Written Answers.

Hospital Services.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

57 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the provision of radiotherapy services for the south-east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20899/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in radiation oncology facilities in the coming years.

The Government's policy on radiation oncology is based on the Report on the Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland. It is important to build teams of highly expert clinicians working together to deliver top quality cancer care, including radiotherapy, to cancer patients. The Government is therefore determined to ensure access by cancer patients throughout the country to high quality radiation oncology in line with best international standards. The immediate developments at Cork and Galway have resulted in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators. Two additional linear accelerators are being provided at Cork University Hospital, CUH. The first of these linear accelerators was fully commissioned in March and the second is expected to be commissioned by the autumn. Two additional consultant radiation oncologists will be appointed at CUH with sessional commitments to the south-eastern and the mid-western areas. The new radiotherapy department at University College Hospital Galway began treating patients in March. These developments will significantly improve access to radiotherapy for patients in the south-east and throughout the country.

The report recommends that there should be two radiotherapy treatment centres located in the eastern area. The international panel established to advise on the optimum locations for these centres has submitted its advice to me. I will make my decision in relation to this matter shortly, having heard many valid points of view on it from interested and committed parties all of whom share our priority to build radiotherapy services through top class clinical networks.

The national radiation oncology co-ordinating group is currently developing a national telesynergy network for radiation oncology services. Arrangements are being made to install this technology at Waterford Regional Hospital. This will improve linkages with Cork University Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin and reduce patient and consultant travel time.

In relation to the Deputy's part of the country, I will be meeting the Minister for Health of Northern Ireland, Mr. Shaun Woodward, MP, shortly and I have asked that North-South co-operation on cancer services be put on the agenda. The Government is as committed to delivering safe and effective cancers services for the people of Donegal and Waterford as we are for people in every county.

Hospital Staff.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

58 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concern expressed at the recent INO conference in Killarney that the health and safety of patients and staff in hospitals and long-term units for the elderly was being put at risk due to a failure to address dangerously low staffing levels; the steps being taken to address this situation and to ensure that adequate staff numbers are provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20818/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Clearly safe and effective delivery of services is of primary concern to me. I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that staffing levels in hospitals and long-term care units for the care of the elderly settings are at dangerously low levels. I am aware for example that the Irish ratio of nurses to the population is much higher than the ratio found in other developed countries. Work currently being carried out for my Department by FÁS suggests that we have 12.2 working nurses per 1,000 people, about 50% more than the EU average of 8.5. The Government has increased the number of nurses — whole-time equivalents — by 7,000 since 1999.

I fully support the principle that an appropriate level of service should be provided to patients across the country based on need. However, patients' needs vary considerably depending on the particular care being provided, the acuity of patients or their level of dependency. The Health Service Executive and the National Hospitals Office will need reliable evidence to establish best practice in the range of settings provided by the health services.

These matters must be dealt with through the correct deployment of staff, through appropriate skill mix and by making sure that the legislation is in place to provide proper regulation.

The deployment of staff is a matter for the Health Service Executive. However, this is a major policy issue in which my Department will also take a keen interest. The National Hospitals Office has already begun the process of reviewing all services at each hospital to ensure that they are staffed appropriately to deliver safe and good quality care. The Health and Safety Authority, HSA, has acknowledged that the hospitals are fully engaged in the process of addressing health and safety in their accident and emergency units. The HSA has also made clear its intention to carry out safety audits on other health care settings and I welcome this.

I accept that there are concerns about services for older people and I share these concerns. That is why I have made a commitment that the Social Services Inspectorate is to be established on a statutory basis and legislation to give effect to this will be published later this year. The inspectorate will be charged with the inspection of both public and private nursing homes and will be responsible for reporting on standards of care in such homes. It is planned to extend the brief of the Social Services Inspectorate to include residential services for older people and people with a disability.

The staff levels set for nursing homes are in accordance with the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993. However, having regard to the level of public concern currently about the registration and inspection of the nursing home sector, it is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure that current systems and processes are as robust as they possibly can be within the context of the current regulations. Responsibility for the inspection and registration of the nursing home section has been assigned to a senior manager, within the national primary, community and continuing care directorate of the Health Service Executive from 15 June 2005. Steps are being taken to evaluate current procedures, and to agree and oversee the implementation of a national standardised inspection process and provide a progress report by 5 September 2005. A review has already commenced in the HSE-eastern region and this will be included in the national evaluation. Any recommendations arising from this in respect of the amendment of legislation or regulation will be addressed.

In addition, my Department is urgently reviewing the operation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and regulations made under the Act to strengthen the powers available to the Health Service Executive. This will be a wide-ranging review which will have the rights of the patient as the centre of its work. Again it is my intention to have this Bill published later on this year so that we can have an early debate will all stakeholders on a new framework for all patients in nursing homes.

Occupational Therapists.

David Stanton

Ceist:

59 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Question No. 123 of 31 May 2005, if her Department has made any arrangements to assist the 75 new occupational therapy trainees in finding a work placement; if all these students who began the course in the 2003-04 academic year were successful in finding a work placement position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20931/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

In recent years there has been a considerable expansion in training places for three therapy professions — speech and language, physiotherapy and occupational therapy — in line with the report commissioned by my Department from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates, Current and Future Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapists. As the Deputy has said, this expansion includes an additional 75 training places in occupational therapy.

My Department established a national planning group in 2004 to develop a co-ordinated national approach on clinical placement provision. Following on from the work of this group, and building on earlier support provided in 2003, €2.427 million was provided by my Department in 2004 to support the provision of clinical placements for these three therapy professions. Focus has been on securing increased quality clinical placements for the additional training places and for the pre-existing places.

A national implementation group has recently been established by the Health Service Executive to progress the delivery of key actions identified by the national planning group and to make recommendations for appropriate adjustments and re-prioritisations, based on practical experience derived from putting the framework into effect. My Department is co-chairing this implementation group with the Health Service Executive in the initial stages.

As my Department does not have an operational function in regard to the organisation of clinical placements for individual students, the Health Service Executive — which has responsibility for this matter — has therefore been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.

Hospital Staff.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

60 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant rheumatologists in the public health services; if this figure is in line with international best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20886/05]

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

117 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide increased resources to tackle the serious delays experienced by arthritis sufferers in Dublin South-West; if rheumatology services will keep pace with demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20750/05]

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

218 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a consultant rheumatologist will be appointed to Tallaght Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20769/05]

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

219 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concerns in Dublin South-West regarding the long outpatients waiting list for rheumatology patients to see a consultant; if she will report on plans for action in the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20770/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 117, 218 and 219 together.

The Rheumatology Manpower Report 2002 produced by the Irish Society of Rheumatology, ISR, identified deficits in the provision of rheumatology services nationally. The ISR report noted that the number of rheumatologists per head of population in Ireland was low in comparison with other European countries. At the time the ISR report was published there were 16 whole-time equivalent, WTE, consultant rheumatologists in place. According to the National Hospitals Office-Comhairle figures, there are now 21.5 WTE posts. This equates to a 33% increase in the number of posts in the space of three years.

The further expansion of rheumatology is now the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. My Department will continue to support the executive in its efforts to improve the delivery of rheumatology services.

Rheumatology services in the Health Service Executive south-western area are currently provided at St. James's Hospital and at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Children's Hospital, AMINCH. The AMINCH historically had two sessions of a consultant rheumatology post shared with St. James's. However, this arrangement ceased on the replacement of one of the two full-time rheumatologist posts in St. James's leaving the AMINCH without a formal service for a short period.

In recognition of the need for the service and growing waiting lists for appointments, the former Eastern Regional Health Authority approved the appointment of a new consultant rheumatologist and support staff for the AMINCH in November of 2004. Interviews for the post took place at the end of April 2005 and my Department has been informed that the successful candidate is due to commence in December 2005. A locum consultant is currently in place at the hospital pending the appointment of the permanent post holder. This new post will be shared between the AMINCH and Naas General Hospital where an outpatient and ward consultation service will be provided for those living in the area.

EU Directives.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

61 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in implementing the European working time directive for junior doctors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20946/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

73 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the NCHD working hours are now compliant with the requirements of the European working time directive; if her Department has been informed or alerted to any actions taken or any fines imposed on health employers for any breaches of the directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20884/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 73 together.

The working hours of doctors in training are regulated by way of the European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004, which came into operation on 1 August 2004.

Employers and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, have been engaged over a lengthy period in discussions under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, LRC, in order to advance proposals to effect a reduction in the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs. While some progress has been made, much remains to be resolved. The LRC has requested that both parties refrain from engaging in any form of unilateral action for the duration of the negotiation process. As a result, health employers have not acted unilaterally in order to achieve full compliance with the European working time directive, EWTD.

My Department has no knowledge of any actions taken or fines imposed on any health employer in the State for breaches of the directive in respect of NCHDs. In many hospitals, the introduction of new rosters would facilitate significant progress towards EWTD compliance while maintaining safe patient care and existing levels of service. However, health employers, in response to the request of the LRC, are at present awaiting agreement at national level before proceeding.

The ability of the Health Service Executive, HSE, to effectively implement the EWTD for the benefit of all NCHDs is dependent on the full co-operation of the IMO at both national and local level. In that regard, agreement was reached with the IMO in late 2004 to the establishment of nine pilot sites. The work by the local implementation groups at these sites is progressing with a view to developing plans for the full implementation of the directive.

Each local group includes consultants, local representatives of training bodies, NCHDs, nurses, management and other grades. Arising from their work, action can be taken when the industrial relations issues have been resolved.

The groups recently completed a comprehensive data gathering exercise on hospital activity, based on a similar UK "Hospital at Night" project. Over 50,000 clinical tasks were captured in the exercise. This data will help to determine how to reorganise services over a 24-hour day to maintain high quality patient care and provide appropriate training opportunities while achieving EWTD compliance. An analysis of the data is currently being conducted by the University of York and a report will be presented to all parties in the negotiations on 6 July 2005, at a meeting chaired by the LRC.

A national implementation group chaired by Dr. Cillian Twomey is being established under the auspices of the LRC. The group's membership includes nominees from the HSE, the IMO, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board, the Medical Council, the postgraduate medical training colleges, representatives of nurses and other health care professions and officials from the Department of Health and Children. This national group will co-ordinate the work of the nine local groups, issue agreed guidance on EWTD implementation and assist in the development of local implementation plans.

Further negotiations on issues relating to industrial relations matters are continuing in the LRC, aided and informed by the information compiled by the local groups. I am hopeful that early progress can be made in resolving outstanding issues so that full implementation of the directive's requirements can proceed without further delay.

Question No. 62 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

63 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the provision of the nursing home beds as laid out in her ten point plan to alleviate the accident and emergency crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20888/05]

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

87 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the funding for the ten point plan to alleviate the accident and emergency crisis is now €63 million and not €70 million as previously announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20889/05]

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

164 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the implementation of the ten point plan to alleviate the accident and emergency crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20887/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

170 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures implemented to date in regard to the package of measures announced by her in the Estimates to improve accident and emergency services; the timetable for the implementation of each other planned measure; if she is satisfied with the rate of progress in view of the serious problems that continue to be experienced in many accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20840/05]

Liz McManus

Ceist:

191 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures implemented to date in regard to the package of measures announced by her in the Estimates to improve accident and emergency services; the timetable for the implementation of each other planned measure; if she is satisfied with the rate of progress in view of the serious problems that continue to be experienced in many accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21026/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 87, 164, 170 and 191 together.

The Health Service Executive is advancing the implementation of a series of measures to improve the delivery of accident and emergency services funded from the €70 million current funding that was made available in the Estimates for 2005. Some of the specific projects now approved include: a new accident and emergency unit at St. James's Hospital Dublin; a new 25 bed accident and emergency admissions unit for the Mater Hospital; the completion of an accident and emergency unit in Portlaoise; a minor injury unit and a chest pain unit at Waterford Regional Hospital; a minor injury unit at St John's Hospital, Limerick; and a medical assessment unit and soft tissue trauma clinic at Cork University Hospital.

A detailed process mapping exercise is being conducted in advance of final decisions being taken on the provision of acute medical units at Tallaght, St. Vincent's and Beaumont hospitals. Tenders to undertake this exercise at ten hospitals nationally have been received by the HSE and are being evaluated at present. This hospital-by-hospital work to improve procedures in order to speed up patient services at accident and emergency departments has proved successful in the UK.

In relation to the provision of more appropriate care for older people who have completed the acute phase of their treatment, the following steps have been taken: 74 public intermediate-long stay beds are to be opened; 38 beds have been contracted for high dependency patients in the eastern region, to date a total of ten patients have been transferred from acute hospitals in the region; an initial 65 intermediate care beds were sourced under the tendering process for the eastern region and to date 95 patients has been discharged through those beds; in Cork, 30 intermediate beds were sourced under the tendering process and to date 36 patients have been discharged to these beds; 87 older people and eight young chronic disabled persons have been discharged through home-care supports; and an additional six palliative care beds have been commissioned in Blackrock Hospice.

Other measures under way include the following: a national audit of cleanliness in hospitals, to be undertaken by external consultants, will take place in July and August this year; funding has been provided to hospitals in the HSE-southern area for direct access to private diagnostic services; and in relation to broader range of GP direct access diagnostic services it has been agreed that the HSE will explore entering into local arrangements with the private sector to match capacity with needs.

In addition to these approvals, the HSE has asked each hospital network to: undertake a detailed analysis of patient throughput in each hospital; review existing practices to match staffing and other resources to peak patient attendance times; ensure efficient bed management and discharge planning to improve throughput; and promptly implement accident and emergency escalation plans when there is a significant surge in demand for accident and emergency services.

Hospital Services.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

64 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that women in the north-west choose to have mastectomies due to the fact that they cannot face the long distances and travel for cancer care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20897/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I would be saddened if any woman would chose to have a mastectomy rather than travelling to receive the best care available.

Patients in the north-west requiring radiation oncology are currently being referred to the recently commissioned radiation oncology department at University College Hospital Galway, UCHG, and also to St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin. A consultant radiation oncologist with significant sessional commitments to the north-western area has recently been appointed to UCHG. In addition, further discussions are scheduled to take place later this month between the HSE north-western area and Belfast City Hospital in regard to access to radiation oncology services for patients in the north-west — mainly Donegal. I will be meeting the Northern Ireland Minister for Health and Children on 5 July in Dublin to discuss this and other matters. My Department has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive to advise the Deputy of progress on these discussions. The state of the art facility at Belfast City Hospital is scheduled to open in early 2006.

Insurance Industry.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

65 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has given the go-ahead for the introduction of risk equalisation in the health insurance market; when risk equalisation will be in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20852/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Insurance Authority submitted its report on 29 April last in respect of the period July to December 2004. The authority's report recommended the commencement of risk equalisation transfers. I subsequently wrote to insurers with a proposed determination. However, this determination, under the terms of the Health Insurance Acts, is subject to a statutory representation process. Given that the statutory process assigns specific functions to me as Minister, it would be inappropriate to make any further comments at this time.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

66 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to negotiations with hospital consultants regarding the indemnity scheme; if the Government is planning legal action against the Medical Defence Union in regard to historic liabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20817/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I am happy to be able to report that almost all of the issues which needed to be resolved with consultants arising from the establishment of the clinical indemnity scheme, CIS, have now been dealt with.

The only remaining issue is a demand from the consultants that the caps placed on the limits of indemnity which consultants need to purchase to cover private practice not covered by the CIS should be halved. Most consultants currently need to purchase indemnity cover for the first €1 million of each and every claim against them. Consultant obstetricians purchase cover for the first €500,000 of each and every claim with an aggregate limit of indemnity of €1.5 million in any one year. I am satisfied that these limits put in place in February 2004 struck a reasonable balance between the amount of risk which consultants should bear compared to that taken on by the State. This view was endorsed by the Labour Court last December. However, the Labour Court also recommended that an independent actuarial review of the caps should be undertaken at the end of 2005. To that end the firm of Lane, Clark and Peacock, consulting actuaries to my Department and to the CIS, has been asked to assess the adequacy of the existing caps and to report on the implications of including claims against consultant neurosurgeons and consultant orthopaedic surgeons who undertake spinal surgery in the lower €500,000 cap. I expect to have their report before the end of July.

Earlier this year the Government indicated that it would consider supporting individual consultants who had been left without cover by the Medical Defence Union in challenging these decisions by the MDU. Last month I instructed the Chief State Solicitor's office to apply to the High Court for an order joining the MDU as third party in proceedings between a health board and a former consultant member of the MDU where the MDU had withdrawn assistance. The court granted the order sought and formal notice of this has now been served on the MDU. A similar order was recently granted in respect of a second consultant obstetrician who had been refused assistance by the MDU. I understand that similar applications on behalf of a further group of consultants are at an advanced stage of preparation.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

67 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to introduce a prostate screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20693/05]

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

70 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the increase in rates of prostate cancer here; the steps taken to ensure that fewer deaths occur from prostate cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20944/05]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

95 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to address the serious rise in the incidence of prostate cancer; if she has plans for the introduction of a national screening service to combat prostate cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20861/05]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

135 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will consider introducing PSA screening following recent reports that there has been a major rise in the number of cases of prostate cancer here in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20891/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 70, 95 and 135 together.

The most recent report from the National Cancer Registry, Cancer in Ireland 1994-2001, highlights an annual percentage change in the age standardised rate of prostate cancer of 6.5% over the period. During the period 1994 to 2000, prostate cancer incidence rates increased in the Republic of Ireland but not in Northern Ireland, while mortality from prostate cancer did not change in either region. The findings have stimulated a cross-Border investigation by the registry into prostate cancer incidence and screening. The new project aims to explore the reasons for these different trends.

A new national cancer strategy is currently being finalised by the National Cancer Forum, a multidisciplinary group of experts in oncology. As part of this work, the forum has reviewed all issues relating to screening, including examining specific diseases such as prostate and colorectal cancer. The forum has also developed criteria against which all future screening programmes will be assessed.

In regard to screening for prostate cancer, I understand that the forum will recommend that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the introduction of a population based prostate screening programme in this country. This issue should be reassessed when the results are available from randomised control trials currently being conducted internationally.

This position is consistent with the recommendations adopted by the European Union which advocate the introduction of cancer screening programmes which have demonstrated their efficacy having regard to professional expertise and priority setting for health care resources. The proposals do not provide for specific recommendations in respect of screening for prostate cancer.

Appropriate treatment for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is available at major hospitals throughout the country. Any man who has concerns in relation to prostate cancer should contact his GP who will, where appropriate, refer him to the appropriate services in his area.

Organ Retention.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

68 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the terms of reference of the report she has commissioned from Dr. Deirdre Madden on post-mortem practices in hospitals here and the retention of human organs without the consent of relatives; when the report will be completed; if it is intended to introduce legislation to regulate organ retention and transplants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20844/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

On 3 May last, the Government approved the appointment of Dr. Deirdre Madden, BL., to complete a report on post mortem practice and organ retention by 21 December 2005. Dr. Madden has been reading herself into the brief over the last few weeks. I will be meeting her shortly to finalise her terms of reference, which I will then present to Government for approval.

Ireland does not currently have specific legislation governing organ procurement and transplantation. The European Commission is currently considering the question of a directive in respect of organ transplantation, including the issue of consent, and proposes to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of the situation. It will present a report on its analysis to the Council of the European Union. It is hoped that this will provide the framework for the development of legislation in this area.

In the meantime, the Department will undertake an analysis of the possible legislative needs governing donor procurement and transplantation, with particular reference to the existing legal framework in other jurisdictions.

Hospital Accommodation.

John Perry

Ceist:

69 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the 850 beds in CNUs have not been delivered; if this is no longer a Government commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20919/05]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

137 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the provision of the 850 community nursing unit beds, announced in July 2002, and which were intended to provide step down facilities for elderly patients and thus relieve pressure on acute hospital beds; the reason no progress has been made on this initiative since that announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20841/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 137 together.

Work has been under way in my Department on the proposal to deliver 850 community nursing unit beds through a public private partnership, PPP, and the work that has been done so far has helped to clarify a number of issues. My Department has been examining public private partnerships, PPP, and other procurement options in line with Government policy with a view to finding the approach that will deliver additional long stay beds and provide the best services and value for money to the Exchequer.

In this regard there have been discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance on an initiative which is based on entering into a medium-term service level agreement with the private sector to deliver the additional long stay beds required to relieve pressure on the acute hospitals and community care programme.

I am pursuing this initiative with the Minister for Finance as a matter of high priority with a view to agreeing that the proposal be developed further to evaluate its cost effectiveness.

Question No. 70 answered with QuestionNo. 67.

Nursing Home Sector.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

71 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of prosecutions taken by health boards against nursing homes for each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 to date; the number of successful prosecutions for each of these years; the names of the nursing homes and their proprietors who were successfully prosecuted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20869/05]

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

204 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of prosecutions taken by health boards against nursing homes for each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 to date; the number of successful prosecutions for each of the above years; the list of names of the nursing homes and their proprietors who were successfully prosecuted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20661/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 204 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not normally collated in the Department. Accordingly, the Department has requested this information from the national director of primary, community and continuing care of the Health Service Executive and will forward it to the Deputy.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

72 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on recent reports that persons are taking out loans from credit unions to pay for medical treatments and surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20921/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Arrangements for public hospital services were introduced in June 1991. These determined that everyone in the country, regardless of income is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges. Medical card holders are exempt from these charges. Any person can also opt to be the private patient of both the consultant and the hospital. In these circumstances the patient, regardless of whether he or she is a medical card holder, is liable for the costs of such treatment. Neither the Department of Health and Children nor the Health Service Executive is in a position to provide financial assistance in these circumstances. The position regarding consultant fees for privately arranged health care is that the level of fees is a private matter between the consultants concerned and those patients in receipt of their services.

However, the introduction of the national treatment purchase fund has ensured treatment being made available for 30,000 public patients so far who might otherwise have felt they had no option but to arrange for private treatment. I would encourage any public patient who is waiting for elective surgery for more than three months to contact the NTPF first to see if treatment can be arranged before taking out loans that may be difficult to repay in their financial circumstances.

Question No. 73 answered with QuestionNo. 61.

Medical Cards.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

74 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to allow families to write off child care costs when being assessed for eligibility for medical cards; her estimate of the number of persons or families which benefit from such a move; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that income levels for medical cards are so low that few of those holding medical cards can avail of child care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20833/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The assessment of eligibility for medical cards is a function of the Health Service Executive. Reasonable child care expenses will be taken into account in revised eligibility assessment guidelines for medical cards due to be issued shortly. These guidelines will be publicised by the HSE in the coming week.

It is difficult to precisely estimate the number of persons who will benefit from this initiative but a working figure of 18,000-20,000 persons is currently assumed.

The inclusion of reasonable child care expenses is part of a number of significant improvements to the eligibility assessment system that will be implemented shortly by the executive. These include: assessments will be based on disposable income; reasonable rent and mortgage costs allowed in full; and reasonable costs of travel to work allowed in full.

The eligibility assessment system will be kept under continuous review to ensure that this is targeted to meet the need of persons-families on low incomes.

Private Hospital Facilities.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

75 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to provide lands at public hospitals to private interests to construct private hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20932/05]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

151 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals for new guidelines for the development of private hospitals on the grounds of public facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20856/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 151 together.

My Department engaged a consultancy firm to provide advice on an assessment framework which should be applied to proposals for developing private hospitals on public hospital sites.

I am currently considering the advice from the consultants and related policy issues regarding the development of private hospital facilities on public hospital sites and increasing capacity in the public hospitals for public patients.

Hospital Accommodation.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

76 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has allocated money to upgrade St. Bricin’s Hospital; if so, the amount her Department has allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20885/05]

Joan Burton

Ceist:

130 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposal that St. Bricin’s Military Hospital be used to help relieve pressure on the Mater Hospital; her views on whether this proposal is still feasible (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20816/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 130 together.

Representatives from my Department and the Health Service Executive have made a number of site visits to St. Bricin's Military Hospital to review the facilities and to consider the feasibility of the hospital being utilised for public health purposes. Following detailed consideration, the view is that St. Bricin's is not suitable for use as an acute facility. Further options in regard to the utilisation of St. Bricin's are being considered and my Department will continue to liaise with the executive and with the Department of Defence on the matter.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

77 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost of each main surgical procedure under the national treatment purchase scheme; the average cost of each such procedure carried out in the public hospital sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20858/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

My Department does not maintain data on the average cost of the specific operations arranged by the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply directly to the Deputy with regard to the specific information requested.

Hospital Accommodation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

78 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of beds provided to date, in regard to the commitment given in the national health strategy to provide an additional 3,000 hospital beds; the hospitals in which they have been provided; the projected number that will be provided before the end of 2005; the number of beds lost since 1997 in each such hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20843/05]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

127 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in dealing with acute bed capacity problems; the cost of dealing with this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20939/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 127 together.

On foot of the commitment in the health strategy, funding has been provided to open an additional 900 inpatient beds and day places in acute hospitals. Health agencies have informed my Department that at 17 June 2005, 780 beds were in place. The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that the remaining 120 beds-places will come on stream during 2005. My Department will provide details separately to the Deputy.

There has been no overall diminution in the number of acute hospital beds since 1997. It is important to note that the numbers of beds available in any hospital may fluctuate over time depending on service demands and other factors such as seasonal closures and refurbishment.

In addition, extra beds will be provided in the new acute medical units which I announced as part of the accident and emergency services package on the publication of the Estimates for 2005.

Care of the Elderly.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

79 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will publish proposals on the financing of long-term care of the elderly to fulfil action 42 of the national health strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20913/05]

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

139 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason actions 36 and 42 of the national health strategy have not been fulfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20915/05]

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

154 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will deliver legislation for clear statutory provisions on entitlement to health services to fulfil action 36 of the national health strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20914/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 139 and 154 together.

In line with action 36 of the health strategy, my Department has commenced work on a new legislative framework for eligibility for health and personal social services. The aim is to produce a clear set of statutory provisions that ensure equity and transparency. This is a very complex task but my Department is working to prepare proposals without delay.

With regard to action 42, following the publication of the Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, a working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established.

The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. It is hoped that this group will report to both the Tánaiste and Minister for Social and Family Affairs in the near future.

Health Service Reform.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

80 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the Hanly report; if it is her intention to implement it in full or in part; if she has measured the potential negative impact on certain hospitals throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20928/05]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

173 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Government plans to implement the recommendations of the Hanly report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20845/05]

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

205 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will reverse the Government’s health policy based on the Hanly report; if she will examine other alternatives and halt the implementation of the hospital reforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20666/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 173 and 205 together.

The report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing — the Hanly report — makes important proposals for reducing the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs, in line with the European working time directive and highlights the need to implement changes in medical staffing to ensure safety and quality of patient care.

My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive and other health agencies with a view to achieving the required reductions in the working hours of junior doctors. Negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation in this regard are continuing. Local implementation groups have been established in nine hospitals as part of an agreed process and a detailed hospital activity analysis is under way which will inform reforms in this area.

The report recommends a significant increase in the total number of consultants, working in a consultant-provided, team-based system, so that patients can receive faster access to senior clinical decision making. While consultant contract negotiations are delayed pending resolution of issues related to medical indemnity arrangements, significant preparatory work has been undertaken within my Department in partnership with the Health Service Executive in preparation for the commencement of negotiations.

The implications of the report for postgraduate medical education and training are being examined by the medical education and training group that was originally established as part of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing.

In regard to the organisation of hospital services, I consider that the National Hospitals Office is best placed to build on the recommendations of the report in this area. The priority is to ensure that patients, wherever they live, have equitable and rapid access to high quality hospital care.

Water Fluoridation.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

81 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to address continuing concerns regarding the possible health impact of the fluoridation of water supplies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20860/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Fluoridation of public water supplies as a public health measure is accepted as being one of the most effective methods of ensuring against tooth decay. The World Health Organisation, WHO, recommends fluoridation of public water supplies and has stated that "fluoridation of water supplies, where possible, is the most effective public health measure for the prevention of dental decay". The WHO has also stated that "people of all ages, including the elderly, benefit from community water fluoridation".

The recently completed survey of oral health, covering the whole island of Ireland, shows that fluoridation of public water supplies continues to be a highly effective public health measure. It has contributed significantly to a major reduction in the incidence of dental decay in the Republic of Ireland.

As the Deputy is aware, a forum on fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum report's main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.

In all, the report of the forum on fluoridation made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness, policy and technical aspects of fluoridation and the establishment of an expert body to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.

180 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will allocate the necessary funding to address the immediate, short-term and long-term requirements of cystic fibrosis services here, if the HSE working group confirms the findings of the Pollock report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21348/05]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

181 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will put forward a special case to allow the permanent recruitment of staff, in spite of the employment ceiling cap, if the HSE working group endorses the findings of the Pollock report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21349/05]

John Gormley

248 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide additional cystic fibrosis units nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21013/05]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

249 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to develop adult services for persons with cystic fibrosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21014/05]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

Ceist:

266 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the AHSE working group confirms the findings of the Pollock report, if she will allocate the necessary funding to address the immediate short-term and long-term requirements that will address the existing cystic fibrosis services here. [21046/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

Ceist:

323 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the HSE working group confirms the Pollack report; if she will allocate the necessary funding to address the immediate short and long-term requirements of cystic fibrosis services here which currently are below basic international standards; if she will put forward a special case that will allow the permanent requirement of staff, in spite of the employment ceiling cap, if the HSE working group endorses the findings of the Pollack report. [21302/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 179 to 189, inclusive, 247 to 250, inclusive, 257 to 266, inclusive, 268, 275 to 281, inclusive, 284 to 292, inclusive, and 319 to 323, inclusive, together.

I have seen the report which the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland commissioned from Dr. Ronnie Pollock. The report confirms that Ireland has the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis in the world. It reviewed existing hospital services for people with cystic fibrosis in the context of accepted international standards and concluded that the services available for persons with cystic fibrosis in this country are not of the standard that they should be.

The report provides an assessment of need for current and future cystic fibrosis patients. It makes recommendations with regard to the numbers and categories of staff who are appropriate for a modern, multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis service. Following publication of the report, the Health Service Executive, at the request of the Cystic Fibrosis Association, established a working group to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland, both in hospitals and in the community. The working group is also to make recommendations for the reconfiguration, improvement and development of those services.

The working group is multidisciplinary in its composition and includes representation from the Cystic Fibrosis Association. It held its first meeting in early April and I understand that it hopes to complete its work over the next few months. The Pollock report is one of a number of reports relating to cystic fibrosis services being considered by the group. The work of the group will result in an agreed proposal for the development and reconfiguration of services for cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland.

I will be glad to meet with the Cystic Fibrosis Association and the HSE to discuss the development and reconfiguration of services for persons with cystic fibrosis when the working group has finalised its proposals.

Health Service Funding.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

83 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount that each health board spent over its budget for 2004 before the boards were dissolved in December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20917/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The 2004 revised determinations for all health boards, after adjustment is made for the national PPARS project, totalled €8,169.398 million. The net expenditure reported by health boards for 2004, per the unaudited annual financial statements, AFS, is €8,195.792 million.

Under the 1996 accountability legislation, health boards were required to transfer a deficit or a surplus for the preceding year to the following year. The cumulative surplus brought forward by health boards at 31 December 2003 totalled €30.786 million. Accordingly, health boards included a surplus or deficit, whichever was appropriate, in their planned spending for 2004. This gave a total available spending level for 2004 of €8,200.184 million. When this is compared to the net non-capital expenditure of €8,195.792 million reported in the unaudited Annual Financial Statements for 2004, the overall position for all health boards at end 2004 is a cumulative surplus of €4.392 million.

The position in respect of each health board is set out in the following table.

Health Board/ Authority	Surplus/ (Deficit) brought forward at 31/12/2003	2004 Final Determination	Net Non-Capital Expenditure 2004 per unaudited AFS	Surplus/ (Deficit) for 2004	Cumulative Surplus/(Deficit) at 31/12/2004
	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
ERHA	1.616	3,433.600	3,430.321	3.279	4.895
Midland	(0.505)	438.531	439.625	(1.094)	(1.599)
Mid Western	0.000	591.390	593.357	(1.967)	(1.967)
North Eastern	3.341	565.230	569.301	(4.071)	(0.730)
North Western	0.773	508.439	510.060	(1.621)	(0.848)
South Eastern	8.532	736.985	739.829	(2.844)	5.688
Southern	0.165	1,091.113	1,091.629	(0.516)	(0.351)
Western	16.864	804.110	821.670	(17.560)	(0.696)
Total	30.786	8,169.398	8,195.792	(26.394)	4.392

Health Service Staff.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

84 Mr. Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the recruitment of the chief executive of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20874/05]

Kathleen Lynch

My Department undertook a search of the available files dealing with the issue of MRSA as a result of the Deputy's question. From this initial search of the files it was not possible in the time available to identify any correspondence on file from any acute hospital or health board specifically regarding the implementation of the 1995 guidelines on the control of MRSA in health care settings.

Effective infection control measures, including environmental cleanliness and hand hygiene, are central to the control of HAIs including drug-resistant organisms such as MRSA. Improving the standards of cleanliness in hospitals is a priority. One of the specific actions identified in the ten point plan to improve the delivery of accident and emergency services refers to the need to address this particular issue.

In order to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance, including MRSA, the strategy for the control of antimicrobial resistance in Ireland, SARI, was launched by the Department of Health and Children in June 2001 and it sets out national policy in this area. Since then, approximately €20 million in funding has been made available under the strategy. This SARI funding is in addition to normal hospital funding arrangements in regard to infection control.

A SARI infection control sub-committee has updated the 1995 national guidelines for the control and prevention of MRSA in hospitals and in the community. The key recommendations cover such areas as environmental cleanliness, bed occupancy levels, isolation facilities, hand hygiene, appropriate antibiotic use and protocols for the screening and detection of MRSA. These guidelines are currently with the Health Service Executive for finalisation and are expected to be published in the coming weeks.

Effective infection control measures, including environmental cleanliness and hand hygiene, are central to the control of HAIs including drug-resistant organisms such as MRSA. The SARI infection control sub-committee released national guidelines for hand hygiene in health care settings during 2004. These guidelines have been widely circulated by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and are available on the HPSC's website.

The prevention and control of hospital acquired infections is a priority for me and for the Health Service Executive. The director of the National Hospitals Office has engaged external consultants to carry out an independent hygiene audit of hospitals this summer. The results of the audit will be made public and will ensure that the issue of hygiene is taken more seriously by hospitals than it has been heretofore.

Every hospital in the country will know that the public will have access to the results of the hygiene audit and this will encourage hospitals to perform better to tackle MRSA and help to ensure that the matter is taken more seriously. I am not happy with the standard of hygiene in hospitals and it is one of the first matters with which I asked the new National Hospitals Office to deal. I am determined that our hospitals are run to the highest possible standards. There is no excuse for low standards when huge money is being spent on cleaning programmes involving both in-house cleaning and outside contracts.

We need an all out national effort in regard to MRSA. Anything that requires to be done will be done, either by way of reporting, getting correct data published and changing practices in hospitals. We will also be making money available for public awareness campaigns targeted at people visiting hospitals so that they are fully informed about best hygiene practices.

Health Service Funding.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

86 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the capital projects in the health area for which funding has been provided and which are expected to commence in 2005; if any further such capital allocations will be made during 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20854/05]

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

105 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will announce the allocation of capital funding in the health services for 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20903/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 105 together.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, established on 1 January 2005, to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for progressing the bulk of the health capital programme in 2005 and in future years. The total capital provision for the health service, as announced earlier this year as part of the overall public capital programme, is just over €584 million.

Capital funding for the health service is now largely provided through the Health Service Executive in line with the capital investment framework 2005-09. This amounts to €564 million in 2005. I am pleased to inform the House that I have this morning written to the HSE to convey my agreement to allow for the progression of its capital programme in 2005.

The capital provision for my Department in the current year amounts to €20 million. This relates to direct funding by my Department for a small number of agencies such as BreastCheck, the Health Research Board, HIQA and the Adoption Board.

Question No. 87 answered with QuestionNo. 63.

Health Service Staff.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

88 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the identity of the national directors and assistant directors of the HSE; if all of these positions have been filled; the positions these directors held prior to their post in the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20876/05]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

161 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of senior positions in the HSE which have yet to be filled; the areas in which vacancies exist; the areas in which vacancies are pending; if she is satisfied with the recruitment procedures within the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20838/05]

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

237 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the names of the directors of services who were initially appointed by the HSE and who have resigned, vacated or left their positions; and the details of the severance packages that were made available to them. [20956/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 161 and 237 together.

The Deputies' questions relate to matters which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have replies issued directly to the Deputies.

The position with regard to recruitment procedures is that, under section 22 of the Health Act 2004, employees of the executive must now be recruited in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.

Pension Provisions.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

89 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the matters that remain outstanding and which are preventing the payment of a pension to retired former temporary part-time nurses will be resolved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20784/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

First, I should state that the superannuation arrangements for retired employees are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. However, I have made inquiries with the superannuation department of the HSE — shared services — eastern region. I understand that letters have recently issued to both persons concerned, setting out the options available to them. In each case the persons involved have an option to join either the local government superannuation scheme or opt for an entitlement to a gratuity to a non-pensionable person. In both cases, all the calculations have been completed and once responses are received as to which option they wish to choose, benefits will be processed immediately by the HSE.

Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

90 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has sufficient resources to ensure an adequate and safe supply of blood products to hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20911/05]

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

175 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ensure a steady supply of blood in view of the recent forced cancellation of certain procedures due to a shortage of blood; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20859/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 175 together.

I am satisfied that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, has adequate financial resources at its disposal.

The recent blood shortage was not related to funding but was due to increasing demands on the blood supply and more stringent controls and testing. Since 2001 the IBTS has introduced a series of measures to minimise the threat posed by vCJD. These measures include the exclusion from donating of people who have spent one year or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996 and anybody who has received a transfusion either in Ireland or abroad from 1 January 1980. This has resulted in a loss of 20% of existing donors.

In the first five months of 2005, 4,000 fewer donors attended blood clinics throughout Ireland as compared to 2004. During this period the IBTS undertook intensive local advertising, through print media and local radio, text messaging donors, telephoning donors and sending additional notification of clinic locations. Despite this heightened level of activity, maintaining the blood supply proved difficult. Accordingly, on 9 June, the IBTS was forced to request hospitals to defer elective surgery requiring blood transfusions to allow the blood stocks build up to an appropriate level. An intensive advertising campaign was made for blood donations. This is the first time that such an appeal has had to be made since 2002.

Thankfully, the response to the appeal has been excellent and stocks have now been restored to acceptable levels. The IBTS informed hospitals on 13 June that blood supplies would resume as normal on 14 June. Stock levels for the week beginning 20 June remain at an acceptable level and the IBTS will continue its intensive advertising campaign in the coming months to ensure that this position continues.

Primary Health Care Strategy.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

91 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason so little progress has been made in implementing the Government’s primary health care strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20945/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Strategy, Primary Care: A New Direction, provides a template for the development of primary care over a period of ten to 15 years. Considerable work has been undertaken by my Department and the former health boards to advance implementation.

There are three broad approaches required to enable the primary care strategy to be implemented. These are revenue and capital investment by the State in order to deliver additional services in primary care; the substantial reorganisation of the resources already within the health services; and a structured role for the private sector in the development of facilities and possibly also the delivery of services.

An initial ten primary care teams have been developed, with funding to enable existing staff resources within the public system to be augmented with additional health professionals. These teams are intended to demonstrate the primary care model in action and also to enable practical experience to be gained of the process involved in developing a primary care team and providing an expanded range of services.

Work has already been undertaken by the former health boards to map out the proposed numbers, locations and configurations of future primary care teams and networks and the resource requirements associated with these. The Health Service Executive must complete this task to provide a firm basis for the future organisation of resources within primary care, and incorporating the significant numbers of staff and contractors already involved in the delivery of primary care services.

Work is almost complete on a strategy and action plan on information and communications technology, ICT, for primary care. This will provide a basis for the development of ICT systems which support interdisciplinary primary care and which also facilitate the delivery of care in an integrated way across all sectors within the health service.

All of the investment needed to enable the implementation of the strategy need not involve the public sector. Many primary care services are already delivered by private and non-State contractors. I am committed to developing policy which will stimulate private sector investment in developing facilities and services. My Department is considering how this agenda can be advanced so as to harness the undoubted potential within the non-State sector and so enable and support the delivery of integrated primary care services in line with national policy.

Nursing Home Inspections.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

92 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, as recommended by the Ombudsman, she will make all nursing home inspectors reports available to the general public as a matter of routine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20890/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

166 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has any intention of removing the requirement whereby a person can only access information regarding nursing home inspections through the Freedom of Information Act 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20870/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

243 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has directly or indirectly issued instructions to public or private nursing homes restricting the information available to public representatives; if her attention has been drawn to a reluctance on the part of some officers of the Health Service Executive to provide information sought on the grounds of confidentiality; the way in which it is expected to provide a semblance of transparency or accountability in view of the lack of any structure, such as with the health boards, whereby Members of the Oireachtas had an opportunity to monitor policy as it is applied to their constituency or constituents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21000/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 166 and 243 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that no instructions have been issued by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, or by the Department in regard to restricting the release of information to public representatives on public and private nursing homes.

The Government is aware of the strong public interest in increasing the openness and transparency of the process of investigation of complaints by public bodies, particularly where the complaints concern the provision of care for older or vulnerable people. The Health Service Executive has now made a policy decision that with immediate effect the reports of all completed inspections of nursing homes should be made available to members of the public on request subject to legislation on freedom of information and data protection.

As the Deputy will no doubt be aware, access to certain records may be denied on the basis that disclosure of the information sought could involve the release of personal information on staff members or residents of the home. The Executive has decided that following a review and the standardisation of inspection report formats and consultation with key stakeholders, that it will publish all future reports on the its website subject of course to compliance with legislation in relation to the release of information.

In the circumstances, it is proposed to change the requirement whereby a person can only access information regarding nursing home inspections through the Freedom of Information Act 1997.

Hospital Services.

I will be meeting the Minister for Health for Northern Ireland, Mr. Shaun Woodward, MP, shortly and I have asked that North-South co-operation on cancer services be put on the agenda. In addition, further discussions are scheduled to take place later this month between the HSE north-western area and Belfast City Hospital in regard to access to radiation oncology services for patients in the north-west — mainly Donegal. My Department has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive to advise the Deputies of progress on these discussions. The state of the art facility at Belfast City Hospital is scheduled to open in early 2006. The Government is as committed to delivering safe and effective services for people of the north-west as we are for people in every region.

Hospital Charges.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

94 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the regulations providing for the imposition of charges on those in long-term care will be published and enacted; if she will list those who will be covered; the reason for the delay in producing the regulations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20814/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I, and my colleague, the Minister for Finance, signed the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005 on 14 June last, and these regulations reinstate charges for inpatient services and put them on a sound legal basis for the first time in 29 years. The regulations were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 16 June.

These regulations provide for the levying of a charge in respect of the maintenance of persons in receipt of inpatient services. Section 51 of the Health Act 1970 defines inpatient services as meaning "institutional services provided for persons while maintained in a hospital, convalescent home or home for persons suffering from physical or mental disability or in accommodation ancillary thereto".

The regulations, in keeping with section 53 of the Health Act 1970, as amended, have provided for two different classes of persons on whom charges can be levied.

Class 1, the first class, refers to people in receipt of inpatient services on premises where nursing care is provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises. In this case, a weekly charge can be levied of €120 or the weekly income of that person less €35, whichever is the lesser. Class 2, the second class, refers to people in receipt of inpatient services on premises where nursing care is not provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises. In this situation, a weekly charge can be levied of €90, or the weekly income of that person less €55 or 60% of the weekly income of that person, whichever is the lesser.

Section 53 of the Health Act 1970, as amended by the Health (Amendment) Act 2005, provides, inter alia, that the HSE may reduce or waive a charge imposed if it is of the opinion that, having regard to the financial circumstances of that person, it is necessary to do so in order to avoid undue financial hardship in relation to that person. This section also allows for the levying of a charge where inpatient services have been provided for a period of not less than 30 days or for periods aggregating not less than 30 days within the previous 12 months. It also ensures that the weekly rate shall not exceed 80% of the maximum of the weekly rate of the old age non-contributory pension payable at the time.

Question No. 95 answered with QuestionNo. 67.

Health Service Staff.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

96 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total number of personnel now employed in the delivery of the health services; the number of consultants, medical staff, nursing staff and others; the extent to which these numbers have been increased in each category in the past eight years; the extent to which delivery of service is currently failing to meet demand; her proposals to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20927/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

310 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which personnel in the health services have increased in the past seven years; the number of orthodontists or other front line health workers employed in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21283/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

311 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons currently employed in the health service at consultant, medical, nursing and administration levels; the number of persons on contract in each discipline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21284/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 310 and 311 together.

The latest available employment data for the health services is in respect of year end 2004. The information requested by the Deputy on health service staff, including employment growth in each of the grade categories from end 1997 up to that date, is set out in the table below. However, some caution should be exercised in comparing employment growth between grade categories owing to some changes in their composition over the period.

Between 1997 and year end 2004, there was an increase in the level of employment of 30,882, or 45.5%, excluding home helps, in wholetime equivalent terms. In this context, comparing employment levels at end-December 2004 to those at end-1997, there were 40.9% — plus 2,037 — more medical-dental personnel, 116% — plus 6,892 — more health and social care professionals and 25.5% — plus 6,967 — more nurses employed in the health services in wholetime equivalent, WTE, terms.

The health service employment return does not gather information on the number of staff employed in the health services on a contract basis. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

The significantly increased staffing levels over the last eight years reflect the substantial service developments which have occurred, particularly in the areas of child protection and intellectual disability services. There have also been significant increases in staffing levels in acute hospitals arising from the national cancer strategy and the cardiovascular strategy. Resources must be targeted where most required and I have consistently stressed that, in the management of health service employment levels, front-line service delivery must be safeguarded.

Health Service Staffing at 31 December1.
Grade Category	1997	1998	2004	Increase 1997-2004	Increase 1998-2004
Medical/Dental	4,976	5,153	7,013	2,037	1,860
of which Consultants	1,308	1,319	1,871	563	552
Nursing	27,346	26,611	34,313	6,967	7,702
Health and Social Care Professionals	5,938	6,390	12,830	6,892	6,439
Management/ Administrative3	8,844	9,480	16,157	7,313	6,676
General Support Staff and Other Patient and Client Care	20,737	22,005	28,410	7,673	6,406
Total	67,841	69,640	98,723	30,882	29,083

Source: Health Service Personnel Census at 31 December.

Notes:

1Excludes Home Helps

2The professionalisation of Child Care Workers/House Parents resulted in grade category shift of these grades from Other Patient Care to Health and Social Care Professionals in 2001-2002. This change together with other changes of a less substantial nature have resulted in making direct comparisons over extended periods unreliable for these categories.

3Includes all management/administrative and clerical personnel. The Management/Administrative Category includes — staff who are of direct service to the public and include Consultant's Secretaries, Out-Patient Departmental Personnel, Medical Records Personnel, Telephonists and other staff who are engaged in front-line duties together with staff in the following categories Payroll, Human Resource Management (including training), Service Managers, IT Staff, General Management Support and Legislative and Information Requirements.

Orthodontists	1997	1998	2004	Increase 1997-2004	Increase 1998-2004
Consultant/Orthodontist	9	9	12	3	3
Specialist in Orthodontics	0	0	25	25	25
Total	9	9	37	28	28

Care of the Elderly.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

97 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the 1,370 additional assessment and rehabilitation beds which have been delivered, as promised in the national health strategy 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20879/05]

John Deasy

Ceist:

100 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the 600 additional day hospital beds with facilities encompassing specialist areas such as falls, osteoporosis treatment, fracture prevention, Parkinson’s disease, stroke prevention, heart failure and continence promotion clinics, as promised in the national health strategy 2001,which have been delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20878/05]

John Deasy

Ceist:

153 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of commitments laid out in the national health strategy in relation to services for the elderly that have been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20877/05]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

162 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the 700 day care places for the elderly which have been delivered, as promised in the national health strategy 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20880/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 100, 153 and 162 together.

The National Health Strategy, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You was launched in 2001 by the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin. The strategy is centred on a whole system approach to tackling health in Ireland and it goes beyond the traditional concept of health services. It is about developing a system in which best health and social well-being are valued and supported. The strategy sets out a blueprint to guide policy makers and service providers in the planning and delivery of health services over a seven to ten year period. It set national goals for better health for everyone, fair access, responsive and appropriate care delivery and high performance.

There have been many reforms to our health services since the publication of the strategy, the most notable being the enactment of the Health Act 2004 which transferred responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services to the Health Service Executive.

The strategy outlined a number of action points in regard to services for older people and the executive is continuing to implement these. The Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have details of the specific services for older people being delivered now to be collated and to reply directly to the Deputy.

I would like to highlight to the Deputy a number of developments since the publication of the strategy as follows: from 2002 to 2004, approximately €121 million in additional revenue funding was allocated to services for older people; in 2005, a total of €15.228 million in additional funding was allocated to services for older people for a variety of services, including nursing home subvention, home care grants, elder abuse and the home help service; and a working group comprising all stakeholders was established by the Department to review the operation and administration of the nursing home subvention scheme following on from the publication of the O'Shea report on the scheme. This review was launched simultaneously with the Department of Social and Family Affairs' report on the financing of long-term care in 2003. An interdepartmental group, comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, was then established in January to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care. This group is due to report to the Tánaiste and Minster for Social and Family Affairs this summer. Home care grant schemes have been piloted in a number of areas as an alternative to long-term residential care to assist older people living at home in the community. Older people who are being discharged from the acute hospital system and those living in the community are being targeted under these schemes. Funding of €2 million has been allocated in 2005 to the Health Service Executive for the scheme.

The ten point plan aimed at improving the delivery of accident and emergency services announced by the Tánaiste is being implemented now. Additional revenue funding of €70 million has been made available to the Health Service Executive, HSE, in 2005 for these initiatives, which include measures to facilitate the discharge of patients from acute hospital beds to a more appropriate setting. Under this plan there are three specific proposals relating to services for older people: an additional 500 older people are to receive intermediate care for up to six weeks in the private sector, 100 high dependency patients are to be transferred from acute hospitals to private nursing home care; and the home care package scheme is to be expanded to support 500 additional older people who have been discharged from the acute hospital sector to their own home.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

98 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the call made by the National Council for Ageing and Older People for the extension of the BreastCheck service to women of 65 and over; if she intends to respond to the call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20848/05]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

160 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to continue the roll-out of BreastCheck; the proportion of the population currently covered; when the service will be available in all areas of the country and to all women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20847/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

169 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of the national BreastCheck screening programme in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20905/05]

Liz McManus

Ceist:

253 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the expected dates for the expansion of the BreastCheck mobile units in Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21030/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 160, 169 and 253 together.

The national breast screening programme commenced in 2000 and covers the eastern, midland, north-eastern and parts of the south-eastern regions of the country. There are approximately 160,000 women in the target age group in these regions.

New facilities for the expansion of BreastCheck to the remaining regions are included in the health capital investment framework 2005-09. My Department recently gave approval to BreastCheck to advertise for the appointment of a design team to work up detailed plans for the design and construction of two clinical units, one at the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork and the other at University College Hospital, Galway. The selection process for the design team is well advanced. BreastCheck anticipates that the shortlisting, interviews and fee negotiations will be complete by the end of July 2005. Discussions on manpower requirements are currently taking place involving BreastCheck, the Health Service Executive and my Department. I am confident that the target date of 2007 for the commencement of the national roll-out will be met.

There are approximately 130,000 women in the target age group in the remaining regions. The national expansion will ensure that all women in the relevant age group in every county throughout the country will have access to breast screening and follow-up treatment where appropriate.

Following the national roll-out and when the programme is sufficiently developed and quality assured, consideration will be given to extending the upper age limit. Any woman, irrespective of her age or residence, who has immediate concerns or symptoms should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

99 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that the waiting lists for diabetes sufferers in Beaumont Hospital have claimed four lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20894/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 100 answered with QuestionNo. 97.

Question No. 101 answered with QuestionNo. 93.

Nursing Home Standards.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

102 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is a standard procedure that, prior to a public patient being placed by a regional health office into a nursing home, the regional health office checks the relevant nursing home inspector’s reports; if there is a legal obligation on regional health offices to do this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20868/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

203 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is a standard procedure that, prior to a public patient being placed by a regional health office into a nursing home, the regional health office checks the relevant nursing home inspectors reports; if there is a legal obligation on regional health offices to do this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20660/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 203 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no legal obligation on the Health Service Executive to check the inspection reports of a private nursing home prior to placing a patient in that facility. However, the HSE when considering placing a person in such a facility, would have regard to the standards of care provided there. In this regard the results of inspection reports would be taken into account when assessing the suitability of such establishments.

The Department is currently reviewing the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and regulations made under the Act to strengthen the powers available to the HSE. This will be a wide-ranging review which will have the rights of patients at its centre and the issues raised by the Deputy will be taken into account as part of the review. It is the intention to have this Bill published later on this year.

Ambulance Service.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

103 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a 24 hour ambulance will be located in the Mulranny, Achill and Ballycroy area of Mayo; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that lives are being lost and put in jeopardy due to the considerable time which elapses before an ambulance arrives to take ill persons to hospital; when it is likely that an ambulance base will be provided in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20576/05]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

167 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to improve the ambulance service in the west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20694/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 167 together.

The Deputies' questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

I am advised by the HSE that its western area emergency ambulance service provides a service to a population of over 350,000 people from ten stations spread throughout the catchment area. There has been significant expansion of the service in recent years. For example, ten additional crews have been put in place; the number of 24-hour bases has increased from three to five, while the overall hours of operation across all bases have increased significantly.

In 2004 the HSE, western area, purchased six new high specification ambulances. In addition, two new rapid response vehicles were introduced as back up to the new fleet. Facilities have also been improved at ambulance stations in Ballina, Boyle, Clifden and Roscommon.

The HSE, western area, has proposals for the establishment of additional stations in Tuam, west Roscommon and in the Achill-Mulranny area. The question of progressing these proposals is a matter to be addressed by the Health Service Executive in the context of the capital investment framework 2005-09.

Hospital Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

104 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress she has made to improve neurosurgical services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20920/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

At the request of the Department of Health and Children, a committee was established by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal, currently the National Hospitals Office/Comhairle, to review the existing arrangements for the provision of neurosurgical services and consultant staffing nationally, and following consultation with the interests concerned, to make recommendations on the future organisation and development of neurosurgical services. The review will take into account the national-regional character of current neurosurgical services and focus on updating the recommendations outlined in the 1989 and 1991 Comhairle reports, taking into consideration recent advances in the neurosurgery-neuroscience group of specialties.

My Department has been informed that this committee is in the process of completing its report.

Question No. 105 answered with QuestionNo. 86.

Assisted Human Reproduction.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

106 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction; if it is intended to implement the recommendations contained in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20851/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I was pleased to receive the commission's report on 12 May 2005. As I indicated at that time, the Government has decided to refer the report to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. This will allow for further public and political consideration of the complex issues involved. Following this process, the Government will, on the basis of the commission's report and the report of the Oireachtas committee, make decisions on the regulation of assisted human reproduction in Ireland.

Plastic Surgery Procedures.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

107 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the standards applied to private plastic surgery are sufficiently high; the checks that are carried out on these clinics; if she intends to introduce rigorous standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20940/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Under the Medical Practitioners Act 1978, the Medical Council is charged with responsibility for the registration of medical practitioners and the regulation of their activities. The function of the Medical Council is to protect the public through implementing appropriate standards and controls on the medical profession. All doctors practising medicine in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council.

The establishment and operation of acute hospitals, public or private, has never been subject to statutory registration or licensing in this country. My Department is considering the need for the introduction of such provisions.

Persons who avail of the services of doctors performing plastic surgery should endeavour to seek the services of reputable providers. When invasive procedures are being arranged, persons would be strongly advised to check that the services are provided by a medical practitioner who is appropriately registered with the Medical Council. In addition, before agreeing to undergo any procedure, persons should ascertain the level of follow-up medical support which will be available to them after the surgery has been completed.

The Medical Council produces a guide to ethical conduct and behaviour in accordance with section 69(2) of the Medical Practitioners Act. This publication includes guidance for doctors on the required standard for practice premises and standards in regard to centres of health care. The council is in a position to consider alleged breaches of the guide in respect of doctors who are registered with it. Where a concern arises about the professional activity of a registered medical practitioner, the Medical Council has the power to investigate the circumstances of the complaint, and, if a prima facie case exists, to conduct an inquiry. Where a finding of professional misconduct or unfitness to practise is made against a doctor, the council has the authority to suspend, limit or revoke the registration of that individual.

As the Deputy will be aware, a new medical practitioners Bill is currently being drafted by parliamentary counsel in order to substantially update the provisions of the 1978 legislation. Among the many changes I propose to introduce are a clear compulsory requirement for registration for all medical practitioners, changes to the fitness to practise process, the introduction of a mandatory scheme of competence assurance for all doctors practising independently and a much increased public profile for the council. I also intend to significantly increase the non-medical representation on the council in order to best ensure that public safety and protection is given the highest possible priority by the council as it develops in the coming years.

It is my belief that these and other new provisions of the Bill should afford greater protection to the public. I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill before the end of the year.

Questions Nos. 108 and 109 answered with Question No. 56.

Task Force on Alcohol.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

110 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations of the task force on alcohol; the reason more progress has not been made to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20941/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The strategic task force on alcohol published two reports in May 2002 and September 2004. A total of 100 recommendations are made which have implications across a number of Departments. In April this year the Government authorised the Tánaiste to implement the recommendations which fall within the remit of the Department of Health and Children. Other Ministers were also authorised to implement the recommendations relevant to their Department.

Significant progress has been made across Departments in implementing the task force's recommendations since the publication of the first report. I have arranged to have a summary document forwarded to the Deputy outlining details of the progress made.

Further to the Government decision supporting the second report of the strategic task force on alcohol, it is proposed to establish a working group to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve further targeted and measurable reductions in alcohol related harm.

Nursing Home Standards.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

111 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps that have been taken arising from the shocking conditions in the Leas Cross nursing home disclosed in the “Prime Time Investigates” programme on RTE; the steps which have been taken to determine whether similar conditions exist in other nursing homes; if, in view of serious public concern at conditions in some nursing homes, she will expedite the introduction of legislation to provide for an independent system of inspection of nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20820/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The Government is extremely concerned at the situation in Leas Cross nursing home. It is unacceptable that older people should be subjected to the type of environment portrayed by the "Prime Time" programme.

I wish to inform the House that the Health Service Executive appointed: a director of nursing to oversee its operation; a team of support clinicians, including a senior nurse manager, drawn from the HSE; a team of occupational therapists, to assess all patients in regard to seating, mobility and other related areas; a team of dieticians to assess the dietetic needs of all patients; and an independent investigating team to inquire into the allegations highlighted on the "Prime Time" programme.

The director of nursing, who now manages the delivery of care in Leas Cross, keeps HSE senior management informed on a daily basis about service delivery issues.

However, the HSE having reviewed the standards of patient care at the home, has decided to move public patients to alternative nursing home care more appropriate to their needs as it is of the opinion that these patients are not being appropriately cared for at the home. The HSE is also advising the families of other residents of the home that they would be well advised to consider seeking alternative accommodation for their relatives. In addition, the HSE is considering applying to the courts to have the home de-registered as it is of the opinion that the home is in breach of some of the conditions of its registration as a private nursing home and is not in a position to provide appropriate care to its residents.

The HSE has also initiated a review of the current approach to nursing home inspections. This review will examine issues such as preparation work undertaken, assessment tools used, methodologies employed during inspections, guidelines dealing with announced and unannounced visits, and procedures to assess the quality of care. The reviewer has been asked to provide a report to the HSE outlining his findings, including any actions which should be taken to improve the quality of the inspection process and to identify any other issues that need to be addressed for the future.

It is the intention of the HSE, that, following this review all completed inspection forms will be published on the HSE website for public information. However, with immediate effect the reports of all completed inspections of nursing homes should be made available to members of the public on request subject to the freedom of information legislation.

As already announced, the social services inspectorate is to be established on a statutory basis. Legislation to give effect to this will be published later this year. The inspectorate will be charged with the inspection of both public and private nursing homes and will be responsible for reporting on standards of care in such homes.

In addition, the Department of Health and Children is urgently reviewing the operation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and regulations made under the Act to see which powers available to the Health Service Executive need to be strengthened.

Medical Cards.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

112 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is intended to withhold pay increases due to general practitioners as a result of their decision not to co-operate with the issuing of the general practitioner-only card; her views on whether this decision may lead to industrial action and consequent disruption of services to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20831/05]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

115 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the IMO regarding the introduction of the promised doctor-only card; her plans for further discussions; the number of such cards issued to date; when the full complement will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20829/05]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

134 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce the doctor-only medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20922/05]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

136 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued as of June 1997, June 2002 and 30 September 2004 and the latest date for which figures are available; if the Government intends to honour the pledge in An Agreed Programme for Government to extend eligibility to bring in another 200,000 persons and the commitment given on the publication of the Estimates for 2005 that 30,000 additional medical cards would be issued from 1 January 2005; the number of the promised 30,000 new medical cards that have been issued since that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20827/05]

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

143 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the call made by a person (details supplied) for the scrapping of plans to introduce the general practitioner-only card and for the Government instead to honour its commitment to provide an additional 200,000 full medical cards; her views on this call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20832/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 115, 134, 136 and 143 together.

The number of medical cards issued and number of persons covered by a medical card for the dates requested are set out in the following table.

Date	Number of medical cards	Number of persons covered by medical cards	% of population	Population
June 1997	740,451	1,244,459	34.37	3,621,035 (1996 census)
June 2002	783,612	1,207,096	30.81	3,917,336 (2002 census of population (preliminary))
September 2004	768,895	1,151,106	29.39	3,917,203 (2002 census)
June 2005	772,869	1,147,007	28.36	4,043,800 (official estimate of population at September 2004)

Generally the reduction in recent years in the number of medical cards may be attributed to the increase in the number of people in employment and also the improved economic situation nationally. Additionally, during 2003 and 2004, health boards undertook a review of medical card databases in which approximately 104,000 medical cards records were removed. Normal reviews of databases lead to deletions of medical card records as a result of duplicate entries, change of address, cases where the medical card holder is deceased or ineligibility results due to changed circumstances. Periodic reviews of medical card databases are undertaken by the Health Service Executive, HSE, to ensure their continued accuracy.

In 2005 funding was provided to allow the HSE provide an additional 30,000 people with full medical cards and also to extend free access to general practitioner services under the general medical services, GMS, scheme to up to a further 200,000 persons. The reason for this initiative was to ensure that as many people as possible, particularly those on low income and with children, would be free from the worry of costs associated with accessing general practitioner services for themselves and their children.

The HSE has put in place the necessary administrative arrangements for the introduction of the "GP visit" cards and have been requested to put in place mechanisms to ensure that targets are met. It is intended that a public information campaign will be undertaken which will indicate the process to be followed by applicants to obtain application forms and to have their eligibility assessed by the HSE. It is envisaged that the general practitioners services available to "GP visit" card holders will be the same as those available to patients with full eligibility under the GMS scheme. The Labour Relations Commission last night issued a comprehensive recommendation for settling a range of issues between the Department of Health and Children, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, including issues surrounding the introduction of the "GP visit" card. I welcome the recommendation and I am hopeful that it will be accepted by the IMO so that the "GP visit" card initiative can be implemented without further delay.

Parliamentary Questions.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

113 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the arrangements in place to ensure that Deputies receive replies to parliamentary questions that are referred by her to the HSE; the average time taken to reply to a question referred to the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20857/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Since the establishment of the Health Service Executive, the chief officers, that is, the former health board CEOs, in each of its administrative areas have continued to deal with parliamentary questions in accordance with the arrangements which previously operated under the health boards. This arrangement was calculated to avoid any erosion in the accountability — as regards the timeliness or quality of replies — arising under the parliamentary question system since the health boards were abolished.

The interim CEO of the executive has assured me that, following the transfer of responsibilities from the chief officers to the national directors on 15 June 2005, similar arrangements have been made in each administrative area so that parliamentary questions will continue to be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

The executive recently established a parliamentary affairs division. A key function of this division involves the making of arrangements to respond to queries raised in parliamentary questions that are appropriate for direct reply by the executive, having regard to its object and functions under the Health Act 2004.

The parliamentary affairs division monitors, throughout the executive's national directorates and administrative areas, the timeliness of replies and follows up immediately where a reply has not issued within 20 working days of receipt of the referral. The subject matter of questions can differ greatly in terms of their complexity and the extent of the detail sought. This can impact on the length of time required to assemble the information in order to reply to the query raised. The executive informs me that, on average, 75% of all replies are issued within the timeframe referred to.

As stated in the executive's service plan for 2005, this is a priority area of work for its corporate affairs directorate. I am satisfied that, in the organisational arrangements currently being made to complete the transition to the unitary system, due importance and attention is being given by the executive to enhancing its capacity to respond in an efficient and timely manner to requests for information from Members of the Oireachtas.

Hospital Accommodation.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

114 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed community nursing unit at Kerry general hospital, Tralee, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20904/05]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

222 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when funding will be made available for the Community hospital, Tralee. [20782/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 222 together.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 115 answered with QuestionNo. 112.

Nursing Home Inspections.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

116 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of meetings her Department has held with the social services inspectorate since 2001, specifically in relation to the extension of the SSI to cover nursing home inspections; the progress to date on those meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20871/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Forum on Fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum took an evidence based approach to its examination of water fluoridation.

The Deputy should be aware that the forum addressed in the body of its report the "50 reasons to oppose fluoridation" raised by the person concerned. The forum comprehensively examined the benefits and risks of fluoridation, including alleged adverse general health effects of fluoridation. The forum concluded that human health is not adversely affected when fluoride is present in drinking water at one part fluoride per million parts of water; this is based on measured scientific results and the most reliable scientific evidence.

A comprehensive response to the questions referred to by the Deputy was published on my Department's website on 4 May 2005.

Health Service Staff.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

123 Mr. McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason elderly patients with medical cards in nursing homes are being discriminated against by not making a superior product for dressing bed sores such as hydrocolloid dressings, gauze swabs and sterile dressing packs, available on the GMS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20895/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

124 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will announce the capital development works for Wexford General Hospital for extra beds, a new accident and emergency department, a new outpatients department, and increased funding for extra staffing for high pressured areas such as obstetrics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20906/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme.

I am pleased to inform the House that I have this morning written to the HSE to convey my agreement to allow for the progression of its capital programme in 2005.

Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 125 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

126 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders in private nursing homes are entitled to incontinence wear; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20912/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

159 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders in private nursing homes are entitled to incontinence wear; if incontinence wear is made available to all medical card holders in private nursing homes by all regional health offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20883/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 159 together.

Incontinence products are not available through the usual general medical services arrangements in place for the provision of drugs and non-drug items to medical card holders in the community.

Article 16.1 of the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations 1993 provides that individuals resident in private nursing homes who are in receipt of a subvention from the health board may not be charged extra for any service which is considered to be essential to their maintenance in the home and common practice in most nursing homes. Such services include bed and board, nursing care appropriate to the level of dependency of the person and incontinence wear.

On 26 February 2001, on the instructions of the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, a letter issued to the former health boards-Eastern Regional Health Authority requesting that the necessary arrangements be put in place so that all medical card holders in receipt of subvention be supplied with incontinence wear on the same basis as if they were living in the community. This letter was not a direction pursuant to a statutory authority, there was no legal obligation on any of the health boards to implement the contents of the letter, each board could decide at its discretion how and if it would respond to the request, any board which decided to respond to the request could decide on the date to do so, and that boards could rely on article 16 of the regulations in relation to the supply of incontinence wear by nursing home proprietors if they chose to do so. Arrangements are currently in place in the majority of areas for the supply of incontinence wear to medical card holders in private nursing homes.

From 2003 additional funding was allocated towards the nursing home subvention scheme to assist with the costs of supplying incontinence wear to patients in private nursing homes who are in receipt of a subvention under the nursing home subvention scheme. This funding also assists with costs associated in managing the scheme and providing training and education in relation to incontinence issues.

Question No. 127 answered with QuestionNo. 78.

Question No. 128 answered with QuestionNo. 84.

Question No. 129 answered with QuestionNo. 122.

Question No. 130 answered with QuestionNo. 76.

Health Services.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

131 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the establishment of the promised 32 local health offices; the locations of these proposed offices; the interim arrangements until these offices are established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20875/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Primary community and continuing care will be delivered primarily through local health offices or LHOs based on the existing 32 community care areas. The information sought by the Deputy regarding the location of these offices is set out in the following table.

I am advised by the HSE that, at present, there is a general manager assigned with responsibility for managing all community-based services from these community care offices. The HSE has advised that the appointment of the 32 LHO managers, and the establishment of a management structure and processes that support the primary community and continuing care service delivery across LHOs, is an immediate priority. The HSE recruitment process to appoint the 32 LHO managers is well advanced and it is intended that all LHO managers will be in their posts by 1 September 2005.

Local health offices
Regional health office A — Galway.
Community Care Area	Address
Donegal	Isaac Butt Building, Ballybofey, County Donegal
Sligo/Leitrim	Sligo — Markievicz House, Sligo. Leitrim — Leitrim Road, Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim
Roscommon	Community Care Offices, Roscommon
Mayo	County Clinic, Castlebar, County Mayo
Galway	Community Care Offices, Newcastle Road, Galway
Clare	Tobartaoscain, Ennis, County Clare
Limerick	St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mulgrave Street, Limerick
North Tipperary/East Limerick	Kenyon Street, Nenagh, County Tipperary

Regional health office B — Kells.
Community Care Area	Address
Louth	Community Care Centre, Dublin Road, Dundalk
Meath	County Clinic, Navan
Cavan/Monaghan	Community Services Centre, Lisdarn, Cavan
North Dublin Area 6	Community Care Services Area 6, Rathdown Road, Dublin 7
North Dublin Area 7	Community Care Services Area 7, 193 Richmond Road, Dublin 3
North Dublin Area 8	Community Care Services Area 8, Cromcastle Road, Coolock , Dublin 8

Regional health office C — Cork.
Community Care Area	Address
West Cork	Coolnagarrane, Skibbereen, County Cork
Nth Cork	Gouldshill House, Mallow, Cork
Nth Lee	Abbeycourt House, Georges Quay, Cork
Sth Lee	Abbeycourt House, Georges Quay, Cork
Kerry	19/19 Denny Street, Tralee, County Kerry
Carlow/Kilkenny	Kilkenny — Local Offices, James’ Green, Kilkenny. Carlow — Local Offices, Athy Road, Carlow
Wexford	Local Offices, Grogan’s Road, Wexford
Waterford	Local Offices, Cork Road, Waterford
South Tipperary	Community Care Services, Lacken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny

Regional health office D — Tullamore.
Community Care Area	Address
South Dublin Area 1	Community Care Services Area 1, Tivoli Road, Dún Laoghaire
South Dublin Area 2	Community Care Services Area 2, Vergemount Hall, Clonskeagh, Dublin 6
South Dublin Area 3	Community Care Services Area 3, Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2
South Dublin Area 4	Community Care Services Area 4, Old County Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12
South Dublin Area 5	Community Care Services Area 5, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
Wicklow	Community Care Services Area 10, Glenside Road, County Wicklow
Kildare	Community Care Services Area 9, Poplar House, Poplar Square, County Kildare
Laois/Offaly	Laois — Health Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, County Laois. Offaly — Health Centre, Arden Road, Tullamore, County Offaly
Longford/Westmeath	Westmeath — Health Centre, Longford Road, Mullingar. Longford — Health Centre, Dublin Road, Longford

Pension Provisions.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

132 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for an inordinate delay within the HSE, northern area, in paying out pensions entitlements and lump sum gratuities to nurses retiring from the service; and her views on whether a delay of up to 22 weeks is unacceptable. [20892/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

133 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE has by letter of 25 May 2005 confirmed that approval has been sought from her Department to proceed with the tendering process for the provision of the residential and day service complex for 66 residents in St. Joseph’s service at St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane; and the reason for the delay in approving same (details supplied). [20893/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

According to inquiries made of the Health Service Executive, the current position with regard to St. Ita's is that this project has been incorporated by it in the capital investment framework 2005-2009. My Department has sought greater clarity with respect to certain non-capital issues associated with this project. I understand that the Health Service Executive will submit these details to my Department in the near future.

Question No. 134 answered with QuestionNo. 112.

Question No. 135 answered with QuestionNo. 67.

Question No. 136 answered with QuestionNo. 112.

Question No. 137 answered with QuestionNo. 69.

Health Service Staff.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

138 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which the Department of Health and Children is in excess of the employment target level which the Government set in budget 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18401/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Employment levels for the health service have been adjusted since 2002 in line with Government policy on public sector employment and service developments. The 2005 employment ceiling is 97,550. The latest available employment returns for the health services are in respect of end-2004 and are set out in the following table. The outturn, excluding home helps, at that date was 98,723 whole time equivalents or WTEs.

I am awaiting detailed proposals from the Health Service Executive regarding compliance with approved employment levels consistent with safeguarding front line service delivery and achieving an appropriate balance between clinical and non-clinical employment levels in the health service. The need to achieve compliance with approved employment levels has also been underlined by my Department in direct discussions with the HSE's senior management team in the context of the finalisation of the executive's national service plan for 2005.

Health Service Staffing at 31/12/2004.1
	Number
Medical/Dental	7,013
of which Consultants	1,871
Nursing	34,313
Health and Social Care Professionals	12,830
Management/administration2	16,157
General Support Staff	13,857
Other Patient and Client Care	14,553
Total	98,723

Source: Health Service Personnel Census at 31 December.

Notes:

1Excludes Home Helps.

2Includes all management/administrative and clerical personnel. The Management/Administrative Category includes — staff who are of direct service to the public and include Consultant's Secretaries, Out-Patient Departmental Personnel, Medical Records Personnel, Telephonists and other staff who are engaged in front-line duties together with staff in the following categories Payroll, Human Resource Management (including training), Service Managers, IT Staff, General Management Support and Legislative and Information Requirements.

Question No. 139 answered with QuestionNo. 79.

Question No. 140 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

General Practitioner Co-operatives.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

141 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on introducing an out of hours general practitioner co-operative service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20925/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Funding for full out of hours co-operatives commenced in 2000. Between 2000 and 2004 a total of €72.882 million was allocated to the Health Service Executive for out of hours co-operatives nationally, and in 2005, €31.98 million has been included in its baseline funding, which includes €5.6 million additional funding. These figures do not include the fees of the participating doctors.

All areas of the Health Service Executive have expanded their out of hours co-operatives and services since 2003. Co-operatives are now found in part of all areas of the Health Service Executive, providing coverage in part of all of the Twenty-six Counties. Decisions with regard to the geographical areas to be covered by co-operatives and any developments or expansions are for each area of the Health Service Executive to make, having regard to the service needs and the strategic, financial and other issues involved.

Hospitals Building Programme.

David Stanton

Ceist:

142 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of new facilities that have opened following the allocation of funding announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20923/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I take it that the Deputy is referring to the announcement made by the previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, on 15 September 2004, approving the commissioning of a number of new units in acute and non-acute hospitals throughout the country which have been funded under the national development plan.

New units in the following locations have opened since September 2004: new hospital block at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; two additional theatres/day units at Our Lady's children's hospital, Crumlin; new units at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; 12-bed assessment unit at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; acute psychiatric unit at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; new accident and emergency unit at Cork University Hospital; additional linear accelerators for radiotherapy unit at Cork University Hospital (partially commissioned); new radiotherapy unit at University College Hospital, Galway; orthopaedic unit at Mayo General Hospital; new accident and emergency unit at Roscommon County Hospital; and a Wexford day hospital for the elderly.

The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that the remaining units will come on stream during 2005.

Question No. 143 answered with QuestionNo. 112.

Question No. 144 answered with QuestionNo. 93.

Medical Inquiries.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

145 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the expected completion date of the inquiry to be chaired by Judge Maureen Harding-Clarke into the activities of a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the call made by a number of victims for the establishment of a redress board; if she intends to act on this suggestion. [20824/05]

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

207 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will receive the pending report on the Lourdes Hospital inquiry; and if a copy of the report will be made available to Patient Focus before it enters the public domain. [20680/05]

Jim Glennon

Ceist:

272 Mr. Glennon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report into the Lourdes Hospital inquiry; and if, in view of the personal nature of the inquiry, an advance copy of the report will be given to the members of the Patient Focus group to enable the victims privately to examine it. [21061/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 207 and 272 together.

My Department is advised that the work of the inquiry is at an advanced stage and will be completed shortly. I have received a request from Patient Focus, a group representing a number of former patients of the person referred to by the Deputy, for an advance copy of the report prior to publication, and I would hope to be in a position to meet this request.

Last March, I also met with representatives of this group and advised it that I would have to await the report of the Lourdes Hospital inquiry before consulting with Government on its request for the establishment of a redress board. I intend to meet with the group again following completion of the inquiry.

Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

146 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the promised improvements to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in Cork have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20909/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

In 2004 the Irish Blood Transfusion Service invested over €3 million in an interim accommodation solution for the Cork centre and refurbished the existing premises which has ensured compliance with good manufacturing practice or GPM standards. As the House was informed last April, there is provision in the Department's capital programme to allow for the appointment of a design team and commencement of the planning process for a new Cork centre.

Child Care Services.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

147 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she plans to act on the findings of the recent report by the Special Residential Services Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17134/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. B. Lenihan)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the report of the research commissioned by the Special Residential Services Board on the impact of placement in special care unit settings on the well-being of young people and their families. The research was conducted between 2001 and 2003 in two special care units, Ballydowd in Dublin and Gleann Alainn in Cork. The operation of these units is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

Special care is a relatively new development in the Irish child care system. Special care units provide a secure environment for a small number of non-offending young people in need of special care or protection. Placement in special care requires a court order of detention. While the core qualitative sample in the study is small, the research is useful. The report indicates that the approach in special care-focused therapy, purposeful care and high quality education facilities and programmes is having a positive impact on children.

The Special Residential Services Board is also cognisant that the research covers the period 2001-2003 and that the child care services including special care services have developed significantly since then. It is the HSE's intention to centralise the management of special care. This will address issues such as consistency of approach and continuity of care which are identified by the report. The issues which are key to the successful provision of special care include training of staff and staff mix in terms of gender, age and experience; professional understanding on the part of staff on the presenting behaviour of the child and how to address that behaviour; the quality of care plans and the continuity of service provision in terms of through-care and after-care; an atmosphere of respect and involvement that relates to the child and his-her family, and good quality leadership and management of the unit and collaborative working with the broader services and disciplines.

Question No. 148 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

149 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when publication of full hospital waiting lists will be resumed; the latest information available to the national treatment purchase fund in respect of the number of patients waiting more than three months, six months, 12 months and 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20855/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times now falls within the remit of the national treatment purchase fund. My Department has asked the chief executive of the fund to respond to the Deputy regarding the latest information available to the fund in respect of the number of patients waiting for treatment.

A new, on-line, national patient treatment register is being developed by the fund which will allow for more accurate identification of waiting lists, and more importantly, waiting times. It is intended that the register will be implemented on a phased basis during 2005.

Up to the end of May 2005, some 30,000 patients have had treatment arranged for them. In most instances, anyone waiting more than three months will be facilitated by the fund.

Hospital Accommodation.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

150 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if contracts have been signed for the provision of all 500 short term nursing home beds for patients who no longer need acute care; the locations for these beds; when they will become available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20842/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested.

Question No. 151 answered with QuestionNo. 75.

National Cancer Strategy.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

152 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the new cancer strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20924/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The national cancer forum is currently finalising a new national cancer strategy. The strategy has been developed in consultation with the major stakeholders, professional and voluntary groups and the general public, and will have regard to the multi-faceted aspects of cancer control. The strategy will set out the key priorities for the development of cancer services over the coming years and will make recommendations regarding a balanced organisation of cancer services nationally, with defined roles for hospitals in the delivery of cancer care. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in the autumn.

Question No. 153 answered with QuestionNo. 97.

Question No. 154 answered with QuestionNo. 79.

Health Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

155 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the areas in which the additional funding for disability services announced in the 2005 budget has been spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20916/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

The additional revenue funding of €70 million provided in 2005 for services for people with disabilities will provide a broad range of new and enhanced services including residential, respite and day services; home support and personal assistance services; multidisciplinary support services; aids and appliances; additional beds at the Central Mental Hospital; child and adolescent psychiatric treatment services; and additional community-based adult mental health teams and community residential places. The capital funding of €60 million is being used to provide the infrastructural supports for the above developments.

The management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The executive has informed my Department that it has completed its examination of the proposals for new and enhanced services which it received from the various areas around the country and that the agreed developments will be put in place as quickly as possible.

Nursing Home Charges.

John Perry

Ceist:

156 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of additional cases for the repayment of illegal nursing home charges that have been taken against her Department or the HSE since the Supreme Court decision of 16 February 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20918/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

There are currently 42 cases being taken relating to nursing home charges in publicly funded long-term residential care. I intend to bring legislation before the Oireachtas in the autumn which will provide a clear legal framework for a repayments scheme for those who were unlawfully charged. This will ensure that repayments are made as promptly as possible. The scheme will also allow for repayments to be made to the estates of all those who were charged but who died in the six years prior to 9 December 2004.

Care of the Elderly.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

157 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to concerns that the failure to provide adequate funding for the supports necessary for older persons to remain in their own homes is increasingly forcing many of them into nursing homes; if her attention has further been drawn to the significant reduction in the number of home help hours in different parts of the country and the substantial waiting lists for the home care grant; if she will provide additional funding for both of these services; if she will publish the total hours for home help services in 2002, 2003 and 2004 in respect of each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20849/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The policy of the Government is to maintain older people in dignity and independence at home, in accordance with their wishes. To this end, home care grant schemes have been piloted in a number of areas as an alternative to long-term residential care to assist older people living at home in their communities. Older people who are being discharged from the acute hospital system and those living in the community are being targeted under these schemes. Funding of €2 million has been allocated to the Health Service Executive for the scheme in 2005. This is in keeping with a key recommendation of the review of the nursing home subvention scheme, namely that the health services develop a home-based subvention system for older people as an alternative to long-term care.

An interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established to consider the future financing of long-term care. The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group is due to report to the Tánaiste and Minister for Social and Family Affairs this summer.

In addition, the total increase in expenditure on the home help service across all health board areas from 2000 to 2004 was approximately 94%. Additional funding of €5 million was allocated in 2005 to the home help service to support older people living in the community, bringing funding for the service in 2005 to over €131 million.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that €70 million has been made available to the HSE in 2005 for the ten point plan to relieve ongoing pressure on acute hospital beds and accident and emergency services. Under the plan, the home care package scheme is to be expanded to support 500 additional older people who have been discharged from the acute hospital sector to their own homes.

The issues of waiting lists for the home care grant and home help hours relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have this matter investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Pharmacy Regulations.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

158 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding her consideration of the report of the pharmacy review group; if her attention has been drawn to the call made by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland for the urgent introduction of legislation to regulate pharmacies and pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20846/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I have given the complex issues raised in the pharmacy review group report careful consideration. I am also aware of the position of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland regarding current pharmacy legislation.

A memorandum for Government outlining plans to consolidate and update the existing legislation to provide for the safe and effective delivery of pharmaceutical services to all citizens, in a comprehensive, manageable and robust legislative framework, incorporating recommendations from the pharmacy review group, as necessary, has been submitted to Government.

Question No. 159 answered with QuestionNo. 126.

Question No. 160 answered with QuestionNo. 98.

Question No. 161 answered with QuestionNo. 88.

Question No. 162 answered with QuestionNo. 97.

Nursing Home Accommodation.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

163 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public nursing home beds which are available in County Kildare; the locations of same; the number which are occupied; the extent of the waiting list; her plans to expand the number of beds available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20785/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. According to the HSE, there is a total of 381 public nursing home beds in County Kildare. There are 190 beds in St. Vincent's, Athy, 78 in Baltinglass District Hospital, 20 in Drogheda Memorial Hospital, seven in St. Brigid's Hospice, 38 in Maynooth community nursing unit and 48 in Peamount Hospital. All but ten of the 381 beds are occupied. Currently there are 131 people on the waiting lists for public extended-care beds in County Kildare. The Health Service Executive is planning to open a further seven beds in St. Vincent's Hospital and six in Maynooth in due course.

Question No. 164 answered with QuestionNo. 63.

Grant Payments.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

165 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have been approved for the home care grant but who are still waiting to receive payment, by health region; the total budget for the scheme in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20850/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have the matter investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 166 answered with QuestionNo. 92.

Question No. 167 answered with QuestionNo. 103.

Health Services.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

168 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the oncologists of Ireland report on radiotherapy services; her views on the report and its findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20902/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I presume the report referred to by the Deputy is the submission made by the Irish Society of Medical Oncologists to the National Cancer Forum. It was discussed by the forum at its meeting in May 2003. The National Cancer Forum is the national advisory body on cancer services. It is a multidisciplinary group of experts and includes representatives of all modalities of cancer care. The report on the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland, known as the Hollywood report, was discussed and unanimously endorsed by the forum at its meeting on 17 September 2004 as the framework for the future development of radiation oncology services.

Question No. 169 answered with QuestionNo. 98.

Question No. 170 answered with QuestionNo. 63.

Question No. 171 answered with QuestionNo. 93.

Health Service Reform.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

172 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total amount paid to date in severance packages for chief executive officers of the former health boards; the total likely cost to the State of these packages; if severance packages have been agreed for other senior staff of the former health boards; if so, the likely cost to the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20839/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

306 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total cost of the recently announced package in respect of management of the health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21279/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 306 together.

I presume both Deputies are referring to the arrangements available to former health board chief executive officers retiring from the Health Service Executive by 1 July 2005. These arrangements are available to chief executive officers on the basis of their unique position within the context of the transition to the new health service structures and their leading role in facilitating the transfer of accountability and a safe passage to the new structures. The arrangements contain three elements. First, payment of their severance terms, including pension, lump sum and severance pay as provided for under section 78 of the local government superannuation scheme, of which they are members. The amount due to each individual varies depending on salary and service. Second, an ex-gratia payment, the net amount to be equivalent to six months’ salary. The estimated total cost of this element of the package is €650,000. Third, a retraining grant of up to €10,000 to be paid on the basis of vouched expenditure.

No payments under these arrangements have been made to date. Severance packages have not been agreed for other senior staff of former health boards.

Question No. 173 answered with QuestionNo. 80.

Question No. 174 answered with QuestionNo. 84.

Question No. 175 answered with QuestionNo. 90.

Health Service Staff.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

176 Mr. McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she plans to lift the cap on medical staffing levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20926/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The 2005 employment ceiling for the health service is 97,550 in whole time equivalent terms. Within this national ceiling, there is no specific cap on the number of medical personnel which may be employed. It is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of its management of the employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver its service plan priorities.

Since the end of 1997 there has been a 41% increase in the number of medical and dental personnel working in the health services, bringing the total number to 7,031 — an increase of 2,037 — whole time equivalents at the end of 2004.

Departmental Budget.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

177 Mr. Lowry asked the Taoiseach the amount of unspent money returned by his Department to the Department of Finance each year since 1997; the total Departmental budget for each year since 1997; the projects for which this money was originally earmarked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20594/05]

The Taoiseach

The information the Deputy has requested is published every year in the appropriation account, which forms part of the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The detailed breakdown of the savings each year, together with an explanation of the variation from the Estimate provision is contained in Note 5 of the appropriation account.

The following table gives details for each year from 1997 to 2004. In general, savings that occur across the administrative subheads, A1 to A7, are not linked to specific projects. In many instances, they represent savings on administrative costs or a contingency against the possibility of legal costs being awarded in a particular year by a tribunal of inquiry.

The Department is able to carry forward savings within the administrative subheads under the terms of the administrative budget agreement.

	Total Estimate	Savings	Details of Savings
	£	€	£	€	(’000)
					£
1997	14,859,000	18,867,038	2,112,053	2,681,754	223	Subhead A1 — Salaries, Wages & Allowances
					42	Subhead A2 — Travel & Subsistence
					121	Subhead A6 — Office Premises Expenses
					164	Subhead D1 — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					11	Subhead E — Forum for Peace & Reconciliation
					18	Subhead I — EU Presidency
					1,474	Subhead L — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					96	Subhead M — Information Society Commission
					76	Subhead N — National Partnership Centre
					5	Subhead T — All Party Committee on SMI
					£
1998	20,301,000	25,776,953	3,666,507	4,655,504	43	Subhead A2 — Travel & Subsistence
					56	Subhead A4 — Postal & Telecommunications Services
					37	Subhead A6 — Office Premises Expenses
					192	Subhead A7 — Consultancy Services
					766	Subhead C — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					78	Subhead D — Forum for Peace & Reconciliation
					80	Subhead F — All Party Committee on the Constitution
					159	Subhead H — National Partnership Centre
					123	Subhead I — National Economic & Social Forum
					1,383	Subhead J — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					472	Subhead L — Moriarty Tribunal
					36	Subhead M — All Party Committee on SMI
					865	Subhead O — Northern Ireland Agreements
1999	32,233,000	40,927,467	12,335,755	15,663,178	113	Subhead A2 — Travel & Subsistence
					277	Subhead A5 — Office Machinery and other Office Supplies
					87	Subhead A6 — Office Premises Expenses
					353	Subhead A7 — Consultancy Services
					86	Subhead C — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					80	Subhead D — Forum for Peace & Reconciliation
					148	Subhead E — Commemoration Initiatives
					26	Subhead F — All Party Committee on the Constitution
					29	Subhead G — Information Society Commission
					50	Subhead I — National Economic & Social Forum
					2,965	Subhead L — Moriarty Tribunal
					29	Subhead M — All Party Committee on SMI
					8,095	Subhead N — Millennium Celebrations
2000	85,294,000	108,301,040	27,946,229	35,484,391	317	Subhead A5 — Office Machinery and other Office Supplies
					281	Subhead A7 — Consultancy Services
					238	Subhead C — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					80	Subhead D — Forum for Peace & Reconciliation
					55	Subhead E — Commemoration Initiatives
					59	Subhead G — Information Society Commission
					245	Subhead H — National Partnership Centre
					897	Subhead J — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					6,290	Subhead L — Moriarty Tribunal
					43	Subhead M — All Party Committee on SMI
					10,212	Subhead N — Millennium Celebrations
					15	Subhead O — Independent Commission of Inquiry
					1,777	Subhead P — Multi Media Developments
					7,503	Subhead Q — Sports Campus Ireland
2001	28,472,000	36,151,983	4,916,232	6,242,327	355	Subhead A7 — Consultancy Services
					138	Subhead C — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					€
					324	Subhead G1 — Information Society Commission
					180	Subhead G2 — Information Society Awareness
					107	Subhead H — National Centre for Partnership and Performance
					200	Subhead J — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					965	Subhead L — Moriarty Tribunal
					2,081	Subhead N — Millennium Celebrations
					62	Subhead O — Independent Commission of Inquiry
					64	Subhead R — National Economic & Social Development Office
2002		35,949,000		7,546,428	135	Subhead A4 — Postal & Telecommunications Services
					180	Subhead A7 — Consultancy Services
					807	Subhead A8 — Information Society — eCabinet & other initiatives
					19	Subhead D — Forum for Peace & Reconciliation
					129	Subhead F — All Party Committee on the Constitution
					202	Subhead G — Information Society Commission
					1,261	Subhead J — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					3,551	Subhead K — Moriarty Tribunal
					624	Subhead L — Millennium Celebrations
					74	Subhead M — Independent Commission of Inquiry
2003		25,808,000		1,153,394	280	Subhead A6 — Office Premises Expenses
					99	Subhead A7 — Consultancy Services
					400	Subhead A8 — Information Society — eCabinet & other initiatives
					28	Subhead C — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					11	Subhead E — Commemoration Initiatives
					64	Subhead G — Information Society Commission
					251	Subhead J — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					223	Subhead K — Moriarty Tribunal
					158	Subhead M — National Economic and Social Development Office
2004*		37,585,000		8,760,730	351	Subhead A6 — Office Premises Expenses
					228	Subhead A8 — Information Society — eCabinet & other initiatives
					127	Subhead A9 — EU Presidency
					1	Subhead C — Grants under Section 2 of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act 1988
					50	Subhead D — Forum for Peace & Reconciliation
					215	Subhead G — Information Society Commission
					250	Subhead J — Tribunal (Dunnes Payments)
					6,714	Subhead K — Moriarty Tribunal
					209	Subhead N — National Forum on Europe

*The figures for 2004 are provisional pending completion of the audit of the appropriation account by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Note: The total for the savings under each subhead in a year will not add up to the same total as the overall savings figure. This is because details of savings under certain % thresholds are not recorded in the appropriation account and also because there may be small overruns on other subheads which will reduce the overall figure.

Northern Ireland Issues.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

178 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of formal and informal meetings he has held with the president of Sinn Féin, Mr. Adams, since January 2005; the date and location of each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20776/05]

The Taoiseach

Since January 2005, I have had ongoing contacts with all political parties in Northern Ireland. I often meet political parties and others involved with the situation in Northern Ireland when they are in Dublin. It is a very helpful part of the process. I have made it absolutely clear that the Government will maintain dialogue with Sinn Féin and that is what I have continued to do. As I informed the Dáil on 14 June, in addition to the well-publicised meetings on 25 January 2005 and 16 March 2005, I had meetings with Gerry Adams prior to, during and after the elections in Northern Ireland.

Questions Nos. 179 to 189, inclusive, answered with No. 82.

Question No. 190 answered with QuestionNo. 84.

Question No. 191 answered with QuestionNo. 63.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

192 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a formal announcement will be made in respect of the allocation of capital funding to Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20596/05]

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

193 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when phase two of the development of Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary will commence. [20597/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme.

I am pleased to inform the House that I have this morning written to the HSE to convey my agreement to allow for the progression of its capital programme in 2005.

Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

194 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will work closely on the issue of the subvention for a person (details supplied) and if she will give them the maximum support. [20603/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

195 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when BreastCheck will be extended to Limerick and the mid-west region; if the Health Service Executive will be instructed to enter into a contact arrangement with Barrington’s Hospital private clinic for the use of their mammographer by public patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20614/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

New facilities for the national expansion of BreastCheck are included in the health capital investment framework 2005 to 2009. My Department recently gave approval to BreastCheck to advertise for the appointment of a design team to work up detailed plans for the design and construction of two clinical units, one at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork and the other at University College Hospital, Galway. The catchment area of these centres will include Limerick and the mid-west region. The selection process for the design team is well advanced. BreastCheck anticipates that the shortlisting, interviews and fee negotiations will be complete by the end of July 2005. Discussions on manpower requirements are currently taking place involving BreastCheck, the Health Service Executive and my Department. I am confident that the target date of 2007 for the commencement of the national roll-out will be met.

I understand that discussions are shortly to take place between BreastCheck and Barrington's Hospital medical centre concerning the centre's wish to provide mammography services as part of a population based screening programme. The provision of mammography tests outside of a population based screening programme is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter examined and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

200 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the date for the commencement of the design process for an in-patient child and adolescent psychiatric unit in Limerick, in view of the fact that it has been five years since the establishment of this unit was recommended. [20649/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme.

Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

201 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the latest statistics available on funding provided by this Government towards cancer treatment and care here; the regional breakdown of these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20650/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Since 2002 there has been a cumulative additional investment of approximately €620 million in the development of appropriate diagnostic, treatment and care services for people with cancer. This sum includes the following approximate funding which was made available to the former health authority-boards during the period:

HSE Area	Funding (€m)
Eastern Area	203.00
Midland Area	30.00
Mid-Western Area	53.00
North-Eastern Area	32.00
North-Western Area	41.00
South-Eastern Area	47.00
Southern Area	75.00
Western Area	71.00

This Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland in accordance with best international practice. To this end, we will continue to provide considerable investment in oncology services nationally in the coming years.

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

202 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on waiting lists for special housing aid for the elderly in the mid-west region of the Health Service Executive. [20658/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 203 answered with QuestionNo. 102.

Question No. 204 answered with QuestionNo. 71.

Speech and language therapy is not within the remit of the national treatment purchase fund, NTFP, and I do not propose to extend the remit of the NTFP into this area.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

210 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when Government approval will be forthcoming to fulfil the written commitment to introduce a no fault compensation scheme for psychiatric nurses who are injured as a result of assaults at work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20703/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The report of the task force on assaults on psychiatric nurses was completed in 2003. In addition to quantifying the level of assaults and making recommendations in relation to prevention, the report contained proposals for a scheme of compensation for psychiatric nurses who have been seriously injured as a result of an assault by a patient in the workplace.

Government approval would be required for the introduction of any new State compensation scheme, which would be additional to the existing serious physical assaults scheme, last revised in 2001. The serious physical assaults scheme provides enhanced sick pay arrangements for nurses assaulted at work. Medical expenses are also refunded. In circumstances where a nurse is certified permanently unfit to resume duty they may be paid five sixths of full salary until retirement.

In late 2003 a draft memorandum for Government was circulated and, during the consultation process, complex legal and financial issues emerged in relation to aspects of the scheme proposed by the taskforce and their implications for the health service and the wider public service.

In March 2004 the Psychiatric Nurses Association and SIPTU were advised that serious concerns that had been raised in relation to the proposed scheme. Officials from my Department have been in ongoing consultation with the Department of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to addressing the issues raised. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the issues involved are very complex and have far-reaching implications for the health service. I am in the process of consulting with my colleagues in Government on this issue and I expect to be in a position to provide more definite information shortly.

Medical Aids and Appliances.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

211 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the high costs of inhalers for asthmatics; if inhalers will be made available on the medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20705/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

There are schemes in operation that 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 determination by the Health Service Executive. In determining eligibility, consideration is given to the applicant's financial circumstances. Income guidelines are used to assist in determining eligibility. Non-medical card holders can use the drugs payment scheme. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €85 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.

There are a range of products for the treatment of asthma, such as inhalers, on the common list of reimbursable products for the drug schemes.

Care of the Elderly.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

212 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will review the provision of nursing home care, both public and private, for the elderly; if a uniform scheme will be introduced for the whole country to ensure equality and fairness for all residents from the point of view of payment for this service; if subvention rates will be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20706/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I wish to advise the Deputy that it is the intention of the Department to put in place a more robust regulatory system as quickly as possible to protect vulnerable older people and to provide for the highest possible standards of care for older people in long-stay facilities.

This process has begun by firstly reviewing the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 and regulations made under the Act with a view to strengthening the powers available to the regulatory authorities. Secondly, the social services inspectorate will be established on a statutory basis and it is intended to extend its remit to include residential facilities for older people, both public and private. The inspectorate will be independent of the Health Service Executive and the Department. Legislation to give effect to these changes will be brought before the Oireachtas later this year.

An interdepartmental group, comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, was established in January 2005 to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, including long-stay care for older people. The group is due to report to the Tánaiste and Minster for Social and Family Affairs this summer.

The nursing home subvention scheme was introduced in 1993 to assist people with the cost of private nursing home care and it was never intended to cover the entire cost of such care. At this stage it is not the intention to increase subvention rates.

Medical Cards.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

213 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the income guidelines for couples in cases in which one person over 70 years of age has a medical card in their own name only and the other person is under 70 years of age; the way in which this figure is calculated; her estimate of the number of medical card holders who qualify for a medical card under these guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20711/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

James Breen

Ceist:

214 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if funding will be made available for shared services in County Clare (details supplied). [20729/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Suicide Incidence.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

215 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the death rate by suicide per 100,000 population by health board/regional authority and county area from 2000 to 2003 inclusive. [20743/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table.

Number of Deaths from Suicide per 100,000 Population by Health Board/Regional Authority and County, 2000 to 2003.
Health Board/Regional Authority and County	2000	2001	2002	2003*
Eastern
Dublin	10.5	10.9	9.2	9.8
Kildare	13.1	7.6	12.8	10.6
Wicklow	8.2	8.0	13.1	9.4
Total Eastern	10.6	10.3	9.9	9.8
Midland
Laois	10.7	12.2	10.2	6.7
Longford	9.8	19.5	12.9	6.4
Offaly	29.2	19.2	17.3	10.8
Westmeath	13.2	12.9	8.4	8.2
Total Midland	16.6	15.4	12.0	8.3
Mid-Western
Clare	8.1	12.9	15.5	12.4
Limerick	18.8	9.3	17.1	13.5
Tipperary NR	15.1	16.6	18.0	22.7
Total Mid-Western	14.9	11.7	16.8	14.8
North-Eastern
Cavan	12.8	16.2	17.7	14.0
Louth	13.3	7.0	13.8	15.4
Meath	8.8	14.7	14.2	7.9
Monaghan	21.2	3.8	7.6	15.1
Total North-Eastern	12.8	11.0	13.6	12.2
North-Western
Donegal	9.7	11.1	14.5	10.1
Leitrim	15.8	23.5	27.1	11.5
Sligo	5.3	17.4	6.9	11.9
Total North-Western	9.2	14.2	14.0	10.7
South-Eastern
Carlow	4.5	17.8	6.5	12.8
Kilkenny	21.8	19.0	13.7	13.5
Tipperary SR	14.2	16.6	13.9	15.0
Waterford	12.2	17.0	11.8	7.8
Wexford	20.6	16.7	14.6	19.3
Total South-Eastern	15.9	17.3	12.8	13.9
Southern
Cork	15.4	22.7	13.8	14.1
Kerry	15.5	15.3	9.8	6.7
Total Southern	15.4	21.0	12.9	12.4
Western
Galway	10.0	11.3	12.4	9.9
Mayo	14.8	14.7	15.3	8.4
Roscommon	11.4	9.4	7.4	5.5
Total Western	11.7	12.1	12.6	8.8
Grand Total	12.8	13.5	12.2	11.2

*Provisional figures based on year of registration.

Source: Central Statistics Office.

Departmental Properties.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

216 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the HSE is considering disposing of land in its ownership in Ardee, County Louth, which was recently offered for enterprise development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20766/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Question No. 222 answered with Question 114.

Water Fluoridation.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

223 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the delay in implementing an official recommendation made three years ago by the Health Research Board to reduce the fluoride limit in tap water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16346/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

As the Deputy is aware, a forum on fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum report's main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.

In all the report of the forum on fluoridation made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness, policy and technical aspects of fluoridation and the establishment of an expert body to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.

The Irish expert body on fluorides and health held its inaugural meeting in April 2004. The terms of reference of the expert body are as follows: to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research — including new emerging issues — on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required; and to report to the Minister on matters of concern at his-her request or on its own initiative.

The expert body on fluorides and health is currently examining the regulations governing fluoridation of public piped water supplies with the aim of making proposals to me for the purposes of implementing the recommendation of the forum to reduce the level of fluoride in public piped water supplies. As part of this exercise the expert body is currently carrying out a census of public piped water supplies and when this work is complete the expert body will make recommendations to me in relation to the updating of the current regulations.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

224 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number and locations of local authority water schemes which add fluoride to tap water; and if, in each case, legal authority for the addition of fluoride was ever sought or obtained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16347/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The statutory basis for the fluoridation of public piped water supplies is the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960 [No. 46 of 1960] and various regulations made under the Act. The Act provides for the making by health authorities of arrangements for the fluoridation of water supplied by sanitary authorities through pipes. The Act also provides that the amount of fluorine added to a water supply shall not exceed one part by weight of fluorine per million parts of water.

I am informed that the information sought by the Deputy is not routinely available. However, I also understand that the Irish expert body on fluorides and health is currently examining the regulations governing fluoridation of public piped water supplies and, as part of this exercise, is currently carrying out a census of public piped water supplies which will include the information sought by the Deputy. When this work is complete the expert body will make recommendations in relation to the updating of the current regulations.

General Register Office.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

225 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timetable for the implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17114/05]

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

226 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timetable for the decentralisation of the General Register Office from Dublin to Roscommon; if the Civil Registration Act 2004 will not be implemented until the decentralisation process is complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17115/05]

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

227 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the stage in the decentralisation process at which the requirement that a civil marriage ceremony must take place in the office of a register of marriages be changed. [17116/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 to 227, inclusive, together.

An tArd-Chláraitheoir, the Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the civil registration system in Ireland. I have made inquiries of the RegistrarGeneral and the position is as set out below.

The General Register Office, GRO, with the exception of its public research facility, relocated to Roscommon on 11 April last. The GRO has moved into the new Government offices in Roscommon, which include a purpose-built high-technology archival storage facility. The public research facility remains in Joyce House, Dublin 2.

Considerable efforts have been ongoing to ensure the hand-over of sufficient skills and corporate knowledge to enable the new team to provide an efficient service from the new location and this has been a factor in progressing the civil registration modernisation programme, including the implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004. I am glad to inform the Deputy, however, that the decentralisation has worked well and I would like to congratulate all the staff of the GRO, past and present, who worked hard to make the move a success.

The Civil Registration Service has been engaged in a major modernisation programme in recent years, including conversion of historic records to electronic format; implementation of a new computerised registration system; and organisational reform. This work, which is key to the implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004, is being carried out in phases and the stage has been reached where it will soon be possible to begin commencing certain provisions of the Act.

In the course of the preparatory work towards commencement, legal advice was received to the effect that an amendment to the 2004 Act is required. The amendment is small and technical in nature and the amending legislation required will be brought before the Oireachtas at the earliest possible date.

The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for the commencement of the various provisions of the Act on a gradual basis. It is hoped that Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 of the Act, which relate to the administration of the service and the registration of births, stillbirths and deaths, will be commenced shortly after the amending bill has been passed.

The new procedures for marriage are set out in Part 6 of the Act and include universal procedures for notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages, as well as a choice of venue for civil marriages. Before these provisions can be commenced, a substantial body of work needs to be completed, including drafting and publication of regulations, guidelines and detailed procedures; establishment of a register of solemnisers in consultation with religious bodies; establishment of a register of approved venues for civil marriages; and the further development of the computer system to facilitate the administration of the new marriage provisions introduced by the Act.

The Registrar General is unable to give a specific date for the implementation of the new marriage procedures but it is unlikely to be before the autumn of 2006. This timescale is dependent on the passage of the amending legislation referred to above. It is intended to give as much public notice as possible and a comprehensive public information campaign will be undertaken at the appropriate time.

Implementation of the other provisions, relating to registration of adoptions, divorces and civil nullity, will follow commencement of the marriage provisions.

Care of the Elderly.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

228 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the recent study by the National Council on Aging and Older People which states that discrimination and ageism against older persons is rife in the health and social services systems; the action she plans to take in view of this report; if she will implement its recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17118/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I welcome the publication of the report of the National Council on Aging and Older People, Perceptions of Ageism in Health and Social Services in Ireland. The report highlights the findings of research carried out in the ten former health boards during 2004 involving some 450 older people and 150 health and social services staff.

I understand that the study sought to investigate whether older Irish people experience ageism within health and social services and, if so, to ascertain the impact of this experience. Ageism refers to deeply rooted negative beliefs about older people and the ageing process, which may lead to age discrimination.

The Department is committed to promoting health ageing and to an age-friendly society. The Department is also committed to ensuring that older people, who have contributed to the development of our society, are treated with dignity and respect when receiving health care services.

The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the provision of health care services throughout the country and must ensure that all the services it provides are age-friendly. The Department will be liaising with the HSE in relation to the recommendations in the report.

Health Services.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

229 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the statement made at the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway on 7 March 2005 that the Government is not giving adequate financial support towards rape crisis and domestic violence services, she intends to increase such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16158/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

My Department does not directly fund or co-ordinate health and personal social services to victims of abuse. Moneys are made available each year, formerly through the health boards, and now through the Health Service Executive, for the provision of services to women victims of violence. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in funding so that now over €12 million is provided annually for the provision of such services. The distribution of this funding is now a matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE, together with my Department, to carry out an analysis of the current level of service provision in this area and to report back to me as a matter of urgency.

Health Service Staff.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

230 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the second moiety of payment will be made to retired psychiatric nurses in the western Health Service Executive area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20815/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Medical Cards.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

231 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there is automatic entitlement to a medical card for a person suffering from epilepsy and brittle bone disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20819/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

No group in society, other than persons aged 70 years and over, has automatic entitlement to a medical card. Determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.

The person in question should contact his-her local Health Service Executive and submit a completed medical card application form in order for his/her eligibility to be assessed. Persons suffering from epilepsy, who are not already medical card holders, may obtain without charge drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme.

Health Service Reform.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

232 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 7 October 2004, the progress to date on the merger of the catchment areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20822/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Strategic Task Force on Alcohol.

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Part 10 of the Health Act 2004 provides for the dissolution of certain health bodies and the transfer of their functions and employees to the Health Service Executive with effect from the executive's establishment day. The bodies specified under that part of the Act include the Health Boards Executive, HeBE. Under Statutory Instrument (S.I. No. 885 of 2004) made by me pursuant to the Act, the first day of January 2005 was appointed as the establishment day of the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, HeBE was dissolved and its functions transferred to the Health Service Executive on the establishment day.

The operations and activities of HeBE were incorporated into the project management unit of the Health Service Executive's change management and organisational development directorate.

Broadly, HeBE's annual expenditure was allocated between project expenditure and administration. The bulk of expenditure was incurred on projects. According to its published annual report for 2004, HeBE's total expenditure in 2004 amounted to approximately €15.6 million with the corresponding figure in 2003 being €6.1 million. Health Service Employment census data returned to my Department provides the following picture in relation to HeBE:

HeBE Employment Data (Wholetime Equivalent)	End December 2004	End March 2005
Total Employed	23.30	22.30

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

239 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the present positions of each of the health board chief executive officers who were in situ when the boards were dissolved, including the chief executive officer of the HeBE; and if the new positions are more highly remunerated than the chief executive officer positions. [20958/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the establishment of the Health Service Executive and the dissolution of the health boards and other specified bodies, including the Health Boards Executive. The Act also provided for the transfer of employees of specified bodies. To support the transition process, health board chief executive officers who had not taken up other positions within the new executive agreed to remain in post until 15 June 2005 as chief officers for their respective areas. Levels of remuneration remained the same for these chief officers.

Hospital Staff.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

240 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of agency nurses employed by the HSE; the annual cost of these employees; and the way in which these costs compare with the cost of employing full-time nurses. [20959/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 241 answered with QuestionNo. 56.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

242 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason so many children are on long waiting lists for orthodontic treatment; and the further reason for the delays. [20961/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 247 to 250, inclusive, answered with Question No. 82.

Health Education.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

251 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will initiate a high profile public education and awareness campaign to promote general awareness of medical alert bracelets; her views on such a campaign; the steps she will take to initiate such a campaign; the number of persons who for medical reasons must wear such bracelets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21016/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The health promotion unit conducts a number of public education media campaigns particularly in relation to lifestyle issues such a smoking, alcohol, nutrition, etc. These campaigns play a significant role in raising awareness among the general public of the positive impact on health that can be made through behavioural change.

The health promotion unit has no plans to conduct a campaign on medical alert bracelets at this time. However, I have asked the unit to keep the matter under review.

Hospital Staff.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

252 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when funding for a nursing post in neurology will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21029/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

256 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who are on waiting lists to see consultants at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan; the length of time each of the patients has been on the waiting list; the estimated time each will be on the list before seeing a consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21036/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 257 to 266, inclusive, answered with Question No. 82.

Medical Cards.

Paul Kehoe

HAI Infections.

James Breen

Ceist:

282 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she is not willing to meet victims and relatives of persons who have suffered from the MRSA superbug that is now rampant in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21148/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Irish Society for Clinical Microbiologists, ISCM, is a society of medical professionals with specific commitments to and expertise in infection control. The Deputy will wish to note I have made arrangements to meet the society to discuss avoidable hospital-acquired infection and that this meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, 6 July. Following this meeting, I will meet the delegation representing victims and relatives of persons who have suffered from the MRSA superbug.

Health Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

283 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received a service proposal from the mid-west region of Rehab Care for the provision of shared care services in County Clare; if she will provide resources to support the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21169/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

298 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans or proposals to increase the scale and scope of services available through the various health centres with a view to relieving pressure on hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Service Staff.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

299 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which European best practice standards in terms of medical staff per 1,000 of population are being achieved in the various disciplines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21272/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

304 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the model it is intended to apply in respect of the running of the health services with particular reference to community care, general hospital services, special hospital services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21277/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Pursuant to the provisions of the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive was established to manage the Irish health service nationally with effect from 1 January 2005. The board is the governing body of the executive with authority to perform the functions of the executive. The executive's corporate headquarters is located at Oak House, Millennium Park, Naas, County Kildare.

The overall organisational structure of the executive is based around ten directorates. Two of these directorates, namely the national hospitals office directorate and the primary community and continuing care directorate, have responsibility for delivering the general hospital services, community care and special hospital services referred to in the Deputy's question.

The national hospitals office directorate is responsible for the provision of all acute hospital and ambulance pre-hospital emergency care services throughout the country. It is also responsible for approving the provision of specialised treatment to patients in countries outside the State. Hospital services will be delivered through ten hospital networks, with each having a network manager with responsibility for resource allocation, performancemanagement and risk assessment and management.

The primary community and continuing care directorate is responsible for the planning, management and delivery of all primary, community and continuing care services, to maximise the health and well-being of the population. The directorate is responsible for primary care in addition to community-based health and personal social services and continuing care hospitals and services. At a local level, primary community and continuing care will be delivered primarily through local health offices located within the existing 32 community care areas, with a local manager in each office.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

305 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which it is intended to develop health policy in the future; if this is likely to be the prerogative of the Minister or the Health Service Executive; if in either circumstance it is intended that the Oireachtas will have any role to play; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21278/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

308 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she intends the Health Service Executive to become accountable to the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21281/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 308 together.

The Minister for Health and Children is responsible for health policy and will continue to be accountable to the Oireachtas in that regard. The Health Service Executive, as the national body with statutory responsibility under the Health Act 2004 for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, will be involved in informing the making of policy by the Minister.

The Health Act 2004, which provided for the establishment of the Health Service Executive on a statutory basis, contains a number of provisions to ensure that the executive is accountable to the Oireachtas. Under the Act, the Minister for Health and Children is required to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas the executive's corporate plan and service plan once he or she has approved it. The executive's audited financial statements, together with the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and its annual report, must also be laid before the Houses.

Under the Act, the chief executive officer is appointed the accounting officer for the executive. This provision required the establishment of a separate Vote for the executive for the purposes of the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts 1866 to 1998. This means that the CEO is accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts through the Comptroller and Auditor General for the appropriation accounts of the executive. The executive is also obliged to prepare a set of income and expenditure accounts for which it is accountable to the Dáil through the Committee of Public Accounts. As accounting officer, the CEO will be required to attend before the Committee of Public Accounts.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Prescription Drugs.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

318 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines which have been written in the State in the past 12 months; the number of these which are repeat prescriptions; the number of persons in the State who are addicted to benzodiazepine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21297/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 319 to 323, inclusive, answered with Question No. 82.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

324 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the revenue to date raised by the non-indexation of capital gains tax; and the cost of restoring indexation of cost. [20598/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that capital gains tax returns do not require the amount of indexation relief being claimed to be separately identified or the amount of indexation relief that would be appropriate if it had not been abolished. Accordingly, the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

325 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of introducing indexation in stamp duty of thresholds and bands. [20599/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated cost of introducing indexation in stamp duty thresholds for residential and non-residential property, as well as mortgages, would be €8 million in a full year based on the yield for the first four months of 2005. The estimated cost is based on the indexation of the existing stamp duty thresholds for property and mortgages in line with an estimated average inflation rate in consumer price index terms of 2.5% for 2005 as indicated in my budget statement of 1 December 2004.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

326 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of introducing indexation in all of the income tax credits and cut-off points. [20600/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2005 incomes, of indexation of credits and bands in line with an estimated average inflation rate of 2.5% for 2005 over 2004 is approximately €245 million.

This estimate is based on indexation of the main personal tax credits, namely, single, married, widowed, lone parent and home carer, and the applicable standard rate bands as well as the exemption limits. The estimate is provisional, is likely to be revised and is rounded to the nearest €5 million.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

327 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated value of credits and cut-off points had they been indexed up in accordance with the consumer price index since 2002. [20601/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the main personal tax credits, the employee tax credit and the home carer tax credit, and the standard rate cut-off points associated with the main categories of earner.

Had indexation of these credits and standard rate cut-off points occurred as outlined by the Deputy, their values post-budget 2005 are set out in the following table.

Credit	€
Employee tax credit	715
Personal tax credit	1,648
Married tax credit	3,295
One parent family tax credit	1,648
Home carer credit	835
Standard rate cut-off points
Single person	30,352
Married basic cut-off point	40,108
Additional non-transferable cut-off point for second married earner	20,596
One parent family (including widowed parents)	34,688

These calculations assume a consumer price inflation rate of 2.5% for 2005; 2.2% for 2004 and 3.5% for 2003, namely, a cumulative rate of inflation of 8.4%.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

328 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for income tax relief in respect of the mother of his child and his other children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20611/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer has been requested to clarify whether he is married to the person mentioned in the Deputy's question. In the event that they are not married, there are no provisions within the tax Acts under which they could be treated as if married to each other for tax purposes.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

329 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of providing a 20% tax credit on expenditure on child care; the additional cost if this relief were made refundable; and the projected take up and cost of child care underpinning his Department’s estimate. [20616/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures are not available to estimate with any accuracy the cost of introducing a tax credit for expenditure on child care. However, in my reply to the Deputy's earlier parliamentary question on tax relief for child care expenses, answered on 10 February 2005, it is tentatively estimated that if a tax credit of €1,200 per annum per child, or the equivalent of an annual allowance of €6,000 at the standard rate of tax, was introduced for all children under six years of age, the cost to the Exchequer would be in the region of €223 million in a full year. The number of taxpayers likely to benefit from such a measure is estimated at 141,000.

The additional cost if such a relief were made refundable would depend on the amount of expenditure involved, the liability of individual taxpayers and the impact on economic behaviour of making the relief a refundable tax credit. It is not possible at this point to estimate the cost of such a measure with any degree of certainty.

Flood Relief.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

330 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will have discussions with the residents of Riverside Drive, Kilkenny, regarding the type of boundary fence to be erected at this location as part of the flood relief scheme; if he will resolve the outstanding issues with the residents of Nore Terrace and Maudlin Street, Kilkenny, relating to the amenity area at Lacken Weir, Kilkenny, and agree to restore this green play area to the way it was before the scheme started; the timeframe for the removal of the remaining hoarding and completion of the landscaping at Dukesmeadows, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20624/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

I am advised by my officials in the Office of Public Works that fencing issues were discussed at a meeting with Kilkenny County Council officials in January 2005. The council advised that the pre-existing concrete fence along the boundary of the fill area and Riverside Drive was adequate. There are therefore no plans to change the nature of this fencing.

It is assumed that by "the amenity area at Lacken Weir" and agreement "to restore this green area to the way it was before the scheme started", the Deputy is referring to an area in the county council grounds, adjacent to Maudlin Street. The contractor is to make good the area in question, namely, have it levelled, top soiled and seeded.

With reference to Maudlin Street Park, the contractor will complete minor works remaining such as installation of kerbs to the footpath, removal of ruts etc. in the coming weeks. My officials advise that the landscaping works remaining in Dukesmeadows include the reinstatement and seeding of a strip of ground next to the roadside hoarding. Once this work is completed and the grass is established sufficiently, the hoarding will be removed, probably in early August.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Deasy

Ceist:

331 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance when it is expected that decentralisation of the Ordnance Survey office to Dungarvan, County Waterford, will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

In accordance with the Government's decentralisation programme, Ordnance Survey Ireland, OSI, will decentralise 210 posts to Dungarvan. I am informed by the Office of Public Works the position on the decentralisation of OSI to Dungarvan is that a deal has been agreed on a site and contracts have been requested from the vendor.

OSI has prepared and submitted an implementation plan as requested by the decentralisation implementation group. The OSI was not included in the list of 15 priority moves identified in the November 2004 recommendations of the decentralisation implementation group but such remaining locations will be addressed in the next report of the group.

Tax Code.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that mobility scooters are subject to the zero rate of VAT. However, batteries, including those used in mobility scooters, are subject to the standard VAT rate of 21%.

While the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax Order) (No. 15) Order 1981, SI 428 of 1981, provides for repayment of VAT charged on certain qualifying goods, such as chair lifts and walk-in baths, used by disabled persons, the batteries in question do not come within the scope of the order. There would be practical difficulties in distinguishing the intended use of such batteries, which are capable of being used for purposes other than as parts or accessories for mobility scooters.

Decentralisation Programme.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

338 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the decentralisation promised for Claremorris. [21112/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

Several sites have been shortlisted as possible property solutions for decentralisation to Claremorris. The process of evaluating those sites is at an advanced stage. When that process has been completed, formal negotiations will commence with the respective owners of the site. However, as yet no final decision has been made in respect of the location.

Tax Code.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

339 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the VAT on the sale of worms for environmental waste management purposes is at the exorbitant rate of 21%; if he will consider lowering the rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21158/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

The position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. The sale of worms is liable to the standard VAT rate of 21%.

Member states can apply the reduced VAT rate only to those goods and services which are listed under annex H of the EU sixth VAT directive. As the sale or supply of worms is not an item listed under Annex H, it would not be possible to apply the reduced VAT rate to such products. In addition, it would not be possible to apply a zero rate to such goods, as EU law precludes the addition of any goods or services to those already liable at the zero VAT rate.

Flexible Work Practices.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

340 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the details of the term-time scheme which currently operates in the Civil Service; if this scheme is available to persons employed under the secretarial assistant scheme for Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21309/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

The term-time scheme for civil servants allows staff to take either ten or 13 weeks unpaid leave from June until the end of August. The purpose of the scheme is to allow parents with children up to 18 years of age, or those acting in loco parentis, to match their working arrangements with the main summer holidays of their children. Staff who are primary carers are also eligible to take term-time leave to care for a person who resides with them and who has a disability which gives rise to the need for care on a continuing or frequent basis.

The term-time scheme is one of a wide range of family-friendly and work-life balance schemes available to civil servants. Requests for access to those schemes are facilitated as far as possible, subject to the operating requirements of Departments and offices not being adversely affected.

Term-time was negotiated and agreed with the representatives of the Civil Service staff unions at general council under the Civil Service conciliation and arbitration scheme and applies only to civil servants. As secretarial assistants are not party to the conciliation and arbitration scheme, they are not covered by the Civil Service term-time agreement.

Garda Stations.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

341 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to renovate Ashford Garda station in County Wicklow; if he has received proposals to demolish the building; if so, the persons from whom; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21317/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

The Commissioners of Public Works are considering the future development of Ashford Garda station. A decision will be made in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda authorities.

Fisheries Protection.

John Perry

Ceist:

342 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received any communication regarding a review (details supplied) and the person who would participate from an Irish perspective in same; his views on whether such a review would put pressure on the Government to change its current policy towards drift-netting. [20586/05]

John Perry

Ceist:

343 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on a report presented by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea to a meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation which demonstrates that Irish drift nets are intercepting 10% to 12% of salmon from rivers in Wales and southern England; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20587/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

In April 2004, the European Commission convened a meeting with Ireland and the United Kingdom to examine the management of the wild Atlantic salmon in Community waters and, in particular, to look at the situation with regard to their interceptory fisheries of mixed stocks of salmon inside the 12-mile limits.

The Department prepared a detailed submission on the Irish salmon management regime and presented it to the Commission at that meeting. I understand that the Commission fully acknowledged the management measures which the Irish Government has put in place in recent years for the protection and conservation of our wild salmon stocks. I also understand that the Commission confirmed, following this meeting, that member states have the right to regulate salmon fisheries within their own fishery zones up to 12 miles in the absence of any Community regulation.

Nevertheless, given the concerns that the Commission expressed about the nature of such mixed-stock fisheries, the Government agreed to work with the Commission and the United Kingdom authorities to achieve a proper Community regulation of the fisheries. To that end, the Commission was given permission by the Government to approach any experts within the relevant Irish State agencies with a view to helping it produce that report.

I am advised that in his opening remarks to this year's annual meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, or NASCO, held recently in Vichy, France, the EU representative confirmed that the European Commission has now begun work on a report on interceptory fisheries on mixed stocks of wild Atlantic salmon in Community waters, which he stated is expected to be completed later this year. I understand that the representative further clarified that any measures proposed for those fisheries as a result of the report would require a thorough debate within the European Union.

I am also advised that, at the same NASCO meeting, a representative from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, in his general presentation on wild Atlantic salmon stocks, confirmed that, while tagging studies have demonstrated that salmon from all parts of England and Wales are exploited in the Irish coastal fishery, the levels of exploitation have, however, varied between stocks from different regions and from year to year.

According to the ICES report, it therefore appears that exploitation of salmon from north-east England in the Irish fishery is negligible, that exploitation on stocks from north-west England and north Wales is currently low, but that levels increase as one moves further south in Wales and for rivers in south-west and southern England. Significantly, the representative also confirmed that such exploitation has declined in all areas by almost 60% following the introduction of new management measures in the Irish fishery since 1997.

Thus, for example, before the introduction of those management measures, exploitation rates in the Irish fishery were estimated at about 28% for the River Test in southern England. According to the ICES representative, however, since the introduction of the regulatory changes, exploitation rates have fallen to 12% for that river and could reasonably be expected to fall further as those management measures are maintained in future years.

The Deputy should note that all of this information has been made available to ICES through the preliminary findings from a joint Irish-UK scientific working group of scientists from our Marine Institute and the UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, with contributions from the Environment Agency, which has been assessing the recent patterns and levels of exploitation on certain UK salmon stocks in the Irish coastal fishery. That report has yet to be finalised, and I expect it in its completed form later this year.

As that study, with the report being compiled by the European Commission, is expected to provide the first accurate analysis of the impact of interceptory fisheries on mixed stocks of wild salmon in Community waters, I believe we should await the outcome before any further conclusions are drawn in the matter. In the meantime, the Government has no proposals to review its policy on drift-net salmon fishing in Irish waters.

Inland Fisheries.

John Perry

Ceist:

344 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the provisions he has in place to deal with the African weed in Lough Corrib (details supplied); the provisions in place to stop this weed developing in other lakes and risking valuable fish life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20588/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the protection and conservation of inland fisheries is a matter for the regional fisheries boards, in this case, the Western Regional Fisheries Board. I am aware through that board that an aggressive alien plant species known as lagarosiphon major or curly water weed has been identified in Lough Corrib.

I understand, that this weed, originally from Africa, poses a serious threat to fish and other wildlife in the area. It is thought the weed was introduced to Ireland through garden centres as a product for ornamental garden ponds.

I am advised that the Central Fisheries Board and the Western Regional Fisheries Board, together with Galway County Council and the national parks and wildlife service, have recently established a lagarosiphon task force. The main aim of that task force is to determine and implement all the possible options for the control and the possible elimination of this invasive alien species.

I understand that the task force held its first meeting in Oughterard, County Galway, on 26 May this year and has already produced an information leaflet detailing what anglers, boat owners and the public should do to combat the spread of the weed. The task force has also issued a press release to relevant national, regional and angling press to inform the general public of the threat associated with this invasive alien species.

I assure the Deputy that the agencies concerned are continuing to work together to address the problem.

Marine Safety.

John Perry

Ceist:

345 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if ferry operators will be granted radio licences without sitting the necessary exams due to their level of experience, and if he will follow through on such plans; if it is still mandatory for all persons to sit the necessary exams prior to obtaining a radio licence; his plans to give out licences solely on the basis of experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20589/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

In accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, every vessel which carries radio-transmitting equipment must obtain a ship station radio licence from the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. One of the requirements of the licence is that the radio operator on board the vessel must have an appropriate radio operator's certificate of competency. ComReg also issues radio operators' certificates of competency to persons who have undertaken an approved course and passed an examination.

The maritime radio affairs unit of the marine surveyor's office of the Department provides technical advice and support to ComReg for both the radio licences and the radio operators' certificates of competency. There are at present no proposals to make changes to the licensing conditions in that regard.

Inland Fisheries.

John Perry

Ceist:

346 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will immediately cease all boat movement between Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle in order that bonamia disease will not spread into Lough Swilly and thus destroy a valuable natural resource in the Lough; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if the disease enters Lough Swilly, it cannot be taken out again, thus eradicating the oyster industry in Lough Swilly for ever; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20612/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The Marine Institute is investigating a potential case of bonamia ostrea in a wild oyster bed in Lough Foyle. The Marine Institute carried out tests for bonamia in Lough Foyle as part of its routine monitoring programme. Having identified a suspect positive result, the institute then sent further samples to the Community reference laboratory, CRL, in France for confirmatory testing, as required by EU fish health regulations. To date the CRL has confirmed the presence of a suspect organism. Final results from the CRL are expected in the week beginning 20 June.

In line with the requirements of EU regulations, under Irish legislation, measures are in place which provide for the control of movements of oysters, and other shellfish, from bays around the coast. As a precautionary measure, pending the results of the CRL tests, and as required by the EU regulations regarding disease control, it is on that basis that applications to move oysters and other shellfish originating in Lough Foyle for ongrowing in areas free of bonamia will not be approved by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources at present.

Within the scope of those preventative measures, movements of boats in and out of Lough Foyle are continuing at present. I am receiving ongoing advice from the Marine Institute regarding the management of the situation.

Mine Sites.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

347 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when a decision will be made on the options available regarding the rehabilitation of mine sites at Silvermines, County Tipperary (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by local residents that no decision will be taken before the summer recess and to the potential to use significant volumes of topsoil from a development in the remediation plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I expect to make a decision in the near future. The summer or Dáil recess is irrelevant to the process.

The availability of topsoil in significant volumes may be of use in any future remediation plans for the area.

Marine Safety.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

348 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to meet the concerns of the East Waterford Lobster Co-operative Society Limited regarding cases of ill health with fishermen boat owners under the code of practice for vessels below ten metres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20679/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

In accordance with the Fishing Vessel (Basic Safety Training) Regulations, SI 587 of 2001, all crew members of fishing vessels must undertake basic safety training consisting of personal survival techniques, elementary first aid and fire prevention, health and safety training. However, the dates for the completion of a basic safety training course depend on whether the person is a new entrant or a serving crew member. For serving crew members, the application date depends on his or her date of birth and could be as late as March 2008.

The regulations do not apply to crew members who can provide evidence of having completed approved training in personal survival techniques, first aid and fire-fighting required for fishing vessel officer certificates of competency issued under the Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officer and Engineer Officers) Regulations 1988, SI 289 of 1988. The code of practice for fishing vessels under 15 metres is simply reminding fishermen of those relevant legal requirements.

Should the person in question require clarification with regard to his own individual circumstances and the applicability of the code of practice or specific statutory safety requirements referred to in the code, the Department's marine survey office will be happy to assist him. Equally, if he has concerns about the application of licensing, registration and tonnage policy in his particular case, officers from the licensing authority for sea fishing boats in the Department are available to discuss those concerns with him.

Harbours and Piers.

John Perry

I should also add that the developers have planning permission for the construction of an onshore terminal, and a substantial amount of that construction work is already under way.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

353 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only real obstacle preventing a company (details supplied) from refining Corrib gas offshore and bringing it ashore to Bord Gáis Éireann standards is short-term cost benefits for the company; his views on whether this consideration justifies the risks to which the residents of Rossport in north Mayo are exposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20968/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The plan of development approval given for the Corrib gas field in April 2002 by the then Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources was for a sub-sea development with an onshore terminal. Moreover, the developers have planning permission for an onshore terminal. Offshore processing for the Corrib gas field was not the preferred development option, as it would mean that production would be weather-sensitive, a serious drawback in the hostile environment at Corrib, and there would be greater capital and operational expenditure compared with a sub-sea development. The Deputy will accept the increased capital and operational expenditure that would be needed for an offshore terminal could have made the development uneconomic and there would also be increased safety concerns, as the offshore facilities would have to be manned.

In January 2001, the developers submitted to my Department a plan of development for the Corrib gas field. That states that, regarding facilities engineering, the area in which Corrib is located is characterised by a harsh marine environment, being directly exposed to the Atlantic fetch, a lack of existing hydrocarbon production infrastructure and the presence of active fishery industry interests.

Section 4 of the plan of development sets out the proposed concept — onshore terminal — and the alternative offshore concepts that were considered.

The offshore alternative concepts were eliminated in the plan of development due to a number of considerations, including the following. The water depth and hostile nature of the environment at Corrib do not favour the use of a fixed steel jacket or guyed tower; the latter has not been used outside the benign environment of the Gulf of Mexico. The floating production concepts are similarly not ideally suited to extended field life in the prevailing harsh environment, with large-bore, high-pressure gas export risers being a particular design issue. Remote control buoy technology has not been developed for the extreme environmental conditions experienced at Corrib. Development of an acceptable, reliable system could not be guaranteed within the proposed project time scale. All the proposed manned facilities options incur high operational expenditure and have increased adverse safety implications, particularly with respect to offshore transfer of personnel. High capital cost of all the floating or fixed platform options combined with the requirement for extensive gas transport infrastructure rendered the options sub-economic with predicted Corrib reserves and envisaged gas sale price. The relatively dry nature of the Corrib gas, eliminating the need for offshore processing, and high reservoir productivity, reducing the number of wells, allow the use of much simplified production facilities with high reliability. That permits the practical adoption of sub-sea production technology for Corrib.

In December 2000, my Department requested from the developers the results of its alternative concept studies. Those were examined and reviewed in January 2001 by the consultant petroleum engineer advising my Department. He advised the Department that the developers of the Corrib gas field should not be required to change or consider changing the Corrib development scheme.

Prior to the making of any decision on the consent to install and commission the onshore pipeline, a number of steps have been taken to allay the fears of residents, and especially those who live near the pipeline. First, I have commissioned an independent review of the design standard for the onshore pipeline. That report was widely distributed. Second, I have published the quantified risk assessment, QRA, version F, for the onshore pipeline. Third, I have commissioned an independent review of the QRA. I expect to receive that report shortly, and I will also publish it. I believe that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that the issue of public safety of the residents of Rossport is being addressed and evaluated.

Telecommunications Services.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

354 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for upgrading telecommunications infrastructure for any future technological breakthroughs in view of the difficulties with the rolling out of broadband across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21020/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Although the provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the fully liberalised private sector, the delivery of broadband is dependent on access by the sector to suitable infrastructure. Unfortunately, investment by the sector in broadband infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the demand for broadband services.

Since March 2002, the Government has been addressing the infrastructure deficit with the investment of upwards of €200 million of European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, and State funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 in a series of initiatives that will make possible the delivery of broadband in all parts of the country. The keystone of the regional broadband programme is the metropolitan area networks, MANs, initiative, under which 120 towns and cities are being provided with high-capacity optic fibre trunk networks.

Broadband can be delivered by a number of different technologies, including digital subscriber lines, DSL, fibre, cable, fixed wireless and satellite. While DSL is currently the most popular broadband technology, with 84% of the market, each of these technologies has a part to play in the rollout of services. The MANs are capable of delivering bandwidths that are many hundreds of times greater than the old telephone networks, and will be capable of handling all foreseeable broadband demands for many years into the future.

The MANs are being managed for the State on an open-access basis, and allow the sector to offer the full range of broadband services at realistic prices. Full details of the MANs programme and my Department's other broadband initiatives, including the county and group broadband scheme and the broadband for schools project, can be found on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie. There are now more than 160,000 broadband users in Ireland, an increase of more than 400% since early last year, and I am confident the target of 500,000 that I have set the industry can be achieved by 2007.

Departmental Correspondence.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

355 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason correspondence (details supplied) sent to his Department on 3 March 2005 has not been replied to in full to date. [21048/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I understand an interim reply, as well as an acknowledgement, was sent to the Deputy. While the document predates the Freedom of Information Act, my Department considered that it should be dealt with in the context of the principles set out in the Act. This required consideration of issues concerning commercial sensitivity and also the views of the main parties to the report. That consideration was completed in the first half of May but, regrettably, the absence on annual leave of a key official delayed finalisation of the matter. I understand the matter will be finalised this week.

Harbours and Piers.

John Perry

Ceist:

356 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the level of funding available for small piers in Donegal, Mayo and Sligo; the number of applications currently with his Department for funding for small piers; the length of time these applications have been awaiting funding; the stages of assessment these applications have to progress through; the level of funding which has been approved for work on small piers in recent years; the counties in which funding was approved for work on small piers; and if his Department has a future plan for work on small piers. [21110/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Funding of €2 million is available for the programme for funding of small harbours within the overall 2005 fishery harbours development programme. This programme is under consideration at present. The Department receives proposals from local authorities on an ongoing basis. It is difficult to provide a breakdown of the number of applications received in the Department as this changes from year to year. The estimated cost of the number of applications received far exceeds the amount of funding available. Proposals received from local authorities are screened by the Department on the basis of a number of selection criteria. Local authorities tend to prioritise their proposals and the prioritisation does not remain the same year on year.

Funding for piers, excluding fishery harbour centres and other major harbours, for the counties in question is set out in the following table. The figures include local authority contributions of 25% funding which is required for the majority of the projects.

County	2002 Total Cost	2003 Total Cost	2004 Total Cost
	€	€	€
Donegal	3,356,791.53	473,052.25	413,441.80
Mayo	1,117,650.70	152,524.00	500,070.64
Sligo	313,000.00	899,436.00	0

Under the fishery harbour development programme, funding is set aside for works on small harbours and this will continue in future years.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

357 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress on the Ballycotton Harbour Development Committee proposal for the harbour. [21121/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The harbour at Ballycotton is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the local authority in the first instance.

In 2001 the council submitted a report prepared by consulting engineers on the estimated cost of the Ballycotton harbour development plan. The proposed development was estimated to cost a total of €6 million.

Cork County Council applied for funding in 2002 under the marine tourism grant scheme of the national development plan for a development including a marina at Ballycotton, County Cork. However, as the applicants had not obtained the necessary statutory permissions, their application could not be considered further. The applicants were informed of this and that they could apply for funding under a future call.

No funding was available for the grant scheme in 2003 or 2004. The findings of the mid-term review of the regional operational programmes recommended reallocation of funds to other priorities.

The Ballycotton Harbour Development Association recently submitted a summary of an updated proposed development for Ballycotton Harbour to the Department. The proposed development consists of ten phases over a year and a half and is estimated to cost a total of €3.07 million.

The allocation for the fishery harbours development programme is €20.55 million for 2005 and a programme for the funding of small harbours within the overall programme is under consideration at present. The fishery harbour programme involves co-funding by the local authorities and the updated proposal for development at Ballycotton would have to be submitted by the local authority. In this case Cork County Council would be required to submit its updated proposal to the Department and be prepared to contribute 25% funding to the project.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

358 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress on Youghal river bed as presented by the Youghal delegation. [21122/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Following consideration of the matters that were raised during my meeting with the Youghal delegation, the complex legal issues arising have been referred to the Department's legal advisers for advice. When that advice has been received and considered by the Department I will communicate further with the parties involved.

Question No. 359 answered with QuestionNo. 349.

Telecommunications Services.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

360 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if efforts are being made through his counterparts in Northern Ireland and Great Britain to deal with the ongoing problem of roaming phone charges especially affecting young persons along the Border using card phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21145/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including pricing for mobile services, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

Human Rights Issues.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

361 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has called or will call on the US authorities to close the Guantanamo Bay detention and interrogation facility. [20647/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Government has, on a number of occasions, made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. I reiterated these concerns at meetings with the US National Security Adviser, Steven Hadley, and Deputy Secretary of State, Robert Zoellick, in Washington on 16 March. The United States is well aware of the Government's view that those detained at Guantanamo Bay should be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights and humanitarian law. These concerns are shared by our EU partners.

In expressing these views the Government fully recognises the danger posed by terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda. Together with our EU partners, we are committed to countering all forms of international terrorism. However, it is vital that the highest standards of international human rights and humanitarian law are maintained as we work to counter terrorism.

It is my understanding that the International Committee of the Red Cross has regularly visited the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay since early 2002 for the purpose of monitoring that persons held there are treated in accordance with applicable international laws and standards. I welcome the recent release of a number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay and hope that further releases will follow. I also welcome the investigations which have taken place into alleged abuses of detainees.

The closure of this facility has become a matter of political debate in the United States. A decision in this regard is a matter for the US authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene. However, I am sure that in their consideration, the US authorities will seek to take account of international public opinion on the matter. I assure the Deputy that in the Government's future contacts with the US Administration, we will continue to raise the need for detainees to be treated in accordance with international law, for alleged abuses to be fully investigated and for persons found guilty of abusing detainees to be punished in accordance with the law.

Irish Emigrants.

John Deasy

Ceist:

362 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts which have been made over the past six months with members of the US Senate and US Congress on the issue of undocumented Irish persons in the United States; and if representatives of the Government have met the chairman of the congressional commission dealing with immigration matters. [20969/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I particularly appreciate the Deputy's interest in the immigration issue in Washington. That issue, and particularly the question of our undocumented people, has the highest priority for the Government.

In addition to the ongoing work of the Irish Embassy and the consulates in sensitising opinion in the US Congress to our concerns, the Government misses no opportunity to raise the matter in personal contacts with senior US politicians. The Taoiseach and I discussed the issue with President Bush in the White House on St. Patrick's Day. I raised the matter also with senior Senators and Congressmen during my visit to Washington in February.

Among those I met then were Senators Kennedy and McCain, who, as the Deputy will be aware, introduced a comprehensive immigration reform Bill on 12 May. The Government has warmly welcomed this draft Bill and regards it as a positive contribution to the debate on immigration reform which, since the tragic events of 11 September 2001, has become an increasingly sensitive and divisive issue in the US. I also met at the time Congressman Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, under whose remit immigration matters fall.

Our ambassador to Washington and his officials maintain frequent and ongoing contacts with the major congressional figures involved in immigration reform and with their aides, and monitor closely all developments regarding reform legislation. These contacts, which will be intensified even further in the period ahead, include the offices of Congressman Sensenbrenner and Congressman Hostetler, chairman of the House Sub-Committee on Immigration. The embassy's particular priority in the period immediately ahead will be to lobby strongly in support of the Kennedy-McCain Bill and to encourage the White House to become actively involved in support of the reform process.

Ceist:

370 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the industries in Mozambique which can sustain full opening up to competition from South Africa; and the way in which this can be envisaged as a poverty reduction strategy consistent with the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement. [20977/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. C. Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 370, inclusive, together.

The economic partnership agreements, EPAs, which are to enter into force by 1 January 2008, are an integral element of the legally binding Cotonou Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, states and the European Union.

The EPAs are intended first and foremost as instruments for development to foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy, with due regard for their own political choices and their own development priorities, thereby promoting their sustainable development and contributing to poverty eradication. They combine trade and wider development issues in a unified framework, while taking account of the specific economic, social and environmental circumstances of each regional group and its component states.

For instance, recent discussions between the European Commission and the Southern African Development Community, SADC, which has many of the features of a customs union, focussed on how the least developed SADC member countries would be affected by further trade integration under the EPAs. This overall approach addresses the particular concern of Ireland and other member states that development and poverty reduction should be the principal objectives of the EPAs.

As far as the impacts of liberalisation of trade are concerned, I draw the Deputy's attention to article 37(7) of the Cotonou Agreement which states that the negotiations on the EPAs:

shall take account of the level of development and the socio-economic impact of trade measures on ACP countries, and their capacity to adapt and adjust their economies to the liberalisation process. Negotiations will therefore be as flexible as possible in establishing the duration of a sufficient transitional period, the final product coverage, taking into account sensitive sectors, and the degree of asymmetry in terms of timetable for tariff dismantlement, while remaining in conformity with WTO rules then prevailing.

As trade is a European Community competence, it is the European Commission which conducts the negotiations on the EPAs between the EU and the six regional groupings of ACP states. The Commission provides the Council with regular updates on the progress of the negotiations. In this regard, I welcome Commissioner Mandelson's statement that he is putting the EPA process under continuing review to ensure that at every stage in the negotiations the development dimension is placed first.

Ireland is actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 24 May, for instance, I drew attention to the concerns which have been expressed, including by Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, that the EPAs are not sufficiently development focused. I emphasised that it will be important for the Commission to reassure member states that it is addressing these concerns.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has primary responsibility for trade policy. An officer of that Department represents Ireland at meetings of the 133 committee. This committee normally meets once a month at the level of full members. An officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs also attends meetings of the committee on a regular basis. Given the importance for Ireland of trade and trade relations with other countries, including those which are programme countries for Ireland's development co-operation programme, my Department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and other Departments, including the Department of Agriculture and Food, in preparing for meetings of the 133 committee and on questions relating to trade generally, including the EPA negotiations.

All the programme countries in Ireland's bilateral aid programme — Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Timor Leste — are ACP states. In each of these countries, Ireland works in close co-operation with our partner Government, other donors, the private sector and civil society to ensure coherence in our approach across a range of sectors. Among the issues discussed are the impact of EU policies, including EPAs, and the integration of least developed countries, LDCs, into the international trading system. This approach will help build the economic infrastructure in the LDCs which will help employment generation and, ultimately, long-term sustainable development. I do not, however, have the level of detail being sought by Deputy McGrath on employment in particular industries in sub-Saharan Africa.

In common with most other countries in the southern Africa region, South Africa is Mozambique's main foreign investor and strong trade links have developed between the two countries in recent years. It would not be appropriate for me to express a view on which specific industries in Mozambique, or indeed any other third country, could sustain competition from South Africa.

Overseas Development Aid.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

371 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will draw up a multi-annual plan with a view to reaching the agreed 2007 UN target for overseas development aid of 0.7% of GDP at a later date; the proposed timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21123/05]

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

372 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to review Ireland’s previously expressed commitment of 0.7% of GDP to overseas development aid in view of the recent admission that this target will not be attained by Ireland by 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21124/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. C. Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.

The allocation to Vote 29, international co-operation, for 2005 is €470.8 million, an increase of €70 million on the 2004 figure. As a result, total official development assistance for 2005 is expected to amount to approximately €545 million when contributions from other Departments have been taken into account. This represents the highest allocation in the 30-year history of the Irish aid programme.

In addition, the Government has agreed to provide further increases of €65 million in each of the years 2006 and 2007. These substantial increases mean that over the three years from 2005 to 2007, €1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland on development assistance. This three-year multi-annual commitment, incorporating substantial annual increases, gives my Department a sound basis to carry forward the long-term planning which is so important for development work.

The Deputy will be interested to know that the EU has recently agreed new targets in regard to ODA. These provide that the EU 15 will reach a new collective target of 0.56% by 2010, while member states which have not yet reached a level of 0.51% undertake to individually reach that by 2010. Member states also undertake to achieve the UN target of 0.7% by 2015. The newer member states, which joined after 2002, have lower targets.

The Government remains strongly committed to achieving the UN target. The issue of how best to meet the target, and in what timeframe, is under ongoing and active review.

Sports Capital Programme.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

373 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the award of a sports capital grant for a skateboard park in Bushy Park, Terenure; if this funding is site-specific; and whether this grant money could be applied if the proposed site were moved to a different location. [20724/05]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

My Department administers the national lottery funded sports capital programme, which allocates funding to sporting, voluntary and community organisations, schools and local authorities. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. A grant of €100,000 was provisionally allocated under the 2004 sports capital programme to Dublin City Council towards the provision of a skateboarding park in Bushy Park.

In line with all capital grant schemes, the sports capital programme is predicated on the principle of projects being located at specific sites identified in the application for funding. The decision to allocate funding to this project was based on an assessment of an application for a specific facility in a specific location. My Department has received no request to date from Dublin City Council to change the location of this project. If such a request was made by the council, my Department would consider the matter.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

374 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of sports clubs in County Tipperary which have applied for funding under the 2005 sports capital programme; the details of same; and when a decision will be made to allocate funding for 2005. [21024/05]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sport clubs and to sporting and voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national levels throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December 2004. The closing date for receipt of applications was 4 February 2005. A total of 1,362 applications were received before that deadline, including 56 from organisations in County Tipperary. All the applications received are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, and the 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.

National Gallery.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

375 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of full-time employees in the National Gallery of Ireland. [21155/05]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

376 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of persons who have been recruited from the live register since 2000 to work in the National Gallery of Ireland; and if there is a policy of recruiting some workers from the local community. [21156/05]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

377 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the way in which temporary jobs for the summer months in the National Gallery of Ireland are filled. [21157/05]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 to 378, inclusive, together.

The National Gallery of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer operating an open recruitment policy fully in accordance with Government policy and, as such, does not inquire as to whether a potential employee is on the live register. The institution has provided employment to more than twenty people from the local community over the past 20 years.

The gallery has established a panel to fill temporary positions that may become available during the year. The panel is comprised of applicants who responded to public advertisements and from unsolicited inquiries. These positions are filled in accordance with the gallery's recruitment policies and procedures. There are 125 full-time employees in the National Gallery of Ireland.

Sports Capital Programme.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

378 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if an application from a community development association (details supplied) in County Wicklow to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office will be expedited. [21303/05]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

A grant of €200,000 was provisionally allocated to the project in question under the 2004 national lottery funded sports capital programme administered by my Department. The grant allocation was subject to the terms and conditions of the programme, which included the execution of a deed of covenant and charge.

A deed of covenant and charge provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility not continuing to be used for the purpose for which the grant was allocated. My Department’s legal adviser, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, CSSO, deals with the grantee’s solicitor in executing this deed. I understand that the CSSO received documentation regarding the case from the solicitors representing the organisation in question on 9 May. The documentation submitted has been examined by the CSSO, which last week requested further documentation to execute the deed.

The CSSO is awaiting the submission of the outstanding documentation and has undertaken to examine it expeditiously upon receipt. If the documentation is in order then the deed of covenant and charge can be executed and a grant payment will follow.

FÁS Training Programmes.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

379 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no confirmed places for young adults with learning disabilities leaving the educational environment and moving to vocational training in Dublin as a result of restrictions on funding; the steps he intends to take to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19682/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

My Department does not provide grants for groups to purchase lands for industrial use nor does it provide direct grant aid to businesses or business start-ups. Funding is provided to a number of enterprise agencies including Enterprise Ireland, the 35 county and city enterprise boards, CEB, and Shannon Development which collectively are responsible for the delivery of assistance to indigenous industries.

The CEBs, in particular, are responsible for providing both financial and non-financial support to small businesses with ten employees or fewer. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, businesses may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of capital grants, feasibility study grants and employment grants. Non-financial support is available to eligible businesses in the form of a comprehensive range of development and support programmes designed to help new and existing enterprises. I would suggest that the persons concerned should, in the first instance, make direct contact with their local county enterprise board to explore what type and level of assistance, if any, would be available to them for this particular proposed project.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

384 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is intended to acquire land at Ardee, County Louth, for enterprise development purposes; and if he will consider acquiring land owned by the Health Service Executive in the town for this purpose. [20768/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

387 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and location of each factory unit owned by Shannon Development or IDA Ireland in County Tipperary; the number which are vacant; the length of time they have been vacant; the rental cost involved in each unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21021/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

Shannon Development is the statutory agency with responsibility for indigenous industry in the mid-west area which includes north Tipperary. As Shannon Development owns the factory units, there is no rental cost due from the agency. Rent charged by Shannon Development to tenant companies is based on the market value for the unit, having regard to its size and location, and varies accordingly.

The total number of factories and industrial units owned by Shannon Development in north Tipperary is 85, of which 35 are vacant, 31 for three years or less and four for a longer period. A more detailed breakdown can be provided to the Deputy if requested.

Location	Total No. of Units	Vacant Units
Thurles	47	22
Roscrea	9	5
Nenagh	20	7
Sundry Locations N. Tipperary	9	1

There are no factory units owned by IDA Ireland in County Tipperary South Riding. However, there is one building under construction in Tipperary town for the new private sector business expansion scheme. IDA Ireland will be guaranteeing the rent on this building on completion for two years provided that a tenant is not found.

Industrial Development.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

388 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason his Department has not grant-aided the provision of five new units at a company (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21063/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

My Department does not grant-aid such developments directly. Enterprise Ireland has, in the past, managed schemes supporting community enterprise centres.

Enterprise Ireland approved funding of €123,133 to Ballinasloe Area Community Development Limited for the development of an enterprise centre under its community enterprise centre, CEC, programme for 1989 to 2001, of which €107,904 has been paid and the balance of €15,229 is being processed for payment. A further €38,000 was approved towards the employment of a centre manager under its 2002 CEC programme. The first moiety of this grant of €19,000 has also been paid. I understand that Ballinasloe Area Community Development Limited did not submit a proposal for the development of five new units adjacent to its existing centre in Ballinasloe although it did submit a different proposal which was unsuccessful.

Enterprise Ireland completed two public calls for proposals from local communities under the CEC 2002 programme. This scheme, announced in 2002 with a fund of €8 million, was a competitive scheme and all the funds have now been fully allocated. Enterprise Ireland is analysing information on 120 Enterprise Ireland supported community enterprise centres nationally to assess the impact that these centres have had both locally and nationally and to determine what role such centres may have in the future with regard to community led enterprise development.

Jobs Creation.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

389 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new jobs which have been supported in each of the six Border counties over each of the past five years through IDA or Enterprise Ireland; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient effort is being made to attract inward investment or start-up jobs in this hard hit area which is losing its young graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

A total of 12,305 new jobs have been supported by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in the six Border counties over the past five years and details are set out in the following table.

IDA Ireland has set a high level performance target for the BMW region, of which the Border counties are an integral part. This commits IDA Ireland to try to achieve a target of 50% of all new greenfield jobs to be located in the Objective One area during the period 2000 to 2006. In this regard, substantial progress has been achieved to date. In 1999, prior to the start of the current national development plan, about 25% of all new greenfield jobs were located in the Objective One area. This rose to an average of 44% in the period 2000 to 2004.

Enterprise Ireland's new strategy for 2005 to 2007, transforming Irish industry, which I announced on 4 May 2005, places a strong emphasis on increasing even further the number of new start-ups in the regions and increasing the growth rate of these companies. The agencies' policy objectives for balanced regional development are reflected in the structure of their funding offers. The maximum grant levels are higher in the BMW region than in the southern and eastern regions and a higher proportion of this funding is also non-repayable.

New Jobs created in Enterprise Ireland Companies in Border Counties 2000-2004.
County	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Cavan	318	307	197	331	366
Donegal	309	482	275	261	242
Leitrim	63	53	64	26	19
Louth	243	535	265	239	554
Monaghan	384	310	314	317	347
Sligo	113	169	92	160	103

New Jobs created in IDA Ireland Companies in Border Counties 2000-2004.
County	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Cavan	34	68	52	12	31
Donegal	308	353	179	141	136
Leitrim	4	336	117	575	159
Louth	1,012	155	179	39	101
Monaghan	1	22	57	10	0
Sligo	185	92	172	103	213

Mary Upton

Ceist:

393 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if An Post will retain the social welfare contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20629/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

My Department issues approximately 1.1 million weekly payments of which 58% are paid through An Post. The Government's decision in 1999 to extend my Department's existing contractual arrangements with An Post gave rise to a procurement complaint being lodged with the European Commission in 2000. That complaint was subsequently referred by the Commission to the Court of Justice. In the meantime An Post, with the agreement of the Commission, has continued to provide the service on an interim basis since 1 January 2000. There are no plans to change this arrangement.

Child benefit is payable generally to the mother in respect of children who are under 16 years of age, or aged between 16 and 19 and either disabled or in full-time education. Child benefit is paid up to the date certified by the school or college that the child is attending, which in most cases is the end of the academic year in June. The child benefit year runs from June to May and in cases where a child is certified as being in full-time education to June, a payment is made for the month of June by either a renewal book, containing a single voucher, or directly into the customer's bank account.

The procedure regarding family income supplement, FIS, is where a person has a claim for an only child and that child reaches 18 in April or May a form is issued which is to be stamped by the school. Where the child is sitting the leaving certificate, family income supplement is paid until the end of June. Otherwise FIS is paid until the end of May. Where there are other children in the household, the fact that the child reaches 18 does not affect the FIS payment and it continues to be paid at the same rate until the end of the normal 52 week payment period unless the child signs on for unemployment payment in his or her own right.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

397 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the rent allowance appeal will be decided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if an early decision will be made taking into consideration her present situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20963/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

I am concerned that where severe hardship exists in cases of over-indebtedness, MABS customers receive the most appropriate assistance to deal with the situation. The MABS service is considering ways in which support can be provided directly to MABS customers who have particular difficulties with debt problems and to establish a mechanism where this can be dealt with in a practical way. It is envisaged that a specific fund will be established for this purpose which would be administered at a remove from the local money advice and budgeting service. The arrangements are being finalised and I expect to be in a position to announce their commencement in the autumn. This fund will be made available only where conventional avenues of support cannot be of assistance and only in cases of extreme hardship.

I intend to have a fully automated payment system put in place on a national basis which will allow MABS employees to make direct payments to creditors on behalf of customers and also provide detailed statistics upon demand. These statistics will be invaluable in aiding the future development of MABS by providing a greater understanding of the issues surrounding indebtedness. This new payment system, MABSIS, will be implemented by July 2005. MABS is centred on the needs of the customer and it is vital that the various needs of all customers are met in innovative ways. These initiatives will add another positive dimension to the role of MABS.

David Stanton

Ceist:

403 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the fact that Ireland has the second highest level of child poverty in Europe at 15.7% (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21291/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The figure for child poverty in Ireland of 15.7% based on 50% of median national income in 2000 was referred to in the recent Combat Poverty Agency "Ending Child Poverty" policy statement which, in turn, was drawn from a recent UNICEF report on child poverty.

As I restated when I launched the agency's statement, tackling child poverty continues to be among my key priorities. Strategies to address child poverty and the measures to give effect to them are set out in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion and in the national children's strategy. The importance of tackling child poverty is reflected in the fact that Ending Child Poverty is one of ten Sustaining Progress special initiatives. One of the key strategies for reducing child poverty is the reduction of the numbers of parents who are unemployed. Our aim is to continue to maintain high levels of employment and to remove obstacles to taking up employment, especially for lone parents and parents with large families.

The most significant measure to tackle child poverty by my Department has been the substantial increases in child benefit payment rates. Between 1997 and 2005, the rate of child benefit rose from €38.09 per month for the first two children and €49.50 for each child thereafter to €141.60 per month for each of the first two children and to €177.30 per month for the third and each subsequent child. Child benefit is paid to more than 540,000 families in respect of approximately 1 million children, at an estimated cost of €1.9 billion in 2005. It delivers a standard rate of payment in respect of all children in a family regardless of income levels or employment status.

Through the family income supplement scheme, my Department provides cash support by way of weekly payments to families, including lone parent families, at work on low pay. Recent improvements to the scheme, including the assessment of entitlements on the basis of net rather than gross income and progressive increases in the income limits, have made it easier for lower income households to qualify under the scheme. To address the situation of those children who are most at risk of poverty I am giving serious consideration to the introduction of a second tier of supports, aimed specifically at families in greatest need. A study is being carried out by the NESC on the possibility of amalgamating social welfare child dependant allowances with family income supplement payments, in an effort to channel extra resources to low income families without creating disincentives to employment. In addition, a sub-group of the senior officials group on social inclusion is examining obstacles to employment for lone parent families and will shortly present its report.

My Department is also participating in an interdepartmental working group on early child care and education, chaired by the National Children's Office. The work of this committee is at an advanced stage and the outcome will make an important contribution to finding the right mix of services and income support to facilitate employment take up and care for children. The causes of poverty among children and its effects are multifaceted requiring a multi-policy response. A wide range of data is required to effectively monitor, evaluate and develop such policies. It is for that reason my Department and the Department of Health and Children, through the National Children's Office, are jointly funding a national longitudinal study on children. The study will be the most significant of its kind to be undertaken here, particularly in terms of the cost, scope and length of study period. It is anticipated that 10,000 children from birth and 8,000 children aged nine will be recruited to participate in the study, which is expected to commence later this year.

Assisting and supporting vulnerable families and their children is one of our main challenges as a society. Through the initiatives we are taking to combat poverty and social exclusion, the Government is giving priority to ensuring that vulnerable families and their children have the share of life chances and quality of life which our prosperity as a nation demands.

David Stanton

Ceist:

404 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the fact that, according to the Combat Poverty Agency policy statement on child poverty, lone parents here have the highest replacement rates and levels of marginal taxation in Europe which is conducive to the formation of poverty traps for lone parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21292/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The findings of the recent Combat Poverty Agency, CPA, policy statement Ending Child Poverty, are based on an analysis of income support packages for families in 22 industrialised countries. The statement indicated that Ireland has the highest replacement rate for lone parents in the 22 countries studied, replacement rates are often defined as the ratio of social welfare benefits to wage-indexed gross earnings, and that these rates are a product of the relatively generous lone parent income support package in Ireland. However, the value of this support is diminished by shortcomings in service provision, especially with regard to child care.

To continue to make progress in tackling child poverty and poverty in general, the Government is accelerating the implementation of proposals that will address problems that are contributing to child poverty. Particular emphasis is placed on the three critical areas of increased and targeted child income supports, measures to encourage lone parents back to education, training and work and the delivery of additional child care places.

A sub-group of the senior officials group on social inclusion is examining obstacles to employment for lone parent families, with particular emphasis on income supports, employment, education, child care and support programmes and information. This group is scheduled to report to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion by the end of July.

We must also look closely at income supports and at how we can adjust those supports to better address the social problems that can arise for those who receive these payments. In this regard, my Department has established a working group to review the income support arrangements for lone parents. Issues being addressed include the contingency basis of the one-parent family payment, cohabitation, individualisation, maintenance and secondary benefits. The findings of this group will feed into the work of the senior officials sub-group.

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The legislative basis for the application of immobilisation devices to vehicles that are illegally parked on public roads is set out in section 101B of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as inserted by section 9 of the Dublin Transport Authority (Dissolution) Act 1987. Regulations entitled the Road Traffic (Immobilisation of Vehicles) Regulations were made in 1998 to give effect to that section. The regulations include a provision that identifies those classes of persons who may be authorised to apply and remove immobilisation devices and determines that such persons shall consist of members of the Garda, traffic wardens and any person appointed in writing for such purposes by a local authority. As the regulations do not determine that decisions to appoint authorised persons are reserved for the members of local authorities, the making of such decisions is an executive function.

Driving Licences.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

409 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport if any discussions have taken place between the Government and the American Government with regard to an Irish driver’s licence being sufficient to drive in America and an American driver’s licence being adequate here; if there is any agreement between the two Governments on this issue. [20779/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Irish driving licence regulations are required to operate within the framework of a harmonised EU system. The criteria essential for recognition of licences from other countries are testing and licensing regimes, which meet the requirements of the EU directive on driving licences, and reciprocal recognition of Irish licences. Ireland does not have a bilateral agreement with the United States of America for the exchange of driving licences due to the diverse nature of the driver testing and licensing regimes in the different states in the USA. On taking up Irish residence a person who holds a driving licence issued in the USA must obtain a provisional licence and undergo a driving test to obtain a driving licence. Temporary visitors to Ireland who hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit may drive here for the duration of their visit. The driver licensing requirements in the USA are a matter for the USA licensing authorities.

Public Transport.

Damien English

Ceist:

410 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport the nature of the provisions in the sectoral plan for the Disability Bill 2004 order to make Bus Éireann vehicles more physically accessible for persons with disabilities. [20638/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Mr. Callely)

414 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of safe route to school initiatives which were undertaken in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the locations in which they were undertaken; the funding which has been provided in those years and in those locations; and if it is intended to expand the scheme in 2006. [20787/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Mr. Callely)

The DTO initiated a pilot programme for six safer routes to school projects during the course of the period 2002 to 2003. These were in Griffith Avenue involving four separate schools: Donabate, two schools; Malahide, one school; Bray, one school; Lucan, one school; and Shankill, one school. Subsequently, the schools in Lucan and Shankill decided not to continue participating in the initiative.

This pilot programme was designed to show what needs to be done to achieve a better balance in the modes used to travel to school. The pilot programme consisted of: implementing a set of infrastructure improvements in the road environment surrounding each school; and organisational and consultation activities intended to show school management and parent committees how to manage the mobility needs of the children attending the school.

The total cost of the programme was €1.66 million, predominantly for the infrastructure changes, for example, pedestrian crossing, cycle paths, cycle parking facilities within school grounds, bus lay-bys, etc. No moneys have been expended on projects during 2005. The DTO contributed considerable in-house resources to managing the initiative through extensive liaison with stakeholders and through the preparation of documentation, surveys etc.

The following table shows the breakdown of moneys allocated to each school project, and also the outcome in terms of changes to behaviour and mode choices made by pupils and their parents. The table shows that the results of the pilot programme are encouraging. The main finding of the pilot project was that a school requires a well-developed and interested parent-school team to bring the initiative to fruition. Simply providing infrastructure without the managerial effort of parents, pupils and school managers is likely to fail.

The DTO is examining the potential of widening the scope of the initiative by arranging for the inclusion of a school travel theme within the existing green schools programme. The green schools programme is run by An Taisce and is already present in over half the schools across the country, with the rate of subscription growing. The programme has the potential to assist working groups involving parents, pupils and staff to develop a school travel plan to increase the numbers of pupils walking, cycling or taking the bus to school and to reduce the number of cars coming to the school.

I have asked the DTO to advise me as to how this initiative might be advanced, with a view to getting implementation in a wider range of schools throughout the country.

Cost of Safer Routes to School Projects and Outputs
Project	Number of Schools	Cost	Outcome
		€
Griffith Avenue	4	609,000	Walking Bus established. Numbers not quantified yet.
Donabate	2	612,411	11% increase in walking, 1% increase in Cycling, 9% increase in Bus use, 22% decrease in car use.
Malahide	1	219,000	2% increase in cycling, 1% increase in walking, 1% increase in car use, 3% decrease in bus use.
Bray	1	168,000	6% increase in cycling, 6% decrease in car use.

Rail Network.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

415 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Transport the work which has been carried out in respect of the development of a railway station at Spencer Dock; if the site has been selected; if the design work has been completed; when the construction of the station will commence and be completed; the amount of the €5 million allocated in budget 2005 to the project which has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21132/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The greater Dublin integrated rail network plan submitted to my Department by Iarnród Éireann includes a proposal for a new terminal station at Spencer Dock. To date no funds have been expended on this project. The integrated rail network plan will be considered in the context of the ten-year transport investment framework which is currently under consideration by the Cabinet committee on housing, infrastructure and PPPs.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

416 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Transport if the railway station at Avoca, County Wicklow, will be reopened in view of the growing need; the cost of extending the platform to provide a step-down service similar to that provided at Kilcoole Station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21159/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The location of railway stations is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand, however, that the company has examined potential demand for a new station at Avoca and that the survey concluded that patronage would be very low. If proposals emerge for the development of the catchment area around Avoca, with an increase in population, Iarnród Éireann will revisit the issue.

Security of the Elderly.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

417 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in relation to personal alarms for old age pensioners; if, in view of the fact that many old age pensioners find it difficult to pay €80 per year running costs to emergency response, this will be waived and funding allocated to cover it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20697/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.

Resources are directed to providing equipment to those older members of the community in need of such assistance and who have not already had the equipment installed. The scheme provides maximum individual grants of €300 in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms; €150 in respect of door locks, window locks and door chains; €150 in respect of security lighting; and in 2004 I introduced a grant of €50 in respect of smoke alarms. I have no plans to further extend the scheme to fund the annual fee for running costs of socially-monitored alarm systems.

Decentralisation Programme.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

418 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the decentralisation promised for Knock Airport. [21112/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

My Department is scheduled to complete its move to Knock Airport by the end of 2007. With regard to the construction of a headquarters building, a site has been chosen and the Office of Public Works is in the process of finalising the purchase of that site. It is expected that a competition will be advertised subsequently for the design and building of the headquarters and that work on site will begin in the final quarter of this year. All necessary work on the building is expected to be completed in time for staff to move to Knock Airport by the end of 2007.

Community Development.

John Deasy

Ceist:

419 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding under the social inclusion fund has been reduced to ADM; if not, the reason funding has been reduced to the a group (details supplied); if funding will be restored to the previous level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20687/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

There has been no reduction in funding available under the local development social inclusion programme in 2005. Funding of €42.144 million and €45.7 million was provided in my Department's Estimates in 2004 and 2005 respectively. I have been informed by ADM that it does not directly fund this group.

Inland Waterways.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

420 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to move forward the reopening of the Ulster Canal as one of the best cross-Border projects with support from all sections of the communities north and south of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21144/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

As the Deputy is 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. At this time, no decision has been taken to proceed with the restoration of the Ulster Canal and, in view of the current "care and maintenance" mode in which the North-South bodies are operating, the Deputy will appreciate the difficulty of advancing the issue at this time.

As the Deputy knows, a study was commissioned which estimated the cost of the restoration of the full Ulster Canal at approximately £90 million stg based on year 2000 costs. Matters arising in regard to the project, including the question of whether a phased or partial approach might be feasible, remain under consideration by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North.

Grant Payments.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

421 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the annual cost of forestry payments for the years 1999 to 2004, distinguishing between establishment costs and premia payments. [20577/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The annual costs of forestry payments, differentiated between establishment grants and premium payments for the years in question, are as follows:

Year	Establishment Grants	Premium Payments
	€m	€m
1999	22.85	27.81
2000	33.72	29.75
2001	35.43	42.52
2002	35.88	48.10
2003	23.48	49.33
2004	25.22	54.07

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

422 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the projected annual cost of all premia payments approved by her Department to date since the implementation of this scheme in 1993, distinguishing between farmer and non-farmers payments. [20578/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I presume the Deputy is referring to forestry premium payments. The projected annual cost of premia of applications approved up to the end of 2004 which became payable over the period in question is as follows:

Year	Total	Farmers Premia	Non-Farmers
	€	€	€
2005	51,953,103	48,836,895	3,116,208
2006	51,953,103	48,836,895	3,116,208
2007	51,953,103	48,836,895	3,116,208
2008	51,931,261	48,836,895	3,094,366
2009	51,650,925	48,836,895	2,814,030
2010	51,198,843	48,836,895	2,361,948
2011	50,785,129	48,836,895	1,948,234
2012	50,434,708	48,834,708	1,600,000
2013	49,983,194	48,693,620	1,289,575
2014	47,419,491	46,393,328	1,026,163
2015	42,743,270	41,936,631	806,639
2016	37,119,065	36,565,692	553,373
2017	32,543,288	32,121,611	421,677
2018	29,316,109	29,081,772	234,337
2019	25,596,800	25,362,463	234,337
2020	21,993,313	21,758,975	234,338
2021	16,595,877	16,361,539	234,338
2022	11,891,355	11,657,017	234,338
2023	3,472,411	3,350,344	122,067

The European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (amendment) Regulations, 2001 contained in SI 538 of 2001 introduced, inter alia, a statutory consent system for afforestation. The regulations cover the consultation procedures for both prescribed bodies and the general public, together with environmental impact assessment procedures for afforestation.

The types of cases processed under SI 538 are those where the site is within a proposed NHA, SAC, SPA or national park, contains an archaeological site or feature with intensive public usage or is within a prime scenic area in the county development plan, or is within an area listed in the inventory of outstanding landscapes.

Applications subject to the public consultations under SI 538 are advertised in the relevant local press indicating reference number, county, townland, district electoral division and area to be planted. Interested parties are invited to seek further information in relation to any observations or submissions they may wish to make. In addition, any application for afforestation of an area in excess of 2.5 hectares is subject to public notification whether or not it is covered by the provisions of SI 538. Notification is made through the newspapers circulating in the district of the proposed afforestation and includes information similar to that outlined above for public consultation cases. In addition, all applications are thoroughly examined by the forest inspectorate of my Department, which includes specialists in the area of archaeology, ecology and landscape-architecture and are referred as required to the various prescribed bodies.

A total of 6,606 applications for funding have been processed by the Forest Service of my Department since the introduction of SI 538 in 2001, of which 6,189 were approved for funding. A total of 545 of the applications received were subject to the provisions of SI 538, of which 473 were approved for funding. Of those applications which were subject to SI 538, applications in NHAs, SACs, SPAs and national parks accounted for 331; areas containing an archaeological site or feature with intensive public use came to 127; while prime scenic or amenity areas in a county development plan or listed in an inventory of outstanding landscapes came to 353. As will be seen a considerable number of the applications would have multiple referrals.

Conditions of approval of applications are not recorded in a register at present. The conditions are recorded on the individual files and must be strictly adhered to in order to form the basis of grant payment. This information is not published after a decision has been made, nor does any information appear at present on the Department's website. However, information in relation to the decisions is freely available to the public on request and my Department is actively looking at ways of improving the flow of information in the context of the greater flexibility which will be offered by the new IFORIS system when introduced later this year.

In relation to applications processed under SI 538, the information given to the prescribed bodies includes the following details: (1) environmental considerations relating to the site; (2) species proposed; (3) general site data, for example, elevation, soil type etc.; and (4) operational proposals, that is, drainage, stocking, access, fertiliser weed control etc. A map of the site is also given. Information on the content and rationale of decisions relating to these applications is available to the referral bodies on request.

The number of applications in excess of 2.5 hectares processed since SI 538 was 5,782. All were subject to the public notification or consultation system described above, as appropriate.

Animal Carcase Disposal.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

430 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of money which will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the deductions being made by her Department will be minimised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20622/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme, along with the slaughter premium scheme, were the only schemes where the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef premium. Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged, of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is, first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the three previous years was 1.9 million animals.

The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and following a widespread public consultation process. A very persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states who fully decoupled would not be disadvantaged during the transitional period. The level of overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case.

I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions during various meetings. My Department also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter on 25 April 2005 and a meeting between my officials and the various services of the Commission's DG Agri took place last week. The matter has also been discussed with the Commissioner's cabinet and with the most senior officials of the European Commission.

I am continuing to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium in 2004.

Departmental Reviews.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

434 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20692/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

In view of the particular circumstances involved, my Department is prepared to re-examine this case and will advise the herd owner concerned of the outcome of the re-examination.

Milk Quota.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

435 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the application by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick for the national milk quota reserve category C. [20734/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve under category C. Category C caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold their milk quota into the milk quota restructuring scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under the livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-2002. The application under this category is being processed at present and he will be notified of his eligibility or otherwise as soon as all applications received are processed.

In excess of 17,500 applications have been received under the national reserve at the Department's office in Castlebar. In view of the applications received and the documentation submitted, it will be some time before a decision is reached on whether the person named is entitled to an allocation from the reserve.

Livestock Industry.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

436 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of breeders in each of the bloodstock, greyhound, poultry, beef and pig industries in each of the past five years; the overall number of breeders in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20744/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The Central Statistics Office does not use the category "breeder" in the collection of agricultural statistics. However, the 2000 census of agriculture shows the number of farms that kept breeding animal in the following categories:

	No. of farms
Thoroughbred Broodmares	4,397
Poultry — breeding birds	635
Pigs — breeding females	913
Boars	607
Cows (non-dairy)	83,627

Annual data on the number of farms in each category are not published by the CSO.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

437 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of producers in each of the bloodstock, beef, pig and poultry industries in each of the past five years; the overall number of producers in agriculture in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20745/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The most recent data on the number of farms in the cattle, pig and poultry sectors is available from the census of agriculture, 2000, published by the Central Statistics Office, and is as follows:

	Number of Farms
Cattle	124,108
Pigs	1,280
Poultry	10,652
Total	141,527

This is the latest data available and there are no figures in respect of the bloodstock sector.

Food Industry.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

438 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the percentage of Irish agricultural produce sold on the market here in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20746/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Information provided by the Central Statistics Office for the years 2000 to 2004 is as follows:

	Turnover of the Food, Drink and Tobacco Industry	Food and Drink Export Value	Percentage Consumed on Domestic Market
	€mil	€mil	%
2004	22,857	7,056	69.1
2003	22,949	6,883	70.0
2002	21,009	6,760	67.8
2001	20,799	6,784	67.4
2000	19,517	7,001	64.1

It should be noted that these figures are for agri-food, drink and tobacco products.

Employment Levels.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

439 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of persons employed in each of the bloodstock, greyhound, beef, pig and poultry industries in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20747/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The CSO estimates of employment in the meat processing sector over the period 2000 to 2004 is as follows:

2000	13,100
2001	12,900
2002	13,700
2003	13,800
2004	14,400

A more detailed breakdown by sub-sector is not available from the CSO.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

440 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of persons employed in agriculture in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20748/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

According to statistics published by the Central Statistics Office in the quarterly national household survey, employment in agriculture using the International Labour Office definition has fallen from 127,300 in 2000 to 112,100 in 2004. The International Labour Office is the standard international classification which classifies respondents as economically active, in employment or unemployed, or economically inactive — not in the labour force — on the basis of their experience in the week before the survey.

Year	Employment in Agriculture ’000
2000	127.3
2001	116.2
2002	117.6
2003	111.5
2004	112.1

Source: CSO (QNHS).

Livestock Industry.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

441 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the percentage of Irish produce sold on the market here in each of the past five years in each of the bloodstock, beef, poultry and pig industries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20749/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The following tables show the figures published by the CSO for the last five years for which statistics are available:

Beef & Veal.
Year	Meat Supplies (000 tonnes)	Meat Products for Domestic Use (000 tonnes)	Meat Products for Domestic Use as a % of Meat Supplies
1998	605	67	11
1999	651	64	10
2000	588	62	11
2001	594	66	11
2002	556	69	12

Pigmeat.
Year	Meat Supplies (000 tonnes)	Meat Products for Domestic Use (000 tonnes)	Meat Products for Domestic Use as a % of Meat Supplies
1998	276	151	55
1999	285	155	54
2000	274	150	55
2001	291	151	52
2002	281	150	53

Poultry.
Year	Meat Supplies (000 tonnes)	Meat Products for Domestic Use (000 tonnes)	Meat Products for Domestic Use as a % of Meat Supplies
1998	149	110	74
1999	163	124	76
2000	164	127	77
2001	162	117	72
2002	159	119	75

Source: CSO Meat Supply Balance.

The following are the figures for bloodstock registered and the numbers sold at the two main auctions for the last five years:

Bloodstock.
Year	Foals Registered by Weatherbys	Total sales at Goffs / Tattersalls
2000	8,793	5,870
2001	9,452	6,241
2002	10,214	6,404
2003	10,574	6,305
2004	10,992	6,575

Research and Development.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

442 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total budget provided by her Department in each of the past five years for research and development; the corresponding figure for research and development in food product development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20780/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Over the past five years, my Department has allocated budget provisions totalling approximately €84.8 million for various research and development activities. This includes a total provision of €39.8 million for the food institutional research measure, FIRM. The details are as follows:

	R & D	FIRM
	€ million	€ million
2005	23.1	11
2004	17.57	6.74
2003	19.1	10.56
2002	14.65	7.1
2001	10.38	4.42
Total	84.8	39.8

Much of the research carried out at third level institutes and Teagasc under FIRM is targeted at innovation and new product development. The programme has created a critical mass of expertise and capacity at these institutes and has given Irish food researchers opportunities to develop internationally respected capability at doctorate and post-doctorate level. FIRM has been instrumental in developing innovative food products, which contribute to food quality and safety as well as consumer health and nutrition.

In addition to the expenditure listed above, my Department has provided annual grant payments totalling €476 million, excluding pension provisions and capital expenditure grants, to Teagasc towards its ongoing programme of agricultural education, research and training. The details are as follows:

Teagasc.
	€ million
2005	99.36
2004	99.835
2003	100.314
2002	93.185
2001	83.265
Total	476.

Teagasc, on average, spends approximately 45% of its total annual operating budget, including own resources, on research activities. Approximately, 29% of Teagasc's research budget relates to food research.

Grant Payments.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

443 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if or when there will be an increase in grant aid for farmers who will have to increase slurry tank accommodation to meet the proposed nitrates directive storage period, specifically for the 22 weeks proposed for Cavan and Monaghan; if grant aid will be available for farmers with less than 20 livestock units; her views on whether the need for clarity in this matter is urgent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20789/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

In Sustaining Progress 2003, it was agreed that improvements would be made to the grants available under the farm waste management scheme and this commitment was achieved by the introduction of a revised scheme in January 2004. Consideration of any further amendments to the farm waste management scheme, including the extension of the scheme to farmers with less than 20 income units, must await finalisation of the current discussions with the EU Commission in relation to nitrates.

Milk Prices.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

444 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she has taken at EU level to protect the price of milk to dairy farmers who are currently under serious income pressure; her views on whether a further price fall will lead to many more commercial dairy farms being forced out of production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20790/05]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

452 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she proposes to take to bring about the setting of sustainable dairy product prices which will return adequate profitability in dairying. [21134/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 452 together.

The price of milk paid to dairy farmers is a commercial matter between milk producers and milk purchasers and I have no direct role in this area. Milk prices are influenced by a number of factors, both internal and external. These include the structure of our domestic dairy operations, the prices paid in international markets for dairy products, the type and final destination of product and the overall operation of the EU market support mechanisms.

The Luxembourg agreement in 2003 provided that the intervention price for milk products would reduce in the period 2004-2007 and these reductions would be compensated by the introduction of a direct payment. In 2004 farmers were compensated to an amount of €60 million or 1.2 cent per litre. Further compensation of 2.4 cent per litre, amounting to €120 million, will be paid this year as part of the single farm payment and this will rise to 3.6 cent per litre equivalent, or €180 million, in 2006. This payment, taken together with the market value of milk has resulted in a higher return for dairy farmers in 2005.

As regards market management at EU level, I have consistently challenged the reduction in support level implemented by the Commission in recent months in view of the negative effect these will have on the dairy sector. I secured strong support for my position from a number of member states at the May Agriculture Council meeting. In my view, it is crucially and strategically important that the EU consolidates its international market share while challenging competition on its domestic market. I have urged the Commission to maintain a competitive combination of aids and subsidies to achieve these objectives.

As regards the maintenance of commercial dairy farms, the Agri Vision 2015 committee concluded that following the reductions in intervention prices for dairy products and given the preference for part-time farming, dairy farm numbers are expected to decline. However, I strongly believe that if the dairy sector is to maintain a competitive position we must look at increasing the scale of operations, reducing costs where possible, and encouraging a profitable future in the sector based on market returns.

The Luxembourg agreement has extended the quota regime until 2014-15 and, working within that framework, I have made changes to the milk quota regulations which will allow dairy farmers to plan ahead with greater certainty, thereby enabling the restructuring programme to operate more effectively having regard to the need for more competitive milk production.

Direct Payment Schemes.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

445 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers who will be involved in the beef overshoot, on a county basis; the income to farmers which will be lost, on a county basis; if no agreement for change is reached with the EU Commission, her views on whether this loss of income, especially for full time beef farmers, will be a catastrophic issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20791/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme, along with the slaughter premium scheme, were the only schemes where the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef premium. Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged, of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the three previous years was 1.9 million animals.

The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and following a widespread public consultation process. A very persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states who fully decoupled would not be disadvantaged during the transitional period. The level of overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case.

I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions during various meetings. My Department also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter on 25 April 2005 and a meeting between my officials and the various services of the Commission's DG Agri took place last week. The matter has also been discussed with the Commissioner's cabinet and with the most senior officials of the European Commission.

I am continuing to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium in 2004. Given the current position with regard to the processing of the 2004 scheme and the ongoing discussions with the Agriculture Commissioner on the overshoot, it is not possible at this stage to be definitive about the issues raised by the Deputy.

Milk Quota.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

446 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received a milk quota. [20792/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person concerned applied to my Department to renew a lease of land and milk quota with his existing lessee. Outstanding issues have now been resolved and confirmation of the lease renewal will issue shortly.

Animal Transport.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

447 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 1 March 2005, the discussions which have taken place to date on the new animal movement regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20836/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department is still considering the detailed arrangements and requirements for application of the new EU regulations for the transport of animals. To date, a series of meetings have taken place with the representative organisations for farmers, livestock marts and exporters of live animals to inform them of the principal changes arising from the new legislation. This process of information exchange will continue over the coming months and will be followed by a consultative process concerning the detailed arrangements to apply from 5 January 2007, when the new regulations will come into effect.

Direct Payment Schemes.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

448 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 543 of 14 June 2005, regarding the SBP overshoot; if she will report on the meeting held in the week ending 11 June 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20837/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy is aware, there has been ongoing contact between my Department and the Commission on the overshoot of the special beef premium national quota. A detailed written submission has also been made to the Commission on the issue. A meeting between my officials and officials of DG Agri of the European Commission took place last week.

At that meeting my officials presented very strong arguments to support our claim that the level of overshoot of our national quota is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004. The Commission officials undertook to consider the matter in the light of the points put forward.

I am continuing to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

449 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to extend the disadvantaged area in any new negotiations with the EU Commission; if she will include an area (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20987/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed, at its meeting in Luxembourg on 20 June 2005, a new framework for rural development for the period 2007-13. The agreement provides for the maintenance of the existing arrangements for the less favoured areas until 2010. In the meantime, the Commission will present a report and proposals to the Council concerning the future payment system and designation of less favoured areas. Any changes to the less favoured areas scheme will be considered in the context of this review of the scheme.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

450 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position retired farmers under the EU retirement pension scheme find themselves in so far as the single payment entitlements are concerned; if direct successors of the retired farmers will receive the single payments when the farm is transferred to them even if they are not farming the land in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21064/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department has been aware, from an early stage in the negotiations leading to the introduction of the single payment scheme, of the possible implications for retired farmers who had leased their holdings. In so far as it has proved possible in the context of the EU regulations governing the single payment scheme, and following lengthy discussions with the European Commission, provision has been made under the rules of the single payment scheme to address some of the concerns of retired farmers.

As participants in the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming had retired before the start of the reference period in 2000, they are not in a position to claim entitlements under the single payment scheme. However, a concession agreed with the European Commission will allow family members who take over a holding that was leased to third parties during the reference period to have access to entitlements from the national reserve. This will benefit the family members of retired farmers who decide to take up farming. Only landholders actively engaged in farming can receive entitlements from the national reserve.

It was open to participants in the current early retirement scheme, who would have farmed during part or all of the reference period, to activate entitlements in 2005 and lease them to their existing transferee. If the transferee did not want the entitlements, the transferor, the retired farmer, who has already activated the entitlements has until 2007 within which to lease or transfer the entitlements with land to another farmer.

Dairy Industry.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

451 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she proposes to take to ensure that the EU dairy support budget is at least maintained at the present level of €2.4 billion. [21133/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

456 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an adequate EU dairy market support budget will be maintained; if she will commit herself to setting sustainable dairy produce prices which will return adequate profitability in dairying; if she can or will prevent concessions at WTO which will weaken market supports, thus reducing export opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21313/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 456 together.

The EU preliminary draft budget for 2006 in respect of milk and milk products is currently under negotiation and I have signalled my disquiet on the level of funding proposed for the sector.

I am anxious the dairy sector is provided with sufficient resources to ensure adequate support in meeting both internal and external market challenges. The draft budget reflects the Commission view on how the market is likely to perform and the consequent demands for export subsidies in the market and the level of product aids required under the disposal schemes currently available.

In this regard I have strenuously opposed recent reductions in dairy processing aids and export subsidies proposed by the Commission, which have resulted in lower spending on the budget for milk and milk products. These EU market management measures are essential components in enabling the dairy industry compete on world markets. In my contacts with the Commissioner and during the Council discussion on 30 May I emphasised that unless these supports were viewed in a market rather than a budget context, they would be less effective in meeting their commercial objectives and would prevent EU processors and exporters from availing of current opportunities on the world market.

Stability in the current period is essential so that the industry is in a position to consolidate its international market share, develop its product portfolio and respond to further trade liberalisation under the next WTO round. I am committed to the maintenance of the range of market measures currently available so that the EU dairy sector is fully equipped to export surplus dairy products in the more competitive world market that will emerge after the Doha round is finalised.

Question No. 452 answered with QuestionNo. 444.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

453 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she proposes to take to prevent concessions at WTO which will weaken dairy market supports, thus reducing export opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21135/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Agreement was reached in August 2004 on a framework which sets out the overall outline and structure of the next World Trade Organisation agreement. The detailed implementation of the framework agreement is the subject of on-going negotiation at technical and political level with the aim of concluding an agreement at the WTO ministerial conference in December 2005.

I am satisfied that the framework agreement secured the benefits to Irish farmers of the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy insofar as the EU's internal market supports are concerned. My priorities for the further negotiations are to ensure that: the arrangements for the liberalisation of market access will protect the interests of Irish producers and processors on domestic and EU markets; the phasing out of all forms of export subsidies will be applied in parallel, as provided for under the framework agreement, thereby ensuring equal competition for all exporters on the world market; and the phasing out period for export subsidies will be as long as possible to allow Irish producers and exporters time to adjust.

My overriding objective will be to ensure that the terms of a new agreement can be accommodated without the need for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Livestock Industry.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

454 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to review the mechanical grading system; her views on the calibration of the equipment; the number of such inspections to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21136/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Commission Regulation 1215/2003 sets down the EU requirements with regard to mechanical classification. In addition, national legislation was adopted in Ireland in 2004 which further details the requirements for its operation, including the type and level of penalty for any infringements.

In Ireland, two levels of inspection concerning the operation of the mechanical classification system are carried out by my Department at the slaughter plants. A classification supervisor visits each slaughter plant to ensure that all of the requirements regarding classification are in order. In the early stages of mechanical classification the frequency of these visits was set at once per week. The frequency is currently maintained at twice per month. From January to May of this year, a total of over 400 inspections, at this level, were carried out.

In compliance with EU regulatory requirements, a more detailed inspection is carried out by a national standards panel. For these inspections, a very detailed assessment of the operation of the machines is carried out, including an analysis of the accuracy of classification, using the system of points and tolerances as utilized in the original authorisation test. Since the installation of the machines, in November 2004, almost 200 inspections of this nature have been carried out and over 14,000 individual carcasses have been checked.

These inspections have shown that the mechanical classification system is operating well within the requirements of the EU regulation and that the calibration of the equipment is satisfactory.

My officials will continue to monitor and regularly inspect the output of mechanical classification and take whatever action is appropriate to ensure that it continues to operate satisfactorily.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

455 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has provided for an appeal system for farmers and producers who kill cattle in meat factories graded by machines operated by personnel employed by factory owners; the person who is in charge of the appeal system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21147/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Automated beef carcass classification machines were approved for use in Ireland on the basis of a certification test conducted in 2003 in accordance with the provisions of EU Regulation 1215/2003 that set out the technical standards required of the machines.

Prior to its official use in any member state, a classification machine, which effectively carries out various measurements of the carcass and determines its classification on that basis, has to undergo a formal test, using an international jury of classification experts and reach a certain level of accuracy. All three machine types tested in Ireland in 2003 comfortably exceeded this level.

While the machines are operated by slaughter plant personnel, this primarily involves running the daily checks developed by the supplier and maintaining the cleanliness of the machines. All other aspects including any programming and calibration is carried out by the supplier, under the supervision of the beef carcass classification inspectorate of my Department.

As the automated mechanical classification system is totally objective in nature, an appeal system is not provided.

Question No. 456 answered with QuestionNo. 451.

Visa Applications.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

457 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a visa will be extended for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo until September 2005. [20590/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

There is no record in the immigration division of my Department of an application for an extension of permission to remain having been received from the person concerned. The person in question should apply to the immigration division at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 outlining her difficulties, and the manner in which she proposes to maintain herself in the State if her permission to remain is extended.

Deportation Orders.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

458 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to review the deportation of persons (details supplied); if he has read the file in detail or made a reply to the different written requests he received from persons in Castleblayney, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20591/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The position is that the persons concerned, a woman and her three children, arrived in the State in November 2001 and claimed asylum. Their asylum applications was examined, in turn, by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of whom concluded that the persons concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. These positions were conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.

The persons concerned were notified of my decision to refuse them a declaration of refugee status by letter dated 30 December 2002. They were informed in this letter of the three options open to them at that point, namely, to leave the State before their case was considered for deportation, to consent to the making of deportation orders in respect of them or to make written representations within 15 working days to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons as to why they should not be deported or why they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.

Their case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement, having due regard for the representations submitted by and on behalf of the persons concerned. Consideration was given to all representations received on this family’s behalf, including those from the Castleblayney committee. On 11 February 2005 deportation orders were made in respect of the persons concerned. The orders were served on them by registered post together with a covering letter requiring them to attend at the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau in order that travel arrangements could be put in place to effect their return to their country of origin. The persons concerned were deported from the State on 14 March 2005 by charter flight.

I am satisfied that the asylum applications and requests for leave to remain in the State made by the persons concerned were examined comprehensively and fairly. As a result, it is not my intention to further review this case. In regard to the consideration process generally and the making of deportation orders, I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 66 of 12 April 2005.

Visa Applications.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

459 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to an application by a person (details supplied) for a visitors visa; the documentation needed to satisfy his Department in this matter. [20602/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As the Deputy was informed in my reply to her previous parliamentary question on this subject, "the central tenet of the visa process in this State has been and continues to be that the onus is at all times on the applicant to satisfy my Department that it would be appropriate to issue them with a visa. In the case of the applications in question, the applicants failed to do so."

With regard to any fresh applications that may be submitted by the applicants, they would first need to address the specific omission of a birth certificate in relation to the child named on application No. 1547219.

It is important to state at the outset that it will not always be possible for an applicant to address the concerns raised by my Department. The reality is that not every individual is, for one reason or another, eligible or suitable for the grant of a visa. Were it to be the case that every application could ultimately result in the grant of a visa, there would be little point in operating a visa system in the first place. However, the visa application process and, where applicable, subsequent entitlement to appeal, provides individuals with the opportunity to demonstrate to my Department that they themselves are in fact both eligible and suitable for the grant of an Irish visa.

Every visa application is assessed on its own merits, having regard to the information provided in the application and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in their country of origin, as well as the relative attractiveness and feasibility of remaining in the State. The Department's approach in these matters is informed by past experience, including experience of abuse of the system. Common examples of previous abuse include individuals who although granted a visa to come on short visits, overstayed with a view to establishing themselves permanently in the State.

In this specific case the failure of the applicants to satisfy my Department that they would necessarily observe the conditions of the visas applied for, were they to issue, directly resulted in the refusal of the applications. The onus is on the applicant to provide the appropriate documentation and information, unique to an individual, which will allow a visa officer make an informed assessment of the immigration risk posed, if any, by the applicant. Only the applicant can decide how best to present this information in order to create a generally satisfactory impression of their bona fides. They must demonstrate that their intentions are as stated and that they have, for example, sufficient obligations to return home so as to guarantee their observance of the conditions of the visa. This information may include, for example, evidence of social, economic, family or professional ties in their country of origin, or prior travel histories to other jurisdictions operating similar immigration systems as Ireland, such as the United Kingdom or the United States, or indeed many of the other EU member states.

As these applications were refused in January 2005, the timeframe during which an appeal could be lodged has expired. Consequently, it is not possible to facilitate any further action in relation to these applications.

Citizenship Applications.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

460 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has fallen short of the requirements for naturalisation; if his Department has received representations from this person in relation to their naturalisation application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received by the citizenship section of my Department from the person referred to by the Deputy on 25 February 2003.

Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, provides that an applicant for naturalisation must have a period of one year's continuous residence in the State before the date of the application and a total of four year's residence in the State in the eight years preceding that period. For the purposes of calculating this residency, no period may be reckoned in respect of which a non-national either was required to have the permission of the Minister to remain in the State but did not have such permission, or had permission to remain for the purpose of study or for the purpose of seeking to be recognised as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act 1996.

My officials have sought confirmation from the person concerned that he has the necessary reckonable residence in the State on the date he applied. To date, he has been unable to produce such confirmation and my Department's letter dated 10 May 2005, setting out the exact details that are required, has not yet been responded to. I will inform both the applicant and the Deputy when I have made a decision on the application.

Child Care Places.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

461 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of child care places now provided outside the home; the number which are commercial, community and voluntary and provided by statutory agencies. [20617/05]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

462 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his estimate of the number of children in each age cohort who are currently in child care; and the change in this percentage in the past five years. [20618/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 462 together.

The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997, which give effect to the provisions of Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 provide for notification to, and inspection by, the Health Service Executive of pre-school child care services. The regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, crèches, childminders looking after more than three children and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age.

Information provided to the Department of Health and Children by the Health Service Executive indicates that the number of places known to be notified for pre-school children at the end of December 2004 was 80,127. This is based on notifications to and inspections by the Health Service Executive, formerly the health boards. The number of pre-school places broken down by category of service as requested by the Deputy is not routinely available. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has indicated that he will ask the Health Service Executive to provide this information directly to the Deputy.

Because child care is provided by a mix of community based not for profit groups and private providers, together with the childminding sector which largely falls outside the scope of the child care regulations, there is no mechanism for gathering statistics of the actual numbers and age range of children who avail of child care in Ireland.

In 2002, the Central Statistics Office conducted a survey of child care arrangements by families as part of the national quarterly household survey cycle and found that 73,000 families with pre-school aged children and 67,000 families with school going children regularly avail of non-parental child care arrangements, which was defined as any form of child care other than that provided directly by parents or guardians themselves which is availed of on a regular weekly basis during the normal working week. This would encompass care by paid and unpaid relatives, paid carer or childminder, centre based child care such as a crèche or Montessori and other forms of child care. However, this research does not quantify the numbers of children availing of childcare.

The equal opportunities childcare programme provides funding for the development childcare services through the two regional operational programmes of the national development plan. The total funding available for the programme is €499.3 million. A considerable amount of data regarding the equal opportunities childcare programme and its impact is routinely collected. This data indicates that since 2002 the numbers of children attending centre based childcare services supported under the programme has risen from approximately 17,800, in 2002, to more than 35,400 in 2004.

Prison Staff.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

463 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in reassigning prison officers from the Curragh Prison to permanent duties in view of the fact that at present a number of them are on temporary assignment; his views on whether this is unfair to the prison officers; and if the position be regularised as soon as possible. [20625/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As you are aware, the rejection by ballot of the proposal for organisational change in the Irish Prison Service resulted in the closure of the Curragh place of detention as a cost reduction measure. This possibility had been clearly flagged to staff for some time prior to the vote on the negotiated deal.

Following the closure of the Curragh place of detention, 65 staff, of mixed grades, were due to be redeployed. The staff concerned were given time to indicate their preferred location for re-assignment and this was extended at the request of the Prison Officers' Association. To date, 31 of these staff have been given their permanent reassignment. It is expected that the remaining 34, who are currently temporarily assigned to the Midlands Prison, will be notified of their permanent assignment within the next two weeks.

My Department has also effected 29 consequential long standing transfers to and from a number of institutions, including Arbour Hill, Cloverhill, Cork, Midlands, Mountjoy, Wheatfield and Portlaoise Prisons and St. Patrick's Institution. Every effort is being made to accommodate staff, as far as practicable, with a location of their preference or a suitable alternative. However, the needs of the service still have to remain our priority.

Asylum Applications.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

464 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made in respect of an application for asylum by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20635/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned arrived in the State in December 2001 and claimed asylum. He was requested by registered letter to attend the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for interview on 15 May 2002 pursuant to his application for refugee status in the State. He failed to present on that occasion. A follow up letter issued to him by registered post rescheduling his interview for 15 July 2002. He again failed to present as requested. Pursuant to the provisions of section 11(9) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, the application of the person concerned was deemed to be withdrawn. A notice dated 18 July 2002 issued from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner recommending that the person referred to by the Deputy should not be declared a refugee.

He was notified of my decision to refuse him refugee status by registered letter dated 6 September 2002 and afforded three options, namely, leave the State before his case was considered for deportation, consent to the making of a deportation order in respect of him, submit to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform within 15 working days written representations setting out reasons why he should not be deported or why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. No representations were received either from or on behalf of this person.

His case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). On 7 August 2003 a deportation order was made in respect of him. The order was served on him by registered letter dated 2 October 2003. The removal from the State of the person concerned is therefore now an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

465 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has considered an application to stay in the State on humanitarian grounds in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when a decision will be made in the case. [20640/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned arrived in the State on 25 April, 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 16 May 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Visa Applications.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

466 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the application for business permission in the State for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford under Clause (ii) of the criteria governing exceptions if an applicant cannot meet the €300,000 minimum capital investment or employ two EEA nationals; if he will arrange the release of this person’s passport from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20651/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person in question was refused permission to operate a business in the State on the grounds that she did not meet the capital investment and employment requirements of the business permission scheme. I am not satisfied, on the information supplied in the application, that the service provided is specialised to the extent that would warrant an abrogation of the normal requirements of the business permission scheme. I also wish to advise the Deputy that I have arranged for the release of the passport of the person in question.

Deportation Orders.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

467 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision on the deportation of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [20654/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned applied for asylum on 30 September 2003. His application was considered at first instance by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. This position was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 30 November 2004. The person concerned appealed this recommendation to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal who, following an examination of the person's appeal, affirmed the earlier recommendation. The outcome of this appeal was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 19 May 2005. The decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal was to affirm the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.

This person's file has been forwarded to my Department's ministerial decisions unit and he will, in accordance with the usual practice, be informed that the Minister concurs with the recommendation made in this case, that is, not to grant refugee status. The person concerned will also be informed of the options open to him under the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, that is, to leave the State before his case is considered for deportation, consent to the making of a deportation order in respect of him, make written representations, within 15 working days, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out the reasons why he should not be deported or why he should be allowed remain temporarily in the State.

It is premature at this stage to refer to this as a deportation case.

Court Procedures.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

468 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will meet a person (details supplied) regarding their case. [20657/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 19 May 2005. The visa was sought to enable a non-EEA national join with his spouse who is an Irish citizen in the State.

When assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for family income supplement payment, FIS, are used. The criteria, which may change from time to time, are availableon that Department's website www.welfare.ie/publications/sw22.html.

If the level of the worker's income as evidenced by his or her payslips or P60 would qualify for FIS payments, the application for a visa is generally refused. In this case it was evident that the level of income would come within the ambit of qualifying for FIS payments.

It is open to the applicant to appeal the decision to refuse the visa, within two months of notification of the refusal of the visa to the applicant. The material in support of the appeal should address the reason for refusal.

Deportation Orders.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

476 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the issuing of deportation papers for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [20722/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned arrived in the State as an unaccompanied minor in September 2002 and claimed asylum. His application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. My decision to refuse him a declaration of refugee status was communicated to him by registered letter dated 30 April 2004. This letter advised him of the three options open to him at that point: to leave the State voluntarily before his case was considered for deportation; to consent to the making of a deportation order in respect of him; or, to make written representations, within 15 working days, setting out the reasons why he should not be deported, that is, why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.

His case was considered under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 — prohibition of refoulement— having due regard for all representations received on his behalf. A deportation order was made in respect of the person concerned on 13 December 2004. This order was served on the person concerned by registered letter dated 7 February 2005. This letter made the person concerned aware of the requirement that he present himself at the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau on a specified date in order that arrangements could be made for his removal from the State. He presented at the Garda national immigration bureau as required.

Although the person concerned was a minor when he first entered the State, he turned 18 years of age in May of this year and is now being treated as an adult. However, my Department gave an undertaking, on 4 April 2005, to the Health Service Executive, in whose care the person concerned then was, that he would not be removed from the State until after he had completed his leaving certificate examinations in June 2005. However, the deportation order remains in place and its enforcement is an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.

Residency Permits.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

477 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will urgently return passports to persons (details supplied). [20723/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The persons concerned made applications for permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish-born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. Their applications were received in the IBC Unit on 07 March 2005.

Original passports submitted by the persons concerned in support of their applications have been copied and were returned to them by registered post on 15 June 2005. I wish to advise the Deputy that applications are being dealt with in order of receipt in so far as is possible and as expeditiously as possible. Given the number of applications being processed, it will take several weeks before the processing of the applications from the persons concerned will be completed.

James Breen

Ceist:

478 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in dealing with an application by a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [20731/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of his parentage of an Irish-born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. His application was acknowledged on 3 March 2005.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the IBC/05 scheme was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. Of this number, in excess of 6,950 applicants have been granted temporary permission to remain. It should also be noted that a number of incomplete applications are currently under examination or are being held pending the submission of documents.

I advise the Deputy that applications are being dealt with in order of receipt insofar as is possible and as expeditiously as possible. Given the number of applications being processed, it will take several weeks before the processing of the application from the person concerned will be completed.

Deportation Orders.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

479 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the proposed deportation of a person (details supplied); if he will review this case; if he will suspend the deportation order in this case pending such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20760/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned arrived in the State on 12 June 2002, accompanied by her young son, and applied for asylum on 19 June 2002. She was interviewed in relation to her claim for refugee status on 30 October 2002 by an officer of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. Her claim was subsequently refused on 16 January 2003. The person concerned appealed this decision on 30 January 2003 and had her appeal heard by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal on 12 March 2003. On 24 March 2003, the appeal was rejected. She was informed of this decision by letter dated 31 March 2003.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 21 July 2003 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before a deportation order is made; or consenting to the making of a deportation order.

Representations have been made to my Department requesting that the person concerned be allowed to remain in the State. I expect the file in the matter to be submitted to me for decision in due course.

Tribunals of Inquiry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

486 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Question No. 651 of 14 June 2005, the names and ranks of the certain members of the Garda Síochána referred to in his reply. [20950/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

487 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Questions Nos. 650 and 651 of 14 June 2005, if the legal team representing the Garda Commissioner and the certain members of the Garda Síochána referred to in his reply have received payment of costs; and if so, the amount paid to each member of the team. [20951/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

488 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Questions Nos. 650 and 651 of 14 June 2005, if the legal team representing him at the Morris Tribunal has received payment of costs; and if so, the amount paid to each member of the team. [20952/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I intend to take Questions Nos. 486 to 488, inclusive, together.

The following members or former members of the Garda Síochána have been represented by the legal team for the Commissioner and certain members of the Garda Síochána: K. Carty, Assistant Commissioner; A. Hickey, Assistant Commissioner; D. Jennings, Assistant Commissioner; J. Carey, Chief Superintendent; M. Diffley, Chief Superintendent; D. Fitzpatrick, Chief Superintendent; S. Ginty, Chief Superintendent; J. McGarty, Chief Superintendent; A. McNally, Chief Superintendent; T. Foley, Detective Superintendent; J. McGinley, Detective Superintendent; J. McHugh, Detective Superintendent; J. O'Mahoney, Detective Superintendent; J. Shelly, Detective Superintendent; M. Barrett, Superintendent; H. Coll, Superintendent; D. Cullinane, Superintendent; M. Duffy, Superintendent; J. Fitzgerald, Superintendent; E. Gallagher, Superintendent; J. Gallagher, Superintendent; P. Hargadon, Superintendent; T. Long, Superintendent; P. Lyons, Superintendent; T. O'Brien, Superintendent; J.F. O'Connor, Superintendent; J.P. O'Connor, Superintendent; J. Sheridan, Superintendent; K. Barker, Detective Inspector; G. Giblin, Detective Inspector; L. Hogan, Detective Inspector; T. O'Loughlin, Detective Inspector; M. Keane, Detective Inspector; K. English, Inspector; L. Brennan, Detective Sergeant; J. Colgan, Detective Sergeant; M. Coppinger, Detective Sergeant; J. Fox, Detective Sergeant; M. Kavanagh, Detective Sergeant; G. Kyne, Detective Sergeant; J. Leheney, Detective Sergeant; G. Mullin, Detective Sergeant; R. McNulty, Detective Sergeant; F. Traynor, Detective Sergeant; G. Bell, Sergeant; M. Brennan, Sergeant; D. Flannery, Sergeant; D. Flynn, Sergeant; P.J. Gallagher, Sergeant; N. Griffin, Sergeant; P.J. Hennigan, Sergeant; J. Martin, Sergeant; J. O'Toole, Sergeant; B. Roche, Sergeant; D. Walsh, Sergeant; M. Anderson, Detective Garda; P. Cafferkey, Detective Garda; R. Caplice, Detective Garda; P. Casey, Detective Garda; W. Donegan, Detective Garda; J. Dooley, Detective Garda; P. Flynn, Detective Garda; T. Flynn, Detective Garda; T. Gurn, Detective Garda; S. Herrarty, Detective Garda; D. Hunt, Detective Garda; N. Jones, Detective Garda; P.J. Keating, Detective Garda; E. McHale, Detective Garda; H. Maloney, Detective Garda; J. Molloy, Detective Garda; M. O'Malley, Detective Garda; B. Regan, Detective Garda; M. Reynolds, Detective Garda; P. Scanlon, Detective Garda; T. Shreenan, Detective Garda; E. Whelan, Detective Garda; S. Barrett, Garda; J. Birney, Garda; Vincent Bourke, Garda; P. Boyce, Garda; W. Cannon, Garda; J. Connolly, Garda; P. Flynn, Garda; B. Gallagher, Garda; E. Gallagher, Garda; S. Gordon, Garda; J. Harkin, Garda; J. Kilbane, Garda; T. Kilcoyne, Garda; G. Lohan, Garda; E. McConigley, Garda; J. McManus, Garda; A. Moran, Garda; P. O'Hara, Garda; K. O'Malley, Garda; J. Rouse, Garda; M. Sweeney, Garda; P. Tague, Garda; and M. Tolan,Garda.

The State parties have not applied to the tribunal for the costs of legal representation. The State is meeting those costs on a continuing basis. The names of the persons who are representing, or who have represented, the State parties are as set out in the following. Full details of payments to each member of the legal teams are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Legal team for the Commissioner and certain members of the Garda Síochána: Mr. Patrick Marrinan SC, Mr. Michael Durack SC, Ms Tara Burns BL, Mr. Paul Gormley BL, Mr. Eamon Leahy SC and Ms Nuala Butler SC.

Legal team for the Department-Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform: Mr. Paul O'Higgins SC, Mr. Fergal Foley BL and Ms Mary Kerrigan BL.

Garda Compensation Claims.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

489 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda Síochána who have been compensated in the past ten years regarding their involvement in shooting incidents; the reason there is such a delay with respect to impending cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20948/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Since 1995, almost 3,000 Garda compensation files have been opened under the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts 1941 and 1945. The information requested by the Deputy with regard to shooting incidents in the past ten years is not readily available. The information could be obtained only by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources and, accordingly, cannot be ascertained within the timeframe for answering this question.

In general, there is no one reason why delays may occur in the progressing of an application for compensation under the Acts. A backlog of applications occurred a number of years ago due initially to two judicial review cases which changed the manner in which claims are processed and then because of the death of the Garda surgeon and the time taken in replacing him with the Garda chief medical officer.

Delays may also occur from the late submission by a member of his or her application to my Department. The initial delay in making the application by a member may range from over three months to several years following the date of the incident. The majority of late applications are from one to three years, approximately.

There are also delays in receiving all medical reports, particularly final medical reports from the applicants or their legal advisers. It is the practice of the Garda chief medical officer not to give an appointment to see the applicant until all relevant medical reports, including final medical reports, have been received in order that a comprehensive report can be formulated.

Within my Department it can take time to make necessary additional inquiries because of the seriousness of the injuries received and the circumstances of the incident. However, every effort is made to keep administrative delays to a minimum. I agree that applications for compensation under the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts should be dealt with within a reasonable timeframe and that delays in processing applications for compensation should be avoided where possible. In this regard, my Department has taken steps to devote additional staff resources to deal with such applications.

Within my area of responsibility, I am taking steps to establish a Garda Síochána compensation tribunal, along the lines recommended by the committee set up in 1997 to review and make recommendations on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts 1941 and 1945.

The background to this initiative is that the committee set up in 1997 consisted of representatives from the Departments of Finance and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Chief State Solicitor's office, the Attorney General's office, Garda management and two Garda associations — the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Garda Representative Association. A medical practitioner who had experience of life assurance work was also on the committee which was chaired by an independent chairman. The committee presented its report to the then Minister on 28 August 1997.

The committee made 14 recommendations which included the repeal of the existing Acts and the setting up of a new Garda Síochána compensation tribunal on a statutory basis. The tribunal will operate along the same lines as the criminal injuries compensation tribunal, the main difference being that gardaí would be compensated for "pain and suffering". It is envisaged that trainee gardaí who suffer malicious injuries prior to attestation would be covered under the new scheme and that claims already refused under the existing Acts as being minor would be allowed go before the tribunal.

The establishment of a Garda compensation tribunal has been agreed by the Garda staff associations. My Department is in consultation with the law officers about certain issues arising from the introduction of a compensation tribunal.

Visa Applications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

490 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding visa applications for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20988/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The applications referred to by the Deputy were for the stated purposes of allowing two non-EEA nationals travel to the State for a short term visit.

In assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters, including whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant would fully honour the conditions of the visa, for example, whether it is likely that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will also have regard to information provided and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in his or her country of origin. The applications in question were refused because the visa officer could not reasonably be satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied with the application, that the applicants would observe the conditions of the visas applied for. In particular, it was felt that the applicants had not displayed evidence of how they intended supporting themselves financially during their proposed stay in the State, or of obligations to return home following the proposed visit. The applications were refused on 16 February 2005.

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, namely, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, of the Registration of Titles Act 1964, which was lodged on 18 April 2005. Dealing Number D2005XS007295Y refers.

I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can take some time to process. Accordingly it is not possible to estimate a completion date at this stage.

I am further informed that a query issued to the lodging solicitors on 12 May 2005 and that the application cannot proceed until this has been satisfactorily resolved. However, I can assure the Deputy that, on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the matter will receive further attention in the Land Registry.

Deportation Orders.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

494 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will postpone the deportation of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 until the application by their parent has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21004/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person referred to by the Deputy arrived in the State on 13 March 2002 and applied for asylum. She was refused refugee status in the State following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. She was informed of these recommendations by letters dated 10 October 2002 and 10 February 2003 respectively.

A notification under section 3(3)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999 issued to the person concerned on 28 March 2003 advising her of my decision to refuse to give her a declaration of refugee status and setting out the options open to her at that point; namely, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order or to make written representations within 15 working days to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons as to why she should not be deported.

Representations for temporary leave to remain in the State were made on behalf of the person concerned by her legal representatives. The case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement), having due regard for the representations received, following which, on 11 May 2005, a deportation order was made in respect of the person concerned. She was notified of this decision by letter dated 10 June 2005. That letter made her aware that she was required to present herself, on 16 June 2005, at the offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau in order that arrangements could be made for her removal from the State. She presented as requested and is due to present again on 23 June 2005 at 10 am.

The person concerned arrived in the State as an adult, accompanied by her parents and they all independently applied for asylum. Each of these claims was examined in a comprehensive and fair manner. Additionally, the case made by the person concerned for leave to remain temporarily in the State was examined in detail, following which the decision was taken to issue a deportation order in respect of her. There is no basis for requesting the Garda National Immigration Bureau to postpone the enforcement of her deportation order. Accordingly, the deportation order remains in place and its enforcement is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Garda Deployment.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

495 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at each station in County Tipperary on 1 January in each year from 2000 to 2005. [21005/05]

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

497 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Questions Nos. 386 to 392 of 10 May 2005, if he will examine the levels of Garda resources in the county; if he will allocate additional Garda manpower to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21007/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 497 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Tipperary division as at 1 January 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 was as set out in the following table:

Station	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Ballingarry South	1	1	1	1	1	1
Ballyporeen	1	1	1	1	1	1
Bansha	2	1	2	1	1	1
Borrisokane	7	6	6	5	5	5
Borrisoleigh	0	1	1	2	2	1
Cahir	23	23	25	25	25	27
Cappawhite	2	2	2	2	2	1
Carrick-On-Suir	13	17	16	16	16	17
Cashel	11	12	12	12	13	14
Clonmel	42	40	40	39	40	39
Cloughjordan	1	2	2	2	1	1
Dolla	1	1	1	1	1	1
Doon	0	1	1	1	1	1
Dundrum	1	1	1	1	1	1
Emly	1	1	1	1	1	1
Fethard	3	3	3	3	2	2
Galbally	1	1	1	1	1	1
Golden	1	1	1	1	1	1
Grangemockler	1	1	1	1	1	1
Holycross	2	2	2	2	2	1
Johnstown	2	1	2	2	2	2
Killenaule	3	3	3	2	3	2
Kilsheelan	1	1	1	1	1	1
Littleton	1	1	1	1	1	1
Moneygall	1	1	1	1	1	1
Moyne	2	2	2	2	2	2
Mullinahone	2	2	2	2	2	2
Nenagh	32	29	29	32	32	32
New Inn	1	1	1	1	1	1
Oola	1	1	1	1	1	1
Piltown	2	2	2	2	2	2
Portroe	2	1	2	2	2	2
Roscrea	17	18	18	18	19	18
Shevry	1	1	1	1	1	1
Templederry	1	2	2	2	1	1
Templemore	24	25	25	26	26	25
Templetuohy	1	1	1	1	1	1
Terryglass*	1	1	0	1	1	1
Thurles	60	62	62	62	59	63
Tipperary Town	27	31	28	30	32	34
Toomevara	2	2	1	1	2	2
Urlingford	2	2	2	2	2	2

*Terryglass Garda Station was formerly located at and known as Ballinderry Garda Station.

I am further also advised that the personnel strength of the Tipperary Garda division as at 16 June 2005 was 313, all ranks, compared to 297 as at 1 January 1998. This represents an increase of 16, or 5.3%, in the number of personnel allocated to Tipperary division since that date.

With regard to Garda resources generally, I am very pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the agreed programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.

The Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Tipperary division will be considered in the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing where they will have a real impact.

Decentralisation Programme.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

496 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of and progress made in the planned decentralisation of Garda units to Thurles, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21006/05]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that currently the area referred to by the Deputy is policed by gardaí attached to the Dublin metropolitan region west division and the Dublin metropolitan region south division. The personnel strength of the Dublin metropolitan region west division as at 20 June 2005 was 679, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Dublin metropolitan region south division as at 20 June 2005 was 563, all ranks.

In addition, the divisional task force, divisional traffic units, district detective units, district patrol cars and mountain bicycle units from both divisions patrol the area. There are also currently two community gardaí, one from each division, allocated to the area. Local Garda management is satisfied that there is no diminution of policing service and that as a result of being dealt with by the two Garda stations the area in question is being provided with an enhanced policing service.

I understand that current policing plans for the area are predicated on the prevention of public order offences, the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and property, and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life of local residents. I have been assured by the Garda authorities that this strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the area in question.

Visa Applications.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

501 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for a visa to join the spouse here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21065/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I understand that the visa section of my Department requested documentation in regard to the visa application in question to enable it be processed and that this has just recently been received. A decision can be expected in the very near future.

Road Traffic Offences.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

502 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the consequences of the High Court ruling that the use of laser guns to monitor speeding offences does not comply with road traffic legislation; if previous convictions using this technology are rendered invalid; if, in cases in which persons accepted the option of paying a fine and losing two penalty points rather than proceeding to have the issue dealt with in court, these fines will now be waived; and if this option provided in the legislation, designed to discourage the waste of court time, will not result in unlawful findings of guilt being made by way of legal notice. [21070/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Garda authorities inform me that section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2004, which was commenced on 20 January 2005, has remedied the situation following the decision of the High Court on prosecutions taken under section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, by no longer requiring speed detection apparatus used by the Garda Síochána to produce a permanent record of speed to the suspect.

Where a person has been convicted in court, the court assessed all the evidence available to it before reaching a verdict. Decisions of a court can be appealed.

Where people opted to pay a fixed charge, they accepted that they had committed an offence. The High Court decision does not imply that an offence was not committed. Payment of a fixed charge is an option offered to drivers and acceptance of the offer is not a finding of guilt. A determination of guilt can only be made by a court.

Garda Equipment.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

503 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures he has taken to ensure that any non-lethal weapons acquired by his Department are consistent with international human rights standards, particularly the UN basic principles on the use of force and firearms, before any decision on deployment is made. [21093/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Government noted, on 19 November 2002, my proposal to authorise the introduction of three "less than lethal" devices for use by the Garda emergency response unit where this is necessary to avoid the use of firearms. The use of these "less than lethal" devices is restricted to the emergency response unit.

Guidelines on the use of authorised less lethal weapons by the Garda Síochána are constantly under review to reflect operational and technological developments, and best international practice, in the area of less lethal weapons.

Asylum Applications.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

504 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures he has taken, in view of the recent information provided by the Congolese Irish partnership on the widespread and systematic abuse of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to ensure that adequate humanitarian consideration is accorded to the application of any Congolese national for leave to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21094/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

All applications for asylum in the State are processed in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, and in particular having due regard to the definition of a refugee in section 2 of that Act which states:

A refugee is a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his or her former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

Two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications and appeals for refugee status. These two offices are the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, which considers applications for refugee status at first instance and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which considers appeals from negative recommendations of the commissioner.

Decisions on asylum applications are made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform upon receipt of the recommendation or decision of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

In accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, a person who has failed the asylum process and who has been refused refugee status in the State is informed in writing that it is proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him or her and he or she is given the following options: to make written representations within 15 working days to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons as to why he or she should not be deported; to voluntarily leave the State; or to consent to deportation.

Following consideration of each case under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement), a decision is taken whether to deport or to grant temporary leave to remain in the State. Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, requires the Minister to consider 11 factors, including representations received by or on behalf of the person, family and domestic circumstances, employment prospects etc., in deciding whether to make a deportation order or to grant temporary leave to remain in the State. Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement) requires the Minister to satisfy himself as to the safety of returning a person, taking into account protection issues other than those as specified above, before making a deportation order.

The safety of returning a person, or refoulement as it is referred to, is fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order. This means that a person shall not be expelled from the State or returned in any manner whatsoever to a state where, in my opinion, the life or freedom of that person would be threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. My Department uses extensive country of origin information drawn from different independent sources, including UNHCR, in evaluating the safety of making returns to third countries.

I am satisfied that the procedures followed in all cases fully take into account the refoulement question and that all requests are considered in a comprehensive and fair manner.

Liquor Licensing Laws.

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

505 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the controls he intends to introduce to control the proliferation of off-licences; the further controls he intends to introduce to prohibit access by underage young persons to alcohol from off-licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21130/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The position is that a consultation process on my proposals for a Bill to streamline and modernise the liquor licensing laws by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 and replacing them with updated provisions more suited to modern conditions has recently concluded. I will take account of the views of organisations and individuals who responded to my request for submissions in the context of the drafting of the Bill.

I am conscious of public concerns with regard to alcohol-related harm in our society and my proposals contain both safeguards and increased penalties that are intended to combat such harm. These include requiring all planning authorities to address the regulation and control of the location of licensed premises in their development plans; requiring applicants for retail licences, including off-sales licences, to present proof of planning permission and certification of compliance with planning conditions and fire safety standards to the District Court; extending the jurisdiction of the District Court to all retail licences and giving specified notice parties, including the health authority and members of the public, the right to object to the grant of a licence; streamlining the system for renewing licences and clarifying the right of members of the public to object to renewal in any particular case on stated grounds; strengthening provisions designed to combat sales to under-age persons by, for example, requiring all off-sales premises to have written policies and control procedures; supplementing existing offences relating to under-age consumption of alcohol with a new offence of being in possession of a forged Garda age card; and increasing the levels of penalties and sanctions, including a proposal that all temporary closure orders should involve closure for a minimum of two days.

My proposals will also allow the Garda to object to applications for new retail licences on the grounds of an undue risk of public nuisance or a threat to public order or safety. In addition, the proposed Bill will contain provisions for dealing with drunkenness and disorderly conduct on licensed premises, as well as combating the sale and supply of alcohol to under-age persons.

Finally, the current exemption under the planning and development code whereby an existing retail outlet may be converted into off-sales premises without any need to obtain specific planning permission for the development will be addressed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Grant Payments.

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

506 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider grant aiding an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21131/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Having made inquiries, I understand that responsibility for this matter rests with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to whom the question could be addressed.

Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

507 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the installation of closed circuit television cameras for the towns of Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21137/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that no application for a Garda CCTV system has been received in respect of Carrick-on-Suir or Tipperary town by the CCTV advisory committee, which was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. It should be noted that 17 CCTV schemes, including Clonmel, are either at installation, tender or planning stages. The expansion is being implemented on a phased basis. Phase 1 involves Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick, phase 2 involves Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford and phase 3 involves Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. Phase 1 has been completed in 5 of the 6 locations.

The installation of the CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The Garda authorities have been giving careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which these Garda CCTV systems go to tender. I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the remaining CCTV programme and to reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The proposed redesign of the tender document provides an opportunity to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest possible extent, making use of the technical and project management expertise of the private sector. I have asked the Garda Commissioner to submit proposals for a revised tender document for the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.

As a first step in this process, the Garda authorities have placed a request for tender document on the Government e-tenders website, seeking tenders for consultancy services for the procurement, supply and implementation of town centre CCTV systems to the Garda Síochána. Six tender proposals have been received and are being evaluated. In order to procure the most rapid delivery of the systems, the Garda is endeavouring to establish the most appropriate procurement model available. This process will involve the successful tenderer examining all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems, including the installation, operation and management of systems; monitoring, recording and related activities; accommodation and situation of facilities and staff in relation to the town scheme and Garda station premises and an assessment of the civilianisation of Garda CCTV monitoring conducted under the management of the Garda.

The successful tenderer must examine and recommend the procurement model that is considered to be the most suitable in terms of commercial viability and cost-effectiveness for the provision of town centre CCTV systems. It is the ambition of the Garda to maximise the outsourcing of all processes in making Garda town centre CCTV systems available in the most efficient and effective manner. The inclusion of other town centre locations in the programme of Garda CCTV systems will be considered in the context of the Garda Commissioner's proposals.

Work Permits.

David Stanton

Ceist:

508 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Question No. 643 of 14 June 2005, if he will allow the spouse of a person (details supplied) to join them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21304/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Law Reform Commission recently published its final report on public inquiries, including tribunals of inquiry. The report contains almost 60 recommendations about tribunals of inquiry and a draft tribunals of inquiry Bill. The report is being examined in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as a matter of urgency. I intend to bring proposals to the Government in the near future seeking approval for the preparation of a comprehensive Bill that will consolidate and reform current tribunals legislation. The proposed legislation will utilise the framework provided by the report of the Law Reform Commission and will, to the greatest extent possible, incorporate the report's recommendations. It will also include the reforms to give effect to the Government decision to try to reduce the legal costs payable by the State arising from tribunals.

I have been informed by the Department of Finance, that the costs of the tribunals and inquiries which have commenced since 1995 amount to €179.621 million, as at the end of April 2005. The cost of the tribunal on the beef processing industry, which commenced before 1995, was €26.380 million. Much of the latter costs would have been paid during the period in question, but some element would have arisen before 1995.

Inquiry into Child Abuse.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

512 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of non-Catholic residential institutions included in the schedule of institutions under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; the religious denominations of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20593/05]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

525 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of non-Catholic residential institutions included in the schedule of institutions under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; the religious denomination of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20682/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together.

The appeal for additional funding by the school in question will be considered at the next meeting of an appeals board comprising senior officers of the Department of Education and Science. The decision of the appeals board will be communicated to the management authority of the school as soon as possible.

School Staffing.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

521 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Waterford will have one full-time SEN teacher less in 2006 under the new arrangements than it had during the present school year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20646/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The school in question is included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and the Giving Children an Even Break programme. Under the disadvantaged areas scheme, the school benefits from an additional ex-quota teaching post, additional capitation grants of €38.09per capita, a refund of the television licence fee and eligibility for 95% building grants for building projects. Designated disadvantaged schools are included in the home school community liaison scheme and the school has access to the services of a shared home school community liaison co-ordinator. Under the urban dimension of Giving Children an Even Break, the school benefits from supplementary funding to provide additional educational supports for pupils who are considered to be at risk of educational disadvantage and early school leaving. The level of funding provided under the scheme is commensurate with the number of “at risk” pupils in the school, which is not considered to be eligible for additional teaching staff under the scheme, based on the level of concentration of “at risk” pupils within its enrolment.

A new general allocation scheme has been announced under which schools will be given resource teaching hours based on their enrolment figures to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs. The introduction of the new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until they leave the primary school system.

The general allocation for the school in question is two teaching posts and five part-time hours. The school may also be entitled to retain part-time hours under transitional arrangements to cater for the needs of individual pupils with high incidence special educational needs until they leave the school. I can confirm that the school's resource teaching allocation under the new scheme is based on its status as a girls' school — the first post is allocated at 195:1. Schools whose allocations are based on 80:1 are disadvantaged schools which are specifically eligible for additional staffing under the urban dimension of the Giving Children an Even Break scheme. The school is ineligible for such additional staffing and does not qualify for the special 80:1 ratio for resource teacher allocation.

The new action plan for educational inclusion, Delivering Equality Of Opportunity In Schools, which I launched recently, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme that will bring together and build on a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis, starting in the next school year, and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.

A key element of the new action plan is the better identification of levels of disadvantage in schools, which will result in improved targeting of resources at those most in need. The first stage of the identification process, which is being conducted on behalf of the Department of Education and Science by the educational research centre, is under way. Questionnaires were issued to all mainstream primary schools and were due to be returned to the centre by 31 May 2005. The identification process is being supported by an advisory group that includes representation from the INTO and the Irish Primary Principals' Network. Approximately 600 primary schools, comprising 300 urban and 300 rural primary schools and 150 post-primary schools will be included in the school support programme. Existing schemes and programmes will be integrated into the school support programme on a phased basis over the implementation period.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

522 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there has been a change in the criteria for supporting a resource teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly from one resource teacher per 80 pupils to one resource teacher per 135 pupils with the resulting loss of 60% of a teaching post; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this has happened in a school that has all boys and has designated disadvantaged status. [20669/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The school in question never had an allocation of one resource teacher for every 80 pupils as the Deputy suggests. It is included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and the Giving Children an Even Break programme. Under the disadvantaged areas scheme the school benefits from an additional ex-quota teaching post, additional capitation grants of €38.09per capita, a refund of the television licence fee and eligibility for 95% building grants for building projects. Designated disadvantaged schools are included in the home school community liaison scheme and the school has access to the services of a shared home school community liaison co-ordinator. Under the urban dimension of Giving Children an Even Break, the school benefits from supplementary funding to provide additional educational supports for pupils who are considered to be at risk of educational disadvantage and early school leaving. The level of funding provided under the scheme is commensurate with the number of “at risk” pupils in the school. The school is not considered eligible for additional teaching staff under the scheme, based on the level of concentration of at risk pupils within its enrolment.

A new general allocation scheme has been announced under which schools will be given resource teaching hours based on their enrolment figures to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs. The introduction of the new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until they leave the primary school system.

The general allocation for the school in question is one teaching post and ten part-time hours. The school may also be entitled to retain part-time hours under transitional arrangements to cater for the needs of individual pupils with high incidence special educational needs until they leave the school. I can confirm that the school's resource teaching allocation under the new scheme is based on its status as a boys' school — the first post is allocated at 135:1. Schools whose allocations are based on 80:1 are disadvantaged schools which are specifically eligible for additional staffing under the urban dimension of the Giving Children an Even Break scheme. The school is not eligible for such additional staffing and so does not qualify for the special 80:1 ratio for resource teacher allocation.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

523 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the extreme difficulties that will be experienced at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick as a result of the new general allocation system and that it means that a teacher will be presenting in this school for 30 minutes and then returning to the base school; if she will review this system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20670/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The records of the Department of Education and Science show that, based on an enrolment of 134 pupils, the school in question received a general allocation of one teaching post to be based in the school. Consequently, I am not clear from the question what difficulties this presents for the school. It is open to the school to liaise with the Department about the matter.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

524 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when a resource teacher will be appointed at a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20671/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Education and Science has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. I can confirm that the school in question has received a teaching allocation of 12.5 part-time hours. It has been clustered with another school in the area, in which the teaching post to be shared between the schools will be based. Responsibility for the recruitment and appointment of the teacher in question is a matter for the management authorities of the base school.

Question No. 525 answered with QuestionNo. 512.

Mental Health Services.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

526 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on and support level for the mental health project, Working Things Out-SFHE, being developed by the department of child and family psychiatry at University College, Dublin; her further views on whether this programme, when developed, has the potential to improve the mental health of young persons promptly to obtain assistance when in mental or emotional difficulties at an early stage and reduce suicide levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20699/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I have not previously been made aware of this project. I have therefore asked the national educational psychological service, NEPS, to find out more about it and to advise me on its potential to improve the mental health of young people in schools.

School Services Staff.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

527 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will give consideration to paying school secretaries for bank holidays and in-service days, as well as offering them contracts and holiday pay, in line with teachers and special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20704/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial services in primary and secondary schools under two separate schemes. One is the 1978-79 scheme under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. These secretaries are paid directly through my Department's payroll. The 1978-79 scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created.

The 1978-79 scheme has been superseded by a more extensive school support grant scheme towards the funding of ancillary services in schools including secretarial services. The scheme is flexible in nature giving boards of management and schools discretion as to the manner in which secretarial services are provided.

The ancillary services grant programme provides grants to schools that are not directly linked to any pay scales. Therefore the level and extent of services provided is a matter for the school authorities who, through the discretion afforded by the scheme, apply diverse arrangements for secretarial services as resources permit. As the secretaries are employees of individual schools, my Department does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities.

Schools Building Projects.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

528 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the release to tender for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of primary school extensions and new buildings in this category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20719/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005.

The building project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning stage 4/5, detail design-bill of quantities. The stage submission is currently with the Department and will be assessed by the Department's staff in due course. When this analysis is complete the school building section will be in contact with the school authorities.

A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.

Some 73 primary schools with major building projects including the school in question were authorised to progress though architectural planning during 2005. In addition 32 primary schools got approval to commence architectural planning while a further 89 schools were allowed to move to tender and construction.

School Curriculum.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

529 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the approach of her Department to the provision of pastoral care in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20725/05]

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

530 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the support given by her Department to schools for the provision of pastoral care and chaplaincy services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20726/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 530 together.

The practice of looking after the personal and social well-being of children under the care of a school, encompasses a wide variety of issues, including health, social and moral education, behaviour management and emotional support. My Department provides a range of supports which assist the pastoral care systems in place in individual schools.

At primary level, the curriculum in general is designed with a view to enabling the child to live a full life as a child and to realise his or her potential as a unique individual; to develop as a social being through living and co-operating with others and so contribute to the good of society and to prepare for further education and lifelong learning. This is achieved through a broad range of subjects which develop different aspects of the child from social, personal and health education, religious education, physical education through to the academic aspects of the curriculum.

Similarly within the second level curriculum, social, personal and health education, SPHE, provides for the development of personal and social skills including self-awareness, respect for others, self-esteem and communication skills which can play an important role in encouraging a positive self-image. The key emphasis is on promoting self-esteem and physical and mental/emotional well being, and responsible decision making. Self management, communications, physical and emotional health, coping with loss, handling conflict, substance abuse, personal safety, relationships and sexuality are covered. Implementation of SPHE in schools is assisted by a full time support service which operates on an integrated basis in collaboration between the Department of Education and Science and the health boards.

Pastoral care teams in second level schools provide important assistance in promoting students' well-being and in ensuring that potential difficulties can be identified early. Guidance counsellors, home school liaison co-ordinators, chaplains, class year tutors and the services of the national educational psychological service, NEPS, can play an important role in this respect. In recognition of the vital importance of guidance in our school system, I recently announced the allocation of 100 additional posts for guidance from the commencement of the 2005-06 school year. This extra guidance provision will enable students to develop skills that will lead to effective choices and decisions about their lives.

The class teacher is also a significant catalyst in enabling schools to respond to educational and pastoral challenges. Teaching is an activity that contributes to the full development of the human person. My Department is committed to that development and to the delivery of an education that is relevant to individuals' needs and which creates a socially inclusive society.

Special Educational Needs.

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

531 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the appointment of a special needs teacher to schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20728/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. The three schools in question have been arranged in different cluster arrangements under the new model.

I wish to inform the Deputy that one of the objectives of the general allocation model is to maximise the extent of full-time permanent posts available to support the needs of pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs and learning support teacher requirements. Clustering facilitates the assignment of experienced teachers as well as allowing for better training of resource teachers on the basis that permanent posts will retain teachers for longer periods. This ultimately benefits the pupils.

To this end, schools, particularly those with small enrolments, have been grouped in clusters where possible. In general, the permanent post allocation clustering arrangements cannot be altered unless in exceptional circumstances such as geographical location.

Part-time hours have been provided for schools in cases where it was not possible to form a cluster of general allocation hours. Schools that have been allocated part-time permanent hours may be aware of a local school(s) with part-time permanent hours that when combined could form a full-time permanent post. It is open to any such schools wishing to form a cluster by combining these hours to contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. It should be noted that these arrangements apply to staffing associated with the general allocation model only.

Where it is not possible for schools to form permanent posts under the general allocation model, such schools may, for the purposes of creating temporary full-time posts, form clusters to combine permanent part-time hours allocated under the general allocation model with hours allocated for individual children with low incidence disabilities, or transitional hours retained for children with high incidence disabilities. Again, any schools wishing to form such temporary full-time posts should contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. This arrangement will apply for the 2005-06 school year only and is being facilitated on the understanding that, as pupils with an individual allocation of hours leave the school at the end of that school year, the full-time temporary posts will be adjusted to the appropriate reduced level of part-time hours.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the schools in question have submitted a proposal regarding a revision of the clustering arrangements that had been notified to them. The proposal involves dissolving the cluster arrangements notified to them and creating a new permanent teaching post among the three schools. My officials are currently examining the proposal and will be in further contact with the school authorities as quickly as possible. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue at an early date. It is also intended that this circular will address issues that have been raised by schools with my Department since the system was notified to schools in mid-May.

Schools Building Projects.

James Breen

Ceist:

532 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be made available for major capital works on a school (details supplied) in County Clare. [20730/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria. The project will be considered in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme 2005-09.

Special Educational Needs.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

533 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision will be made on the allocation of special needs assistants to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20772/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which became operational on 1 January 2005, now processes applications for special educational needs supports and decides on the level of support appropriate to the school.

Seventy-one special educational needs organisers, SENOs, have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents. My officials have been in contact with the NCSE regarding the pupil in question. The NCSE has advised that the pupil was sanctioned the services of a shared special needs assistant, SNA. The decision was based on the relevant documentation submitted with the application. I understand that the school is of the opinion that the pupil should have the services of a full-time SNA.

The NCSE will undertake to review the decision on the level of SNA support granted on foot of a request from the school or parents-guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information, which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its circular 01/05 which issued to all primary schools. It is, therefore, open to the school to submit further documentation to the SENO in support of the application for full-time SNA assistance.

Schools Amalgamation.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

534 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Kerry; if she has received the local inspector’s report; when a decision will be made on the amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20773/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

548 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Kerry; if she has received the local inspector’s report; when a decision will be made on the amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21027/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 548 together.

The school planning section of my Department has received the local inspector's report on the proposed amalgamation of the schools to which the Deputy refers. The next step is to carry out a technical inspection of schools and sites in question to establish which, if either, of the existing schools would be suitable as a host for the amalgamation or if a new site is required. Officials in school planning section of my Department will be in contact with the school authorities when a date is confirmed for the technical assessment.

The final decision on any amalgamation rests with the patron, subject only to my approval.

Special Educational Needs.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

535 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the terms under which special needs assistants with her Department may take a year’s leave of absence. [20795/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

While a number of full-time special needs assistants, SNAs, have availed of unpaid leave of absence, there is no formal career break scheme in place at present. SNAs are employed directly by the managerial authority of each school and currently, any decision to grant leave of absence without pay for a period of at least one year is a matter for the relevant school authority.

My Department requires the managerial authority to have due regard for the exigencies of the school and possible negative effects in permitting such an absence. The welfare and educational needs of the pupil(s) must take precedence over all other considerations. Applications are currently sanctioned on the basis that the absence is of a minimum duration of one year commencing on the first day of the school year. Any application for an extension of the period of unpaid leave beyond one school year, is reviewed by the managerial authority on an annual basis. The combined periods of unpaid leave of absence granted to an SNA shall not exceed five years.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

536 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is possible for a special needs assistant to apply for transfer within different schools that employ her Department special needs assistants. [20796/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

To ensure openness and transparency in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website. The appeals board met on 14 June and will meet again in July and October to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-06 school year.

The closing dates for appeals for the forthcoming July and October meetings are 24 June and 7 October 2005, respectively. Appeals must be submitted to primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The application form is available from primary payments section or on my Department's website.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.

Education Schemes.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

540 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the funding crisis facing the Educate Together national office which may be forced to scale down its activities from July 2005 if a resolution is not secured by that date; if she will report on her meeting with Educate Together on this issue; and if she will make a realistic offer of funding to enable the ongoing work continue. [20991/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department has been engaged with the post-primary school referred to by the Deputy for some time regarding the necessity of operating an enrolment policy that respects its defined catchment area. This school is heavily oversubscribed as a result of a significant number of pupils enrolling from outside its catchment area, including from the primary schools to which the Deputy refers. This development can impact negatively on those who are entitled, as of right, to a place in a particular school by virtue of the fact that they reside in the area and attend the appropriate feeder schools. It also invariably impacts negatively on the school or schools which these pupils should rightly attend and in which considerable capital investment has been made for this purpose. It is a matter for all school authorities, in the context of their enrolment policies, to limit enrolment to within their defined catchment areas to ensure that such situations do not arise.

Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses enrolment of a student. An appeal will generally not be admitted unless it is made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the board of management was notified to the parent or student concerned. However, a longer period for making appeals may be allowed as an exception where it is accepted that circumstances did not permit the making of an appeal within the 42 day limit. Where an appeal under section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.

Question No. 548 answered with QuestionNo. 534.

School Staffing.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

549 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 14 June 2005 if she accepts that in exceptional circumstances the new directives on resource teachers is going to cause serious problems for some persons (details supplied); and if some appeal process will be put in place. [21028/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As the Deputy will be aware, the school was previously in a clustering arrangement with four other schools. As a result of the allocation of additional resources to schools in the cluster, it was necessary to revise the clustering arrangements. The revised clustering arrangement means that the school will no longer be clustered with the previous base school. It is a matter for the board of management of the new base school to determine the teacher who will fill the general allocation post to service the revised cluster. The posts being provided under the new general allocation scheme are designed to ensure each school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of children with high incidence special needs, such as dyslexia and children with learning support needs. Resource teaching hours for children with low incidence special needs such as hearing impaired will continue to be provided on the basis of an individual application for each child.

With regard to which pupils in the school with high incidence special needs and learning support needs will receive support from the resource teacher, this decision will be made at school level. Each school will have enough resource teaching hours to provide its pupils with support appropriate to their needs. The school can then use its professional judgement to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school, to ensure that all their needs are met. Research shows that some children with special needs respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The response needed depends on the child.

School Accommodation.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

550 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Kildare is full and that its board of management is accepting no further enrolment of pupils in any classes for the school year commencing in September 2005; her plans to resolve the accommodation crisis at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21033/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have sanctioned the provision of an additional temporary classroom for the school to which he refers. The classroom will be in place for September 2005 to meet the anticipated demand for pupil places as identified by the school authority. Going forward, it is proposed to provide a new 16 classroom school to meet the long-term accommodation needs of the area. In this regard, the property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been instructed to explore the possibility of acquiring a suitable site for this development.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

551 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if additional accommodation will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21034/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department does not have an application from the school to which he refers for additional accommodation. The Deputy will be aware that, where an immediate need arises for temporary accommodation to be provided to cater for an increase in enrolments straight away, the school can apply to my Department for temporary accommodation. Where a future need for permanent extra school places arises, the provision of extra permanent accommodation is considered under the new planning model for educational infrastructure which ensures, in future, school provision will be decided only after an open and transparent consultation process.

The main feature of the new model, being introduced initially on a pilot basis, is the publication of area development plans, which will set out a blueprint for schools' development in an area into the future. Included in the pilot is the area around N4-M4, which incorporates the locality referred to by the Deputy. The publication consultation process on this plan was recently completed and the Commission on School Accommodation hopes to be a position to publish its final plan shortly.

Special Educational Needs.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

552 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the general allocation system will affect the resources available to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in mainstream school. [21049/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As the Deputy will be aware, a new general allocation scheme has been announced under which schools will be provided with resource teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures, to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts will be provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.

The Deputy will be aware that EU Directive 2003/20 requires seat belts to be used where they are fitted. This directive must be transposed into national law by 9 May 2006. Separately, proposals to extend the requirement for seat belts to be fitted in all new vehicles, except for city buses used in stage stop routes, have been developed at EU level. When the directive is adopted, all new school buses being registered from a future date, yet to be determined, will require to be fitted with seat belts. It is not expected that this directive will provide for any mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in existing buses.

The question of the fitting and the mandatory use of seat belts on school buses, outside of these legislative requirements, is at present under consideration in my Department. Before any decision is made, the issue of the type, or types, of seat belt to be fitted must be determined having regard to the differing sizes of the student passengers being carried. My Department is working closely with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann on this issue and any decisions reached will be guided by expert advice.

Whatever conclusion is reached, the provision of seat belts on school buses, if that is what is recommended, would have to introduced on a phased basis having regard to the logistical difficulties involved in sourcing right-hand drive buses equipped with any appropriate seat belts and the fact that not all the buses in the current fleet may be suitable for the retrofitting of seat belts.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

565 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of buses deployed and funded by her Department in the school transport system; the number of these buses operated by private operators and the number operated by Bus Éireann; the number of buses serving primary schools only; the number serving second level schools only and the number serving both; the number currently fitted with seat belts; the cost of replacing the fleet with seat belt fitted vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21168/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

More than 3,000 vehicles are used to transport children each day to school. In the region of 80% of these vehicles are owned by private contractors and the remaining 20% are owned by Bus Éireann. The numbers of buses serving primary schools are 1,317 minibuses, 350 medium buses and 312 large buses. The numbers of buses serving post-primary schools are 405 minibuses, 278 medium buses and 436 large buses. Buses serving both primary and post-primary schools are in the region of 254 minibuses, 178 medium buses and 290 large buses. These figures are based on a census taken in October 2004 and include taxis.

Bus Éireann has advised my Department that the most recent figures available indicate that 1,590 vehicles have seat belts and 1,483 are without seat belts. The figures include taxis. It would be premature to provide figures regarding the cost of replacing the fleet with seat belt fitted vehicles until the entire matter, including retrofitting of vehicles with seat belts, is examined and costed.

Pension Provisions.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

566 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will sanction a pension scheme for staff of the National Educational Welfare Board; the entitlements of the staff in the absence of a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21305/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The pension scheme for staff of the National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, is at present being operated on an administrative basis pending approval a draft superannuation scheme for the board. The pension arrangements of the staff are in accordance with the model scheme of the Department of Finance.

The model scheme, which is a standard public service scheme, needs to be updated to take account of the Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act 2001. It has not been possible to complete this work to date because discussions between union groups and management groups in the public service regarding the implementation of the Act have not been completed.

Discussions are now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a circular giving full effect to the pensions provisions of the Part-time Work Act will be shortly issued by the Department of Finance. The formal approval of the Department of Finance will then be sought for the draft NEWB scheme, as updated to take account of the necessary provisions for part-time workers.

Special provision will be made in the NEWB scheme — and such provision is regularly required when new schemes are being introduced — for the school attendance officers who have transferred, in accordance with section 40 of the Education (Welfare) Act, to the NEWB from employment by local authorities. The superannuation arrangements of the staff in question will not be less favourable than the arrangements which applied to them under the local government superannuation scheme.

Decentralisation Programme.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

567 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Defence the status of and progress made in the planned decentralisation of the Civil Defence to Roscrea, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21023/05]

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea)

In the context of the White Paper on defence, the Government decided to decentralise the Civil Defence branch of my Department to Roscrea, County Tipperary. Of the 18 staff serving with the Civil Defence Board, 13 staff in the following grades, have indicated a willingness to relocate to Roscrea: director general — one; assistant principal — two; higher executive officer — five; executive officer — two; clerical officer — two; technical officer — one. To date, there have been 111 applications for transfer to Roscrea, in the following grades: assistant principal — five; higher executive officer — ten; executive officer — 22; staff officer — four; clerical officer — 70.

The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Departments, has issued tenders for the fit out of a leased building in Roscrea and a contract has been placed. The contract is expected to take six months to complete. Part of the staff of the Civil Defence Board has already been moved to temporary accommodation in Roscrea since 10 September 2004.

Overseas Missions.

Peter Kelly

Ceist:

568 Mr. Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force members who lost their lives on United Nations missions overseas and who are still listed as missing in action or missing, presumed dead; the names of the troops concerned; if he will provide a brief description of the circumstances in which each died; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21308/05]

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea)

I am advised by the military authorities that on 15 September 1961, Trooper Patrick Mullins and Corporal Michael Nolan were killed in action in the Congo when their armoured vehicle was hit by anti-tank fire from armed elements. While the remains of Corporal Nolan were recovered, those of Trooper Mullins were not. An investigation into Trooper Mullins's death by the military authorities at the time concluded on 29 January 1962 that he was killed in action at Ave Du Cuivre, Lubumbashi, Elisabethville, Katanga, in the Republic of Congo as a result of the hostile action outlined. Trooper Mullins is classified by the military authorities as "dead, presumed to have been killed".

On 27 April 1981, an observation post in south Lebanon manned by two members of the Irish Battalion serving with the United Nations interim force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, Private Hugh Doherty and Private Kevin Joyce or Seoighe, came under attack. Private Doherty was later found dead from gunshot wounds and Private Joyce was missing. Some equipment was also missing. The attackers are unknown. Extensive diplomatic and military efforts to locate him have proved fruitless to date. Private Joyce is classified as "missing in action presumed dead".

Motor Taxation.

Joe Callanan

Ceist:

569 Mr. Callanan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce a reduced motor tax rate on MPV’s for families with three children or more. [20742/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

574 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made with the application by a housing association (details supplied) in respect of a project for the Lifford area of County Donegal. [20701/05]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

My Department recently approved the invitation of tenders for the project, which will be carried out under the capital funding schemes for voluntary and co-operative housing projects.

Questions Nos. 575 and 576 answered with Question No. 571.

Waste Disposal.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

577 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will meet a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21017/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I have received an invitation on behalf of residents of Rathcabbin to meet with them to discuss their objections to a local waste facility. This matter is at present the subject of legal action as well as of a proposed decision by the Environmental Protection Agency, which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its licensing functions. I am advised that it would be inappropriate to proceed with a meeting while legal action is in process.

I share with the group a concern to ensure that the highest levels of environmental protection are maintained and that where problems occur they are satisfactorily resolved though rigorous and transparent planning and licensing procedures. I am confident that the best interests of the community and the environment will be served by working within these procedures.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

578 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when work will commence in the development of the Terryglass sewerage scheme. [21018/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I recently approved North Tipperary County Council's tender recommendation in respect of the provision of new waste water collection and treatment systems at a number of locations in County Tipperary, including Terryglass. It is now a matter for the council to arrange with the successful tenderer for the commencement of the works.

Air Quality.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

579 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position with the status of Greystones, County Wicklow, as a smokeless fuel zone; the reason Greystones was not designated in the original round; the proposals for the future with regard to the designation of Greystones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21154/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The 1990 regulations banning the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal were originally made to address the winter smog situation prevalent in the Dublin area at that time and have since been extended to 15 other areas taking account of the analysis of air quality monitoring data and also of population size. On foot of these criteria, the ban applies to two towns in County Wicklow, that is, Bray and Arklow, but not to Greystones.

A June 2002 voluntary agreement between my Department and the Solid Fuel Trade Group provided, inter alia, for the delivery of significantly cleaner standards for bituminous coal and petcoke on a phased basis. Under this agreement, there is at present a temporary moratorium on the designation of further coal ban areas during the life of the agreement except where required to ensure adherence to air quality standards. The agreement also provided for an initial review by end 2003 and a final review by end 2004, with the ambition of setting further targets from 2005 onwards.

My Department reviewed the operation of the voluntary agreement in 2003 but the final review due by the end of December 2004 was postponed following the granting of a moratorium on the step down to 2004 sulphur levels in petcoke for the 2004-05 heating season. The moratorium was requested by the trade group and was granted to help the industry through a difficult interim supply period, triggered by exceptional levels of demand for petcoke tonnages internationally which made the sourcing of lower sulphur fuels problematic for the industry.

The agreement is now undergoing its final review and discussions are under way with a view to exploring further how to maximise environmental benefits from the solid fuel sector. It is not proposed to pre-empt the outcome of these discussions by extending the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal before completion of the final review.

Waste Disposal.

John Deasy

Ceist:

580 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide funding to Waterford County Council to assist it with the remediation of two landfill sites for which an exorbitant amount of money is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21306/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The management of landfills, including necessary after care when such facilities close, is a matter for the operators of those facilities, in accordance with relevant statutory obligations. Funding is available to local authorities from a range of sources, including general purpose grants from my Department's local government fund.

Planning Issues.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

581 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that unauthorised development files are only accessible under the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21314/05]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The Planning and Development Act 2000 requires planning authorities to include on the planning register particulars of any enforcement notice issued, including the date of the notice and whether it has been complied with or withdrawn, as appropriate, and of any subsequent decisions on enforcement made by the authority, including the reasons for them. Furthermore, under section 154 of the Act, anyone who makes a complaint will be notified by the planning authority of its decision to proceed or not to proceed with enforcement action.

I am satisfied that there is a case for protecting the confidentiality of complainants and the reports of the planning authority during the deliberative process. Subject to these points, however, I will consider at the next available opportunity whether to extend the public access provisions of section 38 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 beyond planning application files to local authority planning enforcement files.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Tuesday, 21 Jun 2005

Hospital Services.

Dinny McGinley

Hospital Staff.

Thomas P. Broughan

Occupational Therapists.

David Stanton

Hospital Staff.

Olwyn Enright

Charlie O'Connor

Charlie O'Connor

Charlie O'Connor

EU Directives.

Trevor Sargent

Damien English

Accident and Emergency Services.

Tom Hayes

Phil Hogan

Tom Hayes

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Liz McManus

Hospital Services.

Pádraic McCormack

Insurance Industry.

Emmet Stagg

Thomas P. Broughan

Cancer Screening Programme.

Denis Naughten

Eamon Ryan

Joe Costello

Paul Kehoe

Organ Retention.

Ruairí Quinn

Hospital Accommodation.

John Perry

Brian O'Shea

Nursing Home Sector.

Pat Breen

Liam Twomey

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Michael Ring

Medical Cards.

Brendan Howlin

Private Hospital Facilities.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Mary Upton

Hospital Accommodation.

Olwyn Enright

Joan Burton

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Jack Wall

Hospital Accommodation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Dan Boyle

Care of the Elderly.

Dan Neville

Michael Noonan

Michael Noonan

Health Service Reform.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ruairí Quinn

Michael Lowry

Water Fluoridation.

Eamon Gilmore

Cystic Fibrosis Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Paul Connaughton

Dan Boyle

Dan Boyle

John Gormley

John Gormley

Trevor Sargent

Trevor Sargent

Ciarán Cuffe

Ciarán Cuffe

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Jun 2005