreach Programme, May 1999-May 2000

39,414.93

Jim Phelan / Rural Development Unit UCD

Sokoine Extension Project, Tanzania

6,820.74

Gavin Olney

Micro-finance Study — Ethiopia

4,818.69

Jennifer Chapman

Study on basic needs and poverty — Ethiopia

521.00

Kim Forss /Andante Consultants AB

Research Paper on SWAPs for DAC/IDC Networks Meeting in May 2000

39,570.14

Maria McLoughlin

Burundi Peace Talks Process

10,174.41

Lagin Consulting

Ireland Aid Financial Systems Review: Phase 6

6,760.09

Development Cooperation Directorate Consultancy Costs 2000

Consultant

Consultancy Title

€ Amount

Centre for Adult and Community Education

Fellowship Policy Fellowship Policy guidelines & Application/Selection Criteria

2,475.99

Timothy O'Dempsey

Participation in Roll Back Malaria Meeting, WHO Geneva

2,350.5

John Kevany

Appraisal of International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Proposal

10,221.39

Desiree Dietvorst

Presentation at Like-minded meeting on SWAPs Dublin

3,573.09

The Economic & Social Research Institute

DAC Capacity Network meeting Dublin April 2000

3,313.18

Moss McCormack

Programme Document for Ireland Aid Assistance to Health Sector, Lesotho

3,739.7

Robert Smith

Appraisal of Ireland Aid Support to Jimma University, Ethiopia

8,033.61

Vivienne Forsythe

Appraisal of Ireland Aid Support to Jimma University, Ethiopia

11,265.04

Mary Jennings

Review of Save the Children Micro Credit Project, Palestine, March 2000

6,162.85

John Grindle

Attendance at Expert Group Meeting on Economic Vulnerability, Paris

1,168.12

Jim Kinsella

Bethel Evaluation, Lesotho, March 2000

6,911.12

Educational Research Centre

Assessing Quality of Teaching in Primary Schools, Kibale District, Uganda, March 2000

6,012.59

Centre for Adult and Community Education

Report on meeting of like minded Donors on SWAPS — March 2000

3,174.35

Ruairi Brugha

Joint Ministry of Health/ Partners Review of Health Plan of Action, Tanzania March 2000

7,445.78

Ann Bourke Garcia

Preparation of Programme of support in Health Sector for Ireland Aid Tanzania

12,804.9

Cathy Gaynor

Preparation of Report for the World Conference on Education for All, Dakar, Finalisation of Education Guidelines, Attendance at Regional Advisers — Workshop on Education March — September 2000

15,236.86

Monica Gorman

Seminar on Environmental Best Practice in Development Programmes Report, 23 March 2000

571.38

Deloitte & Touche

Review of Ireland Aid Procurement Procedures, March-June 2000

57,083.09

IAAC/ Prof. John Jackson

Attendance at the United Nations Commission on Population and Development

5,743.41

Dr Timothy O'Dempsey

Participation in Operational Research Workshop, Ethiopia, Phase 1, March 2000

2,539.22

Peit Jan Zijlstra/ CDP Consultants

Evaluation of Area-Based Programmes, Dublin — March-April 2000

60,176.48

Orlaith McCaul

Evaluation of Area Based Programmes, Dublin March-April 2000

5,889.93

Swithun Goodbody

Attendance at IFPRI Workshop in Malawi — March-April 2000

4,646.8

Andrew O'Connell

Strategy and Guidelines for Ireland Aid support to Health Component in the District Development Programmes — April 2000

5,715.46

Nick Chisholm

Preparation of Ireland Aid Policy & Guidelines on Agriculture

12,597.59

Peadar Cremin

Curriculum Development and Implementation for Palestinian Ministry of Education: April 2000

5,401.44

David O'Grady

Curriculum Development and Implementation for Palestinian Ministry of Education: April 2000

5,291.99

Eamonn Brehony

Feasibility Study on the proposed Mungwi Council Sugar Cane Out-Growers Scheme, Zambia, April-May 2000.

4,826.12

Nick Chisholm

Attendance at the Preliminary Appraisal Committee and the pre-Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group Meetings April 2000 — March 2001

4,441.07

Noel Whelan

Attendance at the Preliminary Appraisal Committee and the pre-Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group Meetings April 2000 — March 2001

6,148.22

Mike FitzGibbon

Desk Study re Accounting Database in District Development Programmes, Tanzania

1,976.26

David McKevitt

Programme Aid Seminar May 2000

1,100.01

Bannock Consulting

Programme Aid Seminar May 2000

1,100.81

Vivienne Forsythe

Strategy and Sector Guidelines in Emergency Humanitarian Assistance, Emergency Preparedness and Post Emergency Rehabilitation

3,656.85

Conor Ward

Support to the Bethlehem 2000 Palestinian Heritage Centre at Bethlehem University — May 2000

3,669.85

Nils Boesen, AS Denmark

Review of NGO Block Grant Muiti-annual Funding — May — June 2000

27,297.43

Swithun Goodbody

Evaluation of Ireland Aid support to IFAD and CGIAR — May-June 2000

18,143.38

Colin O'Sullivan

Member of CSC Interview Board for IT Specialist, Development Cooperation Division

1,269.74

Terence George Baker

Development of the Curriculum for a Diploma course in Medlab Science

13,764.94

John Kevany

Attendance at EU HIV/AIDS Vaccine Task Team Meeting: Brussels May 2000

1,608.24

Andrew Burke

Review of Education Support to Northern Province, South Africa

8,063.1

REPIM Ltd

Programme Aid Seminar May 2000

2,296.74

Cathal Higgins

Review of Education Support to Northern Province, South Africa

8,122.53

Tom Dolan, ODT Development Consultancy

Reviewing Plans and Programme to Reform the Justice Cluster in South Africa

6,557.52

John Grindle

Background Paper on Political and Economic Developments, SA in preparation for Country Strategy Review — June 2000

4,357.7

Lars P Christensen

Evaluation of Ireland Aid Contributions to UNDP,UNICEF & UNFPA June-Sept 2000

11,500.3

Nedworc Foundation

Evaluation of Ireland Aid Contributions to UNDP,UNICEF & UNFPA June-Sept 2000

2,765.59

Piet Jan Zijlstra / CDP Consultants

Evaluation of Area-based Programmes, Ethiopia/Tanzania/Mozambique/Tanzania: Phase 11 — June/July & Sept 2000

10,602.85

Orlaith McCaul/ Development Studies Centre

Evaluation of Area-Based Programmes-Phase 2 — Tanzania/ Amsterdam/Tanzania

23,365.61

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Mid-term Review of the Reproductive Health Services Project, Northern Province, Zambia June 2000

14,972.15

Brenda Corcoran

Review of the National Tuberculosis Programme, Tanzania June 2000

9,208.14

Matthew Jowett

Attendance at WHO meeting on partnership in Health and Poverty, Geneva 12-14 June 2000

2,353.45

Thomas Kellaghan

Issues Paper for Attendance at International working Group on Education — Florence, June 2000

2,623.37

Nick Chisholm

DAC Environmental Meeting June 2000

1,091.59

Mike Scott

Member of Civil Service Commission Interview Board for D C D Accountant, June 2000

1,269.4

David Lovegrove

Foreign Investment Advisory Mission to Laos

8,610.78

John Kevany

EU Health Aids Population Experts Meeting Brussels

1,404.75

Sean Courtney

Increase Management Capacity of the Ireland Aid Country Programme, Tanzania, July — October 2000

15,236.86

Bernard McLoughlin

Appraisal of Inception Report on the Establishment of an ED-SDP Pooled Fund, Tanzania

444.41

Seamus McGuinness

Mid-term Review/ Evaluation of the Whole School Development in Tanzania July/August 2000

3,300.05

Bernadette Crawford

Participation In Ireland Aid Education Seminar Aug 2000

2,631.16

Iain Atack

Review of 3-year Programme 1998-2000 on Human Rights, Democratisation and Good Governance — August 2000

2,365.84

Mary Jennings

Participation in Regional HIV/AIDS Workshop, Uganda, Sept 2000

5,845.73

Vivienne Forsythe

Review of CHAL-RHDP Project Lesotho Sept 2000

7,552.73

Mike Ratcliffe (HRDC)

Evaluation of Trocaire Block Grant Projects in Central America Aug 2000

19,141.92

Grant Thornton

Review of DCO Administration Budgets and Budgeting Procedures — Aug-Oct 2000

23,568.74

Centre for Arid Zone Studies, University of Wales

Review of Agriculture Programme in Ethiopia, Aug- Sept 2000

19,166.29

UCD (Dept. of Agribusiness Extension & RD)

Sokoine Extension Programme Tanzania, Sept 2000

8,226.84

John Grindle

Evaluation of Tanga Coastal Zone Programme — Phase II

12,315.25

Bernadette Crawford

Strategic Approach to Health and Education SWAPs in the Priority Countries — Sept -Nov 2000

2,285.53

Moss McCormack

Attendance at WHO Seminar on Quality Improvement Strategies for Middle & Low Income Countries September 2000

963.67

Nick Chisholm

DAC Environmental Conference -Amsterdam

2,130.51

John Kevany

Inter Agency Group Meeting on SWAPs Geneva

2,478.35

John Kevany

Ireland Aid Health Policy/ Programme Development: September — December 2000

13,558.01

Sean Courtney

Increase Management Capacity of the Ireland Aid Country Programme, Tanzania

16,760.54

Iain Atack

To attend SIDA Workshop A Promoting a Human Rights Approach in Development Cooperation @ Stockholm October 2000

2,632.76

Nick Chisholm

To attend CGIAR Annual Centres Week Washington, October 2000

3,330.76

Therese Dooley

Review of Primary Schools Construction & Bursary Project for Participation of Education Sector Support Programme for Lesotho October Nov 2000

6,610.88

Roger Avenstrup

Review of Primary Schools Construction & Bursary Project for Preparation of Education Sector Support programme for Lesotho Nov-Dec 2000 & Jan 01

15,505.05

Roger Avenstrup

Ethiopia ESDP Mid-term Review 10 February — 4 March 2001

18,658.66

Dr. Shane Allwright

Appraise the desirability of Ireland Aid support for the Mwanza Intervention Trial, Tanzania

3,718.39

Moss McCormack

Health Sector Review Lesotho November 2000

3,889.00

Bernadette Crawford

Health Sector Consultation November 2000

406.91

Vivienne Forsythe

Health Sector Consultation November 2000

540.38

Dr Maura Connolly

Health Sector Consultation November 2000

903.98

Dr Bert Schreuder

Health Sector Consultation November 2000

1,223.19

Philip Ryan / Precept consulting

Management Review, Maputo

15,465.52

Kim Forss /Andante Consultants AB

Participation in Health SWAP Meeting Amsterdam, November 2000

4,295.12

Diarmuid McClean

Technical Support to UNICEF, Ghana, re Ireland Aid supported HIV/Aids programme: Nov-Dec 2000

5,947.77

Moss McCormack

Mid term Review of Medlabs Project Zambia December 2000

(paid in 2002)

Edward O'Loughlin

Production of an Ireland Aid Administrative procedures and Operations manual(s) December — June 2001

14,220.17

Deloitte & Touche

Quality Review of the Evaluation and Audit Unit. Dec 2000-Feb 01

40,966.58

COWI

Evaluation of Ireland Aid Contributions to the UN

45,858.94

Development Cooperation Directorate Consultancy Costs 2001

Consultant

Consultancy Title

€ Amount

Aidan Pender/PA Consulting Group

Facilitator to the Ireland Aid Review Committee

31,452.35

Andrew Burke

Co-ordination of study visit to Ireland by Education officials from Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia Mozambique and S A (Nov 2001)

9,885.68

Bernard McLoughlin

Sidama Area Based Programme Evaluation: Ethiopia (March 2001)

12,914.90

Bernard McLoughlin

Review of Financial Control Capacities and Elaboration of Programme Expansion Proposals (June, 2001)

13,093.88

Brian Barr

Roads Consultancy for Ireland Aid — Ethiopia Programme

11,381.32

Cathal Higgins

Participation in ongoing monitoring and review of Ireland Aid Education Programmes (Jan-Dec 2001)

46,659.36

CDP Consultants

Participation of Mr. Taco Kooistra in the evaluation of NGO Block Grant Scheme: Bangladesh and India (Feb & Mar 2001)

22,431.20

CDP Consultants

Participation in Sidama Area-based Programme Evaluation — Ethiopia (Feb -Apr 2001)

24,966.46

CDP Consultants

Souther Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) Needs Assessment-Ethiopia (Nov 2001)

5,249.76

Centre for Arid Zone Studies (CAZS)

Support to Review of IFSP and Preparation of Position Paper — Ethiopia (Sep 2001)

14,525.14

CHL Consulting Group

Ex-Post Evaluation of Hotel and Tourism Training — Zambia (Oct — Nov 2001)

13,123.09

COWI

Evaluation of Ireland Aid Contributions to UNHCR and OHCHR (Sep — Nov 2001)

7,488.00

Deloitte & Touche

Study to Develop a Risk Management Process in Ireland Aid.

33,492.16

Development Studies Centre

Participation of Ms Orlaith McCaul in the Sidama Area-based Programme Evaluation — Ethiopia (Feb -Apr 2001)

16,297.33

Diarmuid McClean

Participation in ongoing support to Ireland Aid in the Health Sector (Feb -Jul 2001)

4,072.93

Diarmuid McClean

Health — Programme Support and Development (Oct 01 — Mar 02)

2,886.63

Dr. Albert de Groot/Netherlands Economic Institute

Macro-economic Support to Mozambique (Mar — Apr 01)

13,717.13

Dr. Ian Robinson — Centre for Arid Zone Studies, University of Wales, Bangor

Participate in workshop in Dublin re. developing an Ireland Aid Policy and Guidelines for Agriculture

1,851.88

Dr. Jim Phelan

Attendance at Agriculture Workshop — Tanzania (May 2001)

2,744.86

Dr. Timothy O'Dempsey

Participation in Operational Research Workshop (Ethiopia); March 2001

939.06

Edward O'Loughlin

Production of an Ireland Aid Administrative procedures and Operations manual(s) December — June 2001

20,320.00

Eric Woods

Review of Teacher Education in the Context of the Education Sector Development Programme — Ethiopia, November 2001

3,657.60

Gavin Olney

Assessment of Microfinance Sector in Kibale, Kiboga, and Kumi — Uganda

10,203.51

HELM Corporation Ltd

Review of Current Practice in Lesson Learning from Evaluations at Country Level. October-November 2001

24,126.76

Horwath Bastow Charlton

Review of Financial Management Systems of NGOs

40,327.97

IG Harmond Associates

Review of Ireland Aid Support to the Rural Access Sector — Lesotho (Aug-Sep 2001)

12,617.28

John Grindle

Participation in workshop on developing an Ireland Aid Policy and Guidelines for Agriculture: Agriculture Conference, Dublin (10-11 January 2001)

6,200.14

John Grindle

Assistance to the Czech and Lithuanian Foreign Ministries (April — June 2001)

9,106.70

John Grindle

On-going review of Ireland Aids policy on debt (May 2001 — April 2002)

17,207.23

John Grindle

Review of the Ireland Aid Country Programme-Lesotho (Oct-Nov 2001)

2,000.25

John McKinnon

Seminar on proposal to provide General Budget Support to Uganda — Dublin (4 April 2001)

689.71

John Telford / EMMA Ltd.

Review of NGO activities in Gujarat, India (April-June 2001)

7,297.51

Kevin Carroll

Support to IAs Health Advisers (Sep 01-Aug 02)

8,336.57

Kevin Carroll

Preparation of Discussion Paper on Governance/ Civil Society for Programme Officers Meeting (November 2001)

1,905.00

Kevin Carroll

Workshop on Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs)-Lesotho (Oct 2001)

4,493.95

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Participation of Ms Monica Burns in Mid-term Review of the HSDP — Ethiopia (February — March 2001)

30,081.70

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Participation of Mr Peter Petit in Mid-term Review of the HSDP Ethiopia (February — March 2001)

21,836.14

London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine

Participation of Dr. Ruairí Brugha in Joint Ministry of Health/Partners Review of Health Plan of Action — Tanzania (March 2001)

15,580.01

Mary Oduka

Member of Ireland Aid Interview Board for Programme Officer (October 2001)

1,270.00

Michael Kelly

Participation in facilitation of workshop on HIV/AIDS and presentation of paper on HIV/AIDS (February — March 2001)

2,698.98

Michael Scott

Assessment of the operations of AMSCO (April — June 2001)

5,043.63

Monica Burns, LATH

Annual Review Meeting of HSDP — Ethiopia (June 2001)

12,265.60

NEDWORC

Participation of Mr Henk Mutsaers at the Agriculture Conference Workshop on Developing an Ireland Aid Policy and Guidelines for Agriculture: Dublin (11-12 January 2001)

3,140.20

Niall McDermott, Barry International Consulting Engineers

Mozambique Road Sector Analysis (June 2001)

20,550.60

Nick Chisholm

Attendance at the Preliminary Appraisal Committee and the pre-Project Appraisal and Evaluation Group Meetings( April 2000 — March 2001)

6,020.69

Nick Chisholm

Participation in workshop on developing an Ireland Aid Policy and Guidelines for Agriculture: Agriculture Conference, Dublin (10-11 January 2001)

977.09

Nick Chisholm

Ongoing Attendance at Meetings of DAC Working Party on Environment (March 2001 to March 2002)

3,993.39

Nick Chisholm

Seminar on proposal to provide General Budget Support to Uganda — Dublin (4 April 2001)

563.25

Nick Chisholm

Agriculture Position Paper in preparation for the Country Strategy Paper, Ethiopia ( August 2001)

9,096.92

Noel Molony

Review of Current Support to Rwanda — Phase 1 (December 2001)

1,143.00

Olga McDonagh

Administrative arrangements between Ireland Aid and ICOS (March-April 2001)

4,445.00

Overseas Development Institute, London

Participation of Mr. Mick Foster in Joint Donor Budget Support Mission (PRSC) — Uganda (January 2001)

21,689.77

Philip Ryan

Member of Ireland Aid Interview Board for Human Resources and Outsourcing Manager (October 2001)

2,743.20

Philip Ryan / Precept Consulting

Consultancy report to DCD for the Ireland Aid Review April (July 2001)

13,716.00

Prof. John Kevany

Health — Intermittent Specialist Support (October 2001- March 2002)

4,014.56

Prof. John Kevany

Participation in ongoing monitoring on draw-down basis of Ireland Aid support to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative — IAVI (2001-2002)

8,840.69

Prof. John Kevany

Global Health Initiatives Stockholm

2,123.94

Pyramid Consulting Ltd.

Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and Development (1-16/2/2001)

5,715.00

Seamus Ó hUllachain

Facilitator for Study Visit to Ireland (Nov 2001)

3,810.00

Sean Courtney

Increase management capacity of the Ireland Aid Country Programme, Tanzania (17 January — 16 March 2001)

11,582.40

Sean Courtney

Support to the Ireland Aid Country Programme, Tanzania (April — July 2001)

16,154.40

Sean Courtney

Support to the Ireland Aid Country Programme, Tanzania (Aug-Oct 2001)

15,240.00

Sean Courtney

Support to the Ireland Aid Country Programme, Tanzania (01 November 2001-31 January 2002)

4,572.00

Sorcha Corcoran

Production of the Ireland Aid Annual Report

8,628.38

Susan Bragdon CGIAR/IPGRI

Speak at a workshop on Genetic Resources for Agriculture Dublin (8-9 Jan 2001)

833.63

Swithin Goodbody

Participation in Agriculture conferenceWorkshop on developing an Ireland Aid Policy and Guidelines for Agriculture (Dublin); 11 & 12/1/2001 (classified as an extension of contract for Evaluation of Ireland Aid support to IFAD and CGIAR (May — June 2000)

1,263.56

T & B Consult

Review of Ireland Aids support to the Development Studies Centre, Kimmage Manor (Sep-Nov 2001)

6,229.35

Therese Dooley

Participation in the Facilitation of workshop on Monitoring and Evaluation (February-March 2001)

1,524.00

Therese Dooley

EU Water Experts Meeting Stockholm (23-24 April 2001)

2,325.19

Therese Dooley

Water & Sanitation sector, SA & Zambia (June-July 2001)

16,360.08

Therese Dooley

Global Health Fund Meeting Geneva (Jun 01). Global Fund for AIDS & Health Brussels (Jul 01)

4,103.50

Therese Dooley

Preparation for Formulation of CSP-Ethiopia, Water Sector (Sep-Oct 2001)

11,986.73

Development Cooperation Directorate Consultancy Costs 2002

Consultant

Consultancy Title

€ Amount

Avenstrup, Roger

Review of IA support to Education Sector — Lesotho (Dec 2001)

8,956.05

McGuinness, Seamus

Mid-term review/evaluation of Whole School Development — Tanzania (Jul-Aug 2000)

10,681.75

Courtney, Sean

Support to the IA Country Programme — Tanzania (Nov 01 to Jan 02)

10,668.00

Sugrue, Ciaran

Joint External Appraisal of MoE Strat Plan — Zambia (Jul-02)

5,522.71

Long, Jean

Evaluation of the Copperbelt Maternity Clinics & the Northern Province Reproductive Health Projects — Zambia (Jul-Aug-02)

9,776.42

Crawford, Bernie

Development of a Sector Strategy Paper for Urban Development (POCMUS) — Zambia (Jul-Aug-02)

8,740.96

McDowell, Moore

Preparation in the GoZ /WB workshop on “Deeping Economic Diversification in Zambia” — Zambia (Jun-02)

9,710.38

McCormack, Moss

Mid-term review of the Medlabs Project — Zambia (Jul-02)

(6,800.00 due)

Riverine Consulting

Good Governance Northern Province Needs Assessment — Zambia (Jul-Aug 02)

3,291.00

Mtonga, V

Review of the Copperbelt Reproductive Health — Zambia (Jul-Aug-02)

1,524.00

Milimo, J

Water Northern Province KAP Survey — Zambia (Jul-Aug-02)

5,515.00

RuralNet HIV/AIDS

Capacity Needs Assessment OVC Programme Copperbelt — Zambia (Jul-Aug-02)

4,010.00

Sikwibele, A

Northern Province Education BTL Review — Zambia (Jul-Aug-02)

4,995.00

Burke, Andrew

Review of IA support to Primary Education Reform Programme — Uganda (Jul-Aug-02)

15,031.98

Dolan, Tom

Justice Law & Order Sector Review — Uganda (April-May 01)

13,205.54

Dolan, Tom

Preparation of PAEG Documents (2001)

2,795.82

Dolan, Tom

Justice Law & Order Sector & Anti Corruption — Uganda (May-Jun 01)

33,023.43

Dolan, Tom

Visit of Uganda CRC to Ireland, Preparatory Work (Jan-02)

1,766.84

Dolan, Tom

Justice Law & Order Sector Review- Uganda (Nov 01)

12,457.06

O'Sullivan, Margo

Review of IA support to Primary Education Reform Programme — Uganda (Jul-Aug-02)

10,059.00

Avenstrup, Roger

Review Teacher Education — Ethiopia (Nov-01)

15,658.8

Avenstrup, Roger

ESDP Annual Review — Ethiopia (April-02)

8,379.2

CDP Consultants

SNNPRS Needs Assessment — Ethiopia (Feb-Apr)

15,108.45

CDP Consultants

SNNPRS Needs Assessment Phase II — Ethiopia (May-02)

11,808.87

Higgins, Cathal

Assessment of Teacher Education — Ethiopia (2001)

5,731.00

Phelan, Jim

Technical Needs Assessment for ORCB Project — Ethiopia (Sep-02)

7,465.07

Woods, Eric

Provision of Technical support to Joint Task Force on teacher Education — Ethiopia (Jan-Jun-02)

22,914.78

Woods, Eric

Review of Teacher Education in the context of ESDP (Nov-2001)

9,694.21

Gaynor, Cathy

Training Assignment — Ethiopia (October-02)

11,094.11

CDP Consultants

SNNP Regional Integrated Plan — Ethiopia (September 02)

31,005.68

Dolan, Tom

Appraisal of E-justice Programme — South Africa (Oct-2001)

13,535.48

Dolan, Tom

IA support to Good Governance, Democracy & Human Rights — South Africa (Jul-Sep-02)

7,854.00

Gordon, Adele

Bursary Support Evaluation — South Africa

1,553.18

Corbett Development Service

Technical Assistance to oversee Water Project's Implementation — South Africa

8,516.88

Khulisa Man. Serv.

Id current & future funding in Education Sector in Limpopo Prov. — South Africa

28,588.30

Int. Org. Develop.

Support for NGOs working in HIV/AIDS — South Africa

10,335.86

Int. Org. Develop.

Assistance in Organisational restructuring of DoE, Limpopo Province (Phase 1) — South Africa

3,924.08

Chisholm, Nick

PAC & Pre-PAEG Meeting Jan/Mar/April 02

4,079.45

Chisholm, Nick

Ongoing Attendance at DAC Working Party on the Envir. Meetings

2,380.48

Chisholm, Nick

PAC & Pre-PAEG Meetings (May-Dec 02)

4,183.90

Core Financial Systems

Annual Support/Maintenance/Product Licence for Sunsystems for seven missions

22,149.64

Core Financial Systems

Various on-site consultancies

6,897.20

Core Financial Systems

On-site Development of Sun to reflect changes to Subheads in 7 Embassies (Mar-Apr-02)

23,958.00

Grant Thornton

Preparation of Financial Statements Refugee Agency (2001-02)

4,800.00

Jackson, John

Member of the IA Interview Board for Principal & Senior Development Specialists, Dublin (Sep-Oct-02)

6,215.68

Ainscow, Robert

Member of the IA Interview Board for Principal & Senior Development Specialists, Dublin (Sep-Oct-02)

14,018.56

Fell, Art

Member of the IA Interview Board for Principal & Senior Development Specialists, Dublin (Sep-Oct-02)

7,748.34

Ryan, Philip

IA Review of IAAC & NCDE (2001)

6,856.58

Saville & Holdsworth Ltd

Interviewing for IO & Edu. Specialist (Nov & Dec-2001)

7,867.93

S & H Ltd

Feedback to M. O'Connor & T.Dignan

772.2

S & H Ltd

Compentencies & Application Form Design (Mar-02)

2,395.8

Sheils, John

External support in compilation of Job Descriptions for IA

5,793.6

T& Consult

Review of IA's support to the DSC Kimmage (2001)

16,877.82

Whelan, Noel

Pre-PAEG Meetings Jan 01-Jan-02

11,084.31

Whelan, Noel

Pre-PAEG Meetings Feb-Dec 02

6,750.78

Grindle, John

Debt: Ongoing Review of IA's policy on Debt (01-02)

7,554.97

Grindle, John

Debt: Ongoing Review of IA's policy on Debt (May 02-Apr 03)

7,178.39

Grindle, John

Multi-annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) — (Apr-Dec-02)

13,000.00

Jennings, Mary

Multi-annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) — (Apr-Dec-02)

14,346.00

Gaynor, Cathy

Multi-annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) — (Apr-Dec-02)

13,580.00

Grindle, John

Assessment & expert input to Eastern Europe Aid Committee (Feb-Dec-02)

8,500.00

Carroll, Kevin

Evaluation of in-country micro-projects, Phase I

15,881.49

Carroll, Kevin

Eval micro-projects (Phase II) Nigeria

10,487.67

Carroll, Justin

Evaluation of in-country micro-projects, Phase I

27,566.00

Carroll, Justin

Eval micro-projects (Phase II)

10,503.00

CDP Consultants

Evaluation of NGO Block Grant Scheme in Kenya, Uganda & Malawi (Jun-2001)

12,162.24

COWI

Evaluation of IA contributions to UNHCR & OHCHR (Sep-Nov 2001)

33,469.52

Deloitte & Touche

Study to develop a Risk Management Process for IA (2Sep-Nov 2001)

5,762.02

Deloitte & Touche

Risk Management Pilot Phase — Zambia (Jun-02)

40,999.22

Grindle, John

Review — Ethiopia (Aug-Sep-02)

10,484.82

HELM Corporation Ltd

Review of current practice in Lesson Learning from evaluations at country level (expenses 2001)

737.00

Horwath Bastow Charleton

Review of Financial Management Systems of 5 NGOs (Sep-Dec 2001)

9,680.00

Molony, Noel

Review of current support to Rwanda Phase 2 (Jan-02)

7,357.59

Molony, Noel

Review of current support to Rwanda Phase 1 (Dec-2001)

2,987.24

Mullan, Mark

Review of current support to Rwanda Phase 1 (Dec-2001)

2,987.24

Mullan, Mark

Review of current support to Rwanda Phase 2 (Jan-02)

6,350.00

Shannon Development

Review of FIAS (Apr-May-02)

11,313.50

Deloitte & Touche

Role out of Risk Management to 6 Missions (Oct 02 — Jan 03)

65,200.81

Scott, Mike

Support to EAU (Feb-May-02)

14,685.00

Carr, Bronagh

Assessment of Proposals under EHAF/EPPR Scheme — (Apr-Dec 02)

11,324.40

Molony, Noel

Assessment of Proposals under EHAF/EPPR Scheme — (Apr-Dec 02)

7,260.00

Telford, John

Assessment of Proposals under EHAF/EPPR Scheme — (Apr-Dec 02)

15,000.00

Michelson Institute

Review of IA's Human Rights & Democratisation Scheme — (May-Aug 02)

79,356.70

Carr, Bronagh

Develop new instruments for channeling of funds to Irish NGOs for HIV/AIDS Programme- (Jan-Mar-02)

15,240.00

Carr, Bronagh

Assist IA in managing NGO-HAPS — (Apr-Dec 02)

13,831.50

McClean, Diarmuid

Ongoing support HIV/AIDS: SA & Mozambique (2001)

7,046.91

McClean, Diarmuid

Health Prog Support & Development: HIV Strategy — Tanzania

14,305.00

Crawford, Bernie

Member of the Approvals Committee of the NGO-HAPS (Apr-Dec 02)

5,488.90

Hogan, Mark

Member of the Approvals Committee of the NGO-HAPS (Apr-Dec 02)

6,135.00

Manchester, Joanne

Member of the Approvals Committee of the NGO-HAPS (Apr-Dec 02)

4,050.00

McMullan, Pat

Ongoing support to IA funding of IFAD (Jan-Dec-02)

29,827.10

Lee, Carol

Photographic assignments — Advance on fees (2001-02)

11,062.85

Red Dog Graphics

Publications: Design IA Annual Report 01

10,000.00

Bourke-Garcia, Ann

Attendance at the XIV AIDS Conference — Barcelona (July-02)

4,909.79

Carroll, Kevin

Programming Support to IA Edu. & Health Advisers — (Sep-01 to Aug 02)

10,596.61

Carroll, Kevin

Programming Support to Health & Edu Advisers — (Mar-Jul 02)

6,480.97

Cremin, Peter

Co-ordination of study visit to Ireland by Education Officials from Uganda (Nov-2001)

6,497.18

Dooley, Teresa

Intermittant Specialist Support to Water & Sanitation Sector (2001-02)

23,496.15

Grindle, John

Review of IA Country Programme — Lesotho (Oc-Nov 2001)

6,067.73

Kevany, John

On-going monitoring of IA support to IAVI (01-02)

9,113.94

Kevany, John

Intermittent Specialist Support to the Health Sector — (Oct-01 to Mar-02)

13,227.99

Kevany, John

Intermittent Specialist Support to the Health Sector — (Jun to Dec 02)

12,655.55

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Attendance at Dep. For Intern' Medical Research Council Meeting London — (Feb-02)

1,300.00

McClean, Diarmuid

Ongoing support: SA April 01& Ethiopia Jul-01

15,066.57

McClean, Diarmuid

Health Programme Support & Development (Mar-Aug-02)

23,841.51

Ní Duibhir, Denise

Preparation of Edu Fact Sheets & Guidelines Desk Study (2001-02)

2,785.73

O'Donovan, Diarmuid

Technical Consultant to the Board of the European Malaria Vaccine Initiative

8,233.19

St. Patricks Educational Centre

Technical Support to Ugandan National Examinations Board (UNEB) for their National Conference (Feb-Mar-02)

5,852.14

Dundalk Institute of Technology

On-going participation in the Intern' Working Group & Formulation on policy & incentives for the ASEM Initiative on Lifelong Learning (Nov 2001- Sep 02)

62,296.35

IMCL

Country Financial Accountability Assessment, Ethiopia (Sep-Oct 02)

44,840.53

LSHTM

Tracking Study for Global Fund for AIDS, TB & Malaria (end 02- mid 04)

55,570.08

Heneveld, Ward

Facilitator for Seminar on Monitoring Education Quality, Dublin Oct 02

5,207.23

Gaynor, Cathy

Monitoring and Evaluation Consultancy, Ethiopia Oct-Nov 02

11,094.11

Kelly, Michael J.

Facilitator for Seminar on Monitoring Education Quality, Dublin

2,981.36

Carroll, Kevin

Facilitate the Development of an interim CSP for East Timor, Nov 02

7,044.56

Fraser, Susan

Identify the most appropriate funding strategies that could be considered by IA for Palestine in 2003, Oct 02

5,053.86

Cremin, Peadar

Assessment of Ministry of Education Proposal for Technical Assistance to Teacher Training Curriculum Reform, Ethiopia, Oct-Nov 02

7,006.25

Crawford, Bernie

Strategic Approach to Health & Education SWAPs in the Priority Programmes, Sep-Nov 02

7,618.42

Scott, Mike

Participation in the Risk Management Process, Uganda Nov 02

3,582.13

Development Cooperation Directorate Consultancy Costs 2003

Consultant

Consultancy Title

€ Amount

ECORYS

Teacher Education Unit Costings Study, Jan-Feb 03

24,063.54

T & B Consult

Public Expenditure Review Mozambique Jan-Feb 03

27,365.01

Carroll, Kevin

HIV/AIDS Review Tanzania -Review of the Mema Kwa Vijana Project, Feb-Mar 03

16,640.26

T & B Consult

Review of Ireland Aid support to Gender Equality, Jan-Apr 03

77,902.02

Wirak, Anders

2002 Joint Review Mission ESDP, Ethiopia, Feb-Mar 03

23,378.68

Arekibo

Website Redesign and Build, Jan-Apr 03

60,633.00

McClean, Diarmuid

HIV/AIDS Review Tanzania -Review of the Mema Kwa Vijana Project

16,808.90

O'Donovan, Diarmuid

Technical Consultant to the Board of the European Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Jan-Dec 03

8,793.97

Carroll, Kevin

Assistance in Programming Support to the Education and Health/HIV/AIDS Advisers, Jan-Dec 03

30,644.56

Carr, Bronagh

Support to the Emergency and Rehabilitation Unit, Mar-Dec 03

22,797.30

CATZ (University of Wales, Bangor)

Technical Assistance for a Programme of Operational Research and Capacity Building for Food Security & Sustainable Livelihoods (Ethiopia), Apr 03-04

262,078.26(plus 104,080.45 due)

Sugrue, Ciaran

Finalize the Teacher Development and Management Plan (TDMP) Phase II, Uganda

22,862.19

Grindle, John

Attendance at the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, New York, Mar-Apr 03

6,595.64

Grindle, John

Assessment of Proposals submitted under the Eastern European Fund, Mar-Dec 03

8,366.92

Carr, Bronagh

Provision of Technical Support to Ireland Aid in the management of the HIV/AIDS Partnership Scheme for NGOs, March to December 2003

11,033.79

Chisholm, Nick

Participation in the PAEG Meetings, Mar-Dec 03

6,030.80

Whelan, Noel

Participation in the PAEG Meetings, Mar-Dec 03

6,130.00

Leen, Maura

Participation in the PAEG Meetings, Mar-Dec 03

3,600.00

CDP Consultants

Review of the Government of Ireland-Government of South Africa Development Cooperation, Mar-May 03

40,864.25

IMCL

Re-Modelling of Area-Based Programmes, Ethiopia Apr-May 03

32,947.22

CDP

Review District Development Programmes (2000-03), Tanzania

42,624.96

Grindle, John

Tanga Coastal Zone Conservation & Development Programme, Tanzania

1,200.00(plus 2,800 due)

Mulkeen,Aidan

ICT in Education Study in Uganda

11,760.34

Hurley, John

Feasibility Study and Project Formulation for Hospice Uganda Pilot Project

(8,650.00 due)

O'Sullivan, Margo

TDMS — Evaluation of CCT Performance, Uganda

17,585.77

Heneveld, Ward

Education Quality Review, Uganda

34,244.49

Cremin, Peader

Assessment of MoE Proposal for TA to Teacher Training Curriculum Reform, Ethiopia (undertaken in 2002)

7,006.25

CDP

SNNPRS Needs Assessment — Phase III/IV, Ethiopia

18,307.66

DECO — Wirak, Anders

2002 Joint Review Mission ESDP, Ethiopia

23,378.68

Woods, Eric

Technical Support to Steering Committee of Task Force for Teacher Development, Ethiopia (Oct 02-Sep 03)

30,380.22

DECO — Wirak, Anders

Education Joint Review Mission (JRM) 2003, Ethiopia

21,625.69

Durkan, Joseph

Preparation of a paper examining the most appropriate means to encourage and support an enterprise culture within the Ireland Aid Programme in South Africa, May 2003

16,096.37

Moore, Kevin

Briefing for the Office of the President on promoting Private Sector Development in Timor-Leste

10,241.15

Chisholm, Nick

Attendance at DAC Meetings (2002-04)

5,151.72

PAI

Management Needs Analysis

42,700.00(plus 50,057.70 due)

Crawford, Bernie

Appraisal of Fellowships

945.00

Jackson, John

Interview Board Member

2,712.05

O'Donnell, B

Interview Board Member

1,085.00

Uwakwe. Pamela

Review and Update of Financial Policies, Guidelines and Procedures

7,921.24(plus 18,698.76 due)

Carroll, Kevin

Evaluation of In-country Microprojects Scheme (expenses)

919.60

McClean, Diarmuid

Mid-term Review of IA Support to HIV/AIDS Activities in Zimbabwe & Zambia, (Oct-Nov 02)

9,178.44

Deloitte & Touche

Rollout of Risk Management System to Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho and South Africa Programmes, and Production of a Risk Management Booklet (2002-03)

15,914.94

Boyle, Richard

ERI — Quality Review of IA Reports

2,420.00

Annesley Resource Partnership

ERI — Quality Review of IA Reports

1,815.00

Carr, Bronagh

Malawi — Evaluate Emergency Response (2002-03)

21,457.76

Hall, Nick

Review the Financial Procedures in NGO Partners during the 2002 to 2003 Emergency Response in Malawi, November 2003

2,776.95(plus 6,479.55 due)

Salephera Consulting Ltd.

Team Member to Evaluate the 2002 to 2003 Emergency Response in Malawi, November 2003

(6,000.00 due)

BDO Simpson Xavier

Financial Management Systems Review of GOAL under MAPS Funding, Dublin — November 2003

18,634.00

Mokoro

Evaluation of the Uganda Country Programme 2000-2003

95,339.26

Grindle, John

Evaluation of DCI (Balkans & CIS) Desk Top Study 2003-04

3,000.00(plus 7,000 due)

Ni Duibhir, Denise

Preparation of Edu Fact Sheets & Guidelines Desk Study Advance (2001-2002)

6,573.41

Dooley, Teresa

Intermittent Specialist Support to Water & Sanitation Sector (2001-2002)

23,496.15

McClean, Diarmuid

Health Programme Support & Development (March-Dec 02)

7,158.27

Carroll, Kevin

Support to IA Health/Education Advisers (2002)

5,398.25

Regan, Colm (80:20)

Civic Education Zambia (2002)

12,875.34

Kevany, John

Intermittent Specialist Support to the Health Sector — Jan-Dec 03

7,985.63

McClean, Diarmuid

Provision of Technical Support in Health to the Technical Support Unit, Dublin — April 03 to March 2004

60,143.59

O'Donovan, Diarmuid

Technical Consultant to the Board of the European Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Jan-Dec 03

(8,793.97 due)

Phelan, Jim

Uganda Field visit (Membership of the Taskforce on Private Sector & Agriculture)

2,890.22

ODI

Prep. Strategy on ICT & Development

24,980.12

Cremin, Peader

Attendance at Europe-wide Global Education Conference (Nov 02)

2,232.04

Brugha, Ruairi (LSHTM)

Attendance at ‘A Confidential Briefing on the Results of the MKV Project’ Meeting

1,573.00

Peberdy, Max

Facilitator for a three day Workshop on the Technical Section's Strategic Plan — Dublin

3,834.49

Kinsella, Jim (UDC)

Attendance at DAC PovNet Meeting, Florence, Oct 03

3,568.94

O'Dwyer, Jerry

Support to Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, Oct-Dec 03

8,589.72

Crawford, Bernie

Member of the Approvals Committee of the NGO-HAPS

2,296.00

Hogan, Mark

Member of the Approvals Committee of the NGO-HAPS

4,070.00

Manchester, Joanne

Member of the Approvals Committee of the NGO-HAPS

1,089.00

Gaynor, Cathy

Provision of Advice on the Development of a Monitoring Framework for Civil Society Section

1,350.00

Jennings, Mary

Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) (2002)

758.00

Grindle, John

Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) (2002)

2,500.00

Jennings, Mary

Goal Strategy Planning/MAPS Development

750.00

Grindle, John

Evaluation of Bothar Projects (2003-04)

2,100.00(plus 4,900 due)

Carr, Bronagh

Provision of Technical Support to Ireland Aid in the management of the HIV/AIDS Partnership Scheme for NGOs, March to December (2002)

3,800.00

LSHTM

Tracking Study for Global Fund for AIDS, TB & Malaria

55,570.08

Honan, Annette

DEVED Grants Committee Member

Mollaghan, Mary

Production of a Guide to Teaching Resources for DEVED

2,970.00

Grindle, John

Assessment of Proposals submitted under the Eastern European Fund (2003-04)

8,000.00

Hayes, Mahon

Constitutional Expert for the Palestinian Authority

5,876.29

Scott, Mike

Ireland Aid-AMSCO Partnership Review

2,987.39 plus 6,160 due)

McMullan, Pat

Support to IA funding of IFAD (2002)

4,145.52

McMullan, Pat

Support to IA funding of IFAD (2003-04)

15,893.76(plus 12,400 due)

Carr, Bronagh

Identify most appropriate funding strategies for Ethiopia (Nov-Dec 2002)

5,152.03

Telford, John

Support to the Emergency and Rehabilitation Unit

13,794.00

Smillie, Ian

Background Paper on and Mission to Sierra Leone

23,882.52

Grindle, John

Ongoing Review & Analysis of IA's Policy on Debt, 2002-03

10,366.92

Development Cooperation Directorate Consultancy Costs 2004

Consultant

Consultancy Title

€ Amount

Mokoro

Preparation of Country Strategy for Palestine 2004-2007, January — April 04

(44,316.00)

Godden, Kate

Independent Consultants for the EHAF-EPPR Funding Committee (2003)

1,210.00

Madsen, Camilla

Independent Consultants for the EHAF-EPPR Funding Committee (2003-04)

813.12

Shine, Tara

Support on Climate Change

9,200.00(25,800.00 due)

Heneveld, Ward

Education Quality Review Phase II, 2004

(25,000.00)

HSLP Group

Finalise a Strategic Framework for Uganda AIDS Commission Secretariat (UACS), Uganda

(61.002.00)

Santos Marinho, G

Participation in Evaluation of ADRA Projects, Brazil, Feb-April 04

(8,000.00)

Alves Maia, Maria L

Participation in Evaluation of ADRA Projects, Brazil, Feb-April 04

(8,000.00)

Jennings, Mary

Participation in Evaluation of ADRA Projects, Brazil, Feb-April 04

(10,000.00)

Cosgrave, J

Public Expenditure Review — Support to Afghanistan

(16,000)

O'Dwyer, Jerry

Support to Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, Oct-Dec 03

4,278.30

Kinsella, Jim (UDC)

Attendance at DAC PovNet Meeting, Florence, Oct 03

1,416.00

Grindle, John

Assessment of Proposals submitted under the Eastern European Fund (2003)

2,000.00

Annesley Resource Partnership

Real-Time Evaluation of Institute of Public Administration Training Programme for Russian Private Sector Managers, January-February 2004

(9,000.00)

Deloitte and Touche

Completion of Risk Management Rollout in DCI, Dublin — January to March 2004

(15,641.00)

McClean, Diarmuid

Development of a Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS for 2004-2006, Tanzania — 96 February 2004

(12,000.00)

William O'Brien

The Private Sector and Agriculture Study, Dublin — February 2004

(6,000.00)

Jeremy Ockelford

Evaluation of Northern Province Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme 2000-2002, Zambia — March to April 2004

(19,000)

Johnny O'Regan

Provision of Audit Management Support to the Evaluation and Audit Unit, February to May 2004

(16,000.00)

James F. Phelan

Task Force No 3 on Agricultural Services Agricultural Sector Development Programme — Preparation Mission, Tanzania — February 2004

(13,000.00)

Arms Trade.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

267 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the context of the programme of the Irish EU Presidency, he will support efforts towards the adoption of an international arms trade treaty by 2006 to prevent the export of arms when they contribute to violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and to promote support of fellow EU member states for this goal; if the Irish Presidency will instigate a review of the functioning of the EU code of conduct on arms transfers and take steps towards improving its effectiveness. [4578/04]

While work on the drafting of the text of the proposed international arms trade treaty is still ongoing, it is a promising initiative and I commend the non-governmental organisations concerned for their efforts. An official of my Department participated in a conference held last November at Cambridge University in England, the purpose of which was to examine the text of the proposed treaty. I understand that the text is being re-examined from a legal perspective by those NGOs involved in the arms control campaign who are meeting this month in Costa Rica and that as a consequence of those discussions revisions to the text may be made. We await the outcome of that meeting. Ireland will continue to be associated with the process and will closely monitor developments.

The proposed treaty is under discussion within the EU. Discussions have taken place at working group level, most recently last month, and will continue during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. Ireland was actively involved in the establishment of the EU code of conduct on arms exports, which was adopted by the EU General Affairs Council in June 1998. All exports of arms from EU countries must conform to this politically binding code which establishes criteria to control such exports. The code lists the factors to be taken into account when deciding whether to allow an export of military goods, including respect for human rights, the internal situation in the country of final destination and the preservation of regional peace, security and stability. A review of the code is already ongoing in the Union. This review includes the possible reinforcement of the status of the code of conduct, for example, by its transformation into an EU Common Position, which would be legally binding. Ireland is supportive of such a reinforcement of the code.

International Agreements.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

268 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will work to promote the speedy ratification in 2004 of the optimal protocol to the UN convention against torture by all member states and acceding countries. [4579/04]

As the Deputy is aware, on 18 December 2002, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, OP-CAT. The EU has called upon all member states to sign and ratify the optional protocol. The object of the protocol is to establish a system of regular visits undertaken by independent international and national bodies to places of detention with a view to preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

There are 21 signatory states to the optional protocol. The following EU member states are signatories to it: Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Two states have ratified or acceded to the optional protocol. These are Albania and Malta.

As regards Ireland's national position in relation to the optional protocol, the question of signature with a view to subsequent ratification is under consideration. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is reviewing national legislation to ascertain whether legislative changes would be required before signature and ratification of the optional protocol.

Northern Ireland Issues.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

269 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the British Government the disruptive raids by the British Army in the Loughshore area of County Tyrone which began on 1 February 2004 and continued for eight days, causing much inconvenience to local people, damaging lands and blockading the pier (details supplied) in Ardboe; the response he received from the British authorities; the follow-up action that will be taken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4817/04]

During the course of the security alert which took place between 2 and 9 February in the area of Stewartstown, County Tyrone, my Department was contacted by local political representatives conveying their community's concerns about the rationale for the security operation and the manner in which it was carried out. In addition to the sustained disruption to the area, they drew our attention to the damage which was being done to property of local farmers and fishermen, allegedly by the action of British troops.

I immediately directed my officials to raise these concerns as a matter of urgency with the British authorities, through the offices of the British-Irish intergovernmental secretariat in Belfast. As of yet, we have not received a formal response from the British side. My officials continue to press for this. On foot of this formal response, a decision will be made on what follow-up action may be required.

Voluntary Agencies.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

270 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the dedicated unit in his Department to work with the voluntary agencies at home and abroad will be established; the number of staff it will have; the expertise persons in the unit will require; the way personnel will be selected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4966/04]

As I informed the House in my statement on 27 January 2004, I intend to establish a dedicated unit in my Department during the course of this year to work with voluntary agencies at home and abroad involved in the provision of services to emigrants.

As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department is focused on our responsibilities as Presidency of the Council of the European Union and many of our staff have been re-deployed to temporary Presidency posts for this period. When the Presidency is over, I propose to assign staff to the new unit.

I have not yet reached a firm conclusion on the number or level of staff required for the unit. I envisage that they will be drawn from personnel currently serving in the Department and will have the skills necessary to advance the implementation of the report of the task force, in partnership with the relevant Government Departments and voluntary agencies.

Human Rights Issues.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

271 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland supplied aid to Uganda given the evidence available in respect of Government activities and the serious concern expressed in respect of human rights in Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5016/04]

Uganda, as the Deputy will know, is one of the least developed countries in the world and has suffered grievously in its history under dictators like Idi Amin and Milton Obote. Ireland has a programme of development assistance in Uganda five other countries in sub-saharan Africa and one country in Asia with the single-minded purpose of tackling deep poverty and supporting economic and social development. The partnership implicit in that engagement does not blind the Irish programme either to the weakness of governance which is common in poor, developing countries or make it tolerant of human rights abuses.

In Uganda, there has been significant progress in development. Poverty has been reduced, the infection rate for HIV-AIDS has been reversed, the economy has grown from its low base, universal primary education has been introduced with close to full national enrolment and, in general, the quality of public service has been improved. However, Uganda has also been engaged militarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its heavy-handed campaign against the heinous Lords Resistance Army in northern Uganda has exacerbated the plight of innocent civilians.

In the case of the first, Ireland, in concert with its donor partners, has used the leverage of its development programme to pressurise the Government of Uganda for withdrawal from the DRC and for engagement with the peace process. There has been much progress on this issue. In April last all Ugandan troops left the DRC and, since then, Uganda has been playing a full role in the peace process. Ireland still presses for the holding to account of Ugandans who have been involved in the illegal exploitation of DRC resources and in human rights abuses. Some action has been taken and a number of senior Ugandans have lost office. More remains to be done, however.

The situation in northern Uganda is difficult and complex. Over a year ago, the Ugandan defence forces, with the agreement of the Government of Sudan, moved across the Ugandan-Sudanese border in a bid to crush the Lords Resistance Army. The LRA is an insurgent group with a strange fundamentalist religious agenda and a history of gross human rights abuses, including mass child kidnapping, and which for almost two decades had been attacking villages in northern Uganda. A year later the situation has worsened. The LRA has moved back into northern Uganda, has increased its attacks, has driven over a million people from their homes and has created a food crisis in the region.

Ireland, again with other donors, has adopted a two-track approach to the situation. To help deal with the humanitarian crisis, NGOs like Trócaire and Concern and agencies like the World Food Programme have been given funds to enable them assist people affected in the north. On the wider issue, Ireland has pressed the Ugandan Government to reconsider its policy in the north, in particular to continue to allow for an amnesty for LRA fighters who wish to surrender, to pursue the option of a negotiated settlement and to address the alienation in the region which has allowed the LRA to operate.

In summary, while engaging in Uganda with the primary purpose of assisting some of the poorest people in the world, Ireland has pursued a critical and clear-minded policy of encouraging responsible and responsive government. We believe that dialogue and engagement are the best means to promote and secure progress in both sustainable development and democratisation.

State Examinations.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

272 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the State Examinations Commission informed schools in September 2003 that the junior certificate examination fee would be €80; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that in December 2003 the commission informed schools that the fee had been increased to €86 and that this announcement was made after the initially requested sum had been collected from many schools and this obliged schools to contact parents looking for an extra €6; if his attention has further been drawn to the administrative burden this will put on schools and the added cost to families, especially those living in disadvantaged areas. [4518/04]

In November 2003 I announced an increase of €10 in the standard leaving certificate fee (€76 to €86). This represented an increase of 13%, and similar increases were then applied to other examination fees. The new amounts were formally notified to schools in December 2003 by the State Examinations Commission. Any information given by schools to parents prior to this was not based on a formal notification from the State Examinations Commission. It is regrettable that this may cause parents and schools some inconvenience.

Examination entry fees are in existence to defray in part the costs of running the certificate examinations. Examination entry fees cover only part of the costs involved. Candidates who hold a current medical card or are dependent on a parent or guardian who is the holder of a current medical card are not liable for examination fees. Medical cards will be accepted only if valid on 1 February 2004, the due date for payment.

Psychological Service.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

273 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on the psychological assessments of the 14 children in Carnew national school, County Wicklow, given that they have been waiting almost a year following recommendations that they be allocated a resource teacher and special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/04]

The school referred to by the Deputy currently has the services of a full-time and part-time resource teacher together with a shared learning support teacher. My Department has received applications for further special educational resources, SER, from this school and the position in this regard is as follows.

Resources in respect of an emergency application for one of the persons referred to by the Deputy have been approved on a temporary basis; SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003, including the applications for the remaining 13 persons made by this school, are being considered at present. In all, more than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.

The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year or so. Account is also being taken of existing resource levels, the details of which were submitted by schools as part of the recent nationwide census of SER provision.

The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.

Special Educational Needs.

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

274 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive the number of resource hours they were allocated following assessment. [4525/04]

The school in question has been allocated 1.04 whole-time equivalent teaching posts to cater for its pupils with special educational needs. A recent review of the school's needs concluded that the level of special teaching support already allocated to the school was sufficient to enable it to address the special educational needs of its students, including the student to whom the Deputy refers.

Schools Recognition.

Damien English

Ceist:

275 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science if, following the enormous success of the CABAS school in Drogheda, he will fast track the decision to put this school and others like it into mainstream funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4526/04]

I assure the Deputy that my Department intends to take a measured approach to considering the future of the three CABAS facilities in Dublin, Cork and Drogheda. My approach will be to ensure continuity of provision for the pupils in question. My Department appreciates the concerns of parents for greater certainty and, in this regard, I wish to confirm that my Department is prepared to continue to provide funding for three CABAS facilities for the next school year 2004-05. My Department will in due course consider the reports of the inspectorate on autism specific provisions and any issues arising therefrom will be raised directly with the relevant managements.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

276 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will immediately sanction funding for the CABAS south Dublin project in Shankill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4527/04]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

282 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to make a decision on the application for a CABAS school in south Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/04]

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

335 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the submission from CABAS, south Dublin, for a school to cater for children with autism will be expedited; and the timescale for the provision of same. [5092/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 282 and 335 together.

I am most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, receive education appropriate to their needs. There are seven facilities in the State operating on a pilot-project basis and using alternative educational methods for teaching children on the autistic spectrum. Three of the seven are CABAS facilities, whose teaching method involves a comprehensive application of behaviour analysis to schooling approach.

A decision regarding the retention of these establishments will be made in light of an evaluation of provision for children with an autistic spectrum disorder carried out by my Department's Inspectorate. It is envisaged that the outcome of the evaluation will be determined and a decision taken on the future of the facilities during the course of the current school year.

My Department is actively considering applications from CABAS, Dublin, for autistic provision in south County Dublin. My officials are liaising with my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, in this regard. A response will issue to the applicants as quickly as possible.

School Staffing.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

277 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science when a personal assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to enable them to attend playschool and in time to attend primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4528/04]

I advise the Deputy that the provision of a personal assistant to enable the child in question attend a pre-school is a matter for the relevant health board. I can confirm that the child concerned is receiving support from my Department's visiting teacher service.

Schools Building Projects.

Tom McEllistrim

Ceist:

278 Mr. McEllistrim asked the Minister for Education and Science when the building of the Nano Nagle's Special School, Listowel, County Kerry, can proceed to advanced stage. [4529/04]

The proposed large-scale building project for the school for Nano Nagle's Special School, Listowel, County Kerry, is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This proposed project is at stage 2-3 — that is, outline sketch scheme-developed sketch schemes — of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 1 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.

The proposed project will be authorised to progress to advanced architectural planning during 2004. Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

279 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4545/04]

My Department engages with over 4000 schools, colleges and other institutions largely without any intermediate tier. This can give rise to contractual arrangements covering employment and procurement of goods and services. In the case of its own operations the Department also enters contracts.

The largest single area of contractual activity is the schools building programme where contracts in any one year can exceed 2,000 in number ranging from minor works to projects of more significant scale. In the third level sector a significant number of contracts have also been entered into during the course of the past seven years.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. In all the circumstances the Deputy will appreciate that the compilation of such wide ranging data is such that it would require the diversion of scarce staff resources which could not be justified in this instance. If the Deputy has a query in respect of a particular contract or procurement, I would be happy to provide the information.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

280 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/04]

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department at present and will be forwarded directly to him.

Educational Entitlements.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

281 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason their application was refused; the difference in entitlements to education between persons (details supplied) with refugee status and with residency permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4576/04]

The universities are autonomous bodies and, as such, may determine their own admissions policy. I understand from University College Cork that it cannot locate a record of an application or a refusal of an application for admission to nursing from the person concerned.

Under the Equal Status Act 2000, educational establishments may not discriminate as regards the terms and conditions of admission on the basis that an applicant is of a different race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. However, I understand that educational establishments may exercise differential treatment as between EU and non-EU nationals in relation to fees for admission and the allocation of places. UCC have confirmed that in 2003 no offers were made to any non-EU applicants.

The main conditions of the free fees initiative are that students must be first-time undergraduates; and hold EU nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.

Under the terms of the higher education grants scheme the position is that, generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. Candidates must hold EU nationality; have official refugee status; have been granted humanitarian leave to remain in the State; have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to an Irish national residing in the State; be the child of such person, not having EU nationality; have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to a national of another EU member state who is residing in the State and who is or has been employed or self-employed, in the State; or be the child of such a person, not having EU nationality; be nationals of a member country of the european economic area.

The higher education grants scheme, however, provides that a candidate's eligibility for grant assistance may be reassessed in the event of a change in circumstances in relation to nationality.

Question No. 282 answered with QuestionNo. 276.

Schools Building Projects.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

283 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used within his Department to prioritise building proposals which have been approved as necessary; if he plans to publish a ranking of school projects in order that schools know exactly where they stand in relation to the flow of building proposals; and the extent to which he is consulted in relation to the priority listing and the procedures for recording decisions by him to alter the order in which funds are released to projects. [4610/04]

The criteria used for prioritising large-scale primary and post-primary school building projects is set out in appendix 1 and 2 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website www.education.ie.

As I announced when publishing the programme, a key strategy for school building projects going forward will be grounded on the budget day announcement of multi-annual allocations for capital investment in education projects. All projects that are not going to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme will be re-evaluated with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual building programme from 2005 onwards. This strategy will provide better clarity for schools in terms of when they can expect their projects to proceed.

As the first step in the review process, my Department is currently holding consultations with the education partners in relation to the prioritisation criteria used for large scale building projects. The purpose of these consultations is to ensure that the criteria has optimum precision and are fully tuned to meeting the priority accommodation needs of the primary and post primary sectors. I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement in this matter later this year.

Special Educational Needs.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

284 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when resource hours will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who attends the Killian Presentation Secondary School, Killina, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4646/04]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

285 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when resource hours will be provided for persons attending Killina Presentation Secondary School, Killina, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4647/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.

The school in question has been allocated a total of 3.65 whole-time equivalent teacher posts and seven whole-time equivalent special needs assistant posts to cater for the special educational needs of the pupil in question and a number of other pupils with special needs attending the school.

Teaching Qualifications.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

286 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of teacher scarcity, he proposes to review the Scrúdú Cáilíochta na Gaeilge requirement for teachers trained outside the State, to provide a more achievable exam based on the standard of Irish required in the primary classroom; if he will reconsider the five year time limit to ensure continuity of employment and job security for teachers in the system; if he will examine the Irish requirement for non-national resource and special needs teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4654/04]

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

321 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious problem that teachers who have trained outside the Republic of Ireland have in regard to the requirements of his Department to pass their exams to qualify for full Irish status; his views on the fact that the standard of the exam is far above what is necessary within the classroom and the fact that people who have attended Gaelscoils and hold honours degrees in the Irish language have in the past failed this exam; his further views on the fact that there is no clear syllabus set out for teachers to follow; if he will reconsider this situation and bring in a realistic structure so that teachers who are very necessary to our system and have good qualifications otherwise, are not debarred from school structures and a proper payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4963/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 321 together.

I established a working group to review all aspects of the syllabus and examination for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge in 2001. The report of the working group was recently submitted to me. Issues dealt with in the report include the content and format of the examination modules, the standard of the examinations and the period of provisional recognition granted to applicants within which they are expected to pass the SCG. The report is currently under consideration and decisions in relation to the recommendations contained in it will be taken in due course.

The review group has drafted an interim syllabus. The redrafted syllabus was circulated to all schools in December 2002 and the SCG examinations held on 29, 30 and 31 October 2003 were the first series of SCG examinations to be based on this syllabus.

The review group has also drafted a handbook for the examination. The handbook will contain detailed information on the SCG and will provide answers to a wide range of questions raised by candidates. It is also planned to produce a textbook of relevant prose and poetry for future examinations.

Courses of study aimed specifically at candidates for the SCG examination are run by a number of Education Centres throughout the country. The level at which courses are provided is dependent on the demand. Copies of past examination papers, including tapes of the aural examinations, are available on request from primary administration section 1 of my Department in Athlone as is a copy of the interim syllabus for the SCG examinations, which was circulated to all schools in December, 2002 and which included a reading list of prose and poetry to be studied for the examinations.

School Policies.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

287 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school has a responsibility to keep a younger child in school from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. until the parent is available to pick the child up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4655/04]

In accordance with the rules for national schools, the length of the school day for pupils enrolled in infants or first class may, at the board of management's discretion, be reduced by one hour to four hours and 40 minutes.

It is acknowledged that particular circumstances may arise whereby the implementation of the shorter day for these pupils can cause difficulties for some parents. Where this arises, my Department would encourage school authorities to engage with parents locally with a view to arriving at a mutually acceptable resolution. However, in the event that pupils enrolled in an infants or first class cannot be collected until the end of the school day for the more senior pupils, the school authorities would be obliged to ensure that the pupils concerned are appropriately supervised during the period in question.

Schools Building Projects.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

288 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the timeframe for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal in relation to refurbishment and an extension which is currently at architectural planning level to progress to advanced architectural planning which was promised in the Schools Building Programme 2004; the timeframe for this project to go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4673/04]

This proposed large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on the Department's website at www.education.ie. This proposed project is at stage 3 — detailed plans-costs — of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 2 rating by the Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.

The proposed project will be authorised to progress to advanced architectural planning during 2004. Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

289 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the acquisition of a site for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4674/04]

The property management section of the OPW is acting on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally. It is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for the school in question. However, due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment in relation to a specific site. The relevant information will be placed on my Department's website when acquisitions have been completed.

Departmental Funding.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

290 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding funding from the in-career development unit of his Department for Chaplains' Conference; his views on the fact that his Department is not supporting school chaplains in voluntary secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4675/04]

In addition to funding a number of national support services, for example in the areas of curricular reform and special needs, my Department supports a wide range of continuing professional development programmes provided by a network of education centres at local level for personnel working in primary and post-primary schools. In this regard the in-career development unit of my Department funds 21 full-time education centres and nine part-time centres to deliver this service.

In the past the unit also provided limited financial support to a range of other course providers-organisers for other elective programmes of in-service, to the extent that resouces permitted having regard to other commitments and priorities. This included direct support to the school chaplins association and to schools which applied to my Department rather than to their local education centre.

In order to rationalise matters and to make the best use of available resources, direct support to schools and other bodies and groups is no longer being made by my Department. Schools and others are advised to contact their local education centre, whose role it is to provide local inservice and support, advice and assistance to schools and their personnel in these matters. This approach will help avoid duplication and make the best use of available resources.

Psychological Service.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

291 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary schools in County Louth that are served by the national educational psychological service; if there are unfilled vacancies for NEPS psychologists in County Louth; and the waiting list in Louth for psychological assessments for schools that are served by NEPS and non NEPS schools. [4681/04]

Of the 73 primary schools in County Louth, 37 currently have a service from the national educational psychological service, NEPS. All the schools that do not yet have a service (36) may avail of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA. Details of this scheme have been circulated to all schools and are also available on my Department's website.

Under the Draft Development Plan for NEPS, which was presented to my predecessor in April 2000, it was envisaged that the final total of NEPS psychologists in the north-east region, of which County Louth forms part, would be 17. At present, 11 of these are in post, with one on maternity leave and one on a career break. Four of the psychologists are currently in post work in the Louth area. It is hoped to make another appointment to the region before the end of the current school year.

Expansion to some further schools will be possible on the return of a psychologist from career break later in the year. Expansion of the service to all schools must await further recruitment.

NEPS psychologists do not keep waiting lists of children requiring assessment in the sense of lists of names that are dealt with in chronological order. Each psychologist is responsible for a number of named schools, and visits each on a regular basis. The school authorities provide names of children who are giving cause for concern and discuss the relative urgency of each case during the psychologist's visits. This allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and such children will be seen or referred on in a matter of weeks, if not days. Where cases are less urgent, the psychologist will, as a preliminary measure, act as a consultant to teachers and parents, offer advice about educational and behavioural plans and monitor progress.

Schools that do not yet have access to the NEPS service commission psychological assessments directly from a panel of psychologists under the terms of the SCPA. My Department does not therefore have information as to the normal waiting time for assessment under this scheme.

Pension Provisions.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

292 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made with regard to the pension scheme for primary school caretakers who were employed under the 1979 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4716/04]

My Department's examination of the question of introducing a pension scheme for school caretakers will have regard to the provisions of the Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act 2001 and the Protection of Employees (Fixed-term Work) Act 2003. Discussions with the education partners, and the Department of Finance, are ongoing regarding the implementation of these complex Acts. My Department's approach will be informed by the outcome of these discussions and developments in the wider public service.

EU Presidency.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

293 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the venue and location at which the meeting on education, youth and culture scheduled for 26 February 2004, as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will take place; and the proposed agenda for the meeting. [4735/04]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

294 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the venue and location at which the meeting on education, youth and culture scheduled for 27 May 2004, as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will take place; and the proposed agenda for the meeting. [4736/04]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

295 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the venue and location at which the meeting on education, youth and culture scheduled for 28 May 2004, as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will take place; and the proposed agenda for the meeting. [4737/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 295, inclusive, together.

The Education Council meetings scheduled for 26 February — education — and 27-28 May 2004 — education, youth and culture — will be held in the headquarters of the European Council, the Justus Lipsius Building in Brussels. Discussions on agenda items for both meetings are on-going.

At the February Council the main item will be the adoption of the joint interim report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the detailed work programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems in Europe. There will also be an initial exchange of views by Ministers on the Europass proposal for a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences.

At the May Council, I anticipate that the principal agenda items in the education and youth sectors will be the adoption of council resolutions on guidance in the lifelong learning context and on social inclusion with regard to youth. In addition, there will be conclusions on quality assurance in vocational education and training and on common European principles for the validation of non-formal and informal learning. There will also be a discussion on the new generation of EU education and youth programmes due to commence in 2007 and on common objectives in the youth sector with regard to voluntary activity and a better understanding of youth. It is also intended that a declaration on racism, violence and intolerance in relation to youth be on the agenda. The agenda for the cultural sector is a matter for the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Adult Education.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

296 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when programmes under the adult literacy services will be informed of their budgets for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4779/04]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

297 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if extra funds will be allocated to adult literacy services programmes to pay for benchmarking in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4780/04]

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

298 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money allocated for 2004 under the adult literacy development funds; the amount of this fund which is allocated to adult literacy services throughout the country; the way in which the balance of the fund is to be expended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4781/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 to 298, inclusive, together.

The adult literacy services are delivered locally by vocational education committees with funding from my Department. The 2004 allocation for adult literacy will be determined when the revised Estimates for the Public Service are published at the end of February.

Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

299 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria which his Department uses for deciding whether home tuition will be made available to children in the autistic spectrum in the pre-school years; and if provision will be made for home tuition in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [4783/04]

My Department has no record of having received an application for home tuition for the person referred to by the Deputy. I wish to advise the Deputy that the primary responsibility for service provision for pre-school age children rests with the appropriate health authority. However, my Department has established eight pre-school classes for children with autism, four in Dublin and four in Cork. In addition, my Department may sanction home tuition grants for children with autism who are of pre-school age and for whom a home educational programme is considered appropriate. Similar provision is made for children of school-going age who are awaiting an appropriate educational placement.

Last July, I published the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003. This Bill, when enacted, will provide a clear and enforceable statement in law of the rights of children from birth to 18 years who, because of disabilities, including autism, have special educational needs. Provision will be made in the Bill for a statutory structure which will guarantee the educational rights of these children, and also for a formal appeals mechanism. My objective is to secure the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.

School Transport.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

300 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school bus service can be re-routed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4789/04]

Bus Éireann has been asked to investigate the possibility of re-routing an existing service for the pupil referred to in the details supplied. As soon as a report has been received and considered my Department will contact the family. In the meantime, my Department has offered a medical grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements from the pupil's home to the school.

Youth Services.

David Stanton

Ceist:

301 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a request to support the post of a national co-ordinator for the YMCA; if his Department had made such support available in the past; if so, if he will give details with regard to cost and length of such support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4808/04]

The youth affairs section of my Department funds the YMCA through its youth service grant scheme. The scheme provides support on an annual basis to national and major regional voluntary youth work organisations. Funding amounting to €119,672 was allocated to the YMCA in 2003. Six staff positions are supported by 80% of this aid, including a part-time national STEP co-ordinator. The STEP, support training and enterprise programme, which is a pre-vocational training programme for 18 to 25 year olds who are educationally disadvantaged, commenced in 1989 and it has since been combined with the organisation's early school leavers' programme. The precise details requested in regard to cost and time will be collated and sent to the Deputy as soon as possible. No request has been received to date by the youth affairs section of my Department from the organisation for additional posts.

David Stanton

Ceist:

302 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science his programme and that of his Ministers of State regarding youth work and youth affairs with reference to the Irish Presidency of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4814/04]

I am availing myself of the Irish EU Presidency to further develop youth policy at home and to influence youth policy in Europe. Progressing the European Commission's White Paper, A New Impetus for European Youth, is a priority for the youth agenda during the Irish Presidency. I plan to hold a youth conference at ministerial level in County Clare from 4 to 6 March next and, while its overall theme reflects the youth Presidency priority of progressing the White Paper, it will focus particularly on two issues. These are young people and politics — a key dimension of youth participation — and the development of youth policy at EU level. Approximately 170 delegates, including young people, are expected to attend this conference from both member states and acceding countries.

At the January meeting of the European Union's youth working party, the Irish Presidency introduced a draft resolution on social inclusion with specific regard to young people, which will highlight the issues involved for these young people in many different areas of activity and concern. I intend to place this on the agenda of the EU Council of Education and Youth Ministers in May 2004. A declaration on racism, violence and intolerance in relation to young people is also proposed for discussion at these meetings.

Léargas — the Exchange Bureau is organising a meeting of the national agencies for the youth programme in Dublin in May 2004. The theme of this conference will be the development of youth policies in accordance with the EU White Paper on youth. The National Youth Council of Ireland will also be involved in a meeting of the European youth forum in Dublin in May next.

Also during the Presidency, a meeting of directors general of youth from all the EU member states will take place in Dublin in June, 2004 and discussion will focus on the possible contents of a new youth programme and further advancement of the principles contained in the EU White Paper on youth. An informal meeting of the youth working party will also take place in Dublin in June 2004.

David Stanton

Ceist:

303 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made regarding the appointment of an assessor of youth work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4815/04]

Section 16 of the Youth Work Act 2001 provides for the appointment of an assessor of youth work and this has been identified as a priority action by my Department. A sub-committee of the national youth work advisory committee, which was appointed under sections 17 and 18 of the Act to advise on youth work and youth work policy, has drawn up a job description for the assessor of youth work outlining the requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Work Act 2001. This job description is being examined by my Department and it is expected that the advertising and recruitment process will commence shortly.

Schools Building Projects.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

304 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is unable to meet the request for places in the school, as there is full capacity under health and safety regulations; his plans to rectify this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4822/04]

The proposed large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme, which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This proposed project is at stage 3, detailed plans-costs, of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 2 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. The proposed project will be authorised to progress to advanced architectural planning during 2004. Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004.

The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which, in turn, will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year. In addition to the proposed large-scale building project, five temporary classrooms have recently been provided at the school.

Special Educational Needs.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

305 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if the audit of special needs assistants service has been completed; the outcome of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4823/04]

As part of its evaluative role, my Department's inspectorate conducted a sample survey in late 2002 of 25 primary schools that had been allocated resource teacher and special needs assistant support. The objective of the review was to provide a detailed account of the additional allocation of resources for pupils with special educational needs with particular reference to the terms of the relevant departmental circulars.

While expressing concern at the higher than expected incidence of significant disability identified in the survey, the report emphasised the need for caution in drawing firm conclusions because of the small sample involved. It also noted that increased access to psychological assessment services in recent years had led to increased numbers of pupils in mainstream schools being identified as having special needs. Nonetheless, the report expressed concern that the greater availability of resources in recent years may also have led to significant over-identification of special needs in schools and that such over-identification had serious long-term implications for the future funding and development of special education services.

Arising from the findings in the report, all applications for special educational resources are subject to individual verification. In addition, my Department is reviewing the existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. In this context, my officials have initiated discussions on the matter with representative interests. It would be premature to anticipate the outcome. I can confirm, however, that the basic purpose of the review is to ensure each school has the resources required to cater for its pupils with special educational needs.

Pending the conclusion of discussions with the representative interests, schools are advised to refer to circular 24/03 which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources allocated for special educational needs within the school.

Inservice Training.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

306 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review his decision to discontinue the subvention towards reasonable expenses incurred by course organisers in providing inservice courses for personnel working in primary and post-primary schools. [4882/04]

In addition to funding a number of national support services, for example, in the areas of curricular reform and special needs, my Department supports a wide range of continuing professional development programmes provided by a network of education centres at local level for personnel working in primary and post-primary schools. In this regard, the in-career development unit of my Department funds 21 full-time education centres and nine part-time centres to deliver this service. In the past the unit also provided limited financial support to a range of other course providers-organisers for other elective programmes of inservice to the extent that resources permitted having regard to other commitments and priorities. This included direct support to schools which applied to my Department rather than to their local education centre.

Direct support to schools and other bodies and groups is no longer being made by my Department to rationalise matters and to make the best use of available resources. Schools and others are advised to contact their local education centre, whose role it is to provide local inservice and support, advice and assistance to schools and their personnel in these matters. This approach will help avoid duplication and make the best use of available resources.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

307 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the decision to discontinue the subvention to the French Teachers' Association in Fingal towards inservice courses in August 2004, given that such courses have always been well attended and have been found to be most beneficial to the teachers involved. [4883/04]

In addition to funding a number of national support services, for example in the areas of curricular reform and special needs, my Department supports a wide range of continuing professional development programmes provided by a network of education centres at local level for personnel working in primary and post-primary schools. In this regard the in-career development unit of my Department funds 21 full-time education centres and nine part-time centres to deliver this service. In the past the unit also provided limited financial support to a range of other course providers-organisers, including the French Teachers' Association, for other elective programmes of inservice to the extent that resources permitted having regard to other commitments and priorities. This included the French Teachers' Association and schools that applied to my Department rather than to their local education centre.

Direct support to schools and other bodies and groups is no longer being made by my Department in order to rationalise matters and to make the best use of available resources. Schools and others are advised to contact their local education centre, whose role it is to provide local inservice and support, advice and assistance to schools and their personnel in these matters. This approach will help avoid duplication and make the best use of available resources.

Education Welfare Service.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

308 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of educational welfare officers appointed to date; the schools to which they have been appointed; the further appointments that will be made this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4899/04]

The Education (Welfare) Act was fully commenced on 5 July 2002. Under the Act, the National Educational Welfare Board was established to ensure every child attends school regularly or otherwise receives an education. The board is developing a nationwide service to provide welfare-focused services to children, families and schools to discharge its responsibilities. It has appointed a chief executive officer, directors of corporate and educational services together with a further eight head office staff. To date, 53 educational welfare staff have been appointed. This includes 29 former school attendance officers who transferred to the board from the pre-existing service. The board has recently advertised a competition to fill a further 15 vacancies, which will bring the total staff complement to 84.

At this stage of its development, the aim of the board is to provide a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at-risk groups. Five regional teams have been established with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and staff have been deployed since early December in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. A total of 13 towns with significant schoolgoing populations, 12 of which are designated under the Government's RAPID programme, also have an educational welfare officer allocated to them. These towns are Dundalk, Drogheda, Navan, Athlone, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Bray, Clonmel, Tralee, Ennis, Sligo and Letterkenny. In addition, the board will follow up on urgent cases nationally where children are not receiving an education.

The board has also moved to provide a service to families who decide to have their children educated in places other than in recognised schools. A small number of people with the appropriate skills have been allocated to this work and assessments will commence shortly. My Department has recently issued guidelines to assist the board in meeting its responsibilities in this area. An information leaflet and an application form are being prepared for issue to families who are educating their children at home. Work is also proceeding on the establishment of the register for 16 and 17 year olds who leave school to enter employment.

Guidelines are being prepared for schools on the reporting of student absences and a protocol outlining the interaction between schools and educational welfare staff is being developed with the assistance of the school implementation group recently established by the board.

Inquiry into Child Abuse.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

309 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if an institution (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been investigated for abuse of children placed there by the State in the 1940s and since; if so, the outcome of such investigations; the responsibility his Department have taken for the abuse that occurred in this institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4900/04]

I am not aware if the institution referred to by the Deputy has been investigated for the abuse of children. The Oireachtas, through the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000, established a statutory body with the powers of the High Court to undertake such investigations. The Act specifically provides that the commission shall inquire into abuse allegations and shall determine the extent to which certain bodies contributed to abuse. If allegations of abuse in respect of this institution were made to the investigation committee of the commission, it would be a matter for that forum to carry out the kind of inquiry to which the Deputy refers. The institution was not a certified industrial or reformatory school and my Department did not have a regulatory or inspection role in respect of it.

The institution is included in the Schedule of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 and therefore former residents of the institution may make an application for redress to the Residential Institutions Redress Board. The board was established for the purpose of making financial awards to assist in the recovery of certain persons who as children were resident in certain institutions and who have or have had injuries that are consistent with abuse received while so resident.

Teachers' Remuneration.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

310 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who carried out supervision duties in a school (details supplied) from September 2002 to 26 January 2003 has still not been paid supervision pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4906/04]

The appropriate grant in respect of supervision for the 2002-03 school year issued to the board of management of the school concerned in December 2003. It is suggested that the teacher referred to by the Deputy should take the matter up directly with the schoolauthorities.

School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

311 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of the extra facilities required at Naas CBS; the full extent of the recent offer made by his Department to the school authorities; the reason the full needs of the school, as set out by them and agreed with his Department, have not been met; the way in which he proposes to address the situation arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4914/04]

The school building programme for 2004 as published is focused towards the construction of large-scale new building projects which were in the advanced stages of architectural planning. The proposed extension project at Meánscoil Iognáid Rís is in the early stages of architectural planning and, consequently, did not feature in the 2004 programme.

However, given the difficulties being experienced at the school, my Department is anxious to provide a speedy solution to meet the short to medium-term needs of the school. In this regard, it is prepared to provide permanent high quality modular accommodation in accordance with a schedule of accommodation to be agreed with the school authority. Such accommodation is widely used in other countries and has been used here in the prison service. In addition, my Department satisfactorily piloted an entire new second level school in Cabra last year using this accommodation. The main advantage of modular accommodation is the speed with which it can be delivered. It is also permanent and can be demounted for use elsewhere as circumstances at individual schools change.

It is envisaged the remainder of the accommodation required at Meanscoil Iognáid Rís can be provided using the same delivery method under next year's capital programme. However, if the school authority wishes to follow the traditional building delivery method, its project will be included in a re-evaluation of all projects that will not go to construction as part of the 2004 programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual building programme from 2005 onwards. This re-evaluation will take place following completion of a review of the prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects which is taking place with the education partners.

School Staffing.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

312 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed on a full-time and part-time basis. [4953/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

318 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the budget allocated to the provision of special needs assistants for the school year June 2002 to June 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4960/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

319 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the budget allocated to the provision of special needs assistants for the school year June 2003 to June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4961/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

320 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the budget allocated to the provision of special needs assistants for the school year June 2004 to June 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4962/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 318 to 320, inclusive, together.

There are 4,319 full-time and 1,353 part-time special needs assistants at primary level being paid salary on my Department's payroll. To date, my Department has allocated a total of 461.39 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants at post-primary level. The budget for the provision of special needs assistants is allocated on a financial year basis. I can confirm the allocation for the financial years 2002, 2003 and 2004 as follows:

Primary

2002 €50.416 million

2003 €103.611 million

2004 €119.897 million

Voluntary Secondary

2002 €2.020 million

2003 €2.996 million

2004 €6.657 million

Community and Comprehensive

2002 €1.28 million

2003 €2.1 million

2004 €2.42 million

Vocational Education Committees

2002 €1.12 million

2003 €1.99 million

2004 €2.73 million

Special Educational Needs.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

313 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria currently being employed in the evaluation of the necessity for the provision of a special needs assistant to a school student; if his Department has plans to change these criteria; and if so, when. [4954/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

314 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes in the criteria used for the assessment of the need to provide a special needs assistant to a school student since 1 June 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4956/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

315 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes his Department intends to make in the criteria being used for the assessment of the need to provide a special needs assistant over the next 18 months. [4957/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

316 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has plans to expand the provision of special needs supports to ensure children with special needs achieve their full educational potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4958/04]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

317 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has plans to allocate special needs assistants on a school by school basis, based on the number of students attending each school, as is currently the case with the allocation of teaching posts; when this will be implemented; and the ratio of special needs assistants to students that will exist. [4959/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 to 317, inclusive, together.

Special needs assistants may be approved to assist a pupil who has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for special needs assistant support are outlined in circular 07/02 which issued to primary schools in February 2002. The criteria remain unchanged.

Since October 1998 the number of special needs assistants has increased from approximately 300 to the current number of 4,319 full time and 1,353 part time posts. In autumn 2002, as part of its evaluative role, my Department's inspectorate conducted a review of special educational resources in 25 primary schools. The objective of the review was to provide a detailed account of the additional allocation of resources for pupils with special educational needs with particular reference to the terms of the relevant departmental circulars.

While expressing concern at the higher than expected incidence of significant disability identified in the survey, the report emphasised the need for caution in drawing firm conclusions because of the small sample involved. It also noted that increased access to psychological assessment services in recent years had led to increased numbers of pupils in mainstream schools being identified as having special needs. Nonetheless, the report expressed concern that the greater availability of resources in recent years may also have led to significant over-identification of special needs in schools and that such over-identification had serious long-term implications for the future funding and development of special education services.

My Department continues to review the existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. In this context, my officials have initiated discussions on the matter with representative interests. It would be premature to anticipate the outcome. I can confirm, however, that the basic purpose of that review is to ensure each school has the level of resources required to cater for its pupils with special educational needs.

I am anxious to ensure the support services are properly targeted at the children who require them and that the substantially increased resources which are being made available in the special education area have the desired effect of ensuring all children assessed as having special needs receive the support they require.

Questions Nos. 318 to 320, inclusive, answered with Question No. 312.
Question No. 321 answered with QuestionNo. 286.

School Textbooks.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

322 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has plans to compel publishing companies to produce books in CD-ROM format as an alternative to book format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4964/04]

Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second level, mainly in the case of language subjects, school textbooks are not approved or prescribed by my Department at first or second level. Decisions on which books to use are taken at school level. The publication and sale of school books are in the hands of independent commercial enterprises and it is not open to me to compel publishing companies to produce texts in a particular format. However, my Department will convey the Deputy's suggestion to the Irish Educational Publishers' Association.

Following the report of a working group set up to examine the potential problems caused by the weight of heavy schoolbags in 1998, the report and information leaflets and posters were sent to all schools, highlighting the potential health hazard of heavy schoolbags and outlining a range of local measures that could be adopted to alleviate the problem. It is a matter for each individual school to choose those measures that would be most suited to its individual needs.

Positive action has been taken by many schools. Actions taken by a number of schools at second level consist of a range of measures, including the provision of lockers, the arrangement of the timetable into double class periods, active liaison with parents and the co-ordination of homework by subject teachers.

Schools Building Projects.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

323 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, County Kilkenny, will be included in the school completion programme; if the extension required by the school will be approved given the significant local contribution available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4985/04]

An application for additional accommodation for Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, County Kilkenny, has been received in my Department and it is being examined in school planning section to determine the long-term accommodation needs of the school. Following completion of this assessment contact will be made directly with the school authorities. With regard to the school completion programme, the inclusion of further schools in this programme is being considered in the context of a broad review of all initiatives to tackle education disadvantage that is under way in my Department.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

324 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school for Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Larkhill, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9, which is operating at inadequate facilities at St. Kevin's Boys soccer club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4986/04]

My Department is considering options for the long term accommodation needs of Gaelscoil Cholmcille and among these options is the possible purchase of a site. The property management section of the Office of Public Works is acting on behalf of my Department regarding site acquisitions generally and is exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for the school in question.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

325 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will advance a building project in the name of the Presentation College, Carlow. [4987/04]

The proposed large-scale building project for Presentation College, Carlow, is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme, which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie The proposed project is at stage 4 of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 3 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004.

The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which, in turn, will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.

John Cregan

Ceist:

326 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding plans for new science laboratories which are a matter of concern from a health and safety point of view at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if the laboratories have been inspected lately; if same can be arranged; and the timetable for construction of new laboratories. [5001/04]

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school is one of 32 additional schools that will benefit from the recent additional investment of €30 million in school buildings. These schools will bring to more than 200 the number of schools with significant building projects to be authorised to go to tender and construction during 2004. The project for the school will include the provision of four science laboratories. My Department will keep the school advised of developments regarding the delivery of this project.

Schools Amalgamation.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

327 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if two primary schools agree to realignment and one is included in the teacher support pilot scheme project, if the realigned school will be included in this project if realignment takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5002/04]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

328 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if two primary schools agree to realign and one is included in the Giving Children an Even Break scheme, if the realigned school will be included in this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5003/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together.

Where schools are amalgamating or realigning, my Department has operated a consistent policy whereby, under the new arrangements, the entitlements of the pupils concerned under disadvantaged initiatives would not be less favourable than their entitlements prior to amalgamation or realignment.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

329 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if two schools agree to realign, if persons who are in receipt of special needs hours and resource teaching hours will still be in receipt of the same number of such hours if realignment takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5004/04]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

330 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if two primary schools agree to realign, if the same facilities that exist in one (details supplied) will remain with no reduction or change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.

The Deputy will be aware my Department is reviewing existing arrangements for the allocation of special educational supports to primary schools. In that context, my officials have initiated discussions on the matter with representative interests. It would be premature to anticipate the outcome. I can confirm, however, that the basic purpose of that review is to ensure each school has the level of resources required to cater for its pupils with special educational needs.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

331 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has set guidelines for primary schools for realignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5006/04]

I take it that by realignment the Deputy is referring to the amalgamation of two or more primary schools. In this regard the commission on school accommodation published two reports in September 2001, namely, the Amalgamation of First Level Schools and Amalgamation of Second Level Schools. These reports present a framework of key issues and recommend detailed models for the amalgamation process together with other recommendations on dealing with amalgamations in the future. The recommendations in the report are incorporated in the best practice in dealing with amalgamation within the Department. Copies of the relevant first or second level report are also made available for guidance to school communities embarking on an amalgamation process. A number of recommendations in the reports require further consultation with the education partners and consideration of the resource implications of their implementation and this will be undertaken in due course.

Teaching Qualifications.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

332 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding primary school teachers in the Laois-Kildare area seeking to complete their diplomas in 2004 because they cannot obtain the information from his Department with regard to the name and address of the inspector that they have to contact to deal with their applications; the name and address of the relevant official within his Department to whom such applications can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5007/04]

In September 2003, all primary school principals, including those in the Laois-Kildare area, were informed by letter of the name and contact details of the assigned primary inspector for the school. School management was advised to contact the assigned inspector as soon as possible if any teachers on probation were employed for the current school year.

A divisional inspector, with responsibility for a number of schools in the Kildare area retired a few weeks ago. He had made visits to all teachers on probation in the schools assigned to him and arrangements have been made to have the probationary process completed for these teachers by other inspectors.

If probationary teachers have been appointed to these schools in the past few weeks, or if schools have mislaid the contact details for their assigned inspector, they should contact the regional assistant chief inspector, Mr. Pádraig Mac Sitric, through the secretariat of the inspectorate in my Department, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 at 01-8896553.

School Staffing.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

333 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the appointment of a principal to the Patrician High School, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, and questions raised as to the eligibility of the appointed candidate; if he will clarify the criteria as outlined in circular 4/98; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5008/04]

Teaching service for the purpose of post-primary circular 4/98 is that which has been duly certified as service that was given in a state-recognised school either in this State or abroad; was satisfactory whole, full-time teaching service and for which the teacher was fully qualified at the time and was remunerated. It is a matter for a school authority to confirm the veracity of information presented to it for the purpose of a proposed appointment and my Department, in so far as it can, provides assistance to schools in meeting their obligations in this regard. In the case of the recent appointment of a principal by the board of management of Patrician High School, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, it has been confirmed to the board that duly certified documents in the records of my Department show that the appointee has in excess of the requisite number of years, five, of wholetime teaching service required of a candidate for appointment as a principal.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

334 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve a resource teacher for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon in light of an educational psychological report; the reason for the delay in processing the application; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5047/04]

The school referred to by the Deputy has the services of two shared full-time resource teachers, together with a shared learning support teacher. I can confirm also that my Department has received an application for special educational resources, SER, in respect of the child referred to by the Deputy. SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003 are being considered. More than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year. The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year or so. Account is also being taken of the data submitted by schools as part of the recent nationwide census of SER provision.

The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to circular 24/03 which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources allocated for special educational needs within the school.

The arrangements for processing applications received after 31 August 2003, including the one referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the context of the outcome of discussions on a weighted system of allocation of resource teaching support. A further communication will be sent to schools in this regard.

Question No. 335 answered with QuestionNo. 276.

School Accommodation.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

336 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the need for a new four teacher school for St. George's Church of Ireland national school in Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if, in view of the projected enrolment numbers in this rapidly expanding population, the needs of the school will be met as a matter of urgency. [5093/04]

As I recently announced, over the remainder of this school year a new school planning model involving published area development plans will be piloted in five areas. The north Dublin-south Louth region, which covers the Balbriggan area is included in the pilot scheme. The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure, in future, the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, parents, trustees, sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.

Following the consultation process, individual plans will set out the blueprint for schools' development in an area covering a period of up to ten years. The needs of St. George's national school will be taken into consideration in the context of the proposed development plan for its area.

Schools Building Projects.

John Deasy

Ceist:

337 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to provide additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Waterford given the significant increase in housing developments in the area and bearing in mind that the school has a lengthy waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5103/04]

The proposed large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie. The proposed project is at stage 3, developed sketch scheme, of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band 1 rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. The proposed project will be authorised to progress to advanced architectural planning during 2004. Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004.

The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which, in turn, will give greater clarity regarding projects that will not progress in this year's programme. I will make a further announcement in that regard during the year.

Harbours and Piers.

Jackie Healy-Rae

Ceist:

338 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if funding will be made available for Brandon Bay pier, Brandon, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4515/04]

Brandon Bay pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. As the pier is located in a Gaeltacht area, the question of funding development works there is a matter for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

339 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4546/04]

It has not been possible, in the time available, to identify and assemble all the relevant material over the past seven years as required by the Deputy. I have asked my Department to compile the information and I will issue a comprehensive reply directly to the Deputy as early as possible.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

340 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or public relations commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4561/04]

It has not been possible, in the time available, to identify and assemble all the relevant material over the past five years, as required by the Deputy. I have asked my Department to compile the information and I will issue a comprehensive reply directly to the Deputy as early as possible.

Television Reception.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

341 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if persons (details supplied) in County Kildare are unable to receive the terrestrial channels, if they are exempt from having to hold current television licences. [4575/04]

The position is that a television set constitutes apparatus for wireless telegraphy as defined in the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1926 to 1988. Under these Acts, it is an offence to possess appartus for wireless telegraphy except under and in accordance with a licence. Accordingly, a television set must be licensed regardless of its capability to receive RTÉ's services or any other broadcasting service.

Communications Masts.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

342 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will clarify the issue of health hazards connected to telephone masts given the concerns of persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4604/04]

The Department's involvement in matters concerning the health effects of non-ionising radiation, which includes radio frequency emissions from mobile telephone base stations, is guided by advice from national and international health authorities. The advice is based on findings of peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature, and on deliberations at scientific meetings of established expert groups such as the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection. The Commission for Communications Regulation is undertaking a survey of 400 communication sites. The first 100 results have been published, all of which are well below the limits outlined by the international commission. These results also include the installation at Dangan, County Tipperary.

Inland Fisheries.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

343 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will extend the snap net season in the River Suir from mid-April to the end of August 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4606/04]

My Department has not received proposals from the relevant regional fisheries board to extend the snap net fishing season in the Waterford estuary. Such a proposal would be considered by my Department if it is supported by scientific advice that the alteration sought will in no way adversely affect the conservation of stocks, evidence that all the relevant stakeholders and interested parties were consulted and had an opportunity to have their views taken into account on the matter, and the endorsement of the national salmon commission.

Harbours and Piers.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

344 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of marine and leisure development at Roundstone pier, Connemara, County Galway; when work is likely to start on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/04]

The Deputy will be aware that an allocation was provided for four flagship marine access infrastructure development projects, one of which was a marina at Roundstone, as part of the budget for 2000. The project was approved in principle for funding of €1.16 million. The promoters recently submitted detailed information outlining the nature and extent of the project, which is being assessed by my Department. The project will only proceed once a feasible funding package has been agreed.

Coastal Protection.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

345 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the problems of sand deposition between Doaghmore and Glinsk given that the north wind is affecting the flood of water; and if he will investigate the matter. [4608/04]

Primary responsibility for coastal protection rests with the property owner, whether that is a local authority or a private individual. My Department requested proposals in July 2002, in order of priority, from all coastal local authorities for consideration in the context of the 2003-2006 national coast protection programmes. Donegal County Council did not submit an application for funding for works between Doaghmore and Glinsk.

Telecommunications Services.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

346 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has sought information from ComReg and Eircom regarding the number of telephone lines that have failed the quality test indicator in relation to consumers' requests for an upgrade to DSL; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the importance of the roll out of broadband. [4661/04]

I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 outlines ComReg's role in protecting and promoting consumer interests. Under this Act, ComReg is mandated to ensure a high level of protection for consumers in their dealings with suppliers and to investigate complaints from consumers regarding the supply of and access to electronic communications services, networks and associated facilities.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

347 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the level of availability of broadband in County Kerry; if he will prioritise the roll-out of broadband for the Killarney industrial park and ensure that potential investors in Killarney, County Kerry, have the necessary broadband infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4825/04]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The Government recognises the importance of a balanced regional roll-out of broadband and is taking a series of initiatives to support and complement investment by the private companies operating in the market.

An indicative €200 million has been set aside for the current programme of broadband infrastructure developments under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. This programme includes funding for the metropolitan area networks in 19 towns and cities across the country and the extension of digital subscriber lines by both Eircom and Esat BT. This includes the provision of DSL in Killarney. Funding assistance was also given for the construction of the ESB's national fibre trunk network and other regional broadband investment initiatives.

Under the new broadband action plan, which I announced recently, a multi-annual budget of €140 million has been committed to the provision of broadband connectivity in more than 90 towns and smaller rural communities in partnership with the local authorities and in co-operation with the telecommunications industry. Operational details for the broadband action plan are being finalised and I expect to make a full announcement shortly.

My Department now has a dedicated website on which the level of availability of broadband in any area may be easily checked. The website, www.broadband.gov.ie, provides details of broadband availability in all areas of the country. A check of the website shows that the following broadband services are available in the Killarney area: digital subscriber lines are available from Eircom and Esat BT; fixed wireless broadband is available from Amocom; satellite broadband is available from Digiweb Satellite and Media Sat. Full details of the prices for the various services and contact numbers for the companies are available on the website.

Port Development.

John Deasy

Ceist:

348 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress that has been made to provide alternative accommodation for large trawlers which have used the north wharf and Frank Cassin wharf in Waterford harbour as a refuge in bad weather for many years; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the loss of this refuge could have serious consequences for the fishermen who use it; if he has met the fishermen to discuss the situation; the outcome of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5102/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the Port of Waterford Company is statutorily responsible, under the Harbours Acts 1996 and 2000, for the control, operation, management and development of its harbour. The company provides it core facilities for ships and goods at Belview, County Kilkenny. In accordance with its statutory remit, the company has been conducting a review of its non-core assets to determine the appropriateness of their retention in present circumstances. Given that the north quays is one of the company's principal non-core assets, I am informed that the company is taking the preparatory steps necessary to offer the property for sale. Investigations are ongoing regarding the provision of alternative facilities within the harbour for the large trawlers that have used the north wharf and Frank Cassin wharf as a refuge in bad weather. While initial negotiations were facilitated by a senior official from my Department, this is a matter for the port company and the fishermen.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

349 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4547/04]

Since its establishment in June 2002, my Department has operated a number of programmes through which financial assistance is provided to organisations towards the development of arts and sporting infrastructure throughout the country. Tourism development projects are supported directly or indirectly through the budgets of the tourism State agencies or through EU financing sources and I have no information regarding cost overruns in such cases.

Under the sports capital and local authority swimming pool programmes, grants are awarded to voluntary and community organisations and to local authorities to assist them in the provision of their sporting and leisure facilities. The funding provided by the Department complements the local funding provided by these organisations, which have responsibility for the overall funding and completion of the projects. More than 3,500 projects have been supported under these programmes over the past seven years. Taking into account the nature of the funding provided by the Department and the conditions attached to such funding, the Department has no information regarding contracts placed by these organisations where overruns may have occurred.

Grants are also awarded towards the cost of arts capital infrastructure. Projects are grant-aided to a maximum of 85% of total project cost. It is the responsibility of the project promoters to ensure the finance is in place to cover increases in overall costs and the Department accepts no liability for such increases. However, notwithstanding the absence of liability, two projects, in respect of which construction and refurbishment work proved more costly than anticipated, were granted additional funds during the period 1998-2001. The additional funds granted by the Department in these cases amounted to €1.27 million.

In the most recent arts capital grant scheme, ACCESS 2001-2004, financial consultants were contracted by the Department to carry out financial assessments of all applications submitted and it is expected this action will help to prevent cost overruns on grant-aided projects.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

350 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or public relations commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4562/04]

The number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or public relations commissions awarded or paid by my Department since its establishment in June 2002 to those other than established civil servants and the total cost to date involved is set out in the following table:

Consultants/ Report

Service Provided

Year

Payment €

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Review of Arts Legislation

2002

2,666

Theo Dorgan

Survey of potential Workshops for Artists.

2002

6,000

Richard Wakeley

Commissioner for the Irish Festival of Arts and Culture in China 2004 Contract 18 months €77,000 per annum

2002-2004

115,500

Gearóid Ó Briain

Compliance of projects under Section 481 tax incentive scheme for film production

2002/3

10,000

Eugene Downes

Irish Festival in China Advice on framing of new Internal Arts and Cultural Policy

2003/4

18,000

Donal Shiels

Irish Festival in China Festival Manager Contract Term 15 months Fee €50,000 per annum

2003/4

62,500

Red Dog

Irish Festival in China Provision of Graphic Design Services

2003/4

7,560

Kate Bowe

Irish Festival in China Provision of Public Relations Management Services Contract term 15 months Fee €48,000 per annum

2003/4

60,000

Eamon Fox

Irish Festival in China Provision of Production and Technical Services Contract term 15 months Fee €40,000 per annum

2003/4

50,000

Fiach MacConghail

EU Presidency Cultural Programme Commissioner for the EU Cultural Programme Contract term 11 months

2002-2004

31,200

Fiach MacConghail

Arts Adviser to the Department

2002-2004

54,610

Janice Mc Adam

EU Presidency Cultural Programme Manager Contract term 9 months

2003/4

37,500

Siobhán Colgan

EU Presidency Cultural Programme Public Relations Management Services Contract term 7 months

2003/4

24,400

Peter Sirr

EU Presidency Cultural Programme Curator of Irish literature exhibition in Brussels

2003/4

10,000

Event Ireland Ltd.

EU Presidency Cultural Programme Provision of Exhibition Design and Management Services

2003/4

73,200

Féilte Dhuibh Linne Teo.

EU Presidency Cultural Programme Development and organisation of Presidency Events

2003/4

82,000

Kern European Affairs

To assist in staging the Creative Financing and Music Seminar — 19/20 April 2004

2004

59,760

Deloitte and Touche

Verification checks on projects under the Cultural Development Incentive Scheme

2004

55,128

Raymond Burke Consulting

External Evaluation of Sports Capital Programme Expenditure Review Report

2003

4,864

Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM)

List all public and private sector swimming pool facilities in Ireland

2004

5,000

Capita

Financial Management System V3 Assessment

2003

5,748

Deloitte and Touche

Financial Management System Specification & selection

2003

18,150Refunded by CMF*

Murray Consultants

PR Consultants

2003

54,634

Tourism Policy Review Group

Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group

2003

129,440

Morton Stadium Report

Assessment of the feasibility and cost, including the ongoing running costs, of the Morton Athletic Stadium

2003

10,100

Newmarket Solutions

Provision of advice and assistance in implementing FMS Financial Management System in the National Museum

2002/3

168,063

Drury Communications

Market Research, National Museum

2002/3

76,182

Alf Longhurst

Security assessment and recommendations in relation to the National Museum's collections

2002

1,810

James Kavanagh

Fire safety inspections, advice and training in the National Museum

2002/3

5,173

Achilles Procurement Services

Advice on procurement of security services in the National Museum

2002/3

4,663

Elaine Shields

Report and advice on access by disabled to National Museum

2003

4,250

Aidan Walsh

National Museum Business Planning advice and assistance

2002

10,783

Sutton Vane

Survey and recommendations on light levels in Natural History Museum

2003

11,732

Compas Informatics Limited

Report with recommendations on the generation and storage of both graphical and digital data for the Irish Antiquities Division

2003

5,000

Marketing Edge

Evaluation of service offered to public by National Archives (survey)

2002

2,219

Ergo Consulting Ltd.

Compilation of Safety Statement and production of report for National Archives

2003

2,380

Colman McLaughlin

Enhancement of National Archives Website

2003

7,700

Mahon O'Neill

Media relations to support launch of “Counties in Time” CD

2003

6,331

Mr G. D. Bye

Review of National Library's Newsplan Microfilming Unit

2002-2004

3,929

Higher Education Digitisation Service, University of Hertfordshire

Review of Digitisation in the National Library

2002-2004

10,430

*Change Management Fund

Expenditure on reports, consultancies and other advisory or public relations commissions is monitored closely in my Department. Such services are only engaged where the required expertise is not available within the Department.

Swimming Pool Projects.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

351 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the Monaghan swimming pool application; if his Department has agreed the feasibility study; when work can commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4624/04]

Last November I approved the feasibility study for the Monaghan swimming pool project. This approval allowed Monaghan Town Council to move to the next phase in the process, that is, the preparation of a preliminary report. That report has just been received in the Department and has been sent to our technical advisers, the Office of Public Works, for comment.

Sports Capital Programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

352 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications received by his Department for the sports capital funding for 2004; the breakdown of the applicants on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4679/04]

The national lottery funded sports capital programme administered by my Department allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

The 2004 sports capital programme was advertised in the national newspapers on 30 November and 1 December 2003. The closing date for receipt of applications was 16 January 2004. A total of 1,302 applications were received before the closing date. A schedule of the application numbers from each county under the programme for the Deputy's information follows. These applications are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.

Applications Received under Sports Capital Programme 2004

County

2004

Carlow

16

Cavan

25

Clare

25

Cork

128

Donegal

62

Dublin

251

Galway

73

Kerry

90

Kildare

44

Kilkenny

25

Laois

25

Leitrim

27

Limerick

45

Longford

28

Louth

37

Mayo

50

Meath

32

Monaghan

26

Offaly

29

Roscommon

35

Sligo

30

Tipperary

54

Waterford

41

Westmeath

30

Wexford

41

Wicklow

33

Totals

1,302

Sports Funding.

James Breen

Ceist:

353 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a loan of €6 million will be advanced to Clare County Council to allow it to complete the Lees Road sport complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5091/04]

A request has been received by my Department from Ennis Town Council for approval for that local authority to seek to raise a loan of €6 million for the project in question. This request is being examined in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Sports Capital Programme.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

354 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department has received an application for lottery funding from an organisation (details supplied) in County Longford; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5099/04]

The national lottery funded sports capital programme administered by my Department allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

The 2004 sports capital programme was advertised in the national newspapers on 30 November and 1 December 2003. The closing date for receipt of applications was 16 January 2004. A total of 1,302 applications were received before the closing date, including one from the organisation in question. All applications are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.

Health Board Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

355 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the widespread top-up billing to medical card holders by chiropodists; if he is negotiating a new agreement with chiropodists which would bring an end to this practice; if his attention has further been drawn to the shortage of chiropodists who are within the medical card scheme which is resulting in long waiting by medical card holders for necessary treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/04]

Health boards are not legally obliged to provide chiropody services to medical card holders. The formal position is that arrangements for the provision of services, including chiropody services, are a matter for the individual health boards, having regard to their priorities within the funding allocated. Accordingly, chiropody services provided by health boards vary throughout the country but, usually, priority is given to medical card holders who are aged 65 years and over; persons who have contracted hepatitis C directly or indirectly from the use of human immunoglobulin Anti-D, or from the receipt within Ireland of a blood product or a blood transfusion and who have Health Amendment Act 1996 cards; and for persons with illnesses such as diabetes or arthritis. Persons must be referred for chiropody services by their general practitioner or public health nurse.

My Department has been made aware of the practice by a number chiropodists, particularly those in parts of the Eastern Regional Health Authority's area, of levying their medical card patients for services. The chairman of the chief executive officers group was asked last November to investigate the matter and revert to my Department in an effort to ascertain the level of this practice nationally. A reminder was sent to the group in December. Contact was made with the group again this week. The report is still being compiled and it should be available later this week.

Following receipt of a similar question in November, a letter was also sent to the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority asking that the matter should be investigated and pointing out that, since these extra charges were inappropriate, they should not be levied on eligible persons. The letter asked that the matter be investigated as a matter of urgency and a reply issued to the Deputy concerned as soon as possible.

My Department is undertaking an assessment of chiropodists for eligibility to practice in the public health service. This assessment should be completed by the end of May and should result in an increase in the number of chiropodists available to provide services to medical card holders. Contractual arrangements for the provision of chiropody services are a matter between the chiropodists concerned and the local health board.

Long-Term Illness Scheme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

356 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider extending the long-term illness card cover to include Wegners disease, which is debilitating and responds well to medication, making it particularly appropriate for inclusion in long-term medication cover. [4511/04]

Under the 1970 Health Act, a health board may make arrangements for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people suffering from the following conditions and who are not medical card holders for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme: mental handicap, mental illness for persons under 16 years only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, thalidomide and acute leukaemia. Wegners disease is not included in the list of conditions covered by the long-term illness scheme.

A range of other schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. The CEO has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances in determining eligibility. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. However, where a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may be awarded if the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis. Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered under the LTI scheme, can use the drugs payment scheme. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.

Care of the Elderly.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

357 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has carried out an assessment of the number of long-term public care beds capable of caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many patients with medical card cover are forced to seek care in the private sector because of the lack of suitable facilities funded by the Government; if he believes that this situation honours the Government's legal obligations to medical card holders under the Health Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4512/04]

The development of services for people with Alzheimer's disease is based on the Action Plan for Dementia, published by the National Council on Ageing and Older People in 1999. Considerable progress has been made in service development since the publication of the report and, in each of the years since 1999, my Department has provided additional funding to psychiatry of old age — more than €5 million — and to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for services delivered — more than €2 million. In addition, carers of Alzheimer's sufferers have benefited from the €5 million the Department has made available, in the same period, specifically for the support of carers. Health boards are making progress in the provision of stand alone dementia units.

However, I accept there is need to continue with the provision of respite services in order to provide relief to carers, the development of day hospitals and day-care facilities, the provision of support to carers, including training programmes, and the development of the old age psychiatry programme to its full potential. It will be my policy to prioritise these issues as resources permit.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

358 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 to be admitted to Beaumont Hospital for a serious hernia operation. [4513/04]

Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons living in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

359 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be called to the Mater Hospital, Dublin for treatment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4520/04]

The provision of services to residents of County Galway is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position regarding this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Care of the Elderly.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

360 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the lack of publicly funded convalescent beds for persons who have completed a period of acute care in the hospital system; if he has carried out an assessment of the number of convalescent beds required per acute bed in the system to provide an effective step-down care facility; the findings of this study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4534/04]

The policy of my Department regarding the care of older people is to maintain them in dignity and independence in their own home for as long as possible in accordance with their wishes. This policy was first enunciated in the care of the aged report, published in 1968, and confirmed in the report, The Years Ahead: A Policy for the Elderly, published in 1988. Numerous research studies have shown that the vast majority of older people has a preference to remain living in their own home for as long as possible rather than moving into long-stay residential care.

Since my appointment as Minister of State, I have encouraged the authority and the health boards to introduce personal care packages for older people as an alternative to long-stay residential care. Personal care packages are specifically designed for the individual concerned and could possibly include the provision of a home help service, home subvention payments, arrangements for attendance at a day centre or day hospital and other services such as twilight nursing. Personal care packages allow older persons the option of remaining living in their own home rather than going into long-stay residential care.

The report, Acute Hospital Bed Capacity — A National Review, sets out the need to develop additional capacity in the acute hospital system and the Government decided, in the context of the health strategy, Quality and Fairness — A Health System for You, to develop an additional 3,000 beds in the acute hospital system by 2011. There is also a commitment in the national health strategy to provide 1,370 additional assessment and rehabilitation beds, plus 600 additional day hospital places for older people encompassing specialist areas such as falls, osteoporosis treatment, fracture prevention, Parkinson's disease, stroke prevention, heart failure and continence promotion clinics. In addition, the strategy proposes the provision of an extra 5,600 extended care-community nursing unit places over seven years, which will include provision for people with dementia.

As the Deputy may be aware, public private partnerships are being piloted in the health sector. PPP is based on the concept that better value for money for the Exchequer may be achieved through the exploitation of private sector competencies to capture innovation and the allocation of risk to the party best able to manage it. Initially, the focus will be mainly in the area of community nursing units for older people. It is anticipated that 17 new community nursing units will be created when the initial pilot programmes are complete, providing up to a maximum of 850 new beds in Dublin and Cork. The services offered in these units will include: assessment-rehabilitation, respite, extended care and convalescence. If the PPP pilots demonstrate success, it is the intention to use PPP as a means of providing additional community nursing units in other locations throughout the country.

In addition, under the acute hospital bed capacity initiative, my Department has provided an additional €8.8 million to the Eastern Regional Health Authority and €3.8 million to the Southern Health Board to facilitate the discharge of patients from the acute system to a more appropriate setting, thereby, freeing up acute hospital beds. My Department has been informed by the authority that in excess of 200 patients in the acute hospital system in the eastern region have been moved to more appropriate accommodation in the private nursing home sector under this initiative.

Health Board Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

361 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent of bed occupancy at the Maynooth Community Hospital; the extra staff required to bring the hospital to full operational capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4535/04]

As the Deputy will be aware responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the South Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has been informed by the authority that the Maynooth community nursing unit has a bed complement of 44 beds, of which 35 are occupied at present. The board has indicated that the remaining beds will be occupied in April 2004.

My Department has been advised by the authority that it has been working with the South Western Area Health Board to resolve staffing issues at the unit and that an advertisement for staff will be placed in the national media in the near future. The authority has further advised that five registered general nurses, seven care attendants and therapy staff will be required to bring the unit up to full operational capacity.

Hospital Staff.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

362 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in appointing the necessary staff at Naas General Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that existing staffing levels are insufficient to meet requirements and that, as a consequence, the hospital is restricted in the degree to which it can provide adequate services to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4536/04]

Responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine the matters raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Health Board Services.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

363 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children when he plans to extend the allowance for opticians for sufferers of aniridia; when this situation will be reviewed and changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4537/04]

No allowances are payable to opticians under the optometric schemes operated by the health boards. Replacement lenses are routinely available every two years. However, where medical circumstances dictate, replacement lenses are available, as required.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

364 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4548/04]

It has not been possible to supply the information sought by the Deputy in the time allowed. My Department will arrange for the information to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

365 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or public relations commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4563/04]

It is not possible in the time allowed to compile all of the information requested by the Deputy. The information is being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

366 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on hospital waiting lists in the State as of February 2004; the number of adults and the number of children on waiting lists; the number of adults who have been waiting for over a year and the number of children who have been waiting six months; the change in these figures since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4580/04]

My Department collates and publishes data on public hospital waiting lists on a quarterly basis.

The total number of people on public hospital waiting lists on 30 September 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, was 27,212. This figure includes both in-patient waiting lists and day case waiting lists and represents an annual decrease of approximately 7% on the figure for the quarter ending 30 September 2002.

Significant progress has been achieved in reducing waiting times for adults and children. The number of adults waiting more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in the nine target surgical specialities has fallen by approximately 42% from 6,273 to 3,658 between September 2002 and September 2003. The number of children waiting more than 6 months for in-patient treatment in the nine target surgical specialities has decreased by 39%, from 1,201 to 734 in the same period.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, is continuing to target those adults and children waiting longest for treatment. It is now the case that, in most instances, adults waiting more than 6 months for an operation and children waiting more than three months will now be facilitated by the fund.

Task Force on Obesity.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

367 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the terms of reference of the task force on obesity; the members of the task force and the sectors they represent; if the soft drinks industry has an involvement in the task force and its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4581/04]

I am currently in the process of establishing an obesity task force. I am therefore not in a position to name the members or terms of reference of the task force. However, I can confirm that the members will be drawn from a broad range of representative and relevant bodies.

Health Board Services.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

368 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the health boards which do not have in-patient ophthalmic services. [4588/04]

Responsibility for the provision of hospital services is a matter for Eastern Regional Health Authority and the individual health boards. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the chief executive officers of the health boards to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

369 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a consultant ophthalmic physician serving the Midland Health Board area; and the clinics at which this doctor serves. [4589/04]

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

370 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients waiting for eye treatment at each of the eye centres in the Midland Health Board area. [4590/04]

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

371 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant ophthalmic physicians in the Midland Health Board area; and the centres serviced by each. [4591/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 to 371, inclusive, together.

The Midland Health Board is responsible for the provision of health services in its functional area. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matters raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

372 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is an ophthalmic physician assigned to the Longford eye centre; when clinics were last held there; if there are staff attached to this eye clinic who cannot work in the absence of an ophthalmic physician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4592/04]

Responsibility for the provision of ophthalmic services to eligible persons in the Longford eye centre rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Health Board Funding.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

373 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the surplus in regard to the Western Health Board in 2002 and 2003; the areas to which this surplus reissued; and the projects to which it was reallocated. [4603/04]

The outturn of the Western Health Board for 2002 was €672.234 million, giving a surplus of €11.594 million. The provisional outturn of the board for 2003 is €748.093 million, giving a surplus of €4.825 million. This gives a cumulative surplus of €16.419 million. This is provisional as the final figures for 2003 will not be available until the annual financial statements have been prepared and submitted for audit by 1 April next.

The 1996 accountability legislation requires boards to transfer either a deficit or surplus for the preceding year to the following year. Accordingly, the Western Health Board has included such surplus funding in its service plan-budget for 2004, which has already been passed by its board.

Following from meetings with health boards on 2004 service plans, Department officials met with some health boards to discuss issues arising and requiring follow-up. On those boards which recorded surpluses at the end of 2003, discussions covered the background to the financial outcome and the intended use of such once-off funding in 2004. Following these meetings it is clear that there was a combination of factors giving rise to the positive out-turns including: protecting specific service funding where this could not be invested due to timing issues. It is intended that this funding will be fully utilised in 2004 for the services specified; contingency funding balance not fully required in 2003, but now available in 2004; minor capital funding provided in late 2003 which had the effect of freeing up revenue funding previously committed.

In general, the planned service volumes in line with the 2003 service plan was delivered, indeed in the acute hospital sector delivery targets were exceeded. The planning of spending in the Department of Health and Children in any year is a complex issue, in the context of the increasing demand for services and the unpredictable nature of the pressures which can arise over the year. In line with Government policy all health agencies had been strongly advised by my Department to manage their resources on a prudent basis and to explicitly provide a contingency sum for unplanned pressures. While there are surpluses reported for a number of boards, the outturn for the health system overall reflects a positive variance of less that 1% of total spending.

Hospital Services.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

374 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of elective surgical procedures at major level, intermediate level, minor level and day surgery which were carried out at Cavan General Hospital on a week-by-week basis since 1 July 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4613/04]

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

376 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of elective surgical procedures at major level, intermediate level, minor level and day surgery which were cancelled at Cavan General Hospital on a week by week basis between 1 July 2001 and 1 July 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4615/04]

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

377 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of elective surgical procedures at major level, intermediate level, minor level and day surgery which were cancelled at Cavan General Hospital on a week by week basis since 1 July 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4616/04]

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

381 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of elective surgical procedures at major level, intermediate level, minor level and day surgery which were carried out at Cavan General Hospital on a week by week basis between 1 July 2001 and 1 July 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4620/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 374, 376, 377 and 381 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected by my Department. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board to collate the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Health Board Payments.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

375 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children if all health boards are complying with the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997; the instances where any specific health board was penalised for non-compliance with the aforementioned legislation together with amounts of penalties involved since the legislation was enacted in January 1998 in the case of each health board area and in the constituent health boards of the Eastern Regional Health Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4614/04]

The health boards-authority are required to provide details of their compliance with the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 as part of their annual financial statements which is subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The payment of interest in the event of late payment for transactions is a requirement within the legislation.

My Department has requested the chief executive officers of each health board-authority to reply directly to the Deputy with the details relevant to their board-authority.

Questions Nos. 376 and 377 answered with Question No. 374.

Health Board Investigations.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

378 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of outstanding legal claims pending against the North Eastern Health Board; the nature of such claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4617/04]

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

382 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of complaints being investigated at present by the North Eastern Health Board in relation to each hospital in the region and community services and other services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4621/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 382 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. As the questions relate specifically to the North Eastern Health Board, my Department has referred them to the chief executive officer of that board for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

379 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of investigations taking place in relation to deaths at Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4618/04]

Responsibility for the provision of services at Cavan General Hospital rests with the North Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to examine the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Hospital Staff.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

380 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultants who have left each individual hospital in the North Eastern Health Board region since 1 January 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4619/04]

I have been informed by the North Eastern Health Board that a total of 20 consultants have left the board's employment since 1 January 1998. The posts involved are allocated as follows: Cavan Hospital — four; Monaghan Hospital — five; Louth County Hospital, Dundalk — one; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda — one; Our Lady's Hospital, Navan — five.

Some 19 of the 20 posts have been reapproved for filling by Comhairle na nOspidéal, the remaining post only became vacant in recent months. The total complement of consultants in the North Eastern Health Board is currently 119. The number of consultants leaving employment in the board over the six year period in question represents an average of less than 3% per year of the total complement.

Question No. 381 answered with QuestionNo. 374.
Question No. 382 answered with QuestionNo. 378.

Hospital Funding.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

383 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of capital funding supplied by his Department through the North Eastern Health Board to each of the five major hospitals in the North Eastern Health Board region (details supplied) over the past seven years; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient funding has gone into the capital structures of Monaghan General Hospital to maintain a realistic service to the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4633/04]

It has not been possible to compile the information sought by the Deputy in the time allowed. Therefore, my Department will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Clinical Standards Committee.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

384 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide a list of the persons and their contact details who sit on the clinical standards committee of WestDoc. [4635/04]

The members of the clinical standards committee are from participating general practitioners and a health board representative. The names of the persons involved will be sent to the Deputy.

Health Board Allowances.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

385 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines or procedures his Department has in place in each health board area to manage all payments, including disability allowance and old age pension to patients in psychiatric hospitals and other institutions operated or managed by health boards; if all those in this type of care are entitled to benefit; the number of health boards who have already established written guidelines and if these guidelines have been explained to patients or their families; the deductions made from the benefit paid to patients and how the balance is managed; if he will end the policy of some health boards who use part of the balance left to patients to furnish their rooms; if he will ensure that each health board has a system in place which is transparent and accountable and protects the right of the patient and the integrity of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4640/04]

As outlined in my reply to the parliamentary question asked by the Deputy on 18 December 2003, my Department has requested information in this matter from the health boards. I am advised that much of the information in this regard has been submitted to the Department and it expects to be in a position to issue a detailed response to the Deputy in the near future.

Health Board Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

386 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to upgrade the health centre located in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, as part of the need to improve infrastructure on foot of the decentralisation programme, announced by the Government for Thomastown; if he will examine other sites now available in Thomastown with a view to relocating the centre and improving the services offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4641/04]

As I previously indicated to the Deputy, I have been advised that the South Eastern Health Board is aware of the limitations of the present structure with regard to the provision of services and is actively pursuing the acquisition of an alternative site in Thomastown in order to relocate the health centre. The board has also indicated that it will take account of the potential implications of decentralisation when planning any new developments.

My Department is currently examining all new capital proposals, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, in the context of an overall review of capital priorities for 2004 and beyond, in the light of overall funding resources available. My Department will continue to liaise closely with the South Eastern Health Board in relation to this proposal.

Disabled Drivers.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

387 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a primary medical certificate was not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of their circumstances and the fact that they lost a limb due to an accident; and if he will expedite an appeal in the case. [4642/04]

The medical assessment for the purpose of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers, tax concessions, scheme is carried out by the senior area medical officer in the relevant health board. This function is to assist the Department of Finance who have statutory responsibility for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers, tax concessions, scheme.

Accordingly, my Department has asked the chief executive officer, South Eastern Health Board to investigate this case and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Medical Cards.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

388 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who are covered by medical cards in the Midland Health Board area; the number in tabular form who held medical cards in each of the years 1994 to 2004 in counties Loais and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4648/04]

The number of people covered by medical cards in the Midland Health Board area as at February 2004 is 68,890.

The additional information requested is provided in tabular form as follows:

Year

Midland Health Board

Laois

Offaly

1994

82,386

21,833

24,694

1995

81,386

21,691

23,994

1996

80,446

21,518

23,634

1997

78,520

21,005

22,746

1998

77,140

20,367

22,559

1999

72,859

18,894

20,857

2000

71,403

18,098

20,086

2001

72,857

18,580

20,218

2002

70,657

17,926

19,303

2003

69,075

17,347

19,001

February 2004

68,890

17,260

18,871

Vaccination Programme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

389 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will respond to correspondence from the Irish vaccine injury campaign of 12 January 2004 regarding a compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4667/04]

A response to the group referred to by the Deputy will issue from my Department shortly. As detailed to the Deputy in response to his earlier parliamentary questions on this issue, the matters raised by the group concerned were considered by my Department. A preliminary review of the schemes in place in a number of other countries has been undertaken. My Department is keeping the position under review.

Benchmarking Awards.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

390 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Eastern Regional Health Authority will make the benchmarking payment due to its personnel; and when will this payment be made. [4729/04]

My Department has been informed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that calculations are being finalised to pay the second phase of the pay recommendations of the public service benchmarking body to the staff of the ERHA corporate and the area health boards in the first week in March.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

391 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if an appointment can be made for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to be assessed. [4786/04]

Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism in the Cork area is a matter, in the first instance, for the Southern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the health board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.

Hospital Staff.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

392 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether the use of administrative resources in a public hospital by a consultant to deal with a patient treated privately and in a private hospital is an appropriate use of public resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4818/04]

Under the terms of the consultants' common contract, each consultant is entitled to engage in private practice within the hospital or hospitals in which he or she is employed. The extent to which a consultant is entitled to engage in private practice outside the hospital or hospitals in which he or she is employed is determined by the category of post which he or she holds. It is also subject to the consultant satisfying the employing authority that he or she is fulfilling his or her contractual commitment to the public hospitals.

Consultants who have a category two contract are entitled to engage in private practice off-site from the public hospital. Where a consultant is engaged in private practice within institutions where the managing authority is separate from the public hospital and-or the hospital is financed from private funds, then that private practice is considered as off-site.

While the particular arrangements that apply in individual circumstances are, in the first instance, a matter for the employing authority concerned, I would expect that administrative support for private practice would not be provided by the public sector, unless there were appropriate recoupment arrangements in place.

Organ Retention.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

393 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has to introduce legislation to proscribe the practice of retaining organs without consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4826/04]

Article 152 of the Treaty of Amsterdam commits the European Community to implement binding measures to lay down high standards of quality and safety on the use of organs and substances of human origin, blood and blood derivatives. Directive 2002/98/EC, which was adopted on 27 January 2003, set standards of quality and safety for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human blood and blood components. This directive will be transposed into Irish law during 2004.

A directive of the European Parliament and Council on setting standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of tissues and cells will be adopted in the coming months and again this will be transposed into national law in due course. Article 13 of the directive will require that the procurement of human tissues or cells shall be authorised only after all mandatory consent or authorisation requirements in force in the member state have been met.

On the proposed directive on organs, the Commission has stated that it believes that before considering any proposal it is necessary to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of the situation. It will present a report to Council on its analysis as soon as possible. My Department is keeping in close contact with the Commission on all developments in this area.

Health Board Funding.

David Stanton

Ceist:

394 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to provide national development plan funding to support the development of a day centre for older people in the Youghal area of east Cork; the work and further progress that has been undertaken with regard to the provision of day care facilities in Youghal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4905/04]

National development plan funding for projects such as that mentioned by the Deputy is provided on the basis of the priority accorded such projects and in light of available resources.

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in Youghal is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Southern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Medicinal Products.

John Perry

Ceist:

395 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which the price of medicines and drugs are determined here, especially in relation to State schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4909/04]

The price of medicines in Ireland has been controlled since 1972 through multi-annual agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland, APMI. Under these agreements, the maximum price to the wholesaler of any new medicine covered by the agreement may not, on the notification date, exceed the UK wholesale price or the average of a basket of EU countries, whichever is lower. A price freeze is in place for existing products covered by the agreement. The current agreement has been extended to mid-2005.

Under the general medical services scheme, the State reimburses pharmacists the trade price of the drug plus a dispensing fee. For the drugs payment and long term illness schemes, the State reimburses the trade price of the medicine, the retail mark-up, normally 50% of the trade price, and a standard dispensing fee. My department has no function in relation to the retail mark-up on private dispensing.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

396 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the picture exchange communication system available to autistic children is not made available to children with severe speech and language disorders despite being recommended by speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4912/04]

I am not in a position to comment on the question placed by the Deputy. In general, issues related to the delivery of services, including speech and language therapy, are appropriate to the professionals involved in the delivery of those services and the relevant health board. If the Deputy has information on a specific case or number of cases, my Department can arrange for the details to be sent to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board requesting him or her to provide the Deputy with a reply to his query.

Health Board Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

397 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the full extent and location of the population likely to be served by the Ballymun health centre; the method by which such needs are likely to be met in the event of further delays in the commissioning of the centre; when the centre is likely to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4913/04]

My Department has asked the Eastern Regional Health Authority for more detailed information, including that now sought by the Deputy in relation to this proposal. When this is received I will communicate with the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

398 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will investigate whether a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was left on a trolley in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, from Thursday, 5 February 2004 to Monday, 9 February 2004; the reason this was allowed to happen; and if he will outline the circumstances surrounding this case. [4951/04]

The provision of services to residents of County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Health Board Services.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

399 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the steps he intends to take in relation to a letter (details supplied) by five consultant psychiatrists to the SWAHB highlighting their concerns about the poor and diminishing funding of the psychiatric services for patients served by St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8. [4952/04]

Responsibility for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

400 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in hospitals in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area capable of being discharged from hospital but occupying beds because the health boards in the ERHA area have failed to arrange for the long-term care that these patients require; the number of beds contracted by the health boards in the ERHA where the health boards are paying in excess of the maximum, enhanced subvention introduced in September 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4982/04]

Liz McManus

Ceist:

401 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider the major issue of chronic blocking of beds by patients capable of being discharged from acute beds to the long-term care beds which are available but cannot be assessed because the health boards have not provided funding; if a portion of the funds available to the national treatment purchase fund may be used to fund the long-term care beds that are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4983/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 401 together.

Responsibility for the provision of hospital services in the eastern region is, in the first instance, a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to reply directly to the Deputy on the specific information requested on patient and contract bed numbers.

The national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, was established specifically for the purpose of arranging treatment for those public patients who have been waiting longest for treatment. The fund has been successful in locating additional capacity and arranging treatments for approximately 11,000 patients. It is now the case that, in most instances, adults waiting more than six months for an operation and children waiting more than three months will now be facilitated by the fund.

The pressures on acute services, particularly in the eastern region, have been and continue to be the focus of my attention. Officials from my Department have been actively engaging with senior management in the various health agencies in looking for short-term and longer term solutions to these difficulties.

In addition to increasing the acute bed capacity of hospitals in the eastern region as part of the national initiative on acute hospital bed capacity, I have provided an additional €12.6 million, €8.8 million to the ERHA and €3.8 million to the Southern Health Board, to facilitate the discharge of patients from the acute system to a more appropriate setting thereby freeing up acute beds. This funding has resulted in the discharge of over 200 patients from acute hospitals in the eastern region. The ERHA is continuing to monitor the situation and working with hospitals and the area health boards to ensure that every effort is being made to minimise the number of delayed discharges in acute hospitals.

Patient Statistics.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

402 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in each health board area attending accident and emergency departments of hospitals as a result of assault in each of the years from 2001 to date; and the number of in-patient hospitalisations in each acute hospital due to homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons for each of the years 2001 to date. [4991/04]

Data on attendances at accident and emergency departments are collected each month nationally but it is not possible to determine what proportion of attendances at accident and emergency departments are due to assault.

Information on hospital in-patient activity is collected in the hospital in-patient inquiry, HIPE, system. This system records the number of hospital discharges in publicly funded acute hospitals and is not a patient-based system. Table 1 which follows presents data on the number of hospitalisations due to homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons by hospital in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Where fewer than ten cases were recorded in a hospital on average over the three years, this data has been aggregated into the "other hospital" category. Interpretation of this data should be approached with caution since reporting of external cause is not required so may not be complete.

Data for 2003 is not yet complete. In addition, the level of completeness may vary from hospital to hospital. No estimate on the final number of cases for 2003 can be inferred and therefore valid comparisons between hospitals and over time cannot be made based on this partial data.

Table 1

Number of hospitalisations due to homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons by hospital, 2001 to 2003

Hospital

2001

2002

2003*

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

156

134

89

Cork University Hospital

308

313

100

Ennis General

25

24

31

James Connolly Memorial Hospital

108

129

75

Letterkenny General Hospital

163

135

106

Limerick Regional Hospital

163

103

93

Longford Westmeath General Hospital

56

93

73

Louth County Hospital

74

75

51

Mallow General Hospital, Cork

12

18

8

Mater Misericordiae Hospital

249

390

256

Mayo General Hospital

89

62

59

Mercy Hospital, Cork

22

24

4

Merlin Park Hospital, Galway

77

71

55

Monaghan General Hospital

44

29

23

Naas General Hospital, Naas

51

46

24

Nenagh General

19

12

25

New General Hospital, Cavan

49

48

50

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda

82

79

75

Our Lady's County Surgical Hospital Cashel

35

67

81

Our Lady's Hospital, Navan

58

62

45

Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe

77

49

39

Portlaoise General Hospital

33

28

31

Roscommon County Hospital

29

11

14

Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin

41

33

28

Sligo General Hospital

70

73

58

South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork

25

29

18

St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown

49

25

4

St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8.

197

191

178

St. Luke's County Hospital, Kilkenny

104

85

98

St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire

15

22

3

St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park

84

77

39

Tallaght

125

228

195

The Children's Hospital, Temple Street

15

11

11

Tralee General Hospital, Kerry

94

67

53

Tullamore General Hospital

123

71

44

University College Hospital, Galway

111

134

165

Waterford Regional Hospital

132

116

122

Wexford General Hospital

77

66

60

Other Hospitals

43

33

38

Total

3,284

3,263

2,521

*Data for 2003 are incomplete. Source: HIPE 2001, 2002 and 2003. Note: counts are based on those discharges with ICD-9-CM external cause code of E960 to E969.

Services for People with Disabilities.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

403 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an occupational therapists report and the allocation of a new wheelchair will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason for the delay; and if there is a waiting list. [4992/04]

The provision of health related services for people with physical and-or sensory disabilities in the Kilkenny region is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.

Nursing Home Subventions.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

404 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will increase the level of subvention in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is in care at Freshford, County Kilkenny. [4993/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Health Board Waiting Lists.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

405 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to reduce the numbers on waiting lists in the SEHB area for orthodontic treatment; the reasons there is a waiting list of up to 18 months; his plans to relax the assessment criteria, in view of the number of extreme cases which have been disallowed; if he intends to investigate the excessive cost of private treatment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4994/04]

As the Deputy is aware, the provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance.

The aim of my Department is to develop the treatment capacity of orthodontics — both nationally and in the South Eastern Health Board, SEHB, in a sustainable way over the longer term. Given the potential level of demand for orthodontic services, the provision of those services will continue to be based on prioritisation of cases based on treatment need, as happens under the existing guidelines.

The guidelines are intended to enable health boards to identify in a consistent way those in greatest need and to commence timely treatment for them. Patients in category A require immediate treatment and include those with congenital abnormalities of the jaws such as cleft lip and palate, and patients with major skeletal discrepancies between the sizes of the jaws. Patients in category B have less severe problems than category A patients and are placed on the orthodontic treatment waiting list. The number of cases treated in the SEHB is dependent on the level of resources available, in terms of qualified staff, in the area and this is reflected in the treatment waiting list. In fact, the provision of orthodontic services is currently severely restricted due to the limited availability of trained specialist clinical staff to assess and treat patients.

However, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have taken a number of measures to address this shortage of specialists and so, increase the treatment capacity of the orthodontic service.

The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the health board orthodontic service. In 2003, my Department and the health boards funded thirteen dentists from various health boards for specialist in orthodontics qualifications at training programmes in Ireland and at three separate universities in the United Kingdom. These thirteen trainees for the public orthodontic service are additional to the six dentists who commenced their training in 2001. Thus, there is an aggregate of 19 dentists, including four from the SEHB, in specialist training for orthodontics. These measures will complement the other structural changes being introduced into the orthodontic service, including the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist to work in the orthodontic area.

Furthermore, the commitment of the Department to training development is manifested in the funding provided to both the training of specialist clinical staff and the recruitment of a professor in orthodontics for the Cork dental school. This appointment at the school will facilitate the development of an approved training programme leading to specialist qualification in orthodontics. The chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board has reported that the professor commenced duty on the 1 December 2003. In recognition of the importance of this post at Cork dental school my Department has given approval in principle to a proposal from the school to further substantially improve the training facilities there for orthodontics. This project should see the construction of a large orthodontic unit and support facilities; it will ultimately support an enhanced teaching and treatment service to the wider region under the leadership of the professor of orthodontics.

In June 2002, my Department provided additional funding of €5 million from the treatment purchase fund to health boards specifically for the purchase of orthodontic treatment. This funding is enabling boards to provide both additional sessions for existing staff and purchase treatment from private specialist orthodontic practitioners. My Department has no role in regulating the price of private orthodontic treatment charged by private practitioners; the price is largely a function of forces in the private market; however, tax relief is available in respect of orthodontic treatment costs obtained privately.

The chief executive officer of the SEHB has informed my Department that at the end of the December quarter 2003, there were 2,249 children receiving orthodontic treatment from the health board. This means that there are almost three and a half times as many children getting orthodontic treatment from the board as there are children waiting to be treated.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

406 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the structure within the SWAHB that deals with disability services; the number of staff in this section; the total funding involved in running this section; the number of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5017/04]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

407 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications for assistance from families with young chronic disabled children, whether financial or personal; the number of staff deciding on this within the health board; the status of such staff; the cost for each of the past three years for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5018/04]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

408 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism a family must use to obtain assistance for their children who suffer from chronic disability, whether financial to improve facilities or personal to assist with the daily activities of the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5019/04]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

412 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding spent for each of the past three years on disability within the SWAHB; the number of staff and their status that are working within this section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5023/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 408, inclusive, and 412 together.

I believe the Deputy is referring to the SWAHB in all the above parliamentary questions.

The assessment of need for any service lies with the relevant health board. In this regard, families wishing to apply for assistance should contact their local health board.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Accordingly, my Department has asked the regional chief executive, Eastern Regional Health Authority to investigate the issues raised and respond directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Decentralisation Programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

409 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the SWAHB are at odds with Government policy in regard to decentralisation by the altering of their previous decision to relocate the medical card sector from Athy Health Centre to Poplar House, Naas, County Kildare, the location at which it was originally situated; the reason this decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5020/04]

I have had inquiries made of the South Western Area Health Board, SWAHB, and understand that a decision was made in January 2004 to return medical care processing services to one central location, Poplar House, headquarters of community care Kildare-west Wicklow. I understand from the SWAHB that the decision was taken due to difficulties experienced over the past few years in regard to the operation of the scheme at local level and the need to provide consistent high quality service to the public.

The SWAHB has assured me that the centralisation of this service will achieve a high quality service provision in Kildare-west Wicklow with all clients files available in one central location, prompt processing and output of applications as well as easy access for appeal cases. I understand clients can still get medical card application forms and return medical card application forms to the local health centre. They can also access advice, etc. on medical card application through the local health centre there. The only difference will be, the processing of the medical card application will be done in Poplar House.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

410 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be given an appointment in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5021/04]

Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons residing in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Child Care Services.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

411 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received by the SWAHB in relation to the advisory service for children in their homes by their families; the number of staff dealing with the service; the status of the staff; the funding spent in relation to the service for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5022/04]

Under the Child Care Act 1991 health boards have a statutory responsibility for the provision of services of the type referred to by the Deputy. My Department has asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to liaise with the South Western Area Health Board on the matter raised and to respond to the Deputy directly.

Question No. 412 answered with QuestionNo. 406.

Accident and Emergency Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

413 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the average time for dealing with patients from the time of arrival to the time of discharge at the accident and emergency unit, St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; if there is a need to increase the staff numbers; the reason patients will have been detained for up to 10 hours at the unit on 8 and 9 February 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5024/04]

Responsibility for the provision of services at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny is, in the first instance, a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, asked the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.

Child Care Services.

John Cregan

Ceist:

414 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding replacement funding for a childcare facility (details supplied) which had its funding severely reduced by social welfare estimates decisions announced in November 2003; the source from which replacement funding will come from; the length of time his Department will pay crèche supplements for existing children; if his Department is arranging payments directly or through its agencies for new children placed in same by NAHB personnel. [5027/04]

Responsibility for the level of funding to be provided for child care services in the Dublin 9 area rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Northern Area Health Board. My Department has asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter which he has raised.

Care of the Elderly.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

415 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress in providing a special Alzheimer unit on the grounds of St. Canice's Hospital, Kilkenny; if the plan has been costed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5041/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in Kilkenny is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Nursing Home Subventions.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

416 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if subvention and enhanced subvention will continue to be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a decision in the case will be expedited in view of the worry it is causing the family. [5042/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

417 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an appeal for nursing home subvention will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will consider placing them in the Alzheimer unit at Carlow or Kilkenny. [5043/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Health Board Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

418 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if home help will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [5044/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Hospital Staff.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

419 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he intends to take to address the situation where there is only one nurse on duty at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., the number of patients currently being catered for in the hospital; if he is satisfied with this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5045/04]

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Roscommon area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Western Health Board. The board has advised that the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon, currently provides care for 182 patients in four units. A number of rostering shifts prevail throughout the hospital. The staffing levels in each unit, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. is as follows: 5 p.m. — 5.30 p.m., three staff nurses and three attendants; 5.30 p.m. — 6 p.m., one staff nurse and three attendants; and 6 p.m. — 8 p.m., one staff nurse and two attendants.

The board has further advised that it has been experiencing huge difficulties in recruiting nursing staff for the hospital and it is currently seeking applications having recently placed an advertisement for staff nurses. The board hopes that this latest recruitment drive will enable it to proceed to fill the current vacant posts.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

420 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a knee operation. [5051/04]

The provision of services to residents of County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

421 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be given an appointment with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon as a matter of urgency. [5088/04]

Responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of County Westmeath rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.

Grant Payments.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

422 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the grants available from health boards for the upkeep and maintenance of community halls providing youth and some sports facilities. [5089/04]

Responsibility for the provision of grants to organisations providing services for young people rests with the health boards. Therefore, my Department has asked the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the other health boards to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Hospital Accommodation.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

423 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether, in view of the letter to the Taoiseach dated 10 December 2003 regarding fire protection at the 5-Day Medical Centre, St. James Hospital, the building meets all necessary safety standards. [5090/04]

Responsibility for the provision of services at Saint James's Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

424 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4549/04]

Procurement arrangements, contracts and the delivery of capital infrastructure are primarily the responsibility of the State bodies under the aegis of my Department. These bodies comply with the requirements of the code of practice for the governance of State bodies, including conformity with the guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure in the public sector.

My Department has in place an investment monitoring unit charged with overseeing the financial and physical progress of rail and bus infrastructure projects and ensuring the effective and timely financial reporting of capital expenditure by the CIE group of companies to the Department. The investment monitoring unit also engages consultants to carry out an audit of expenditure claims submitted to the Department seeking draw down of exchequer and EU funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

The implementation of the national roads and public transport investment programmes is further monitored by my Department through the monitoring committee of the economic and social infrastructure OP which is representative of Government Departments, implementing agencies and social partners and which meets twice yearly to consider progress reports on the implementation of the investment programmes.

If the Deputy has any concern about a particular programme of expenditure under my Department's aegis I would be happy to provide him with the details involved.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

425 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4564/04]

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

Consultant/Adviser

Nature of Report

Year Commissioned

Total Cost (incl. vat.) €

Aviation Regulation

Schleiss Trading and Consulting Ltd, Denmark

To carry out a safety audit of the performance by the IAA of its functions relating to the regulation of civil aviation

April 2000

99,167

Kilroys Solicitors Ryan Glennon & Co BKF Design Group Ltd — Padraic Smith & Co. Ltd. Systems Dynamics

Advice on Ireland's bid to host the proposed international registry of financial interest in aircraft.

Feb 2001

155,220

Simat Hellilsem & Eichner (UK)-

Air Passenger analysis study of Dublin Airport

2000

73,100

Coyle Hamilton Ltd. Insurance

Assistance with aviation terrorist risk indemnities

2001

85,072 (ongoing)

E.R.M.

To advise on Public Safety Zones at Dublin, Cork, and Shannon airports.

Jan 2001

421,000

Airports

PricewaterhouseCoopers, Matheson Ormsby Prentice and Steer Davies Gleave

Expert Advice in relation to the restructuring of Aer Rianta

2003

242,000 (to date)

DKM Economic Consultants

Review of Expenditure on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Programme

2003

41,090

Expert Panel

Dublin Airport Review of Expressions of Interest for an Independent Terminal

2002

113,981

Avia Solutions

Assistance to Expert Panel which reviewed Expressions of Interest for an Independent Terminal

2002

74,142

DKM Economic Consultants

Value for Money Audit of Runway Development Project at Galway Airport

2002

26,007

(i) Anthony Foley(ii) Noel Lindsay

Assessment of tenders in EU Public Tender Competition for 5 PSO Routes

2002

(i) 5,400(ii) 2,613

Deloitte & Touche

5% Verification check of Aer Rianta expenditure under EU Transport Operational Programme 1994-1999

2002

16,943

Stanley Associates

Technical advice in connection with Pier D issue at Dublin Airport

2002

6,044

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Analysis of financial data in relation to three State Airports.

2002

58,685

WS Atkins

Advice on design aspects of Pier D (Dublin Airport) incl security issues.

2002

17,369

Professor Rigas Doganis

Consultancy advice on Aviation/Tourism issues

2002

26,912

BDO Simpson Xavier

Review of PSO Routes operated by Aer Arann

2001

30,093

BDO Simpson Xavier

Review of allocation of Aer Arann administrative costs

2001

5,561

Mr Tony Foley

Review of Regional Airports

2001

29,839

Carley & Co. Solicitors

Legal advice in relation to advertising standards

2001

451

Appeal Panel

Established pursuant to S.40 of the Aviation Regulation Act, 2001

2001

64,994

BDO Simpson Xavier

Examination of revenues of regional airports

2001

12,344

Mason Hayes & Curran, Solicitors

Legal advice in relation to EU tender process for Public Service Obligation air routes

2001

7,682

Mr. Anthony Foley.

Advice in relation to technical and commercial aspects of public tender process for air carriers to operate Public Service Obligation air routes.

2000

9,650

Indecon Economic Consultants

A study of Aer Rianta's airport charges.

1999

101,149

Warburg Dillon Read, SH & E and AIB

Advice re the future development of Aer Rianta.

1999

186,309

Aer Lingus Affairs

Schroder Salomon Smith Barney

To examine and assess the suitability of the strategic alliance proposal recommended by Aer Lingus with British Airways/American Airways and future capital needs of the company

1999

199,539

Noel Lindsay

Process Auditor to Aer Lingus IPO

2000

21,046

Schroder Salomon Smith Barney and AIB Capital Markets

Joint Global Co-ordinators for the Aer Lingus IPO

2000

3,047,371

Linklaters and Alliance

International Legal advisers to Aer Lingus IPO (sub con of SSSB/AIBCM)

2000

726,637

William Fry Solicitors

Legal advisers to Aer Lingus IPO (sub con of SSSB/AIBCM)

2000

176,017

Mason Hayes and Curran

Legal advisers to retail aspect of Aer Lingus IPO (sub con of SSSB/AIBCM)

2000

183,858

McCann Fitzgerald

Legal advice re selection process for Aer Lingus IPO

2000

4,605

Drury Communications

PR/Marketing adviser to Aer Lingus IPO

2000

106,861

Irish International Group

Advertising agency for Aer Lingus IPO (incl production of TV and press advertising)

2000

764,321

Computershare

Receiving Agent for Aer Lingus IPO

2000

60,947

Deloitte and Touche

Process Fraud Auditor

2000

14,932

Goodbody Corp. for Behaviour & Attitudes

Market Research (sub-con of SSSB/AIBCM)

2000

89,800

Asger Petersen

Examination of the State Aid issue in the context of funding options for Aer Lingus following financial crisis at end of 2001

2001

6,750

William Fry Solicitors

Legal advice in relation to Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) in Aer Lingus

2001 (retained from engagement re IPO above)

68,539

Richard Hooper

Examination of Investment options for Aer Lingus

2003

Invoice not yet received

Air Accident Investigation Unit

International Team

Review of files of fatal accident to Aer Lingus Viscount St Phelim, Reg. EI-AOM 2000

November 2000

117,035

Mr. Patrick Keane, Senior Counsel

Review of the Public Inquiry which was held into the non-fatal accident to the Aer Lingus DC 3 near Birmingham, UK on 1 January, 1953

May 2001

37,094

Rail/PPP

Masons Solicitors/Babtie Group Ltd/Booz-Allen Hamilton.

Recommendations regarding scope of the operating contract for Light Rail and the way in which the competition should be conducted

2000

1,605,572

Ernst & Young/Arthur Cox/Fitzpatrick Associates/Simmons & Simmons/WS Atkins

Appointed in 2000 to advise the Dept. in developing a policy for Pubic Private Partnerships for metro and light rail

2000

1,622,507

Mr. Noel Lindsay

Process Auditor for competition to select an operator for light rail services in Dublin.

February 2001

25,759

PB Kennedy & Donkin

Consultants to be Monitoring Committee for the Dublin Light Rail Project (2000 to date)

2000

1,011,613

O'Connor Sutton Cronin & Associates

Review of the engineering feasibility of providing a grade separated crossing of the M50 Motorway and Red Cow interchange for the Luas light rail system Line A Tallaght to Abbey Street Line.

2003

30,250

Mr. Dom Hegarty

Recommendation re the LUAS interchange at Red Cow.

2003

8,988

Public Transport Regulatory Reform

Arthur Cox

Legal advice on public transport regulatory issues

Feb. 2004

102, 085

NERA

Public transport study

Feb. 2004

16, 495

Cathal Murphy, Barrister

Assisting in the transposition of EU directives

Jan, 2004

4, 840

Holland Railconsult

Technical advice on the development of European Technical Specifications for conventional rail operability

Feb. 2003

35,332

Booz-Allen-Hamilton

Public Transport Study

Sept. 2003

24,800

W.S. Atkins

Scoping Report on the Development of a Public Transport Fares Policy

Jan. 2003

150,796

Matheson, Ormsby, Prentice

Report on Public Service Contracts for Public Transport Operators

July 2001

44,440

Steer Davies Gleave in conjunction with Fitzpatrick Associates

Regulation of Bus Services Outside the Greater Dublin Area

June 2001

188, 141

A & L Goodbody

Study to Identify Extant Legislation Relating to the Economic and Safety Regulation of Bus and Rail Services

May 2001

Project not completed — payment waived

NERA/TIS

Models for the Provision, Regulation and Integration of Public Transport Services

January 2001

120,000

Bus Licensing/Railway Safety

IRMS

Railway safety — Pre-audit Report

Aug 1999

19,168

Major (Rtd) C.B. Holden

Retainer for consultancy advice to Railway Inspectorate

From Sept 1999 (rolling 1 year contract)

33,553 (to date at Feb 04)

IRMS

A Review of Railway Safety in Ireland — Implementation Review

Oct 1999

174,698

IRMS

Supplementary work related to Oct 99 contract

Mar 2000

18,275

IRMS

Railway Inspectorate Human Resource Requirements

Jul 2000

61,716

IRMS

A Review of Railway Safety in Ireland — Second Implementation Review.

Nov 2000

304,319

IRMS

Draft Guidelines for Railway Safety Cases

Nov 2000

96,595

IRMS

A Review of Railway safety in Ireland Implications of the Delay in Implementation of the Mini-CTC Project

May 2001

3,072

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Review of a bus operation

June 2001

25,141

IRMS

Safety Audit for the Lines Affected by the Delay in Implementation of the Mini-CTC Project

Oct 2001

25,316

Lloyd's Register MHA Limited

Preparation of Draft Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Railway Infrastructure and Rolling Stock

Mar 2002

357,961

GDK

IT systems provision, set-up & support

Jul 2002

43,642

Major (Rtd) C.B. Holden

Advice to Railway Safety Task Force

Oct 2003

Nil to date Minimum 14,110

CIE Corporate

Atkins

Technical Audit of Mini-CTC Project

March 2003

36,197

Ernst and Young

Financial Audit of Exchequer and EU Capital funding to CIÉ

September 2002

47,496

Holland Railconsult

Technical Audit of Exchequer Funded Projects in CIÉ under the NDP

February 2003

111,020

Booz Allen and Hamilton

Assistance in Establishing the Investment Monitoring Unit

2001-2003

101,939

A & L Goodbody

Report on Modernisation and Reform of Legislation Relating to Rosslare Harbour

2002

42,250

Deloitte and Touche

Report on Public Transport measures under the Community support framework 1994-2001

2001-2002

34,998

A Top Level Group of three persons

To assist Iarnród Éireann face the challenges of expanding the rail network and delivering improved services

2001

Nil to Department

Currie & Brown in association with Ernst & Young

To review existing arrangements to monitor expenditure and to develop a project management system for the public transport investment programme under the National Development Plan

2001

136,192

Department of Economics, UCD

Comparison of subvention levels for public transport systems in European cities

2000

10,158

Symonds

To develop a model to determine the costs and revenues associated with the operation of additional buses, and to develop a Performance Indicator System for the CIÉ bus Companies

2000

72,321

DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald

Review of CIE property

1999

88,266

Road Haulage

Stephen Treacy, IR Consultant

To provide expert negotiation skills to avert major disruption to haulage services due to threatened disputes in the Dublin Port area

1999

4,177

Indecon Int. Consultants & PWC

Review of the Road Haulage industry resulting in the report ‘A Strategy for the Successful Development of the Irish Road Haulage Industry.’

1999

118,508

Indecon (Working Time Directive)

A study of the implications for Ireland of the proposed draft Directive on Working Time for Mobile Workers in the Transport Industry.

2000

76,667

Stephen Treacy, IR Consultant

To provide expert negotiation skills to avert major disruption to haulage services due to threatened disputes in the Dublin Port area

2000

23,586

Promech

Conducting a review of the work practices of Road Haulage Division with a view to improving same.

2001

7,743

HRA Management

Developmental training for the Transport Officers

2001

27,185

Precept Consulting

To advise on best practice for administering the Irish Road Haulage Association Development fund

2001

1,536

Richmond Recruitment

Provision of an IT Project Manager for the Irish Digital Tachograph Card Issuing Project

2003

42,577

Richmond Recruitment

Provision of an IT Project Manager for the Irish Digital Tachograph Card Issuing Project

2004

508.20 per day

CIE Restructuring & Taxi Regulation

Three person Taxi Hardship panel

To report in general terms on the nature and extent of extreme personal hardship of individual taxi licence holders arising from loss of income as a direct result of the liberalisation of the taxi licensing regime in November 2000.

February 2002

22,440

Interim Chairman of Commission for Taxi Regulation (Jimmy Farrelly)

To undertake a series of detailed consultations with those involved in the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, and other relevant groups

February 2003

30,169

Area Development Management Limited (ADM)

To administer and manage the Taxi Hardship Payments Scheme which will implement the recommendations of the Taxi Hardship Panel Report.

August 2003

Estimate 536,000

PricewaterhouseCoopers

To advise on the options for dealing with issues in the context of a possible restructuring of CIE.

August 2001

256,167

PT Planning

Booz Allen Hamilton in association with Taylor Lightfoot Transport Consultants and the TAS Partnership

Study on Accessible Public Transport

July 2002

61,159

Interdepartmental Committee on Rural Public Transport.

Availability, Access and Choice Rural Transport

September 2001

81,680

Booz Allen Hamilton in association with Ernst & Young and ERM

Strategic Rail Review

May 2002

649,558

Road Safety & Traffic

SWOV(Road SafetyResearch Institute, Netherlands) (Mr Fred Wegman)

To carry out a Review of Road Safety Strategy, 1998-2002

April 2002

24,200

Road Policy

Goodbody Economic Consultants

Study to update the Cost Benefit Analysis Parameter Values and application rules for transportation projects

February 2004

47,295

Atkins

Review on Dublin Port Tunnel Height

2003

57,669

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Assessment scheme for acquisition of land for national road projects

2003

23,046

Indecon Consultants

ESIOP Midterm Review Report

2003

263,769

Driver Licensing

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Introduction of driver theory test

1999

272,416

Human Resources

Precept Consulting

Staff Opinion Survey

2002

17,490

Finance Unit

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Advice in relation to the implementation of a new financial management information system

2000

85,794

Taxi Regulations.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

426 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the work undertaken to date by the interim taxi regulator; and the programme of planned work by that regulator over the next 12 months. [4569/04]

Pending the drafting and enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and as a transitional measure, an interim chairman of the commission for taxi regulation was appointed in February 2003 to undertake a series of consultations with those involved in the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, local authorities, the Garda Síochána, and other relevant groups. The interim chairman's remit was to explore their views on the future operation of services, with a particular focus on qualitative issues, including standards for vehicles, drivers and entry into the industry. This process was completed in September 2003.

Following the enactment of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 in July 2003 which provides for the establishment of the commission for taxi regulation, a recruitment competition for the post of commissioner for taxi regulation was held by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission. However, the commission was unable to recommend a candidate for appointment. A further recruitment competition on the basis of an enhanced salary for the position is under way, with the post being advertised in the national newspapers last week.

I have, however, made an order under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 to provide for the establishment of an advisory council to the commission for taxi regulation with effect from 4 November 2003. The primary function of the council is to advise the commission and me as Minister, as appropriate, in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers. Pending the establishment of the commission, I have indicated that I am particularly interested in the advice of the council on issues relating to quality enhancement and standards for small public service vehicles and their drivers, including general vehicle condition and appearance, accessibility for persons with mobility and sensory difficulties, a standard vehicle colour for taxis and the introduction of enhanced training, including customer service training and disability awareness, and knowledge requirements for existing and new small public service vehicle drivers.

Taxi Hardship Panel.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

427 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the date on which he received the report of the taxi hardship panel; and the reason for the delay in issuing payments in respect of the recommendations of this panel which have been accepted by Government. [4570/04]

The report of the taxi hardship panel was received by my office in late September 2002. On 17 December 2002, the Government approved the publication of the report and the implementation on a phased basis of the recommendations of the taxi hardship panel by the national taxi regulator.

To progress the taxi hardship panel recommendations in advance of the formal establishment of a proposed commission for taxi regulation, it was subsequently decided not to give the hardship payments function to the commission for taxi regulation. Instead, Area Development Management Limited, ADM, was engaged to administer and manage the taxi hardship payments scheme to implement the recommendations of the taxi hardship panel report. An application form was prepared in consultation with ADM, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, and the Revenue Commissioners, and was also modified following consultations between my Department and taxi representative groups.

The taxi hardship payments scheme was formally launched in November 2003 with application forms being issued to all persons who made submissions to the taxi hardship panel. In addition, newspaper advertisements were placed in the national newspapers on 6 November 2003 inviting applications under the scheme from individual taxi licence holders at 21 November 2000. ADM is proceeding with the processing and assessment of applications under the scheme as the application forms and associated required documentation are returned to them. Payments to qualifying persons under the scheme commenced in December 2003. The time taken to process applications and to make payments depends on the completeness of the information and supporting documentation in each individual application.

Road Safety.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

428 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether some cyclists, especially at night, disregard the rules of the road; and if he will launch a public information and safety campaign in this regard. [4662/04]

The Road Traffic Acts provide the basis for the application of a range of controls and restrictions on pedal cyclists. Many of the controls, certain of which also apply to other traffic, are provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 and 1998.

Requirements in relation to the lighting of vehicles generally are set out in the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963. These regulations provide that pedal cycles must be fitted with front and rear lights which must be operated during lighting up hours. These regulations also require cycles to be equipped with a rear reflector so as to be plainly visible at night-time by the headlamps of a motor vehicle directly behind. The promotion of road safety awareness generally is a matter for the National Safety Council. The council has produced a range of material that is aimed directly at the promotion of the safe use of roads by pedal cyclists.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

429 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether some pedestrians wander across busy streets often disregarding nearby pedestrian facilities; and if he will intensify information and safety campaigns in this regard. [4663/04]

Statutory obligations for pedestrians to exercise care and take all reasonable precaution in order to avoid causing danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians are set out in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997. These obligations include — a specific requirement that pedestrians should not cross a roadway within 15 metres of a pedestrian crossing facility. The National Safety Council has responsibility for the promotion of road safety awareness generally. One of the major campaigns that the council is promoting concentrates on pedestrian safety.

Speed Limits.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

430 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he has held discussions with car importers and manufacturers with regard to the shift to metric speed signs in view of the fact that the metric symbols on vehicle speedometers are often much less clear than the traditional mileage indicators; and if he foresees difficulties in this regard. [4664/04]

Discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI in relation to the proposed changeover to metric values for speed measurement by 31 December 2004. The requirements in relation to speedometers arising from metrication and motor vehicle type-approval form part of these discussions.

Public Transport.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

431 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he has had or plans to have discussions with Dublin Bus regarding proposals which he may have for the introduction of electronic real time timetabling at bus stops and in buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/04]

A real time passenger information system is already in place on some Dublin Bus services and on the DART and will also form part of the Luas system at its launch later this year. My Department is considering proposals to extend real time passengers information system in the greater Dublin area.

Road Safety.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

432 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the prerequisite of a national car test prior to the taxing or insuring of a motor car as referred to in recent newspaper reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4810/04]

The production of an NCT certificate when taxing a motor car has not been a requirement since 12 December 2001 when, arising from an industrial dispute at National Car Testing Service Limited earlier that year which affected testing, some motorists were experiencing difficulties in arranging tests in sufficient time to obtain the NCT certificate needed for their motor tax application. On the resumption of normal testing service, the demand for the NCT indicated that restoration of the NCT/motor tax link was not necessary as NCT compliance rates were on a par with those for motor tax. It is a matter for individual insurance companies whether to require the production of an NCT certificate when insuring a motor car. It is an offence to use in a public place a motor car that is liable to vehicle testing without it having a valid NCT test certificate.

Driving Tests.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

433 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting times for a driving test at each of the country's test centres; the number of testers working in each of the centres at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4820/04]

The following table sets out the average waiting time at each driving test centre together with the number of testers and supervisors assigned to headquarter centres within each region.

Driving Test Centres

Average waiting time at test centre at 16 February 2004

Number of testers located in headquarter centres

Nth. Leinster Region

No. of Supervisors = 2

Finglas

35

17

Raheny

41

9

Dundalk

38

Mullingar

38

Navan

43

1

Sth. Leinster Region

No. of Supervisors = 2

Churchtown

41

5

Rathgar

41

11

Tallaght

41

10

Gorey

42

Naas

48

2

Tullamore

34

Wicklow

47

West Region

No. of Supervisors = 1

Athlone

9

5

Birr

27

Castlebar

38

3

Clifden

18

Ennis

14

2

Galway

29

6

Loughrea

18

2

Roscommon

24

Tuam

26

Nth. West Region

No. of Supervisors = 1

Ballina

23

Buncrana

14

Ck-on-Shannon

42

1

Cavan

47

2

Donegal

28

Letterkenny

34

3

Longford

33

Monaghan

42

1

Sligo

32

3

Sth. East Region

No. of Supervisors = 1

Carlow

43

1

Clonmel

41

2

Dungarvan

49

Kilkenny

42

2

Nenagh

43

Portlaoise

37

1

Thurles

47

Tipperary

38

Waterford

49

3

Wexford

37

4

Sth. West Region

No. of Supervisors = 2

Cork

32

14

Killarney

35

1

Kilrush

31

Limerick

33

4

Mallow

30

Newcastle West

34

Shannon

26

Skibbereen

37

Tralee

37

3

In addition to the above, one supervisor works full time as a training and standards co-ordinator and the chief driver tester is based in Ballina.

Aer Rianta.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

434 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has for the Great Southern Hotel group in the context of the proposed break up of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4821/04]

As part of the ongoing work in relation to the implementation of the Government decision to restructure Aer Rianta, I am giving detailed consideration to the options for giving effect to the establishment of the three new airport authorities, including the optimum mechanisms for allocating the Aer Rianta group assets among the three airports. As the Deputy will be aware, it is envisaged that the debts associated with Cork and Shannon airports will remain with Dublin Airport and this will enable the new airport authorities for Cork and Shannon to commence with a fresh, debt-free start facilitating the development and growth of their business. In this regard, the issue of Aer Rianta's main subsidiaries, including the Great Southern Hotels group, is being carefully examined.

Rail Network.

David Stanton

Ceist:

435 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the details regarding his recent announcement to sanction the reopening of the Cork to Midelton rail link; the finance that he has made available or that he intends to make available; the timescale and work that has to be undertaken before work can begin on the line; the conditions that have to be met by CIE or Iarnród Éireann and the local authorities; when he expects the rail link to re-open; if he recently received a report from Iarnród Éireann on the issue; if so, if he will make copies of this report available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4904/04]

I expect to receive shortly specific proposals from Iarnród Éireann on the development of this line. The proposals will include a full cost-benefit analysis, financial arrangements and specific plans as to how the project can be delivered.

State Airports.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

436 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if the historic designation of massive red zones at Irish Airports, as exemplified by lengths of 3,048 metres at either end of Dublin's main runway 10/28, is a classic example of regulatory capture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4970/04]

I do not accept that there was any element of regulatory capture in the establishment of the red zones. They were put in place for reasons of safety of aviation navigation, and for safety of the public on the ground.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

437 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that current proposals to designate further massive public safety zones at Irish airports, as exemplified by proposed inner and outer zones with respective lengths of 3,155 and 11,455 metres on main runway 10/28 at Dublin Airport, would be a suitable and appropriate scheme for the piloting of a regulatory impact analysis, RIA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4971/04]

As I have indicated to the House on previous occasions the purpose of the public safety zones study is to establish appropriate arrangements to protect people on the ground in an unlikely event of an aircraft accident. Environmental resources management, ERM, who conducted the study, fully consulted the public and the relevant local authorities before finalising their recommendations. Consequently I am satisfied that there is no requirement for a regulatory impact assessment.

The report has not yet been submitted to Government and, if the Deputy wishes to write to me with his views on the appropriate balance between the need to protect the public, on the one hand, and the need to facilitate property development on the other, I will be happy to take them into account.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

438 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 16 December 2003, the precise period or periods that red zones have respectively operated as three-dimensional surfaces in the sky and as two-dimensional surfaces on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4972/04]

As I indicated in my reply on 18 November 2003, red zones were formally established in 1968. On further examination it is not possible to provide a more precise date. Red zones have always had the dual purpose of aviation safety and public safety.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

439 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport , further to Question No. 343 of 18 November 2003 relating to the three runways at Dublin Airport, the respective sizes of the first section of the obstacle surface on the approach to each of the runways at Cork and Shannon Airports with particular reference to inner and outer widths, slope, divergence and length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4973/04]

As I indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 184 to 186 inclusive on 3 December 2003 and Questions Nos. 340 to 345 inclusive on 18 November 2003, these are detailed technical questions which are the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

440 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if a safeguarding map has been prepared in respect of every runway at each of the State airports; if all such safeguarding maps have been formally submitted to the respective planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4974/04]

The submission of safeguarding maps is a matter for Aer Rianta.

Rural Transport Integration.

John Bruton

Ceist:

441 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the funds that have been allocated by his Department under the accessible transport scheme in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to allow subsidised accessible transport agencies to operate throughout the country to facilitate the elderly and those living in rural areas not serviced by public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter regarding the continuation of the funds provided. [5035/04]

For some years now my Department has been funding the pilot rural transport initiative. The RTI is a scheme whereby 34 rural community groups are being financed to operate pilot rural transport services in their areas. Area Development Management Limited administers the initiative on behalf of my Department and the specific allocations for individual RTI projects are made by ADM from funding provided by my Department.

My Department provided ADM with €2.95 million for the RTI in 2002, €3 million for it in 2003 and the allocation for 2004 is €3 million. This compares with the total of €4.4 million originally earmarked for the RTI in the national development plan.

The RTI is now operational in almost all counties. Currently it provides some 2,500 transport services on approximately 380 new rural transport routes with some 20,000 people being carried on its services every month. The free travel scheme of the Department of Social and Family Affairs was extended to the RTI in 2003.

Driving Tests.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

442 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the criteria and qualifications needed for a position as a driving tester and a driving instructor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5036/04]

I refer the Deputy to my previous answer to Question No. 264 on Wednesday, 11 February 2004. While the Department has no immediate plans to initiate a competition for driver testers, the position is reviewed regularly having regard to current and future requirements of the driver testing service.

Recruitment to the Civil Service is carried out centrally by the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners and interested candidates can register their interest by logging on to the www.publicjobs.ie website. Once registered candidates will be notified automatically when a competition is announced. Any proposed competition will also be advertised in the Irish Independent on a Thursday or in The Irish Times on a Friday.

Details of qualifications which candidates were required to possess for the last competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission included a good general education; a satisfactory knowledge of the rules of the road, road procedures and the law relating to road traffic in so far as it concerns the driver of a mechanically-propelled vehicle; at least five years' satisfactory driving experience within the seven years ending on 25 June 1998; a general understanding of the working of mechanically-propelled vehicles; possess report writing skill with a particular reference to accuracy, clarity and conciseness; a clean driving licence other than a provisional licence valid in the State on the day of the test; possess excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, and the capacity to remain calm and courteous in dealing with applicants; and otherwise possess the requisite knowledge and ability and be suitable to enter on the discharge of the duties of the position.

A driving instructor must have appropriate insurance cover and hold a full driving licence for the category of vehicle in which he-she is giving driving instruction. Many driving instructors are enrolled with voluntary driving instruction associations or with the voluntary driving instructor register. Proposals being developed by my Department for the regulation and quality assurance of driving instruction will involve a test of the competence of individual instructors. A working group comprising representatives of my Department and of instruction interests has formulated the design of the standards that a driving instructor must meet. I am considering what arrangements will be put in place to oversee implementation of the standard in the context of the establishment of a driver testing and standards authority.

Air Traffic Control.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

443 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, further to correspondence (details supplied), if he will outline the Irish negotiating position on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5046/04]

The European Commission's revised proposal to update Regulation 3922/91, which will encompass flight and duty time limitations, has just been published today. Until such time as the amended proposal has been examined it will not be possible for me or the other member states to formulate a position on this issue and this matter will not now be the subject of substantial discussions at the March Transport Council.

Liquor Licensing Laws.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

444 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has proposals to deal with the unsatisfactory situation whereby many club managers are requiring younger patrons to produce their passport as evidence of age; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is resulting in a high level of theft of passports; if he will enter into discussions with appropriate Ministers to ensure that an adequate system of identification is available without resorting to the use of passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4521/04]

Section 15 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides that a licensee shall not permit a person aged 18 to 20 to be in the bar of licensed premises if that person does not produce an age document to the licensee. "Age document" is defined in section 15 as including a Garda age card, a passport, an identity card of a member state of the European Communities, a driver licence or a document issued by a body and in a form prescribed in regulations made by the Minister. The obligation to produce an age document to gain admission to the bar of licensed premises is intended to assist licensees to comply with legislative provisions relating to underage consumption of alcohol and to assist the Garda Síochána in enforcing the law.

Section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 provides that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may by regulations provide for the issue of an age card to those who have attained 18 years of age and are, therefore, legally entitled to purchase and consume alcohol in licensed premises. The Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999 set out detailed provisions in relation to the application and authentication procedure as well as procedures for the preparation and issue of age cards. To date, more than 151,000 cards have been issued by the Garda.

I would encourage licensees to accept the Garda age card as an age document for the purposes of section 15 of the 2003 Act. If a licensee suspects that such a card has been forged or altered, the Garda should be notified as it is an offence to forge a document purporting to be an age card, alter an age card, or use such a document or an altered age card with intent to deceive. In the absence of such a suspicion, I can see no reason a licensee should refuse to accept a Garda age card as an age document.

Business Permission.

Damien English

Ceist:

445 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a non-EEA national who is legally residing in the State, in an application by him for business permission, has been asked for a statement of character from the police authority of each country in which they have resided, which in this case includes Ireland, when the police authority here under the Data Protection Act 1988 and the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003, section 4 does not empower them to provide information to a third party and does not provide a clearance or vetting procedure for employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4522/04]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 378 of 9 December 2003. Business permission is the permission granted by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to non-EEA nationals who wish to become established and engage in business in the State in a capacity other than as an employed person, for whom an employer would have to obtain a work permit. The criteria to be met by an applicant for business permission includes a requirement that the applicant must be of good character. In this regard, the applicants themselves are requested to provide a statement of character from the police authorities of each country in which they have resided for more than six months during the previous ten year period. The giving of information to data subjects about themselves is a general principle of data protection legislation.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

446 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4550/04]

In the time available for answering parliamentary questions it has not been possible to compile the detailed information requested by the Deputy. The information sought is being compiled at present and I will forward it to the Deputy shortly.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

447 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4565/04]

In the time available for answering parliamentary questions it has not been possible to compile the information sought by the Deputy. I am arranging to have the information compiled and will correspond with the Deputy in due course.

Registration of Title.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

448 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a dealing will be completed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if this matter will be expedited. [4571/04]

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for a transfer of part of a folio which was lodged on 27 January 2003. Dealing Number D2003SM000695D refers. I am further informed that the application is receiving attention in the Land Registry and that, subject to no queries arising, the application will be completed within the next few weeks.

Road Traffic Offences.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

449 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Deputy Mitchell has not received a substantive reply to Question No. 433 of 11 November 2003; if the Minister is now in a position to answer this question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4583/04]

The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána and, as such, I have no role in relation to it. However, I have had inquiries made and am informed by the Garda authorities that there was a delay of just over a month from the time the payment was received by cheque on 25 July 2003 to the date the cheque was submitted for clearance. I understand that once the cheque cleared, the Garda authorities transmitted the records onto the Department of the Environment which then, in turn, notified the driver that the penalty points would be notified to his licence for a three year period with effect from four weeks from that date, as required by sections 5 and 7 of the Road Traffic Act 2002.

The Deputy will appreciate that the penalty points system is operating on a semi-manual basis. This will be rectified later this year when the fixed charge processing system becomes operational. The Deputy will agree that the benefits of the considerable advances in road safety achieved in the period since the introduction of penalty points outweigh the regrettable delays resulting from the operation of the interim manual system.

Residency Permits.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

450 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for permission to live and work here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4596/04]

The person concerned applied for asylum in the State in November 1999. His asylum claim was considered and refused in July 2000. An appeal on that decision was also refused in September 2000. He applied for residency on the basis of parentage of Irish child born on 25 September 2001.

Following the decision of the Supreme Court in the cases of L and O, the separate procedure which then existed to enable persons to apply to reside in the State on the sole basis of parentage of an Irish born child ended on 19 February 2003. The Government decided that the separate procedure would not apply to cases which were outstanding on that date. There are a large number of such cases outstanding at present, including the case to which the Deputy refers.

Since the person in question does not have an alternative legal basis for remaining in this jurisdiction the issue of permission to remain will be considered, but only in the context of a ministerial proposal to deport him. If, in the light of representations received and the range of factors set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, the Minister decides not to make a deportation order he will be given leave to remain on a humanitarian basis. Given the large number of such cases on hand, I am unable to say at this stage when the file will be examined.

State Contracts.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

451 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the circumstances under which the Garda Síochána seek tenders for services and goods; the rules for sending tenders; the number of contracts awarded by the Garda in each of the past five years; the value of these contracts and the firms to which the contracts were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4597/04]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources that the tendering process for the Garda Síochána is carried out centrally under the control of the director of finance of the Garda Síochána and in co-operation with my Department, the Government Supplies Agency and the Office of Public Works. In addition, requirements for items of a non-recurring nature and some local services are tendered for by the relevant Garda sections of Garda divisions and-or districts.

All supplies and services are procured in accordance with public procurement legislation, EU directives and the national public procurement guidelines booklet entitled, An Outline of Government Contract Procedures, published in 1994.

In the time available for answering parliamentary questions, it has not been possible to compile the detailed information requested by the Deputy in the latter part of the question as the information sought is not readily available. I will write directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Residency Permits.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

452 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current status of the application for residency for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if, due to circumstances brought to his Department's attention, the application can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4622/04]

The person concerned made an asylum application on 19 August 2002. On 4 September 2002 she gave birth to a child. She subsequently withdrew her asylum application on 8 October 2002 and applied for residency on the basis of her Irish-born child.

Following the decision of the Supreme Court in the cases of L and O, the separate procedure which then existed to enable persons to apply to reside in the State on the sole basis of parentage of an Irish born child ended on 19 February 2003. The Government decided that the separate procedure would not apply to cases which were outstanding on that date. There are a large number of such cases outstanding at present, including the case to which the Deputy refers.

Since the person in question does not have an alternative legal basis for remaining in this jurisdiction the issue of permission to remain will be considered, but only in the context of a ministerial proposal to deport her. In that context she will be notified of the proposal and given an opportunity to make representations in relation to it. If, in the light of those representations and the range of factors set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, the Minister decides not to make a deportation order, she will be given leave to remain on a humanitarian basis. Given the large number of such cases on hand I am unable to say at this stage when the file will be examined.

Prison Deaths.

Seán Power

Ceist:

453 Mr. S. Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a statement could be issued outlining the cause of death of a prisoner (details supplied) in St. Patrick's Institution on 13 December 2003; the procedure for informing families of death while in prison; and if these procedures were followed in this case. [4630/04]

The person referred to by the Deputy was found in his bed by prison staff at St. Patrick's Institution at 8.20 a.m. on 13 December 2003. He was examined in the cell by the prison doctor who pronounced death. In common with all deaths in prison custody, the cause of death is a matter to be determined by a coroner's court. I understand that the Dublin city coroner will inform the family of the deceased of the time and venue of the inquest.

It is the Irish Prison Service's practice to have a deceased prisoner's family informed of the death in custody as soon as possible. Where possible, this information is relayed face-to-face by the prison chaplain or through a local clergyman who has been contacted by the prison chaplain. However, in cases where there is distance involved, the practice to inform the family of the death as soon as possible necessitates that contact may sometimes be made by telephone. The Irish Prison Service has informed me that, in this instance, the prison chaplaincy service contacted the family by telephone.

Child Care Services.

Seán Power

Ceist:

454 Mr. S. Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on a grant application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4631/04]

An application for capital grant assistance from the 2000 — 2006 equal opportunities child care programme was received from this community-based group on 3 June 2003. All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process by Area Development Management Limited. On completion of the assessment process, applications are considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, for a recommendation before I make a final decision.

There has been considerable demand from community based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited from significant grant commitments to provide new and enhanced community based child care facilities. My Department is carrying out an extensive review of the programme's capital commitments to date to ensure that those grant commitments previously entered into will in fact be realised by the groups. At the same time, it is also reviewing different budget lines under the capital programme to ensure that the most effective use is made of all remaining capital funding in accordance with the objectives of the programme.

All applications for capital grant assistance are appraised in accordance with the programme criteria to ensure that those projects which best meet the aims and objectives of the programme receive the capital grant assistance which will enable them to provide quality child care in areas where there are service deficits.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

455 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of deportation cases approved by him likely to be deemed unconstitutional on the basis of a recent decision of the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4665/04]

The High Court judgment of 22 January 2004 has no bearing on the deportation provisions of the Immigration Act 1999 as these were not impugned in the judgment.

Visa Applications.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

456 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a working visa was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [4666/04]

The person in question made a visa application in December 2003 to enable him to come to work in the State. The application was accompanied by a work permit valid for a 12 month period from March 2003 to March 2004. The visa application was refused because the work permit was due to expire within a short period after the time the application was received in my Department. It is open to the applicant to submit a new visa application, along with an updated valid work permit, and the application will be considered anew.

Prisoner Transfers.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

457 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will investigate the transfer of a person (details supplied) to an education and training unit in the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4669/04]

The person referred to by the Deputy was committed to Mountjoy Prison on foot of a warrant issued at Athy District Court on 27 January 2004 ordering his imprisonment for a six month period. Following his committal, he was deemed to be a suitable candidate for an open centre and was transferred to Shelton Abbey on 14 February 2004. There are extensive training and educational programmes available to all offenders in Shelton Abbey. I therefore see no compelling reason to return him to the more restrictive regime in the training unit.

Departmental Staff.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

458 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the number of staff in the immigration and citizenship division of his Department is adequate to meet the demand for its services; if his attention has been drawn to the continuing concerns of the public at the lengthy delays in processing applications to this division; the extra recruitment or restructuring he has made within his Department to cope with such demands; the latest statistics available to him on the average or typical waiting times in each of the categories of applications made to this division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4670/04]

The growth in the volume of business handled by the immigration and citizenship division of my Department has been well canvassed by me in replies to previous parliamentary questions, for example, Questions Nos. 400 and 401 of 10 February 2004, 849 of 27 January 2004, 396 of 18 November 2003, and 1190 of 30 September 2003.

I am satisfied that the division is capable of providing an adequate service to its customers. I am conscious of the fact that imaginative solutions are required in relation to the delivery of the resources necessary to improve the service given both the ever-increasing demand and the constraints which exist in the public finances. For that reason I introduced a provision at section 19 of the recently enacted Immigration Act 2004 the effect of which will be to empower the Minister to impose fees for a range of immigration related services. I hope, in so far as is practicable, to charge fees which not alone cover the cost of delivering the service but also cover the cost of necessary future development of the immigration system.

It is of relevance to point out to the Deputy that, while there are approximately 600 Civil Service staff assigned to immigration related functions in both my Department and its associated independent agencies, more than 70% of those staff are engaged full-time in activities associated with the processing of asylum claims or in the provision of support for asylum seekers. If the 32% year on year reduction in the numbers claiming asylum at the end of 2003 continues, it will in time free up resources which could be deployed in the improvement of mainstream immigration services.

While it is not possible to quantify every type of application dealt with by the immigration and citizenship division, the average processing time for the main categories are as follows: residency based on marriage to an Irish national — 12 months; naturalisation — 15 to 18 months; post nuptial citizenship — eight months; visa applications — three weeks; and family reunification applications — nine months.

Crime Levels.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

459 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime figures for the Cork city division for the past three years of available statistics. [4732/04]

John Deasy

Ceist:

466 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of homicides and assaults reported to the Garda Síochána in each county in each of the years from 2001 to date. [4995/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 466 together.

Crime statistics for 2001 and 2002 are published on a Garda divisional basis in the annual reports of the Garda Síochána which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Garda website. I released the provisional crime statistics in respect of the year 2003 for the State on 21 January 2004. These data are not yet available on a divisional basis as they are the subject of an ongoing validation process which has not yet been finalised. Once this process is completed, the Garda Commissioner's annual report for 2003 will be published.

Irish Prison Service.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

460 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of the refurbishment of Shelton Abbey, County Wicklow; the length of time during which the refurbishment was undertaken in the 2001 to 2002 period; the impact this had on occupancy levels during that period; the plans for the future of Shelton Abbey open prison and the relocation of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4738/04]

The cost of refurbishment of Shelton Abbey amounted to €5,473,015. This amount includes professional fees. A substantial proportion of these costs arose from the fact that this is a heritage property whose external fabric had deteriorated badly over the years. Refurbishment work commenced on 13 November 2000 and was completed in mid-2002. The impact of the refurbishment works necessitated a reduction in the occupancy level from 60 to 30 spaces during construction.

On 11 November 2003, the Government decided to implement, from 1 January 2004, a number of measures in the event of failure to reach agreement with the Prison Officers' Association in ongoing talks on the proposed change agenda aimed at eliminating overtime payments and reducing prison costs. These measures include the transformation of the open centres at Loughan House and Shelton Abbey into post-release centres for the re-integration into society of prisoners on conditional temporary release. The precise arrangements for the running of such facilities are being finalised in my Department.

As indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 583 and 586 on 27 January, 2004, I want the Prison Officers' Association to agree to a reasonable and sustainable cost structure for the continued operation by the Irish Prison Service of our prisons and the open centres. Discussions are ongoing at the Labour Relations Commission with the POA and I very much hope that a mutually acceptable way forward can be found at that forum.

However, if a consensus is not achieved, I will have no option but to proceed with the closure of Shelton Abbey as a place of detention and for its conversion into a post-release centre under a different management structure. The Irish Prison Service will arrange for the transfer of prison officers from Shelton Abbey to other prison institutions in this event. There has already been direct consultation by the human resources directorate in the Irish Prison Service headquarters with the individual staff at Shelton Abbey affected by the closure plans.

Garda Strength.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

461 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is his intention to increase Garda strength given the recent number of attempted robberies and other incidents in the Lifford area so that there is a 24 hour Garda patrol car in operation. [4902/04]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Lifford Garda station as at 13 February 2004 was 16, including all ranks.

There is a twinning arrangement in operation with Castlefin Garda station which facilitates the deployment of a 24 hour mobile patrol. In addition resources are augmented from within the district and-or division as required. The area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic unit and the district detective unit.

Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in Lifford with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available, the needs of Lifford Garda station will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.

Visa Applications.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

462 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the outcome of an appeal made by a person (details supplied) concerning the refusal of visas to their spouse and family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4976/04]

I can inform the Deputy that the applications in question were approved on appeal on 11 February 2004.

Residency Permits.

John Deasy

Ceist:

463 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider exempting a non-national spouse of an Irish citizen from the requirement to register annually at the Garda National Immigration Bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4979/04]

It was never the case that all non-national spouses of Irish nationals were required to register on an annual basis. Rather it was the case that the registration renewal was timed to coincide with the renewal of permission to remain in the State. It follows, therefore, that if a person was given a stamp on his or her passport granting five years' permission to remain, then he or she was required to register again only on expiry of that period, unless there had been a change in his or her personal circumstances. Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 removes the registration exemption for female spouses.

Citizenship Applications.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

464 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 425 of 10 February 2004, if he can explain the exact information requested by his Department in connection with this application for naturalisation; the way in which the response submitted to his Department was incomplete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4980/04]

On 24 September 2003, the applicant was requested by letter to provide information which would indicate the date of arrival of her son into the State and the date or dates of his enrolment in school here.

A facsimile of an undated letter from a school in the applicant's home town was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 17 October 2003. This letter did not contain the information which has been sought. A further facsimile of a letter dated January 2004 from the same school was received on 5 February 2004. Again, this letter did not contain the information which had been sought. In keeping with my undertaking to the Deputy in my response to Question No. 425, my officials wrote to the applicant on 11 February 2004 setting out in detail the information that is required to enable them to process the application on behalf of the minor concerned.

Road Traffic Offences.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

465 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cyclists in the Dublin metropolitan area who have been cautioned or arrested for cycling on the footpath, inadequate night-time illumination, not stopping at red traffic lights, not stopping at a pedestrian crossings, or cycling in the wrong direction on a one-way street; if the Garda will continue to be responsible for enforcing the law in relation to all road traffic offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4981/04]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources. However, information in relation to instances of breaches of the road traffic law by cyclists where prosecutions were initiated in the Dublin metropolitan region in 2002 are set out in the following table. Obviously the Garda administers a caution in many cases, especially where the offender is under 18 years.

The role of the Garda Síochána in enforcing road traffic legislation is being considered in the context of the revised strategy on road safety which is currently being finalised.

2002

Proceedings Commenced

No brakes, pedal cycle

35

Dangerous riding of pedal cycle

44

Careless riding of pedal cycle

99

Riding pedal cycle without reasonable consideration for other road users.

54

No front light on pedal cycle

293

No rear light on pedal cycle

279

No rear reflector on pedal cycle

195

Question No. 466 answered with QuestionNo. 459.

Garda Stations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

467 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to the much promised and long awaited Garda station for Leixlip, County Kildare; the precise position in regard to the procedures to provide the facility at the present time; if negotiations have been concluded with the various interested parties; if the necessary approvals are forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5087/04]

I refer the Deputy again to my reply to Question No. 910 of Tuesday 27 January 2004 which set out the position in relation to this matter. The position remains that, when my Department is made aware by the Garda authorities of their accommodation requirements for Leixlip, the Office of Public Works will be requested to prepare a revised sketch scheme for further consideration. It will be a matter for that office to address any relevant planning issues at the appropriate time.

Harbours and Piers.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

468 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to an application for funding from Wicklow Town Council for works (details supplied); if this can be sanctioned as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/04]

Liz McManus

Ceist:

483 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he received a submission from Wicklow Town Council in relation to damage to the South Quay in Wicklow Town; the details of his response; if he will agree to meet a deputation as sought in the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 483 together.

My Department received a submission from Wicklow Town Council in relation to damage to the South Quay in Wicklow town and has recently informed the council that the improvement works involved are a matter for consideration by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and-or the Wicklow Port Company.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

469 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the route the planned sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Wexford will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5392/04]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

488 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the route that the newly announced Enniscorthy sewerage scheme will take; the townland area this service will take in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5009/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 488 together.

Phase 3 of the Enniscorthy main drainage scheme has been approved for construction under my Department's water services investment programme 2003-2005. My Department is awaiting the submission of a preliminary report for the scheme from Wexford County Council, in advance of which detailed particulars of the council's proposals are not available to it.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

470 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/04]

The information sought is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

471 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4566/04]

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Polling Station Staff.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

472 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of paying staff at the polling stations in the 1999 local and European elections and referendum; and the cost of paying staff at the count centres. [4577/04]

Staff costs incurred in relation to the holding of a national election or referendum are recouped to returning officers from the Central Fund by the Department of Finance. Details of the costs referred to are not available in my Department. The specific costs related to local elections are matters for the local authorities concerned and are not available at central level.

International Agreements.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

473 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the Aarhus Convention in Ireland; and the steps that have been taken towards implementing it into domestic law. [4612/04]

Ireland has signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. Two related EU directives on access to information and public participation were agreed by the Council and the European Parliament in 2003 and work is under way on their transposition by the required dates in 2005; further EU legislative proposals related to the convention were also published by the Commission towards the end of 2003. My Department is working towards ratification of the convention in consultation with other relevant Departments and in the light of the emerging legislative framework at EU level.

Public Service Charges.

John Gormley

Ceist:

474 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to introduce legislation to address the anomaly whereby certain local authorities charge solicitors and members of the public for information on the rateable value of a house, while others do not; when he expects to introduce this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4634/04]

Local authorities are empowered under the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act 1983 to charge for services provided by them. The decision to charge for any service, including the provision of certificates of rateable valuation, and the levels of any such charge are matters for decision by individual local authorities and I have no proposals to introduce legislation to change this.

Traveller Accommodation.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

475 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the capital allocation for the national Traveller accommodation programme for each of the years since 1998; and if confirmation can be given in each case that the total allocation was spent. [4651/04]

The allocation and expenditure in relation to the accommodation of Travellers for the years 1998 to 2003 is set out in the following table:

Year

Allocation — €

Expenditure — €

1998

13,970,000

10,354,333

1999

13,970,000

11,266,475

2000

15,240,000

15,120,041

2001

17,600,000

23,699,661

2002

23,121,000

26,642,640

2003

30,000,000

28,950,000

Total

113,901,000

116,033,150

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

476 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the capital allocation from the national Traveller accommodation programme to South Dublin County Council for each of the years since 1998; and if confirmation can be given in each case that the total allocation was spent. [4652/04]

The allocation and expenditure in relation to the accommodation of Travellers in South Dublin County Council for the years 1998 to 2003 is set out in the following table:

Year

Allocation — €

Expenditure — €

1998

2,818,819

3,226,658

1999

1,523,686

686,420

2000

1,206,251

216,167

2001

1,269,738

3,665,315

2002

2,000,000

5,406,881

2003

2,898,000

630,537

Total

11,716,494

13,831,978

Planning Issues.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

477 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the promised guidelines on planning will be introduced to give greater equity to rural dwellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/04]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 291 of 11 February 2004.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

478 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the new planning Bill, as promised by him, will be introduced; if the new Bill will deal with third party objections from all parts of the world; if it will deal with the criminalising of hoax letters of objection; if it will deal with the need to give a group (details supplied) the same status as An Taisce in planning matters; if it will deal with the perceived lack of democracy in the planning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4657/04]

I intend to bring draft legislative proposals to Government in the coming weeks to streamline the consent process for major infrastructural projects. While it would be inappropriate in advance of the Government considering these proposals to elaborate on their details, it is intended to reduce the time required for obtaining development consent for necessary major public projects and to co-ordinate and streamline the different procedures now involved, while respecting the requirements of environment and heritage protection and the need for adequate public consultation. In addition, my Department is currently reviewing the planning and development regulations 2001, to ensure that they achieve the aim of streamlining the planning system. I will shortly publish guidelines in relation to rural housing.

Housing Grants.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

479 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 7 October 2003, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the housing scheme in question (details supplied) is unlikely to be ready by 2 April 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of first-time buyers may have difficulty in meeting the completion and occupation deadline for qualification for the first-time buyer's grant through no fault of their own; if consideration is being given by his Department to the way in which these difficulties might be addressed; his latest proposals to ensure a fair outcome in this regard; and if, in view of these continuing difficulties, he will drop altogether the time limit condition for the payment of the first-time buyer's grant. [4680/04]

In terminating the new house grant, the Government sought to ensure fair treatment by ensuring that people who had already made commitments in the form of signed contracts or by the pouring of foundations or had occupied their houses on or before 14 November 2002 were given an opportunity to apply for the grant. In providing a grace period up to 4 December 2002 for cases such as these, first time buyers who were at the most advanced stage of purchase or building were facilitated as far as possible.

Regulations setting out the circumstances on which new house grants would be paid after 14 November 2002 came into force on the day of the announcement. However, because of the difficulties that have been faced by some housing grant applicants in meeting the deadline of completing and occupying their new houses, I concluded that the fairest approach was to extend the deadline for completion, occupation and receipt of a request for payment of the grant in my Department from 13 November 2003 to Friday 2 April 2004. In returning their request for payment by the new deadline, applicants will have to produce evidence of occupation. It should be emphasised that this extension applies only to those who submitted valid applications received prior to the application deadline of 4 December 2002. Where all other conditions of the scheme are met, these applicants now have until Friday, 2 April 2004 to complete and occupy their house and return a request for payment to the Department.

The fact that payment of grant was dependent upon occupation of their new homes by a deadline was one of the stipulations outlined to applicants in correspondence and in media advertisements. The deadline for occupation and return of a request for payment to the Department, now 2 April 2004, was adopted to achieve closure of the scheme, to allow reprioritisation of this budget provision to other social and affordable housing programmes and to prevent speculative applications on houses that might not be built for years to come. The strict application of these deadlines is necessary to preserve the integrity of the scheme. Consequently, no exemptions will be provided for applicants who do not respect this deadline.

Batt O'Keeffe

Ceist:

480 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the first-time house purchasers grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [4784/04]

An inspection with a view to payment of the grant, if in order, has been arranged by appointment.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

481 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the award of a new house grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [4785/04]

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

482 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he envisages work to be carried out on the Mullagh-Quilty sewerage water scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4790/04]

Mullagh will be served by the Quilty sewerage scheme which has been included in my Department's water services investment programme 2003-05, to commence construction this year. My Department is awaiting submission by Clare County Council of tender documents for this and a number of other schemes in the county being advanced as a grouped design-build-operate project.

Question No. 483 answered with QuestionNo. 468.

Register of Electors.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

484 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give details of recent regulations regarding the compilation of the register of electors by local authorities from the point of view of opting in and opting out; if the full register of electors will still be made available to the Deputies of a constituency; when those regulations were introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4829/04]

The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 provides for the compilation of a "full" and "edited" register of electors. The first "edited" register, which must be published in draft form by 1 November 2004, will contain the names of persons who have indicated that they have no objection to their details being used for purposes other than electoral or other statutory uses. The "full" register for a Dáil constituency will be made available to each member of the Dáil for that constituency in the normal way; however, it will be an offence to use it for anything other than electoral or other statutory use.

Waste and Sewerage Schemes.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

485 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will approve the contract documents for the provision of a sewerage scheme in Lecarrow, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/04]

Lecarrow is included in a pilot programme being undertaken by the national rural water monitoring committee to test a range of smallscale waste water collection and treatment systems. Revised contract documents in respect of the Lecarrow and five other schemes are currently under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Election Management System.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

486 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he is taking to inform the voters of Dublin North Central and Dublin North East regarding electronic voting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4988/04]

A major national education and awareness campaign on the use of electronic voting and counting at the forthcoming European and local elections was launched on 4 February 2004. The campaign includes: TV, radio and press advertising; an electronic voting website; the provision of a lo-call information line; a mailshot to every household in the country; and a nationwide roadshow which will allow voters to see and practice on the voting machine. This roadshow will include visits to the Dublin area. The campaign will also seek to raise awareness of the elections and to encourage people to vote.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

487 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to the Exchequer of each tribunal of inquiry in 2003; and the individual payments made to each legal representative involved for 2003. [4989/04]

My Department is responsible for the costs of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments. The total cost of this tribunal to date is €31.08 million, of which €6.753 million represents the cost in 2003. The individual payments made to the legal team at the tribunal and to legal personnel appointed to represent it at various court cases are set out in the following table.

Amounts paid in 2003 to each member of the legal team of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments and to legal persons appointed by the tribunal to represent it at various court cases:

Name

Amount paid in 2003

Desmond O'Neill S.C.

547,229.38

John Gallagher S.C.

582,557.41

Patrick Quinn S.C.

626,181.94

Patricia Dillon S.C.

628,904.41

Eunice O'Raw

405,700.41

Mairéad Coghlan

407,126.12

Máire A. Howard

99,220.10

Susan Gilvarry

246,750.00

Marcelle Gribbin

97,193.25

Annette Foley

149,193.42

Caroline Williams

49,779.28

Sarah Maguire

144,655.50

Adele Murphy

138,303.00

Padraig Gleeson(since resigned)

6,137.18

Cormac Mac Amhlaigh (since resigned)

22,582.80

Mary Cahill

18,051.98

Paul Gillick

3,533.57

Sara Moorhead

3,025

Kilda Mooney

9,075

*Amounts include VAT but before professional services withholding tax is deducted.

Question No. 488 answered with QuestionNo. 469.

Register of Electors.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

489 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the supplementary register application forms will be made available without further delay in order that persons who have discovered that they are not on the register, although eligible, will be able to vote in the forthcoming European and local elections. [5011/04]

The forms referred to were sent to registration authorities on 10 February 2004.

Election Management System.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

490 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all polling stations in the elections to local government and the European Parliament on 11 June 2004 will be wheelchair accessible; if all polling stations will be fully accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5037/04]

As the European and local elections will be held on the same day next June, the local European returning officer will be responsible for holding the polls and the provision of polling stations. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996 provides that local authorities in making polling schemes, as a reserved function shall endeavour to appoint as polling places only areas which will allow a returning officer to provide at each polling place that at least one polling station is accessible to wheelchair users.

The local European returning officer is required, as far as possible, to provide polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users; and where this is not possible, to give public notice of all polling stations in buildings which are inaccessible to wheelchair users not later than eight days before polling day. If an elector has difficulty gaining access to the assigned polling station he or she may apply, in writing, for authorisation to vote at another station in an accessible building in the same constituency. A person with a physical disability or illness which prevents them from going to the polling station may apply to vote by post.

Urban Renewal Schemes.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

491 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will change the designated buildings under the town renewal scheme 2000 for the village of Croom, County Limerick (details supplied). [5040/04]

The designation of sites under the town renewal scheme was decided in the context of town renewal plans prepared by the relevant local authority in accordance with the Town Renewal Act 2000 and the scheme guidelines issued by my Department. An independent expert advisory panel assessed each plan and made recommendations to the Minister in this regard. These recommendations were accepted in full and that is the basis on which the scheme is now being implemented.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

492 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will extend the area designated for tax purposes for the scheme known as the over the shop scheme at Roches Street, Limerick, to include those premises on Roches Street which have been omitted, in particular, business premises contiguous to designated premises to the limit of a suitable natural boundary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5048/04]

The living over the shop scheme, LOTS, was introduced in the five city council areas on 6 April 2001 to tackle the problem of vacant upper storey space in targeted streets in the five cities of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. It was a matter for the relevant local authority to prepare and submit proposals recommending suitable streets, or parts of streets, for designation having regard to the scheme criteria. An independent expert advisory panel assessed the proposals and made recommendations to the Minister in this regard. These recommendations were accepted in full and that is the basis on which the scheme is now being implemented and I have no proposals to extend the LOTS designated area.

Badger Population.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

493 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of licences which have been issued by the national parks and wildlife service division of his Department under section 23(6) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, specifically for the capture and humane killings of badgers for each of the Twenty-six Counties in each of the years from 1995 through to 2003. [5096/04]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

494 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated badger population; the total number and the number per square kilometre in each of the Twenty-six Counties for each of the years from 1995 through to 2003; and the confidence limits of the estimates. [5098/04]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 494 together.

My Department is responsible for the issue of licences under section 23 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 to the Department of Agriculture and Food to capture and humanely kill badgers as part of its continued research into bovine tuberculosis. The numbers of licences issued since 1995 are as follows: 1995, 337 licences; 1996, 329 licences; 1997, 423 licences; 1998, 361 licences; 1999, 503 licences; 2000, 591 licences; 2001, 477 licences; 2002, 810 licences; 2003, 383licences.

My Department does not have to hand the breakdown of these figures per county, however this information is being compiled and will beforwarded to the Deputy as soon aspossible.

The most recent survey of the badger population was carried out in 1995. The badger and habitat survey of Ireland was funded by the national parks and wildlife service of the Department of Agriculture and Food. This report estimated that there was a badger population in the order of 200,000 in Ireland. While no county or local breakdown of population numbers was provided, the report gives some statistics on regional variations in the density of badger social groups by county. The lowest densities were in several western and north-western counties and in Wicklow, these counties being generally distinguished by their large areas of upland, bog or moor. The six counties with the highest badger densities were all located in the broad midland zone, Kilkenny, Louth, Limerick, Meath, Offaly and Westmeath, counties with a relatively large proportion of quality grazing land. Three further counties, Carlow, Clare and Cork, had slightly lower densities. The lowest density was recorded in County Longford and the highest in County Kilkenny.

I am arranging for a copy of The Badger and Habitat Survey of Ireland to be forwarded to the Deputy and for a copy to be placed in the Oireachtas Library.

Fire Stations.

John Deasy

Ceist:

495 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the tendering of the proposed new fire station for Ardmore, County Waterford; and when he expects the building of this project to commence. [5104/04]

I understand that Waterford County Council's tender recommendation in respect of this project is being submitted to my Department. On receipt a decision will issue as soon as possible.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

496 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by his Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/04]

The Deputy will be aware that my Department was established in June 2002. Details of cost overruns on contracts funded or co-funded by my Department since that time are set out in the attached tabular statement.

With regard to marine projects, practical arrangements, including options for fixed tender prices and price variation clauses are in place to manage costs, where appropriate, arising mainly from weather conditions. As regards the IT project listed, a special steering committee has been put in place to oversee implementation and control costs.

Details of cost overruns on contracts funded or co-funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht are as follows:

Project

Additional Cost

Reason for Additional Cost

1. Slipway at Doran's Point, Ballycroy, Co. Mayo

15,300

Need for coastal protection works beside slipway, which were not included in original plan.

2. Baile Fuar Uisce Pier, Co. Donegal

25,000

In the course of the work, it became apparent that the existing structure could not bear the weight of the necessary equipment. Alternative methods of mobilising that equipment had to be provided at an additional cost.

3. Teileann Pier, Co. Donegal

30,000

In the course of the construction of the pier, difficulties arose in binding the sheet pilings together. An additional six dives were necessary in order to bolt the piles together.

4. Slipway at Gob na Dumhaí, Inis Bigil, Co Mayo

54,400

Inclement weather resulted in additional costs in mobilising equipment and workers on the island.

5. System Dynamics — IT system to support LEADER and National Rural Development Programme

58,000*

Addition of risk management system. Requirement to source related services and facilities not provided by D/CR & G (contract inherited from D/A & F, which has a wider IT capacity).

6. Clynish Pier, Co. Mayo

110,000

Inclement weather resulted in additional costs in mobilising equipment and workers on the island.

*Estimated total excess

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

497 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by his Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4567/04]

The Deputy will, of course, be aware that my Department was established in June 2002. The information requested by the Deputy as regards reports, consultancies or other advisory commissions awarded or continued by my Department since its establishment in June 2002 are set out in the attached appendix. Having regard to their technical, specialised nature or financial sensitivity, publication is not envisaged in respect of a number of reports. As regards PR commissions, I would refer the Deputy to my recent reply to question No. 466 of 10 February 2004.

Appendix

Report of the working group on the creation of employment in the Gaeltacht, established April 2002.

Objectives: to examine recommendations Nos. 7 and 8 of the Indecon report — a review of the expenditure programmes of Údarás na Gaeltachta — and to make recommendations on how these should or can be implemented; to examine the feasibility of generating further employment in non-local services in the Gaeltacht and to make recommendations on the policy changes necessary to substantially increase the employment level in such services.

Membership: Kevin Bonner, chairman, Tony Barrett, FÁS, Seán Ó Cofaigh, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, chairman, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Seán Ó Labhra, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Michael Leahy, Enterprise Ireland, Pat Loftus, IDA Ireland, Ronald Long, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment — represented by Kieran Grace, Séamus Mac Giolla Chomhaill, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Helena O'Brien, Secretary, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Report: The working group's report was published December 2002

Consultancies:

Consultant: Venture International, Omagh, County Tyrone.

Purpose of Consultancy: to identify the priority issues, both economic and social, of concern to rural communities in border areas, North and South; to report the extent of cross-border co-operation to date by the communities concerned in addressing the difficulties associated with these issues or in other matters of mutual concern and the financial or other support, if any, provided by the authorities, national, regional or local, in the two jurisdictions. to recommend models for cross Border action in tackling the identified priorities and the extent, if any, to which such models could be supported by current official (including EU) programmes and initiatives.

Original Contract Amount: €37,501.71

Start date, June 2001. End date, July 2002

Expenditure: €35,006.36

This study was commissioned by the then Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland, which agreed to share the costs.

Report: Report has been published and is available in the Houses of the Oireachtas Library

Consultant: Venture International, Omagh, County Tyrone

Purpose of Consultancy: joint cross Border education, training and research scoping study to identify the providers, North and South, of rural development research: to describe the current provision of rural development research in Ireland and Northern Ireland and on a cross border basis; to describe the extent to which the providers tailor their activities to the needs of rural communities in border areas; to co-operate in the provision of rural development research services within Ireland, within Northern Ireland and on a North-South basis; to provide their services to rural communities on a cross border basis; to identify the gaps in the provision of rural development research, particularly with regard to social and economic regeneration partnerships and other rural development organisations operating in rural areas; to recommend how relevant cross border rural development research can be most effectively and efficiently identified, commissioned and delivered.

Original Contract Amount: £17,513.38 sterling

Start date, June 2001. End date, July 2002.

Expenditure: £14,032.69 sterling

This consultancy was initiated by the then Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland, who agreed to share the costs.

Consultant: IBM

Purpose of consultancy: the IT strategy plan identified the need for a database that would contain key information pertaining to Furbo's client base and would also contain information pertaining to client interaction with the Department, for example, the application and receipt of grants at a summary or transactional level.

The purpose of the consultancy was to prepare a detailed requirements specification for the system and to assist the Department in selecting the system and integrators.

The requirements specification was completed in October 2002 at a cost of €93,000. It is not proposed to publish this technical report.

Consultant: Achilles Procurement Services Ltd.

Purpose of Consultancy: The provision of procurement consultancy services in relation to ferry contracts for Inishturk, Inishboffin, Clare Island and the Aran Islands.

It is not intended to publish the consultant's report which was received October 2002. Cost: €756.25

Consultant: Goodbody Economic Consultants.

Purpose of consultancy: The Department of Social and Family Affairs commissioned Goodbody economic consultants to advise and assist the Department in relation to a review of statutory funding of the community and voluntary sector. This was with a view to assisting the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board in carrying out its functions under the Dormant Accounts Act, 2001.

The objectives of this study were to: map the existing funding available to the community and voluntary sector from all statutory sources, including the EU, taking into account the purposes for which dormant account surpluses will be disbursed as outlined in Section 41(a) of the Dormant Accounts Act 2001; identify and map significant non-statutory sources of funding to the community and voluntary sector, for example, the Ireland Funds etc.; identify overlaps or gaps or under-funding in existing funding arrangements to the Community and Voluntary sector; and identify a small number of other relevant jurisdictions and examine their disbursement practices in relation to dormant accounts or similar surpluses.

Cost: €28,738

Report: The final report "Mapping State Support for the Community and Voluntary Sector", was submitted to the Department in December 2002 and is available on request.

Consultant: CHL Consulting Company (Desktop Evaluation)

Purpose of consultancy: to comment on the viability of the investment proposal in regard to Imeachtaí Gaelsaoire Teo., its cost-effectiveness and its potential to deliver on the stated objectives from within that budget.

Cost: €1,210

Report: received December 2002 and having regard to financial sensitivity is not intended for publication.

Consultant: National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NUI, Maynooth.

Purpose of Consultancy: review of CLÁR areas and preparation of revised set of maps of areas eligible for CLÁR programme

Original Contract Amount: €4,000

Start date: October 2002. End date: November 2002

Expenditure: €4,840

Consultant: National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NUI, Maynooth.

Purpose of consultancy: preparation of further detailed maps of CLÁR areas.

Start date: February 2003. End date: March 2003

Expenditure: €1,325

Consultants: DKM Consultants, Davy House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Purpose of consultancy: review and analysis of proposed grant aid development of cargo apron at Knock regional airport under the CLÁR programme.

Start date: January 2003. End date: February 2003

Original Contract Amount: €18,045 Expenditure: €17,818

Consultant: Farrell Grant Sparks.

Purpose of consultancy: to undertake a study and provide advice on the feasibility of the introduction of a property sales programme for Údarás na Gaeltachta; the options relating to the organisation's equity portfolio; the level of State aid that would be required to ensure that the private sector would provide new industrial and business property sufficient for job creation targets of Údarás na Gaeltachta; and prepare implementation programmes to give effect to the above.

Cost: €83,883.25

Report: received March 2003. Having regard to the financial sensitivity involved, It is not intended to publish this report.

Consultant: Achilles Procurement Services Ltd.

Purpose of consultancy: the provision of procurement consultancy services as regards the preparation of tender documents for the ferry contract for Long Island, County Cork.

Report: received February 2003. It is not intended to publish.

Cost: €605

Consultant: Peter Coyne and Company, Chartered Accountants

Purpose of consultancy: to carry out an examination of annual accounts and sailing logs submitted by O'Brien Shipping Limited as regards their contract for the provision of a ferry service between Galway city and the Aran Islands.

Report: Received May 2003. It is not intended to publish

Cost: €399.30

Consultant: Peter Coyne and Company, Chartered Accountants

Purpose of consultancy: to carry out an examination of accounting records kept by Aer Árann in connection with the public service obligation air service between Aerfort na Minna, County Galway and the Aran Islands.

Report: received December 2003. It is not intended to publish

Cost: €1,089

Consultant: Achilles Procurement Services Ltd.

Purpose of consultancy: to evaluate and shortlist tenders received to carry out a study of island ferry services and to advise on the correct process for the appointment of a consultant to carry out the study.

Report: report received and work completed in June 2003. It is not intended to publish.

Cost: €5,445

Consultant: Gearóid De Faoite

Purpose of consultancy: to carry out a review of the Language Assistants scheme and the Summer Camp Scheme for the youth of the Gaeltacht and to undertake a scientific analysis on the payments made to the Gaeltacht households who accommodate students under the Learners of Irish Scheme

Cost: €17,600

Report received, July 2003

Publication: Published in December 2003.

Consultant: Goodbody Economic Consultants, Ballsbridge Dublin, 4

Purpose of consultancy: to assess all applications which were received under the funding scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector. The terms of reference as specified in the request for tender document which was issued to a number of consultants inviting proposals are as follows: to prepare a shortlist of qualified applications for the Department, i.e. those which come within the scope of the scheme; to assess the shortlisted applications against the criteria set down for the scheme — see guidelines in schedule of documents; to make a further shortlist of applicants and to make recommendations to the Department on funding of those shortlisted -the rationale followed in recommending funding will be clearly outlined; to prepare a report which clearly outlines the reasons why each applicant was recommended or was not recommended for funding.

This report, and the applicant's score, will be supplied to applicants on request. It is not intended that the assessors will be required to enter into dialogue with unsuccessful applicants or to deal with queries from applicants.

Cost: €34,183

Report: received August 2003 and it has been published on Department website.

Consultant: Colgan & Associates, Dundrum, Dublin 16

Purpose of consultancy: to assess all applications which were received under the funding scheme to provide training and supports in the community and voluntary sector. The terms of reference as specified in the request for tender document which was issued to a number of consultants are as follows: to prepare a shortlist of qualified applications for the Department, that is, those which come within the scope of the scheme; to assess the shortlisted applications against the criteria set down for the scheme — see guidelines in schedule of documents; to make recommendations to the Department on funding — the rationale followed in recommending funding will be clearly outlined; to prepare a report clearly outlining the reasons why each applicant was recommended or was not recommended for funding. This report, and the applicant's score, will be supplied to applicants on request. It is not intended that the assessors will be required to enter into dialogue with unsuccessful applicants or to deal with queries from applicants.

Cost: € 24,200

Report: received August 2003 and it has been published on Department website.

Consultant: Indecon International Economic Consultants.

Purpose of consultancy: to review and report on ADM Ltd, having particular regard to: the appropriateness of existing arrangements between ADM Ltd, Government Departments and other stakeholders; options for change having regard to accountability and cost effectiveness, including, if appropriate a restructuring of ADM Ltd and alternatives.

Taking into consideration: the original social partnership context and EU related functions of ADM Limited; the competencies developed and current range of services provided by ADM Limited for Departments; the requirement for political accountability in respect of public expenditures; the Government's objective to improving structural cohesion and services delivery across local and community development programmes and related activities.

Cost: €82,280 plus VAT @ 21%

Report: the consultants' report was received in October 2003. No decision has been taken as yet regarding publication of the report.

Consultant: System Dynamics

Purpose of consultancy: Development of Information System to support administration of LEADER+ and National Rural Development Programmes

Cost to date: €204,116.40 incl. VAT.

Current Status: nearing completion.

Report: As the outcome is to establish an electronic reporting system for the LEADER programmes, no report is envisaged.

Consultant: Fitzpatrick & Associates.

Purpose of consultancy: mid-term evaluation of the LEADER+ operational programme to be carried out in two stages, that is, 2003 and 2005

Cost: €100,370 incl. VAT, 2003 review; €61,559 incl. VAT, 2005 Review.

Current Status: 2003 report was submitted to the Department on 28 November 2003 and was forwarded to the EU Commission in December 2003. The report will be made available on the Department's website.

Consultant: Deloitte & Touche.

Purpose of consultancy: to provide professional accounting advice between June 2002 and October 2003.

Cost: €71,512.82 incl. VAT

Consultant: Deloitte & Touche.

Purpose of consultancy: to provide professional accounting service in February-March 2004.

Cost: €17,184.42 incl. VAT.

Consultant: Achilles Procurement Services

Purpose of consultancy: General advice regarding tendering procedures in relation to a linguistic study of the Gaeltacht areas

Cost: €1,815.00

Advice provided during May 2003

Consultant: Achilles Procurement Services

Purpose of consultancy: general advice regarding tendering procedures in relation to a linguistic study of the Gaeltacht areas

Cost: €151.25

Advice provided during September 2003.

Consultant: Achilles Procurement Services.

Purpose of consultancy: general advice regarding award of contract for construction of Clare Island and Inishturk Piers.

Cost: €151.25.

Advice provided during October 2003.

Consultant: Malachy Walsh and Partners.

Purpose of consultancy: to advise on appropriate indicators by which effectiveness and value for money may be assessed in respect of the provision by the Department of subsidies towards island transport services generally; the optimal duration and terms and conditions of contracts, having regard to the investment required to provide quality customer ferry services; the socio-economic and socio-linguistic impact subsidised services have had on the development of the islands since 1997.

Within the framework of the overall existing levels of subsidy, to evaluate and make recommendations regarding: the adequacy of, and need for, each of the existing subsidised ferry services, both cargo and passenger to the islands specified below, having regard to any other transport services to the islands, whether subsidised or not; the case, if any, for upgrading existing or providing additional subsidised ferry services, the appropriate subsidy required in each case, and how best this might be secured from within existing overall allocations; the likely costs of structural improvements, if any, that would be necessary to facilitate such upgraded services; the advisability of operating cargo and passenger services using the same or separate vessels and the outline functional specification of vessels required.

The islands referred to are Tory Island, Inishturk, Clare Island, Inis Mór, Inis Meán, Inis Oírr, Inishboffin, Galway, and Cape Clear.

Cost: €95,641.66

Report: study almost complete. It is intended to publish the report.

Consultant: Deloitte & Touche.

Purpose of consultancy: to provide the Department with consultancy assistance in the specification and selection of a new financial management system for the Department.

Cost: €117,249.61.

Report: consultancy completed in October 2003. Publication of a report does not arise.

Consultant: Deloitte & Touche.

Purpose of consultancy: to provide the Department with advice and support in the areas of project management, quality assurance, business process redesign, user acceptance testing and change and risk management in relation to the implementation of a new financial management system in the Department.

Estimated cost: €167,500

Report: consultancy commenced in November 2003 and is expected to be completed in July 2004. Publication of a report will not arise.

Consultant: PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Purpose of Consultancy: systems audit of Waterways Ireland.

Terms of Reference: the purpose of the review, in line with the financial memorandum of the body, is to provide an independent, professional opinion of the adequacy and effectiveness of the financial management arrangements in place for the body, which is jointly sponsored by both the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Cost €4,550.00 plus VAT.

Report: review commenced September 2003 and is ongoing. Report will be submitted to Secretary General in due course. It is not envisaged that this report will be published.

Consultant: IPA

Purpose of consultancy: review of Department's internal audit function

Terms of Reference: To undertake an independent review of the adequacy of existing internal audit arrangements within the Department in line with the recommendations of the Report of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and accounting officers, otherwise known as Mullarkey report, which was circulated to Government Departments in 2002.

Cost €9,000 plus VAT.

Report: review commenced September 2003 and was completed in October 2003. Report was submitted to Secretary General and subsequently submitted to Department of Finance. It is not envisaged that this report will be published.

Consultant: Deloitte & Touche.

Purpose of consultancy: the development of a clear ICT vision and strategy for each of the business divisions in the Department and for the Department as a whole, having regard to the context of dispersed geographic locations for the period 2003 to 2006. The strategy will build upon existing plans and strategies within the Department.

Facilitate the participation of the Department of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs in e-Government initiatives, including those set out in the Department of An Taoiseach's "New Connections" document and the public services broker.

Describe the ICT infrastructure required to deliver the vision and strategy including the computer systems, networking, security, mobile computing, sectoral business systems and common business systems requirements of the Department.

Specify the ICT resourcing requirements and organisation, including an examination of options in relation to appropriate outsourcing arrangements,as regards the structure, management, competencies, skill requirements and daily operations that will be required to support the ICT strategy as well as responding to new business demands.

Recommend a plan for implementation, taking into account the projects that will give effect to the strategy.

Cost: €101,882.00 plus VAT

Report: Expected March 2004

Consultant: Fitzpatrick Associates, Lad Lane, Dublin 2.

Purpose of consultancy: review of enterprise support in rural areas.

Terms of Reference: identify and describe the availability of official support for enterprise, including tourism enterprise, in rural areas, that is, all areas excluding the Greater Dublin area, the gateways and hubs as defined in the National Spatial Strategy, their areas of influence, and their structures of delivery; identify weaknesses or gaps, if any, in supports and/or their structures of delivery taking account of EU State aid law, the National Spatial Strategy and Exchequer financial constraints; identify the likely effects of, and make recommendations on, designating areas as the only ones where official assistance will be provided for establishing certain services and industries, where such sectoral targeting does not exist; recommend structures of delivery, focusing on the subregional level, including the number and role of agencies needed to optimise enterprise, including tourism enterprise, development in rural areas and avoid unnecessary duplication. For this purpose, regard should be had to the role and function of the following organisations: LEADER companies, county enterprise boards, Enterprise Ireland, Western Development Commission, SFADCo, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, regional tourism authorities and the amalgam of Bord Bia and Bord Glas.

In so far as issues are already addressed under the terms of reference for the major tourism policy review currently underway, they do not form part of these terms of reference.

Original Contract: €76,351

Start date: September 2003. Expected end date: February 2004.

Consultant: Talbot Associates.

Purpose of Consultancy: review of the national advisory committee on drugs

Cost: €39,125 plus VAT and vouched expenses.

Commenced on 10 February 2004. Report due by end-May 2004.

Consultant: Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI, Galway, in conjunction with the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NUI, Maynooth.

Purpose of consultancy: linguistic study on the usage of Irish in the Gaeltacht as a basis for strengthening the linguistic development of the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking area and a basis for a review of the official Gaeltacht boundaries.

Original contract: €550,223 incl. VAT

Start date, April 2004 End date, September 2006.

Consultant: NEXUS Research

Purpose of consultancy: to undertake the roll-out of training on a data collection software package, SPEAK, to projects funded under the community development programme.

Cost: €57,280 plus VAT.

Expected completion date of the consultancy: 30 June 2004

Consultant: Bearings

Purpose of consultancy: to implement a human resource management system, Peoplesoft, to replace its existing personnel administration system, PAS, and its training database, worksafe.

Cost: €81,736

Commenced October 2003 and completed in February 2004.

Consultant: Sourcelines

Purpose of consultancy: act as facilitator to chair and direct workshop examining the role of the implementation and advisory group of the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity 2 October 2002; prepare a report of the facilitation day

Cost: €900

Report: received in the Department following the facilitation day and circulated to the IAG.

Consultant: Colgan & Associates, Dundrum, Dublin 16

Purpose of consultancy: supplementary assessment of applications which were received under the funding scheme to provide training and supports in the community and voluntary sector.

Cost: €968

Report: received in the Department in December 2003.

Other: In addition to the consultancies listed above, in 2003 two contracts for research purposes, with a total monetary value of €71,000, have been funded from the consultancy subhead. The experts contracted were Oonagh Breen, UCD law lecturer, and Arthur Cox, solicitors. The purpose of the contracts was to secure specialist assistance for the Department in its work in the reform of charity law, thereby enabling that work to be both fast-tracked and informed not only by research previously undertaken in this country but also by developments in other common law jurisdictions and at EU level. The question of receipt of reports or the publication of reports is not applicable.

A cross-Border contract, valued at £21,210 sterling has also been placed, by the procurement service, Northern Ireland, on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs — rural development division II — and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Belfast for the provision of economic appraisals of PEACE II applications to Cross-Border Priority 5 Measure 6b. Draft reports have been received from the consultants. These reports are to assist the Departments in the assessment of applications and will therefore not be published.

No remunerated advisory commissions were awarded.

Inland Waterways.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

498 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress regarding a stretch of the Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Clones; if and when design work will commence; when he expects actual rebuilding will take place; the number of years it will take to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4623/04]

As the Deputy will be aware one of the functions of Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation body established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, is to examine the possible restoration of the Ulster Canal. A study was commissioned which estimated the cost of the restoration of the full canal at approximately £90 million sterling based on 2000 costs.

At this time, no decision has been taken to proceed with the restoration of the canal, which is an issue not only for me but also for the responsible Minister in the North. The question of how to address the issues arising in regard to the canal, including the question of whether a phased or partial approach to the matter might be feasible, falls to be considered in that context.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

499 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the disbursement of moneys from the dormant account fund; the purpose of the money which has been disbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4827/04]

The Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board published its first disbursement plan on 7 November 2003. The plan sets out the board's priorities and provides for the distribution of funds to assist programmes or projects targeting three broad categories of persons: those affected by economic and social disadvantage; those affected by educational disadvantage; and persons with a disability. A significant level of disbursements from the fund will be ringfenced for programmes and projects within RAPID, CLÁR and Drugs Task Force areas.

The board has engaged Area Development Management Limited to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf. In this regard, an invitation to organisations, groups etc. to make applications for funding was advertised in the national press on Friday 21 November. I understand that approximately 250 applications have been received to date which ADM are assessing on an on-going basis.

At its meeting on 19 December 2003, the board approved three projects for funding totalling approximately €175,000. The board will next meet on 17 February 2004 and it is anticipated that a significant number of projects will be submitted to the board for decision at this meeting.

The Deputy should also note that at its meeting of 16 December, the Government reviewed arrangements in relation to dormant accounts. It decided to give the board key roles in regard to advising, monitoring and planning in the area of dormant accounts, with particular regard to the following: advising on priority areas to be considered annually for funding; preparation of the disbursement plan; reviewing, evaluating; and reporting on the effectiveness, additionality and impact of disbursements.

In the context of the need to ensure appropriate capacity to evaluate and process applications, and so as to secure maximum transparency on disbursements, the Government decided that the objectives of the disbursements scheme would remain unchanged but that it would make decisions on disbursements. Such decisions would be taken following a transparent application and evaluation process, and appropriate arrangements would be put in place so that spending from the Dormant Accounts Fund is clearly separate to Estimates provision.

Draft legislation is to be brought forward in 2004 with a view to giving effect to these decisions.

Community Development.

John Perry

Ceist:

500 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when a decision will be made on the community development programme application submitted by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4948/04]

I refer the Deputy to the reply given to Question No. 335 of 4 February 2004.

Departmental Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

501 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of contracts or procurements funded directly or indirectly by her Department during the past seven years in respect of which cost overruns have occurred; the full extent of such overruns; the cause or causes of same; the action taken to prevent a recurrence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4553/04]

The detailed information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and a letter enclosing the information will issue to the Deputy in the near future.

Consultancy Contracts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

502 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number and nature of the reports, consultancies or other advisory or PR commissions awarded by her Department in the past five years to those other than established civil servants; the total cost involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4568/04]

The detailed information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and a letter enclosing the information will issue to the Deputy in the near future.

Community Development.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

503 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the necessary finance will be sanctioned for the provision of a resource centre at Kells, County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4598/04]

The family and community services resource centre programme provides financial assistance to projects to assist with the staffing and equipping community development activities. The emphasis in the projects is on the involvement of local communities in developing approaches to tackle the problems they face and on creating successful partnerships between the voluntary and statutory agencies in the areas concerned.

Responsibility for the administration of the programme was transferred from my Department to the Family Support Agency upon its establishment on 6 May 2003. I have been advised by the Family Support Agency that no application for funding has been received from any group in Kells, County Kilkenny, for finances to provide a family resource centre. However, should the group wish to make an application under the programme it should contact the family support agency which will advise on the application procedure.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

504 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reconsider her decision to apply the new regulations governing applications for rent allowance to the application of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [4639/04]

The North Eastern Health Board was contacted on behalf of the person in question and has confirmed that an application for rent supplement was lodged on 27 January 2004. The board has advised that it will assess the person's application on the basis of the provisions which pertained prior to 31 January 2004 and a determination will be made as soon as all of the necessary information has been furnished.

Departmental Staff.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

505 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons employed in her Department's press office; the title, role, grade and salary of each person employed in the press office; and the persons with whom they are required to deal. [4697/04]

There are three staff in the Department's press office. They include the press officer who is a higher executive officer on a payscale of €37,520 to €47,606, the deputy press officer who is an executive officer with a payscale of €26,006 to €41,143 and one staff officer, who is in charge of administration, on a payscale of €28,250 to €37,599.

I have also appointed on a contract basis for my term of office a press adviser, with effect from 31 July, 2002. In 2003, the total salary cost including pension contribution and employer's PRSI for this position amounted to €93,661.27.

The function of the press office is to provide a press service to the Minister and the Department and to provide an effective channel of communication between the Minister, the Department and the media. The role of the staff in the press office is to carry out these functions.

Press Statements.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

506 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason her press office refuses to release press statements simultaneously to both the media and the Opposition spokesperson; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4698/04]

All press statements issued by the Department are posted to the Department's website which can be accessed at www.welfare.ie The Department's website enables the Department to deliver its information and other services effectively. The press office area of the website has a mailing list which enables a subscriber to receive the press releases of the Department by e-mail, as soon as they are posted to the website. I am satisfied that this gives all interested parties, including opposition spokespersons and other deputies, adequate access to information of this kind.

The Department's press office is committed to ensuring all press statements are posted to the Department's website on the same day as they are issued to the media. This commitment is successfully achieved except where technical problems arise and it is necessary to update the website on the following morning.

Social Insurance.

David Stanton

Ceist:

507 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason employment in the service of a spouse or other relatives of the employed person is an excepted employment, and these relations who are employed are not insurable under the social welfare acts; if she will re-examine this position with a view to treating all equally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4903/04]

Under social welfare legislation, the social insurance status of spouses and relatives engaged in a family business can vary with the circumstances. A number of different situations can arise. Spouses or relatives who are engaged in a business partnership are treated as individual self-employed contributors and can make social insurance contributions which may allow them, in due course, to qualify in their own right for social insurance pensions, including old age contributory pension.

Alternatively, where a family business is incorporated as a limited company, spouses involved in the business pay contributions as either employees of the company or, if they are proprietary directors of that company, as self-employed persons.

Social welfare legislation provides that a person who is employed directly by his or her spouse is not covered by social insurance. Similar provisions apply in respect of assisting relatives who are excepted from social insurance as employees where: there is no written contract of service or apprenticeship the person in a member of the employer's household; and the employment is in relation to a private dwelling house of a farm in or on which both the person and the employer reside.

Any person who wishes to seek a formal decision as to whether an employment or self employment is insurable for social insurance purposes should apply to my Department. Where a person is dissatisfied with the relevant decision there is a right of appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office.

The current arrangements in relation to spouses and assisting relatives has been a part of the social insurance system since it was set out in legislation in the 1950s. Similar provisions were applied in relation to earlier versions of social insurance. The employment relationship is traditionally at the heart of the social insurance system, although it has relatively recently been extended to self-employment for the purposes of some benefits, and the current exceptions for family-type employments recognise the practical difficulties in establishing the nature of a genuine employment relationship in such circumstances.

In recognition of the need to consider the specific issue of the social insurance coverage of farm spouses, an interdepartmental group reported in 2002 on the social insurance status of farm spouses. The conclusion of the group, which of course has broader relevance for the issue of family employments generally was that "the formation of business partnerships offers an immediate route of access to social insurance cover as it is based on existing legislation. Such arrangements would not impose any significant additional administration costs on farm businesses; for example, couples who are liable for income tax under joint or separate assessment will continue to make one income tax return each year, the only change being that the income of the farm enterprise will be apportioned in accordance with the partnership arrangements".

Michael Ring

Ceist:

508 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the dates and amounts which were submitted in respect of PRSI from the beginning of 1985 up to year ending 5 April 1988 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the amounts that were paid and who submitted same. [4946/04]

According to the records of my Department, no PRSI contributions were received in respect of the person concerned, from the beginning of 1985 up to the year ending 5 April 1988.

Family Support Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

509 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if funding is available for Sligo Travellers Support Group. [4949/04]

Apart from the back to work and back to education allowance the only source of funding available to my Department which might apply in this case is the special projects fund. This fund enables my Department's jobs facilitators to provide supports to people who need additional help to progress to further training and employment.

The groups who need special help of this nature include the long-term ill and people with disabilities, the very long-term unemployed, travellers, people with literacy difficulties and lone parents.

A small amount of funding is also available to jobs facilitators through the Family Services Project to support marginalised groups, for example, very young lone parents, parents rearing children without the support of a partner and dependant spouses on social welfare payments in households with children and carers.

The group in question has not submitted an application for funding from the special projects fund or from the family services project fund in 2003 or in 2004 to-date. However, I have requested that my Department officials meet the group to discuss its requirements.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

510 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 470 of 10 February 2004, the reason her Department did not respond to the queries; the resources this family is to live on; if an oral hearing can be arranged immediately. [4950/04]

The position regarding the entitlement of the person concerned to an unemployment payment was fully set out in responses to the Deputy's previous questions. The person concerned has, for some years, been engaged in employment on a part-time basis, five days per week. This has been confirmed once again with his employer. He is also engaged in self-employment, as a tiler. He has an income from this employment and his self employment, however, it has not been possible to quantify his income from this activity, as he failed to provide the necessary information for my Department to do so. The person concerned has suggested that his income from self-employment is £50 per week.

The issue as regards the entitlement of the person concerned to an unemployment payment is quite clear. He is not and was not unemployed, for the duration of his unemployment assistance claim. The person concerned did not inform my Department of his part-time employment. When his employment came to light, a deciding officer disallowed his unemployment assistance claim from 16 January 2001 to 23 September 2003 on the grounds that he was not unemployed for this period. A letter informing him of the decision and the overpayment which he had incurred, was issued to him on 4 December, 2003.

As regards an oral appeal hearing, the position as stated in my last reply to the Deputy is that "where the appeals officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can properly be determined without an oral hearing, the appeal may be determined summarily". This was the position in relation to the appeal submitted by the person concerned.

On 27 January 2004 the appeals officer made a summary decision to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The formal determination is as follows:

"I decide that the appellant is disallowed from receipt of unemployment assistance from 16 January 2001 to 23 September 2003, on the grounds that he is not unemployed".

The appeals officer also provided a note on the reason for his decision which is set as follows:

"The appellant has acknowledged that he was employed as a part-time home help from Monday to Friday each week during the period 16 January 2002 to 23 September 2003. In the circumstances the appeal must fall."

The person concerned was notified of this decision. The only question before the appeals officer in this case was whether the person was "not unemployed" during the period in question. As it would appear that the central fact, that the person concerned was employed part-time, on five days per week, it is understandable that an oral hearing could not serve any useful purpose. Questions relating to the arrangements for recovery of the overpayment are outside the remit of the appeals officer.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions as regards claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

511 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the rent allowance was decreased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if her Department will have the case re-examined with a view to increasing the allowance, in view of the original commitment and the hardship of the case. [4997/04]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs.

Rent supplements are subject to a means test and are normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution, currently €13.

In addition to the minimum contribution each applicant is required to contribute towards his or her rent any additional assessable means that he or she may have over and above the appropriate rate of basic supplementary welfare allowance. The South Eastern Health Board was contacted on behalf of the individual in question and has advised that the reduction in the amount of rent supplement is due to an increase in the level of household income.

The person in question applied for rent supplement in December 2002. On the basis of her income at that time, that is, part-time earnings, she was required to pay towards her rent only the standard minimum contribution, which was then €7.62 per week, giving a weekly rent supplement of €162.40. In addition to her earnings from part-time employment the individual was subsequently awarded one-parent family payment from this Department. In the circumstances the amount of supplement payable fell to be revised to take account of the increase in household income. Her contribution towards her rent was deemed to be €70.50 per week. Based on the board's appropriate maximum rent level of €170 per week this gives entitlement to a weekly rent supplement of €99.50.

The person in question presented at her local health centre recently stating that she was unhappy with the decision to reduce her rent supplement. She was advised of her right to appeal against the decision and was given the appropriate appeal form to complete.

It has also come to light that, when the person in question applied for one-parent family payment from my Department, she declared that in addition to her part-time earnings she was also in receipt of maintenance payments to the value of €50 per week. The issue of the maintenance payments will be raised with the person in question in the course of the latest review of her case.

Child Care Services.

John Cregan

Ceist:

512 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding replacement funding for a child care facility (details supplied) which had its funding severely reduced by social welfare estimates decisions announced in November 2003; the source from which replacement funding will come; the length of time her Department award crèche supplements for existing children; if the Department of Health and Children is arranging payments directly or through its agencies for new children placed in same by NAHB personnel. [5026/04]

As advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 16 December 2003 the Northern Area Health Board agreed to examine the financial support it provides to the crèche in question following the decision to discontinue, with effect from 1 January 2004, payment of crèche supplements under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The board has advised that a formal application has been submitted to the Eastern Regional Health Authority seeking additional funding for those crèches it currently supports and the board is awaiting a response from the authority.

In the meantime, as an exceptional measure, health boards may continue to pay existing crèche supplements while arrangements for alternative funding are being finalised.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

513 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the period of time a person must be on the housing list to qualify for rent subsidy; if a person has to be assessed by the environmental officer of the health board or the housing officer of the local authority to which the person has applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5034/04]

Subject to certain conditions, the supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs and who do not have accommodation available from any other source.

A person does not have to spend a specified period of time on a housing list in order to qualify for a rent supplement. Anybody who is assessed by a housing authority as having a housing need which cannot immediately be met by the housing authority, a voluntary housing organisation or by the individual concerned will be entitled to rent supplement subject to the usual qualifying criteria.

An assessment of housing need may be carried out either by a local authority's housing officer or by a health board's environmental health officer acting on behalf of a local authority. The arrangements made in this regard are a matter for each local authority.

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