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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Nov 2005

Vol. 611 No. 1

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies received from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, answered orally.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

12 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken directly or indirectly to achieve compliance with the Kyoto protocols; the extent to which each or any measure taken has had a specific affect or effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36686/05]

The national climate change strategy provides the basis for Government policy and action to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the most efficient and equitable manner, and for ensuring that Ireland meets its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The strategy identifies a range of policies and measures to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors and is currently under review in my Department so as to take account of developments at national, European and international levels since its publication five years ago.

While my Department has overall responsibility for the strategy, it is a matter for Departments with direct responsibility for each sector identified in the strategy to implement the optimum mix of policies and measures in order to control and reduce Ireland's overall level of greenhouse gas emissions. To take a few examples from the wide range of measures involved, my Department has made progress in areas such as giving the building regulations a greater focus on energy conservation, the development of planning guidelines on wind energy, reducing emissions from waste facilities and the conversion of National Parks and Wildlife Service vehicles to biofuels. Examples of progress in other sectors include more efficient power generation plants, support for renewable energy, improvements in public transport, tax incentives for more fuel-efficient cars and biofuels, and the recent decision by the Minister for Agriculture to provide support for anaerobic digestion.

I intend shortly to publish a review document, which will assess progress in implementing the strategy, assess emissions trends across each sector and propose additional measures for Ireland to meet its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol in the most cost effective way. I will emphasise the need for Ireland to look at this issue in a holistic way, and to take account of our Kyoto requirements when we are setting policies across all the relevant sectors.

In addition to the policies and measures set out in the national climate change strategy, Ireland's Kyoto target will also be achieved through emissions reductions by installations participating in the EU emissions trading scheme and through the purchase by Government of carbon credits sufficient to address any shortfall.

Waste Management.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

13 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the threshold for an EIS on a transfer of waste for a recovery facility; when this threshold was established; and if he intends to review this threshold. [36653/05]

The threshold above which an environmental impact statement is required in connection with applications for licences for waste transfer stations is a waste intake of 25,000 tonnes per annum. This threshold was originally set in 1989 and there is no proposal to review it.

Housing Policy.

James Breen

Ceist:

14 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of implementing the report Property Rights under the Constitution. [31504/05]

In the context of its continuing commitment to meeting the range of housing needs, the Government has given careful consideration to the Ninth Progress Report of the All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, APOCC, concerning private property, as well as Report No. 112 of the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, and a report by Goodbody Economic Consultants.

The Government has been concerned to develop responses which are practical and focused on delivery and which have regard also to the current background of substantial progress in housing, with record output levels and increased investment in social and affordable housing measures.

In this context, the Government has already approved the establishment of the affordable homes partnership to drive and co-ordinate the delivery of affordable housing in the greater Dublin area; and the preparation of legislative proposals for additional powers should the partnership need these to deliver fully on its mandate.

As part of the broader delivery of housing nationally, all local authorities will be asked to review their land management strategies to maximise the availability of land for their own housing programmes, voluntary and co-operative housing, housing partnerships with the private sector and to secure more active use of brownfield land and derelict sites. My Department will communicate with local authorities in this regard shortly.

In addition, my Department is giving detailed consideration to a possible "use it or lose it" scheme that could entail compulsory acquisition of land for housing purposes at below market value in specified circumstances, and to the treatment of land purchase options.

In relation to recommendations in the APOCC report concerning infrastructure, my Department is preparing a strategic infrastructure Bill which, among other things, will provide a mechanism to accelerate delivery of relevant infrastructure, amend the requirement for property referencing prior to compulsory acquisition of land, and modify the right to compensation for the acquisition of subsurface property rights.

Question No. 15 answered with QuestionNo. 8.

Radon Gas Levels.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

16 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he sought the reintroduction of a radon remediation grant scheme for householders during discussions on the Estimates 2006; and if he will report on same. [36555/05]

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

73 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the RPII has requested him to reintroduce the radon remediation grant scheme for householders. [36562/05]

Dan Neville

Ceist:

119 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a grant will be introduced to aid homeowners reduce radon gas levels in their homes; if such a grant scheme was proposed by his predecessor; if so, the reason same was not introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36627/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 73 and 119 together.

As I have previously indicated, Government efforts and resources, together with those of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, are continuing to focus on highlighting public awareness of radon and on improving information to householders so as to enable and encourage them to address monitoring or remedial requirements effectively and economically.

The Government has over the years, largely through the RPII, committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to highlighting public awareness of radon and the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high radon concentrations. The RPII has long been encouraging householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake radon remediation works where necessary.

Increasing the awareness of the public is considered to be a more effective approach than the introduction of a demand-led scheme of domestic radon remediation grants, which could require very significant public expenditure. Radon grant schemes are not operated by the majority of EU member states.

It is encouraging that recent research commissioned by the RPII has found that 75% of the general population are aware of radon. In addition, there has been an increase of more than 150% in the number of radon measurements undertaken by householders during 2004 compared with previous years. That indicates the increasing effectiveness of the RPII's radon public awareness campaign.

My Department introduced upgraded building regulations in June 1997, which required all new houses commencing construction on or after 1 July 1998 to incorporate radon protection measures. In October 2004, an updated edition of my Department's Technical Guidance Document C on Part C of the Building Regulations (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture), incorporating enhanced radon prevention measures for new buildings commencing construction on or after 1 April 2005, was published. This new guidance document is aimed at ensuring that the 1997 radon protection measures are carried out more effectively.

In February 2002, a booklet from my Department entitled Radon in Existing Buildings — Corrective Options, became available. This booklet advises designers, builders and home owners on remediation options for reducing radon in existing houses to, or below, the national reference level.

It should be noted that a recent European study shows that, for those exposed to similar concentrations of radon, the risk of contracting lung cancer is 25 times greater for those who smoke, and that the vast majority of the radon-induced lung cancer cases occur among smokers and ex-smokers.

Architectural Heritage.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

17 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the current funding for architectural protection grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36313/05]

Architectural protection grants in respect of protected structures are available from local authorities. These are resourced by my Department, with an increase in overall funding of 75% from €3.9 million in 2004 to €6.85 million in 2005.

Conservation grants are available directly from my Department, with €1.033 million available in 2005 to support projects on buildings of architectural or heritage significance which are in the ownership of public bodies, civic trusts etc. and are open to the public.

In 2005, €700,000 has been allocated in thatching grants by my Department, with grants having being provisionally approved for 152 roofs.

On 7 November I announced the establishment of a steering group to advise on proposals for governance of the Irish Heritage Trust so that a workable and effective trust can be established as quickly as possible. The steering group is charged with reporting back to me no later than January 2006 and I expect the trust to be established very soon thereafter. The Minister for Finance is considering the provision of appropriate tax concessions to support the trust.

Funding for architectural heritage protection is also provided by the Heritage Council. In addition, tax relief is available under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 for expenditure incurred on the repair, maintenance or restoration of an approved building or garden meeting required opening hours requirements. Further protection is afforded through the ongoing maintenance of the State's own portfolio of historic properties. I am satisfied that, taken together, these provisions afford appropriate support for the conservation and protection of our architectural heritage.

Local Authority Staff.

John Deasy

Ceist:

18 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of litter wardens employed in major towns and cities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36640/05]

Returns from local authorities indicate that, as of the end of June, 138 litter wardens were employed in city, borough and town councils. A total of 53 wardens were employed on a full-time basis.

Dog Breeding Industry.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

19 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to act on the recommendations of the working group examining the issues surrounding dog breeding here by introducing legislation to enforce standards in the sector; when he intends to introduce such legislation; the measures this legislation will include; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36663/05]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

54 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to establish a public consultation process in relation to creating a supervised structure for dog breeding here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 54 together.

The report of the working group established to review the management of dog breeding establishments was submitted to me on 7 September 2005. The report contains a number of useful recommendations including in relation to the introduction of statutorily enforceable standards for the dog breeding industry in Ireland and proposes the introduction of a registration system for dog breeding establishments.

On 20 October 2005, I announced a public consultation process on foot of the working group's report indicating that, in view of the many divergent views on the issue, I wanted to canvass public opinion more widely before taking final decisions on the matter. An advertisement inviting submissions was placed in the national newspapers on Monday, 24 October 2005. The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday, 16 December 2005.

I will further consider all of the recommendations in the report of the working group, including those relating to the introduction of legislation, following the conclusion of the consultation process.

Proposed Legislation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

20 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to have the critical infrastructure Bill published; and the estimated timeframe for the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála to deal with major projects. [36662/05]

The general scheme of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill was approved by the Government in June 2005. The Bill's main purpose is to improve the efficiency of the planning system in relation to major infrastructure.

The key features of the Bill will be the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála to establish a new, permanent strategic infrastructure division which will handle decisions on all major infrastructure projects; an extension of the board's role to include decisions on railways, gas pipelines and electricity transmission lines; and major transport, environmental and energy projects proposed by the private sector that are of strategic importance will be referred directly to the board and will not need local planning permission.

I have secured an additional 24 staff for the board to be recruited on a phased basis to deal both with the continuing increases in planning appeals received by the board, as well as the need to set up the strategic infrastructure division. I intend to monitor progress on the establishment of the new division closely as the Bill progress through the Houses in the coming months.

Drafting of the Bill, which involves complex amendments to several different legislative codes, is at this stage well advanced and I expect to publish it early in 2006 with a view to early enactment.

Environmental Policy.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

21 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to extend the ban on bituminous coal to other local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36643/05]

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 air quality monitoring data and population size.

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 is currently undergoing a final review and discussions with the Solid Fuel Trade Group have been under way for some time with a view to further improving the environmental performance of the solid fuel sector. Pending completion of the review and the discussions with the Solid Fuel Trade Group, I have no plans to extend the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal. I expect the review and the discussions to be completed shortly.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

22 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which the targets for social housing completions, as set down by the national development plan, can be met by the end of 2006, in view of the 5% increase in funding as announced in the Estimates 2006. [36657/05]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

29 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of persons currently on social housing waiting lists which he expects will be housed in 2006 based on the fact that local authority and social housing programmes received only a 5% increase in the 2006 pre-budget Estimates. [36581/05]

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

86 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the 5% increase in local authority and social housing programmes announced in the Estimates 2006 will be enough to make up for the delay and lack of delivery of the Government’s commitments in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36617/05]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

113 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which he expects to make on housing persons currently on social housing waiting lists in view of the fact that local authority and social housing programmes received only a 5% increase in the 2006 pre-budget Estimates. [36583/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 29, 86 and 113 together.

The publication of the Abridged Estimates Volume, AEV, is the first step in the Estimates process and does not take account of any further adjustments, particularly in relation to capital provision which may be announced on budget day. The 5% increase in the 2006 provision for housing, announced in the AEV, corresponds to an investment programme of €1.3 billion in 2006. This is a significant financial commitment and maintains the momentum of a sustained period of investment in housing in recent years.

Since 1997, over €7 billion in funding has been provided under a range of social and affordable housing programmes and at the end of this year that investment will have met the needs of some 100,000 households.

The 2006 provision will reinforce this progress and it is anticipated that the needs of over 13,000 households will be met next year, including some 5,500 completions under the main local authority programme; 1,850 units to be completed by the voluntary and co-operative sector; and continued focus on regeneration and delivery of some 3,000 units of affordable housing.

The commitment to multi-annual capital programmes and the introduction of five-year local authority action plans for housing provide a strong strategic framework for the major investment programme in progress. The NDP provides the development strategy at national level and while output levels for social housing have been less than anticipated, housing has made an important contribution to infrastructural development and social inclusion. Investment in the 2000-04 period under the NDP, at €6.86 billion, was almost 10% ahead of forecast expenditure and has resulted in record levels of completions.

There have been major advances in housing over the past decade. The overall supply has increased dramatically and the options open to people seeking to avail of social and affordable housing have improved. The AEV has once again provided for record levels of funding for the broad range of social and affordable housing. I am confident that with local authority action plans in place, supported by the significant levels of investment that I have outlined, real benefits will be seen in terms of both the output and the quality of social housing provision and in a reduction of numbers on waiting lists in 2006.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

23 Ms Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if further use of biofuels will be encouraged for vehicles within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/05]

At the launch of the Interim Review of Implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan 2002-06 on 4 November 2005, I announced the phased conversion to biofuels of the 160-strong fleet of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department over the next two years.

As the Minister responsible for Ireland's emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, I believe this announcement represents a timely demonstration of my commitment to meeting these obligations. I also regard the announcement as an important biodiversity-friendly initiative and one that can contribute to the provision of alternative means of livelihood for Ireland's farmers over time.

Housing Policy.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

24 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recommendations from the NESC report Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy his Department intends to accept and reject. [36584/05]

The Government has been making substantial progress in addressing the concerns raised in the NESC report, with increased housing output levels and record investment in social and affordable housing measures. New measures have already been announced to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing and to maximise the availability of land for social and affordable housing programmes. The Government indicated at that stage that the more medium-term issues highlighted by NESC, particularly in the social and affordable housing area, would be addressed later in the year.

This process will be informed by the outcome of the statutory housing needs assessment being finalised at present and the work under way by the housing forum in reviewing the effectiveness of the existing social and affordable housing schemes in the context of the Sustaining Progress agreement. A new statement of housing policy will be issued soon.

Nuclear Safety.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

25 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the RPII has made a submission in relation to the strategy proposed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency in the UK for the Drigg radioactive waste disposal site in the UK. [36561/05]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

53 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the outcome of his meeting with the chairman, Sir Anthony Cleaver, the chief executive, Sir Ian Roxburgh, and the UK Ambassador, Mr. Stuart Eldon, to discuss the UK’s new agency in charge of nuclear clean up, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36599/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 53 together.

I met Sir Anthony Cleaver, chairman, and Sir Ian Roxburgh, chief executive, of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, NDA, along with the UK Ambassador to Ireland, on 17 November 2005. The meeting reflected the improved co-operation arrangements currently in place between the UK and the Irish Governments in relation to nuclear safety issues.

The NDA was established by the UK Government in April 2005 to assume responsibility for the decommissioning and clean up of the UK nuclear waste legacy. It now has responsibility for the clean up and decommissioning of 20 nuclear sites in the United Kingdom, including Sellafield. It is required to operate in an open and transparent manner and consult with stakeholders. I am pleased that consultation processes between this new authority and Ireland are already well established and recognise Ireland as an important stakeholder in the work of the NDA.

A detailed briefing was provided to me in relation to the NDA mandate, work programme and strategies. In response, I emphasised that safe and environmentally friendly decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the proposals of NDA to deal with legacy waste hazards can in principle be welcomed by Ireland.

However, I emphasised Ireland's continuing concerns regarding the discharge of radioactive waste to the Irish Sea and advised that decommissioning operations must not result in radioactive discharges to the marine environment. I also raised concerns in relation to a number of other issues which are currently the responsibility of and under deliberation by the NDA. These issues included our significant safety concerns in relation to the operation of the THORP plant following the leak in April 2005, the need for the UK Government to end reprocessing, future plans by the authority in relation to plutonium stocks held at Sellafield, ensuring that safety standards are not compromised in any way by efficiency drives or the use of contractors, and the concerns in relation to threats posed by rising sea levels and coastal erosion to the radioactive waste disposal facility at Drigg in the UK. These concerns, including those relating to Drigg, are also the subject of a submission by my Department, based on the expert advice provided by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, to the extensive consultation processes established by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

My meeting with the Ambassador and the NDA representatives produced a valuable exchange of views. While the perspectives of the Irish and UK Governments are markedly different in relation to nuclear issues and remain so, I believe the significant diplomatic and legal initiatives taken by this Government have raised the awareness of the UK Government to Irish concerns. My Department, with the benefit of expert advice from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, will remain fully engaged with the operation of the NDA through the extensive consultation processes provided and will utilise such processes where it is considered Ireland's interests may or will be affected.

State Agencies.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

26 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the proposed new Irish Heritage Trust will have within its remit responsibility for elements of Ireland’s heritage such as natural heritage, archaeological heritage and landscape as well as country houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36651/05]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

28 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the steering committee of the Irish Heritage Trust does not include representatives of kindred bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36675/05]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

41 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Irish Heritage Trust will have the authority to declare heritage properties inalienable. [36673/05]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

46 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the proposed new Irish Heritage Trust will be able to declare heritage properties inalienable. [36650/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

81 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the functions of the independent Irish Heritage Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36611/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 28, 41, 46 and 81 together.

The function of the Irish Heritage Trust is to acquire for public access major important heritage properties which the State may not be in a position to acquire or manage directly and where there is imminent risk to the heritage value of the property through neglect or an appropriate use cannot be brought forward through sale to a private investor. The terms of the trust will be sufficiently broad to allow it to acquire other properties and land of heritage value, but it is envisaged that any extension of its activities will only happen once it has gained experience in relation to heritage buildings.

On 7 November 2005 I announced the establishment of a small but broadly based steering group to advise on the finalisation of the trust arrangements. The group which has the experience and knowledge necessary for this task is to report to me by January next.

The proposed approach does not involve a specific statutory basis to declare inalienability of a particular property. The steering group, however, will be in a position to advise me on how best to proceed in relation to this matter.

Legislative Programme.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

27 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that he has an adequate number of parliamentary draftsmen to process existing and proposed legislation in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36625/05]

I am satisfied with the level of service and co-operation by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to my Department in the context of its legislative programme.

Question No. 28 answered with QuestionNo. 26.
Question No. 29 answered with QuestionNo. 22.

Planning Issues.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

30 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the impact higher development levies is having on the housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36607/05]

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

84 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the level of development levies charged by local authorities are acceptable and sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36620/05]

I propose to take Question Nos. 30 and 84 together.

Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the making, by planning authorities, of development contribution schemes which set out the basis for the determination of the scheme and the contributions to be paid in respect of the different classes of public infrastructure and facilities. In my Department's circular letter PD 4/2003 of 27 June 2003 planning authorities were advised that while it was expected that developers should make an appropriate contribution towards the costs of public infrastructure and facilities, care should be taken to avoid development contributions that are excessively high. Development contributions schemes are adopted following a statutory public consultation phase, during which my Department has an opportunity to comment on the draft schemes. The final schemes, including the level of contribution, are adopted by the democratically elected members of the planning authorities and it is a matter for each local authority to make a judgment on what is appropriate in their area.

Development contributions should not unduly affect the price of houses and level of inflation. The major driver of house price increases in recent years has been the demand for housing, fuelled by rapid economic growth and demographic changes. The Government have responded to this unprecedented demand by focusing on measures to boost supply as the most appropriate way to bring moderation to the rate of house price increases. The key component of this strategy is ensuring a supply of serviced land for housing which the development contribution system helps fund.

Development contributions continue to be attached as a condition of planning permission, and therefore paid by the person carrying out the development in advance of construction starting. They are not paid by individual house purchasers.

Waste Management.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

31 Ms Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has completed his consideration of the European Court of First Instance decision to rule against Ireland for failure to protect human health through properly controlling waste dumps; the steps he is taking to ensure Ireland will in future comply with the European Commission’s Waste Disposal Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36646/05]

A formal response by Ireland to the judgment of the European Court of Justice issued to the European Commission on 21 October 2005 detailing the measures now being taken in terms of the structures, legislation and policy approach to ensure the implementation of the provisions of Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991, and thereby fulfil the obligations imposed by the directive.

The response includes information on the establishment of the Office of Environmental Enforcement and its National Enforcement Network, which has greatly raised awareness and brought a more co-ordinated and systematic approach to environmental enforcement. Special training has been rolled out, procedures for site visits are being developed, a new national complaints procedure was launched on 22 September 2005 and a national waste complaints information line is being developed. This has been backed up with State funding of over €7.5 million, which has led to over 110 additional enforcement officers being appointed across the local authorities permitting a greatly enhanced response on the ground with targeted exercises, road blocks, waste audits and port inspections.

These initiatives will add to the capacity to respond to situations more effectively. In general I am satisfied that these institutional and operational developments better equip the national and local enforcement authorities to meet the challenge posed by environmental crime, especially in the area of waste.

Local Government Audit Service.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

32 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to issue guidelines on issues which may be discussed at a meeting of an audit committee at which a local government auditor is present, pursuant to S.122(6) of the Local Government Act 2001. [36652/05]

I am reviewing the role and structure of audit committees which can be established under section 122 of the Local Government Act 2001 in light of experience since the commencement of the relevant section, and I expect to issue appropriate guidelines on the conclusion of this review.

Waste Disposal.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

33 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the enforcement initiatives he has planned involving targeted efforts to deal with the dumping of construction waste which was cited by the Office of Environmental Enforcement’s report, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland. [36660/05]

Enforcement of environmental legislation is a matter for local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement. I understand the office, through the national enforcement network it has established, is currently formulating enforcement plans against illegal waste activity for 2006 and that the actions planned will include targeting the dumping of construction waste.

Road Network.

Damien English

Ceist:

34 Mr. English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he intends to take as a result of the recent pavement condition study which shows that increased traffic and heavier traffic has brought new structural deterioration to roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36638/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

552 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to provide extra funding to the local authorities with a view to carrying out reinstatement and improvement to minor roads throughout the country that have suffered from increased traffic volumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36980/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

554 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to offer increased funding to the various local authorities for the purpose of improving and upgrading roads other than those for which the National Roads Authority is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36982/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 552 and 554 together.

The improvement of non-national roads in its area is a matter for each individual road authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by grants provided by my Department. Responsibility for national roads is a matter for the relevant road authority and the National Roads Authority which operates under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Transport.

Consultants have recently completed a new pavement condition study of non-national roads and a review of pavement management systems for my Department. The study is essentially a needs analysis which is critical to the proper planning of the non-national roads restoration programme over the coming years.

From 1997 to the end of 2004 the total grant assistance provided by my Department in respect of non-national roads was some €2.9 billion. Of this, almost €1.5 billion was paid to local authorities in respect of works under the restoration programme. In 2005, I have allocated of €495.27 million to non-national roads, including €234.222 million to the restoration programme. The 2005 allocation represents the highest level of funding ever provided for non-national roads and is more than double the 1997 allocation.

By the end of this year nearly 80% of the deficient non-national road network identified in the 1996 pavement condition study will have been restored to good condition.

The results of the new study will form an important part of the ongoing process of determining the investment needs of the non-national road network to address the impact of traffic volume growth. I am currently considering the results of the study and how best to implement the recommendations. I intend to announce road grant allocations for 2006 in respect of non-national roads early in the new year.

Homeless Persons.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

35 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has examined the assessment of the effectiveness of the Housing Act 1988 and Integrated Strategy 2000 in meeting the needs of persons who are homeless entitled Settlement First, produced by the Simon Communities of Ireland; and his views on the findings and recommendations. [36582/05]

I am aware of the Settlement First report published by the Simon Communities of Ireland in July 2005.

The independent evaluation of the integrated and preventative homeless strategies commissioned by my Department has addressed the implementation of the homeless strategies and their associated action plans. The outcome of this review, together with publications-submissions by other agencies such as the Simon Communities, will assist future policy decisions in this area.

Grant Payments.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

36 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he will put in place to ensure the necessary funding is allocated to the disabled persons grant and the essential repairs grant are increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35486/05]

Details of next year's capital funding for disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes will be made available in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2006 which will be published early in the new year.

Planning Issues.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

37 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all local authorities will be instructed to refrain from doing business with companies or individuals with whom they have outstanding planning or legal difficulties as he stated recently in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36610/05]

Local authorities should where possible refrain from doing business with companies or individuals with whom they have outstanding planning or legal difficulties and my Department, on appropriate occasions, has brought and will continue to bring this to their attention. For example, with regard to works on non-national roads, local authorities have been reminded on a number of occasions that there should be full compliance with the planning laws in relation to any proposed use of land as temporary quarries during the duration of any works.

Proposed Legislation.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

38 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation to allow for directly elected mayors of cities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36631/05]

Legislation providing for the direct election of mayors was repealed by section 7 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003. In view of this there is no proposal to introduce legislation to provide for direct election of mayors.

Freedom of Information.

John Gormley

Ceist:

39 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that local authority procedures for charging for the provision of freedom of information material is standardised across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36677/05]

Standard charges for provision of material under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 are prescribed in regulations SI 139 of 1998 and SI 264 of 2003. Local authorities and other public bodies subject to the regulations are required to operate the charges as prescribed.

Homeless Persons.

John Perry

Ceist:

40 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the statement by the homeless support group Trust that the homeless problem is worse now than it was 30 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36629/05]

I strongly disagree with the assessment referred to in the question.

The amount and variety of accommodation available for homeless persons has increased significantly since the introduction of Homelessness: An Integrated Strategy in 2000. This has been accompanied by initiatives in the areas of outreach and resettlement and the provision of a wide range of services to address the needs of homeless persons in relation to care, health, mental health and addiction issues.

The outcome of an independent review of the implementation of the homelessness strategies, which included wide-ranging consultation with statutory and voluntary agencies as well as homeless people, will inform future policy decisions in this area.

Question No. 41 answered with QuestionNo. 26.

Architectural Heritage.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

42 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to protect Ireland’s architectural heritage by minimising the unnecessary demolition of older buildings to make way for tax-driven building proposals, in view of the concern expressed recently in relation to this practice by the An Bord Pleanála chairman. [36661/05]

Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities to whom my Department provides advice in the exercise of their functions in that regard under the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Under the provisions of the Act, each planning authority is required, for the purpose of protecting structures or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, to include in its development plan a record of protected structures within its functional area. This may be done at the time of the preparation of the development plan or, where appropriate, at any other time.

This legislation places a duty of care on the owners of protected structures and also gives planning authorities enhanced powers, not only to deal with development proposals affecting them but also to safeguard their future.

My Department has published the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library. These provide extensive guidance on the assessment of structures for protection.

The ministerial guidelines issued in relation to both the urban and town renewal schemes provide advice in relation to design, architectural and conservation issues for the guidance of developers and planning authorities.

Environmental Policy.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

43 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to plans to increase the plastic bag levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36622/05]

It is not currently proposed to increase the plastic bag levy.

Prior to the introduction of the levy, an estimated 1.2 billion plastic bags were given away free by retailers. The levy has led to a dramatic reduction with a consequent positive environmental benefit. There has been a 95% reduction in the level of litter arising from plastic bags.

Analysis of plastic bag levy receipts on a quarterly basis in respect of transactions up to 30 October 2005 indicate a consistent pattern in the flow of income from the levy. While no changes to its operation are proposed at present, my Department will continue to monitor its performance.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

44 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of the national climate change strategy 2000 which has been implemented to date in 2005; and the steps he intends to take in relation to the strategy in 2006. [36668/05]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

58 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to revisit the national climate change strategy with a view to ensuring that the measures contained therein, particularly those that have yet to be implemented, are still relevant and to ensure that he most up-to-date technologies will have a role in its eventual implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36667/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

541 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his success to date in 2005 in regard to compliance with the Kyoto protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36965/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 58 and 541 together.

I refer to the replies to Priority Question No. 7 and Question No. 12 on today's Order Paper.

Local Authority Housing.

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

45 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if local authorities will be asked when assessing housing needs and drawing up their letting scheme for housing to address the plight of older, single and separated persons who are on local authority housing lists for some years. [36613/05]

Local authorities are required to make a scheme of letting priorities to determine the order of priority to be afforded to applicants in the lettings of dwellings provided by the authority. The order of priority of different categories of persons in such schemes and the basis on which applicants are assessed are matters primarily for decision by the local authority.

In the context of its overview of schemes of letting priorities, my Department continues to advise local authorities of the need to provide a reasonable mix of dwellings suited to the different types of households already on waiting lists and to plan their future programmes taking account of the estimated size and type of households likely to be seeking local authority and voluntary housing in the future.

The guidelines issued by my Department to local authorities indicate that schemes of letting priorities should aim to promote equality of access to local authority housing based on relative housing needs to ensure that a dwelling, if suitable, is let to the person in greatest need and to ensure that no category of needy persons is at a permanent disadvantage vis-à-vis other categories. There are no proposals for further guidelines to local authorities on this issue.

Question No. 46 answered with QuestionNo. 26.

Construction Industry.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

47 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department’s views on the current debate concerning the suitability of concrete built homes over timber frame homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36605/05]

Provided systems of construction comply with the performance requirements of the national building regulations, it would not be appropriate for my Department to express an opinion on the relative merits of alternative systems.

Waste Management.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

48 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is in receipt of correspondence asserting that a local authority (details supplied) in County Wicklow entered into a contractual obligation with an individual or private company to allow the dumping of waste arising from a roads contract of that authority at a site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36671/05]

I have not received such correspondence, but I am relaying the Deputy's concern to the Office of Environmental Enforcement.

Enforcement of environmental legislation is a matter for local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement. Under section 59 of the Waste Management Act 1996, each local authority is responsible for the holding, recovery or disposal of waste within its functional area. The office, using its powers under section 63 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, supervises the environmental protection activities of local authorities through auditing their performance, providing advice and guidance and, in appropriate cases, giving binding directions. My Department has no function in these matters.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

49 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department’s views of the increase in sales of so-called sports utility vehicles; the implications for this increase on Ireland’s climate change strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36593/05]

The latest available inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, compiled annually by the Environmental Protection Agency, shows that emissions for the entire transport sector for 2003 were 11.85 million tonnes CO2 equivalent, an increase of 130% since 1990. The inventory shows that emissions of C02 from road transport increased by 135% between 1990 and 2003. However, statistics for emissions of carbon dioxide from specific categories of motor vehicles are not available as emissions are calculated on the basis of fuel sold rather than vehicle type.

The national climate change strategy identifies a range of policies and measures to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors. Measures addressed to the transport sector include vehicle efficiency improvements, taxation measures and measures to promote modal shift. In this context, a 50% reduction in vehicle registration tax for hybrid-electric cars is available until the end of 2006. Separately, €6 million in excise relief was granted by the Minister for Finance in August 2005 for a two-year pilot scheme to stimulate the development of the biofuels sector in Ireland. Both of these initiatives will promote the use of lower emission vehicles.

In the context of the review of the national climate change strategy, the potential for further taxation measures to favour the purchase and use of vehicles with lower carbon dioxide emissions will be examined.

Register of Electors.

Damien English

Ceist:

50 Mr. English asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether a system of automatic registration on the electoral register of persons who turn 18 years of age could be devised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36637/05]

The compilation and publication of the register is a matter for each registration authority in accordance with electoral law and involves the carrying out of house-to-house or other local inquiries, including in many cases delivering registration forms to households for completion. The draft register is published on 1 November each year and is made available for examination at post offices, public libraries, Garda stations, courthouses and local authority offices up to 25 November. The final register is published on 1 February and comes into force for a year on 15 February.

Each year, my Department undertakes an advertising campaign to coincide with the publication of the draft register to encourage electors to check the draft and ensure that they are correctly registered. In recent years, the advertising campaign has included elements specifically targeted at young people.

Students who live away from home while attending college have the choice of being registered at their home address or their student residential address. Students pursuing a course of study on a full-time basis at an educational institution in the State who are registered at but living away from home and cannot attend their polling station may apply for entry in the postal voters list.

Under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, the grounds for making application for entry in the supplement to the register were widened to allow a person who reaches 18 years of age on or before polling day to apply for entry in the supplement to the register; previously, the cut-off point was the closing date for the supplement.

While the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register depend to a significant extent on the co-operation and engagement of the individual citizen, I will keep under review the scope for further initiatives to help registration authorities identify and target young people in this regard.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

51 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated fines which Ireland will face in the next five years for failure to reduce emissions output in line with Kyoto commitments. [36685/05]

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 106, 114, 126, 152 and 160 of 25 October 2005. The position is unchanged.

Architectural Heritage.

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

52 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent report on the present and future protection of thatched structures in Ireland, which states that there are only 2,000 thatched houses left here; the action he will take to further encourage protection of these homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36614/05]

In view of the importance of the thatched roof as part of our built heritage, I established a steering group of key interests and agencies in Ireland and Northern Ireland to commission the recently published report on the present and future protection of thatched structures in Ireland. A copy is available in the Oireachtas library.

The report includes useful data for owners of thatched buildings, their professional advisers and the building industry, including a list of thatchers, suppliers of thatching materials and insurers of thatched houses. I have invited comment and feedback from all stakeholders in order to develop an improved approach to conserving the surviving stock of thatched buildings. Some of the actions proposed in the report are already being implemented, and a number of local authorities have commissioned inventories of the thatched buildings in their areas.

My Department provides thatching grants set at two-thirds of the approved cost, subject to a maximum of €3,810 in respect of non-medical card holders, rising to 80% of the cost or a maximum of €6,350 in respect of medical card holders. In the case of a house situated on certain specified islands off the west and south coasts of Ireland, the maxima are €5,714 and €8,252, respectively. These grants are payable in respect of necessary works of renewing or repairing existing thatched roofs of houses where the conditions of the scheme are met. Details regarding payments made under the scheme are available in the housing statistics bulletin, which is available in the Oireachtas library.

Question No. 53 answered with QuestionNo. 25.
Question No. 54 answered with QuestionNo. 19.

Waste Disposal.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

55 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will arrange with local authorities for collection points to be set up to allow householders to deposit waste electrical items free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36624/05]

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

56 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress to date in 2005 on implementing the requirement of the WEEE directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36623/05]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

115 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that WEEE charges are being paid for by the manufacturer or retailer rather than the consumer. [36681/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 56 and 115 together.

Every consumer can now deposit waste electrical and electronic equipment free of charge. If a new item is being purchased, the retailer must accept an equivalent waste item on a one-for-one basis. Alternatively, items can be brought to the local civic amenity site. These facilities for consumers arise from the implementation, from 13 August 2005 onwards, of the EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE, which required each member state to introduce regulations providing for a producer funded take-back scheme.

Implementation of the directive involved the establishment of three new structures: two compliance schemes to fund the recovery of the waste equipment, WEEE Ireland limited and the European Recycling Platform, ERP; and an independent national producer registration body, WEEE register, whose job it is to register all producers of electronic and electrical equipment, determine market share and approve visible environmental management costs, EMCs, where these are displayed by producers. More than 640 producers have registered to date with WEEE register and it is estimated that in the first 12 weeks of implementation, approximately 4,600 tonnes of WEEE has been collected.

Local authority civic amenity facilities now accept all items of WEEE, within the scope of the directive, from householders free of charge. The latest figures collated by my Department show that there were 64 local authority civic amenity sites in operation throughout the country at the end of 2004 and a further five are understood to have opened to date during 2005. Some 39 of these civic amenity sites have been part funded through the waste infrastructure capital grants scheme, which is designed to assist local authorities in the provision of recycling and recovery infrastructure. Funding has been committed to another 17 facilities which are being developed at present. Some are at a more advanced stage than others. In considering further civic amenity facilities for grant assistance in the last round, I gave priority to those providing facilities for the collection of WEEE. A further 40 projects are under consideration by the Department, some of which are still at a very preliminary stage.

While the funding of such take-back schemes is a producer responsibility, the directive allows producers for a transitional period of eight years — ten years for large household appliances — to show purchasers, at the time of sale of new products, the costs of recovery and recycling of "historic" waste, which was put on the market before 13 August 2005. While there were varying opinions on how the provisions regarding the historic waste should operate, the majority view among the industry and the independent retail sector, for reasons of fuller transparency and greater accountability, favoured a system of visible EMCs in the manner which has been provided for under the regulations. The design of the new system assures the public that the moneys collected for recycling are actually assigned for recycling activity and are not diverted elsewhere. It also ensures traceability and financial accountability and, by informing the public in an open way, ensures that profiteering is prevented.

Visible EMCs are designed solely to cover the cost of recycling of WEEE. None of the revenue involved is handled by the Government. The WEEE register society limited — the industry-based national WEEE registration body — will monitor the implementation of the scheme and adjust the visible EMCs periodically to ensure that the not-for-profit principle is observed. Producers pay the appropriate EMCs into the producer recycling funds operated by the two approved collective compliance schemes operating in Ireland; WEEE Ireland and ERP. Visible EMCs are input costs and how these are dealt with in the pricing of products is part of the normal negotiations between producer and retailer. Market forces determine whether increases in any input costs, whether it is in respect of EMCs, raw materials, transport etc., are absorbed or passed on.

The new regime represents good value for money. The public can either dispose of this waste on a one-for-one basis or bring it to their local civic amenity site free of charge and this represents a considerable saving to them compared to previous waste disposal costs. It provides a "cradle-to-grave" system for the management of WEEE. While there has been criticism in this House in the past over delays in transposing EU directives, it is creditable in this case that Ireland is one of only a small number of member states which have fully implemented this directive by the due date. My Department is monitoring the operation of the scheme closely and where barriers to effective implementation are identified, these will be addressed.

Environmental Policy.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

57 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the practice of local authorities is that in their environment impact assessments of transport and other major projects that contributions to climate change of comparative project options is included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36679/05]

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

502 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the practice of local authorities is that in their environment impact assessments of transport and other major projects that contributions to climate change of comparative project options are included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36760/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 502 together.

The information which must be provided by a developer in an environmental impact statement, EIS, includes the main alternatives studied by the developer and an indication of the main reasons for the option chosen, taking into account environmental effects. It is a matter for the relevant consent authority undertaking an environmental impact assessment, EIA, to satisfy itself as to the adequacy of the EIS. Where it is not satisfied with the quality of the EIS, the consent authority may seek further information or reject the consent application outright. An EIA must describe and assess in an appropriate manner the direct and indirect effects of a project on a variety of factors, including climate and its interaction with other factors.

Question No. 58 answered with QuestionNo. 44.

Litter Pollution.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

59 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of fly-tipping here; his plans to increase penalties and enforcement measures to tackle this scourge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36636/05]

Actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the office of environmental enforcement and my Department does not compile information on the level of such activity. I am satisfied that appropriate powers are available to these enforcement authorities.

The recently published report of the office of environmental enforcement — the nature and extent of unauthorised waste activity in Ireland — identifies the unauthorised collection and fly-tipping of waste as one of the problem areas in regard to waste management which need to be further tackled. The report draws attention to the measures already being taken, including the appointment of more than 100 additional enforcement officers across the local authorities funded by my Department and the stepped up enforcement activity generally being led by the office and the local authorities. The report also identifies additional actions which would further bolster the effort to stamp out this socially and environmentally unacceptable practice. My Department will liaise with the Office of Environmental Enforcement and other enforcement authorities in ensuring that the momentum to tackle such activities is maintained.

Recycling Policy.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

60 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made on increasing the levels of recycling in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36597/05]

The Government's policy statement Changing Our Ways, September 1998, which provided a national policy framework for the adoption and implementation by local authorities of strategic waste management plans under which specific national objectives and targets would be achieved, set out specific targets for the recycling of construction and demolition waste of at least 50% by end 2003, rising progressively to at least 85% by end 2013.

A national construction and demolition waste council was established by the construction industry in June 2002 as a voluntary producer responsibility initiative to facilitate the achievement of the national construction and demolition waste recycling targets. In September 2004, the council launched its voluntary construction industry initiative which involves all key participants in the construction industry committing to a series of specific actions that have the overall objective of increasing recycling rates for construction and demolition waste. The initiative aims to concentrate on the major waste fractions in the early years and establish the most suitable practices for Ireland through practical experience. It is envisaged that further steps will be initiated at a later stage to focus on the remaining elements of construction and demolition waste.

In tandem with the launch of the voluntary construction industry initiative, my Department issued new draft best practice guidelines on the preparation of waste management plans for construction and demolition projects for public consultation. The aim of the draft guidelines is to promote an integrated approach to construction and demolition waste management throughout the duration of a project and to ensure the projects are designed to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and optimum use of resources. The guidelines introduce the concept of on-site construction and demolition waste management plans which would apply to projects above certain specified thresholds. It is my intention to finalise the draft guidelines as soon as possible following the completion of a comprehensive evaluation of the submissions recently received from the public consultation process. The finalised guidelines will be submitted to the national construction and demolition waste council for its formal endorsement.

The preparation and publication of national waste statistics is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency and these statistics are published at three-yearly intervals by the agency. The most recent national waste database report in respect of 2001, which was published in July 2003, is the most comprehensive up-to-date source of information regarding waste arisings, infrastructure and management. The 2001 database report estimated that out of total construction and demolition waste arisings of 3,615,163 tonnes in that year, 2,364,866 tonnes — 65.4% — were recovered. This represented an increase from 1,171,572 tonnes recovered, or 43.3%, in 1998. The agency anticipates that the next full database report, in respect of 2004, will be available for publication by end 2005.

Affordable Housing.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

61 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the analysis in the NESC report on housing which concluded that up to a third of all new households formed in the period 2001-2006 would fall below the housing affordability threshold, details supplied. [36588/05]

The estimate mentioned in the question, while referred to in the NESC report, does not arise from the NESC but from a team of researchers assembled by four non-governmental organisations to study the first round of housing strategies prepared by local authorities. This study, entitled an analysis of housing strategies and homeless action plans, 2002, estimated that approximately one-third of new households to be formed in the state between 2001 and 2005 would fall below affordability thresholds. However, the researchers also expressed some concerns, which are reiterated by the NESC, about the accuracy of the calculations as they found wide variation in estimates of affordability across the different housing strategies, and reckoned that some over-estimation had occurred.

The NESC suggested that the methodology in the housing strategies for estimating affordability problems and experience in using them will improve as local authorities review and update their strategies. The issue of those falling below affordable housing thresholds has implications for local authorities' social and affordable housing programmes and the assessment of the contribution required from developers under Part V of the planning and development Acts 2000-2004. In developing this approach, account has to be taken of the likely level of housing at affordable levels to be produced by the private market within the area of the plan.

Five-year action plans for social and affordable housing programmes covering the period to 2008 have been developed by local authorities, at the request of my Department, in order to ensure that available resources are used to best effect in responding to the broad range of housing needs. A mid-term review of plans will be undertaken next year which will allow for adjustments to be made in light of actual performance and any new housing policy initiatives arising in the interim.

Investment in housing in 2006 will be €2 billion, more than double the investment as recently as 2000. This will further increase the output of social and affordable housing. It is anticipated that support for affordable housing measures should lead to the needs of some 12,000 new households being met between 2005 and 2007. The Government is giving careful consideration to the broad range of issues raised by the NESC and will consider whatever changes are required to better focus its efforts. We have already established the affordable homes partnership to drive and co-ordinate the delivery of affordable housing in the greater Dublin area. A new statement of housing policy will be issued soon.

Housing Policy.

John Perry

Ceist:

62 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the introduction of an advocate system for homeless persons as advocated by the homeless support group Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36628/05]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

79 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent initiative, building trust in the community, by the homeless support group Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36630/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 79 together.

I welcome all contributions to the debate on how the provision of services to homeless persons might be improved. The independent review of the homelessness strategies, commissioned by my Department, has evaluated the implementation of the strategies and their associated action plans. The outcome of this review, together with publications from other agencies such as Trust, will inform future policy in the area of homelessness.

Environmental Policy.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

63 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to the mid-east and south-west regions for the years 1996 to 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36312/05]

The information sought is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

64 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the use of energy efficient measures in local authority housing, such as using only double-glazed windows, as part of Ireland’s efforts to meet commitments under Kyoto and in view of the fact that such improvements have been specified in the national climate change strategy and in further view of the fact that the strategy sees the local authorities as key to achieving the target reductions. [36654/05]

My Department actively promotes the conservation of fuel and energy through Part L of the national building regulations and the related technical guidance document L. Progressively higher thermal performance and insulation standards introduced under Part L since 1992 have significantly reduced the energy required, from all sources, to heat space and water in buildings. For example, it is estimated that the increased Part L standards for dwellings, which came into effect on 1 January 2003, will reduce domestic heating requirements by between 23% and 33%, depending on the type of building, and will, by 2012, reduce CO2 emissions from dwellings by 300,000 tonnes per annum. This delivers on a commitment made in the national climate change strategy, October 2000.

With regard to windows, Part L of the building regulations effectively requires double-glazed windows incorporating energy efficient low-e glass or equivalent in new houses including local authority houses. This requirement was extended with effect from 1 July 2003 to cover replacement windows in existing houses. In this regard my Department provides funding to local authorities under a variety of schemes which entail the use of energy saving measures. For example, funding is provided to local authorities under the remedial works scheme for refurbishment work to houses in their stock, which includes the installation of central heating, the upgrading of insulation, where necessary, and the replacement of windows and doors. My Department also provides separate funding to local authorities for the installation of central heating and related energy improvement measures in their housing stock.

Register of Electors.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

65 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the communication from the European Commission of 9 March 2005 to the Government regarding the difference in treatment between Irish voters and Community voters and further to the advice from the Commission that Irish legislation, in this respect, could infringe EU law, the reply which has been sent to the Commission regarding the matter. [36648/05]

The European Commission has communicated with my Department regarding potential costs associated with completion of a statutory declaration in respect of the first time registration of Community voters who wish to vote in European Parliament elections in Ireland. Detailed consideration of the matter is now at an advanced stage in my Department and a substantive reply will issue shortly to the Commission.

Housing Policy.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

66 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the so-called passive house, the official opening of which he attended in Wicklow town, could be built on a mass scale; his further views on whether his Department could play a role in encouraging same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36601/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 374 of 9 November 2005. Sustainable Energy Ireland will monitor the performance of the "passive" demonstration house near Wicklow town over the next two years and following that, consideration will be given to encouraging the construction of this type of house.

Waste Management.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

67 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is taking to address the current delays collecting farm plastic through the farm relief services; the revenue collected in each of the past five years from the collection levy for farm plastics; the average waiting time for the collection of material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36314/05]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

503 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in respect of the collection of black plastic from bales; when this service will be resumed for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 503 together.

Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers — ie, manufacturers and importers of farm plastics, silage bale wrap and sheeting — are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market or, alternatively, to contribute to and participate in compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The Irish farm film producers group, IFFPG, is currently the sole approved body in Ireland for the purposes of implementing a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastics waste.

Under the IFFPG scheme, producers apply a levy on the sale of farm plastics that in turn is transferred to the IFFPG for use in funding the collection and recovery of farm plastics waste. The IFFPG is a not-for-profit organisation and it is a matter for the company, under the terms of this producer responsibility initiative and in accordance with the polluter pays principle, to set a rate of levy which will cover its operational costs. The detailed information sought regarding the company's operations is a matter for the company and is not available in my Department.

The scheme has operated successfully to date. It is estimated that approximately 8,500 tonnes — some 55% — of farm plastics placed on the market in 2004 were collected for recycling. An estimated 55,000 farmers availed of the collection service in 2004. The IFFPG estimates that over 12,500 tonnes of farm plastics have been collected in 2005. While responsibility for the collection and recovery of farm plastics rests with the compliance scheme, my Department monitors the scheme on an ongoing basis. I am aware of the specific issues raised and I am anxious to preserve and continue the success of the farm plastic scheme. Discussions are taking place involving my Department and the IFFPG to explore options for improvement to the scheme and resolution of outstanding issues.

Nuclear Plants.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

68 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the international legal action taken by the Government with a view to securing the closure of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36557/05]

The Government initiated international legal proceedings against the UK under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, with regard to the Sellafield MOX plant. The current position regarding the litigation by Ireland under UNCLOS is that the arbitration remains suspended pending resolution of jurisdictional issues in the dispute, which were raised by the European Commission. These issues are now the subject of legal proceedings between Ireland and the Commission before the European Court of Justice and a court hearing of the case took place on 8 November last. In line with normal procedure in such matters, the Advocate General indicated that his opinion on the matter will be made available on 18 January 2006 and the judgment of the court will issue subsequently.

The tribunal in the UNCLOS case issued an order on 24 June 2003 after hearing an application by Ireland for provisional measures. The provisional measures award and orders recommended that Ireland and the UK enter into dialogue to improve co-operation and consultation between the two Governments and report to the tribunal on specified dates. The most recent report to the tribunal was submitted on schedule by both parties on 31 May 2005 and the next report is due to be submitted to the tribunal tomorrow. In line with the obligation on both parties to improve co-operation and co-ordination arrangements, complex discussions, confidential to the tribunal and the parties pending outcomes, are at present continuing.

It was my stated intention to report on progress arising from this process at the appropriate instance and the signing of an agreement on notification and exchange of information arrangements between Ireland and the UK on 10 December 2004 afforded the two parties an opportunity to do so. The agreed package of measures announced is designed to address a wide range of issues related to nuclear safety and includes, inter alia, the facilitating of visits to Sellafield by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Garda Síochána; provision of access for the institute to the UK’s radiation monitoring system, RIMNET; and a series of initiatives to develop and improve existing co-operation arrangements between both governments.

The current position regarding these measures is that both the institute and the Garda Síochána have visited Sellafield during the past 12 months and further visits are planned by both bodies. Earlier this year the institute published a report of its visit to Sellafield in September 2004. With regard to RIMNET, the institute now has full access to the real-time information provided by the system.

In accordance with the commitment in the Government's programme for Government to use every legal and diplomatic opportunity to secure the orderly closure of Sellafield, both I and my Department utilise all bilateral and multilateral opportunities to articulate Ireland's concerns regarding Sellafield. Considerable opportunities arise at international fora such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union and the OSPAR Commission to advance our views on issues such as marine transport of nuclear waste, nuclear safety, and radioactive discharges to the marine environment. All these issues have direct relevance to Ireland's concerns regarding Sellafield and I intend to continue Ireland's proactive engagement at these and other fora with a view to maximising support for our policies among like-minded states.

Acht Pleanála 2000.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

69 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McCormack den Aire Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil, i bhfianaise chinneadh stairiúil an Bhoird Pleanála maidir le caomhnú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, an bhfuil sé i gceist aige rialacháin a dhéanamh faoi Alt 33 den Acht Pleanála 2000 a cheanglóidh ar lucht forbartha an fhaisnéis chuí a sholáthar le gur féidir ráiteas tionchar teanga neamhspleách a ullmhú maidir le gach forbairt a bheartófar i limistéir Ghaeltachta. [30699/05]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

89 D'fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea den Aire Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil an ndéanfaidh sé rialacháin faoin Acht Pleanála 2000 a chuirfidh ceangal ar fhorbróirí an fhaisnéis is gá a fháil chun ráiteas teanga a dhéanamh maidir le forbairtí Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30722/05]

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 69 agus 89 le chéile.

Ní mór do údaráis áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta faoi réir acu faoi Alt 10(2)(m) den Acht Pleanála agus Forbartha 2000 aidhmeanna a bheith acu sa phlean forbartha um oidhreacht theangeolaíochta agus chultúrtha na Gaeltachta a chosaint, agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga phobail san áireamh. Caithfidh na húdaráis phleanála, agus An Bord Pleanála ar achomharc, na haidhmeanna seo a thabhairt san áireamh agus cinnidh á ndéanamh acu ar iarratais phleanála. Tá mé sásta go bhfuil na forálacha seo ag feidhmiú go maith i leith cosaint cúrsaí teangeolaíochta agus cultúrtha sa Ghaeltacht. Dá bharr, níl sé i gceist agam rialacháin a dhéanamh chun measúnacht tionchar teanga a thabhairt isteach.

National Parks.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

70 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department awarded a below inflation increase to the national parks and wildlife service in the Book of Estimates 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36621/05]

Since the national parks and wildlife service came within the remit of my Department in 2002, the allocation to the service has been increased by almost 57%, from €22.45 million to the 2006 abridged Estimate provision of €35.23 million. In determining the 2006 provision, I have had regard to the lower than anticipated outturn for the service in 2005, which is due to slower than planned progress on some capital projects. The 2006 provision, therefore, provides for a significant real increase in 2006 on the anticipated 2005 outturn.

Airport Development Projects.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

71 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that sufficient consultancy takes place with local authorities when an application for changes to the licensing arrangements of airports, aerodromes or airfields are concerned in view of the fact that only the IAA, Department of Transport and Department of Defence are consulted at this point; if he has satisfied himself that this procedure is sufficient; the role he sees local authorities as having with regard to regulating the development of ground-based facilities which must be established in order to facilitate the non-ground based movements of aviation vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36683/05]

It is the responsibility for the Irish Aviation Authority to licence airports and aerodromes, having regard primarily to aviation safety. Provision for licensing is made in a statutory instrument under the Irish Aviation Act 1993, which comes within the remit of the Minister for Transport.

With regard to ground-based facilities, the position is, as stated in reply to Question 429 of 16 November 2005, that any consequential land-use developments arising from a change in designation of an airport or aerodrome or any increase in activity would have to be dealt with by the relevant planning authority in accordance with the planning code.

Under section 11(3) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may take whatever measures it considers necessary to consult with, inter alia, transport infrastructure providers when it is reviewing its development plan to ascertain any long-term plans for the provision of infrastructure and services in the area of the authority and the provider must supply the necessary information to the authority. This provision allows for the long-term land-use planning of the authority to reflect proposed developments in transport infrastructure and services.

Nuclear Plants.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

72 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussion he has had with his British counterparts regarding indications that the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, is actively considering expanding Britain’s nuclear industry and building new nuclear reactors. [36586/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

82 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on comments by the former British Labour Energy Minister, Mr. Brian Wilson, that he hoped the British Government would give a clear steer in favour of nuclear power stations; and if he has contacted his British counterpart to raise concerns at the implications for Ireland of an expansion of the British nuclear industry. [36587/05]

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

88 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the Government’s plans to mount a campaign against the provision of new nuclear plants in the UK by the British Government. [36558/05]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

97 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the implications for Ireland following recent comments by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, on the future of the nuclear industry in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36598/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 82, 88 and 97 together.

I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 6 on today's Order Paper.

Question No. 73 answered with QuestionNo. 16.

Local Authority Housing.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

74 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the actions his Department intends to take to address the fact that single persons, and single males in particular, are disproportionately represented on the housing waiting lists and face far greater difficulties in attempting to secure social housing. [36585/05]

Single persons who are unable to provide housing for themselves from their own resources are entitled to apply for social housing which is provided by either a local authority or a voluntary housing body. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to decide on the allocation of houses to single persons and other categories on their waiting lists in accordance with their schemes of letting priorities, my Department continues to advise local authorities of the need to provide a reasonable mix of dwellings suited to the different kinds of households already on waiting lists and to plan their future programmes taking account of the estimated size and type of households likely to be seeking housing in the future.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

75 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of move-on accommodation units, designed to help formerly homeless persons prepare themselves for independent living available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36600/05]

My Department recoups to local authorities 90% of their expenditure on the provision of accommodation-related services for homeless persons, including those in move-on accommodation. In 2004, recoupment was made in respect of 586 move-on units.

In addition, accommodation was accessed for formerly homelessness persons by means of social housing units provided directly by local authorities or voluntary bodies. Units were also sourced in the private sector by users of homelessness services themselves, by resettlement services provided by the statutory and voluntary services and by the housing access unit, operated by Threshold on behalf of the Homeless Agency. A number of these units would have involved the provision of an element of ongoing support. A breakdown of these categories is not readily available in my Department.

Renewed focus is now being placed on the provision of long-term accommodation, together with the supports necessary to enable homeless persons to move into independent living. Local authorities are being urged to address this issue both with regard to their own accommodation and in discussions with the voluntary sector active in the housing area. Initiatives currently being undertaken in a number of areas regarding the provision of tenancy sustainment services will assist in this process. I am confident that we will see a significant increase in assistance to homeless persons under these headings from now on.

Funding available from my Department for recoupment to local authorities of costs incurred in the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons in 2005 is €51 million. This brings to €240 million the total funding available from my Department for this purpose since the implementation of the integrated strategy in 2000. In addition, some €106 million was provided by the Department of Health and Children for care-related services in the same period.

EU Directives.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

76 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36602/05]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

501 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the impact the proposed nitrates directive will have on pig farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37315/05]

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

527 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding the probable effects of the nitrates directive on pig production here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as many as 100 licences issued to pig farmers under EPA regulations may be rescinded; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that as many as 400 other pig producers may be unable to source suitable land for spreading pig slurry on; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that unless there is some type of derogation given many pig farmers will either have to scale down their operations or exit pig farming thereby reducing employment in the processing industry; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the decimation of the pig industry will provide opportunities for cheap imports of questionable quality pigmeat into Ireland. [36845/05]

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

539 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the nitrates regulations as drafted will impact severely against pig and poultry producers; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the proposed nitrates regulations include provisions that appear to require unwarranted changes in the current Teagasc recommendations and changes in the current REP scheme 3 specifications not required by the directive; if he will ensure changes are made to these regulations to enable existing pig production enterprises to operate in a responsible manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 501, 527 and 539 together.

Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission on 29 July 2005. Last month, I issued a consultation paper, together with the text of draft regulations to give legal effect to the action programme. The closing date for comments was 4 November 2005.

A total of 76 submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders, including farming organisations, co-operatives, local authorities and other interested parties. My Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food have reviewed the submissions received and I expect to make the final regulations in early December. This will allow Ireland to pursue with the European Commission and other member states our case for a derogation from the limit set by the directive in appropriate cases.

Ireland's original proposal for a derogation from the general livestock manure limit — 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year — laid down in the nitrates directive was submitted to the Commission in November 2004. This has now been updated and submitted informally to the Commission. Our proposal is designed to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg. The scope of the derogation being sought will cater not only for intensive dairy farmers who may need a derogation for their own farming activities, but also caters specifically for grassland holdings importing manure from intensive pig and poultry farms.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme and regulations, the Minister for Agriculture and Food has announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. Under these proposals, pig and poultry producers will be eligible for the first time for on-farm investment aid and grants of up to 70% will be available. Among other new elements, the scheme will introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000 in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs and €40,000 in the case of specialized slurry spreading tankers and related equipment. The scheme will increase the maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000 with the grant rate remaining at 20%. Issues such as Teagasc recommendations and REP scheme 3 specifications are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

Local Authority Funding.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

77 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to the local authorities in County Wicklow for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36311/05]

Allocations from my Department to the local authorities in Wicklow for 2004 in respect of the major programmes co-ordinated by my Department are set out in the following table.

Wicklow Local Authorities — Allocations 2004.

Programme

Wicklow County Council

Bray Town Council

Arklow Town Council

Wicklow Town Council

Total

Main Housing Capital Programmes

20,459,747

2,500,000

600,000

5,800,000

29,359,747

Non-National Roads*

8,927,822

550,000

253,000

253,000

9,983,822

Water & Sewerage Services

3,832,636

324,422

4,157,058

Urban & Village Renewal

394,210

394,210

LGF — General Purpose Allocations

15,717,095

3,872,222

1,313,449

1,414,524

22,317,290

Library Services

217,378

217,378

Fire Services

606,493

606,493

Built Heritage

126,997

126,997

Total

50,282,378

6,922,222

2,490,871

7,467,524

67,162,995

* Includes LGF funding.

David Stanton

Ceist:

78 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the publication of the report on local government finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36589/05]

Question No. 79 answered with QuestionNo. 62.

EU Directives.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

80 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent report from the European Commission concerning the implementation of the 1996 integrated pollution prevention and control directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/05]

I have noted the report in question which reviews progress on the implementation of Directive 96/61/EC on integrated pollution prevention and control across 15 EU member states, concentrating in particular on the period 2000 to 2002. It highlights the European Commission's determination to achieve full implementation of the directive by the final deadline of 30 October 2007.

The implementation of the directive in Ireland is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003 and related regulations. It is my view that Ireland is well placed to meet the directive's requirements within the required timeframe.

Question No. 81 answered with QuestionNo. 26.
Question No. 82 answered with QuestionNo. 72.

Register of Electors.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

83 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to ensure that the register used in the next general election is accurate; if he intends to review the methods used for reviewing the register each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36669/05]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

117 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has met with the Department of Social and Family Affairs to discuss the use of PPS numbers in compiling the electoral register [30981/05]

I propose to take Question Nos. 83 and 117 together.

The compilation and publication of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority in accordance with electoral law and includes the carrying out of house-to-house enquiries, delivery of registration forms and running local awareness campaigns. It is the duty of registration authorities to ensure as far as possible the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. In carrying out this work, registration authorities depend to a significant degree on the co-operation and engagement of the general public.

The focus of my Department's work with regard to the register is to support and assist registration authorities through, inter alia, ensuring that an appropriate legislative framework is in place, developing best practice guidance for registration authorities and overseeing related national awareness campaigns.

In this regard, on 14 July 2005, my Department requested registration authorities to take all necessary steps to secure significant improvement in the quality of the register for their areas in 2006-07. New best practice guidance on preparing and maintaining the register has been drafted in my Department. The guidance has been sent to registration authorities, returning officers and the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government for comment prior to finalisation. In view of the importance of the matter, authorities were asked on 10 November 2005 to implement the guidance immediately, including the carrying out by authorities of reviews of procedures used in compiling the register. A national awareness campaign associated with preparation of the next register has also recently concluded.

I will continue to keep these issues, including the scope for further improvements, under review. In this regard, the issue of use of PPS numbers in the context of electoral registration is being examined in conjunction with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and other relevant interests. In taking forward work regarding the register generally, it will be important to strike the right balance between, on the one hand, the requirement to maintain the security and integrity of the electoral process and, on the other, providing for a reasonable degree of flexibility in arrangements for registration.

Question No. 84 answered with QuestionNo. 30.

Local Authority Staff.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

85 Ms Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when new guidelines will be introduced on when retiring local authority staff may take up work in the commercial sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36615/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 310 of 27 October 2005. The position is unchanged.

Question No. 86 answered with QuestionNo. 22.

Environmental Policy.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

87 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has considered the introduction of a community dividend that would provide compensation, monetary or otherwise, for those groups or individuals located close to so-called disamenities including major infrastructural projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/05]

The agreed programme for Government includes a commitment regarding developing further the concept of community gain in association with the delivery of major infrastructure projects. This would build on specific examples already to hand where planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála have attached conditions to permissions requiring the provision of necessary community facilities in parallel with infrastructure development. In the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill, I propose to include a mechanism whereby An Bord Pleanála could attach conditions providing for community gain to consents for strategic infrastructure. I intend to publish this Bill early in 2006.

Question No. 88 answered with QuestionNo. 72.
Question No. 89 answered with QuestionNo. 69.

EU Directives.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

90 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status, in terms of transposition, of Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles and of Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. [36655/05]

Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles, ELVs, was due to be transposed into national legislation by 21 April 2002, that is, within 18 months after the publication of the directive on 21 October 2000. My Department has been actively engaged with the society for the Irish motor industry, the Irish motor vehicle recyclers association, the metal recyclers association of Ireland and other stakeholders since before the adoption of the directive with regard to the effective implementation.

While enabling provisions to facilitate implementation of the directive were incorporated in the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, regulations on the detailed arrangements for implementation of the directive in Ireland have yet to be made. The delay in fully transposing and implementing the directive is primarily due to difficulties encountered in reaching agreement with the relevant sectors on the detailed mechanisms for the operation of the free ELV take-back arrangements required by the directive.

Against this background, my Department has held a number of meetings with the relevant sectors with a view to developing an effective and pragmatic approach to implement the directive in Ireland. On foot of these discussions, it is my intention to announce draft regulations shortly which will facilitate the full transposition and implementation of the directive's provisions when made.

Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise was due to be transposed by 18 July 2004. The provisions of the directive with regard to noise-mapping are already being implemented in part and progress is being achieved in this regard. Regulations to transpose the directive are at an advanced stage of drafting and I intend to make them shortly.

Waste Management.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

91 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether a legal action or enforcement under the Air Pollution Act 1987 is appropriate in the case of backyard burning by a householder since it requires an authorised person to show that a pollutant is present in the resulting emissions and since it requires the authorised person to give 24 hours’ notice in writing to a householder before visiting their premises; if in view of same he intends to amend waste legislation to provide effective enforcement against backyard burning. [36670/05]

Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, the occupier of any premises, other than a private dwelling, is required to use the best practicable means to limit and, if possible, to prevent emissions, including smoke emissions, from such premises. In addition, the occupier of any premises is prohibited from causing or permitting an emission in such a quantity or manner as to be a nuisance. The Act provides local authorities with powers to prevent or limit air pollution and penalties include fines and-or imprisonment upon conviction.

The Waste Management Act 1996 places a general duty of care on the holder of waste not to hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste in a manner that causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution. Local authorities are empowered to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit environmental pollution caused by the holding or disposal of waste and mitigate or remedy the effects on the environment of any such activity.

Both the Air Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act require that an authorised person notify, in writing, the occupier of a private dwelling at least 24 hours in advance of their intention to enter their dwelling for the purpose of carrying out their functions. Notification is not necessary when the authorised person has the consent of the occupant. Furthermore, under the Waste Management Act, an authorised person may apply for a warrant to the District Court to authorise entry when it is believed that evidence related to a suspected offence under the Act may be present and is in danger of being removed or destroyed.

A recent report on the nature and extent of unauthorised waste activity in Ireland, published by the Office of Environmental Enforcement, identifies backyard burning of household waste as a problem area in regard to waste management which requires further action. The report draws attention to the measures already being taken, including the appointment of over 100 additional waste enforcement officers across the local authorities funded by my Department and the stepped up enforcement by the office of environment enforcement and local authorities. The report identifies additional actions which can further assist in stamping out this socially and environmentally unacceptable practice. In light of this report, I am reviewing the effectiveness of existing legislation in dealing with backyard burning of household waste and, if necessary, I will seek to strengthen the powers of local authorities in this area.

Offshore Islands.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

92 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on Government plans to purchase the Great Blasket Island; if he has been involved in the planning for the island; the significance of the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30679/05]

To secure and promote the important cultural, archaeological, built and natural heritage of An Blascaod Mór, the Government approved in July 2005 the early purchase of the majority of land interests on the island for €1.7 million, to be provided from within the existing heritage capital allocation of my Department. The Office of Public Works is engaged in ongoing negotiations for this purpose and it is expected these will be completed in 2006. The Office of Public Works has primary responsibility for the purchase negotiations and the further management of this project.

Departmental Funding.

John Deasy

Ceist:

93 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the budget 2006 increase requested by the Environmental Protection Agency; the amount granted in Estimate 2006; if there is a shortfall and the increased activity expected from the Environmental Protection Agency as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/05]

The Environmental Protection Agency engaged with my Department in the normal manner regarding its funding requirements for 2006. The agency has now been allocated €15.670 million in Exchequer funding for 2006 in the abridged Estimates Volume, an increase of 13% on the 2005 Estimates. Funding is also provided to the agency from the environment fund for certain of its activities. The increased funding will allow the agency to continue to discharge its functions and responsibilities, including the protection and improvement of the natural environment, for present and future generations.

EU Directives.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

94 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the provisions he will make for persons selling homes from 1 January 2006, since the failure to transpose the EU energy efficiency building directive means they will not be able to produce the energy performance certificate that will be legally required under EU law from that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36666/05]

Article 15(2) of the EU energy performance of buildings directive, 2002/91/EC, allows for the phased introduction of building energy performance certificates by 4 January 2009. The draft action plan for the implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive in Ireland — April 2005 — provides for the phased introduction of building energy performance certificates, to be known as building energy rating certificates, as follows: (i) for new dwellings with effect from 1 January 2007; (ii) for new buildings other than dwellings with effect from I January 2008; and (iii) for existing buildings, when offered for sale or letting or re-letting, with effect from 1 January 2009. A copy of the draft action plan has been placed in the Oireachtas Library. The definitive action plan is being drawn up, in the light of all submissions received during the public consultation process on the draft plan, and will be submitted to the European Commission shortly.

Election Management System.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his intentions regarding the future use of the electronic voting technology; the cost and associated costs to date in 2005; the likely future costs and or use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36687/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

548 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to be in a position to provide an explanation as to the reason the e-voting project has been allowed to proceed to date in 2005 with obvious and increasing cost implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36975/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 548 together.

The Government decision in February 2000 to move to electronic voting and counting in Ireland aimed at securing a broad range of identified benefits compared with the current manual arrangements, including more democratic outcomes through the minimisation of invalid votes and the more accurate counting of votes; provision of a higher level of service to the public; greater flexibility and speed in the voting and counting processes and increased use of modern information and communication technologies.

A programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the electronic voting and counting system is under way to address issues raised by the commission on electronic voting and demonstrate that the system operates reliably, securely and accurately. The timing of the further use of the system is dependent on the progress made with the above work, the ongoing work of the commission on electronic voting and on the dates on which future polls may be held.

The total cost incurred to date in the development and roll-out of the electronic voting and counting system is €51.088 million, which includes €96,074 paid in 2005 to consultants undertaking a security and risk assessment of the system as part of the above work. In addition, information provided by returning officers to my Department indicates that the total annual storage cost for the electronic voting machines and ancillary equipment is some €696,000. It is not possible at this stage to quantify total additional costs that may arise with regard to the electronic voting and counting system. In any event, such costs are likely to be small relative to the capital investment already made.

Water Quality.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

96 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is taking to improve the overall quality of drinking water here and in particular the quality of water in group water schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36641/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

550 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy in respect of storage and volume of the domestic drinking water supply; the future requirements and his proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36977/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 550 together.

Some €3.7 billion will be spent under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 on the provision of water services infrastructure. Substantial increases in water treatment and storage capacity are being achieved as a result of this investment. Schemes completed since 1997 have produced additional drinking water treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 985,000. The increase in storage capacity over the same period was sufficient to meet the requirements of a population of 1.575 million.

Management of public drinking water supplies is the responsibility of the local authorities which have a range of instruments and measures available to them to conserve sufficient stocks to meet anticipated needs and ensure quality standards. In addition, my Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved infrastructure, active leakage control, telemetry and rehabilitation of watermains.

Details of approved proposals for further new and upgraded public water supply schemes are set out in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The schemes included in the programme are mainly derived from regular assessments of needs undertaken by local authorities, at my Department's request, as an input to the overall strategy for meeting additional water supply and treatment requirements.

Successive Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, reports on drinking water quality testify to the good quality of public drinking water supplies in Ireland. The most recent EPA report, for 2003, confirms a compliance rate with mandatory drinking water standards for public water supplies of 97.7%. Earlier this year, I announced a record capital allocation of €125 million for the 2005 rural water programme. Water quality problems are now largely confined to group water schemes using private sources such as rivers, lakes and boreholes, many of which are subject to organic pollution. These schemes serve approximately 4% of households nationally and, for the most part, supply water to group members without any prior treatment or disinfection. My Department, in partnership with the county councils and the group scheme sector, is implementing a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving water quality in schemes with private sources. Some €81.35 million has been ring-fenced in 2005 for spending on the provision of water treatment and disinfection facilities on quality deficient schemes and, where feasible, in connecting these schemes to high quality public water supply systems.

My Department provides 100% capital grants for the construction of essential water treatment and disinfection facilities on schemes with private sources. At present, there are 18 grouped design build operate contracts being progressed for new water treatment plants for 246 individual schemes which, between them, serve 43,786 rural households. Projects are also under way to connect around 70 schemes to the public water supply and county councils propose to take a further 38 poor quality group schemes into public charge. A further 36 schemes which currently supply water in compliance with the required standard will benefit from the provision of new water disinfection and sterilisation equipment. Overall, the necessary resources are being committed to securing a high quality water supply system to remedy deficiencies where they exist and to meet current and future needs.

Question No. 97 answered with QuestionNo. 72.

Public Procurement Policy.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

98 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the requirements for all local authorities to purchase certain proportions of their energy supply from renewable sources would be appropriate in view of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s decision to purchase 62% of its energy supply from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36680/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 542 of 4 October 2005. The Department of Finance has responsibility for public procurement policy, including guidance and clarification for public bodies as to how environmental considerations may be taken into account and promoted.

While it is not within my Department's remit to stipulate the mix or quantities of any product or service that might be purchased by the local authorities in the course of their day-to-day activities, my Department issues broad advice and information to local authorities on the inclusion of environmental criteria in their tendering processes. However, these processes are subject to obligations under the EU public procurement directives. The EU Handbook on Environmental Public Procurement provides information on how to integrate environmental considerations into the procurement of goods and services.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

99 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether public procurement policies can play a role in halting climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 542 of 4 October 2005. The role of public procurement policies in assisting climate change policies and increases has been addressed by the European Commission in a 2003 study under the Commission's environment and sustainable development research programme entitled Environmental Relief Potential Of Urban Action On Avoidance And Detoxification Of Waste Streams Through Green Public Procurement. The study assessed the potential environmental benefits of widespread adoption of green procurement across the EU and concluded that significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide could be achieved through greater use of green electricity by public authorities, conversion to buildings of high environmental quality, and use of more energy-efficient computers and other electronic equipment.

The potential for public procurement policies to contribute to meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, having regard to Ireland's obligations under the EU public procurement directives, is being explored in the context of the ongoing review of the national climate change strategy

Biodiversity Fund.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

100 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals for a national biodiversity fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36612/05]

In launching the review of the implementation of the national biodiversity plan 2002-06 on 4 November 2005, I announced the establishment of a biodiversity fund of €1 million. It will be administered by the Heritage Council, which operates under the aegis of my Department in respect of capital projects promoting biodiversity throughout the State. The fund will be spread over the two-year period 2006 to 2007 and will operate as a grant scheme to members of the public, community organisations, local authorities and non-governmental organisations. I understand that the Heritage Council will shortly announce further details of the fund.

Local Authority Funding.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

101 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his response to the submission from IBEC in relation to local authority funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36642/05]

I am aware of the views of IBEC on local government funding, arising from its statement in September 2005 in that regard and its subsequent presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government. I responded publicly to a number of the issues raised in the statement when I addressed the annual conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland in September, noting for example the extent to which local authorities services are driven by population and economic growth; the reality that increased costs reflect the need to expand and maintain public infrastructure, to respond to community and social needs and to meet higher environmental standards and quality of life expectations; the importance of cost effective service delivery, efficiency across local government operations and prudence in the determination of spending patterns; the value of a vibrant local government system as a partner to a dynamic business community; and the positive role of small local authorities in helping to support active citizenship and social capital at a local level. I have arranged to meet IBEC in December to discuss issues relating to local authority funding.

Environmental Policy.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

102 Ms Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date in 2005 by the task force set up in his Department to establish strategies to address the range of environmental complaints against Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36647/05]

The task force set up in my Department to address the range of environmental complaints against Ireland in a more comprehensive way has had four formal meetings to date.

In addressing its work, the task force has built on an intensified engagement by my Department with Commission officials and with relevant implementing agencies in Ireland.

The task force participated in a two-day meeting with Commission officials in Dublin in October. This meeting provided an opportunity for an in-depth examination of a number of cases as well as an exchange of views on broader administrative and procedural issues.

The task force has undertaken a systematic and comprehensive analysis including an ongoing review on a regular basis of cases that are the subject of infringement proceedings by the European Commission and for which my Department is responsible. This analysis, ongoing monitoring and improved reporting measures have facilitated accelerated responses by Ireland to Commission concerns.

Local Authority Operations.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

103 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made by the value for money unit in his Department and in particular the result of its studies on local authority operations; the best practice identified and the recommendations made to improve existing procedures, practices and systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36635/05]

The value for money unit of the local government audit service has published 22 reports to date covering the following activities: purchasing — general; advertising; insurance; parking charges; photocopying; the machinery yard; energy efficiency in local authority buildings; differential rents; property management; public lighting; stores; water production and distribution; housing maintenance; debt collection; waste collection; treasury management; a review of performance indicators; comparative data on local authorities revenue collection; machinery yard — a guide; internal audit in local authorities; internal audit — guidance handbook; and motor tax in local authorities.

These reports contain in excess of 200 recommendations for improving existing procedures, practices and systems. It is a matter for each local authority to adopt the recommendations best suited to their particular local circumstances. As part of its routine regulatory-financial audit, the local government audit service follows up the implementation of these recommendations with local management.

The audit service is now also undertaking follow-up examinations on some of the areas already subject to review. The first follow-up report on the internal audit function in local authorities is due to be published in December 2005. A feasibility study is being carried out at present for a study on best practice in financial reporting and management information usage and it is also planned to carry out a feasibility study on energy management shortly.

Local Authority Funding.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

104 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the 6% increase in the local government fund will be enough to allow local authorities to perform their functions; his views on whether local government is adequately funded; his further views on the level of commercial rates levied on businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36619/05]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

508 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the current economic situation in Donegal, he will consider ring-fencing an additional €800,000 per year from the local government fund for Donegal County Council over the next three years. [36450/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 508 together.

Income available to local authorities through the local government fund rose from €797 million in 1999 to €1.29 billion in 2005. I am satisfied that the funding I will make available to local authorities, including Donegal County Council, for 2006 through general purpose grants from the fund will make a significant contribution to meeting their increased costs in 2006 and enable them to provide a reasonable level of services while avoiding the need for any undue increases in commercial rates, fees and other charges. Buoyancy in the fund overall since 1999 has ensured that general purpose grants increased by more than double the level of increase in the annual rate on valuation and more than three times the cumulative rate of inflation. I intend to notify local authorities of their general purpose allocations for 2006 shortly.

Climate Change Strategy.

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

105 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether a system of energy efficiency labelling for motor vehicles would be beneficial to Ireland’s climate change strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36595/05]

The national climate change strategy proposed to implement a system of fuel economy labelling for new cars and the monitoring of carbon dioxide emissions rates for all newly registered cars. Since August 2001, regulations require all new passenger cars for sale to be individually labelled with fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions information. A progress report on the national climate change strategy, published in 2002, identified annual emission reductions of 380,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2010 from this initiative.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

106 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed sewerage scheme for Gweedore, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36580/05]

The Gweedore sewerage scheme is approved for funding in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 at an estimated cost of €22 million. Donegal County Council's preliminary report and contract documents for the scheme will be further considered on receipt of a certificate of completion of planning and a revised water services pricing policy report which have been requested from the council. Once the contract documents have been approved the council will be in a position to invite tenders for the construction of the scheme.

Question No. 107 answered with QuestionNo. 8.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

108 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of additional units of permanent social housing his Department is committed to delivering in net terms between 2005 and 2012. [36684/05]

The Government's consideration of this matter will be informed by the outcome of the statutory housing needs assessment being finalised at present and the work by the housing forum in reviewing the effectiveness of the existing social and affordable housing schemes in the context of the Sustaining Progress agreement.

The Government has put in place a number of new arrangements to facilitate the delivery of strong programmes of social and affordable housing. In consultation with my Department, local authorities have developed five-year action plans for their social and affordable housing programmes covering the period to 2008. The preparation of these plans has improved the identification of priority needs and will help to ensure a more coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing services.

They have also provided an overview of delivery by a range of providers — local authorities, voluntary and co-operative housing bodies and the private sector, through Part V and public private partnership arrangements. A mid-term review of plans will be undertaken next year which will allow for adjustments to be made in light of actual performance and any new housing policy initiatives arising in the interim.

The Government has successfully promoted a range of measures to provide additional social housing in recent years, and is committed to maintaining strong programmes into the future. Local authorities have been ambitious in terms of the level of output planned in their housing actions plans to 2008. Some €2 billion is being made available for housing programmes in 2006 to increase further the output of social and affordable housing. It is anticipated that the needs of more than 13,000 households will be met through various social and affordable housing measures in 2006.

Homelessness Strategy.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

109 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the independent review of the implementation of the integrated and preventative homelessness strategies and their associated action plans have been completed; when the review is due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36649/05]

The independent review of the implementation of the integrated and preventative homelessness strategies and their associated action plans has been completed. Preparations are under way at present for the publication of the report and the Government's response to it.

Social and Affordable Housing.

David Stanton

Ceist:

110 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in publication of the housing needs assessment; when he expects to publish same; the number of households or individuals he expects to be in need of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36590/05]

Architectural Heritage.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

111 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if aid will be granted for the preservation of 16 Moore Street, Dublin which was the last headquarters of the 1916 Rising leaders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36632/05]

I refer to the replies to Question No. 413 of 12 October 2005 and Question No. 637 of 25 October 2005. Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities to whom my Department provides advice in the exercise of their functions in that regard under the Planning and Development Act 2000.

On 25 August 2005, I recommended to Dublin City Council in accordance with section 53 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, that 16 Moore Street should be added to its record of protected structures, RPS, because of its historical and architectural interest. I understand that the city council has received an assessment of the architectural and historic importance of the building and will shortly bring a proposal to the council to add the building to the RPS. I also understand that the city council has recently been able to arrange for the owners to carry out essential repairs to the roof of the premises to ensure the essential fabric of the structure is protected while appropriate decisions are taken.

I am not aware of any application for funding under any of the schemes available. As a protected structure on the RPS, the owners of 16 Moore Street would be eligible to apply to Dublin City Council for a grant under the scheme of architectural protection grants which is administered by local authorities and resourced by my Department. The standard amount of grant is 50% of the approved cost of works, up to a maximum of €13,000. A local authority may in exceptional circumstances determine an amount greater than the standard amount up to a maximum of €25,000. Funding for the scheme was increased from €3.9 million in 2004 to €6.85 million in 2005.

Funding for architectural heritage protection is also provided directly by the Heritage Council under its buildings at risk programme and the council also administers certain once-off grants directly on my behalf. In addition, tax relief is available under 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 for expenditure incurred on the repair, maintenance or restoration of an approved building or garden where certain requirements regarding public access are met.

The National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for a scheme of EU co-financed grants for the conservation of the architectural heritage. This scheme provides support for local authorities, civic trusts, and other not for profit bodies to upgrade buildings of significant architectural heritage merit and which are in public ownership or open to the public generally. This grant scheme is available under the regional operational programme 2000-2006 and is administered by my Department. In accordance with the conditions of the scheme the closing date for the 2006 scheme for the east region was 23 October 2005. Maximum funding available under the scheme is generally some €30,000. All applications for funding under the scheme are assessed by an independent advisory panel.

Waste Management.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

112 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the confidential waste information line will be operational; the way in which same will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/05]

The office of environmental enforcement is establishing a waste information line to facilitate any individuals or organisations that wish to provide information to the office concerning illegal waste activity. I understand that it is expected to be launched early in 2006.

Question No. 113 answered with QuestionNo. 22.

Biodiversity Plan.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

114 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself with the progress in dealing with the 91 actions listed under Ireland’s national biodiversity plan, published in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36672/05]

I am satisfied that the interim review of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan 2002-06, which I launched on 4 November 2005, demonstrates a significant level of progress in implementing the 91 actions of the plan. The interim review indicates that 23 of the actions have been completed, implementation is ongoing in the case of a further 60 of the actions, and further work is required in respect of eight of the actions.

At the launch of the interim review, I announced a total of 13 new initiatives designed to provide a renewed momentum to the implementation of the plan for the future. These initiatives include the establishment of a dedicated biodiversity unit in my Department, which also acts as chair of the interdepartmental steering group which oversees implementation of the plan; the establishment of a new biodiversity fund of €1 million, spread over 2006-2007; the establishment of a biodiversity forum as a standing committee of Comhar, the national sustainable development partnership; and the establishment of a biological records centre as an essential mechanism and resource for documentation, monitoring and research in the area of biodiversity. I am confident that these and the other initiatives which I have announced will ensure the effective ongoing implementation of the national biodiversity plan.

Question No. 115 answered with QuestionNo. 55.

Wildlife Protection.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

116 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to establish a mink trapping programme to counteract the problems posed by predatory mink on bird species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36665/05]

The national parks and wildlife service of my Department regularly carries out trapping of mink to protect particular bird colonies. As mink is not a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, they can also be trapped freely by landowners and their agents.

A major scientific study carried out over three years 1983 to 1986 into the biology of the feral mink and its impact and control issues in Ireland concluded that mink populations naturally stabilise. While recommending trapping in specific locations where they are causing a problem, for example, to game birds or to island and colony nesting birds, the study concluded that it is difficult to substantially reduce mink populations over larger areas. It advised that attempting to do so could even exacerbate the problem by creating a vacuum to be filled by young colonisers, which would be liable to cause more problems than a well-established, stabilised population. In most situations the scientific advice is that it is best to leave mink to stabilise naturally.

Question No. 117 answered with QuestionNo. 83.

National Spatial Strategy.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

118 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress to date in 2005 on the national spatial strategy; if he intends to make changes to the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36633/05]

The national spatial strategy, NSS, is a 20-year strategic planning framework, published in 2002, aimed at achieving more balanced regional development. Substantial progress has been made at national level in implementing the strategy which is having an increasing influence on policies and programmes across a number of Departments and agencies such as the Department of Finance, Department of Transport, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the development agencies. At regional level, a key policy bridge between national development priorities and local planning has been put in place with the adoption in mid-2004 of regional planning guidelines, RPG's.

At county and city level, strategic land use and planning strategies for the Cork, Waterford and Sligo gateways are in place, while the Limerick and Galway strategies have been prepared and are awaiting adoption. Other strategies for gateways are in preparation and are expected to be put in place over the course of 2006.

Some practical examples of implementation progress to date include the incorporation of a requirement in capital envelope agreements between Department of Finance and spending Departments that Departments must demonstrate how investments are being prioritised to implement the NSS; the Government's decision in July 2005 that the regional dimension of the next national development plan, which is now in preparation, will be broadly based on the NSS; the recognition of the priorities of the NSS and regional planning guidelines in the ten-year investment plan for transport, Transport 21, recently published by the Government; the €90 million investment in the Mallow-Cork-Midleton commuter rail system now being implemented in accordance with the development framework set out in the Cork area strategic plan and which will support a new 20,000 home development corridor for Cork over the next 15 years; the objectives incorporated in the development plans for Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to promote a substantial increase in housing output in the Dublin metropolitan area and to thus reduce urban sprawl and long distance commuting — a key objective of the NSS; and in Sligo, a series of private sector hotel, leisure, retail and commercial developments, totalling around €200 million in value, have all commenced since its designation as a gateway.

Key ongoing and future work in implementing the NSS includes ensuring that the strategy continues to inform the macro-investment agenda. This will continue to require a concerted effort, co-ordinated across Departments and their agencies, regional and local authorities, with a particular focus on driving the accelerated development of the gateways with the support of the necessary investment, particularly in the new NDP period. To support the development of the NSS gateways a major study has been undertaken of their potential for accelerated development in housing, commercial and employment terms and the key infrastructure priorities that will be necessary to facilitate such development. Similar work is also being undertaken in relation to the hubs identified in the NSS. Work on a feasibility study to develop further the concept of an Atlantic gateways corridor, with enhanced linkages and networking between Cork, Galway, Limerick-Shannon and Waterford is also nearing completion. Considerable attention is also being given to the cross-Border aspects of the implementation of the NSS in conjunction with the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland, with particular emphasis on the linked gateway of Derry-Letterkenny and cross-Border elements of the regional planning guidelines for the Border region. Proposals are also being developed to put in place a monitoring framework to report on progress in implementing the NSS, with a special emphasis on up-to-date regional population and housing projections that take account of the latest CSO national population estimates which suggest a national population of up to 5 million by 2020.

The above processes appropriately apply the national spatial strategy to regional and local requirements and to newly emerging circumstances and opportunities. There are no proposals to make changes to the strategy.

Question No. 119 answered with QuestionNo. 16.

Departmental Funding.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

120 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the 7% reduction in his Department’s funding announced in the Estimates 2006 will allow for the vital work of his Department in this area to be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36618/05]

The Abridged Estimates Volume, AEV, published on 17 November provided for a gross Estimate of €2.599 billion in 2006 for my Department compared with the Estimate of €2.529 billion for 2005, that is, an increase of just under 3%. This includes an increase of over 6.5% in the current provision of €839 million. These provisions will contribute to a significantly increased resourcing of the local government sector in 2006. Taking account of funding from all sources, local government is likely to have in excess of €8.5 billion available for its services in the coming year — equivalent to some 5% of gross national product.

The AEV is a first step in the Estimates process and does not take account of any further adjustments, particularly in relation to capital provision, which may be announced on budget day. The total pre-budget provision, together with the facility for carryover, is confirmation of the Government's strong commitment to the work of my Department. It will enable my Department to continue high levels of investment in meeting social needs and in providing vital infrastructure.

Waste Management.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

121 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress he has made in relation to his consideration as to the way in which the waste market might best be regulated in the future, following the conclusions of the Competition Authority that the present system is not working well for consumers nationally. [36658/05]

My Department is continuing its examination of the various options as to how best the rapidly evolving waste market might be regulated in future. In this context, the views of the Competition Authority will be given careful consideration. I would hope to be in a position to advance proposals in this regard early in 2006.

Proposed Legislation.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

122 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to introduce legislation to establish a registration system for architects to ensure that persons who hold architectural qualifications will be allowed to practise as architects. [36656/05]

The Government plans to introduce the building control Bill before Christmas. This Bill will provide for, inter alia, statutory protection of the title of “Architect” so that only those who are suitably qualified and registered will be lawfully entitled to use the title “Architect”.

Local Authority Housing.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

123 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the further action he will take to support local authorities in their battle against anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36609/05]

A number of legislative measures have been put in place to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to fulfil their responsibilities under the Housing Acts for the management and maintenance of their housing stock. These measures are kept under continuous review in my Department.

The tenancy agreement, which is the legal basis of the relationship between the local authority and its tenants, will generally contain provisions in relation to behaviour which is acceptable and that which is not. The local authority is empowered under section 62 of the Housing Act 1966 to initiate proceedings to secure an eviction where a tenant has breached the conditions of the tenancy agreement.

The primary purpose of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 is to provide for a range of measures to assist local authorities in addressing problems arising on their estates from drug dealing and serious anti-social behaviour. The Act gives recognition to the role of local authorities in actively promoting the interests of tenants and other occupiers of the housing and also in working towards the avoidance, prevention and abatement of anti-social behaviour. One of the main provisions of the 1997 Act enables a local authority tenant, or the local authority itself in certain circumstances, to apply to the District Court for an excluding order against an individual member of the household who is believed to be engaging in anti-social behaviour. The measures contained in the 1997 Act are essential to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to take effective action in this area.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 contains a number of provisions to address the issue of anti-social behaviour in private rented accommodation and also extends the local authority power to obtain excluding orders in respect of the occupants, other than the owner, of tenant purchased houses. It also extends the local authority power to refuse to sell a house to a person it has reason to believe may engage in anti-social behaviour under the tenant purchase scheme to the shared ownership scheme, the affordable housing scheme and affordable houses deriving from Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

In addition to the considerable investments made in regeneration projects under my Department's area regeneration programme, my Department also provides further support to local authorities. The housing unit, which is funded by my Department and local authorities, has produced good practice guidelines on preventing and combating anti-social behaviour. The unit has also organised training courses for local authorities in this regard. In this wider context, my Department has put in place a housing management initiatives scheme which includes funding for programmes to improve estate management, tenant liaison and training initiatives.

Further issues, including matters of a criminal nature, come within the remit of the Garda Síochána and my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Private Rented Sector.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

124 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress to date in 2005 on the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36608/05]

Under the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, announced by the Government in July 2004, local authorities will, over a four-year period, progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, rent supplement recipients of 18 months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need.

The RAS is a collaborative project between my Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the community welfare service. All local authorities are due to implement the new arrangements during 2005. Roll-out commenced in an initial group of lead authorities, namely, Dublin, Galway and Limerick city councils, South Dublin, Donegal, Offaly and Westmeath county councils and Drogheda Borough Council. Cork City and County councils and South Tipperary County Council are now implementing the RAS.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 677 of 25 October where I outlined the main actions taken in implementing the scheme. The first transfers to the RAS occurred in the Galway City Council area where 56 households have transferred from the SWA rent supplement scheme. A further 220 households will transfer to the RAS on 1 December in the Dublin city area.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

125 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether major infrastructural projects such as wind turbines should be included in regional development plans and amended national spatial strategy to fast-track their construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36591/05]

Land-based wind energy development is governed by the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála on appeal, in making a decision on an application must consider, inter alia, the development plan and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area involved, including the preservation and improvement of amenities. They must also, where relevant, consider the policy, including the energy policy, of the Government or of any Minister of the Government. An Bord Pleanála accords priority to major infrastructure projects, including large-scale wind energy development.

Existing guidelines for planning authorities on wind energy development 1996 are being revised by my Department. I intend to publish final revised guidelines to planning authorities on wind energy development shortly, following an extensive consultation on draft revised guidelines published in August 2004.

The new guidelines will seek to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations for wind energy development and the treatment of planning applications for wind energy developments. The guidelines will also include a step by step guide to the evaluation of suitable areas for wind energy developments. In addition, visual and landscape aspects of wind farm developments are addressed, including the provision of photomontages of wind farms in various types of landscapes.

The making of regional planning guidelines is a matter for the relevant regional authority in consultation with the planning authorities within its region. Regional planning guidelines were adopted in all regions by May 2004 and best practice guidance on their implementation was subsequently issued to all regional and local authorities. In accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the matters which such guidelines must address for the whole of the region to which they relate include transportation, water services, waste disposal, energy and communications networks.

The national spatial strategy addresses at a broad strategic level the issue of the economic and social infrastructure necessary to support the objective of more spatially balanced development. Work is progressing on the planning and development (strategic infrastructure) Bill which will provide for a streamlined development consent procedure for relevant strategic infrastructure projects that are currently subject to the normal planning consent procedure. I intend to publish the Bill in early 2006.

Unemployment Levels.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

126 Mr. O’Connor asked the Taoiseach the latest unemployment figures for the Tallaght area. [36791/05]

The exact information as requested by the Deputy is not available. Statistics on employment and unemployment are compiled at a regional level from the quarterly national household survey. The latest statistics show that there were 25,500 people classified as unemployed in the Dublin region in the March-May quarter of 2005. Sub-regional statistics of the kind requested by the Deputy are not available from the quarterly national household survey.

The live register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Figures are published for each county and each local social welfare office. The most recent information available is for October 2005 and this indicates that there are 3,146 persons on the register in the Tallaght office. It should be noted that the live register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment assistance or benefit. Statistics on unemployment are measured at regional level by the quarterly national household survey; the exact area covered by each local office is not limited to the immediate locality of the particular office. For instance, in the Tallaght local office there may be registered, persons from the Blessington area.

The October live register figures for the Dublin region which include the Tallaght office are set out in the following table.

Persons on the October live register in the Dublin region classified by sex, age group and local office of registration.

Males

Females

October 2005

Under 25 years

25 years and over

Total

Under 25 years

25 years and over

Total

Dublin

39,287

4,989

20,061

25,050

2,923

11,314

14,237

Bishop Square

3,398

370

1,895

2,265

208

925

1,133

Cumberland Street

5,130

651

2,642

3,293

359

1,478

1,837

Navan Road

2,619

316

1,486

1,802

188

629

817

Blanchardstown

3,390

401

1,581

1,982

292

1,116

1,408

Thomas Street

2,178

263

1,269

1,532

147

499

646

Tara Street

1,166

120

670

790

49

327

376

Tallaght

3,146

536

1,520

2,056

322

768

1,090

Ballymun

1,481

265

732

997

144

340

484

Clondalkin

3,368

492

1,561

2,053

350

965

1,315

Rathfarnham

1,771

166

842

1,008

75

688

763

Kilbarrack

2,259

232

1,187

1,419

111

729

840

Dún Laoghaire

2,391

187

1,237

1,424

85

882

967

Balbriggan

1,238

88

614

702

67

469

536

Ballyfermot

1,268

222

602

824

156

288

444

Finglas

2,225

352

1,083

1,435

182

608

790

Coolock

2,259

328

1,140

1,468

188

603

791

Source: Live Register Analysis, Central Statistics Office.

Departmental Staff.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

127 Mr. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of former employees who have been brought back to work on contract, or other staff employed on contract to do work which has traditionally been done in-house among his Department and the agencies under his authority; and the way in which this practice fits with the intention of an embargo on recruitment. [36466/05]

The Law Reform Commission, which comes under the aegis of my Department, has a part-time project manager who is a former employee, chief executive officer, Legal Aid Board-assistant secretary, Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform. The project manager assists the Attorney General's consultative committee in monitoring the implementation of the Law Reform Commission recommendations for law review, and relations with the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, the Law Reform Commission and the Office of the Attorney General. The project manager was selected by the Office of the Attorney General and then assigned to the Law Reform Commission.

The Law Reform Commission also employs a former employee of the Office of the Attorney General. The commission's annual budget includes a sum of money to engage the services of legal expertise on short-term contracts as the need arises and it is on that basis that the former employee, parliamentary draftsperson, of the office of the Attorney General was engaged to draw up draft Bills including the draft criminal justice (DNA database) Bill 2005, included in the recent report published, The Establishment of a DNA Database, LRC 78-2005.

During the period in question, the Office of the Attorney General employed several experienced drafters on a contract basis. On average there were 3.5 such persons retained during the past three years, including the former staff member referred to above.

In June of this year, my Department contracted a temporary clerical officer when there was no clerical officer panel in existence. The recruited individual was afforded development and training opportunities within the Department of the Taoiseach. No former employees have been brought back to work on contract in my Department or in any of the other bodies under its authority.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

128 Mr. Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36732/05]

No units of my Department or bodies under the aegis of my Department are being decentralised.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

129 Mr. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37346/05]

There is no capital allocation in my Department for 2005 and, consequently, no such appraisals have been carried out in the period mentioned.

Disability Payments.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

130 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement with regard to the recommendation of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities for a cost of disability payment and on the withdrawal of mobility allowances from persons with disabilities (details supplied). [36324/05]

Under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, an interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Department of Health and Children, was established to examine the feasibility of introducing a cost of disability payment.

The National Disability Authority, NDA, on behalf of the working group, and in line with its own remit, commissioned research into the feasibility of a cost of disability payment in Ireland. The purpose of this research was to advise regarding the additional costs incurred by people with disabilities owing specifically to the direct or indirect costs of the disability and the appropriate mechanisms or instruments by which to address identified additional costs. The resultant report, Disability and the Cost of Living, was published by the NDA early in 2004.

The working group in March of this year produced a position paper, which gave an overview of the work they have undertaken to date. It outlined the group's current thinking and also gave an indication of the next steps the working group intend taking.

The working group recommends that urgent steps be taken to improve the quality of data relating to disability in Ireland. This might include, for example, adjustment of existing data gathering exercises undertaken by the Central Statistics Office or other relevant bodies to include questions on the numbers per household with disabilities, the nature of the disability, severity of impairment, etc. The working group considers that it is vital that comprehensive data is available on which to base consideration of the feasibility of a cost of disability payment. Given its advisory and research remit, the working group considers that the National Disability Authority has an important role to play in addressing these data gaps along with other relevant bodies.

The working group acknowledges that a number of Departments and agencies have previously carried out reviews of the various supports-payments for people with disabilities. However, these reviews have tended to focus solely on the operation of individual schemes without taking a broader overview of how these measures fit into the overall system of disability supports. The working group proposes to examine the scope for rationalising and streamlining the various disability supports measures, with a particular focus on mitigating the additional costs of disability for a greater number of people with disabilities, particularly in the case of those who wish to move from a position of total welfare dependance to one of greater economic independence. The working group is now proceeding to follow up on these various matters including issues related to transport for people with disabilities. The assessment of and entitlement to a mobility allowance in any individual case is a matter for the relevant area of the Health Service Executive.

Adoption Services.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

131 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the progress which has been made in concluding negotiations of a draft protocol on adoption between Ireland and Belarus, which was referred to in Question No. 113 of 11 October 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36332/05]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

137 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts which are being made by her Department to liaise with the Adoption Board and Belarus to ensure that it re-opens to foreign adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37012/05]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

141 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if progress has been made on negotiations of the draft protocol on adoption between Ireland and Belarus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36333/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 137 and 141 together.

A delegation from the Adoption Board travelled to Belarus in September 2005 and met the Minister for Education, along with his deputy and officials from the National Adoption Centre. At this meeting the Irish delegation was presented with a draft agreement for consideration. The draft agreement has been translated and is with the Office of the Attorney General for his advice and comments. My Department is also examining the draft agreement. Negotiations on this agreement will commence as soon as possible but it is not possible to put a timeframe on these negotiations or to predict their outcome at this point in the process.

Health Services.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

132 Ms Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she proposes to make available an additional speech therapist for children attending the DEC (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that children attending the DEC are severely handicapped and in need of speech therapy services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36393/05]

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.

Crisis Pregnancy Agency.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

133 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to reform the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36494/05]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

144 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the policies of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36347/05]

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

148 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to review the mandate of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; and if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the Pro-Life Campaign in relation to the advisory role of the agency. [36398/05]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

158 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to reform the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36495/05]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

203 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken in relation to the Crisis Pregnancy Agency in view of the claims that it is advertising abortion as a positive option for persons; if this issue has been investigated and the outcome of such investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36914/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 144, 148, 158 and 203 together.

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency was established on 2 October 2001 under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961. The agency is to work with a wide range of agencies and interests to ensure a co-ordinated approach to address the issue of crisis pregnancy. The agency reports that over the past three years it has enabled the capacity for crisis pregnancy counselling to be increased by more than 50% and this year, the agency will allocate more than €3.5 million towards supports and services within crisis pregnancy.

The manner in which persons or agencies provide information about pregnancy termination services outside the State is regulated by the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995. This Act permits the provision of abortion information to a pregnant woman only in the context of full counselling as to all available options and without any advocacy of abortion.

I am informed by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency that Positive Options is an information campaign. The agency has indicated that the campaign seeks to empower women to make an informed decision to deal with their crisis pregnancy by informing them, in a neutral way, of the support services available. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency has advised me that it has received legal advice that the contents of Positive Options comply with the terms of the Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995. The work of the agency is monitored by my Department and I have no plans to amend its role or functions.

Income Levies.

Barry Andrews

Ceist:

134 Mr. Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason losses are not allowable against profits in calculating income levies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36790/05]

Section 4 of the Health Contributions Act 1979 states: "There shall be paid, subject to and in accordance with this Act and regulations under this Act, by or in respect of each individual who is over the age of sixteen years, contributions . . . towards the cost of the provision of services under the Health Acts, 1947 to 1978." Further section 7, as amended, provides for the payment of health contributions by individuals with "reckonable income . . . in any contribution year".

The definition of "reckonable income" for the purposes of the collection of health contributions mirrors that as set down by existing social welfare legislation. As defined in section 6, amended, of the Health Contributions Regulations and further in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, "reckonable income means, in relation to an individual, the income aggregate of the individual's income from all sources for the contribution year as estimated in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Acts" without regard to various sections of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. This definition does not include any provision for losses.

Health contributions are, therefore, calculated on all reckonable income in that contribution year and there is no provision for losses carried forward from a previous year to be deducted in this calculation. This approach, which supports the principles underpinning the social insurance system, is the same as that taken in relation to the calculation of liability for PRSI.

Obesity Levels.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

135 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the extent of marketing of unhealthy foods to children as described in a recent report (details supplied); if her attention has further been drawn to the increasing levels of obesity in Irish children; her views regarding the risk of future health problems arising from childhood obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36873/05]

I am aware of the report mentioned by the Deputy. An implementation plan for the report of the National Task Force on Obesity is currently being developed by my Department which will involve all relevant stakeholders including the food industry. Additional funding of €3 million has been made available to the Health Service Executive in the Book of Estimates to support the implementation of the report's recommendations.

I recently launched a campaign to tackle excessive weight and obesity as a response to the growing levels of overweight and obesity in Ireland. Take 5 Steps . . . to a Healthier You promotes two main lifestyle areas — healthy eating and regular physical activity.

A high profile programme of activity will be carried out nationwide, including the distribution of leaflets and posters; materials for schools, workplaces and health professionals; national promotions; competitions and many other localised events, which will be organised by the community nutrition and dietetic service and the physical activity co-ordinators in the health promotion department of the Health Service Executive.

Waste Management.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

136 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the procedure for disposal of hospital waste including radioactive material; the number of such locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36972/05]

Hospital waste falls into two broad categories, clinical or health care risk waste and non-risk waste. Health care risk waste makes up about 20% of the waste generated in acute hospitals and consists of material or sharp items with the potential to cause injury or infect those who come into contact with the waste. It is classified as hazardous and over 95% of this waste is disposed of by disinfection treatment at Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, licensed plants prior to final disposal. The final disposal is by means of controlled landfilling at a site which is also licensed by the EPA. There are two contractors collecting health care risk waste operating licensed treatment plants, both of which are located in Dublin. The fraction of health care risk waste unsuitable for disposal by disinfection is sent to Belgium or Holland for incineration at suitable licensed hazardous waste facilities.

The use of radioactive substances and sources, in sealed or unsealed form, together with the accumulation, storage and disposal of radioactive waste in hospitals is controlled by conditions laid down under licence issued by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII. The terms of the licences normally require used sealed sources to be returned to the supplier. Unsealed substances are usually short-lived and it is normally permissible to store waste arising until its activity has decayed to a level where it may be safely disposed of as non-radioactive waste.

Hospital non-risk waste makes up over 80% of the waste generated in acute hospitals and nearly all of the waste in non-acute hospitals. It is largely domestic in nature and is disposed of through the normal municipal or commercial waste disposal route for non-hazardous waste. This is done at numerous EPA licensed facilities by contractors holding waste collection permits issued by the local-regional waste authorities.

Question No. 137 answered with QuestionNo. 131.

Hospital Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

138 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the disruption to patient treatment at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 6 on a regular basis; and if she has requested a detailed report on the adequacy of equipment in use to provide needed treatment for cancer patients without unacceptable disruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36292/05]

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 have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

139 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no specialised physiotherapist at Kerry General Hospital to deal with patients suffering with multiple sclerosis; if funding will be provided for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36293/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

140 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action her Department and the Health Service Executive is taking to ensure audiology services will be restored to County Roscommon community services; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no audiologist in the county for the past ten months; the proposals or action she intends to pursue to have same restored; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that there is an ever-increasing waiting list for this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36294/05]

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. 141 answered with QuestionNo. 131.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

142 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the review of services (details supplied) in County Donegal and the financial implications of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36337/05]

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 Services.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

143 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason only 10% of pain relief procedures requiring inpatient care are performed locally for patients in the south east although additional capacity can be made available on a private basis in Waterford Regional Hospital; her views on whether transporting patients to Derry for such treatments under the National Treatment Purchase Fund represents the most cost effective and best option for patients, in view of the normal requirement for aftercare following such procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36346/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 144 answered with QuestionNo. 133.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

145 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 is being refused an occupational therapist; and if they will be given the maximum support. [36385/05]

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.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

146 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 with a carer service; and if they will be given maximum support. [36386/05]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

147 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) was told that there was no bed and was sent home until January 2006; and if the maximum support will be given. [36387/05]

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. 148 answered with QuestionNo. 133.

Health Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

149 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 273 of 25 October 2005, if she is satisfied that all patients moved from an institution (details supplied) had contracts of care entered into when transferred to a nursing home. [36413/05]

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 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 HSE confirmed that a reply was issued to the Deputy on 15 November 2005.

Medical Aids and Appliances.

David Stanton

Ceist:

150 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which the Health Service Executive facilitates the recycling of used medical aids and appliances, such as wheelchairs, crutches and so on in the various Health Service Executive areas; the value of such recycled equipment in each of the respective areas in 2004 and to date in 2005; her plans to further develop and expand the recycling of such equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36417/05]

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 will request 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.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

151 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if and when eyesight and hearing testing will be carried out for senior infants at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in the coming year. [36444/05]

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 eyesight and hearing testing to be carried out for senior infants at school. 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 Services.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

152 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is the intention of the Health Services Executive to downgrade the status of Kerry General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36449/05]

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 a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

153 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the second phase of arrears due to retired psychiatric nurses, retired deputy nursing officers and retired acting nursing officers in the Health Service Executive western region will be awarded since this payment was promised in December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36452/05]

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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

David Stanton

Ceist:

154 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if contact will be made with the Health Service Executive and the management of St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, to expedite the allocation of a bed to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36467/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

155 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Crumlin hospital will be closed; and her views on the uses of the site. [36479/05]

It is accepted that the infrastructure at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children does not generally meet the standards required for a modern paediatric hospital. The available facilities do not satisfactorily accommodate the range and extent of clinical and associated activity. In recognition of this, a project team was established to plan for the overall future development of Our Lady's Hospital, either on the existing hospital site or at an alternative green field location.

The project team undertook a detailed examination of the potential to redevelop the hospital on its present site. It concluded that the existing clinical services could be retained and developed on the present site but also set out the implications of such an approach in terms of time, cost and disruption to services. As a consequence, it is likely that the new hospital will be located at an alternative site.

I asked the Health Service Executive to arrange for a review to be undertaken of highly specialised paediatric services to ensure they are provided in the most efficient and effective manner. The outcome of this review will help to inform the decision on the range of services to be provided at the new Crumlin hospital. I expect this review to be completed as a matter of urgency. It is proposed that a site option appraisal study will be carried out when the review has been completed. The focus of the study will be to evaluate the options for the relocation of the hospital, leading to the acquisition of an alternative site, if such is recommended by the process. The study will be subject to public tendering procedures.

Pending final decisions with regard to the future location of the hospital, three clinical departments were identified as requiring urgent upgrade or expansion. The three departments are haematology and oncology, radiology including MRI, and cardiology. The haematology and oncology project consists of the provision of new accommodation for day and outpatient services. The radiology project will provide new MRI facilities in Crumlin. The cardiology project will provide dedicated inpatient cardiac beds, together with diagnostic, outpatient and administration facilities. Additional revenue funding is required in 2006 to commission the MRI facilities, and I can confirm that this funding is available to the Health Service Executive.

Alcohol Policy.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

156 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposal by the Dublin City Business Association (details supplied). [36480/05]

I am extremely aware of the negative effects of harmful drinking in Irish society, which include violence, public order offences, drink driving, under-age drinking, unsafe sexual practice, lost productivity, attendance at accident and emergency units, certain cancers and suicide.

The strategic task force on alcohol was established to recommend evidence based measures to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm and published two reports with more than 100 recommendations. I am hopeful that with the full implementation of these measures we will begin to address the serious problems associated with harmful drinking. I believe a cultural shift in attitudes is required in Ireland to make harmful consumption of alcohol unacceptable.

A working group on alcohol was recently established to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve a targeted and measurable reduction in alcohol misuse. The working group operates in the context of the special initiative on alcohol and drug misuse under Sustaining Progress. The working group comprises the social partners, the relevant Departments, the Garda Síochána, the national drugs strategy team and the Health Service Executive. The working group seeks to agree a programme of actions which can deliver targeted results on underage drinking, binge drinking and drink-driving. It is expected to produce a set of recommendations in late 2005.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Barry Andrews

Ceist:

157 Mr. Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on progress towards the construction of the new National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. [36487/05]

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 will request 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. 158 answered with QuestionNo. 133.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

159 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the submission by the Irish Wheelchair Association seeking core funding of community employment project staff employed through community employment schemes; if she will provide core funding for 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36528/05]

The recently published Estimates for 2006 included significant additional funding for the improvement of services for people with disabilities. As part of this provision, funding will be made available to address core under-funding and core staffing issues in services provided by the non-statutory sector. The Health Service Executive will be asked to allocate this funding on an equitable basis, having regard to the needs of people with disabilities. I expect that the executive's consideration of these needs will take into account those services which are staffed through community employment schemes.

Health Services.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

160 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to the unsatisfactory reply to Question No. 229 of 28 September 2005 and in view of the change in policy on the position of separated non-custodial parents as treated by the Health Service Executive regarding guardianship as described in the referrals procedure of Louth disability services whether this policy will be extended nationwide; the reason the national manager for disability service is replying on an issue that has nothing to do with disability; the person who is responsible; and the correct reply to same. [36529/05]

My Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to review the reply which issued from the executive to the Deputy, to investigate the further issues raised by the Deputy and to have a response issued to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

161 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that in the Health Service Executive southern area people wait five months for a routine cervical smear screening, which is not efficient enough to provide an appropriate screening service for female patients, her plans to bring same up to an acceptable level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36533/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

162 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the high level of male suicides in young vulnerable adolescents aged between 16 and 17 years who have no psychiatric service available to them as they fall between two extremely underfunded services, child and adolescent psychiatric services up to 16 years of age and adult mental health services for over 18 years of age, a service will be provided for this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36534/05]

As the Deputy may be aware, the second report of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatry, published in June 2003, contains proposals for the development of psychiatric services for 16 to 18 year olds. It recommends that, in the further development of child and adolescent psychiatric services, priority should be given to the recruitment in each Health Service Executive area of a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist with a special interest in the psychiatric disorders of later adolescence. The report emphasises the importance of co-operation and close liaison between child and adolescent mental health services and suggests that the current arrangements, whereby the adult services provide a service to the population of their catchment area, including the 16 to 18 age cohort, should continue on an interim basis, pending the development of the specialist services referred to earlier.

The development of child and adolescent psychiatric services has been a priority for my Department in recent years. Since 1997, additional funding of more than €20 million has been provided to allow for the appointment of additional consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry, for the enhancement of existing consultant-led multi-disciplinary teams and towards the establishment of further teams. This has resulted in the funding of a further 23 child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists. Nationally, 56 such psychiatrists are now employed. The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, will be considered in the context of the work of the expert group on mental health policy which is due to complete its work shortly.

With regard to developments in the area of suicide prevention, as the Deputy is aware a new national strategy for action on suicide prevention Reach Out was launched on 8 September 2005. The national office for suicide prevention which was established by the Health Service Executive following the publication of Reach Out will oversee the implementation of the strategy. This office will also co-ordinate suicide prevention activities across the State, will consult widely on the planning of future initiatives and ensure best practice in suicide prevention measures particularly for adolescents and young people.

Medical Cards.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

163 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a medical card was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the person is in constant serious pain; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that she has huge medical bills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36535/05]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

164 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding which was received by intellectual disability services from her Department in 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36542/05]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

165 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of new respite, day and residential places which were provided for persons with intellectual disabilities in 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36543/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.

The Deputy's 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. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

166 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 was refused an orthodontic brace. [36549/05]

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 Expenditure.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

167 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, regarding the notes set out on Vote 40, Health Service Executive, in the abridged Book of Estimates for 2006 which states that the year on year increase in gross spending under the Vote is 9% rather than 6% when account is taken of once-off moneys provided in 2005, mainly related to the establishment of the Health Service Executive as a Vote, she will itemise the once-off moneys provided under that Vote in 2005 and particularly the cost of establishing the Health Service Executive as a Vote; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36550/05]

The recently published Abridged Estimates Volume 2006 provides gross non-capital funding of €11.684 billion to the Health Service Executive for 2006. This compares with a published figure of €10.975 billion for the HSE's Vote in the Revised Estimate 2005. This is a headline increase of €709 million or 6.4%. However, in the Revised Estimates 2005 certain once-off provisions were made due to the establishment of the HSE as a Vote holder, as well as other items which arose in 2005 within the HSE's Vote.

A total of €122 million was provided in respect of accumulated overdrafts of the former health boards which fell to be repaid at the start of 2005 as the HSE, with its own Vote, is precluded from running an overdraft. A further once-off provision of €94 million was also made available in respect of certain statutory and other deductions from health board employee salaries in December 2004, which were actually paid to Revenue in January 2005, and therefore had to be charged to the HSE's Vote. This had the effect of charging 13 monthly deductions in 2005 rather than the usual 12 monthly deductions.

Also included in the list of once-off items is €40 million which was made available under subhead B13 of Vote 40 in respect of the ex gratia payment scheme established in the context of the issue of charges for long-stay care in health board institutions. A once-off sum of €23.8 million was provided in 2005 for arrears to GPs under Partnership 2000. These once-off items total €280 million. Therefore, the 2005 REV figure comparable with that published in AEV 2006 excludes these items and amounts to €10.695 million. Comparing this with the HSE's gross non-capital funding for 2006 shows an underlying increase of 9.25%.

Departmental Correspondence.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

168 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a full response will be furnished to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36566/05]

Having given detailed consideration to the issues raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy a response has issued. The establishment of a school of podiatry, including the organisation of a tendering process, if appropriate, is a matter for the Department of Education and Science.

Health Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

169 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has not been called to St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, to have a stent inserted; if this case will be investigated and if the matter will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36567/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

170 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the level of subvention being awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will expedite a response. [36568/05]

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.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

171 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there are proposals to extend Cork Regional Hospital; if so, the details of such proposal with respect to the size of the proposed extension and its approximate location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36711/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

172 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to Galway Regional Hospital for facial surgery. [36712/05]

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.

David Stanton

Ceist:

173 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the details of the 1,000 new frontline staff who were to be recruited in 2005 to provide services for persons with disabilities, as announced in her statement on the publication of Estimates in 2004; the details of the qualifications of such staff; the services they provide; the locations at which they have been assigned; when and the way in which they were recruited; the estimated cost of the provision of such new staff in 2005 and in a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36713/05]

The Deputy's 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. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities.

David Stanton

Ceist:

174 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of the 270 additional residential places, 90 additional respite places and 400 new day places for persons with intellectual disability and those with autism outlined in her reply to Questions Nos. 135, 138 and 139 of 15 December 2004 which are now in place; the number of the 60 new places for persons with significant disabilities who are placed in inappropriate settings; the 200,000 extra hours of home support and personal assistance for persons with disabilities, the 90 extra rehabilitative training places promised in the same reply which are now in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36714/05]

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.

Mental Health Services.

David Stanton

Ceist:

175 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an additional 14 beds have been provided at the Central Mental Hospital in 2005; if those beds that have been provided are fully staffed; the progress made in the development of the child and adolescent mental health treatment services; the expansion of community based adult mental health teams; the provision of additional community residential places; the opening of new mental health facilities and support for voluntary organisations outlined in her response to Questions Nos. 135, 138 and 139 of 15 December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36715/05]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities.

David Stanton

Ceist:

176 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made by her Department in putting in place protocols governing the expenditure and monitoring of the programme of investment in services for persons with disabilities which will ensure that it is spent on the targeted services as outlined in her response to Questions Nos. 135, 138 and 139 of 15 December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36716/05]

A detailed set of protocols were agreed between my Department and the Health Service Executive to govern expenditure of the funding to be provided as part of the multi-annual revenue and capital investment programme for services for people with disabilities during the period from 2005 to 2009.

The agreed protocols include a provision which allows for their review during the lifetime of the programme taking account of the impact of the investment programme on services provision, updated information regarding identified needs and the outcome of a national audit to be undertaken in 2006 and managed by the Health Research Board on behalf of the national intellectual disability database committee and the Department of Health and Children.

David Stanton

Ceist:

177 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of full-time residential care places nationally funded by her Department in 2005 for persons with intellectual disability; the number of persons on the waiting list for such a service; the number of day care places nationally; the number of persons on the waiting list for such services; the number of respite places nationally; the number of persons on the waiting list for such services; the number of persons deemed to be inappropriately placed and in need of appropriate service; the way in which these figures relate to the situation in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36717/05]

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.

David Stanton

Ceist:

178 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of rehabilitative training places available nationally funded by her Department in 2004 and to date in 2005 to persons with a disability; the number of hours of home and personal assistance available in 2004 and to date in 2005 to persons with physical and sensory disability; the number of persons with significant disability in inappropriate settings who will need to be given an appropriate service and the way in which these figures relate to the situation in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36718/05]

The number of approved rehabilitative training places funded in 2004 was 2,565, with 2,655 whole time equivalents in 2005. 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.

Niall Blaney

Ceist:

179 Mr. Blaney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the appointment of a fully trained Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist in Donegal will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36719/05]

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.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

180 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons within each unit or State agency of her Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of her Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within her Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36733/05]

My Department is not one of the Departments earmarked for decentralisation under the Civil Service decentralisation programme. The General Register Office in Roscommon is the only section of my Department currently based outside Dublin and the decentralisation of staff to that office is now complete.

Medicinal Products.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

181 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the decision of pharmaceutical companies not to supply the drug vitamin B12 Neo Cytamen; if she has received submissions from persons with multiple sclerosis who require the drug to maintain their energy levels; if she intends to examine the issue; the action she will take regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36757/05]

The manufacturers of the product referred to by the Deputy advised my Department that due to problems in the manufacturing process this particular product is temporarily unavailable both in Ireland and the UK. Inquiries have been made in the matter and I understand an alternative product is available in community pharmacies for people who have been prescribed the original product. This is available through the unlicensed medicines protocol for members of the drugs payment scheme and through the Health Service Executive for medical card holders.

Health Services.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

182 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will be instructed to provide persons with the schedule of treatment of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry from their arrival at Cork University Hospital on 5 November 2005; and the reason for the delay in their medical file being forwarded from Kerry General Hospital to Cork. [36779/05]

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 have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

183 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment for cataract surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36780/05]

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.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

184 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason €56.4 million appears to have been underspent by her Department, while the much needed facility at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, remains incomplete; the way in which this fits in with her recent announcement that efforts are being made by her Department to fast track the completion and fit out of the ward accommodation in the shelled out area at this hospital and that the design team is preparing detailed drawings with the intention of going to tender in March 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36783/05]

The recently announced Estimates for Public Services — Abridged Version — provides for possible deferral of €56.4 million of capital funding in respect of the Health Service Executive Vote. 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 is requesting 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 Accommodation.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

185 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the moneys allocated in the Estimates 2006 for the commencement of the completion and fit-out of the ward accommodation phase 2B at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the amount of money which will be allocated for commencement of these works in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36784/05]

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 is requesting 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 Services.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

186 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position on admission to the hospital at Hume Street, Dublin, of persons suffering from skin complaints; the locations where such persons can receive the appropriate treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36786/05]

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 Waiting Lists.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

187 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to have a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath admitted to the orthopaedic section of a hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36787/05]

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.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

188 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the services available to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease in the north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36798/05]

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.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

189 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not qualified for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36801/05]

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 Services.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

190 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions which have taken place between her Department or the Health Services Executive and the Sisters of Charity on the imminent closure of St. Mary’s Hospital, Baldoyle; if taking the hospital into State ownership is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36814/05]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

191 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which the services currently and formerly provided in the area at St. Mary’s Hospital, Baldoyle, are to be provided in future; if, in view of the ongoing need for capital investment in hospitals and medical facilities her attention has been drawn to medical services which could usefully be provided at this existing hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36815/05]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

192 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied regarding the proposed closure of St. Mary’s Hospital, Baldoyle, in view of commitments to providing local medical services and increasing the capital investment in medical facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36816/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 192, inclusive, 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, 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 Expenses.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

193 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if reimbursement will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Louth in relation to medical expenses incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36823/05]

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.

Mental Health Services.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

194 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of psychiatric inpatient places which are available for young persons between the ages of 16 and 18 in each of the Health Service Executive areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36836/05]

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.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

195 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of psychiatric inpatient places which are currently available for children and adolescents between the ages of six to 16 in each of the Health Service Executive areas; the number of places which will become available when the new units are established in Cork, Limerick, Galway and the HSE eastern health board region; the number of children and adolescents who are in need of inpatient care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36837/05]

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.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

196 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made in the development of the inpatient facility at Bessboro, Blackrock, Cork, for adolescent children suffering from mental illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36838/05]

Following approval from my Department, a design team was appointed for the Bessboro project earlier this year. Design work is being advanced and it is expected that preliminary plans will be submitted for approval before year end. This approval will enable the project to proceed to the next stage which will include an application for planning permission in the early part of 2006.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

197 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if nursing home subvention or a subvented health board bed will be provided to facilitate a person (details supplied) in County Kildare currently in a nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36848/05]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

198 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the mainstreaming of the 1,651 participants and 100 supervisors will commence on the community employment schemes which provide services to persons with disabilities by allocating an extra €11.2 million as outlined in the pre-budget submission of the Disability Federation of Ireland. [36854/05]

In the Estimates for 2006 which were recently published, significant additional funding was included for the improvement of services for people with disabilities.

As part of this provision, funding is being made available to address core under-funding and core staffing issues in services provided by the non-statutory sector. The Health Service Executive will be asked to allocate this funding on an equitable basis, having regard to the needs of people with disabilities. I expect that the executive's consideration of these needs will take into account those services which are currently staffed through community employment schemes.

Violence against Women.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

199 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the number of refuge spaces for women in the Dublin area, with a population of over 1.1 million, who experience severe abuse from intimate partners is adequate bearing in mind that international best practice recommends that there should be 1.7 spaces per 10,000 of the population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36865/05]

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 responsibility for the provision of refuges lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

200 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the funding crisis that is affecting the delivery of service by the Women’s Aid national helpline; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that in 2003 emergency refuge accommodation was refused to 1,113 women; if she will review the support given to organisations that offer facilities to these women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36872/05]

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 responsibility for the provision of refuges lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

201 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the protocol for the disposal of haemochromatosis patients blood by general practitioners and hospitals respectively; when she envisages that the blood bank will accept blood from haemochromatosis patients; her plans to introduce a screening programme for haemochromatosis; the funding available for such screening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36912/05]

Disposal of blood and other clinical-healthcare waste materials in hospitals is expected to be carried out in accordance with guidelines entitled Segregation, Packaging and Storage Guidelines for Healthcare Risk Waste, the most recent edition of which was published by my Department's hospital planning office in April 2004. General practitioners must make arrangements to have healthcare risk waste disposed of in accordance with environmental and health and safety regulations.

I understand that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, does not currently accept blood donations from people with haemochromatosis. Blood donors must donate on a voluntary basis and a significant reason why donations are not taken from people with haemochromatosis is that blood is taken from them as part of the treatment for their condition rather than for the specific purpose of donating. The IBTS is working with the Irish Haemochromatosis Association to identify practicable solutions that would address the concerns of people with haemochromatosis in this regard.

My Department has been informed by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association that a proposal for a screening programme was developed by St James's Hospital in conjunction with the IBTS, but was not successful in obtaining research funding from the Health Research Board in 2005. I am unsure whether another application will be made for funding in 2006.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

202 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if core funding will be provided to the Irish Wheelchair Association to mainstream services currently provided by community employment participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36913/05]

In the Estimates for 2006 which were recently published, significant additional funding was included for the improvement of services for people with disabilities.

As part of this provision, funding is being made available to address core under-funding and core staffing issues in services provided by the non-statutory sector. The Health Service Executive will be asked to allocate this funding on an equitable basis, having regard to the needs of people with disabilities. I expect that the executive's consideration of these needs will take into account those services which are currently staffed through community employment schemes.

Question No. 203 answered with QuestionNo. 133.

Health Care Education.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

204 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if support is provided to qualified health personnel who wish to pursue studies in advanced care which are only available in the USA as in a case (details supplied); and if her attention has been drawn to any bursaries or award-giving agency which might support such study. [36957/05]

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 Waiting Lists.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

205 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be called for a hip replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36988/05]

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.

Drug Treatment Programme.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

206 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to any drug treatment projects and services operated by the Health Service Executive; the details of these services in terms of the range of services available and the number of treatment places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36993/05]

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.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

207 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if she has satisfied herself that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37347/05]

The health capital programme from this year relates to both my Department and the Health Service Executive. The small number of projects relating to my Department commenced prior to the period raised by the Deputy and, as these were considered necessary for the safe and efficient delivery of services, there was no formal cost benefit analysis. The progression of most projects under the health capital programme is now the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

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

Tax Code.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

208 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to review the existing tax incentives in the housing sector following the assertion of the An Bord Pleanála chairman that inadequate design resources were being employed for many of the schemes being constructed to avail of such incentives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36694/05]

All the existing tax incentive schemes that provide relief for residential units contain provisions that qualifying units must comply with the same housing standards that apply generally to new residential units in the State. These standards are determined by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the purposes of sections 4 and 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979 in relation to standards of construction, conversion and refurbishment of houses and the provision of water, sewerage and other services to houses. Overall planning guidelines and planning issues are not a matter for my functional area of responsibility, however I am advised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that it is reviewing the experience to date of implementing the 1999 guidelines for planning authorities on residential density, particularly with a view to ensuring that they continue to promote high quality and sustainable residential communities.

Garda Stations.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

209 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Finance, further to Question No. 511 of 2 November 2005, the amount of money which has been spent on the private home, which is leased by the Garda Síochána in Dowra, to make same secure; if an evaluation has been carried out on the old Garda barracks to estimate the amount it would have cost to restore same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36709/05]

The Commissioners of Public Works placed a contract for the conversion of a house to a Garda Station, at Dowra, County Cavan, in October 2004 in the amount of €104,568.34, including VAT. The works are complete and the station was handed over to the Garda Síochána in June 2005. The final account has not yet been finalised.

A report prepared in November 2003 outlined various options for the future of Dowra Garda station and an estimate of €300,000 was provided for the provision of temporary accommodation in association with the refurbishment of the original leased building.

Flood Relief.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

210 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if directly or in conjunction with the Office of Public Works the progress which has taken place in regard to drainage requirements at various locations throughout County Kildare with particular reference to the Mill Lane, Leixlip, and the Allenwood area which were the subject of previous discussions with Kildare County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36966/05]

The Office of Public Works carried out drainage works at Allenwood in 2003 as agents for Kildare County Council. There are no proposals to carry out further works in the Allenwood area.

Kildare County Council has submitted a report on proposed flood relief works for Leixlip, County Kildare, which is now being examined by my officials in the Office of Public Works and comments and recommendations are expected in the next few weeks.

National Monuments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a report regarding the present condition of Connolly’s Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to a deterioration; if it is intended now or any time in the future to re-instate, restore or in any way improve the conditions of the monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36978/05]

A contract to upgrade the grounds surrounding the obelisk is in progress and the provision of CCTV to deter vandalism is also proposed, subject to planning requirements.

The Office of Public Works is examining the position regarding certain structural works to the Folly.

Tax Yield.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

212 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the revenue generated from excise duties on petrol, diesel and VRT for each of the past five years, 2000-04 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36290/05]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the revenue generated from mineral oil tax on petrol and diesel and vehicle registration tax for each of the past five years, 2000-04 inclusive is set out in the following table.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

€ million

€ million

€ million

€ million

€ million

Mineral Oil Tax

Petrol

754.8

725.3

854.2

853.8

970.7

Auto Diesel

624.0

519.5

660.2

731.5

870.7

Vehicle Registration Tax

1,001.3

788.0

792.6

819.4

946.0

Total

2,380.1

2,032.8

2,307.0

2,404.7

2,787.4

Tax Code.

Jackie Healy-Rae

Ceist:

213 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if the adoptive parents of foreign children can have the expenses they incur while going through the adoption process tax deductible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36326/05]

Tax relief is not available in respect of adoption process expenses incurred by adoptive parents concerning either Irish children or children from abroad. I would refer the Deputy to the longstanding practice of Ministers for Finance not to comment on what may or may not be contained in upcoming budgets. I do not intend to depart from that approach.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

214 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can make an application for tax relief for service charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36350/05]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a letter issued to the taxpayer on 22 November 2005, outlining the various methods by which he may make application for tax relief for service charges and attaching a copy of the information available on the website. Claims for claiming back credits in respect of service changes may be lodged through any one of the following channels: by contacting any of the four regional lo-call telephone numbers, details in table 1; by accessing the Revenue website where, on the home page, a person is invited to use electronic services to claim for domestic refuse charges; by using the PAYE self-service mobile telephone text messaging facility, details of this facility are again available on the home page of their website; or by calling into one of the nationwide network of revenue information offices.

In addition to Dublin, the Revenue Commissioners also have a number of regional offices throughout the country in Galway, Castlebar, Sligo, Letterkenny, Athlone, Dundalk, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Thurles, Cork, Limerick and Tralee. Specific details on tax relief for service charges are contained in form IT 27, which is available on their website, www.revenue.ie and gives an overview of: the service charges which qualify for tax relief; the individuals who qualify for tax relief; the conditions applicable for tax relief; and the amount of the tax relief. In addition, the leaflet outlines the application procedure for claiming tax relief, depending on the method of payment of the service charges.

Table 1. Lo-call phone service: Revenue has 600 PAYE customer service staff available in PAYE regional offices to answer phone calls from PAYE customers, to amend tax credit allowances and to deal with PAYE repayments. East and south-east region, customers in counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow: 1890 44 44 25. Dublin region, customers in Dublin city and county, 1890 33 34 25. Border midlands west region, customers in counties Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath: 1890 77 74 25. South-west region, counties Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick: 1890 22 24 25.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

215 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Finance if the tax free allowance to single parents is equal regardless of the number of dependent children. [36381/05]

The position is that, as a general rule, the tax credits available to parents are not related to family size. Accordingly, a claimant who qualifies for the one-parent family tax credit, which is in addition to the basic personal tax credit, is entitled to only one such credit for any year of assessment irrespective of the number of qualifying children resident with her or him in that year.

However, any parent, including a single parent, who has an incapacitated child, or children, is entitled, in addition to the basic personal tax credit and the one-parent family tax credit, if appropriate, to an incapacitated child tax credit in respect of each incapacitated child.

Special Savings Incentive Scheme.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

216 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if advice will be given to holders of maturing SSIAs concerning tax re-investment and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36415/05]

The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007 at the end of the five year period. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined.

The specific goal of the SSIA scheme was to encourage people to save over a period of at least five years. Its effect has been to stimulate such savings over varying income ranges which is evident in the extensive take-up by many low income earners. The scheme has been a success in those terms. The scheme has a specific duration.

As regards re-investment advice, I refer the Deputy to yesterday's announcement by the financial regulator. The consumer director of the financial regulator will be producing information in the new year that will help people to make informed decisions about what to do with their SSIA money. In the meantime, the regulator's savings and investments guide, which outlines the different types of savings and investment options available may be obtained by phoning the consumer help-line on lo-call 1890 77 77 77, by visiting www.itsyourmoney.ie or by calling into the consumer information centre at 6-8 College Green, Dublin 2.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not the practice to comment in the lead up to the annual budget and Finance Bill on the intention or otherwise to make changes in taxation.

State Property.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

217 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the position of an application under section 30 of the State Property Act 1998 regarding an estate (details supplied); and if he will instruct the Office of Public Works to carry out works and maintenance to the estate. [36492/05]

On the basis of legal advice, the Minister for Finance made an application to the High Court in February 2004 seeking an order pursuant to section 30 of the State Property Act 1954 declaring that the property in question has become the property of the State. By order made on 9 February 2004 the High Court adjourned the matter generally with liberty to re-enter on notice to enable various persons to be notified of the claim. The Chief State Solicitor's office has informed me that proceedings will shortly be re-entered in the High Court. Another party disputes our entitlement to part of the lands adverse to that of the Minister for Finance and she will be put on notice of our application. No works can be carried out on the estate pending resolution of the legal position.

Garda Stations.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

218 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if discussions between the Office of Public Works and the Garda authorities concerning changes requested by the Garda authority to the revised sketch scheme for the new Leixlip Garda station have concluded; if agreement has been reached and the proposals signed off; if the public consultation process can now commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36545/05]

Agreement has been reached between the OPW and the Garda authorities on the changes to the sketch scheme for the proposed Leixlip Garda station. Revised Part 9 planning documents are being prepared.

Tax Code.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

219 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the framework for greenhouse gas taxation; if same has been put in place since 2002; the greenhouse gas taxes which have been introduced or which are contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36731/05]

The climate change strategy says that from 2002 onwards taxes will begin to take into account the amounts of greenhouse gases produced in any activity. It is indeed Government policy to take greenhouse gas emission into account when formulating or developing tax policy in any particular area.

In September 2004, the Government decided not to introduce a specific carbon tax, following a thorough examination of the issues involved, including how a carbon tax would be implemented and the associated environmental, economic and social impacts. In addition, my Department carried out an extensive consultation process in which 117 written submissions were received. Following this examination, the Government decided that a carbon tax was not an appropriate policy option and that, instead, it would intensify action on the other measures under the national climate change strategy.

The Government concluded that the environmental benefits of a carbon tax would not justify the difficulties that would arise, particularly for households, from the introduction of such a tax. In this respect, the carbon energy tax would have imposed price increases on many products already suffering sharp increases, particularly as a result of recent increases in international oil prices. While a carbon tax would have involved a range of compensatory measures, these would not fully address the adverse economic and social effects arising. Moreover a carbon tax would apply to products which are in the main already subject to excise duties and where a new tax is not specifically necessary to increase tax rates.

The carbon energy tax was just one possible element of the Government's approach to meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to which the Government remains fully committed. Taxation can play a part in attaining environment objectives. However, as Minister for Finance, I am concerned to ensure that in developing policy on tax measures we take into account any effects on Ireland's international competitiveness, particularly concerning non-EU countries which compete with us and which may have low taxes on energy. I am also concerned in framing policy about the effect that the imposition of such taxes may have on the consumer price index and how they could impact on the less well off members of our community.

Apart from the carbon tax, the national climate change strategy envisages other initiatives in the tax area with one such example being tax reliefs for green initiatives. Essentially, this approach uses the tax system to provide incentives for certain behaviour. Such examples include capital allowances for corporate investment in renewable energy projects which have been available since 1998, and a provision for the current pilot scheme for excise tax relief for biofuels.

As the Deputy knows, I cannot comment on any plans in this area which may be the subject of a budget provision.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

220 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36734/05]

For the Department of Finance, the position is as follows:

Department of Finance.

Tullamore — 131 posts

Kildare — 33 posts

Number of persons within the decentralising Business Unit who have opted to move with their unit

10

3

Number of Dublin based staff elsewhere in the Department who have opted to move

9

1

Total number assigned to date in 2005

66

9

Number of persons who opted not to move who have been reassigned

29

0

Allowing for vacancies arising in the normal course of events there are eight staff remaining to be reassigned and this is under way at present. I am informed by the agencies under the aegis of my Department that the following is the position with each of the agencies.

Office of Public Works.

Trim — 349 posts

Claremorris — 150 posts

Kanturk — 100 posts

Number of persons within the decentralising Business Unit who have opted to move with their unit

91*

6*

2*

Number of Dublin based staff elsewhere in the Office who have opted to move

36

4

2

Total number assigned to date in 2005

123

6

2

Number of persons who opted not to move who have been reassigned

5

0

0

*Includes staff in units earmarked for the location who have applied on the Central Applications Facility, CAF, to express an interest in moving.

Ordnance Survey Ireland — 210 posts.

Posts

Number of persons within the decentralising Business Unit who have opted to move to Dungarvan with their unit

15

Number of Dublin based staff elsewhere in OSI who have opted to move to Dungarvan

0

Total number assigned to date in 2005 for Dungarvan

24

Number of persons who opted not to move who have been reassigned

0

Public Appointments Service — 100 posts.

Posts

Number of persons within the decentralising Business Unit who have opted to move to Youghal with their unit

2

Number of Dublin based staff elsewhere in the Office who have opted to move to Youghal

0

Total number assigned to date in 2005 for Youghal

3

Number of persons who opted not to move who have been reassigned

0

Valuation Office — 100 posts.

Posts

Number of persons within the decentralising Business Unit who have opted to move to Youghal with their unit

5

Number of Dublin based staff elsewhere in the Office who have opted to move to Youghal

0

Total number assigned to date in 2005 for Youghal

0

Number of persons who opted not to move who have been reassigned

0

Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Kilrush — 50 posts

Newcastle West — 50 posts

Listowel — 50 posts

Number of persons within the decentralising Business Unit who have opted to move with their unit

0

0

1

Number of Dublin based staff elsewhere in the Office who have opted to move

1

0

1

Total number assigned to date in 2005

0

0

1

Number of persons who opted not to move who have been reassigned

0

0

0

The Deputy may wish to note that the tables do not include applicants who are currently working in provincial locations or applicants who have accepted offers to transfer but who have not yet been assigned. For example, in the case of the Revenue Commissioners, 44 people have accepted offers of transfer to Kilrush, 46 people have accepted offers of transfer to Newcastle West and 34 people have accepted offers of transfer to Listowel.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there were 81 internal applicants for Kildare, 379 posts, 76 are based in Dublin, 65 of those are serving in the units whose work is scheduled to move to Kildare. There are 86 internal applicants for Athy, 250 posts, 76 are based in Dublin, 27 are serving in units whose work is scheduled to move to Athy. No formal offers have yet been made for these locations.

Tax Code.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

221 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if there have been changes to the tax code which would exempt long-term cohabiting couples from capital gains tax on the jointly owned family home in the event of the break up of the relationship or if such changes are being considered. [36799/05]

An exemption from capital gains tax on the disposal of, or an interest in, an individual's principal private residence has been in place since the introduction of capital gains tax in 1975. The exemption applies to all individuals, including those who have been cohabiting.

In general a gain on the disposal by an individual of, or an interest in, his or her principal private residence is exempt from capital gains tax if the property has been occupied as his or her only or main residence throughout his or her period of ownership. The last 12 months of ownership is, in any event, regarded as a period of occupation. Where the dwelling house was not so occupied throughout the period of ownership, a proportion of the gain on the disposal is exempt. Where a principal private residence is jointly owned each owner must separately satisfy the conditions for the relief.

Where a cohabiting couple dispose of the family home but do not qualify for the full principal private residence relief as already outlined, they would be liable to capital gains tax on the part of the gain which is not exempt, the same as any other individual.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

222 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if arrangements will be made to transfer a person (details supplied) from joint tax assessment to single tax assessment. [36824/05]

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no such credit as a separated person's tax credit of €3,000 as suggested in the information supplied by the Deputy.

As the taxpayer is the assessable spouse, she is entitled to the basic personal tax credit for a married person for the year of separation, €3,160 in 2005, and is assessable on her spouse's income until the date of separation. The basic personal tax credit for a single person, €1,580 in 2005, is available for subsequent years. If she has a child, she may be entitled to a one-parent family tax credit, €1,580 in 2005. This is not allowable in a year in which the basic personal tax credit for a married person is allowed.

The person concerned should contact her local tax office giving details of her situation so that her full entitlements can be established. She may write or call to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, south-west region, Government Offices, Sullivan's Quay, Cork, or telephone Revenue at Lo-call 1890 22 24 25.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

223 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if mortgage interest relief is due in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [36846/05]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person referred to by the Deputy is receiving tax relief at source, TRS, on mortgage interest incurred.

If the person wishes to clarify any aspect of the relief being received, he may contact the Collector General's office in Revenue on 1890 46 36 26.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

224 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he has satisfied himself that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [36855/05]

I take it that the Deputy's question relates to major capital projects which must be the subject of a detailed cost benefit analysis in accordance with the guidelines for appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector. As the Deputy will appreciate, given its functions, my Department is not engaged in major capital projects. Its capital expenditure in 2004 was €13.286 million and its capital allocation in 2005 is €11.108 million, and in both years most of the moneys were allocated for use by other bodies. Accordingly, no capital proposal put forward by my Department was the subject of a detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months.

I should add that although the Office of Public Works is not funded directly or indirectly by my Department, in view of the subject of the Deputy's question, my Department has asked that office to communicate to the Deputy any relevant information concerning it.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

225 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the formalised contract reviews which have occurred to date in 2005 or which are planned for projects over €30 million; and the process whereby his Department audits same. [36856/05]

My Department's capital allocation in 2005 is €11.108 million and most of the moneys allocated are for use by other bodies. My Department is not engaged in managing major capital projects and the issue of reviewing contracts in excess of €30 million does not therefore arise.

I should add that although the Office of Public Works is not funded directly or indirectly by my Department's Vote, in view of the subject of the Deputy's question, my Department has asked that office to communicate to the Deputy any relevant information concerning it.

In my address of 20 October last to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce I set out a number of measures to promote better value for money including a requirement that for large projects over €30 million there will be a formalised contracts review by the Departments concerned with reports to their Minister and with provision for audit by my Department. This provision is focused on the internal management by Departments of capital projects. I wrote to all Ministers on 20 October asking them to ensure that their Departments take immediate steps, as appropriate, to implement the measures in my address in areas under their remit. Follow-up work is under way in my Department on updating existing guidelines and other necessary steps to ensure that all the measures are implemented in full. Consideration is being given in this context to the arrangements to be put in place in my Department regarding the provision for audit of contracts for major projects in excess of €30 million.

Departmental Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

226 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the 54 expenditure reviews which have been initiated in 2005, distinguishing those which have been completed, indicating if any of the 54 are left over from the earlier programme; the aggregate value of annual expenditure covered by these reviews; and the way in which same have been selected. [36857/05]

Based on information supplied by Departments, I am setting out as follows details of 54 expenditure reviews completed or under way in 2005 under the existing round of expenditure reviews. The indicative estimate of the expenditure covered by the reviews is over €3.8 billion. Some 12 of the reviews have been completed, 14 have been quality assessed and are close to completion, seven are at quality assessment stage, and 21 are ongoing. Any reviews not completed by the end of the year will be required to be completed as part of the 2006-08 round of expenditure reviews which I will be submitting to Government shortly for approval.

Expenditure reviews underway or completed in 2005.

Department/Office

Title of Review

Indicative Estimate of Expenditure involved*

Status of Review

€m

Agriculture & Food

Installation Aid

10

Quality assessed

Farm Waste Management

39

Quality assessed

BSE Eradication

30

Quality assessed

Compensatory Allowances

232

Quality assessed

Early Retirement Scheme

80(2003)

Completed

Arts, Sport & Tourism

Swimming Pools Programme

32

Ongoing

Irish Film Board

15

At quality assessment

Sports Capital Programme

52.9(2003)

Completed

Communications, Marine & Natural Resources

Energy, (Conservation and Alternative)

16

At quality assessment

Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

Scéimeanna Feabhsúcháin sa Ghaeltacht

11

Quality assessed

Capital Expenditure on the off-shore islands 2000-2004

13

Ongoing

Ciste na Gaeilge

3

Ongoing

Drugs Initiative

13

Quality assessed

Defence

Maintenance of Aircraft

9

Quality assessed

Defence Forces Clothing Programme

3

Ongoing

Education & Science

Supply Panel for Primary teaching

2

Quality assessed

Youth encounter Projects

2

Ongoing

1st & 2nd Level Building Programmes; Topic 2

36

Quality assessed

Schools Information Communication Technology programmes

16

Ongoing

Information Communication Technology undergraduate skills programmes

38

Quality assessed

Enterprise, Trade & Employment

Science & Technology Spending

97

Quality assessed

Cross Departmental Review supports to the long term unemployed

1,863(Includes expenditure across several Departments)

At Quality Assessment

Environment, Heritage & Local Government

Motor Tax on-line initiative

2

Ongoing

Finance

Change Management Fund

2

Quality assessed

Institute of Public Administration

3

Quality assessed

Information Society

9

Ongoing

Economic & Social Research Institute

3

Ongoing

Foreign Affairs

Assistance to Eastern Europe

1.1(2003)

Completed

Support to Afghanistan

6(2003)

Completed

Development Co-operation Ireland’s Support for Education in Uganda and Zambia

12.2(2003)

Completed

Justice, Equality & Law Reform

Maintenance of Garda Premises

7

Ongoing

Asylum/immigration

124

At quality assessment

Prisons Capital Projects

56

Ongoing

Staff training and development in the Courts Service

1

Ongoing

Irish Prison Service Review of Healthcare

13.7(2002)

Completed

Courthouse Maintenance & Capital Building Refurbishment

27(2003)

Completed

Houses of the Oireachtas

Parliamentary Information Programme Phase II

0.4

At quality assessment

Oireachtas Broadcasting Programme

1.3(2002)

Completed

Revenue Commissioners

Use of outsourced service providers to support returns processing

2

At quality assessment

Social & Family Affairs

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Phase 2

650

Ongoing

Unemployment Benefit/Assistance for atypical workers

175

Ongoing

Back to Education Allowance

44.2(2004)

Completed

Taoiseach

National Economic & Social Council/National Economic & Social Forum/National Economic & Social Development Office

2.7

Ongoing

Transport

Cross Departmental Review on Road Safety

44.9(2002)(Includes expenditure across several Departments)

At quality assessment

Central Statistics Office

Social & Demographic Statistics

10(2004)

Completed

Business Statistics Programme

#

Ongoing

Attorney General’s Office

Law Reform Commission

1.9

Ongoing

Attorney General’s Scheme (jointly with Chief State Solicitors)

#

Quality assessed

Chief State Solicitor’s Office

Use of Stenographers

#

Ongoing

Costs Recovery

#

Ongoing

Comptroller & Auditor General

Contracting out of audits to private sector accountancy firms

#

Ongoing

Director of Public Prosecutions

Bail applications before the High Court

#

Ongoing

State Laboratory

Operation and Management of the IT Systems in the State Laboratory

0.4(2003)

Completed

Ombudsman’s Office

Public awareness & publicity initiatives

0.08(2003)

Completed

* Based on the 2005 Revised Estimates Volume unless otherwise indicated.

# Figures for the expenditure involved are not readily available.

The Government approved the topics for review for the first year and the indicative list of topics for the second and third years of the existing round of expenditure reviews and the overall arrangements for carrying out reviews. In general, review topics were to focus on major policy issues or significant levels of expenditure. The expenditure review process is overseen by the expenditure review central steering committee. The committee is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and its secretariat is also provided by my Department. Responsibility for the conduct of the reviews rests with individual Departments and offices. Any questions regarding individual expenditure reviews should therefore be directed to the relevant Departments or offices.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

227 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all topics for expenditure review which have been submitted to him by Departments as part of his work in putting together a new programme of expenditure review; and the value of spending in each case. [36858/05]

As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 22 November last, I will be bringing proposals to Government shortly for approval of topics for review in 2006-08. My Department is currently in consultations with other Departments in this regard and I am not therefore in a position to give details of reviews planned for 2006-08.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

228 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the terms of the Revenue Commissioners ruling on the application of VAT to the collection and disposal of waste; the annual revenue collected in VAT on these activities and the extra revenue anticipated in view of this ruling; and the impact it will have on privatised collection and disposal services compared with those operated by local authorities. [36952/05]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that earlier this year they became aware that VAT was being applied inconsistently in the private waste management sector. Indeed, compliant members of the trade wanted the Revenue Commissioners to ensure consistency of treatment across the industry. There was a lack of clarity on the part of some private operators about the application of VAT to waste disposal. The legal position regarding the VAT treatment is clear. In the case of privately operated landfill facilities, VAT is chargeable at 13.5% on the total consideration that the operator is entitled to receive, inclusive of the landfill levy.

In June 2005, the Revenue Commissioners issued instructions to their staff confirming the legal position on the application of VAT in the private waste management sector and the necessity for consistency of treatment across the sector. The commissioners subsequently published an article in their tax briefing publication, which explained the correct VAT treatment. Revenue officials also recently met representatives from the Irish Waste Management Association to confirm the correct VAT treatment.

In so far as the application of VAT to local authorities engaged in the collection and disposal of waste is concerned, the legal position is that such authorities are exempt from VAT. This means that they do not charge VAT on the services they provide, nor can they claim VAT back on any of the inputs that go towards providing a service. Essentially, only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover VAT.

Finally, regarding the annual yield from VAT in the area of private sector waste management, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics are not available which would enable the information requested by the Deputy to be provided. Waste collection and disposal services are classified within the same economic sector as a wide range of other services and can not be separately identified.

There is nothing I can do in this matter as EU rules dictate how VAT should be levied.

Energy Resources.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

229 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to increase the provision of renewable energy following the report from the Commission for Energy Regulation in 2005 which estimates that the cost of electricity is set to rise significantly due to higher fuel costs and rising carbon emission costs. [36692/05]

I have announced publicly a new support programme to increase the consumption of electricity from renewable energy sources from approximately 5% currently to 13.2% by 2010. This target to more than double output in a five-year period will require developers to more than double the 675 MW currently available to 1,450 MW by the 2010 deadline.

The new support mechanism moves from competitive tendering to a fixed price scheme, in order to ensure this target is delivered. This means that any applicant who meets the published criteria, after the new programme is formally launched, may submit an application for support at a predetermined fixed price.

The new programme, the Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff, REFIT, will better ensure that we can more than double the amount of renewable energy powered electricity plant connected to the electricity network thereby doubling output within a five-year period.

The question of what further targets can be set and in what timeframe is one that requires further analysis and technical input, largely but not exclusively, on grid access and associated technical issues to ensure the continuity of electricity supply to all customers at the most reasonable cost possible.

Fisheries Protection.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

230 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the type of boats which have been stopped from crab fishing on the west coast and north-west coast; the commencement date of the order; the conditions which were placed on same; the type of boats which the order applies to; if same includes onshore and outside the State limit boats; if there is a quota on crab fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36285/05]

New fishing effort limitations for, inter alia, crab, edible crab and spider crab, were established under EU Regulation No. 1415/2004 of 19 July 2004. Separate limits, expressed in kilowatt days, were established for Ireland for International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, areas V and VI, which includes the waters off the north-west coast of Ireland, and for ICES area VII, which covers the rest of the waters off the Irish coast including the west coast. Within the area VII allocation there was also a sub-allocation for the biologically sensitive area, BSA, or new Irish Box.

While there are no catch quotas for these fisheries, the effort limitations require that the fisheries be managed at national level and closed where effort limitations are reached. The closure on the west and north-west coasts referred to by the Deputy is implemented by the Crab (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Regulations 2005, SI 676 of 2005, in respect of areas V and VI, which came into operation on 2 November 2005, and the Crab (Fisheries Management and Conservation) (No.2) Regulations 2005, SI 705 of 2005, in respect of area VII, which came into operation on 11 November. These regulations applied to Irish sea-fishing boats over 15 m in length, with the exception of the area within the BSA where they applied to Irish sea-fishing boats over ten metres in length. However, the area VII fishery, with the exception of the BSA, has now been reopened for the period from 25 November to 9 December, and the area VI fishery has been reopened from today until 12 December after I secured additional fishing effort for this fishery. In the event of the effort not used and-or I secure further effort, I shall reopen after 9 December in respect of area VII and the 12 December in respect of area VI.

I am also pursuing a scientific case at EU level to increase the EU effort allocation for the fishery off the north-west coast, in order to bring long-term stability to this important fishery.

John Perry

Ceist:

231 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of salmon counters which are in place on rivers and lakes here; the way in which the counters are divided by region; the number of counters currently working; the amount which was spent on installing the counters; the amount which has been spent on maintaining the counters; the person who maintains the counters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36440/05]

The overall management of the national fish counter programme has, to date, been primarily the responsibility of the Marine Institute which has operated directly or by sub-contracting where necessary in order to maintain the objectives of the programme.

I am advised that the Marine Institute in conjunction with the regional fisheries boards, fishery owners, engineers from this Department and consultants-contractors has installed some 22 fish counting systems on the following Irish salmon and sea trout rivers: Dee, Boyne, Liffey, Slaney, Suir, Bandon, Kerry Blackwater, Laune, Waterville, Feale, Casla, Gowla, Invermore, Erriff, Moy, Ballysadare, Garravogue, Eany, Eske and Dungloe. Furthermore, I understand that the ESB has also installed fish counting systems on a number of rivers under its jurisdiction. There are also a number of fish counters on privately owned fisheries.

It has not been possible within the time available to extract from all of these agencies the precise information being sought by the Deputy. I have asked the agencies concerned to provide me with this information as soon as possible and I will forward the details to the Deputy as soon as I have received and collated it.

Since taking up office as Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have emphasised that I expect the regional fisheries boards and the Marine Institute to collaborate in managing the fish counter programme in the most effective and efficient way possible. In order to achieve this, the Department is currently reviewing the current arrangements in respect of the operational, data management and quality assurance issues for the national fish counter management programme.

I expect this review to be completed shortly so that an enhanced national management programme will be established within the available resources and will be carried out by the regional fisheries boards in partnership with the Marine Institute in 2006 and future years.

John Perry

Ceist:

232 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has been approached by the European Commission regarding plans to conserve eel stocks; the way in which the plans will affect Ireland; when the plans will be implemented; if an Irish team was involved in negotiations at a European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36441/05]

On 6 October 2005 the European Commission published its proposal for a Council regulation establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel to previous levels. I am advised that this proposed regulation has been drawn up following the work of a technical advisory group of experts, which included appropriate Irish representation.

The principal element of the proposed regulation is the establishment of national eel management plans by each member state. The key objective of each national plan would be to allow a minimum of 40% escapement of adult eel from rivers to the sea to allow for spawning. The national plan would set out the mechanisms by which this objective would be achieved and also the methods to be employed to monitor the implementation of the plan. The EU Commission propose that national plans would be submitted to the Commission by the end of 2006 and subject to approval by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, STECF, would be operational by 1 July 2007.

In addition to these national plans the Commission also proposes that there would be a prohibition on fishing for eel for the first 15 days of each month. Once national plans are established and implemented this prohibition could be lifted subject to all the conditions set out in the plan being met.

I welcome the Commission proposals on establishing recovery measures for the conservation of glass and silver eels. While I also accept the scientific assessment of the status of the stock, there is some evidence to suggest that stocks in Ireland have not, to date, deteriorated as dramatically as elsewhere in Europe. Nevertheless, a full recovery of the eel stock will have benefits for both the international community and for the Irish fishery.

A number of issues remain unclear in the draft regulation that has caused much discussion between member states' scientists and on which clarification will be required. I am advised that the EU Commission's proposed regulation will be discussed at working group level and Council level over the next six months. Officials from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, including appropriate technical experts from the relevant State agencies under its aegis, will be involved closely in these discussions in order to clarify the implications of the proposed regulation from an Irish perspective.

In the meantime, the Department will work with relevant state agencies and stakeholders in Ireland to develop a national eel management plan. This plan, including the incorporation of the eel in the Common Fisheries Policy and the data collection regulation, will impact on traditional eel fisheries, pose challenges for fisheries' management and scientific structures and for other users of water resources. The aim will be to have this plan ready for submission to the EU within the deadlines ultimately specified in the proposed regulation when ratified by the EU Parliament.

Telecommunications Services.

Niall Blaney

Ceist:

233 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the names of the Eircom exchanges in County Donegal that have been enabled for broadband to date in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36448/05]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by ComReg, the independent Commission for Communications Regulation.

The question of enabling telephone exchanges for broadband is an operational matter for Eircom, and I have no function in the matter.

My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie lists a number of broadband service providers offering services in all parts of County Donegal, using a variety of broadband technologies such as DSL, wireless, fibre, cable and satellite. The website gives prices for the various services on offer, and contact details for each of the companies.

Gas Network.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

234 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the report on the Corrib gas pipeline proposal carried out by a person (details supplied) for the Centre for Public Inquiry; and the implications which that has for a review of the project. [36483/05]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

238 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will suspend the Corrib gas project due to the serious concerns to public safety identified in the Centre for Public Inquiry report into the Corrib gas project; and if he will take steps to ensure that a safe means in the uptake of the gas ashore can be decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36753/05]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 234 and 238 together.

As Deputies will be aware, I have commissioned an independent safety review of the onshore, upstream section of the Corrib gas pipeline. The consultants, Advantica, have critically examined all relevant documentation on the design, construction and operation of the pipeline and the associated facilities.

This review included a public consultation process and a public hearing in north-west Mayo. I have received this review in draft form, and it will be published at the beginning of December, following its presentation to the community in the area of the pipeline. The mediator, Peter Cassells, will chair this presentation and the consultants from Advantica will also be present to answer questions.

The consultants have been forwarded copies of the reports published by the Centre for Public Inquiry, and will be in a position to comment on these, where these reports refer to pipeline safety in their final report.

Energy Resources.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

235 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the Government intends that coal firing at Moneypoint should cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36721/05]

On 29 July 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Dermot Ahern, gave shareholder approval to ESB for a €368 million environmental retrofit project at the 900MW coal fired Moneypoint power station in County Clare. It is intended that the project would be completed by January 2008 in line with EU directive requirements. In effect, the approval of the project secures the future of the coal-firing plant well into the next decade. Concern about security of supply as represented by fuel diversity is the main reason for retaining coal in the generation unit.

The Government has no intentions regarding cessation of coal firing at Moneypoint. Commercial decisions regarding the future of the plant are a matter in the first instance for ESB.

Electricity Generation.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

236 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the increase which has occurred since 2000 in the generation of electricity from CHP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36723/05]

The total installed capacity of CHP to date is 145 MWe, of which 27 MWe was installed since 2000. Aughinish Alumina is scheduled to commission an additional 150 MWe shortly.

The main current market in Ireland is for gas-fired CHP in industry, commerce and the services sector for which there are mature CHP technologies and a developed supply chain. Last year, my Department established a CHP policy group, to consider the most suitable and appropriate environments in which CHP can usefully be implemented in Ireland, so as to maximise energy efficiency. The group, which comprised representatives of relevant Departments and agencies and industry representatives, is currently finalising its deliberations. These will be considered in the context of the development of overall renewable energy policy.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

237 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of persons within each unit or agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have, to date in 2005, been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36735/05]

Ten staff members from within the units of my Department decentralising to Clonakilty have formally accepted transfer offers to that location. Five members of staff in areas of the Department relocating to Drogheda have formally accepted offers to transfer there. A total of 18 staff members currently within areas in the Department due to decentralise to Cavan have formally committed to move to that location. A further 16 staff members within these areas have made a first preference priority application to decentralise to Cavan under the central applications facility and have yet to receive formal offers of transfer for decision. In addition to the above, eight other Dublin-based Department staff have formally committed to relocate to one of the three decentralised locations.

Three staff members who wish to relocate to Clonakilty have been re-assigned to units within the Department for the purpose of decentralising to that location. One staff member who has opted to decentralise to Drogheda has been re-assigned to a unit of the Department that is relocating there. One other member of staff who has opted to decentralise to Cavan has been re-assigned to a Department unit that is due to relocate there. The re-assignment of these five staff took place in recent months.

Sixteen staff members who have not opted to decentralise with their Department units have been re-assigned to other areas within the Department, to date, in 2005. These re-assignments did not arise from decentralisation but as part of mobility policy. The areas of the Department to which these staff have been re-assigned are also due to relocate, as all of the Department is due to decentralise to Cavan. In 2005 to date, 15 former staff members who did not opt to decentralise with my Department have transferred to other Departments or offices. Only three of these transfers were, however, due to decentralisation.

The most recent data from the central applications facility indicate that there are 36 applications for the 39 posts in Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which is decentralising to Dundalk. Some 24 staff, or 62% of the work force, have expressed an interest in moving with the organisation. In the case of the Central Fisheries Board, CFB, 31 expressions of interest have been received for the 62 posts decentralising to Carrick-on-Shannon, of which three are internal to the CFB.

In the case of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, expressions of interest, via the central applications facility, to date are 36 applications for the 93 BIM posts in Clonakilty and no applications from within BIM. Public service unions have advised their members in State agencies such as BIM not to engage in the central applications process. However, internal staff surveys suggest interest in relocating with the agency of up to 26 staff. Central developments will have a bearing on trends and developments at agency level over the coming months.

Question No. 238 was answered with QuestionNo. 234.

Harbours and Piers.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

239 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement following his recent meeting with the Clogherhead Fishermen’s Organisation regarding its proposal to extend further the pier at Clogherhead. [36800/05]

Louth County Council owns Port Oriel harbour at Clogherhead and is responsible for the development of the harbour. The original proposal for the development of Port Oriel was based on a €6.5 million total cost project. This was subsequently increased to €8.55 million, of which the Department is providing 75% grant aid towards the total cost.

I recently visited the site at Clogherhead and discussed the development project with local interests. The current project provides for a 75 m extension to the pier and this work is advancing. Louth County Council has requested its consultants to examine the possibility of providing a105 m extension at the harbour and to give an estimate of the costs involved. I await an update from the council of this examination. The decision on such a further extension of the pier is a matter for Louth County Council and in considering that option, the council will have to consider the additional cost burden, revisit the cost-benefit analysis and recalculate the internal rate of return for the project. In the event that a decision is made to proceed with a further extension of the pier, it will be a matter for the council to apply to this Department for additional funding. The Department would consider such an application, having regard to the amount of funding available for fishery harbour development and overall national priorities.

Fisheries Protection.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

240 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason no compensatory measures were introduced for Irish tuna fishermen on foot of EU Council Regulation 1239/1998 which banned the use of drift nets for catching tuna and related species; if moneys allocated by the EU for the purposes of compensating tuna fishermen were spent on funding for experimental fishing by fishermen who had not fished for tuna by use of drift nets. [36910/05]

In June 1998, the Council of Fisheries Ministers took a decision to ban drift netting for tuna with effect from 1 January 2002, a decision which was provided for in EU law by Council Regulation 1239/1998.

In this regulation, the introduction of the ban on drift netting for albacore tuna was postponed until 2002. As part of the transition process to new methods of fishing this valuable species, Bord Iascaigh Mhara provided substantial EU-assisted support to interested fishermen to develop alternative fishing techniques. A variety of fishing gears and techniques was tested and the results of trials undertaken have shown that it is possible to catch tuna with non-drift netting techniques and, in these circumstances, the question of compensation does not arise.

Irish fishing boats have been successfully fishing for tuna since 2002, mainly by means of mid- water trawl but also with trolling. BIM continues to work on improving our understanding of this species and during 2005 undertook trials in conjunction with a Spanish research institute, AZTI, and the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation in order to improve our understanding of the migratory and daily patterns of movement of this species.

The aid package agreed in 1998 was specifically designed to facilitate the development of alternative fishing techniques to drift netting. There is no question of money allocated by the EU for the compensation of tuna fishermen being spent for other purposes.

Harbour Authorities.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

241 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when a harbour master will be appointed for Bantry port in County Cork; his views on whether it is important that this appointment be made in view of the safety concerns in Bantry Bay and harbour. [36911/05]

The harbour master for Bantry Bay was appointed by the Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners in 2001. A management team is in place consisting of a deputy harbour master and an assistant harbour master. Both the harbour master and the deputy harbour master are seconded from the port of Cork. The assistant harbour master is on full-time duty at the harbour.

Departmental Programmes.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

242 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37348/05]

The appraisal and evaluation of capital expenditure projects within the aegis of my Department is undertaken in accordance with the Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector, as issued by the Department of Finance in January 2005. In accordance with those guidelines, cost benefit analyses are generally undertaken on projects over €50 million and on projects over €5 million which involve complex or specialised issues or untried technologies, involve issues which have not previously been investigated in depth, are regarded as pilot projects or would generate substantial ongoing maintenance or operating costs. No such analyses have been undertaken in my Department in the past six months.

Cost benefit analyses inform decisions on the selection and approval of capital expenditure proposals and the formulation of funding priorities within the new multi-annual capital envelope framework. Other non-economic factors are also considered in the context of policy decisions on capital investment programmes and projects.

Overseas Development Aid.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

243 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the parameters of the requirements for voluntary groups to obtain the status of non-governmental organisations, especially organisations that are supporting children in Third World countries. [36327/05]

The term non-governmental organisation is commonly applied to not-for-profit organisations which have a charitable or humanitarian focus. As far as my Department is concerned, the non-governmental organisations it has contact with are typically involved in a variety of charitable activities, fund raising and development work targeted at the Third World. They range in size from small once-off initiatives to large organisations such as Concern, Goal and Trócaire. Although they may have a volunteer base of membership they also have, in many cases, a professional staff to administer their operations.

In order to be eligible for funding from the Department, an organisation must normally be registered in Ireland as a tax-exempt charitable organisation. The Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the administration of charitable tax exemption under taxation legislation. They currently issue a charity reference number, for example, CHY 123, to bodies which are granted charitable tax exemption by them. They maintain and publish, including on their website at www.revenue.ie a list of those bodies.

My colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, is currently preparing new legislation covering the charitable sector. This legislation will introduce an integrated system of mandatory registration, proportionate regulation and supervision. The proposed independent regulatory body, to be positioned as the centrepiece of the regulatory regime, will be responsible for setting up and maintaining a register of charities.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in addition to requiring charitable status, also requires that any organisation which it funds has in place an acceptable structure of corporate governance and demonstrates that it has the staff and capacity to implement effectively the projects or programmes for which funding is sought.

In general, the Department funds the work of organisations which have as their focus the improvement of the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of the population, including children, in the developing world. Through innovative mechanisms, such as the multi-annual programme scheme, MAPS, it has implemented international best practice regarding the effective disbursement of development aid to NGOs. A strong emphasis on the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the systems, practices and performance of the NGOs funded has also helped ensure that the quality of Irish aid to the developing world remains at the forefront of the international development effort. In this context, Development Co-operation Ireland does not specify any particular additional requirements for the funding of organisations with a remit to support children in the developing world.

Diplomatic Representation.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

244 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funds which are available if a death of a family member occurs abroad or if the distressed family has no insurance cover for the return of the remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36344/05]

One of the core objectives of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens who live or travel abroad.

The main consular services provided by our embassies and consulates abroad are as follows: issuing emergency passports, assisting victims of serious accidents, illnesses or crime, assisting people detained, arrested or imprisoned abroad, transferring funds to Irish citizens abroad where conventional means are unreliable or non-existent, repatriating Irish citizens in emergency circumstances and providing assistance in connection with deaths abroad and the return of remains to Ireland.

If a death of an Irish citizen occurs abroad, the Department, as stated above, will offer all possible assistance and support including, where necessary, with autopsies, death certificates, liaising with undertakers and airlines, and so forth. In the great majority of cases, the cost of repatriation would be covered by the family in question. When necessary, the Department is happy to provide financial assistance locally, on a cost recoverable basis. In addition, in exceptional circumstances, including natural disasters, the repatriation of remains has been undertaken at State expense.

The Department strongly advises intending travellers abroad to take out adequate travel insurance prior to travel. This advice is available on our website at www.dfa.ie.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

245 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in connection with the death of a person in Ibiza in August 2005, the Irish Embassy will obtain a detailed written police report on an incident and context in which same occurred, resulting in the death; the reports that the hospital gave to the policy authorities; the coroner’s report and details of the medical samples taken from the body which the family understand are held in Madrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36345/05]

The Irish Embassy in Madrid was informed on 9 August 2005 of the tragic death of a person in Ibiza and subsequently assisted the family with the repatriation of the remains. Officials from the embassy liaised directly with the police investigating the death, as well as the pathologist, the undertakers, the court and the doctors who had treated the deceased.

The autopsy report has been obtained, translated and sent to the family. Medical samples from the body were retained and sent to the National Toxicological Institute in Barcelona, so that an accurate assessment of the cause of death could be made. It is standard procedure in Spain to remove samples where the autopsy concludes that further investigation is needed. A translation of the resulting toxicological report has already been sent to the family. The Irish Embassy in Madrid will be very happy to liaise with the institute on the family's behalf to obtain the return of these samples. The family has been advised to this effect and also, in accordance with Spanish requirements, to forward a written authorisation to the Department of Foreign Affairs to enable the request to be pursued.

A separate investigation into the premises where the person died is ongoing and our honorary consul in Mallorca is monitoring this investigation.

On behalf of the family of the deceased, the embassy in Madrid also obtained the relevant police report and hospital medical file. These documents have now been translated and forwarded to the family.

The Department and the Embassy will be very happy to continue to assist the family, to whom our deepest sympathy goes, in every way possible.

John Perry

Ceist:

246 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances outlined in correspondence (details supplied); if his official will be instructed to establish the current status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36544/05]

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers.

The person concerned was arrested and taken into custody on 20 November 2005 on a number of immigration related charges. Following a court appearance on 22 November 2005, he was released on bail pending his hearing which has not yet been scheduled.

The Irish Consulate in Boston has been in contact with him and will be monitoring the case closely.

EU Directives.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

247 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will, as chairperson of the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on European Union Affairs, bring before that body a proposal to publish a list of implemented, un-implemented and overdue EU directives and a list of the warnings received from the EU in relation to directives that are overdue for implementation; if he will include in this proposal that such a list be published every three months in order that Dáil Éireann and the public may monitor the implementation of EU directives by the Government; if he will communicate the result of this proposal to this Deputy and to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36577/05]

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, chairs the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on European Union affairs. A key function of the committee is to monitor the transposition of EU legislation by Ireland and any infringement proceedings taken against Ireland by the European Commission. The committee is engaged in discussions on the further strengthening of national procedures to ensure that we meet the Lisbon Agenda targets for transposition.

With regard to the specific proposal to publish a list of implemented and unimplemented directives, as well as warnings concerning directives that are overdue for transposition, I agree that information of this nature should be broadly available to the public including, where possible, through the websites of relevant Departments. This is an issue the committee is actively exploring at present, and I will be happy to bring the Deputy's suggestions to the committee's attention.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

248 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons within each unit or agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36736/05]

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, the development co-operation directorate, DCD, of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007.

Already, a total of 28 posts in the directorate, including that of director general, are filled by officers who have applied to decentralise to Limerick. Of these, 13 officers were already serving within the directorate and three were serving elsewhere in the Department. A total of eight officers were recruited from other Departments via the central applications facility and four were assigned from inter-departmental promotion panels. There are a further 17 officers serving elsewhere in the Department, one based in Dublin and the remainder abroad, who have also expressed an interest in decentralising to Limerick. To date, three officers from DCD, who did not wish to decentralise to Limerick, have been transferred to other divisions of the Department.

The process of transferring to the directorate the officers currently serving elsewhere in the Department and of recruiting further staff for Limerick via the central applications facility will be accelerated in the new year. The aim is that, by the second half of 2006, most posts in the directorate will be filled by staff who will decentralise to Limerick.

Northern Ireland Issues.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

249 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his dealings with the Northern Ireland Secretary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36990/05]

I met the Secretary of State, Mr. Peter Hain, in Dublin on 19 October when we jointly chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. At that meeting, the Secretary of State and I underlined our determination to work with the political parties to continue to restore trust and confidence and to rebuild political momentum in the peace process. In that context, we indicated we would make ourselves jointly available for a series of stocktaking meetings with the political parties. As part of this exercise, I met the Secretary of State on 14 November at Hillsborough where we had a series of meetings with Sinn Féin, the PUP and the UKUP. We met again at Hillsborough on 24 November for a second round of meetings with the SDLP, the UUP and the Alliance Party. These meetings complemented the bilateral meetings which both Governments have had with political parties in recent weeks, including the Government's meeting with the DUP in Dublin on 18 November.

My meetings with the Secretary of State on 14 and 24 November were a useful opportunity for a comprehensive exchange of views on current issues in the peace process and on how we could best make progress in the coming months. Our discussions with the parties were constructive and covered a broad range of issues including the prospects for restoration of devolved institutions. Our primary purpose was to listen to the views of the parties and to take stock of the issues which need to be addressed in order to advance the process in the period ahead. Both the Secretary of State and I confirmed our determination to build confidence, to maintain political momentum and to make progress on behalf of all communities in Northern Ireland. We were very much encouraged that all of the parties indicated to us that they too wished to see confidence in politics restored so that those elected to represent their communities could deliver for them.

In addition to discussions on the political way forward at our meeting in Hillsborough on 24 November, the Secretary of State and I also discussed the importance of the two Governments working together to foster economic growth in the north west region. We agreed that we would take forward this work by asking relevant sectoral Ministers, North and South, to meet and explore ways in which we can cooperate more closely to maximise the potential of the north west.

In light of our recent meetings with the parties, I expect to have a further meeting with the Secretary of State in December to consider the best way of taking work forward in the new year. The next meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is scheduled to take place in early 2006. Both Governments will also continue to maintain ongoing contact with the political parties.

Diplomatic Representation.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

250 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration is being given to the establishment of a full Irish Embassy in Lesotho; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36992/05]

Ireland has maintained a resident mission in Lesotho since an aid office was opened there in 1978. The status of the office was subsequently changed to a Consulate General. The role and responsibility of the Consulate General is to oversee and manage the implementation of the aid programme in Lesotho, which is the Government's longest running programme.

In the context of diplomatic changes later in the year, I will examine the most appropriate diplomatic accreditation for Ireland to have in Lesotho over the coming years.

Departmental Programmes.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

251 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37349/05]

In the past six months, my Department has not undertaken any projects which, in accordance with the Department of Finance Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector, would have required the carrying out of a detailed cost benefit analysis.

Decentralisation Programme.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

252 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff in his Department working in Dublin or elsewhere who have refused to decentralise to Killarney; when the decentralisation is due to take place; if the staff who refuse to decentralise will continue to be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36405/05]

My Department, excluding the National Archives, that is, approximately 130 posts, will be transferring to Killarney under the Government's decentralisation programme. The numbers of applications received under the Central Applications Facility, CAF, exceed the numbers required for most of the grades. Eleven members of staff currently working in my Department have indicated that they wish to relocate to Killarney. The remaining members of staff currently serving in the Department will transfer to other Departments remaining in Dublin or to Departments which are scheduled to decentralise to other locations and in which they have expressed an interest.

My Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the early mover Departments and the construction of the new building to house the Department in Killarney is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2006, with an anticipated completion date in the third quarter of 2007.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

253 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of persons within each unit or agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36737/05]

My Department, excluding the National Archives, that is, approximately 130 posts, will be transferring to Killarney under the Government's decentralisation programme. The numbers of applications received under the central applications facility, CAF, exceed the numbers required for most of the grades. Eleven members of staff currently working in my Department have indicated that they wish to relocate to Killarney. The remaining members of staff currently serving in the Department will transfer to other Departments remaining in Dublin or to Departments which are scheduled to decentralise to other locations and in which they have expressed an interest.

My officials are currently in the process of transferring staff, who have accepted an offer to relocate to Killarney, in to the Department. This process will proceed on a phased basis in order to facilitate a smooth transition and appropriate training.

My Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the early mover Departments and the construction of the new building to house the Department in Killarney is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2006, with an anticipated completion date in the third quarter of 2007.

While three of my agencies have also been selected to decentralise, the Sports Council to Killarney, Fáilte Ireland to Mallow and the Arts Council to Kilkenny, they were not identified as early movers.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

254 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37350/05]

My Department adheres to the requirements to carry out cost benefit analysis as set down in the Department of Finance Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector, February 2005. A number of capital projects are currently being progressed under the aegis of my Department. However, no detailed cost benefit appraisals have been carried out in respect of such projects within the past six months. With regard to value for money concerns generally, my Department will comply with the new arrangements concerning cost-benefit appraisal for projects outlined by the Minister for Finance in his speech at the annual dinner of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce held on the 20 October 2005.

Community Employment Schemes.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

255 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if funding will be provided to a group (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/05]

The Kildare Resource Centres for the Unemployed in Leixlip, Athy and Newbridge are currently funded by FÁS through the community employment programme.

The Leixlip Resource Centre for the unemployed community employment project recommenced its activities on 3 October 2005, for a further 12 month period and has been approved to employ 15 participants and a supervisor. The funding allocated for this project is €210,000 for the 12 month period.

The current community employment contracts with the Newbridge and Athy Resource Centres for the Unemployed will end on 20 January 2006. These centres have approved continued funding for a further 12 month period from 23 January 2006 to 20 January 2007. It is intended to employ 32 CE participants and two supervisors and the funding for this purpose will be €446,000 for the 12 month period.

Total funding allocated by FÁS to the Resource Centres for the Unemployed in Newbridge, Athy and Leixlip is €656,000.

Job Losses.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

256 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the situation which has arisen at a company (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will investigate the serious concerns that what are really redundancies, are being presented to the workers as lay-offs, a fact that will result in the workers being denied proper statutory terms; and the actions he intends to take to address the plight of the workers at this company. [36390/05]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

257 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants received by a company (details supplied) in County Cork from either Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland in the past ten years; and the actions he or the relevant agencies intend to take to recover the State’s investment if the company relocates to another jurisdiction. [36391/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.

The company in question has issued notice of temporary lay-off to 19 temporary employees in order to reduce costs until trading conditions improve. The company has informed the agency that it is awaiting word over the next few weeks on a number of potential contracts which, should the company win them, would require the reinstatement of the employees currently on protective notice.

In a genuine lay-off situation, an employee can terminate his or her employment for redundancy after four weeks on lay-off if the employer, within a further four week period, is not in a position to offer him or her 13 weeks unbroken service in the employment. In such a case, the employee would be entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment, based on age, length of service in the employment and at the gross weekly wage, subject to a ceiling on wages of €600 per week. No claims have been received this year from the company in respect of statutory redundancy.

The company in question has received €696,123 in grant assistance from IDA Ireland since 1970. IDA Ireland is not aware of any plans by the company to relocate to another jurisdiction. In the event of a decision to relocate, IDA Ireland would take all appropriate action to recover outstanding liabilities. This company has not received any grant assistance from Enterprise Ireland. However, another company currently owned by the company in question received grant aid amounting to €170,870 from Enterprise Ireland, for which there are liabilities outstanding. I understand that an agreement has recently been reached regarding payment of the outstanding liabilities.

International Agreements.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

258 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, given the enlargement of the European Union and the accession of the Republic of Latvia, a formal bilateral agreement exists between the Republic of Ireland and the Republic of Latvia for the promotion and protection of investments with a view to stimulating individual business initiatives and increasing prosperity between the two countries. [36548/05]

Ireland has, in recent times, maintained a policy of not concluding bilateral investment treaties with other countries, but instead favours a multilateral approach to these issues through a suitable forum such as the European Union or the World Trade Organisation, as appropriate. Within the EU, of which Latvia is now a member state, the issue of investment flows between member states is governed by the EU Treaty and legislation provisions generally, which have equal application for all 25 members.

Enterprise Ireland keeps the matter of business opportunities between Ireland and Latvia under review, especially in the context of its assessment of such opportunities arising in the Baltic states generally.

Work Permits.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

259 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has adopted a policy of denying work permits to Indian restaurant chefs on the grounds that candidates for these positions can be sourced exclusively from within the EU; the evidence upon which his Department based its conclusion that there are sufficient numbers of EU-national Indian chefs available to take up these positions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36572/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

260 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the job categories, other than those appearing on his Department’s ineligible list, for which work permits will not be granted due to the fact that his Department believes they can be sourced exclusively from within the EU; when he intends revising the ineligible list to reflect the reality that workers in additional categories are being denied work permits on this basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

Current policy is that generally new work permits are issued only in respect of highly skilled and-or highly paid positions. I am aware that within the European Economic Area there are communities from the main ethnic groups who are active in the restaurant and catering sector and, as a result, suitable employees are available to fill these positions. However, a limited number of work permit applications for fully-trained chefs for ethnic restaurants are considered. These applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

I indicated in my address on the Second Stage of the Employment Permits Bill 2005, on 12 October, that new arrangements would be introduced in order to implement an active managed economic migration policy. These comprise a green card for occupations where there are skills shortages, which will be available for a restricted list of occupations in the annual salary range from €30,000 to €60,000 and for a more extensive list of occupations in the annual salary range above €60,000; other sectors work permits will only be granted where it can be demonstrated, following a rigorous labour market test, that suitable employees are not available within the EEA; and a re-established intra-company transfer scheme for temporary transnational management transfers.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

261 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons within each unit or agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date, in 2005, been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36738/05]

Under the decentralisation programme it is intended to relocate approximately 300 of my Department's posts to new offices in Carlow. It is anticipated that these posts will be relocated by autumn 2008. To date, a total of 259 first preferences for posts in Carlow have been recorded on the central applications facility.

The business units of the Department that are relocating to Carlow are as follows: Companies Registration Office, work permits, redundancy and insolvency payments and employment rights-enforcement.

It is envisaged that a small number of information technology and service staff will also be required to support the aforementioned business units in Carlow.

Based on first preference and priority applications submitted to the central applications facility by 7 September 2004, the following table gives a breakdown of internal applications by unit who have expressed an interest in relocating to the Department's new offices in Carlow.

Business Unit

Internal

Companies Registration Office

18

Work Permits

1

Redundancy & Insolvency

4

Employment Rights (Enforcement)

9

A total of 12 internal staff in departmentaloffices in Dublin, along with 11 staff in Kilkenny, all of whom are not currently based in decentralising units, have also applied to relocate to Carlow.

The following table outlines the position regarding the number of actual assignments per unit undertaken to date under the decentralisation programme. The figures only include the number of staff who have accepted formal offers to transfer to Carlow and new entrants recruited during 2005 to date.

Business Unit

Number of decentralised assignments as at 25 November 2005

Companies Registration Office

15

Work Permits

3

Redundancy & Insolvency

4

Employment Rights (Enforcement)

6

A total of 23 other officers who have accepted formal offers of transfer to Carlow are currently in non-decentralising posts and will be assigned to decentralising posts in due course.

As yet, due to normal staff turnover, it has not been necessary to reassign staff who have opted not to relocate to Carlow. For business continuity reasons, and as the rate of intake of decentralising staff from other Government Departments accelerates, it is intended that the reassignment of staff who are not relocating to Carlow will be undertaken on a phased basis during 2006 and completed in 2007.

The position with regard to the decentralising agencies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

Agency

No. of persons within the agency who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their agency

No. of Dublin-based employees of the agency that have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within the Agency

No. of persons that have to date in 2005 been assigned to each decentralising agency

No. of persons who have opted not to move with their agency who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting

Enterprise Ireland

19

15

0

0

FÁS

11

5

51**

0

NSAI

11

11

0

0

HSA

9

7

17***

0

**To date, 51 FÁS staff, both new recruits and existing FÁS employees, have signed contracts which contain a Birr relocation clause. This is in addition to the CAF response.

***17 HSA staff, both new recruits and existing HSA employees, have signed contracts which contain a Thomastown relocation clause.

Work Permits.

John Cregan

Ceist:

262 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which a person (details supplied) whose work authorisation documentation was removed from him by GNIB, can go about regularising his status here; the way in which he can obtain renewal or replacement of his full work authorisation permit, or other, in order that he may remain in employment here. [36813/05]

The details supplied indicate that this person's work authorisation expired in October 2004. As a general rule, in order to obtain a work visa or work authorisation, a person must meet certain criteria including the offer of a job and a third level qualification from a recognised third level institution in respect of certain specified professions. Work authorisations and visas are issued through the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Irish embassies and consulates abroad. My Department does not have role in relation to the status of persons in the State and this case is a matter for GNIB.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

263 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to automatically allow the spouses of care assistants, with work permits and residency, to work having regard to a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36900/05]

The spouse of a non-European Economic Area national working legally in the State, including the spouses of care assistants, must obtain an employment permit in order to take up employment in the State.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

264 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37351/05]

The current Department of Finance Guidelines for the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure requires that a cost benefit analysis should be carried out in respect of projects with a value of over €50 million.

My Department was not directly involved in carrying out capital projects of this magnitude within the last six months.

Within my Department's agencies, an IDA Ireland project was approved within the last six months where the value of grants exceeded €50 million.

This project related to the establishment of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training. The decision to make the investment in the NIBRT was made following wide consultation with industry and academia in Ireland as well as in the US and Europe, led by IDA Ireland, which determined that there was a strategic competitive need for Ireland to establish a state-of-the-art, industry-focused centre in biomanufacturing and bioprocessing technology education, training and research if Ireland was to continue to compete for international large scale biopharmaceutical investments.

Given the specific nature and characteristics of this project, it was considered more appropriate to evaluate the investment using an international review panel model rather than carrying out a more general cost benefit analysis. This process involved appointing a panel of international experts to ensure that the project was assessed by people with the appropriate knowledge and expertise. A process auditor was also appointed to oversee the process.

An open call for proposals to establish the NIBRT was held in July 2004 and three proposals were received. The international review panel carried out a very extensive evaluation of the proposals before making its recommendation to IDA Ireland. A UCD-led consortium was selected, based on the international review panel's report.

The board of IDA Ireland was satisfied that there was a clear need for this investment and that clear benefits would accrue to the State in the form of further substantive investment by the biotechnology industry in Ireland, the development of appropriate skills for the biotechnology industry and the development of research in biotechnology techniques and methodologies.

The board approved grants totalling €72 million to this project in May 2005 and Government approval for this project was received at the end of August 2005. The grants will be paid over a period of years on the achievement of specified milestones and with ongoing and annual reviews being carried out by IDA Ireland, with the assistance of appropriate experts. The funding will be paid from IDA Ireland's allocation in my Department's capital envelope.

My colleague, the Minister for Finance, recently announced a number of initiatives to deliver better value for money in both current and capital expenditure. These include a provision that, in future, a full scale cost benefit appraisal will take place on all projects with a value of over €30 million. My Department will be putting the necessary arrangements in place to ensure that this initiative is implemented.

Pension Provisions.

Barry Andrews

Ceist:

265 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will consider making pension contributions made by self-employed persons deductible or allowable against PRSI levies in view of the fact that employed persons get relief from PRSI on their contributions. [36748/05]

There is no provision for payments made towards future pension provision to be exempted from liability for PRSI contributions for self-employed contributors who are outside the PAYE system. To narrow the base for social insurance by introducing such a provision would give rise to a significant loss of contribution income for the social insurance fund, while still maintaining responsibility for the cost of benefits and pensions for which the self-employed are eligible.

Self-employed contributors are liable for contributions at 3% of reckonable income and in order to maintain the capacity of the social insurance fund to meet its commitments, the question of a rise in contribution rates for self-employed contributors would have to be addressed. Exempting contributions payable towards private pension provision without an increase in rates would diminish the contributory principle that underpins the social insurance system. There are no plans to alter current rules.

Social Insurance.

Barry Andrews

Ceist:

266 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason losses are not allowable against profits in calculating PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36790/05]

Liability for social insurance contributions is governed by social welfare legislation and the provisions provided therein. The Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 sets out the income liable to social insurance contributions from self-employed contributors. The basis of assessment or reckonable income of a self-employed is defined as meaning the aggregate income, excluding reckonable earnings, reckonable emoluments and any other income that may be prescribed, from all sources for the contribution year as estimated in accordance with the Income Tax Acts, but without regard to artists exemptions, profits from stallions, woodlands and other issues relating to the taxation of married couples.

The definition provides that some elements of income, which would normally be exempted from income tax, such as artist's exemptions, profits from woodlands and stallions, are not similarly exempt from liability for social insurance contributions.

Equally, it provides that aggregate income is the basis of assessment used for the purposes of assessing liability to social insurance purposes and not the total income basis used for the calculation of income tax liability. While total income provides for loss relief, the definition of aggregate income does not.

As such, social insurance is calculated on all reckonable income in that year and does not provide for the deduction of losses carried forward from a previous year in the calculation of liability for PRSI. The approach supports the solidarity and contributory principles that underpin the social insurance system.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

267 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a once off and exceptional needs payment can be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36847/05]

Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his or her own resources.

The Dublin-mid-Leinster area of the executive has advised that it has no record of an application for an exceptional needs payment from the person concerned. If he wishes to apply he should contact the local community welfare officer so that his needs and eligibility can be assessed.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

268 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to increase the carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36301/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

269 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the single social welfare payment rule will be reconsidered with regard to carers who are in receipt of the widower’s pension, old age pensions and lone parent’s allowances and who are not, at present, eligible for the carer’s allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36302/05]

John Perry

Ceist:

273 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the benefits available to a person who is in receipt of a widow’s pension of €154, a monthly domiciliary care allowance of €224 and works full time caring for her child with disabilities; and his plans to introduce a carer’s allowance without means testing in such circumstances. [36434/05]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 268, 269 and 273 together.

The carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support to people who are providing certain elderly or incapacitated persons with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit.

From January this year the maximum rate of carer's allowance for a carer under 66 years increased from €139.60 to €153.60 per week, while the maximum rate for a carer over 66 years increased from €157.80 to €169.80 per week.

In addition, all recipients of the carer's allowance receive the household benefits package of free schemes and the annual respite care grant. A person caring for two or more people also receives an additional 50% on his or her personal payment.

The primary objective of the social welfare system is to provide income support and as a general rule, only one weekly social welfare payment is payable to an individual. This ensures that resources are not used to make two income support payments to any one person.

I made provision in 2005 for major improvements to the respite care grant. This included the extension of the grant of €1,000 to all persons providing full-time care and attention, regardless of their means. Those persons in receipt of other social welfare payments, excluding unemployment assistance and benefit, will be entitled to this payment subject to meeting the full-time care condition.

This arrangement was introduced to acknowledge the needs of carers, especially with regard to respite and it is estimated that more than 31,000 carers will receive a respite care grant in 2005.

With regard to the means test for carer's allowance, the weekly income disregards have been increased to €270 for a single person and to €540 for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn up to €30,700 and receive the maximum rate of carer's allowance, while the same couple can earn up to €49,200 and receive the minimum rate of carer's allowance, free travel, the household benefits package and the respite care grant.

The complete abolition of the means test would have substantial cost implications, estimated at €140 million in a full year. Any further improvements to the carer's allowance will be considered in the context of the budget and overall social welfare policy reform.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

270 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on extending child benefit for parents of children in third level education and over 19 years to assist with the crippling costs of educating a child at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/05]

Child benefit is payable in respect of all children up to the age of 16 years and continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability.

According to figures collected under the quarterly national household survey by the Central Statistics Office for the final quarter of 2004, there were an estimated 84,000 students aged 19 to 22 years. Extending child benefit to this category would cost in the region of €144 million per annum. Any change to the qualifying conditions for child benefit would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of competing demands for available resources.

Entitlement to child dependant allowance was extended to age 22 from October 2003, where the parent of a full-time student has been in receipt of a short-term social welfare payment for six months or more. Short-term schemes include such payments as unemployment benefit and assistance, disability benefit and supplementary welfare allowance. The provision already applied to recipients of long-term payments. In addition, family income supplement is payable to low income families in respect of children aged up to 22 years while the child remains in third level education.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

271 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not approved the unemployment assistance. [36401/05]

A deciding officer disallowed the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned from 4 October 2005 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking employment. The deciding officer, taking into account all relevant circumstances based on the evidence provided by the claimant, was not satisfied he had been consistently seeking work.

It is open to the person concerned to appeal this decision and a form for this purpose was issued to him on 22 November 2005.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions with regard to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

272 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has reviewed the position of persons in local authority accommodation where central heating is provided; if the fuel allowance will be granted to those persons from whom it was recently withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36403/05]

The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health service executive payments towards their additional heating needs during the winter season.

It is a long-standing policy within the scheme that fuel allowances are not payable in cases where a person has access to his or her own fuel supply, or is benefiting from a subsidised heating service, such as that provided by Dublin City Council at a number of its housing complexes.

In the course of a routine review of fuel allowance payments, the Department recently ceased fuel allowance entitlement which had been paid in error in a number of cases where recipients were in local authority accommodation with subsidised heating. The allowances were withdrawn in these cases with effect from the start of the winter heating season.

Fuel allowances were paid in error to these people in previous years. In some instances, fuel allowance was awarded because the applicants indicated that their heating costs were not being subsidised. It could be considered to be inequitable to retain the fuel allowance in these cases when neighbouring tenants in the same circumstances are not eligible and are managing their budgets accordingly. Nonetheless, I am conscious of the particular circumstances which apply in the cases concerned and I am reviewing the position now to see if there is scope to resolve the situation in the context of the budget.

Question No. 273 was answered with QuestionNo. 268.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

274 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason his Department encourages payment of social welfare through banks rather than post offices. [36489/05]

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

275 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the safeguards which his Department has taken to ensure that banks do not use social welfare payments to re-pay bank loans. [36490/05]

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

276 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of social welfare payments which are made through the post office; and the percentage which is paid through other institutions. [36491/05]

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

277 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the security measures his Department advise recipients of social welfare in certain cases (details supplied). [36493/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 277, inclusive, together.

My Department's policy is to ensure that a range of payment options is available to customers and that service is continually improved by providing access to the wide range of payment options and new services and facilities now available.

Current payment methods include payment at post offices by means of a pension order book, electronic or manual postdraft issued to the customer's designated post office each week, payment by cheque to the home addresses of customers and direct payment to customers' bank or building society accounts by electronic fund transfer. Where possible, my Department provides a payment option which best suits the needs of customers. My Department does not promote the use of any one payment method over another.

Currently 56% of customers receive payment through their local post office, 10% are paid by cheque and 34% have chosen to be paid electronically by direct payment to their bank or building society account.

The relationship between individuals and the financial institutions they use is subject to regulation by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Private arrangements between individuals and their financial institutions with regard to loan repayments are subject to the rules and protocols of the authority. My Department does not have a function in the matter.

With regard to matters of personal security in receiving and cashing social welfare payments, my Department urges all customers to heed the advice of the Garda Síochána, An Post and the financial institutions on how best to secure their personal safety in carrying out their financial transactions.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

278 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 with Down’s syndrome was refused financial assistance towards the cost of respite care by the community welfare officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36525/05]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, provides for exceptional needs payments to assist with essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her household income or other resources.

The Dublin north east area of the executive has advised that the sister of the person concerned applied for assistance with the cost of respite care for the person. Her application was refused by the executive on the grounds that the household income was sufficient to meet this cost. It is open to the persons concerned to appeal this decision to the designated appeals officer of the executive.

Social welfare supports available from my Department for carers comprise carer's benefit and allowance, as well as the domiciliary care allowance scheme administered by the Health Service Executive. Carers receiving payments through one of these schemes may also qualify under the respite care grant scheme administered by my Department. This grant scheme is not means-tested.

Respite care grants are also available to those who are providing all-of-the-time care, but not receiving carer's benefit, carer's allowance or domiciliary care allowance, subject to the following conditions: the carer must be aged 16 or over, ordinarily resident in the State, caring for the person on a full-time basis, for at least six months — this period must include the first Thursday in June, for example 2 June 2005 — and living with the person being cared for or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication, for example, telephone or alarm.

Information about these schemes is available on the website of my Department, www.welfare.ie, or from social welfare local offices, the Health Service Executive and community information centres.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

279 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36739/05]

My Department is due to decentralise all of its Dublin based headquarters sections to six locations throughout the country involving some 1,300 staff. It is scheduled to decentralise to Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon early in 2007, to Carrickmacross in 2008 and to Drogheda, Donegal and Buncrana in 2009. In addition, the Combat Poverty Agency and Comhairle, agencies under the aegis of my Department, will be relocated to Monaghan and Drogheda respectively.

There are some 224 people who have opted to transfer with their unit, section or agency to the proposed new location. A total of 331 employees, currently serving in Dublin, have opted to move to one of the decentralising units, sections or agencies within my Department.

To date, 24 officers have been formally offered a transfer and assigned to each of the decentralising units, sections or agencies. A further 38 officers have accepted an offer under the decentralisation programme and are due to be re-assigned shortly. This has resulted in the re-assignment of 13 officers to an alternative post within my Department.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

280 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is receiving their full entitlements in social welfare in relation to their unemployment assistance. [36781/05]

The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of €88.80 from 14 April 2004. His means, derived from the benefit of board and lodgings, are assessed at €260.

In the case of wage earning families, means are calculated by deducting rent or mortgage and a parental allowance of €133.32 per week, or €120.63 in the case of a single parent family, from the net parental income. The remainder is then divided by the number of non-earning members of the household, to arrive at the value of board and lodgings. To ensure that this is realistic, a limit of 17% of the net family income is applied.

In the case of the person concerned, the parental earnings were calculated at €450, less tax, €15.90, PRSI, €36.33 and mortgage, €45.46, giving a balance of €352.31. The 17% limit, which was the most beneficial option in this person's case, was then applied, giving a weekly means assessment of €60.00.

The person concerned did not appeal this decision. However, if his circumstances have changed, it is open to him to apply to have his means reviewed and a form for this purpose may be obtained from his local social welfare office.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.

Employment Support Services.

John Gormley

Ceist:

281 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to encourage single parents to go back to further education; his views on whether this would be made easier if assistance were made available for children over the age of five; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36807/05]

My Department administers a range of back to education supports, under the umbrella of its employment support services, to encourage and facilitate single parents and others to return to work through the acquisition and improvement of skills and academic qualifications which will enable them to compete more successfully for employment. The programmes which the people concerned pursue range from basic literacy courses through to certain postgraduate university courses. One of the main supports provided by my Department is the back to education allowance scheme, which covers full-time second and third level courses.

The back to education allowance is a social welfare income replacement scheme which is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the relevant social welfare payment that the applicant had been receiving prior to participating in the scheme. The allowance also has a number of unique features attaching to it. It is payable for the duration of the course of study, which in the case of lone parents, includes all holiday periods. The scheme itself is not means tested and, consequently, lone parents may take up part-time employment during the academic year and full-time employment during the summer period without affecting their payment. In addition, participants receive a cost of education allowance of €400 which is payable at the beginning of each academic year. Participants also retain entitlement to any secondary benefits they had while in receipt of the relevant social welfare payment that qualified them for participation in the scheme.

The provision of support to single parents to stay in or return to education is also addressed through the education system. With regard to first chance education, my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science has in place a range of programmes for single parents wishing to stay in or return to education, including the home tuition scheme, the vocational training opportunities scheme and Youthreach. In addition, the Department of Education and Science provides child care supports for people participating in certain education programmes funded by VECs. In some cases, people accessing those programmes do so with the support of my Department's back to education allowance scheme. However, since its inception, child care support has never been a feature of the back to education allowance scheme per se.

The question of such support to participants in receipt of the allowance would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in the context of other supports such as those funded by the Department of Education and Science.

In general, I am satisfied that the current arrangements ensure that my Department's back to education allowance scheme continues to support those who are most distant from the labour market, including single parents. This scheme is, however, being kept under regular review to ensure that it continues to support those in need. In addition, I am currently examining reports on the obstacles to employment, training and education for single parents in the overall context of social policy reform in this area.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

282 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an application for the back to education allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be examined; if his Department will allow him the allowance. [36817/05]

The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. The purpose of the scheme is to assist long-term social welfare recipients who would benefit from full-time education. The scheme is not intended to support full-time students with income needs. At present, to qualify for participation in the scheme an applicant pursuing a third level course of study must be, inter alia, in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 12 months or nine months if participating in the national employment action plan process.

The person concerned is a student. He does not meet the qualifying period requirement and does not, therefore, satisfy the eligibility criteria for participation in the scheme.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

283 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will not receive his Christmas bonus. [36852/05]

To qualify for a full Christmas bonus, an unemployment assistance customer must have been in receipt of the payment for a minimum of 390 days prior to 23 November 2005. The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 15 July 2005. He had a previous claim for the period 29 September 2003 to 7 September 2004. For the purpose of deciding his entitlement to a Christmas bonus these claims were linked, giving a total of 386 paid days prior to 23 November 2005.

On further examination, it came to light that a short period in respect of which the person concerned did not collect his payment, but during which it was subsequently confirmed he was unemployed and entitled to payment, was omitted from the calculation of the number of payment days. Inclusion of this period in the calculation results in the person concerned being entitled to a full Christmas bonus payment this year. Arrangements are being made to issue the full bonus payment to him.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

284 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will re-examine the rent allowance being awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny with a view to increasing same. [36881/05]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in relation to decisions on individual claims.

The southern area of the Executive has advised that it has reviewed the rent supplement entitlements of the person concerned recently and has determined that the amount of supplement payable to her is to be reduced in December due to an increase in her means. She has been notified of this decision. It is open to her to appeal against the decision to the designated appeals officer of the Executive.

Pension Provisions.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

285 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the Government’s commitment to increasing allowances for spouses over 66 to full old age non-contributory level will be honoured; if same will be implemented by 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36908/05]

The Government is committed to increasing the rate of the qualified adult allowance for those over 66 years to the level of the maximum personal rate of the old age non-contributory pension. A number of special increases have been given over several budgets in pursuit of this target. In budget 2004, the rate of the allowance for persons aged 66 and over payable to invalidity pensioners was brought up to the level paid in respect of qualified adults who are 66 years of age and over on the old age contributory and retirement pensions. This involved a special increase of €16.10 per week for this particular group of qualified adults and was one of the steps necessary to fulfil the Government's commitment in this area.

The cost, based on current rates of payment, of fulfilling the Government commitment in this area is €47 million in a full year. In that context, further progress on aligning the relevant rates will be considered in budgetary context, and in the context of overall welfare reform measures.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

286 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost-benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit-cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37352/05]

My Department has a small capital allocation, which is governed by administrative budget rules rather than subject to the capital envelope process as outlined by the Deputy. The capital allocation for 2005 was €11.04 million, of which €5.8 million was allocated to ICT equipment, €5.2 million to Reach and €40,000 to the civil registration modernisation programme, GRO.

The Department has a number of mechanisms in place to ensure that internal projects are evaluated and prioritized, and these are overseen by a projects governance committee, comprising departmental senior management, which meets on a monthly basis. All proposed projects are evaluated in the context of other projects, having regard to scope, duration, expected business outcomes, expected costs and benefits, as well as the resources available.

State Airports.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

287 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Transport if the ending of the Shannon stopover will be postponed until such time as an economic impact report on the implications of the change has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36308/05]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

291 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport his plans to put on hold the Shannon bilateral agreement with the US pending an environmental impact study of the effects that this might have on the Shannon, mid-west and south-west regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36502/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 291 together.

I refer the Deputies to my answer to a priority question dealing with Ireland-US aviation relations on 24 November 2005. The conclusion that open skies will be good for Irish tourism, aviation, business links and the economy generally is clear, therefore I do not intend to delay those benefits further by commissioning another study on the impact of open skies. The transitional arrangement for Shannon has now been finalised, and the period of time for Shannon to prepare is now known. It is now a matter for the management and staff of Shannon airport to use that transitional period in the best way possible, and to look forward and grasp the undoubted opportunities that open skies offers.

Rail Services.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

288 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will make statement on the reported plans of private sector operators to enter the rail freight business; and if it is the policy of Irish Rail to disengage from the rail freight business. [36396/05]

The rail freight market is to be opened to competition from 1 January 2006, in the case of international freight, and from 1 January 2007 for domestic freight operations. Liberalisation is in accordance with EU Directive 2004/51/EC on the development of the Community's railways. Significant progress has been made on the transposition of this directive and I will be finalising it in the coming weeks.

My Department has already transposed a number of EU directives as preliminary steps for the liberalisation of the rail freight market. These include mechanisms for the licensing of rail operators and allocation and charging for track access. While no formal applications have yet been received for a railway undertaking licence or for track access, my Department has received a communication from an operator stating its intention to establish itself as a freight operator in Ireland.

As I have stated previously, it is my policy that Irish Rail remains in the rail freight industry and Irish Rail has made good progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage, such as in the carriage of sugar beet, cement and pulpwood. Irish Rail continues to pursue a policy of growing its rail freight business where opportunities present. However, as in all businesses, it must adjust the freight business from time to time to reflect changes in the market place.

Road Network.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

289 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he has completed his review of the question of the hire by local authorities of tractors and trailers on minor road works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36399/05]

My review of this matter is ongoing. I will communicate the outcome of the review in due course.

Road Safety.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

290 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Transport the number of accidents involving trucks in 2004 and to date in 2005; the percentage of those accidents involving trucks which resulted in fatalities or injuries in 2004 and to date in 2005. [36407/05]

Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority in its annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report, now entitled Road Collision Facts, relates to 2003 and is available on the NRA website. Reports relating to previous years are available in the Oireachtas Library.

The reports give details of the number of single and two-vehicle collisions involving goods vehicles. In 2003, the latest year for which data are available, there was a total of 1,007 single-vehicle and two-vehicle fatal and injury collisions involving goods vehicles. Of those collisions, 80 or 8% of the total resulted in fatalities. Figures relating to 2004 have not yet been published but will be available shortly. Figures relating to 2005 will not be available until the NRA has fully analysed and authenticated the 2005 statistics.

Question No. 291 answered with QuestionNo. 287.

Airport Development Projects.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

292 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport if funds will be made available for the development of an appropriate air strip in the ownership of Kilkenny Airport Limited, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/05]

The existing network of State airports and regional airports is adequate to cater for the air transport needs of all parts of the country for the foreseeable future. There are currently no plans to finance the development of any new regional airports from the Exchequer.

State Airports.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

293 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if his Department ever issued recommendations relating to red zones at the regional airports; if so, the details of each such red zone inclusive of overall length, inner width and outer width in respect of each regional airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36728/05]

My Department has not issued recommendations relating to red zones at regional airports. These are matters for the owners and operators of these airports.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

294 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36740/05]

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. However, I should point out that, on its own, the information may be misleading if taken out of context. The road haulage division and the National Safety Council are the two areas identified as first movers. I am confident that 50 transport posts will be transferred to Loughrea by 2007 in line with the target. However, the decision to establish a Road Safety Authority which will take over many of these functions has required a number of issues to be clarified before assignments take place. This work is at an advanced stage and all CAF applicants, not only those in my Department, are being contacted in order to plan the necessary moves.

Agency/Section

No. of Posts to decentralise

No. of Staff who have opted to move with their Unit/Agency

Road Haulage Division (Loughrea)

40

13within Division. 5 other Dublin based staff within Department

National Safety Council (Loughrea)

10

0

National Roads Authority (Ballinasloe)

90

1

Irish Aviation Authority (Shannon)

100

2

Railway Safety Commission (Ballinasloe)

20

0

Bus Éireann (Mitchelstown)

200

0

Departmental Expenditure.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

295 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the amount of public moneys spent and sanctioned in 2005 by his Department or other statutory agencies in connection with newspaper advertisements and advertorials featuring views of himself or Ministers of State at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36778/05]

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 395, 396, 403 and 407 of 15 November 2005. Apart from this, my Department has not spent any money in 2005 on newspaper advertisements or advertorials featuring views or pictures of either the Minister or the Minister of State. As regards agencies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, their advertisements are part of their day to day operations and are a matter for each individual agency.

Light Rail Project.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

296 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Transport if every action is being taken to progress plans for the proposed Luas line extension to CityWest; and the locations of proposed Luas stops in the Tallaght west estate. [36792/05]

Transport 21 provides for the development of a Luas extension from the red line to CityWest. I understand that the Railway Procurement Agency is conducting discussions with a group of developers regarding this extension. The proposal under discussion envisages serving Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, National Digital Park and Fortunestown Lane. The RPA expects to initiate an appropriate public consultation process in due course. Pending completion of planning work, public consultation and the statutory approval process, it is not possible to be precise about stops.

Road Safety.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

297 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if there are road safety guidelines or regulations with regard to the sale and hand-out of newspapers and other products at busy road junctions and traffic intersections; if there are licences or by-laws governing this practice and if it complies with his road safety plans. [36909/05]

Article 46 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, SI 182 of 1997, places a requirement on pedestrians to exercise care and take all reasonable precautions in order to avoid causing danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians. A conviction for failure to comply with this requirement can lead to the imposition of a fine of up to €800 in respect of a first offence. Enforcement of this regulation is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

Light Rail Project.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

298 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to carry out a feasibility study regarding plans for a Luas line linking Templeogue to the city centre; if any views have emerged in respect of such a route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36991/05]

Transport 21 provides for feasibility studies for a number of projects over the course of the programme, including a Luas line from the city centre to Dundrum via Terenure and Rathfarnham. It is not possible at this early stage of the project to make any comment on a possible route.

Airport Development Projects.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

299 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if Weston aerodrome will become classed as Dublin’s second airport; if this airfield will operate domestic and international passenger services such as those operated in Dublin Airport; the role he sees Weston aerodrome having in the development of the Irish transport infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37002/05]

As the Deputy is aware Weston aerodrome is a privately owned aerodrome. The State has no involvement in the ownership, operation or management of the aerodrome. The development of Weston and its future role in Irish transport infrastructure is a matter for its owners, in accordance of course with all relevant planning, safety and regulatory requirements.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

300 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost-benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit-cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37353/05]

As the planning, design, and implementation of transport infrastructure improvement projects including the carrying out of cost-benefit analysis is a matter for the implementing agencies as part of the appraisal process applicable to capital projects the information sought by the Deputy in relation to individual projects is held by these agencies. It should be noted that cost benefit analysis is only one element in the appraisal of transport investment projects. The appraisal also addresses environmental issues, safety benefits etc. In this context the outcome of a cost-benefit analysis is not simply a pass or fail criterion.

The development of Transport 21 took account of investment priorities under the five-year capital envelope to end in 2009 and of the various strategic studies already completed by my Department and its agencies, including A Platform for Change, the strategic rail review and the national road needs study. More specifically, my Department also engaged with Córas Iompair Éireann, the Railway Procurement Agency, the National Roads Authority and the Dublin Transportation Office. This process enabled my Department to identify the broad direction and investment priorities for the ten year period. From this, the Department and its agencies developed the full scale of projects to be implemented under Transport 21.

The projects within Transport 21 will be subject to normal statutory procedures where required, capital appraisal in line with the Department of Finance guidelines and the value for money initiatives set out in the Minister for Finance's speech of 20 October 2004.

Some elements of the overall investment programme, including metro north and the rail investment programme for the greater Dublin area, have had business cases prepared for them by their promoting agencies. These business cases included an economic evaluation. The outcomes of these processes will of course be kept under review to ensure that the projects continue to be in sympathy with the investment priorities and outcomes set out in Transport 21.

Security of the Elderly.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

301 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if consideration will be given to altering the funding arrangements for the provision by voluntary community groups of socially monitored alarms and other security devices for pensioners (details supplied); his views on accepting the recommendation of a Garda or health professional as an alternative to the required vetting of applicants by the voluntary community groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36341/05]

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 open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance under this scheme and is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country on an annual basis with support provided by my Department.

Having a closing date for receipt of applications allows my Department to assess the amount of funding sought under the scheme in a given year and to ensure that the funding available is distributed as equitably as possible to all applicant organisations. Given the nature of the scheme, my Department exercises a degree of flexibility in relation to the closing date. After the closing date and in circumstances where an individual requires equipment urgently, my Department will accept additional applicants to the group's application during the period of processing.

While I thank the Deputy for his suggestion, I believe that the involvement of a local voluntary organisation in the delivery of this scheme sustains the link between the older person and the wider community, which is an important feature of the scheme.

Decentralisation Programme.

Beverley Flynn

Ceist:

302 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the decentralisation of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Knock Airport. [36397/05]

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is due to decentralise in the main to Knock Airport by the end of 2007. As part of this process, my Department is planning to relocate up to 70 staff in advance of the main move subject, inter alia, to the availability of suitable temporary accommodation in the general area. My Department and the Office of Public Works are currently seeking to source suitable accommodation and I hope that this advance move can take place from mid-2006.

The Office of Public Works is also in the process of finalising the purchase of a site for a permanent headquarters building for my Department. I am informed that it is expected that a competition will be advertised shortly for the design and building of the headquarters and that work on site should begin in the second quarter of next year. All necessary work on the building is scheduled to be completed in time for staff to move to Knock Airport by the original deadline.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

303 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will work with all relevant Departments in assisting a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 5 to upgrade its wheelchair facilities; and if assistance will be given with funding for a new lift. [36442/05]

My Department has not received an application for funding from the group in question. However the programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations is funded by my Department and supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups, addressing disadvantage in their community.

The programme consists of two schemes, one of which makes funds available for the purchase of essential equipment such as office furniture and for small scale refurbishment of premises. This is complemented by a second scheme to provide education, training and research grants. Grants of up to 90% of the cost are available under this programme. The maximum grant for refurbishment is €40,000, for equipment €10,000 and for training, education and research €10,000.

The programme is advertised each year and the closing date for this year was in August. However, I have instructed my officials to include the group in question on a mailing list which will be used to send out information as soon as details in respect of the 2006 programme becomes available.

Security of the Elderly.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

304 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be provided for Cahir Community Alert, for the provision of panic buttons and security aids for elderly persons in the area. [36468/05]

The application for funding from Cahir Community Alert under the scheme of community support for older people is being processed by my Department. I expect that the group will be notified of the outcome of its application in the coming weeks.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

305 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin-based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36741/05]

My Department is currently located in two main centres in Dublin, where the headquarters are located, and in Na Forbacha in Galway. Almost all of the headquarters' functions, involving some 165 posts, are being decentralised to Knock Airport with the remaining functions, involving about 13 posts, going to Na Forbacha. All staff opting to move are, by definition, assigned to decentralising units. So far, 18 members of staff currently based in Dublin have opted to move to Knock Airport while four staff members previously based in Dublin are already assigned to Na Forbacha.

My Department is planning to relocate up to 70 posts to Mayo, in advance of the main move, subject to the availability of suitable temporary accommodation. The Department and the Office of Public Works are currently seeking to source suitable accommodation and I hope that this advance move can take place from mid-2006. It is planned also to have the remaining Na Forbacha posts filled by end-2006. To date three staff members who opted to decentralise with other Departments have been re-assigned to those Departments.

Pobal, formerly ADM, will be transferring 40 posts to Clifden, County Galway. The first phase of this programme will involve the transfer of the management of the rural social scheme, RSS, involving ten posts, to Clifden. As no applications to move to Clifden have been received from existing staff, the ten posts involved have been advertised nationally and regionally. This recruitment process is at an advanced stage and successful candidates will take up duty in Dublin early in January 2006. Following appropriate training they will relocate to Clifden by end-February 2006.

Finally, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland and I have jointly instructed Foras na Gaeilge to submit to us, by the end of the current year, a draft implementation plan in relation to decentralisation of staff of the Foras to Gaoth Dobhair.

Tourism Industry.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

306 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the commencement of the Innisbiggle cable car will be an addition to the tourist attraction in view of the recent allocation of funds to Ballycroy National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36843/05]

As the Deputy will be aware, in July 2000, on foot of a report carried out by P.J. Tobin and Co. Limited for my Department, I approved a grant of €1.84 million to Mayo County Council for the provision of a cable car and associated services between Inis Bigil and Acaill at Béal an Bhulláin. This grant was based on a total estimated construction cost of €2.03 million with Mayo County Council to provide the balance of €190,000. While it was hoped that the cable car would be fully operational by spring 2003, there was a delay because of an objection lodged with An Bord Pleanála against one of the compulsory purchase orders in respect of land required for the project. While An Bord Pleanála subsequently confirmed the CPO, this decision became the subject of an application for a High Court judicial review. As a result of a settlement between Mayo County Council and the landowner, this application was withdrawn and subsequently Mayo County Council sought my Department's approval to proceed with the acquisition of land and the appointment of consultants to prepare contract documents for the project.

In view of the time that had elapsed since this project was originally approved for funding, I decided late last year that it would be appropriate, in line with current guidelines and best practice for securing value for money for the Exchequer in respect of capital expenditure, to carry out a review of the 1999 report of the consultant engineers on the project. Consultants Malachy Walsh and Partners, in conjunction with McClure Watters, were appointed by my Department to carry out this review. In their final report, the consultants concluded, inter alia, that the recent development of new piers on Inis Bigil and at Doran’s Point over the past number of years had satisfied a key departmental objective to provide safe access to Inis Bigil and that if the cablecar project was to be progressed, it should only be done so within the context of an integrated tourism development plan for the Acaill-Ballycroy area, with the aim of maximising the tourism benefits of the project and other local tourist attractions, of which Ballycroy National Park is one.

In the light of the latter conclusion and in view of the impending expiry of the time allowed for the issue of notices to treat in respect of the compulsory purchase orders on the land required for the project, Mayo County Council was authorised by me earlier this year to purchase the said land so that all realistic options for providing the cable car service could be usefully explored.

In addition, my Department has engaged in discussions with both Ireland West Tourism and Mayo County Council with a view to ascertaining the tourism potential of the project and has consulted with the National Development Finance Agency and examined the feasibility of obtaining both public and private partners to build and operate the facility.

The issue of whether to proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the project is now being examined by my officials in the light of this consultation process.

Offshore Exploration.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

307 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allocation in his Department’s Estimate for 2006 as a contribution to building a pipeline from the Shell gas terminal at Ballinaboy to Belmullet town, County Mayo as committed by him at a public meeting in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36953/05]

I presume the Deputy is referring to a meeting held in Belmullet in May 2003, which was the only public meeting that I attended in relation to the Shell gas terminal at Ballinaboy. On funding the gas line from Ballinaboy to Belmullet, the record of what I said at the meeting is as follows:

I give a commitment here tonight that I will do all in my power and will use the money at my disposal, if this gas comes in, to try to make sure that a pipe is built from Ballinaboy to Belmullet. I have, year after year, as you know, put money into roads in this area and have put money into piers. The cost of a pipe would be in the region of €5 million to €6 million. My Department alone is spending €9 million this year in County Mayo. I think I will be able to find my share of the money to bring the pipe to anywhere where there is a likely useful need.

In line with the commitment given at the meeting, I will continue to work, as promised, to achieve the objective that gas, when available, will be provided to the town of Belmullet. I will also give favourable consideration to making funds available to achieve this objective, subject to State aid regulations, to CER approval and to the approval of other relevant Departments. However, given the current status of the overall Shell gas project, it would be premature to consider any specific allocation at this time.

Irish Language.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

308 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allocation made by his Department under all headings for the promotion of the Irish language for each of the past ten years; his priorities and allocation for 2006 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36954/05]

Funding is provided by my Department annually under a range of headings for promotion of the Irish language. The allocations and expenditures are set out in the Estimates volumes and appropriation accounts, as published, for the relevant years. As the Deputy will be aware the Abridged Estimates for 2006 have been published and final allocations will be set out in the revised volume to be published in the new year. It is not possible at this point to give an indication of the position beyond 2006.

My Department's strategy statement for the period 2005 to 2007 sets out the strategic goals for the Irish language for this period, namely to support the maintenance and strengthening of Irish as the principal language of both household and community in the Gaeltacht and to increase the use of the Irish language countrywide. Having regard to the strategy statement, my medium-term priorities are: to secure improved provision of public services through the medium of Irish on a phased, planned and agreed basis through the full implementation of the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003. This objective will primarily be achieved through the implementation of agreed language schemes by public bodies; to work and co-operate with other relevant Departments and agencies in ensuring that appropriate resources are in place in order to comply with the obligations associated with the Irish language becoming an official and working language of the European Union and European institutions with effect from 1 January 2007; to progressively increase the availability of third level education through Irish, particularly outside the Gaeltacht and by institutions other than those that have already a tradition in this regard, in association with the Department of Education and Science, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge and the Higher Education Authority and to continue to fund, support and co-operate with Údarás na Gaeltachta with a view to its achieving its overall objectives of developing the economy of the Gaeltacht and encouraging the preservation and extension of the Irish language.

Under its recently published statement of strategy, which is available on its website www.udaras.ie, Údarás sets out its principal areas of focus for the next number of years, which are: to continue to provide funding for the Gaeltacht improvement schemes which are administered by my Department, in order to continue with the programme of capital grants that are available to improve Gaeltacht marine works, improve Gaeltacht roads, and provide or improve community and leisure facilities such as community halls, playing fields and other such facilities. The aim of these grants, through developing infrastructure, is to improve the economic, social and cultural life of Gaeltacht areas as well as strengthening the Irish language as a community language in these areas; to continue to fund the Irish language schemes designed to conserve and promote the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht and to ensure that these schemes continue to be administered as efficiently as possible and reviewed and modernised where necessary; to continue to financially support Ciste na Gaeilge which provides assistance for the promotion of the Irish language through various agencies and projects. As part of Ciste na Gaeilge, I am establishing three subsidiary funds with effect from 2006 to promote the teaching of the Irish language in third level institutions overseas, to support partnership initiatives involving local authorities and the business community in the promotion of the Irish language in their local area and to promote research on the placenames of Ireland. Finally, Údarás will continue, as appropriate, to avail of the advice of Fóram na Gaeilge in overall pursuit of the stated objectives of the Department in relation to the Irish language in general while having specific regard to the Fóram’s brief as set out on its establishment in 2004.

University Funding.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

309 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allocation made by his Department to NUIG under all headings in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36955/05]

The allocations made by my Department since its establishment in June 2002 to NUIG under all headings are given in the following table.

Allocations by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to NUIG since June 2002.

Heading

Allocation 2002

Paid 2002

Allocation 2003

Paid 2003

Allocation 2004

Paid 2004

Allocation 2005

Paid 2005

Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain — riarachán

139,671

139,671

139,671

139,671

160,000

160,000

160,000

160,000

Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain — riarachán

110,989

120,512

Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain —áiseanna

22,500

22,500

Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain — maoin

425,000

242,099

Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain —áiseanna

51,000

51,000

Áras Shorcha Uí Ghuairim — riarachán

139,671

139,671

139,671

139,671

160,000

160,000

160,000

160,000

Áras Shorcha Uí Ghuairim —áiseanna

112,562

36,822

112,562

55,100

55,100

An Crannóg — riarachán

190,500

190,500

190,500

190,500

190,500

190,500

190,500

An Crannóg —áiseanna

230,174

230,174

144,085

62,405

An Crannóg —áiseanna

33,287

33,287

An Crannóg —áiseanna

28,939

28,939

Clochar na Tróchaire, Cárna — ceannach maoine

170,145

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta — riarachán

1,020,000

340,000

170,000

(thar thréimhse 3 bl)

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta- áiseanna

81,329

81,329

143,136

Evaluation of National Drug Awareness Campaign

72,600

42,350

Distance Learning in Rural Development

6,250

6,250

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

Irish Language.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

310 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allocations made by his Department under all headings to Irish language groups for each of the past five years for promotion and preservation of the Irish language; if he has assessed the programmes and plans of the organisations concerned; and if he has satisfied himself as to their validity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36956/05]

Funding is provided by my Department annually, both directly and through other bodies, under a range of headings for the promotion and preservation of the Irish language. In so far as the Gaeltacht is concerned, it is intended to continue with the programme of capital grants that are available under the Gaeltacht improvement schemes, which are administered by my Department to improve Gaeltacht marine works, improve Gaeltacht roads and provide or improve community and leisure facilities such as community halls, playing fields and other such facilities. Grants are also paid under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts to qualifying applicants in the Gaeltacht to build new houses and for improvements to existing houses. The aim of all of these grants, through developing infrastructure, is to improve the economic, social and cultural life of Gaeltacht areas, as well as strengthening the Irish language as a community language in these areas. The Gaeltacht also benefits from a range of social and cultural schemes, designed to assist in the preservation and promotion of Irish as a community language. These schemes include well established ones, such as scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge and the Irish summer colleges scheme, as well as new initiatives such as the language planning initiative, scéim na gcúntóirí teanga and scéim na gcampaí Samhraidh. Reviews of a number of these schemes and of associated expenditure programmes have been carried out in recent years.

My Department also provides substantial funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta, whose primary responsibility is to develop the economy of the Gaeltacht in order to strengthen the preservation and enrichment of the Irish language as the main language there. Údarás also works, in co-operation with my Department, to promote community, cultural and language development activities in the Gaeltacht. The provision of assistance to Údarás is contingent on its meeting certain requirements relating to employment creation and expenditure targets annually. It is also required to operate within a strategic framework approved by my Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments.

Outside the Gaeltacht, funding is provided by my Department under Ciste na Gaeilge for the promotion of the Irish language through various organisations and projects. The programmes and business plans of funded organisations are negotiated and assessed as part of the funding process. As already announced, I am establishing three subsidiary funds within Ciste na Gaeilge, with effect from 2006, to promote the teaching of the Irish language in third level institutions overseas, to support partnership initiatives involving local authorities and the business community in the promotion of the Irish language in their local area; and to promote research on the placenames of Ireland.

My Department has also provided significant funding over the period in question, in conjunction with the co-sponsoring Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, to the North-South Body, An Foras Teanga, which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency. The primary purpose of Foras na Gaeilge, which receives three quarters of its funding from my Department, is to promote the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland, including support for Irish language voluntary organisations. The annual business plans for Foras na Gaeilge are jointly assessed and approved by both sponsor Departments and both Finance Departments and the business plans of funded organisations in turn are assessed and evaluated by the Foras. The allocations and expenditures under all the above headings are set out in the Estimates volumes and appropriation accounts, as published, for the relevant years.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

311 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost-benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit-cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37354/05]

As the Deputy will be aware, the guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector require that a detailed cost benefit appraisal be carried out in the case of projects costing in excess of €50 million. No such projects have arisen in my Department during the period referred to by the Deputy.

Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

312 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the single payment scheme will be reviewed to ensure that entitlements on land whether owned or leased can be leased in full to a family member; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36328/05]

Under the provisions of the EU single payment scheme, it is possible to lease entitlements to another farmer provided that the entitlements are accompanied by an equivalent number of hectares.

Milk Quota.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

313 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the application for additional milk quota for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36338/05]

Allocations of milk quota from the national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers. The person named has applied to the tribunal in the current 2005-06 quota year and an acknowledgement letter has issued to him confirming receipt of his application form. The tribunal will examine applications between now and the end of the quota year in March 2006 and all applicants will be notified of the outcome in their case.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

314 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a decision has been made on the application for entitlements for the national reserve for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [36342/05]

The person named applied for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve under category B which caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002. The position is that over 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants early in 2006. The Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

315 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made on all applications for entitlements under the national reserve; and the number of applications which have been processed to date in 2005 on a county basis. [36343/05]

The position is that some 17,500 farmers submitted applications to the national reserve but when account is taken of the number of farmers who applied under two or more categories over 23,000 files have to be processed. The following table sets out the number of farmers per county who applied under national reserve, some of whom applied under more that one category.

Number

Carlow

204

Cavan

649

Clare

1,151

Cork

1,886

Donegal

753

Dublin

73

Galway

1,601

Kerry

954

Kildare

230

Kilkenny

513

Laois

390

Leitrim

482

Limerick

731

Longford

637

Louth

156

Mayo

1,461

Meath

438

Monaghan

604

Offaly

399

Roscommon

852

Sligo

584

Tipperary

1,282

Waterford

355

Westmeath

384

Wexford

470

Wicklow

275

Total

17,514

While much work has been done in processing the vast majority of the applications, none of the applications has yet been processed to finality with national reserve allocations attributed. Some 14% of the applications received are still under query with the farmers concerned as my Department has sought additional information in support of their applications. Processing of all applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants early in 2006.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

316 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the single payment entitlement of €8,516 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway is to be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36430/05]

The person named received entitlements by way of inheritance. Some of the inherited entitlements were established on rented land and as this land is no longer available to the person named, the full value of the entitlements established will be applied to the inherited land. A supplementary payment will issue to the person named which will enable him to benefit from the full value of the inherited entitlements.

John Perry

Ceist:

317 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when area aid payment will be released for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36431/05]

An application under the single payment scheme and disadvantaged areas scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2005. Payment in the amount of €2,470.86 in respect of the disadvantaged areas scheme issued to the person named on 17 November 2005. Payment to eligible applicants under the single payment scheme are due to commence on 1 December 2005.

John Perry

Ceist:

318 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when area aid single payment will be released for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36432/05]

The application for the single farm payment received from the above named herd owner has now been fully processed and is clear for payment. The first single payment scheme payment run is scheduled to commence on 1 December.

Animal Feedstuffs.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

319 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the cost per annum to store meat and bonemeal and the cost per annum to her Department to export these products. [36443/05]

At present, the only costs being met by my Department for meat and bone meal, or MBM, storage and disposal relate to the funding of three incineration contracts. These contracts provide for the destruction of surplus MBM stocks, which were taken over by my Department following the EU-wide ban on the use of MBM in animal feed. The contracts, which were placed in 2003 and are scheduled to be completed in 2006, provide for the storage, removal and incineration of over 172,000 tonnes of MBM. The total cost of these contracts amounts to approximately €23.5 million.

Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

320 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a single farm payment entitlement of €8,980 has not been credited to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36447/05]

Payments under the single payment scheme are due to commence on 1 December 2005. Payment in full, less the deductions for the national reserve, linear reduction and modulation, will issue to the person named during the next few days.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

321 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide a list of all genetically modified animal food products that have been licensed by the EU; and if any are currently on sale here. [36475/05]

The following GMOs have been authorised for feed in the European Union in accordance with EU Directives 90/220/EC and 2001/18/EC:

Product

Date of authorisation

Male sterile swede rape resistant to glufosinate ammonium (MS1, RF1)

02/02/96

Soybean 40-3-2 tolerant to glyphosate

03/04/96

Bt-maize tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (Bt-176)

23/01/97

Male sterile swede rape tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (MS1, RF2)

06/06/97

Swede rape tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (Topas 19/2)

22/04/98

Maize tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (T25)

22/04/98

Maize expressing the Bt cry1A(b) gene (MON 810)

22/04/98

Maize tolerant to glufosinate ammonium and expressing the Bt cry1A (b) gene (Bt-11)

22/04/98

Maize Roundup Ready NK 603 tolerant to glyphosate herbicide

19/07/04

MON 863 maize resistant to corn rootworm

08/08/05

Oilseed rape — herbicide resistant GT73

31/08/05

The following GMOs which were on the market for food and feed prior to the coming into force of EU Regulation 1829/2003 (New Food and Feed Regulation) have been added to the Community register of GM food and feed in accordance with Articles 8 and 20 of the regulation:

Product

Date

Maize MON810

12-07-2004

Maize MON 863

12-07-2004

Soya bean MON 40-3-2

13-07-2004

Maize NK 603

14-07-2004

Maize NK 603 X MON 810

15-07-2004

Maize DAS1507

19-08-2004

Oilseed rape GT 73

31-08-2004

Cotton MON 1445

23-09-2004

Cotton MON 531

23-09-2004

Maize T25

01-10-2004

Cotton MON 531 X MON 1445

04-10-2004

Maize GA 21

04-10-2004

Maize Bt 11

04-10-2004

Maize Bt176 maize

04-10-2004

Swede rape MS8, RF3, MS8 X RF3

05-10-2004

Maize GA21 X MON 810

06-10-2004

Swede rape MS1, RF1, MS1 X RF1

07-10-2004

Swede rape MS1, RF2, MS1 X RF2

08-10-2004

Canola TOPAS 19/2

11-10-2004

Maize MON863 X MON810

11-10-2004

Yeast cream pMT742 or pAK729-Yeast biomass

12-10-2004

Oilseed rape T45

13-10-2004

Maize MON863 X MON603

13-10-2004

Cotton MON 15985

14-10-2004

Cotton MON 15985 X MON1445

14-10-2004

Feed products containing GM maize, soya and canola are currently on sale in Ireland. EU legislation requires that feed containing GMO material be declared as such where the level of GMO is in excess of 0.9%. My Department samples imported feed materials to confirm the accuracy of the information supplied.

The detailed list can be obtained from the following website: www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm.

Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

322 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a force majeure application under the single payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not successful; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the person had to get rid of a substantial number of cattle in 2000 due to illness; if calculating the reference years as 1997, 1998 and 1999 will be more advantageous in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36477/05]

The person named submitted an application for consideration of force majeure or exceptional circumstances in respect of his entitlements under the single farm payment scheme. As the medical evidence furnished in support of the application related to a broken ankle sustained in 1996 the application was deemed unsuccessful. An appeal was then submitted to the single payment appeals committee citing a number of medical conditions during 2000 to 2002. However the medical evidence furnished with the appeal was non-specific and as the stock numbers on the holding remained constant during 2000, 2001 and 2002 the independent single payment appeal committee recommendation was that the appeal should be disallowed.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

323 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the full single payment entitlement on 4.53 hectares has not been credited to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36478/05]

The applicant was informed on 16 November 2005 that the transfer of entitlements was by way of inheritance and a copy of the appropriate application form was forwarded to her for completion and return to my Department. On receipt of the completed application form and supporting documentation, my Department will process it without delay.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

324 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the genetically modified GT73 oilseed rape is currently on sale here; and if she will make a statement on the dangers that it could contaminate other brassica species. [36488/05]

Genetically modified GT73 oilseed rape is currently not on sale in Ireland. The Commission decision 2005/635/EC authorising this product will not apply until a detection method, specific to the GT 73 oilseed rape, is validated by the Community reference laboratory. This validation process is not yet completed, and an expected date of completion is not available.

The possibility of cross-contamination through the accidental spillage of this product was addressed in the Commission decision which authorised the product when it specifically stated that the consent holder, Monsanto in this case, shall directly inform operators and users concerning the safety and general characteristics of the product and of the conditions as to monitoring, including the appropriate management measures to be taken in case of accidental grain spillage. The appropriate management measures, which include plans to eradicate volunteer oilseed rape plants, are set out in a separate Commission recommendation 2005/637/EC. My Department will put in place appropriate measures to ensure that the provisions and obligations set out in this recommendation are complied with.

EU Directives.

John Perry

Ceist:

325 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the serious impact the nitrates directive will have on the pig farming industry which is a €2 billion industry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36499/05]

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission on 29 July 2005. Following a consultation process, regulations giving legal effect to the action programme are expected to be available shortly. Ireland will then proceed with the case for a derogation, which proposes to cater largely for intensive dairy farmers and for grassland holdings importing manure from intensive pig and poultry farms.

Throughout the discussions on Ireland's proposals, the European Commission has taken a firm position on the minimum storage capacity required for pig producers. It has also insisted that such storage facilities must be put in place at the earliest possible date. The nitrates action programme submitted to the Commission on 29 July reflects those discussions and therefore states that a storage capacity of 26 weeks is required for pigs and must be in place by 31 December 2006. However for small units a lesser storage requirement, 16, 18, 20 or 22 weeks depending on the zone, applies to holdings with 100 pigs or fewer, conditional on the holding having adequate spreadlands to utilise all the manure on the holding without exceeding nitrogen and phosphorus limits.

While the implementation of the action programme will certainly have implications for pig producers, I believe that the level of anxiety being expressed in some quarters is excessive. I have taken measures to alleviate the impact on the sector, and farmers as a group can also do much to help each other.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. I hope early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming from the European Commission so that it can be introduced quickly. Under these proposals, pig and poultry producers will be eligible for the first time for on-farm investment aid, and grants of up to 70% will be available. Among other new elements, the scheme will introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000 in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs and €40,000 in the case of specialised slurry spreading tankers and related equipment. The scheme will increase the maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000 with a grant rate of 20%.

I also intend to introduce a scheme to support the demonstration of new technologies to help the agriculture sector meet the requirements of the nitrates directive. The purpose of the scheme, details of which are being finalised at present with a view to an early introduction, is to look at new and emerging technologies for the treatment and possible use in bio-energy production of livestock manures, in particular from the pig and poultry sectors.

The other issue facing pig producers will be having access to enough land to spread the quantities of slurry produced on their holdings in a way that meets the nutrient limits and other requirements of the action programme. I am acutely conscious of the need for pig farmers to continue to have adequate spreadlands for pig slurry. In that context I will be asking Teagasc to undertake a very active promotion campaign to demonstrate the nutrient value of slurry and the savings that farmers can achieve by substituting it for chemical fertiliser, and I will be urging REPS planners to encourage their clients to use pig manure on their farms. I will also be seeking to ensure that the necessary record-keeping and inspection regimes are kept to what is strictly necessary.

Furthermore there is much that farm organisations and individual farmers can do to promote the use of imported organic fertilisers such as pig slurry. It is in the interests of other farming sectors, such as the tillage sector that provides feed, to assist the intensive pig producers by considering the use of manure on their crops. Pig producers also need to be proactive in identifying and encouraging suitable recipients to take and utilise their manure. I would encourage the farm organisations to explore these possibilities.

Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

326 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of single payment that is due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36563/05]

A provisional statement of entitlements issued to the person named on 6 August 2004, advising that, on the basis of his farming practices during the reference period, he had established 23.73 entitlements, with a unit value of €344.01, amounting to a single payment of €8,163.36. An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2005.

Payments under the single payment scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005.

Animal Identification Scheme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

327 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if rams will be allowed to be genotyped as category four and five which were typed prior to the introduction of the buyout scheme to be eligible for compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36564/05]

I assume the Deputy is referring to the enhancements to the national genotype programme which applied only to those sheep genotyped between 1 September and 18 November 2005. The enhancements included the payment of a flat rate of compensation in respect of any ram which, when tested between 1 September and 18 November 2005, was found to be in one of those categories which are susceptible or highly susceptible to scrapie, provided that such rams are slaughtered on or before 30 November 2005. Consequently, the provisions of the enhanced programme, including the payment of compensation, do not apply to rams that were genotyped prior to 1 September 2005.

Grant Payments.

John Perry

Ceist:

328 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the single payment will be released to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36576/05]

The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme-disadvantaged areas scheme on 12 May 2005. An amendment to this application was received in the Department on 16 May 2005 seeking to have an additional land parcel included in the application. Following initial processing of the application, it was found that another scheme applicant had also claimed the additional parcel.

Following correspondence with both parties, it was established that the person named did not have the right to claim the said parcel. However, officials of the Department having been in direct contact with the person named, have concluded that force majeure exceptional circumstances may be said to apply. Therefore, while the person named will not benefit in respect of the parcel in question, no penalties will be applied, and the application will be otherwise processed for payment.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

329 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive area aid payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36724/05]

The Department was in correspondence with the applicant concerning the area of a land parcel included in his single payment application. The matter raised has now been resolved. A payment under the 2005 disadvantaged area scheme amounting to €767.92 will be made to the person named within the next few days.

Payments under the 2005 single payment scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005 and a payment amounting to €2,111.38 under this scheme will be made to the person named.

Irish Sugar Limited.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

330 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement as a shareholder on what Greencore proposes to do with the former sugar factory at Carlow. [36725/05]

As Minister, I hold a special share in Greencore PLC. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but has conditions attached which prevent the company from engaging in a number of activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. In summary, the special share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar Limited, or a certain percentage of the sugar assets and prevents a single shareholder or group of shareholders from gaining control of Greencore PLC. It does not empower me to get involved in the normal business decisions of the company. I have not received any request from the company for consent to the sale of the Carlow site.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

331 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of persons within each unit or State agency of her Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of her Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within her Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36742/05]

Some 200 people have applied via the central applications facility to decentralise with the Department to Portlaoise. To date, 130 staff have been assigned within the Department, 85 of whom have actually moved. A total of 88 people have applied via the CAF to decentralise with the Department to Fermoy, of whom 18 are assigned. So far 90 people have applied via the CAF to decentralise with the Department to Macroom, of whom 22 are assigned.

Some 320 Dublin-based staff within my Department have applied via the CAF to decentralise with this or other Departments, offices and agencies. There are approximately 400 Dublin-based staff who have not applied for decentralisation. A number of these staff have expressed an interest in relocating to Backweston, County Kildare, to where 70 posts are to be relocated.

The CAF shows that out of 67 positions in Bord Bia, 19 personnel are willing to transfer with Bord Bia and two want to transfer out of the organisation. In addition, 41 external personnel have applied to join Bord Bia in Enniscorthy.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

332 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the application for the early retirement scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and when the application will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36774/05]

The application by the person named for the early retirement pension was received in my Department on 11 October 2005 but was incomplete. Further documentation was received from her on 25 October. The application is currently being examined and if it is found to be valid, approval will issue before the end of the year.

Milk Quota.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

333 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an application for a milk quota under the hardship scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [36822/05]

Allocations of milk quota from the national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers.

The person named has applied to the tribunal in the current 2005-06 quota year and an acknowledgement letter has issued to him confirming receipt of his application form. The tribunal will examine applications between now and the end of the quota year in March 2006 and all applicants will be notified of the outcome in their case.

EU Directives.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

334 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views regarding the probable effects of the nitrates directive on pig production here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that as many as 100 licences issued to pig farmers under EPA regulations may be rescinded; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that as many as 400 other pig producers may be unable to source suitable land for spreading pig slurry on; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that unless there is some type of derogation given many pig farmers will either have to scale down their operations or exit pig farming thereby reducing employment in the processing industry; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the decimation of the pig industry will provide opportunities for cheap imports of questionable quality pig meat into Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36844/05]

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission on 29 July 2005. Following a consultation process, regulations giving legal effect to the action programme are expected to be available shortly. Ireland will then proceed with the case for a derogation, which proposes to cater largely for intensive dairy farmers and for grassland holdings importing manure from intensive pig and poultry farms.

Throughout the discussions on Ireland's proposals, the European Commission has taken a firm position on the minimum storage capacity required for pig producers. It has also insisted that such storage facilities must be put in place at the earliest possible date. The nitrates action programme submitted to the Commission on 29 July reflects those discussions and therefore states that a storage capacity of 26 weeks is required for pigs and must be in place by 31 December 2006. However, for small units a lesser storage requirement — 16, 18, 20 or 22 weeks depending on the zone — applies to holdings with 100 pigs or fewer, conditional on the holding having adequate spreadlands to utilise all the manure on the holding without exceeding nitrogen and phosphorus limits.

While the implementation of the action programme will certainly have implications for pig producers, the level of anxiety being expressed in some quarters is excessive. I have taken measures to alleviate the impact on the sector and farmers as a group can also do much to help each other.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. I hope early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming from the European Commission so that it can be introduced quickly. Under these proposals, pig and poultry producers will be eligible for the first time for on-farm investment aid, and grants of up to 70% will be available. Among other new elements, the scheme will introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000 in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs and €40,000 in the case of specialised slurry spreading tankers and related equipment. The scheme will increase the maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000, with a grant rate of 20%.

I also intend to introduce a scheme to support the demonstration of new technologies to help the agriculture sector meet the requirements of the nitrates directive. The purpose of the scheme, details of which are being finalised at present with a view to an early introduction, is to look at new and emerging technologies for the treatment and possible use in bio-energy production of livestock manures, in particular from the pig and poultry sectors.

The other issue facing pig producers will be having access to enough land to spread the quantities of slurry produced on their holdings in a way that meets the nutrient limits and other requirements of the action programme. I am acutely conscious of the need for pig farmers to continue to have adequate spreadlands for pig slurry. In that context I will be asking Teagasc to undertake a very active promotion campaign to demonstrate the nutrient value of slurry and the savings that farmers can achieve by substituting it for chemical fertiliser, and I will be urging REPS planners to encourage their clients to use pig manure on their farms. I will also be seeking to ensure that the necessary record-keeping and inspection regimes are kept to what is strictly necessary.

Furthermore, there is much that farm organisations and individual farmers can do to promote the use of imported organic fertilisers such as pig slurry. It is in the interests of other farming sectors, such as the tillage sector that provides feed, to assist the intensive pig producers by considering the use of manure on their crops. Pig producers also need to be pro-active in identifying and encouraging suitable recipients to take and utilise their manure. I would encourage the farm organisations to explore these possibilities.

Regarding imports of pigmeat, all such imports must be sourced from EU approved establishments applying the highest standards in veterinary controls, particularly in legislation, hygiene conditions, animal health status, veterinary medicines controls, residues programmes and other food law. A health certificate conforming to the models set down in EU legislation must accompany pigmeat being imported from third countries. All consignments must first be landed at an approved border inspection post and undergo documentary, identity and physical checks. Once it has been established that the meat has met all the required conditions it is released for free circulation within the Community. Imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. If non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed.

Grant Payments.

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

335 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the single payment entitlement will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [36918/05]

An application for the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 28 April 2005 and payments under the scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005.

The person named also submitted an application under category C of the single payment scheme national reserve which 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 livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-02.

Over 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants early in 2006. The Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed.

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

336 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the special beef premia outstanding from 2004 will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [36919/05]

The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 special beef premium scheme, in respect of a total of 43 animals. The first application, in respect of 31 animals for first age premium, was received on 28 May 2004 and the second application, in respect of 12 animals for second age premium was received on 20 December 2004. However, at the request of the person named, the latter application was processed as received on 29 December 2004.

Under the relevant EU regulations governing the special beef premium scheme, each member state is subject to a regional beef quota limit. This quota was breached in 2004 and as a result first age and bull premium applicants were subject to a quota cut of 25.46% while second age premium applicants were subject to a 16.84% quota cut. The second age premium was supplemented by a payment from the Exchequer resulting in a final quota cut of 11.38% for those applicants. Only applicants with in excess of 25 animals were subject to this quota cut.

As the person named applied on 43 eligible animals under the 2004 special beef premium scheme, it was appropriate to apply a quota cut on all animals. The application of the quota cut resulted in 33.70 animals being eligible for payment; full payment in respect of these animals has issued to the person named, the final balances having issued on 7 October 2005.

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

337 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when REP scheme payment for 2005 will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [36920/05]

Necessary details about the holding submitted for REPS in this case, confirming both the area under wind turbines and the area of turbary, were received in my Department yesterday, 28 November. These areas will now be subtracted from the area for REPS payment. A planner-environmentalist is also required to state the stocking density on the remaining area in the plan or a reason for a nil stocking density if such is the case. Following receipt of this information there will be no delay in processing the application.

EU Directives.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

338 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the scientific analysis that has been carried out to justify the increased notional amount of nitrates produced by an individual sow and the consequential effect for the livelihood of pig producers in view of the proposed implementation of the Nitrates Directive. [36923/05]

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The nitrates directive specifies a limit on the amount of livestock manure that can be applied to land, being an amount containing 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per annum. The directive also requires that the nutrient requirements of the crop to which the fertiliser is to be applied must be taken into account when applying fertilisers.

Figures for the annual production of nitrogen and phosphorus by different livestock types were reviewed in the context of developing regulations to give effect to Ireland's national action programme. Analysis of current management practices on Irish pig farms necessitated a revision of the nitrogen and phosphorus excretion figures for pigs. Relevant factors on farms include changed feeding regimes, including use of the phytase enzyme, the increased number of litters per sow resulting in an increased number of pigs being sold and increased slaughter weights. Arising from this revision the annual nutrient excretion rates for nitrogen for sows, integrated unit, are increased from 67 kg per year to 87 kg per year but the rates for phosphorus are reduced from 22 kg per year to 17 kg per year.

The reduction in the standard phosphorus value for pig manure is significant and will benefit pig producers seeking other farmers to take their manure. On most recipient farms it will be the crop phosphorus requirements that will be the first limiting factor that will determine the amount of pig slurry that can be applied. Furthermore, there is scope for the replacement of chemical fertiliser with pig slurry on many farms, particularly on tillage farms, and farmers need to be aware of the savings that can accrue as a result.

I am acutely conscious of the need for pig farmers to continue to have adequate spreadlands for pig slurry. In that context I will be asking Teagasc to undertake a very active promotion campaign to demonstrate the nutrient value of slurry and the savings that farmers can achieve by substituting it for chemical fertiliser, and I will be urging REPS planners to encourage their clients to use pig manure on their farms. I will also be seeking to ensure that the necessary record-keeping and inspection regimes are kept to what is strictly necessary.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

339 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost-benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit-cost ratio which emerged from this test; if she is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37355/05]

The Department of Finance's guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector currently require that projects of a value in excess of €50 million be subject to a full scale cost benefit analysis. The Minister for Finance recently announced his intention to reduce this value to €30 million as one of a number of new initiatives to obtain value for money from public sector contracts.

The vast majority of capital expenditure in my Department relates to capital grant schemes involving relatively small scale investments by farmers and others in the agri-food sector. There were no capital projects costing in excess of either €50 million or €30 million, and therefore requiring detailed CBA, undertaken by my Department in the period referred to.

Decentralisation Programme.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

340 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding decentralisation plans for the Longford area; if there are plans to recruit new civil servants; and the number of persons who can apply for these positions in an open competition. [36427/05]

A key element of the Government's decentralisation programme is the selection of Longford as the location for the headquarters of the Irish Prison Service. It is expected that the building of the new headquarters will commence later this year and it is scheduled for occupation in early 2007.

The question of recruiting new civil servants to transfer to Longford by way of open competition does not arise as substantial progress continues to be made in the voluntary assignment of existing Civil Service staff who wish to transfer to Longford.

Proposed Legislation.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

341 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce regulation of managing agents of apartment developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36497/05]

In its report that was published recently, the auctioneering and estate agency review group recommended that all auctioneering, estate agency, property letting and property management agencies be licensed and regulated by a new regulatory authority.

Following Government approval, my Department is preparing legislation to give effect to the new property services regulatory authority. In the interim, I am proceeding with arrangements to facilitate the establishment of the new authority at an early date. The new authority will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of a range of property services including property letting and property management agencies.

Visa Applications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

342 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if permission will be granted to allow a person (details supplied) in County Louth to be reunited with their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36296/05]

The applications referred to by the Deputy were for family members to join their parents in the State. The parents were granted permission to remain in the State based on parentage of an Irish born child.

On 18 July 2003 the Government announced its policy on non-nationals in the above circumstances. On family reunification and Irish born children it was announced that there is no presumption in favour of allowing parents granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish born child to be joined by other family members. I am not aware of any special circumstances over and above those of others in a similar situation which would warrant a special concession in this case.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

343 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/05]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

347 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36351/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 347 together.

The join parent visa applications were refused by my Department on 17 February 2004. The reason for refusal was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the applications. There is an extensive set of criteria applied when assessing any visa application. These criteria, to a large extent, depend on the context in which the application is made, the personal circumstances of the applicant and the nature and purpose of the application itself. Government policy of the day will also have an influence on the assessment of applications falling into specific categories.

If the applicants still wish to travel, fresh applications should be submitted to my Department with up to date documentation and the matter will be considered anew.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

344 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for permission to remain in the State for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [36330/05]

The applicant in question submitted an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of being the parent of an Irish born child born prior to 1 January 2005 under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. One of the conditions of the revised scheme is that certain documents are required to be submitted with an application. The applicant did not suppy all the required documentation and was written to earlier this month. His application will be processed to completion upon receipt of the requested documentation.

Garda Recruitment.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

345 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on changes to the Irish language requirement for entry into the Garda Síochána; and the status of the rule change. [36331/05]

Following the Government decision to approve my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000, I asked the Garda Commissioner to review the eligibility criteria for entry to the Garda Síochána. I initially increased the maximum age of applicants from 26 to 35 in time for the recruitment competition in November 2004. That change has had a significant effect, with a significant percentage of recent recruits coming within the extended age range.

In advance of advertising the current Garda recruitment campaign, which commenced on 29 September last, I was keen to make any reasonable changes to the entry criteria that would facilitate recruitment from different ethnic backgrounds in our society. I am of the belief that future intakes of recruits to the Garda Síochána should as far as possible reflect the composition of Irish society, and my view is that this is an opportune time to ensure that the criteria for entry meet the evolving needs of the Garda Síochána and the society it serves.

For this reason I asked the Commissioner to examine whether any of the eligibility criteria militated, however indirectly, against the recruitment of members from ethnic communities in Ireland. The main issue that arose in this context was the requirement to hold an academic qualification in Irish, a matter which, of course, is of particular relevance not only to those from different ethnic backgrounds but to all those who did not receive their schooling within the Irish educational system.

Following receipt of the Commissioner's review and following consultations with my colleagues in Government, in particular the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and with the Attorney General and the Garda representative associations, I brought proposals to Government and obtained its approval for the introduction of significant changes to the criteria for entry to the Garda Síochána, as governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations. Chief among these changes is that the requirement to hold a qualification in both Irish and English in the leaving certificate or equivalent has been replaced with a requirement to hold a qualification in two languages, at least one of which must be Irish or English.

It is intended that recruits who do not have a qualification in Irish will undertake basic training in the language in the Garda College as part of their training, and the details of that language training will be finalised shortly in consultation with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

These changes will open up entry to the Garda Síochána to persons in Ireland from all parts of the community and from all ethnic backgrounds. This is a hugely significant step which will help ensure that future intakes of recruits to the Garda Síochána reflect the composition of Irish society to the benefit of the force and the people it serves.

However, while the absolute requirement for Garda trainees to hold an academic qualification in Irish is now removed, Irish will continue to have an important place in the Garda Síochána. All Garda recruits will be required to achieve an appropriate standard in Irish before becoming full members of the force, and basic training in Irish will be given to recruits who have no qualification in the language. Everyone who wishes to must be able to communicate with the force through our native language. The Garda Síochána has a very strong commitment to delivering a service through Irish. Indeed, proficiency in Irish is strongly promoted within the force and that will continue to be the case.

Registration of Title.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

346 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the land registry office will be instructed to expedite a dealing application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when will this matter will be complete. [36348/05]

I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question. In circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.

Question No. 347 answered with QuestionNo. 343.

Garda Deployment.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

348 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a recent spate of robberies in Bunclody, County Wexford; if he is satisfied that there is adequate Garda manpower to deal with same; if the Garda complement for Bunclody can be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36384/05]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current personnel strength of Bunclody Garda station as at 25 November 2005 is five, all ranks. This compares to a strength of three, all ranks, on 31 December 1997.

On Garda resources generally, I am 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 be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Bunclody will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. 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. They will have a real impact.

The table shows the numbers of robbery offences recorded and detected from 1 January 2000 to 31 October 2005 in the Garda district of Gorey. Bunclody Garda sub-district is part of the Gorey Garda district.

Headline Offences Recorded and Detected for Garda District of Gorey for Years 2000 to 31 October 2005*.

District: Gorey

2005*

2004*

2003

2002

2001

2000

Rec

Det

Rec

Det

Rec

Det

Rec

Det

Rec

Det

Rec

Det

Total

6

2

15

8

7

7

8

2

8

7

13

7

* Figures provided are provisional/operational and liable to change.

Refugee Status.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

349 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has applications for refugee status and citizenship from a person (details supplied); when this person will receive a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36392/05]

The applicant arrived in the State in September 1997 and claimed asylum. The application was refused in June 1999 and that decision was upheld on appeal in August 2000. The person concerned was granted, as an exceptional measure, temporary leave to remain in the State for an initial period of one year with effect from 19 May 2005.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 28 November 2002. The application was submitted to me for a decision in July 2004 and I decided not to grant a certificate of naturalisation in that instance. The reasons for my decision were disclosed to the legal representatives for the individual in a letter dated 28 July 2004 informing them of my decision.

Officials of the Department have no record of a further application for naturalisation having been received from the person concerned.

Garda Equipment.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

350 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of mountain bikes available to community gardaí in the Bridewell Garda station, Dublin 7 in 2004 and to date in 2005; and if resources are available to provide sufficient bikes as required. [36408/05]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that in 2004 two mountain bikes were allocated to the Bridewell Garda station for use by the community policing unit. However, due to wear and tear, both bikes became unavailable for use in July 2005.

However, there are currently ten bicycles allocated within the north central division which are available as divisional resources. Furthermore, there are currently 40 mountain bikes on order awaiting delivery which will become available for allocation early in 2006. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that there are four gardaí trained in the use of Garda mountain bikes in the Bridewell Garda station.

Mountain bike units are engaged in mainstream policing, in conjunction with the community policing units, concentrating on areas such as parks and laneways, which are more easily accessed by such transport and supplement beat and other mobile patrols within the council area. The mountain bike units have been very successful in tackling anti-social disorderly behaviour in local parks and estates and work well in conjunction with other units. Overall, the units have proven to be very successful to date due to their ability to respond quickly and effectively and capacity to provide a high visibility presence.

Mountain bike units have made a significant and positive contribution to a proactive approach in tackling crime. Garda management has received very positive feedback from the community on the work of these units.

Proposed Legislation.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

351 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the proposed national property services regulatory authority will be set up; if property management companies and agencies which carry out management functions in apartment complexes will be regulated and licensed by the new authority; when such regulations will be formulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36409/05]

Following Government approval, the Department is preparing legislation to give effect to the new national property services regulatory authority. In the interim, I am proceeding with arrangements to facilitate the establishment of the new authority at an early date. The new regulatory authority will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of a range of property services including auctioneering, estate agency, property letting and property management agencies.

Garda Equipment.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

352 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda stations (details supplied) in the Dublin north-central division have e-mail facilities; if the senior gardaí in charge of these stations will be provided with e-mail facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36410/05]

The roll out of e-mail to the Garda Síochána is under way. It is now available to all gardaí from superintendent rank upwards and this includes the Dublin north central division. The gardaí have plans for significant further extension of the system next year.

Garda Investigations.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

353 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); if an investigation is taking place into the alleged crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36420/05]

This matter has been the subject of considerable correspondence over the years and I have recently corresponded further with the person referred to by the Deputy. The Garda authorities inform me that this case was the subject of a thorough Garda investigation and a person was tried and acquitted in connection with it.

It is a matter for the gardaí to investigate reported crimes and to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report on the matter to the DPP. The primary role of the DPP is to decide whether a particular person should be prosecuted and for what criminal offence. The DPP will make this decision on the basis of the Garda findings viewed against the background of common and-or statute law. As the DPP is independent in the performance of his functions, it would therefore be inappropriate for me to intervene in any way.

With regard to other matters raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, they have been and are being investigated by the tribunal of inquiry into complaints concerning some gardaí of the Donegal division, the Morris tribunal.

Private Security Industry.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

354 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that convicted criminals are involved in the private security business; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that a convicted criminal was photographed receiving his certificate of membership of the Security Institute of Ireland in his presence (details supplied); if the new private security authority will vet applicants to check if they have a criminal conviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36422/05]

My concern about unacceptable elements within the private security industry was one of the reasons I brought forward the Private Security Services Act 2004 to regulate the private security industry. It should be noted that the Security Institute of Ireland is a separate body, independent of my Department and the Private Security Authority.

The Private Security Authority is the statutory body established under the Act to regulate this important industry. The PSA has put in place stringent criteria to ensure that the private security industry operates to a high standard. In this regard, all applicants for a licence must undergo criminal record checks by the Garda Síochána, be they employees, principals or directors of private security companies. It is an offence in itself not to disclose details of a conviction when applying to the authority for a licence.

The authority commenced licensing contractors providing private security services in the door supervisor and security guarding sectors on 3 October this year, and licensing for suppliers and installers of intruder alarms commenced at the beginning of this month. The authority proposes to license all other sectors of the industry on a phased basis during 2006 and 2007. Licensing for individuals employed in the private security industry will commence next April.

Drugs in Prisons.

Damien English

Ceist:

355 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of specialist staff involved in drug prevention and treatment in each Irish prison; if he will provide a breakdown of their area of expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36423/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

356 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are vacancies within the Irish Prison Service in respect of specialist staff for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse; the length of time such posts have been vacant; when they will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36424/05]

Damien English

Ceist:

357 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the additional measures and staffing resources he intends to put in place to deal with drug abuse treatment within the Irish Prison Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36425/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 357, inclusive, together.

There is currently a range of measures employed in the Irish Prison Service with the aim of eliminating both the supply of and the demand for drugs within the prison system. These include education, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicted offenders.

Drug treatment services for prisoners involve a significant multi-dimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. These programmes and interventions are delivered on an individual and co-ordinated basis by the psychology service, probation and welfare service, prison education service and prison officers. Particular initiatives put in place include drug misuse awareness programmes, support programmes and other appropriate health interventions, substitution therapies, vaccination programmes and treatment for viral illnesses. In addition, the Irish Prison Service provides prisoners with a range of opportunities to encourage them to adopt a drug-free lifestyle, thereby reducing demand for illicit substances.

Many staff appointments have been made in this area in recent years and specific new expertise now in place includes the services of a pharmacist, deputy governor, with responsibility for drugs-related staff training, co-ordinator of drug treatment services appointed by the Health Service Executive, additional psychologists and a probation and welfare service team led by a senior probation and welfare officer.

In addition, many new health care staff such as a co-ordinator of prison nursing and 84 additional professional nurses have been appointed in the Irish Prison Service in recent years, as well as consultant psychiatrist in addictions sessions allocated by relevant Health Service Executive areas. However, it is accepted that the difficulties in appointing particular specialist staffing — for example, addiction counsellors — have arisen and have impacted on recruitment. These difficulties are being resolved and will allow further appointments to be made.

Given the diverse range of general and specialist services providing drug treatment, which are not funded by my Department, and the fact that many of the prison employed staff carry out drug treatment work as part of a wide range of interventions, it is not possible to readily estimate the exact number of individuals who could be referred to as working entirely in the drug treatment area.

I have recently held a seminar for prison governors on the new drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service, which I will publish in the coming weeks. This policy when implemented will bring a renewed focus on improving the organisational arrangements both within prisons and between prisons and the community to offer prisoners a more coherent and joined-up service. An underlying aim of the new policy is the operation of all programmes within a coherent policy framework, understood and supported by all agencies involved in drug treatment within the prison system. Such coherence is critical to the successful development of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment process which would assist in matching prisoners to the most effective and appropriate treatments and interventions available; the development of individualised programme plans for prisoners having due regard to their particular circumstances; and making provision for continuity of post-release treatment, care and support services.

In addition to these new arrangements which are focused on improving the manner in which treatment services are organised, the new policy will involve the implementation of a range of new supply elimination measures such as mandatory drug testing, new visiting arrangements and the introduction of drug detection dogs.

Registration of Title.

John Perry

Ceist:

358 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will intervene with the land registry office on behalf of a person (details supplied); if their land application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36433/05]

I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question. In circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

359 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with a land registry application for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36503/05]

I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the application in question.

Child Abuse.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

360 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce the guidelines in the report delivered to him three years ago by his Department’s video evidence committee, which was set up over six years ago to introduce guidelines for the taking of statements from children in instances of alleged abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36504/05]

Section 16 of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 provides that a video recording of any evidence given by a person under 17 years of age in respect of sexual or violent offences shall be admissible at a trial as evidence. My predecessor as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform established a committee to draw up guidelines for persons involved in video recording interviews with a complainant aged under 14 years of age or with a mental handicap about a sexual or violent offence during an interview with gardaí or other person competent for the purpose, which subsequently forwarded good practice guidelines to me with related recommendations.

Devising a new mechanism to oversee the implementation of the guidelines by the gardaí and the health authorities requires input from a number of Departments and agencies, including this Department, the Department of Health and Children, as well as the gardaí and the Health Service Executive. This view is shared by the Department of Health and Children.

The Department has, therefore, asked the Health Service Executive for its views on the most effective mechanism to oversee the implementation of the guidelines and also on the related issues of how a joint national training programme might be developed by the agencies involved and how suitable places to conduct interviews of the type in question might be made available. The Health Service Executive has indicated that it us currently examining the issues involved internally and will revert to my Department shortly.

Residency Permits.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

361 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason, after several attempts at trying to contact the immigration section of his Department, a person (details supplied) in County Offaly still received no confirmation of their application which they lodged with his Department in September 2005. [36522/05]

The person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for long-term residency in September 2005. On receipt of the documentation submitted it was noted that he would not meet the qualifying criteria until the middle of November 2005. His application was subsequently held by the Department until such time as he did qualify for long-term residency.

The immigration division of my Department has recently been in contact with the person concerned notifying him of the decision to grant long-term residency.

Citizenship Applications.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

362 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17; the average time taken for processing such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36532/05]

I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that there is no record of an application for naturalisation having been lodged by the person concerned. The person in question has an ongoing application for residency in the State on the separate basis of marriage to an Irish national. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State. The case is currently under consideration. A decision will be made when all the circumstances specific to this case have been fully considered.

Asylum Support Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

363 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date on which the decision was taken to close a hostel (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for use as accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees; the reason for the decision; if the residents were consulted; the way in which and when the residents were advised of the decision; the number of residents affected; if the residents will be moved to the same location on closure or to a number of different locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36546/05]

The reception and integration agency is charged with providing quality accommodation which promotes the well being of all asylum seekers and decisions regarding the reassignment or closure of centres are made in the context of the overall demand for accommodation.

As considerable numbers of asylum seekers have left accommodation having received leave to remain in the State on the basis of having an Irish born child, the agency undertook a major review of its accommodation needs. It is incumbent on the agency to seek to make the best use of its accommodation resources, to provide the best value for money and to seek to provide the accommodation in a sensitive, balanced and proportionate way.

Resulting from the review, and in the absence of evidence from the contractor that he was in possession of a lease for the centre which would permit agency to consider extending the contract, it indicated to him on 18 November 2005, in compliance with its contractual obligations, that it did not intend to renew the contract beyond its expiry date of 18 January 2006.

The contractor has since responded to the agency's letter of 18 November 2005 indicating that he is now in possession of a lease for the premises. The agency has accordingly entered into further discussions with him about the possibility of an extension of the contract in this case. It is anticipated that a decision in the matter will be forthcoming in the near future, following which all stake-holders will be informed of the outcome.

Visa Applications.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

364 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a visitor’s visa will be granted on humanitarian grounds to a person (details supplied); if an ongoing visiting arrangement can be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36570/05]

A visa application was refused by the Department in September 2005. The authorities dealing with this matter have been informed that the Department, in co-operation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and in particular in the interest of the child, are happy to grant a re-entry visa to the mother of the child to allow her to travel to Britain to visit and initiate a familiarisation programme with the child.

The child in question has had no contact with her mother for a number of years and the welfare of the child and reunification of the child with her parents is the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings in Britain. If the mother wishes to pursue her interest in meeting the child and assisting the child in the familiarisation programme she should apply for a re-entry visa which, as I have already stated, will be granted without delay.

Asylum Applications.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

365 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be granted permission to obtain private rented accommodation and rent supplement; if a response will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36571/05]

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 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. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

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 — prohibition of refoulement— of the Refugee Act 1996. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

The issue of private rented accommodation and rent supplement should be addressed to my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Road Traffic Offences.

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

366 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the grounds on which he has awarded the Garda Síochána the general supervisory role in the management of the calibration and accuracy of privatized speeding cameras; and the reason the NSAI, which is legally mandated to carry out such a role, has been overlooked. [36058/05]

The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides that equipment used by the Garda Síochána to detect speeding must be of a type that has been approved by the Commissioner or another member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of chief superintendent authorised in that behalf by the Commissioner, or the chief executive officer of the National Roads Authority or another officer of that authority authorised in that behalf by him or her.

It is proposed to maintain this approach for equipment used by an outsourcer providing and operating speed cameras. Matters such as the calibration of cameras will be addressed in a service level agreement between the Garda Síochána and the outsourcer or outsourcers when selected after a tender process.

Garda Strength.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

367 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda strength nationally and in the Dublin metropolitan area; and the way in which this compares with the same period in 2004, 2003 and 2002. [36707/05]

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Garda strength nationally and in the Dublin metropolitan region as at year ends 2002, 2003 and 2004 and at 28 November 2005, was as set out in the following table:

Date

National Strength

DMR Strength

31 December 2002

11,895

3,516

31 December 2003

12,017

3,580

31 December 2004

12,209

3,740

28 November 2005

12,299

3,847

It should be noted that the allocation of Garda personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, administrative functions, crime trends and other operational policing needs of different areas.

The numbers of Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.

On Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and, in this context, the needs of areas countrywide will be fully considered.

Property Rights.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

368 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 380 of 2 March 2004, if the theft of an incorporeal hereditament was an offence prior to the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001; if so, under which Act such an offence arose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36710/05]

The principal legislation in Ireland dealing with theft, prior to the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, was the Larceny Act 1916. On the specific point raised by the Deputy, it is outside the scope of my functions to provide legal advice and I could not, with propriety, do so.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

369 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36743/05]

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, close to 1,000 posts from nine agencies under the aegis of my Department will transfer to seven different locations around the country.

The latest figures from the central applications facility indicate that out of an overall total of 819 applications for these posts, 53 are from people who are currently working in the decentralising organisations themselves. There are an additional 65 applications from within the Department as a whole.

To date there have been a total of 105 people who have accepted formal offers to decentralise with the organisations concerned but in some cases they have not yet moved into the actual posts. In addition, there have been 25 reassignments involving people who have opted not to move to the decentralised location. The central applications facility remains open and these figures are, therefore, subject to change.

Citizenship Applications.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

370 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to finalise an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36785/05]

I have recently approved the application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person referred to. A letter conveying my decision, as well as the procedures which must be finalised before a certificate of naturalisation can issue, is due to be sent in the next week or so to the person concerned. Once these procedures are completed, a certificate of naturalisation will issue as soon as possible thereafter.

Youth Diversion Projects.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

371 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Stay project Garda diversion scheme will be funded at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if the importance of this project will be appreciated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36793/05]

There are currently 64 Garda youth diversion projects, three of which, KEY, JAY and YEW, operate in the Tallaght area. In addition, one sergeant and four garda level juvenile liaison officers operate from Tallaght Garda station.

I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects and the possibility of funding further projects in light of budgetary conditions remains. A budget of €5.471 million was provided for the Garda youth diversion projects and local drugs task force projects in 2005 and I have secured an additional €1.2 million for youth diversion in 2006, bringing the total budgetary allocation to €6.6 million for that year.

It is my intention to support the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects over the next two years and to ensure that 100 schemes will be established nationwide before the end of 2007. I have asked the Garda Commissioner to bring forward proposals for further community based initiatives in this area in light of the additional funding. In this context, the application for the project referred to by the Deputy will be assessed.

Garda Vetting Procedures.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

372 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the actions he is taking to improve the service to persons seeking employment who require to be facilitated by the Garda vetting unit. [36794/05]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 23 November 2005. Preparations are at an advanced stage to make the vetting service of the Garda central vetting unit available to organisations which recruit persons to work in a substantial, unsupervised manner with children and vulnerable adults.

Commission of Investigation.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

373 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement in respect of plans for the Dean Lyons inquiry. [36795/05]

On 22 November 2005 the Government decided that a commission of investigation should be established into the making of a confession by the late Dean Lyons about the tragic deaths of two persons in March 1997 in Grangegorman, Dublin 7.

My intention is to appoint Mr. George Birmingham, SC, as the sole member of the commission, which will be established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. It will be independent with full statutory powers to investigate the matter and to take sworn evidence.

The Government's decision follows my appointment earlier this year of Mr. Shane Murphy, SC, to complete an independent review of Garda papers and action taken regarding these matters. While Mr. Murphy's report itself made a significant contribution to progressing the matter, he did not have the power to examine persons under oath and determine matters of fact. He recommended that the best method to resolve the issues was to establish a full commission of investigation.

A draft of the proposed order establishing the commission and a statement of the reasons for establishing the commission has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The passing of a resolution approving the draft order by both Houses of the Oireachtas is a necessary prerequisite to the establishment of the commission and the relevant motions are due to be discussed in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Grant Payments.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

374 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the finances available to women’s organisations from his Department. [36802/05]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 730 of 12 April 2005, which sets out the grants awarded to women's organisations or to organisations providing services primarily for women for the years 2002 to 2004. That response also sets out the purpose of the funding provided in each instance.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

375 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the finances available to men’s organisations from his Department to help them to get equality before the courts. [36803/05]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 729 of 12 April 2005, which sets out the grants awarded to men's organisations or to organisations providing services primarily for men for the years 2002 to 2004. That response also sets out the purpose of the funding in each instance and the Deputy will note that funding has not been provided for the specific purpose referred to by him. In so far as this purpose is concerned, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their functions. I am aware of the concerns of men and fathers in the area of family law and the operation of the law in this area is kept under review in my Department.

Work Permits.

John Cregan

Ceist:

376 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which a person (details supplied) whose work authorisation documentation was removed from him by GNIB, can go about regularising his status here; the way in which he can obtain renewal or replacement of his full work authorisation permit or other in order that he may remain in employment here. [36811/05]

The person referred to by the Deputy has submitted documentation to the immigration division of my Department in support of his application for a renewal of his permission to remain in the State as a holder of a work authorisation. The application will be examined and considered and, when a decision is made on his application, the person concerned will be notified of the decision shortly.

Citizenship Applications.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

377 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36821/05]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 18 December 2003. The processing of the application is almost finalised and that the case will be submitted to me for decision in the near future. I will be in contact with both the Deputy and the applicant when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Garda Remuneration.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

378 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount paid to gardaí by way of overtime payments in each of the past four years; and the amount paid to date in 2005. [36875/05]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the overtime expenditure for members of the Garda and civilian staff working in the Garda for the past four years and between 1 January and 24 November 2005 is set out in the following table:

Year

Garda Force

Civilian Staff

Total

€ million

€ million

€ million

€ million

2001

81.946

1.803

83.749

2002

63.824

1.875

65.699

2003

54.746

1.789

56.535

2004

81.431*

2.102

83.533*

as at 24/11/05

70.768

1.472

72.240

*The 2004 outturn includes overtime payments in respect of the hosting of the EU Presidency which amounted to just over €20 million.

Prison Staff.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

379 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount paid to prison officers by way of overtime in each of the past four years; and the amount paid to date in 2005. [36876/05]

The Irish Prison Service overtime expenditure is set out as follows:

Year

Total

€ million

2001

55.3

2002

59.3

2003

58.9

2004

45.5

2005 (to end October)

38.0

I am pleased to inform the Deputy I have reversed the unacceptable trend of spiralling overtime costs, which has been a feature of our prisons operations for many years. As a result of my determination to tackle this unsustainable dependence on overtime to run our prisons there was a reduction in the overtime bill of €13.4 million in 2004 compared to 2003.

However, prison officers have, following prolonged negotiations, accepted a proposal for organisational change in the Prison Service which will eliminate overtime working and its replacement with a new additional hours system. This new system, which has been introduced in four institutions and will be phased in to the remaining institutions before the end of February 2006, will substantially reduce the cost of extra attendance in the Prison Service. The introduction of the proposal for organisational change will contribute to a more efficient and effective Prison Service going forward.

Garda Remuneration.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

380 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who received overtime during 2004 as a percentage of all serving gardaí; the average payment awarded to gardaí; the top 20 amounts of overtime paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/05]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of gardaí who received overtime during 2004 as a percentage of all serving gardaí was 96%, the average overtime payment was €6,670 in 2004 and the top 20 amounts paid in overtime were as follows:

Rank

Amount

1.

Inspector

53,141.62

2.

Sergeant

52,634.06

3.

Garda

49,474.41

4.

Garda

46,116.25

5.

Garda

45,195.03

6.

Sergeant

42,269.08

7.

Sergeant

42,203.11

8.

Garda

42,097.11

9.

Garda

41,828.00

10.

Garda

41,665.99

11.

Garda

41,494.96

12.

Sergeant

41,225.73

13.

Garda

40,735.83

14.

Garda

40,621.37

15.

Garda

40,473.66

16.

Garda

39,997.44

17.

Garda

39.669.32

18.

Garda

39,357.41

19.

Sergeant

38,852.97

20.

Sergeant

38,837.43

However, overtime only accounted for approximately 8% of the total Garda salaries, wages and allowances budget in 2004.

Prison Staff.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

381 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison officers who received overtime during 2004 as a percentage of all serving prison officers; the average payment awarded to prison officers; the top 20 amounts of overtime paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36878/05]

Since becoming Minister, I have been determined to eliminate the spiralling costs of overtime in the Prison Service. In this regard, I implemented strict budgetary controls and overtime costs have been reduced from €58.9 million in 2003 to €45.5 million last year. However, prison officers have, following prolonged negotiations, accepted a proposal for organisational change in the Prison Service, which will eliminate overtime working and its replacement with a new additional hours system. This new system, which has been introduced in four institutions and will be phased in to the remaining institutions before the end of February 2006, will substantially reduce the cost of extra attendance in the Prison Service. The introduction of the proposal for organisational change will contribute to a more efficient and effective Prison Service going forward into the future. Almost all prison officers received overtime payments during 2004. Approximately 13% of these earned under €1,000. The average overtime payment awarded to prison officers in 2004 was €14,000.

The top 20 earners are as follows:

Rank

Amount

1

71,091

2

69,846

3

67,660

4

61,753

5

56,706

6

55,424

7

54,881

8

52,748

9

52,278

10

51,808

11

51,714

12

51,106

13

51,039

14

50,980

15

50,878

16

50,672

17

50,472

18

49,867

19

49,548

20

48,947

Garda Deployment.

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

382 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based at Fethard Garda station, County Tipperary on 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005; and when the Garda post lost at this station due to the retirement of a Garda will be replaced. [36882/05]

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

384 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí of all ranks at Garda stations (details supplied) in County Tipperary at 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005. [36884/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 384 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 1998 was 297, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 2005 was 316, all ranks. This represents an increase of 19 or 6.39% in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Tipperary division since that date.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary town, Cashel, Cahir, Fethard Garda stations as at 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005 was as set out in the following table:

Station

1/1/98

1/1/05

Clonmel

38

39

Carrick-on-Suir

16

17

Tipperary Town

31

34

Cashel

12

14

Cahir

22

27

Fethard

3

2

It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division. Local Garda management report that the question of a replacement Garda for Fethard Garda station will be considered during future allocations of newly attested gardaí and where possible by way of interdivisional transfer for permanent gardaí. Garda management also report that resources from Clonmel are utilised to augment Garda strength in Fethard as required. Garda personnel assigned to areas in Tipperary, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

With regard to Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context the needs of Tipperary will be fully considered.

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

383 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of dedicated community gardaí in south Tipperary at 1 January 1998 and 1 January 2005. [36883/05]

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 1998 was 297, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Tipperary division as at 1 January 2005 was 316, all ranks. This represents an increase of 19 or 6.39% in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the Tipperary division since that date. I am further advised that details of the number of gardaí who were assigned to community policing duties in south Tipperary on 1 January 1998 is not readily available. However, the number of gardaí, all ranks, assigned to community policing duties in the Tipperary division as at 21 June 2005 — the latest date for which figures are available — was ten. Constituency boundaries do not correspond to Garda divisional boundaries. Local Garda management states all members of the Garda have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with community policing issues as they arise. All policing in the area referred to by the Deputy is community-based from existing and mainstream policing resources. Local Garda management also report the mountain bike unit is utilised to engage in high visibility policing.

With regard to Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength of both attested gardaí and recruits in training of 14,000 by the end of 2006. The Garda Commissioner will draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and, in this context, the needs of the Tipperary division will be fully considered.

Question No. 384 answered with QuestionNo. 382.

Domestic Violence.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

385 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department intends to conduct a widescale public awareness and education campaign on domestic violence; his plans to introduce a training and education programme for public officials, the Judiciary and health care professionals on the topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36915/05]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 517 of Wednesday, 2 November 2005. The position remains as set out in that reply.

Crime Levels.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

386 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the provisional crime statistics covered by Rathfarnham Garda station for the first three quarters of 2005. [36996/05]

I regret it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy on this matter when it becomes available.

Departmental Programmes.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

387 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the projects that have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he has satisfied himself that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37356/05]

Having regard to the terms of the Department of Finance guidelines on the appraisal of capital project proposals of February 2005, my Department has not conducted detailed cost benefit appraisal exercises within the time mentioned. I am, however, satisfied that the programme of capital expenditure under way in my Department and in the agencies under its aegis is fully justified both in economic terms and as an essential component in my modernisation programme for the justice sector.

Special Educational Needs.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

388 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is standard procedure for parents to be notified in advance of special educational needs assessments being carried out on their children within the school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36295/05]

In the case of the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, of my Department, psychologists always obtain written parental or guardianship consent prior to undertaking educational psychological assessments. A similar procedure obtains where children are assessed by panel psychologists under the scheme for commissioning of psychological assessments, SPCA, which NEPS administers. Best practice requires the prior consent of parents or guardians where an assessment of a child is undertaken within the school by a professional person employed by an external organisation.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

389 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the number of students these special needs assistants cater for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36286/05]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

390 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students attending a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the number who have special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36287/05]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

391 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils with special needs that have been withdrawn from a school (details supplied) in the past five years; the reasons which were given for such withdrawals. [36288/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 to 391, inclusive, together.

Four special needs assistants are employed in the school in question supporting the care needs of six pupils. The school's enrolment at 30 September 2005 is 611 pupils. A new general allocation system has been announced under which schools have been 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. Under the new system, the school in question has a specific teaching allocation of four full-time teaching posts and ten part-time hours. In addition, the school has the equivalent of two temporary teaching posts to support the needs of pupils with low incidence special educational needs. The teaching posts being provided under the new general allocation scheme are designed to ensure that each school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of children with high incidence special educational needs. Each school has been allocated enough resource teaching hours to provide its pupils with support appropriate to their needs. It is a matter for each school to determine the pupils with high incidence special education and learning support needs that will receive this support. My Department, therefore, does not have details of the number of pupils receiving such support within the school.

My Department does not retain a record of pupils who are withdrawn from schools. I am, however, aware that one pupil was withdrawn from the school recently by the parents. The National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, is the national agency with responsibility for encouraging and supporting regular school attendance. Specifically, the NEWB was established to ensure every child attends school regularly, or otherwise receives an education or participates in training. The local education welfare officer and special educational needs organiser are liaising with the parents of the pupil in question with a view to identifying a suitable school placement.

School Curriculum.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

392 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions that have taken place within her Department and between her Department and the Department of Transport regarding the possibility of including motoring skills on the secondary school system; the outcome of those discussions; the timetable for delivery of this measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36289/05]

The question of introducing a road safety and driver education syllabus into schools has been examined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, on foot of a report from a task group set up in 2000, which included representatives of the Departments of Education and Science and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the National Safety Council, the Garda, the Irish Insurance Federation, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, Rosary College, Crumlin, the CCEA Northern Ireland and the NCCA. The NCCA also commissioned a study on driver education in post-primary schools from Dr. Ray Fuller of Trinity College Dublin.

The NCCA, whose role is to advise the Minister for Education and Science on curriculum and assessment issues, recommended that road safety be addressed within the context of social, personal and health education, SPHE, and that driver education, and specifically learning to drive for pupils aged 17, should not become part of the school curriculum. The NCCA noted this concurred with the practice in other jurisdictions.

At the beginning of the 2001-02 school year the National Safety Council, with assistance from my Department, distributed copies of Staying Alive — a road safety resource for Transition Year and the Senior Cycle — to all second level schools. This pack contained a wide range of learning opportunities and activities on topics such as personal responsibility and decision-making, environmental issues and risks and rules for road users. A CD-ROM with additional material downloaded from the Internet was included in the pack along with copies of the Rules of the Road. In the preparation of the staying alive resources material, views were sought from a range of organisations with interests in the promotion of road safety. Prior to its issue to second level schools, the material was piloted in 20 schools and the response from teachers in those schools was positive.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

393 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, classical studies is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36306/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

394 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, ancient Greek is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36315/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

395 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Latin is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36316/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

396 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, English is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36317/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

401 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Hebrew studies is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36352/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

402 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, French is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels. [36353/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

403 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, German is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36354/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

404 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Italian is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36355/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

405 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Spanish is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36356/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

406 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, history is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36357/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

407 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, geography is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36358/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

408 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, mathematics is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36359/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

409 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, applied mathematics is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36360/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

410 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, physics is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36361/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

411 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, chemistry is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36362/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

412 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, physics and chemistry are optional subjects for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36363/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

413 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, agricultural science is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36364/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

414 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, biology is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36365/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

415 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, agricultural economics is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36366/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

416 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, engineering is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels. [36367/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

417 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, technical drawing is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36368/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

418 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, construction studies is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36369/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

419 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, home economics — scientific and social — is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36370/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

420 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, accounting is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36371/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

421 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, business is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36372/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 396, inclusive, and Questions Nos. 401 to 421, inclusive, together.

In accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools, the approved course for the established leaving certificate must include Irish and not less than four of the examination subjects listed, all of which are optional: classical studies; ancient Greek; Latin; English; Hebrew studies; French; German; Italian; Spanish; history; geography; mathematics; applied mathematics; physics; chemistry; physics and chemistry; agricultural science; biology; agricultural economics; engineering; technical drawing; construction studies; home economics — scientific and social; accounting; business; economics; art, including crafts; music; Russian; Arabic; Japanese; and religious education.

Rule 46 of the rules and programme for secondary schools and in my Department's circular M10/94 makes provision for exemption from the study of Irish in limited special circumstances. In the established leaving certificate examination, separate higher, ordinary and foundation level papers are set in the case of the subjects Irish and mathematics. In the case of the other subjects papers are set at both ordinary and higher levels. The subject economic history has been discontinued. It was examined for the last time in the leaving certificate in June 2005.

School Staffing.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

397 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the details with regard to the additional 100 teaching posts committed for the further education sector; the number of such posts allocated, and the colleges to which additional posts have been allocated; the number of such posts yet to be allocated and the timescale for their allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36318/05]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

399 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science when the 100 new teaching posts in the further education sector which she promised will come on stream during the 2005-06 academic year in view of the fact that to date in 2005 only 63 of these jobs have been created. [36320/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 399 together.

In the post-leaving certificate sector, an additional 1,540 student places have been approved by my Department during 2005. The majority of these additional student places were notified to PLC providers on the basis of applications received earlier this year. A further 60 student places will be approved shortly. On the basis of a pupil:teacher ratio of 20:1.25, or 16:1 in whole figures, in the PLC sector, an additional 96.25 teaching posts would be available. However, at the time of writing, 74.29 posts have been taken up by schools.

Officials in my Department are in consultation with the relevant management authority and schools to ensure, in so far as possible, an entitlement to new resources under this initiative is applied this year. I am anxious that the schools should take up these posts. Lists of schools benefitting under the initiative will be prepared and sent to the Deputy shortly.

Higher Education Grants.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

398 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if non-EU nationals, who have been given leave to remain here on the basis of being the parent of an Irish born child, are entitled to funding for undergraduate full-time third level courses at recognised third level colleges in respect of fees and maintenance grants. [36319/05]

Under the terms of the higher education grants scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment. The nationality requirement, as set out in clause 4.5 of the higher education grant scheme 2005, states: "Candidates must:—

•hold E.U. Nationality; or

•have Official Refugee Status; or

•have been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State; or

•have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to an Irish national residing in the State or be the child of such person, not having EU nationality; or

•have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to a national of another EU member state who is residing in the State and who is or has been employed, or self-employed, in the State, or be the child of such a person, not having EU nationality; or

•be nationals of a member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland."

A non-EU national who has been granted permission to remain in the state on the basis of parentage of an Irish born child, I regret that they do not comply with the above conditions and is ineligible for grant assistance under the nationality requirements of the scheme. Students who have been given leave to remain on the basis of being the parent of an Irish born child are not eligible for consideration under my Department free tuition schemes.

Question No. 399 answered with QuestionNo. 397.

School Staffing.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

400 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on extending the period of career break to facilitate parents who wish to take a longer period with third young children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36321/05]

The terms and conditions of the career break scheme for civil servants are agreed centrally by the Department of Finance. Child rearing is one of the purposes for which a career break may be approved. A career break consists of special leave without pay for a period of not less than six months and not more than five years at any one time. A career break may be extended in six monthly periods or in periods in excess of six months, provided the total period of special leave without pay does not exceed five years in all. Eligible staff may, in general, avail of two career breaks in the Civil Service. A second career break may only be taken when the officer has served for a period equal to the duration of the initial career break. The total period of the special leave should not exceed ten years in all.

In the case of first and second level teachers, the terms and conditions of the career break scheme are agreed centrally at the teachers' conciliation council. A career break consists of special leave without pay for a period of not less than one school year and not more than five school years. A teacher may engage in one career break spread over five years or may wish to participate, at varying intervals, in separate arrangements subject to the approval of the school authorities and the condition that the total period of special leave without pay does not exceed five years in all. In exceptional circumstances, the school authorities may authorise a teacher to commence a career break during the course of the school year. In such circumstances, provided the overall five year limit is not exceeded, the period of special leave will terminate not earlier than the end of the subsequent school year and is deemed to be a two-year career break.

The existing terms and conditions for civil servants and teachers availing of career breaks are very generous. I am not aware of proposals to extend these time limits.

Questions Nos. 401 to 421, inclusive, answered with Question No. 393.

School Curriculum.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

422 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, economics is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36373/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

423 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, economic history is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36374/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

424 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, art is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36375/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

425 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, music is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36376/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

426 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Russian is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36377/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

427 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Arabic is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36378/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

428 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, Japanese is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36379/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

429 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in accordance with her Department’s rules and programme for secondary schools, religious education is an optional subject for study for the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36380/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 to 429, inclusive, together.

In accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools, the approved course for the established leaving certificate must include Irish and not less than four of the following examination subjects, all of which are optional: classical studies; ancient Greek; Latin; English; Hebrew studies; French; German; Italian; Spanish; history; geography; mathematics; applied mathematics; physics; chemistry; physics and chemistry; agricultural science; biology; agricultural economics; engineering; technical drawing; construction studies; home economics — scientific and social; accounting; business; economics; art, including crafts; music; Russian; Arabic; Japanese; and religious education.

Rule 46 of the rules and programme for secondary schools and in my Department's Circular Letter M10/94 make provision for exemption from the study of Irish in limited special circumstances. In the established leaving certificate examination, separate higher, ordinary and foundation level papers are set in the case of the subjects Irish and mathematics. In the case of the other subjects papers are set at both ordinary and higher levels. The subject economic history has been discontinued. It was examined for the last time in the leaving certificate examination in June 2005.

Teaching Staff.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

430 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department runs a scheme to encourage persons into the teaching profession, especially those who wish to teach mathematics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36394/05]

The Higher Diploma in Education Applications Centre, HDEAC, was formed in 1998 to accept applications for admission to the higher diploma in education courses offered by the four constituent universities of the National University of Ireland at Dublin, Cork, Galway and Maynooth. The centre operates a common application and common selection process on behalf of the relevant universities. Trinity College operates its own application system. Advertisements are placed in the national press each year seeking applications from degree holders, across the range of subject areas required at post-primary level, to train as teachers for this sector. The position regarding mathematics for the higher diploma training programme for 2005-06 is that 558 applications were received from applicants with mathematics in their primary degree; 243 offers were issued with 198 acceptances and these students are currently pursuing the higher diploma programme.

The Deputy may be aware that I have previously suggested changes to the H. Dip. programme to ensure an adequate ongoing supply of new entrants in areas experiencing difficulties in either recruiting or retaining teachers such as mathematics. I understand officials from my Department are working on this matter with the education departments of universities and the HDEAC.

Teaching Qualifications.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

431 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the essential qualifications required for all persons wishing to teach mathematics at second level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36395/05]

A second level teacher must hold, in addition to the required teacher training, a suitable primary degree or equivalent award, from a nationally recognised university or similar third level college, which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the highest level at least one subject from the second level schools curriculum. The duration of such a degree programme must be at least three years of full-time study or equivalent. A suitable degree for the purposes of teaching mathematics to the highest level, that is, to leaving certificate higher level, is one where a person has studied mathematics as a major subject in the degree extending over at least three years. The criteria by which qualifications are assessed for the purpose of teaching individual subjects, including mathematics, are set out in the document on the general requirements and subject specific criteria for teachers of recognised subjects and additional requirements for specialist teaching posts in mainstream post-primary education, which is available on my Department's website at the following address: http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/rcst_qualification_requirements.doc?language=EN.

Qualifications already approved, and the subject or subjects for which they are recognised, are set out in the Registration Council booklet Appointment to an incremental position in a Secondary School — Necessity for approval of qualifications by the Registration Council. This booklet is available on my Department's website at the following address: http://www.education.ie/servlet/ blobservlet/rcst_auto_cov.doc?language=EN.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

432 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who have sat an scrúdú le haghaidh cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge each year from 1998 to date in 2005; the number of students who have passed; the number of students who have failed; the number of times students have had to repeat some or part of the exam; the cost to the Department of these exams; and the number of students in any of these groups that qualified as teachers outside the State. [36402/05]

Teachers trained outside the jurisdiction of the State, whose qualifications have been assessed and accepted by my Department, but who do not possess an appropriate Irish language qualification, are granted a five year period of provisional recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools. During this period these teachers are expected to obtain their Irish language qualification, scrúdú le haghaidh cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, SCG, in order to become fully recognised. They must also provide certification that they have resided in the Gaeltacht while attending an approved three-week course or its aggregated equivalent.

The following tables detail the number of candidates who sat for, passed and failed the SCG examination from 1998 to date in 2005. Information on the number of times candidates repeat some or part of the examination is not readily available in my Department. Such a breakdown would require an inordinate amount of official time to prepare. Up to 2004, my Department was responsible for administering the SCG examination. The cost each year has been in the order of €100,000. In 2005, Coláiste Mhuire Marino was responsible for the SCG examination. My Department is making a contribution of the order of €306,000 to Coláiste Mhuire towards the costs involved. It should be noted that this contribution includes provision for the once-off costs associated with the development of courses, the training of tutors and the provision of materials etc. in addition to the cost of running the examination. My Department also funds the Education Centre Network, 21 full-time centres and nine part-time centres to deliver local courses based on locally identified needs and Irish language courses form a part of this local course provision.

SCG May 1998.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

All

141

56

85

SCG April 1999.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

All

93

23

70

Modular Examinations Introduced.

SCG October 1999.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

38

13

25

Paper 2

34

7

27

Aural

35

13

22

Oral

34

15

19

SCG May 2000.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

134

61

73

Paper 2

124

48

76

Aural

131

62

69

Oral

123

65

58

SCG October 2000.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

53

29

24

Paper 2

47

24

23

Aural

62

28

34

Oral

52

33

19

SCG April 2001

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

154

92

62

Paper 2

126

78

48

Aural

152

113

39

Oral

133

80

53

SCG October 2001.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

83

33

50

Paper 2

52

18

34

Aural

62

36

26

Oral

82

51

31

SCG April 2002.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

171

111

60

Paper 2

128

63

65

Aural

156

143

13

Oral

134

83

51

SCG October 2002.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

109

67

42

Paper 2

89

36

53

Aural

78

38

40

Oral

118

54

64

SCG April 2003.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

197

45

152

Paper 2

171

46

125

Aural

190

56

134

Oral

164

81

83

SCG October 2003.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

168

52

116

Paper 2

142

54

88

Aural

174

52

122

Oral

152

52

100

SCG April 2004.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

254

142

112

Paper 2

237

149

88

Aural

259

131

128

Oral

226

113

113

SCG October 2004.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

194

67

127

Paper 2

192

79

113

Aural

204

104

100

Oral

205

133

72

SCG March 2005.

Modules

Candidates

Pass

Fail

Paper 1

308

241

67

Paper 2

295

258

37

Aural

320

259

61

Oral

279

242

37

Special Educational Needs.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

433 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the names and number of national schools in Dublin 1, 3 and 7 which have suffered a reduction in resource teachers during the school year 2005-06; the reason for the reduction in each case; if this matter will be reviewed in view of the high number of children with special educational needs in these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36411/05]

The specific information requested for schools in Dublin 1, 3 and 7 is not readily available to my Department. The Deputy will be aware that the general allocation of learning support-resource teachers, LS-RTs, is intended to cater for children with learning support and high incidence special educational needs. The system was constructed in order that LS-RT allocations would be based on pupil numbers, taking into account the differing needs of the most disadvantaged schools and the evidence that boys have greater difficulties than girls in this regard. The new system has a number of benefits associated with it: it puts resources in place on a more systematic basis, thereby giving schools more certainty about their resource levels; it facilitates early intervention as the resource is in place when the child enrols; it reduces the need for individual applications and supporting psychological assessments; and it allows flexibility to school management in the deployment of resources, leading to a more effective and efficient delivery of services.

In introducing the general allocation system transitional arrangements were also introduced whereby transitional hours were allocated to schools to cater for children for whom individual teaching resources had previously been allocated but which it would not have been possible for the school to continue to provide from its general allocation. In the circumstances no child should have experienced a loss of resource teaching support. It has, however, always been the case that schools that were in receipt of resource teacher support in respect of pupils with special educational needs would lose teacher support, either full posts or part-time hours, when the pupils who triggered the extra support left the school.

In the circumstances I do not propose to restore learning support or resource teachers to schools that no longer need them. It is intended that a review of the general allocation model will be undertaken within three years of operation. Officials from my Department have discussed the concerns of these schools with the Irish National Teachers Organisation and requested that they send any information that they feel supports a case for additional special needs supports to my Department. We are awaiting full details in order that the case can be considered.

There are now over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs. I am also pleased to advise the Deputy that in the next two years 500 extra teachers will be allocated in primary schools to reduce class size and tackle disadvantage.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

434 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 has suffered a reduction from four to 2.7 resource teachers and if the four teachers will be restored. [36412/05]

Joe Costello

Ceist:

491 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 which had an allocation of four resource teachers until 2005 has had the allocation reduced to 2.7 teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36995/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 491 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, the general allocation of learning support-resource teachers, LS-RTs, is intended to cater for children with learning support and high incidence special educational needs. The system was constructed in order that LS-RT allocations would be based on pupil numbers, taking into account the differing needs of the most disadvantaged schools and the evidence that boys have greater difficulties than girls in this regard.

The new system has a number of benefits associated with it: it puts resources in place on a more systematic basis, thereby giving schools more certainty about their resource levels; it facilitates early intervention as the resource is in place when the child enrols; it reduces the need for individual applications and supporting psychological assessments; and it allows flexibility to school management in the deployment of resources, leading to a more effective and efficient delivery of services.

In introducing the general allocation system transitional arrangements were also introduced whereby transitional hours were allocated to schools to cater for children for whom individual teaching resources had previously been allocated but which it would not have been possible for the school to continue to provide from its general allocation. In the circumstances no child should have experienced a loss of resource teaching support. The general allocation for the school referred to by the Deputies is two full-time teaching posts and 17.5 part-time hours. Prior to the introduction of the new general allocation system, the school had four special education teaching posts. It has always been the case that schools that were in receipt of resource teacher support in respect of pupils with special educational needs would lose teacher support, either full posts or part-time hours, when the pupils who triggered the extra support left the school.

In the circumstances I do not propose to restore learning support-resource teachers to schools that no longer need them. It is intended that a review of the general allocation model will be undertaken within three years of operation. I am satisfied that at this stage the general allocation system is working well and has been favourably received by schools. My Department will continue to work with schools and the education partners with a view to ensuring this remains the case.

There are now over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs. I am also pleased to advise the Deputies that in the next two years 500 extra teachers will be allocated in primary schools to reduce class size and tackle disadvantage. This will mean that class size will be significantly reduced in the coming years. This will benefit all pupils, including those with special educational needs in mainstream classes, including the school referred to by the Deputies.

Third Level Colleges.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

435 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on a college (details supplied) in Dublin 3 which recommended that separate accounts should be maintained for the college; if this has actually happened since the report was published; the position regarding the financial situation at this college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36426/05]

The Deputy will be aware that, following allegations of financial impropriety at the institution referred to by him, I asked the accountancy firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, to examine the use of moneys paid by my Department to the institution in question. The main findings of the review, which I published in early August, revealed that there has been no misuse of the public moneys paid by my Department to the institution in question.

The report recommends, among other things, that a separate bank account be maintained in respect of the college in question. In that context, officials in my Department have met the management authorities at the institution in question, regarding the implementation of this and other recommendations in the PwC report. My Department is satisfied that the trustees and governing body of the institute in question are fully co-operating with the implementation of the report's recommendations.

In relation to the financial position at the college in question, I have previously set out my views on this issue. Although my Department did not have any concerns regarding the use of funding provided for the purpose of training teachers, it was, nevertheless, important in view of the level of public and media interest in this matter, to demonstrate clearly that public funding was properly applied for teacher training. I am happy that the findings of the examination confirm this position.

School Placement.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

436 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the options which are open to a person whose section 29 appeal to have their child enrolled in a school (details supplied) in County Kildare was not upheld as regards the school placement of the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36428/05]

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 to a student. It is only in cases where an appeal under section 29 is upheld that the Secretary General of my Department may direct the school to enrol a pupil.

The National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB has indicated to my Department that it will treat children for whom an appeal under section 29 has been unsuccessful as priority cases in offering such assistance. In the particular case referred to by the Deputy, the appeals committee did not uphold the appeal but in its determination, the committee recommended that the educational welfare officer, EWO, in consultation with a special educational needs organiser, SENO, should seek an appropriate educational placement for the child. Both the EWO and the SENO were involved in the processing of the appeal and both have been informed of the outcome of the appeal and of the committee's recommendations. I understand the EWO has already been in contact with the family in this regard.

Special Educational Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

437 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the school placement of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can be urgently attended to; if steps can be taken to increase the home tuition grant; if payment can be made up to date and at the beginning of each month; if transport costs can be met in the meantime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36445/05]

My Department is most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, receive an education appropriate to their needs. I can confirm for the Deputy that 20 hours per week home tuition has been sanctioned for the child in question for the 2005-06 school year pending appropriate educational placement. Grants are paid retrospectively on receipt of fully completed and signed claim forms confirming the hours that were provided and signed by both the parent-guardian and the relevant teacher who delivered the home tuition programme.

My Department is also in receipt of information that indicates that the child in question is on the waiting lists for the Saplings facilities in Kill and Rathfarnham, that have been sanctioned on a pilot basis to provide a total of 60 places for children on the autistic spectrum. The question of enrolments in these facilities is a matter for the boards of management.

The provision of transport under the school transport scheme may be considered in respect of education facilities which are recognised by my Department. As the first facility referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied is operated on a pilot basis, applications for the provision of transport in respect of pupils attending this facility will be considered by my Department subject to the usual conditions. Applications in this regard should be submitted directly to the school transport section of my Department.

The second facility referred to by the Deputy is not recognised and my Department currently has no information regarding the education programme being provided by this facility. In the circumstances, further inquiries will be necessary in that regard and the provision of transport to the facility can be considered in the light of the outcome of those inquiries.

School Staffing.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

438 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take regarding the 20 one-teacher schools particularly in relation to health and safety matters. [36471/05]

Sections 14, 15 and 23 of the Education Act 1998 assign each board of management and principal teacher responsibility for the day-to-day management of schools at both primary and post-primary level. Principals should organise supervision for the order and general behaviour of pupils during school hours. In particular, they should organise and participate in the effective supervision of the pupils during breaks, lunch breaks, assembly and dismissal.

Rules 121(4) and 124(1) of the rules for national schools and section 23(2) of the Education Act 1998 oblige teachers to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and to participate in supervising pupils when the pupils are on school premises, during school time and-or on school activities. Accordingly, the responsibility of all teachers, individually and collectively, to provide a duty of care at all times towards the pupils in the school in which they teach, including periods of supervision, remains. Special needs assistants, who may be assigned to schools to cater for pupils with significant care needs, may be required to assist such pupils, if appropriate.

In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The safety statement should be reviewed on a regular basis.

Teaching Qualifications.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

439 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which a person becomes a primary school teacher and a secondary school teacher in a permanent or temporary capacity; the qualifications required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36498/05]

A person is considered to be a qualified primary teacher if she-he has successfully completed a teacher education course for primary teachers in a recognised college of education in the State; has otherwise successfully completed, in the State, a course recognised for the purposes of employment as a primary teacher or, if trained outside the State, has fulfilled all the requisite qualification and Irish language requirements. To be eligible for appointment to a teaching position in a vocational school, an applicant must hold a suitable qualification at degree level or equivalent in the subject or subjects of the post as advertised. In order to be appointed to a permanent teaching post in a voluntary secondary, community or comprehensive school, a person must hold an acceptable primary degree or equivalent together with an acceptable training-in-teaching qualification — the higher diploma in education or its equivalent. The decision as to whether a post should be filled in a permanent or temporary capacity is a matter in the first instance for the authorities of the school concerned subject to the approved level of permanent posts not being exceeded.

The Deputy should be aware that vacancies in schools arising from career breaks, approved leave of absence, secondments and concessionary posts, which are allocated in excess of a school's normal quota of posts, may only be filled in a temporary or part-time capacity. All vacancies in primary and second level schools must be filled in accordance with agreed procedures, including compliance with the provisions of agreed redeployment schemes where appropriate.

The current procedures in relation to the filling of posts in the second level sector are under review in the light of the implementation of recent legislation relating to the protection of employees. Facilitated discussions are taking place between the teacher unions, management bodies, the Department of Finance and the Department of Education and Science with a view to agreeing appropriate procedures.

School Curriculum.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

440 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if she proposes to introduce Chinese as a subject in the primary school system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36505/05]

Language development is a central element of the revised primary curriculum. Although the focus is on English and Irish, a number of primary schools also offer foreign languages. My Department launched a pilot project for modern languages in primary schools in September 1998. The aims of the pilot project included the development of communication skills in four target languages which are French, German, Spanish and Italian, the fostering of positive attitudes to language learning and the diversification of the languages taught in schools. To achieve these aims in the project schools the teaching of a modern European language to pupils in fifth and sixth classes was introduced.

I have no plans to introduce Chinese at primary level. However, my Department is working closely with language experts from the Council of Europe to facilitate the analysis of language practice at primary and post-primary level, with a view to the formulation of an integrated language policy. This analysis will include the development of criteria for decision making on issues such as the inclusion of additional languages in the curriculum. This will complement ongoing work by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, which is engaged in reviewing languages in the post-primary curriculum and the feasibility of expanding provision at primary level.

Irish Language.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

441 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the educational policy of Conradh na Gaeilge one plus one plus one as the preferred method of teaching language in the primary school system here; her proposals to implement this policy; if she has estimated the cost of the implementation of this policy in the primary school system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36506/05]

Copies of the policy document referred to in Deputy Kenny's question have been received in my Department a few days ago. I note that the policy outlined by Conradh na Gaeilge proposes the following: that as part of their pre-service programme, teachers of languages at primary and post-primary levels would participate in a total immersion programme of one year's duration in a place where the particular language was the ordinary medium of communication; that as well as learning Irish, all students would learn one other subject through the medium of Irish; that one area of the curriculum would be taught through the medium of a foreign language; that separate Irish syllabi would be provided for native speakers of Irish and those who were learning Irish as a second language; that learning support programmes in Irish would be made available for students who had received part of their education abroad; and that State examinations would be available through a range of languages as presented by the non-national population.

I have asked my officials to review policy on the teaching of Gaeilge and in this regard the proposals from Conradh na Gaeilge will be factored into their considerations.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

442 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the method by which her Department implements the compulsory element of Irish as a subject for the leaving certificate, higher level or lower level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36507/05]

It is a fundamental principle of the primary and post-primary school curricula that due allowance should be made for individual student differences in ability, interests and circumstances. In accordance with this principle, the various programmes in Irish at first and second level are designed to cater for the learning needs of students with a wide diversity of learning ability. The study of an approved course in Irish at senior cycle is compulsory for all students, except those who have received an exemption from the study of Irish under the terms of Circular M10/94.

In October each year, all post-primary schools make returns to my Department on all students and the subjects which they are being taught. Students who are not studying Irish and who do not have a valid exemption under the terms of circular M10/94 do not qualify for recognition for the purposes of capitation and teacher allocations. If, in the course of subject inspection and-or whole school evaluation, an inspector became aware of any instances of students who are not studying Irish and who have not got an exemption the school authorities would be requested to ensure that those students follow an approved course.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

443 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if students are entitled to obtain a leaving certificate by obtaining five or more subjects from the approved list of subjects, including those who have not sat the Irish exam for the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36508/05]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

454 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the actions that are open to her where a non-exempted student refuses to attend compulsory Irish classes and who does not sit the Irish examination in the leaving certificate but who achieves recognition in five or more approved subjects; if such student can be awarded an approved leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36520/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 454 together.

In accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools, the approved course for the established leaving certificate must include not less than five approved examination subjects, of which one must be Irish. The exception to this is where a student has been granted an exemption from the study of Irish. There is no requirement to sit any particular subject in the established leaving certificate examination in order to be awarded a certificate. Each candidate will be awarded a certificate showing the grades obtained by him or her in whatever examinations have been taken, regardless of the overall number of subjects.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

444 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the report of the language commission; if she intends to implement a radical overhaul of the second level curriculum both in content and structure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36509/05]

The report of the Irish Language Commissioner highlighted the fact that despite appreciable time devoted to Irish in the school system, many students emerge from primary and post-primary education without achieving a reasonable command of the language. Particular concerns were raised about students' command of the spoken language. While I absolutely accept that the standard of oral Irish, in particular, of many of our young people is not as it should be, it is important to note that significant efforts have been made by my Department in recent years to improve standards in the teaching and learning of Irish in our schools.

The revised Irish language programme at primary level places a strong emphasis on oral Irish. This programme, implemented in all schools since September 2003 and supported by extensive in-service training by the primary curriculum support programme, should bring significant improvement to the standard of spoken Irish over time. This development at primary level complemented similar curricular changes at second level where syllabus reform is ongoing.

Significant improvements are being made in regard to the provision of materials and resources for the teaching of Irish. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has been established to progress this area and to provide support services for schools. Funding has been provided for An Chomhairle to support this task. I know that this is an area that will need further work.

My Department is engaged in a number of evaluation activities relating to the teaching and learning of Irish. Also, at the request of my Department, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is carrying out areview of languages in the post-primary curriculum. This will include Irish. I am confident that the above reports will both inform us of good practice within the system and point to areas requiring improvement.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

445 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether it is appropriate that students for higher level leaving certificate Irish should be required in some instances to learn Irish essays by heart for purposes of complying with a points structure; her further views on whether such activity is a test of memory rather than an assessment of capability and presentation of thought on chosen subjects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36510/05]

The leaving certificate syllabus in Irish at higher level aims to foster a positive attitude towards learning the language among students and to provide students with an experience of studying Irish that is enjoyable, as well as offering intellectual and emotional stimulus. Specific objectives of the course in relation to the skill of writing include that the students will be able to express themselves in language that is accurate and precise, that they will be able to communicate ideas confidently in writing and that they will gradually develop a personal style. In my view, the rote learning of material is not conducive to the achievement of these aims and objectives.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

446 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated number of hours of teaching of the subject of Irish to all pupils from the primary system to leaving certificate; the estimated cost on an annual basis devoted to the teaching of Irish within the primary and secondary school systems respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36511/05]

At primary level, the recommended minimum time to be spent in the teaching of Irish as a second language is 3.5 hours per week, or 2.5 hours per week where a short day is provided for the infant classes. This excludes discretionary curriculum time.

At second level, the syllabuses for the leaving certificate are designed around a recommended instruction time of 180 hours over the two years of the programme and for the junior certificate 240-270 hours over the three years of the programme. It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in regard to cost as my Department does not allocate funding on a subject basis.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

447 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the allocations made to all Irish organisations for each of the past ten years under all headings by her Department; if she has received a written annual report from each such organisation; if she has examined these reports; if she is satisfied that these reports are providing beneficial opportunities for the learning of the Irish language and if she will instance such opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36512/05]

The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

448 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the standard of spoken Irish in the primary school system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36513/05]

The inspectors of my Department evaluate the standard of spoken Irish in the course of their work in school evaluation. Inspectors offer advice for the improvement of standards where necessary. They submit written reports to my Department which are then issued to the staff and management of schools. During the 2004-05 school year the inspectorate carried out a detailed evaluation of the standard of Irish and either English or mathematics in about 40 primary schools throughout the country. A detailed report on the outcomes of the focused evaluation will be published later in the current school year.

Some criterion referenced tests of Irish have been carried out in primary schools in the past two decades. The work was carried out by Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann in co-operation with Department inspectors and also with assistance from the Educational Research Centre and Trinity College in the most recent instance. The report on the most recent survey of the attainment standards of pupils in sixth class across mainstream, Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools has just come to hand and my officials are studying its contents.

My Department offers significant support to primary teachers for Irish through the primary curriculum support programme. Teachers get advice on the planning and teaching of Irish and there is also a cuiditheoir or advisory service through which staff are assisted in their own schools. It is a policy of my Department that at pre-service level, all student teachers as well as candidates for an scrúdú le haghaidh cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge must attend a three-week approved course in the Gaeltacht. This can play a very important part in developing the teacher's competence in oral Irish when taken in conjunction with the in-house work of the colleges of education. As the Deputy knows, a minimum grade C at higher level leaving certificate Irish is required of all entrants to pre-service teacher training and just over 41% of the marks derive from the oral and aural components.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

449 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the assessment method for competency of spoken Irish for entrance to the teacher training colleges and for teachers being trained on-line; if these assessment criteria are the same as those employed ten years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36514/05]

The minimum entry requirement for all undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education programmes for the primary sector is a grade C3 on a higher level leaving certificate Irish paper. This has been the position for more than ten years. As the Deputy may be aware, just over 40% of the marks for that exam derive from the oral and aural components. In the case of undergraduate programmes, interviews were held in all colleges up to 1991. Students are now accepted onto undergraduate courses in four colleges solely on the basis of leaving certificate performance, and applications are processed through the Central Applications Office. These colleges are Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, St. Patrick's College of Education, Dublin and Froebel College of Education, Dublin. In the case of the fifth college, the Church of Ireland College of Education, applications are processed through the CAO and an interview is held as an element of the selection process. Part of the interview is conducted through the medium of Irish.

Applicants to competitions for postgraduate courses, who have met the minimum entry requirements or approved equivalents, undergo an interview and an oral Irish test. In the case of Irish, courses accepted as equivalent include a pass in a university first arts examination, a grade C at GCE A Level, a grade C in the matriculation examination or the dioplóma sa Ghaeilge from NUI, Maynooth. The selection procedure for these postgraduate courses, which has been laid down by my Department, sets out the grades and points which are to be allocated at both the interview and oral Irish test. Assessment criteria for the oral Irish test have been developed by the colleges which have responsibility for organising and managing the competitions. Applicants who get a fail grade on the oral Irish test are eliminated.

Mature students for the undergraduate programmes have the option of applying through the CAO system or directly to the colleges. In the case of direct application, once candidates have met the minimum entry requirements or approved equivalents, selection is on the basis of a competitive interview and oral Irish test. Applicants who get a fail grade on the oral Irish test are eliminated.

Applicants to the on-line course, having met the minimum entry requirements, are interviewed and half of the interview is conducted through the medium of Irish. Applicants who do not meet the standard set by the college are considered ineligible for the course.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

450 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the opportunity on an annual basis for the improvement of the spoken Irish language for primary school teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36515/05]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there are many opportunities available to primary teachers to improve their proficiency in their spoken Irish. The cuiditheoireacht service, which is part of the primary curriculum support programme, PCSP, continues to support teachers in schools on the teaching of Irish. The training is conducted through the medium of Irish. The support service has also commenced a sustained support model of provision. It is a developmental approach to support the improvement and enhancement of the curriculum through one-to-one in-class teacher coaching.

Each year, summer courses in Irish are provided by bodies such as Oideas Gael in Donegal and Gael-Linn which are at the appropriate level for primary sector teachers. Other summer courses deal primarily with the methodology of teaching Irish and these are conducted through Irish. Universities and some other third level institutions also run courses in Irish for adults and primary teachers can, of course, also apply to participate in these courses.

A considerable number of primary teachers are involved in the delivery of coláistí samhraidh courses each year. Participation by teachers in these programmes allows them to develop and enrich their own competence in the language. In addition, my Department funded 25 Irish language courses, involving over 600 participants, which were provided as part of the 2005 summer course programme for primary teachers in line with the requirements of the revised primary curriculum. Some 600 primary teachers attended these courses throughout the country. The Deputy may be aware that extra personal vacation, EPV, is granted to such teachers in order to incentivise the learning of Irish in such a manner.

My Department also funds the Education Centre Network, 21 full-time centres and nine part-time centres, to deliver local courses based on locally identified needs and Irish language courses form a part of this local course provision.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

451 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the content of the curriculum for the Irish course for the leaving certificate, higher level and lower level; when this curriculum content was last reviewed; when she intends to introduce changes to this content; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36516/05]

Revised syllabi for both the leaving certificate higher level and ordinary level in Irish were introduced in September 1995 and first examined in June 1997. The syllabi are built on the communicative approach to the learning of Irish and expect an integrated approach to the development of the four language skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing. The syllabi outline a range of topics recommended as a means of practising the language in real communicative situations. The list of topics is flexible so as to allow teachers to choose topics that are of interest to students. In addition, students study literature comprising prose texts and poems. The list of prescribed texts has changed a number of times since 1995, the most recent being September 2004 when a gearrscannán, or short film, was introduced as an option for the first time. Language awareness and cultural awareness are integral components of both the higher and ordinary level syllabi. Full details of the current syllabi and prescribed material are published on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The Deputy will be aware that I am anxious to have more emphasis placed on oral Irish and that some months back I put the reform process in train when I asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to make recommendations to me in this regard as one of their next steps in developing their proposals for senior cycle reform.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

452 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to introduce an oral Irish test for the junior certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36518/05]

There is provision for an optional oral examination in Irish at junior certificate level. Where schools opt to provide such an examination, the State Examinations Commission issues assessment guidelines to them for use by class teachers in assessing candidates. The optional oral Irish examination at junior certificate level is not assessed by the State Examinations Commission but by class teachers. Marks awarded by teachers are sent to the State Examinations Commission for processing without external assessment or monitoring. Candidates who take the optional oral Irish examination are marked out of 400 marks, whereas candidates who do not take it are marked out of 320 marks.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

453 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to award higher marks for competency in oral Irish in both lower level and higher level Irish in the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36519/05]

At present, in the leaving certificate examination at both higher and ordinary levels, 150 marks out of a total of 600 marks are available for the oral component of the examination. The Deputy will be aware that I am anxious to have more emphasis placed on oral Irish and that some months back I put the reform process in train when I asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to make recommendations to me in this regard as one of their next steps in developing their proposals for senior cycle reform.

Question No. 454 answered with QuestionNo. 443.

School Accommodation.

Joe Walsh

Ceist:

455 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Science if an extension to a national school (details supplied) in County Cork will be sanctioned. [36523/05]

The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for capital funding towards the provision of additional accommodation. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

456 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be provided with canteen, gym and music room facilities; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the school which is also a college for further education has no indoor sporting facilities; the way in which she intends to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36526/05]

An initial application for additional accommodation, to include a number of specialist rooms, an administration area, a general purpose-dining area and servery, storage areas and a PE hall, was received from the management authority of the school referred to by the Deputy. Subsequently the school submitted an application for funding towards the provision of six small rooms in temporary accommodation for special needs education.

The overall accommodation needs of the school are being examined in my Department in order to ensure any capital funding being provided is appropriate to meet the school's long-term accommodation needs. My officials are in contact with the school authority in this regard. The project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.

Special Educational Needs.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

457 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when adequate resource hours and a special needs assistant will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36527/05]

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. Over 70 special educational needs organisers, SENOs, have been recruited throughout the country and are a focal point of contact for schools and parents.

My officials have been advised by the NCSE that an application has been received for SEN supports for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. The local SENO has sanctioned five hours resource teaching support and access to a special needs assistant in the school. The school authorities were notified accordingly on 24 October 2005.

School Transport.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

458 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 12 October 2005, if the report is completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36565/05]

On 25 November 2005 my Department was advised by the transport liaison officer for County Galway that the school transport service from the area concerned has been revised with effect from 8 November 2005. On the basis of the information received from the transport liaison officer the pupils now have a level of service within the travelling and waiting times applying to the general operation of the scheme.

School Accommodation.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

459 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance will be given to a school (details supplied) to secure a permanent site for their 162 pupils; and if they will be given the maximum support. [36578/05]

The property management section of the Office of Public Works has been requested to source a suitable site for the school referred to by the Deputy. To this end, the OPW had discussions with the relevant local authority and in light of these discussions and in consideration of the 2003 development plan for Ennis town and environs, it is clear that the current site is not considered suitable for the permanent development of a national school. Officials in my Department are now considering a number of site options that have been submitted by the OPW.

Youth Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

460 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of the additional €5.5 million allocated to youth work for 2005 which has been spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36697/05]

The financial provision for the youth work sector in my Department in 2005 is €33.889 million. The additional allocation made available for youth work purposes in 2005 is catering for a number of developments under the Youth Work Act 2001 and the national youth work development plan and for enhancements to existing youth work programmes and services. Some €3.94 million of the additional funding made available in 2005 has been expended to date. The balance will be expended by year end.

Special Educational Needs.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

461 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will meet with representatives of schools in north inner city Dublin to address their serious concern at the loss of resource hours in 14 primary schools in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36698/05]

Officials from my Department have discussed the concerns of these schools with the Irish National Teachers Organisation and requested that they send any information that they feel supports a case for additional special needs supports to my Department. We are awaiting full details in order that the case can be considered.

As the Deputy is aware, the general allocation of learning support-resource teachers, LS-RTs, is intended to cater for children with learning support and high incidence special educational needs. The system was constructed in order that LS-RT allocations would be based on pupil numbers, taking into account the differing needs of the most disadvantaged schools and the evidence that boys have greater difficulties than girls in this regard.

The new system has a number of benefits associated with it: it puts resources in place on a more systematic basis, thereby giving schools more certainty about their resource levels; it facilitates early intervention as the resource is in place when the child enrols; it reduces the need for individual applications and supporting psychological assessments and it allows flexibility to school management in the deployment of resources, leading to a more effective and efficient delivery of services.

In introducing the general allocation system transitional arrangements were also introduced whereby transitional hours were allocated to schools to cater for children for whom individual teaching resources had previously been allocated but which it would not have been possible for the school to continue to provide from its general allocation. In the circumstances no child should have experienced a loss of resource teaching support.

It is intended that a review of the general allocation model will be undertaken within three years of operation. There are now over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

Teaching Staff.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

462 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers who have been awarded a virtual roll number working within the publicly funded education sector; the posts occupied by these teachers; the number of teachers who were temporary before taking up the post for which they have been allocated a virtual roll number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36699/05]

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

463 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used in deciding whether to award a virtual roll number to teachers who have been previously categorised as temporary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36700/05]

Teachers are assigned to a school with a virtual roll number to facilitate their payment through the appropriate Department's payroll for teachers.

Capitation Grants.

John Gormley

Ceist:

464 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason Educate Together receives no State funding in its role as a registered patron for new schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36701/05]

John Gormley

Ceist:

465 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason Education Together receives no funding in its role as promoter of new schools; her views on whether Educate Together has provided guidance and training at a considerable bureaucracy to get new schools open in high demand areas and that in the past five years Educate Together has opened more schools than any other body; the reason there has been no assistance from the State for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36702/05]

John Gormley

Ceist:

466 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether the grant of €40,000 in July 2005 from her Department is sufficient to keep Educate Together going until the end of 2005 and that unless Educate Together can secure core State funding in the 2006 budget that it will be forced to start laying off staff and cutting back its services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36703/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 to 466, inclusive, together.

The level of funding that my Department provides for Educate Together as a school management body is on a par with that provided for Foras Patrúnachta na Scoileanna Lánghaeilge, the Church of Ireland Board of Education, the Islamic Board of Education and the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education. However, following discussions with Educate Together my Department has provided additional funding for Educate Together in 2005 to meet the immediate issues of concern to that body. The amount provided in 2005 was €81,133. As I indicated in my statement on the publication of the Estimates for 2006, extra funding will be made available to the primary school management bodies, including Educate Together, and I will be in touch with them in the coming weeks about this.

In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, as Minister, I am obliged to have regard to the need to reflect the diversity of educational services provided in the State. Applying this provision to the development of multi-denominational education at primary level, my Department has supported the establishment of a significant number of new multi-denominational schools in recent years. Of the 24 new schools granted provisional recognition in the past three years alone, 12 are multi-denominational. At post-primary level the requirement for multi-denominational education is met by the State sector through non-designated vocational education committee schools.

To underpin the establishment of new schools, my Department has made a number of changes in recent years which have assisted patron bodies in the provision of accommodation. One of these changes, which was strongly welcomed by the patron body for multi-denominational schools, was the abolition of the local contribution to the building costs for state-owned school buildings, which had cost up to €63,000 per school. Other innovations include the development of the design and build model to provide permanent accommodation much faster, such as in the case of the new multi-denominational school in Griffeen Valley, Lucan, which was designed and built in less than 13 months.

Many multi-denominational primary schools are established in areas of rapidly expanding population growth. School building projects in these areas are assigned a band one rating under the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. This is the highest band rating possible which results in the delivery of permanent accommodation in the shortest timeframe achievable.

These measures are a strong indication of my Department's commitment to supporting an educational diversity agenda, including multi-denominational education provision. It will continue to do so as part of its own statutory obligations and in the context of the national development plan which is structured to support the development of all educational sectors, regardless of ethos.

Schools Building Projects.

Niall Blaney

Ceist:

467 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for a new extension and renovation works which was lodged approximately seven years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36704/05]

The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for capital funding towards the provision of additional classroom and ancillary accommodation.

The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which were revised following consultation with the education partners. The project is being considered for progression in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.

Third Level Fees.

Barry Andrews

Ceist:

468 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Science if the free university fees scheme could be extended to citizens of the EU not resident here but who have an affinity or association with the country, such as having a parent who is ordinarily resident here for tax purposes. [36705/05]

Under my Department's free fees initiative the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved third level courses in the State. The main conditions are that students must be first time undergraduates; hold EU nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. I have no plans to change these eligibility conditions.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

469 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons within each unit or State agency of her Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of her Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within her Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36744/05]

My Department will be based in Mullingar, Athlone and Tullamore. Three hundred and one posts will be based in Mullingar, which will be a new location for my Department. At present, 323 posts are based in my Department's office in Athlone, but following completion of the programme of decentralisation this will rise to 424. There will be some reorganisation of work to facilitate the moves to Mullingar and Athlone. This will impact on the existing office in Tullamore and will increase the number of posts based there by 3.5.

The number of persons who are assigned to posts that will decentralise and who will relocate with those posts are 24 for Mullingar, four for Athlone and one for Tullamore. The numbers of other Dublin based employees who have opted to move with the Department to either Mullingar, Athlone or Tullamore are 31 for Mullingar, 12 for Athlone and nine for Tullamore. These people will be assigned to units moving to their location of choice in the coming weeks and months.

Following the completion of the programme of decentralisation my Department's presence in Dublin will consist of two regional offices, in Tallaght and Blanchardstown, and a number of members of the inspectorate and National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, who work directly with Dublin schools.

This leaves a very limited capacity to reassign or offer alternative postings within my Department. For this reason, Dublin based employees who opt not to decentralise with my Department will be redeployed to other organisations in accordance with centrally agreed protocols as part of the implementation of the programme of decentralisation.

Schools Building Projects.

James Breen

Ceist:

470 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be provided for a sports hall for a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36756/05]

The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for capital funding towards the provision of a PE hall. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. The project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.

Higher Education Grants.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

471 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a grant for a PLC course at a college (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be approved for a person; and if she will expedite a response. [36758/05]

My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes in respect of students attending approved courses in approved third level institutions and one maintenance grants scheme in respect of students attending approved post-leaving certificate courses in approved PLC centres: the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme; the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees; and the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses.

Generally speaking, all four schemes prescribe similar conditions which preclude students from grant assistance in respect of a repeat period of study at the same level or in respect of a course at a lower level than a course previously pursued, irrespective of whether a grant was previously awarded.

Clause 6.3.6 of the Department's maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses provides as follows: "Grants may not be paid in respect of a second period of attendance at the same level for a course approved for the purposes of this scheme, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The vocational education committee will have discretion to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances such as certified serious illness". This discretion would generally only be applied where the candidate is repeating a period of study on the same course.

Under the terms of the 2005 PLC scheme, grants are available to eligible candidates who are entering approved PLC courses for the first time in 2005-06. Generally speaking, candidates are ineligible for grant assistance if they already hold a qualification at FETAC level 5 or FETAC level 6 or a third level qualification at national certificate, national diploma, degree, postgraduate or equivalent level. In addition, candidates who have previously pursued, but not successfully completed, a PLC course are ineligible for grant assistance in respect of any subsequent PLC course. However, notwithstanding these conditions candidates who already hold an award no higher than FETAC level 5 and who subsequently pursue another PLC course at a higher level may be deemed eligible for grant aid.

My Department understands the candidate to whom the Deputy refers has previously commenced a PLC course at FETAC level 5 in September 2003 and left in March 2004 without having obtained a terminal qualification. The student is currently pursuing a further PLC course at FETAC level 5, a different course from that previously attended. Accordingly, under the prescribed conditions of the PLC scheme, the student in question is ineligible for grant assistance in respect of her current PLC course.

Special Educational Needs.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

472 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the continuing delay in staffing and equipping a centre (details supplied) in County Armagh; if she will raise the issue with her counterpart in the Six Counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36773/05]

As the Deputy is aware, my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland are jointly engaged in the development of the Middletown centre for autism in County Armagh. Both Departments have jointly funded the purchase of the former St. Joseph's Adolescent Centre, Middletown and plan to refurbish the property with a view to developing a centre of excellence for children and young people with autism throughout the island of Ireland. The centre will be dedicated to improving and enriching the educational opportunities of children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders.

I have met my counterpart in Northern Ireland on two occasions this year and discussed the issue in question on both occasions and I am confident that progress is being made. Officials from both Departments are working closely on this project and this interaction between the two Departments will continue in the coming months with a view to ensuring the centre becomes operational as quickly as possible.

Schools Recognition.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

473 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received an application for the erection of a new Gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if approval will be given; if same might be ready to receive pupils at the commencement of the next academic year in September 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36775/05]

I can confirm to the Deputy that a notification of an intention to apply for the recognition of a new Gaelscoil in County Westmeath has been lodged. The closing date for receipt of a formal and full application for recognition is 31 January 2006. As the Deputy may be aware, the new schools advisory committee, NSAC, which was established in 2002, independently assesses and makes recommendations to me on all such applications.

Decisions in respect of applications for the recognition of new schools with effect from the commencement of the 2006-07 school year will issue to applicants by 17 April 2006. The criteria for the recognition of new schools follow for the Deputy's information.

Recognition of New Primary Schools: Criteria

Evidence that:

•The proposed school meets a need that cannot reasonably be met within existing provision.

•The local community is consulted in advance.

•The patron has been registered as such by the Minister for Education and Science.

•A board of management will be appointed in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Science.

•The Rules for National Schools will be complied with.

•The proposed school has a minimum initial enrolment of 17 junior infants and a minimum projected enrolment of 51 pupils for the third year of operation.

•All pupils are at least four years of age on 30th September of the year in which the school is due to commence operation.

•In accordance with Section 10 (2) (e) of the Education Act 1998, proposed interim school accommodation must comply with the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the Planning and Development Regulations: 2001, the Building Regulations 1991 to 1997 (including the Building Control Regulations) and the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations: 2001 and any modifications, statutory instruments or orders made in accordance with these Acts.

•The school will follow the Primary School Curriculum of the Department of Education and Science.

•The school will employ recognised primary school teachers.

School Planning Section

August 2005.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

474 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing parents of young children who are attending VTOS courses; if she intends to pay for these students during their holiday periods; her views on whether this needs addressing (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36796/05]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

475 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the customer service statement of Mayo Vocational Educational Committee, it is stated that it will identify and work to eliminate barriers to access to services for persons experiencing poverty and social exclusion, and for those facing geographic barriers to services; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that these persons are facing difficulties due to the lack of holiday pay on these courses; her views on whether this needs to be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36797/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.

In order to encourage parents to go back to further education, my Department provides funding for VECs to assist towards the child care expenses of participants in certain further education programmes, including the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS. The administration of these grants is a matter for individual VECs. The disbursement of the grants is a matter for each VEC.

The funds provide for: direct provision of crèche facilities in centres or in rented premises, including staff, equipment and-or refurbishment, rental, insurance and other overheads; the purchase of places in existing community or commercial crèches — this is subject to payment of a maximum of €63.50 per week per child for a full-day session, with pro rata adjustments for sessions of lesser duration; the payment of childminders, subject to a maximum of €63.50 per child per week for a full session, with pro rata adjustments for part-time sessions.

The grant is intended as a contribution to costs. VECs determine the level of child care provision and have the discretion to bridge any gap between the Department's grant and actual costs they approve.

As the purpose of the grant is to facilitate the attendance on the further education courses in question of persons for whom they were designed but who are constrained by child care responsibilities, the grant would be expected to cover only the period of attendance of a parent on a course. Arrangements governing payment terms in crèches are a matter between the parent and the crèche.

Schools Building Projects.

Mildred Fox

Ceist:

476 Ms Fox asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to provide additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of their need for a physical education hall and a general purpose room; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36804/05]

The school planning section of my Department has received an application for major capital funding from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale projects. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

John Gormley

Ceist:

477 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to encourage single parents to go back to further education; her views on whether this would be made easier if assistance were made available for children over the age of five; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36808/05]

In order to encourage parents to go back to further education, my Department provides funding for VECs to assist towards the child care expenses of participants in certain further education programmes. These are the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, Youthreach and senior Traveller training centre programmes.

The administration of these grants is a matter for individual VECs. Students in the relevant programmes who feel entitled to such grants should apply to their VECs. The disbursement of the grants is a matter for each VEC.

The funds provide for: direct provision of crèche facilities in centres or in rented premises, including staff, equipment and-or refurbishment, rental, insurance and other overheads; the purchase of places in existing community or commercial crèches — this is subject to payment of a maximum of €63.50 per week per child for a full-day session, with pro rata adjustments for sessions of lesser duration; the payment of childminders, subject to a maximum of €63.50 per child per week for a full session, with pro rata adjustments for part-time sessions.

The grant is intended as a contribution to costs. VECs determine the level of child care provision and have the discretion to bridge any gap between the Department's grant and actual costs they approve. While the grants scheme does not apply to children of any particular age, VECs have the option of according priority to older children.

School Staffing.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

478 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children in class sizes over 20; in class sizes between 25 and 30; and in class sizes over 30 in certain selected schools (details supplied); if the same information will be provided for those in infant classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36827/05]

The Deputy should be aware that significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years at primary level. The most recent figure available for average class size at primary level refers to the 2003-04 school year, when the average class size was 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97.

The pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, which includes all the teachers, including learning support-resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.1:1, projected, in 2004-05. As I indicated in my statement on the recently published Estimates, I have secured sufficient funding to provide for even smaller classes in our primary schools in the next school year. The Minister for Finance has committed to a further reduction in class size in the following year.

The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. 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.

Number of Pupils all Classes

Number of Pupils Classes including Infants

Roll No.

School

Address

20-24

25-29

30 & Over

20-24

25-29

30 & Over

00823U

Scoil Naomh Seosamh

Cill an Átha, Rahan

0

50

0

0

25

0

02413L

S N Naomh Eoin

An Ráth, Birr

48

26

30

24

0

0

03220F

Mercy Primary School

Birr, Co Offaly

44

56

0

0

0

0

05913A

Kilcormac Convent N S

Kilcormac, Co Offaly

22

26

0

0

0

0

07191V

S N Seosamh

Gortnamona, Blueball

21

50

0

21

0

0

07949I

S N Osmann

Birr, Co Offaly

20

55

0

0

26

0

09191I

Geashill 1 N S

Geashill, Co Offaly

24

0

0

0

0

0

10353P

Charleville N S

Charleville, Tullamore

42

26

0

0

26

0

11203B

St. Kieran’s N S

Clareen, Birr

20

0

34

0

0

0

12294M

St. Crónán’s Mixed N S

Banagher, Co Offaly

21

0

62

0

0

32

12343W

Shinrone Mixed N S

Shinrone, Co Offaly

68

26

32

45

0

0

12370C

St Brendans Monastery

Birr, Co Offaly

130

26

0

41

0

0

13118U

Clara Convent N S

Clara, Co Offaly

22

129

60

22

25

0

13191H

High St Mixed N S

Belmont, Birr

40

0

0

20

0

0

15325M

Clonbullogue N S

Clonbullogue, Co Offaly

21

81

0

0

29

0

15395K

Mount Bolus N S

Mount Bolus, Tullamore

0

26

0

0

26

0

15556I

Portarlington Conventns

Portarlington, Co Offaly

0

271

95

0

134

31

15638K

Edenderry 2 N S

Edenderry, Co Offaly

43

0

0

0

0

0

15656M

Ballykilmurry N S

Ballykilmurry, Tullamore

0

189

30

0

54

0

15923J

Cloneyhurke N S

Cloneyhurke, Portarlington

43

0

0

22

0

0

15983E

S N Naomh Brógáin

Brackna, Rathangan

43

26

0

22

0

0

16013V

Edenderry Convent N S

St Marys Road, Edenderry

72

190

218

72

25

95

16435B

St Ciarans Mixed N S

Ballycumber, Co Offaly

89

0

0

21

0

0

16620T

Daingean N S

Daingean, Co Offaly

45

84

97

23

28

0

16802C

Ceann Eitigh N S

Ceann Eitigh, Birr

22

52

0

22

0

0

16928B

S N Naomh Philomena

Tullamore, Co Offaly

0

80

0

n/a

n/a

n/a

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown

0

25

0

0

0

0

17003A

S N Seosamh

Muine Ghall, Birr

67

0

0

24

0

0

17031F

Shinchill N S

Shinchill, Killeigh

22

112

61

22

28

0

17056V

S N Chartaigh Naofa

An Raithean, Tullamore

0

54

31

0

25

0

17069H

S N Muire Naofa

Pollach, Rahan

20

28

0

0

28

0

17187N

S N Oilibéar Pluingcead

Shannonbridge, Athlone

0

0

0

n/a

n/a

n/a

17188P

S N Chiaráin Naofa

Clonmacnois Ns, Shannonbridge

21

52

0

21

0

0

17336E

S N Mhuire Bainríoghan

Scoil Muire Bainríoghan, Dun Chairn

48

0

0

0

0

0

17359Q

St Cormacs N S

Kilcormac, Co Offaly

0

0

0

n/a

n/a

n/a

17508H

S N Naomh Cholumchille

Durrow, Tullamore

0

55

97

0

0

62

17523D

S N Crónáin Naofa

Drum Uí Cianain, Roscrea

23

137

62

0

26

32

17540D

S N Mhanacháin

An Tobar, An Móta

64

54

0

0

28

0

17616K

Naomh Mhuire N S

Inis na mBreathnach, Geisill

24

53

0

24

0

0

17637S

S N Sheosaimh Naofa

Beal Átha na gCarr, Tullamore

0

53

102

0

0

66

17746A

Scoil Cólmáin Naofa

Muclach, Screagain

68

79

62

24

26

0

17753U

S N Chiaráin Naofa

Breach Choill, Kilcormac

0

0

0

0

0

0

17827A

Scoil Phádraig

Portarlington, Co Laois

44

84

30

n/a

n/a

n/a

18057F

Scoil Mhuire

Tullamore, Co Offaly

67

207

0

20

51

0

18068K

S N Peadar agus Pól

Áth An Urchair, Moate

0

0

0

0

0

0

18115Q

S N Mhuire

Cluain na nGamhain, Tullamore

24

28

0

0

0

0

18157J

St Rynaghs N S

Banagher, Co Offaly

0

164

91

0

80

0

18267Q

Croinchoill N S

Croinchill, Birr

42

79

63

20

25

0

18299G

S N Muire Buachaillí

Ferbane, Co Offaly

41

25

0

0

0

0

18300L

Scoil Mhuire Cailíní

Ferbane, Co Offaly

0

79

0

0

50

0

18328K

S N Phádraig

Baile Bhriain, Fahy

21

26

63

21

0

30

18331W

S N Caoimhin Naofa

Cluain Lisc, Shinrone

24

50

0

24

0

0

18335H

S N Mhuire Naofa

An Ród, Co Offaly

0

81

68

0

55

0

18364O

S N Muire Bainríon

Edenderry, Co Offaly

0

131

62

n/a

n/a

n/a

18399K

S N Bhríde

Baile Buí, Kilcormac

47

52

0

24

0

0

18406E

S N Proinsias Naofa

Clarach, Co Ua bhFailghe

89

56

0

23

0

0

18524K

S N Naomh Bríghde Buach

Tullamore, Co Offaly

21

53

30

n/a

n/a

n/a

18537T

S N Ros Com Rua

Ros Cum Rua, Roscrea

0

0

0

0

0

0

18690E

Scoil Bhríde

An Cruachan, An Tulach Mór

45

53

0

21

0

0

18777Q

S N Lomchluana

An Clochán, Co Uíbh Fhailí

42

0

0

0

0

0

18795S

S N Mhuire

Cúl an Airne, Blue Ball

23

0

0

0

0

0

18797W

S N Naomh Seosamh

Arden View, Tullamore

241

0

0

109

0

0

19354Q

St Colmans N S

Cappagh, Croghan

23

53

0

0

26

0

19638H

Coolderry Central Ns

Brosna, Birr

0

80

0

0

26

0

19713S

Arden Boys Ns

Arden View, Tullamore

24

77

0

n/a

n/a

n/a

19990V

Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada

Cluain Calga, An Tulach Mhór

67

135

0

0

54

0

20068W

St Marys National School

Cloghan, Birr

60

0

0

20

0

0

20189L

Tullamore Educate Together

14 Church Street, Tullamore

0

0

0

0

0

0

Teaching Qualifications.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

479 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has satisfied herself that the qualifications of a person to hold a specific post (details supplied) are in line with the recommendations of her Department as set forth in Circular M15/2001, with particular reference to the stated requirement to have a minimum of three years relevant work experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36870/05]

The qualifications in question were not referred to my Department. My Department prescribes qualifications for appointment to such posts but does not sanction individual appointments. The making of an appointment is a matter for the vocational education committee as the employer.

The VEC has confirmed to my Department that the successful candidate qualifies in accordance with the criteria set down for the position in Circular M15/2001, including the requirement that persons appointed to the post in question have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience.

Childhood Obesity.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

480 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the extent of marketing of unhealthy foods to children in schools as described in a recent report (details supplied); if her attention has further been drawn to the increasing levels of obesity in Irish children; her views regarding the risk of future health problems arising from childhood obesity; the action she intends to take to curb the advertising of unhealthy foods to children in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36874/05]

Our schools promote, support and encourage healthy eating and physical exercise in a range of ways.

With regard to educating students about making good food choices, a curriculum in social, personal, and health education, SPHE, is mandatory for all primary students and its implementation is also being assisted by a full-time support service. Health and well-being, with food and nutrition, are two areas dealt with under the Taking Care of My Body unit of that curriculum. The objective is that by fifth and sixth class, pupils should be enabled to realise that they, as individuals, have some responsibility for adopting a healthy balanced diet and for taking regular and appropriate exercise.

All second level schools have been required to provide SPHE as part of the junior cycle curriculum since September 2003. The aims of this programme include preparing students for responsible decision-making and promoting their physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.

Physical education is also part of the curriculum at primary and post-primary level and plays a key role not just in giving students an opportunity to exercise during the school day but also in encouraging a positive attitude towards physical activity which students will, I hope, carry with them into adult life.

Quite apart from curricular provision, schools can implement measures to encourage physical activity during school breaks. Schools already play a major role in promoting the involvement of students in sporting activities in the wider community. Sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, provide extensive opportunities for schools to participate in sport.

Together, the above initiatives ensure children not only get opportunities to exercise at school but also learn about balanced nutrition and making good food choices. Schools are playing their part in terms of promoting a healthy diet and adequate physical exercise for children. However, it is important to remember that children spend just 20% of their waking hours at school. Therefore, schools can only do so much with regard to promoting exercise and healthy eating and the main role must rest with parents.

With regard to the advertising of unhealthy foods to children in schools, the position is that schools are privately owned, privately managed institutions which, although funded by the State, enjoy a large degree of autonomy. It is, therefore, primarily a matter for the board of management of individual schools to devise policies around the types of food that are available on the school premises and such policies should be driven by the needs and welfare of the students. I know that many schools have developed healthy eating policies in co-operation with their parents' associations, and I would encourage others to do so.

School Accommodation.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

481 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be approved for an application submitted to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36888/05]

The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for funding under the additional accommodation scheme 2006. All applications under this scheme are being examined in the school planning section of my Department. The list of successful applicants will be published when the assessment process is completed.

Departmental Correspondence.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

482 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will facilitate a meeting with a group of parents from County Roscommon (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36889/05]

I outlined in my reply to a parliamentary question from the Deputy dated 15 November 2005 that my Department is examining all relevant correspondence on file regarding this case. I will communicate with the Deputy directly if it is considered that a meeting would be useful to clarify matters.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

483 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the significant number of applications which continue to be made to the Residential Institutions Redress Board, she will consider extending the closing date for receipt of such applications or in the alternative accept all such applications as being valid in terms of time pending receipt of the further and additional relevant information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36904/05]

Section 8 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provides that applications may be made to the redress board within three years of the establishment of the board. This means that the statutory closing date for receipt of applications by the board is 15 December 2005. The board has made arrangements for applications to be received at the board's offices up to midnight on that date and has placed adverts in the media recently highlighting this arrangement.

The board also issued a statement on 25 November 2005 which addressed the validity of applications received up to the closing date. In this statement the board accepts that an applicant may have difficulty providing some information with regard to matters such as proof of residence in an institution before the closing date, but it expects that applications submitted by the closing date should at least contain an outline of the nature of the abuse and those responsible.

In addition, section 8 of the redress Act enables the board to extend the period for accepting an application if the board is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances with regard to a particular application.

I am satisfied with the provisions made for receipt of applications by the board. I do not intend to extend the deadline as suggested by the Deputy.

National Drugs Strategy.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

484 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science when paragraph 2 of action point No. 32 of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy 2001-08 will be implemented (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36905/05]

The steering committee of the substance misuse prevention programme is examining a proposal for the expansion of the Walk Tall programme in primary schools in line with amended action 32 of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. As soon as the committee has considered the proposal and recommendations in detail, it will be sent to my Department for consideration and action.

Child Abuse.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

485 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science when policies for schools on disclosure and appropriate referral where children have experienced violence in the family will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36917/05]

Child protection guidelines for primary and post-primary schools, which were distributed to primary and post-primary schools in 2001 and 2004 respectively, were produced in consultation with the partners in education to meet the needs for schools to have in place clear procedures which teachers and other school staff should follow where they suspect, or are alerted to, possible child abuse.

The guidelines cover four types of abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. The guidelines provide management authorities and staff with guidance with regard to recognising the signs and symptoms of child abuse and with procedures for dealing immediately with such concerns.

A central facet of the guidelines is the requirement for each board of management to designate a senior member of staff as the designated liaison person for the school. The designated liaison person will act as a liaison for the school in all dealings with the Health Service Executive, the Garda Síochána and other parties, in connection with allegations of and-or concerns about child abuse and as a resource person to staff who may have child protection concerns.

School Enrolments.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

486 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will meet persons (details supplied) to ascertain their position with regard to enrolments for future years and in the transition period until there is a second school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36921/05]

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

487 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of children being affected by the enrolment policy in a school (details supplied) in County Wexford over the next four years is only 24; her views on whether this small figure is not going to impact negatively on the pupils already attending the school but will impact negatively on the pupils from this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36922/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

The post-primary school to which the Deputy refers is heavily oversubscribed as a result of a significant number of pupils enrolling from outside its catchment area. The cumulative effect of the development of this type of situation over a number of years can impact negatively on pupils from within the catchment area who are entitled, as of right, to a place in a particular school. It also invariably impacts negatively on the school or schools to 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 catchment areas to ensure such situations do not arise.

As a once off exceptional measure, my Department decided that a number of named pupils from outside the catchment area to which the Deputy refers would be allowed to enrol in the post-primary school in question for the 2005-06 school year. This decision was taken because the pupils concerned had an expectation that they would be enrolling in the school and did not have sufficient notice to secure alternative placements.

It was made clear to the school authority in July this year that this arrangement would apply for the 2005-06 school year only. It was made equally clear that the arrangement did not create a precedent and that it would not be repeated in subsequent years. I am satisfied that there are adequate places for the enrolment of the pupils in question in schools in their own post-primary centres. I am also satisfied that adequate notice has been given to the particular school concerned to ensure it implements an appropriate enrolment policy for the 2006-07 school year in the best interests of its own pupils. In the circumstances, my Department's position in this matter remains unchanged and a meeting to discuss this aspect further would not serve any useful purpose.

With regard to the new post-primary school for Gorey, my Department will be engaging at the appropriate time with the authorities of the existing post-primary school concerning the process and arrangements that will be required to ensure a smooth transition from a one post-primary school centre to a two school centre. Part of this process will involve defining the enrolment policies and catchments areas, within the existing Gorey catchment area boundaries, that will underpin effective provision once Gorey becomes a two school centre.

School Staffing.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

488 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children in class sizes under 20, 25-30 and over 30 in primary schools (details supplied); and if she will provide the same information for these schools in respect of infant classes. [36958/05]

The Deputy should be aware that significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and average class size in recent years at primary level. The most recent figure available for average class size at primary level refers to the 2003-04 school year, when the average class size was 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97.

The pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, which includes all the teachers, including learning support-resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.1:1, projected, in 2004-05. As I indicated in my statement on the recently published Estimates, I have secured sufficient funding to provide for even smaller classes in our primary schools in the next school year. The Minister for Finance has committed to a further reduction in class size in the following year.

The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes.

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in the Department's primary Circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website.

Number of Pupils all Classes

Number of Pupils Infant Classes Only

Roll No.

School

0-19

25-29

30 & Over

0-19

25-29

30 & Over

16753P

St. Vincent de Pauls Girls School, Griffith Avenue

0

170

66

n/a

n/a

n/a

16759E

S N Mhuire na mBráthar, Marino

0

105

93

n/a

n/a

n/a

19297H

Cromcastle Green B N S, Kilmore Road West

105

58

33

48

0

0

19298J

Scoil Nais Íde Cailíní, Kilmore Road West

46

51

0

27

0

0

19309L

Scoil Neasáin, Baile Harmain

0

84

162

0

0

63

17730I

S N na Lánaí Glasa, Seafield Avenue

18

25

31

0

0

0

13815T

Howth Rd., MXD N S, Howth Road

0

53

0

0

0

0

19308J

St. Brigids Boys N S, Howth Road

0

212

126

0

76

0

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

489 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if her review of staffing requirements of one teacher schools has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36989/05]

Under the current staffing schedule for primary schools, an enrolment of 12 recognised pupils at the end of September 2004 is required for the employment of a principal and one mainstream classroom teacher. However, the provisional enrolment figures, which have been submitted to the Department, indicate that a minimum of 12 recognised pupils were enrolled in a number of schools which currently have one teacher and, on this basis, the schools concerned would qualify for the appointment of a mainstream teacher in 2006.

Following detailed consideration of the position of these schools, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as an entirely exceptional matter, I have decided that a mainstream class teacher may be appointed in those schools immediately rather than with effect from 1 September 2006 which is the position which would normally apply in these circumstances. The boards of management of the schools concerned are being notified accordingly.

A detailed review of the position of the schools with less than 12 recognised pupils is being undertaken and will be completed as speedily as possible.

Special Educational Needs.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

490 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the restricting guidelines whereby some children with Down’s syndrome are ineligible for resource teaching if their disability is classed as mild with an IQ of over 49; her plans to amend the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36994/05]

As the Deputy is aware, a new general allocation system has been introduced under which schools have been 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.

My Department issued a comprehensive circular, Sp Ed 02/05, to all primary schools recently regarding the organisation of teaching resources for pupils who need additional support in mainstream primary schools. The main purpose of this circular is to provide guidance for schools on the deployment and organisation of the teaching resources that were allocated under the general allocation model. Reference is also made in this circular to the deployment of additional teaching resources that are allocated to schools for the support of individual pupils with low incidence disabilities.

It is a matter for each school to determine the pupils with high incidence special education and learning support needs that will receive supplementary teaching support. Each school will have enough resource teaching hours to provide its pupils with a level of support appropriate to their needs.

The professionally-assessed needs of the individual child determine the appropriate model of response in each case. It would appear that a significant percentage of children with Down's syndrome have been assessed as having a mild general learning disability which comes under the high incidence disability category. Such pupils fall to be catered for from within a schools general allocation of resource teaching support.

The school can 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 will 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 on work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The point is that the type of response needed depends on the child. I would like to stress that there is nothing to stop the school from allocating one-to-one resource teaching support to any pupil if they feel that this is the best type of support to meet their needs.

In circumstances where a Down's syndrome child has other associated needs and would fall into the low incidence disability categories, this may automatically attract an individual resource teaching allocation. Such applications should be referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, by the school.

Question No. 491 answered with QuestionNo. 434.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

492 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the locations in which the litigants sought services to be provided regarding the court cases that have been taken against her Department on behalf of children seeking special educational services in 2004 and 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36999/05]

The locations in which litigants sought special educational services in actions initiated in 2004 and 2005 against the Minister for Education and Science on behalf of children are as follows. In 2004, one in Bangor in Wales, one in Meath, two in Kilkenny, three in Dublin, two in Cork, one in Offaly, one in Wicklow, two in Donegal, one in Galway, one in Sligo and one in Clare. In 2005, one in Clare, one in Kilkenny, one in Dublin, one in Louth, one in Kildare and one in Laois.

Departmental Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

493 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if she has satisfied herself that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37357/05]

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to large scale primary and post primary school projects.

As he will be aware, earlier this year the Department of Finance published capital appraisal guidelines relating to the need to undertake formal structured auditable assessments of new capital projects as follows: Value of project needed. If less than €500,000, a simple assessment; if between €500,000 and €5 million, a single assessment; if between €5 million and €30 million, a multi-criteria assessment, MCA; and if over €30 million, full cost benefit analysis. As no school capital project generally exceeds €30 million, full cost benefit analyses are not routinely carried out.

However, my Department is obliged at all times to provide a suitable cost-effective accommodation solution for the delivery of every school building project. Therefore, every application for capital funding is subject to a rigorous assessment of the absolute need for the project in the first instance. Once need has been established, an examination of the most cost effective method of delivering the project is then carried out. This examination is underpinned by a technical and professional report.

All approved projects are then further subject to my Department's published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. In applying the prioritisation criteria, all approved projects are assigned a band rating and the progress of individual projects is considered on a top down basis in accordance with its band rating. I am satisfied that overall, the processes undertaken by my Department ensure that value for money solutions are achieved and that these solutions are delivered in accordance with the most urgent needs presenting.

Defence Forces Property.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

494 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence if he will make the old school house at Arbour House, Mount Temple Road, Arbour Hill, Dublin 7 available to the Irish United Nations Veterans’ Association; if assistance will be given in its development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36726/05]

The premises in question are currently leased by my Department to the Irish United Nations Veterans' Association under an agreement dated 26 February 2004. Under the terms of the lease the responsibility to maintain the premises rests with the Irish United Nations Veterans' Association and in these circumstances it would not be appropriate for my Department to provide funding for its upkeep.

Airport Safety Zones.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

495 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 30 May 2000, his views on whether the Snow report in question at paragraph 4.1.2 not alone admits that the maximum sized runway protection zones in the United States extend a mere 750m from runway thresholds of some of the busiest airports in the world; the reason the red zones or approach areas at what can only be regarded as a relatively insignificant and remote rural aerodrome such as Baldonnel extend 1,370m from the runway thresholds and 1,270m in the case of runway 05 as outlined at paragraph 5.1 of the said report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36727/05]

I would refute the Deputy's characterisation of Casement Aerodrome. Red safety areas were first adopted at Casement Aerodrome following a review in 1992 by Aer Rianta, on behalf of the Department of Defence, of policy on safety zones at the aerodrome. International civil aviation organisation standards and recommendations on obstacle limitation surfaces for airports as well as considerations in regard to public safety in the vicinity of the aerodrome were taken into account in determining the size and shape of the red safety areas at Casement Aerodrome. While the Snow report, prepared in 1999, to which the Deputy refers, contains discourse regarding safety zone determinants adopted by certain regulatory authorities such as the CAA and FAA and arrangements in other countries, the recommendation in the case of Casement Aerodrome contained in the report was that the approach areas be retained for security and safety reasons because of the large proportion of training, including single engine and solo flights by inexperienced pilots, carried out at the aerodrome.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

496 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36745/05]

My Department's entire Dublin based civil service staff of 202 is due to decentralise to Newbridge, County Kildare. Of these, a total of 59 have opted to move to Newbridge. During the course of 2005, nine staff have been assigned to this Department for the purpose of relocating to Newbridge. Two members of my staff who opted not to move to Newbridge have been reassigned to other Departments that have units that are proposed for decentralisation.

Departmental Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

497 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he has satisfied himself that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37358/05]

I take it that the Deputy's question relates to major capital projects which must be the subject of a detailed cost benefit analysis in accordance with the guidelines for appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector.

The guidelines require that a cost benefit analysis be carried out on certain projects valued at over €5 million; and on all projects valued at over €50 million. There were no capital projects in my Department that fell within either category during the past six months.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

498 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the implementation of the safeguard clause directive 2001/18/EC. [36325/05]

Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council specifies the conditions under which the safeguard clause, prohibiting in a national territory a GMO approved for use in the EU, may be invoked. These conditions include the emergence of new or additional information made available since the date of the consent and affecting the environmental risk assessment, or the reassessment of existing information on the basis of new or additional scientific knowledge which provide detailed grounds for considering that the product constitutes a risk to human health or the environment.

I do not consider that these conditions have been fulfilled with regard to any recent approval of a GMO product by the European Commission.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

499 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector; the way in which this compares with the levels expressed in graph 2, page 32 of the National Climate Change Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36720/05]

In 2003, the latest year for which figures are available, emissions from the energy sector were 16.124 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, approximately 24% of total national greenhouse gas emissions. The national climate change strategy projected greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector to increase from 11,615 million tonnes in 1990 to 18,816 million tonnes in 2010. Latest available projections suggest that, without taking account of additional abatement measures or reductions which will accrue from the EU emissions trading scheme, emissions from the energy sector could be 19.029 million tonnes in 2010.

Special Areas of Conservation.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

500 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of landowners that are affected by special areas of conservation together with the number of landowners that have received maps from his Department on which the areas in question are marked; the scale of such maps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36730/05]

My Department's estimate of the number of landowners within candidate special areas of conservation, SACs, is of the order of 25,000.

The Department has written to people living within or in the vicinity of 420 sites to inform them of the designation proposals. The information enclosed as part of this notification process included a map delineating the SAC boundary. SAC maps are published at a scale of 1:15,000 by my Department and are referenced by Ordnance Survey Ireland mapping, 1:10,560, series. As part of the information campaign, landowners were invited to revert to my Department via freepost if they required more detailed information or clarification. My Department also operates a dedicated free-phone service, 1800-40-5000, to assist with requests for information packs or with any queries on the designation process.

In addition, in order to facilitate a wider dissemination of information on the designation of SACs, maps were also distributed to the offices of various public bodies and agencies. These included county council offices, local offices of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Teagasc and the farm development service of the Department of Agriculture and Food and Garda stations. Notices with regard to designation proposals are also published in the local press and broadcast on local radio.

Question No. 501 answered with QuestionNo. 76.
Question No. 502 answered with QuestionNo. 57.
Question No. 503 answered with QuestionNo. 67.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

504 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 13 April 2005, he will approve funding for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36329/05]

Funding has been approved under the small schemes measure of my Department's rural water programme for this project and I understand Roscommon County Council will shortly appoint a contractor for the civil works element of the project with a view to commencing construction in January 2006.

Sustainable Development Strategy.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

505 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the incentives (details supplied) and requirements which exist to encourage people to build environmentally friendly houses. [36340/05]

Financial incentives such as direct grants for the construction of environmentally friendly houses are not available from my Department. However, my Department, in conjunction with other Departments and agencies, supports and promotes a number of measures to achieve more environmentally friendly houses.

As regards energy efficiency, many effective measures to improve energy efficiency in houses can be achieved at negative or zero equivalent annual cost to the householder. Information on a broad range of energy efficiency measures may be obtained from Sustainable Energy Ireland. Under its house of tomorrow programme, Sustainable Energy Ireland focuses on improving the energy performance of Irish housing. The main focus of the programme is on stimulating widespread uptake of superior sustainable energy planning, design, specification and construction practices in both new home building and refurbishment of the existing stock. Grants available under this scheme are principally designed to support demonstration projects and are available for a number of housing units and not for one-off houses.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, 2002/91/EC, will also introduce requirements which will encourage the construction of environmentally friendly houses. Among the requirements of this directive is the introduction of a buildings energy rating, BER, certificate which would be required when buildings are constructed, sold or rented out.

A draft action plan for the implementation of the directive in Ireland was published by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, for public consultation earlier this year. The action plan was drafted by an inter-departmental working group drawn from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and SEI. Work is now at an advanced stage in revising the draft plan to take account of the feedback. The definitive action plan is due to be submitted to the EU Commission by the end of 2005. The building control Bill, which is expected to be introduced before the end of the year, will include inter alia legislation to give effect to some of the requirements of the directive. It is also planned to amend Part L, conservation of fuel and energy, of the national building regulations to give effect to other requirements of the directive.

Finally, the question of encouraging the voluntary installation of energy efficient and renewable energy technology in newly built dwellings is being actively considered in a current review of Part L, conservation of fuel and energy, of the building regulations and the related technical guidance document, TGD-L.

Motor Taxation.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

506 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason when a tax disc is lost by post a fee of €6 applies in order to have a duplicate copy when the fault lies with the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36349/05]

There are no legal provisions relating to the circumstances referred to in the question. However, there is a longstanding administrative arrangement whereby local motor tax offices may issue replacement discs free of charge in circumstances where they are satisfied that, through no fault of the vehicle owner, she or he did not receive the original disc. This practice also applies to the motor tax online service and customers are advised that the local motor tax offices will issue free replacements in similar cases.

A fee of €6 is payable where discs are lost, stolen or destroyed by any means while in the possession of the vehicle owner and this is provided for under the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992.

Local Government Audit Service.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

507 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which he proposes to monitor the efficiency of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36416/05]

While local authorities have primary responsibility for ensuring efficiency and value for money in their activities, my Department is actively involved on a range of fronts to ensure that this is achieved and monitored. Some key initiatives in this regard include the following.

The first report on service indicators in local authorities, published in July 2005, details the performance of local authorities in 2004 with regard to 42 indicators of service. This is a significant innovation for the local government sector which has taken a lead in accounting publicly for the quality, including efficiency, of services it provides to its customers. The 2004 data provide a valuable baseline against which future performance can be assessed. I have asked each authority to review its own performance across the range of indicators and in the light of performance by other authorities, and to put in place a strategy for continued improvement.

Full implementation in 2004, in co-operation with local authorities, of new financial management systems based on accrual accounting principles and incorporating balance sheets is designed to deliver better management information and more enhanced management capacity and to facilitate improved efficiency and value for money measurement. My Department is building on this work by developing a standard costing system for the sector to deliver a more detailed level of information in relation to services particularly in relation to unit costs. This new system will facilitate local authorities in comparing their costs over time and with other local authorities.

The value for money unit in my Department undertakes in-depth analyses of local authority activities, identifies best practice, and measures economy and efficiency in the use of resources in individual local authorities. Value for money audits will be carried out by local government auditors in addition to their normal regulatory audits of local authorities.

In so far as efficiency in the management of individual capital projects is concerned, local authorities are expected to comply fully with, inter alia, the value for money considerations set out in the following standard Government procurement guidance: The Department of Finance’s guidelines of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector; where appropriate, requirements for undertaking public private partnerships as set down by the Department of Finance; and public procurement procedures, both national and EU.

The introduction of five-year multi-annual capital investment programmes provides a structured basis for the planning and delivery of all capital programmes in a way that enhances efficiency.

Question No. 508 answered with QuestionNo. 104.

Sport and Recreational Development.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

509 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a response will be made to a residents association (details supplied) with regard to a matter. [36469/05]

Correspondence from Terenure Residents Association with regard to a proposed skateboard facility at Bushy Park, Terenure was received in my Department on 30 August 2005 and a reply issued on 5 October 2005 indicating that the location of skateboard facilities is a matter for each local authority.

My Department is not providing any funding in respect of a skateboard facility at Bushy Park and has no function in the matter. A further letter has recently been received from Terenure Residents Association about the matter and a reply will issue as soon as possible.

Local Authority Funding.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

510 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position with regard to allegations regarding the Trim Castle and car park issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36473/05]

I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 525 and 531 of 11 October 2005.

In addition, I can confirm that Trim Town Council refunded my Department the sum of €63,487.00, which had been granted for the provision of car parking facilities, on 26 October 2005.

Local Authority Housing.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

511 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if legislation or regulations will be introduced to permit local authorities to request the occupiers of houses and other buildings to mark their houses with such numbers as the local authority may approve and to renew such numbers as often as they become obliterated or defaced in view of the fact that the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847 and the Dublin Improvement Act 1849 have been repealed by the Local Government Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36482/05]

Part VII of the Local Government Act 1994 provides local authorities with wide ranging powers to make by-laws, including the general power to make by-laws in the interests of the common good of the local community. Matters such as the regulation and controlling of the display of house numbers, if not provided for under specific legislation, may be addressed by local authorities in this way. I understand that the house numbering provisions of the Dublin Improvement Act 1849 are still in force in Dublin City.

Planning Issues.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

512 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he is taking to ensure that new apartment developments are of good quality and design; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36496/05]

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 592 and 606 of 22 November 2005.

Special Areas of Conservation.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

513 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the situation regarding Dúchas stopping work on the development of a football pitch on Inis Mór, Aran Islands (details supplied). [36500/05]

The football pitch referred to is on machair habitat within the Inis Mór candidate special area of conservation, cSAC. Planning permission for its development was obtained in 2000. Because of the implications of the development for the SAC habitat, my Department provided advice to Galway County Council and the planning applicants in relation to necessary mitigation measures. For this purpose, advice was also obtained from an expert on soil conditions for playing pitches to the effect that importation of topsoil from outside the site was unnecessary and should not be undertaken.

In the light of current concerns about the condition of the pitch, I understand that the same expert has been asked to visit the site in the very near future to confirm whether his advice that the pitch can be satisfactorily maintained without importation of topsoil is still valid. Any proposed development of this site beyond the specification approved by the planning permission could require the submission of a further planning application.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

514 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage treatment plant for Clifden town, County Galway; if the necessary funds have been allocated by his Department for this work; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the bay waters have been polluted due to inadequate or untreated sewerage flowing directly into Clifden Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36501/05]

The Clifden sewerage scheme is approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006. Galway County Council's preliminary report for the scheme is being examined in my Department in conjunction with a supplementary site location report and a hydrographic marine survey and a reply will issue to the council within a matter of weeks. Once the preliminary report has been approved the council will be in a position to prepare contract documents.

Civic Amenity Facilities.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

515 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money which is being allocated to Cork County Council for provision of civic amenity sites in 2006; and the amount of money available nationally. [36575/05]

My Department has not to date made an allocation for 2006 to Cork County Council for the provision of civic amenity sites. The total allocations made to Cork County Council in 2004 and 2005 for the provision of such facilities are as follows: Raffeen civic amenity facility, €1,134,400; Bandon civic amenity facility, €481,000; and Macroom civic amenity facility, €1,812,000. An additional sum of €184,000 was made available for the provision of bring banks. This brings to €3,611,400 the amount to date allocated to Cork County Council of total allocations of about €60 million made nationally to date. Further allocations will be made on the basis of applications to be submitted by all local authorities involved in the scheme.

Homeless Persons.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

516 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to tackle homelessness; the further steps he intends to take to aid persons who find themselves sleeping rough on the streets here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36693/05]

Since the introduction of the Government's homeless strategies, there have been significant developments in the provision of a wide range of additional accommodation and services for homeless persons. Since the introduction of the integrated strategy in 2000 some 1,000 extra emergency beds have been provided in the Dublin area alone. Rough sleepers have been enabled to access emergency accommodation and homeless persons have been facilitated to move out of emergency accommodation into accommodation more suitable to their needs. Increased levels of day care facilities, together with specific provisions to meet the needs of people with alcohol or drug addiction problems or who are sleeping rough, as well as homeless ex-offenders, have been put in place.

Rough sleeping is the extreme manifestation of homelessness and statutory and voluntary agencies work in close co-operation to minimise it. In Dublin, where the largest incidence of rough sleeping occurs, Dublin City Council operates a night bus service where clients are given access to accommodation and appropriate outreach services. This service, which originally operated as a cold weather response, now operates on a year round basis. An on-line system to facilitate the prompt identification of vacant emergency accommodation on a nightly basis has recently been introduced by the Homeless Agency, with funding from my Department; this will ensure optimum use of the accommodation to meet the needs of rough sleepers. Rough sleeping initiatives also operate in the other main urban areas with specific measures put in place during colder weather if considered necessary.

The Government is committed to continuing to support local statutory and voluntary bodies in tackling the issue of homelessness. My Department's expenditure for the recoupment to local authorities of 90% of the cost of providing accommodation and related services for homeless persons in 2004 was €45.73 million. The allocation for 2005 is €51 million. This brings to €240 million the total funding available for this purpose since 2000. The Department of Health and Children has provided an additional €30.2 million in the same period to meet the care needs of homeless persons.

The outcome of the review of the implementation of the homeless strategies and their associated local homeless action plans will inform future policy developments in this area.

Waste Management.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

517 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to put a moratorium on mass incineration at the very least until proper baseline studies of dioxin levels at each proposed siting of a mass incinerator, particularly in view of recent comments from the Environmental Protection Agency that it was not possible to draw clear conclusions from sampling which has taken place in the Ringaskiddy area. [36695/05]

I assume that the question refers to media reports in the context of the Environmental Protection Agency's study Dioxin Levels in the Irish Environment Third Assessment — Summer 2004. The attributed comment to the agency that it was not possible to draw clear conclusions from the sampling in the Ringaskiddy area is not linked to any EPA concern about levels of dioxin in the area. The agency drew attention to the levels being some ten times below the relevant EU threshold.

The agency also stated that its investigations showed that the concentration of dioxins nationally were uniformly low by international standards and in decline. It should also be noted that in its previous report, Inventory of Dioxin and Furan Emissions to Air, Land and Water in Ireland for 2000 and 2010-2002, the agency demonstrated that 73% of dioxin emissions were generated by uncontrolled combustion activities, principally the domestic burning of waste and accidental building fires, whereas the then nine industrial incinerators operating in Ireland were responsible for just 0.015% of such emissions. In this report the agency also projected that thermal treatment of 1 million tonnes of municipal waste by 2010 would produce less than 2% of national dioxin emissions.

Ireland's waste management policy continues to be based on the internationally accepted waste management hierarchy. Incineration with energy recovery is a key element in this integrated approach, subject to rigorous and independent planning and waste licensing.

I am confident that the conditions and restrictions imposed by An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency are sufficient to afford a very high level of protection to the environment and to human health. In particular, the agency has confirmed to me that it does take into account environmental and human health issues when processing licence applications and that it is satisfied that facilities operating to licence conditions will not endanger human health or harm the environment. In these circumstances I do not consider that the issue of a moratorium should arise.

Planning Issues.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

518 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the findings of a recent report by An Bord Pleanála in which the board’s concerns regarding the increased instances of unauthorised developments were highlighted, he will allocate further and dedicated resources to local authorities for the improved staffing of the planning enforcement sections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36696/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 648 of 15 November 2005. In addition to the strengthened and simplified enforcement regime introduced by the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Government has increased the resources available to planning authorities to carry out all their planning functions, including enforcement. Planning authorities' staffing levels increased by over 40% in the years between 2000 and 2004, from 1,328 to nearly 1,900 full-time and part-time staff. Planning authorities are now also entitled by virtue of the 2000 Act, to require any person served with an enforcement notice to refund to them, the costs and expenses incurred in investigating the infringement and issuing the enforcement notice. Any fine for an infringement imposed by a court for a planning infringement must also be paid directly to the authority.

While recent indicators, including the performance indicators published earlier this year, suggest an improved performance by planning authorities in relation to enforcement, I will continue to keep the implementation of the enforcement provisions of the 2000 Act under review. The recently published draft guidelines to planning authorities on development management also contain substantial advice to planning authorities on enforcement.

Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

519 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons within each unit or State agency of his Department who have opted to move to the proposed new location for their unit; the number of other Dublin based employees of his Department who have opted to move to one of the decentralising units within his Department; the number of persons who have to date in 2005 been assigned to each of the decentralising units; and the number of persons who have opted not to move with their decentralising unit who have been reassigned or offered an alternative posting. [36746/05]

The decentralisation programme involves the relocation of my Department's operations to four locations in the south east, namely, Wexford, Waterford, New Ross and Kilkenny. At end October 2005, some 55 staff, including staff newly recruited to the Department, are available for decentralisation and have been assigned to decentralising units. A total of five staff of my Department, who have opted to decentralise with other Departments, have been transferred to those Departments.

Two agencies under the aegis of my Department are also included in the decentralisation programme. The Local Government Computer Services Board, LGCSB, is due to move to Drogheda while the National Building Agency, NBA, will be relocating to Wexford. Three staff in the NBA and 23 staff in the LGCSB have applied for decentralisation with their agencies.

Planning Issues.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

520 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether private meetings between An Bord Pleanála and private concerns such as Shell puts the independence of the planning process in jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36752/05]

An Bord Pleanála has had a practice of meeting bodies with an interest in the planning process, to keep itself informed and to receive feedback on its performance. I consider that it is entirely appropriate for the board to meet with stakeholders in this way to discuss mutual issues of concern in relation to planning.

The chairman of the board has indicated that a meeting was held with representatives of the Irish Offshore Operators Association in September 2003 to discuss general matters in relation to planning. The minutes of that meeting clearly show that the board refused to discuss any individual case.

I intend that the forthcoming strategic infrastructure Bill will provide for pre-planning consultations between the board and those proposing strategic infrastructure projects. This will allow the board to take on a more proactive role in the early stages of planning such projects to ensure that key planning issues are addressed early on and that appropriate mitigation measures are proposed. This will assist the board to deliver decisions on strategic infrastructure projects as quickly as possible, while taking full account of proper planning and sustainable development.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

521 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the proposed sewerage scheme at Castletown Geoghegan, County Westmeath; when same is likely to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36777/05]

My Department conveyed approval to Westmeath County Council in April 2005 for the provision of wastewater collection and treatment facilities for Castletown Geoghegan and requested the council to advance the planning of the scheme as quickly as possible with a view to having the scheme completed at the earliest possible date. I understand Westmeath County Council will invite tenders for the civil works contract very shortly.

Traveller Accommodation.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

522 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the contact he or his departmental officials have had with Wicklow County Council with respect to policy proposals on transitional halting sites in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36789/05]

The provision of accommodation for Travellers is a matter for local authorities. My Department's role is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial system in place to assist the local authorities in providing such accommodation. In that context there are frequent and ongoing contacts between my Department's officials and local authorities in relation to all aspects of their current Traveller accommodation programmes.

In its 2005 to 2008 Traveller accommodation programme, Wicklow County Council proposed the provision of transitional halting sites in a number of locations within the county to accommodate families awaiting permanent accommodation. A copy of the council's Traveller accommodation programme was received in my Department in May 2005.

It is understood that the council engaged planning consultants to examine and report on potential locations for the proposed transitional sites. In June 2005, a copy of the consultants' report was forwarded to my Department by e-mail. On receipt of this report, my Department contacted Wicklow County Council to establish the status of the report. The council indicated that the report was to be presented for discussion at area committee level and also with the housing strategic policy committee and the local Traveller accommodation consultative committee. In due course it would be presented to the full council for discussion and decision.

The arrangement and timing of these discussions is entirely a matter for Wicklow County Council. My Department's involvement will be to assess the eligibility for funding of any application which might be received from the council in respect of such accommodation.

Local Authority Housing.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

523 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if guidelines will be introduced for local authorities that requires them to include returning emigrants in the local authority schemes of letting of council social housing similar to that which pertains in the capital assistance scheme operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36809/05]

The letting of local authority housing is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with its scheme of letting priorities which is prepared and adopted at local level. It is understood that local authorities have generally accepted applications for housing from applicants who have taken up residence in Ireland, usually within the functional area of the local authority from which they intend seeking accommodation, and who make a formal application to that authority for housing.

Social and Affordable Housing.

John Gormley

Ceist:

524 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he had a telephone conversation with a person (details supplied) on 7 November 2005 regarding management fees and affordable housing; the areas of concern and the steps he is going to take to deal with these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36825/05]

A request from a group of residents, including the person in question, for a meeting with the Minister to discuss certain housing matters, is being considered in my Department and a response will issue as soon as possible.

Local Authority Housing.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

525 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is considering the cost plan for housing estates (details supplied) in Dublin 24 submitted by South Dublin County Council; when a decision will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36839/05]

South Dublin County Council recently submitted proposals to my Department to construct seven houses and a community facility in a further phase of a housing scheme in the area in question. The proposal is being examined in my Department and a decision on the matter will be conveyed to the council as soon as possible.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

526 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to approve funding to South Dublin County Council for the proposed water supply scheme which involves two reservoirs at Saggart and Kiltalown in Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36840/05]

The Boherboy water supply scheme is approved for funding in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06. The estimated cost of the scheme is €31 million.

South Dublin County Council's contract documents are being examined in my Department in conjunction with the updated water services pricing policy report for the scheme and are being dealt with as quickly as possible. Approval of the contract documents will enable South Dublin County Council to seek tenders for the scheme.

Question No. 527 answered with QuestionNo. 76.

Hunting Licences.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

528 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for his licensing of the Ward Union deer hunt in view of an apparent recommendation by a senior National Parks and Wildlife Service official that the hunt should not be licensed. [36885/05]

Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence. Legal advice was obtained through the Attorney General's office in 1999 confirming the long-standing interpretation of section 26, to the effect that it provides for the licensing of carted deer hunting irrespective of the status of the deer, wild or captive.

A regional wildlife official of my Department again raised questions relating to possible implications of a definition of "wild animal" in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, that is, that if the deer hunted by the Ward Union Hunt were not covered by that definition, the Ward Union Hunt might not in consequence require a licence under the Wildlife Acts.

This issue was carefully considered in my Department and the conclusion was that as the term "wild animal" was nowhere used in section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 the operation of that provision could not be considered to be affected by the issue raised. On this basis, it was determined that the Ward Union Hunt requiredto be licensed and a licence was granted for the 2005-06 season.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

529 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has read the UK feasibility study (details supplied) on heating public buildings with biomass; and if he will consider commissioning a similar feasibility report. [36890/05]

My Department encourages the adoption of environmentally sustainable management systems, including energy conservation programmes, in all public buildings.

I understand that in December 2003 the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources set up a bioenergy strategy group, BSG, to consider the policy options and support mechanisms available to Government to stimulate increased use of biomass for energy conversion. Membership of the BSG comprised representatives of various Departments as well as State agencies in the agriculture and energy sectors and industry representatives.

The findings of the bioenergy strategy group are being considered by the renewable energy development group in the context of overall policy recommendations.

Local Authority Housing.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

530 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority dwellings which have been purchased by tenants in each of the past five years. [36891/05]

The information requested is set out in the following table:

Year

No. of Dwellings Purchased

2000

1,844

2001

1,411

2002

1,195

2003

1,567

2004

1,652

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

531 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dwellings which have been purchased by local authorities for housing purposes in each of the past five years. [36892/05]

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

532 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dwellings which have been built by local authorities for local authority tenant use in each of the past five years. [36893/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 532 together.

Detailed information on the number of dwellings constructed and acquired by local authorities between 2000 and 2004 is available in the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletins for those years published by my Department, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

533 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dwellings which have been provided by voluntary housing bodies in each of the past five years. [36894/05]

The information requested is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, and is also available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Housing Statistics.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

534 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of private dwellings which have been built in each of the past five years. [36895/05]

Details in relation to private house completions, as well as those provided by the State, both under the local authority housing programme and by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, are set out in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, and also on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Local Authority Housing.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

535 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of mortgages for dwellings under the shared ownership scheme which have been acquired by local authorities in each of the past five years. [36896/05]

Mortgage finance for the shared ownership scheme is provided by the Housing Finance Agency and administered by individual local authorities. Accordingly, each shared ownership transaction is funded by way of a local authority mortgage loan. Details of activity under the scheme, for each local authority for the past five years is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

536 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of affordable homes which have been provided by local authorities in each of the past five years. [36897/05]

Information up to June quarter 2005 on the number of transactions completed annually under the various affordable housing schemes operated by local authorities in each of the past five years is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Local Authority Housing.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

537 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dwellings, serviced sites and financial contributions for housing that have been provided to local authorities under Part V of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000 in each year since it was enacted. [36898/05]

The information requested is set out in the following table.

Houses

Land transferred

Sites

Payments in lieu of land/houses

Withering levy

Year

Number

Nos.

Quantity

No. of units

2002

46

2003

163

2

1.24 ha.

50

829,565

236,316

2004

591

10

7.347 ha.

106

7,364,248

2,382,487

Sept. 2005 Provisional

830

16

4.828 ha.

13

8,893,797

2,199,192

Total

1,630

28

13.415 ha.

169

17,087,610

€4,817,995

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

538 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the position in relation to the provision of a sewerage system for Rathowen, County Westmeath will be clarified; the amount of money approved by his Department for this important infrastructural project; the overall cost for the particular scheme; the likely timescale which will elapse before the scheme becomes operative in Rathowen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36906/05]

The Rathowen sewerage scheme, estimated to cost some €1.23 million, is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 as a scheme to complete planning.

I have approved Westmeath County Council's preliminary report for the scheme, subject to additional information being provided to my Department on the council's water pricing report. This approval enables the council to proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the scheme.

Question No. 539 answered with QuestionNo. 76.

Derelict Sites.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

540 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the acreage of derelict or unused sites, if identifiable, in the greater Dublin area, with particular reference to the need to utilisation of such sites for housing purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36964/05]

The information sought is not held in my Department. However, the derelict sites registers maintained by local authorities under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 would contain details of derelict sites in each local authority area.

In the context of initiating a more active approach to land management by local authorities, they will be urged to consider the extent to which brownfield land, including derelict sites, or other suitable lands in their functional areas might be brought into consideration for housing purposes. My Department will be communicating with local authorities in this regard shortly.

Question No. 541 answered with QuestionNo. 44.

Local Authority Lands.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

542 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of publicly owned lands in the ownership of the various local authorities throughout the country; the extent of these lands which have already been zoned or are eligible for zoning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36967/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

546 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the acreage of zoned land in the administrative areas for each of the local authorities in Dublin city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36971/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 546 together.

My Department does not maintain a register of land owned by local authorities. However, my Department carries out a survey of the total amount of serviced land zoned for residential purposes, owned privately and by local authorities, at the end of June of each year. This survey is valuable in assessing the overall stock of land at the same point each year, and the sufficiency of that stock to underpin required housing supply. Details from the June 2004 survey are published in the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin 2004, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Since 2003, the Department has extended this survey to collate data on the amount of residentially zoned land owned directly by each local authority. However, we are not satisfied that the information received in its present form gives the overall picture of residentially zoned lands held by local authorities. We therefore have developed the 2005 survey further to improve the reliability and usefulness of the information to be collected. We are currently collecting and collating this information. This analysis would only provide a point in time assessment, as variation could be expected from year to year as lands are developed, particularly for social and affordable housing schemes. The Government has been focusing on measures to boost housing supply in response to demand. These measures are having success, with record output of some 77,000 homes in 2004. The availability of land that is serviced and zoned for residential purposes augurs well for future housing supply. Similarly in Dublin, output exceeded 16,800 units in 2004, up 80% on 2000 levels, and there were some 2,300 hectares of residentially zoned serviced land available in June 2004 to support future supply.

Waste Management.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

543 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to deal with the ever increasing problem of waste management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/05]

A comprehensive policy framework for addressing our waste management responsibilities has been put in place through my Department's policy statements Changing Our Ways — 1998, Delivering Change — 2002, and Taking Stock and Moving Forward — 2004. This policy framework is given effect through local authority statutory waste management plans, largely prepared on a regional basis, and the comprehensive legislative framework which now governs waste management in Ireland. The approach is based on the internationally recognised waste management hierarchy which seeks to maximise prevention, reuse and recycling of waste, with thermal treatment with energy recovery being preferred over the environmentally least favoured option of landfill.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

544 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps taken or proposed to ensure the improvement to eliminate the possibility of any pollution from sewage treatment plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36969/05]

Some €3.7 billion will be spent under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 on the provision of water services infrastructure. Some €2.2 billion of this will be spent on wastewater facilities. The EU urban wastewater Treatment directive requires specific wastewater treatment and-or collection facilities to be in place by 31 December 2005 for discharges from a graduated range of agglomeration thresholds. Record investment has meant that compliance with the end of 2005 requirements of the wastewater treatment directive, which stood at 25% at the start of the national development plan period in 2000, has now risen to some 90%. All remaining wastewater schemes required to achieve full compliance are included in my Department's water services investment programme.

The treatment standards achieved by individual wastewater treatment plants are identified in the regular reports produced by the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to urban wastewater discharges. These reports assist local authorities in focusing on operational deficiencies, where they occur, and also help my Department to identify new infrastructural requirements for inclusion in the water services investment programme. The current programme covering the years 2004-06 includes 869 individual schemes, of which some 570 relate to wastewater infrastructure, and it is available in the Oireachtas Library.

Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

545 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans of his Department to make private sites available to those who qualify for such sites; the number of such sites allocated by each local authority in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36970/05]

It is open to local authorities to provide housing sites at reasonable cost to assist persons in housing need to provide their own housing. Because of the land requirements for a significantly increased number of projects involving the provision of social and affordable housing directly by local authorities at present some authorities have a very limited capacity to provide housing sites at reasonable cost to individuals who wish to provide their own housing. My Department will continue to keep this measure under review.

Details of the number of low cost sites provided by local authorities in 2002, 2003 and 2004 are available in the various Annual Housing Statistics Bulletins published by my Department, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Question No. 546 answered with QuestionNo. 542.

Radon Gas Levels.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

547 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the locations throughout the country in respect of which unacceptable levels of radon gas has been identified in dwellings or workplaces; if information has been sought regarding the impact on the health of the communities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36973/05]

During the years 1992-99, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, carried out a nationwide survey of radon gas in domestic dwellings. The survey involved the measurement of radon for a 12-month period in a random selection of homes in each 10 km by 10 km grid square throughout the country. The results of the survey were used to predict the percentage of houses in each grid square with radon concentrations in excess of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre, Bq/m3, which is the national reference level in respect of houses. Grid squares where this percentage is greater than 10% are designated as high radon areas and such grid squares exist in every county. While the national radon survey was confined to domestic dwellings only, it is reasonable to expect that workplaces would also be at risk of exceeding the relevant reference level, particularly in high radon areas. Employers would be well advised to carry out surveys in these circumstances in the interests of health and safety. The RPII's website, www.rpii.ie, contains a comprehensive map which shows the location of high radon areas throughout the country. County radon maps and survey results can be viewed also on that website by clicking on the county by name.

Epidemiological studies provide evidence that long-term exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of lung cancer and that this risk is higher for smokers than non-smokers. The RPII estimates that about 200 lung cancer deaths annually in this country are linked to radon. In September this year, the RPII and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland issued a press release which pointed out that on the basis of a recent Europe-wide survey of the health risks of radon, smokers are 25 times more likely than non-smokers to develop lung cancer due to radon. Furthermore, the press release stated that the vast majority of the estimated 200 annual radon-related lung cancer deaths occurred among those who smoked.

Both the RPII and my Department will continue to use all appropriate opportunities to raise public awareness of radon, to urge householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and to encourage householders with radon concentrations above the national reference level to undertake the appropriate remediation works. Every effort will also be made to provide information to householders and employers in order that they can carry out monitoring and remedial work effectively and economically should it be necessary.

Question No. 548 answered with QuestionNo. 95.

Local Authority Grants.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

549 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the degree to which each local authority throughout the country have adequate resources to meet requirements under the disabled person's grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36976/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 1421 of 28 September 2005. The position is unchanged.

Question No. 550 answered with QuestionNo. 96.

Air Pollution.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

551 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has studied the results of the monitoring of air pollution at the various locations throughout County Kildare; if any particular action is required arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36979/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

556 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has studied the results of the monitoring of air pollution at various locations throughout the country; his views on the apparent increases in air pollution in any particular region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36984/05]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 556 together.

Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency and air quality management a matter for local authorities informed by air quality measurement data. The EPA's Air Quality and Emissions to Air Report 2003 contains details of the monitoring and assessment of national air quality, and incorporates data from all air quality monitoring stations operated by the EPA and local authorities, including details for County Kildare. The report states that the limit values for pollutants under the EU directives on ambient air quality were not exceeded in 2003. The report is available in the Oireachtas Library, as is Kildare County Council's annual report on ambient air quality for 2003-04. Neither Kildare County Council nor the EPA has drawn my attention to any particular issue in regard to air quality in County Kildare on the basis of the most recent data available to these bodies.

The EPA has a statutory duty under the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2002 to make information available on ambient concentrations of all pollutants under the scope of the regulations. The EPA website provides real-time, publicly accessible, data from a number of monitoring stations nationally which allows the public to gauge air quality in relation to current EU and national standards. Alert thresholds for certain pollutants are in place for the purpose of triggering immediate action by the agency to inform the public where such thresholds are exceeded.

Where the indicative level for any pollutant has been exceeded, the 2002 regulations place primary responsibility, following notification by the agency, on the relevant local authorities for the development of long-term air quality management plans to ensure compliance with the thresholds for the relevant pollutant or pollutants. To date, no local authority has been notified by the agency to prepare such plans.

Where there is a future risk of a pollutant threshold being exceeded and the agency considers measures are likely to be needed in the short term, the agency is expected to notify the relevant local authorities to prepare a short-term air pollution action plan to reduce the risk of a threshold being exceeded. The agency has on only one occasion to date on 20 April 2005, notified a local authority — Dublin City Council — of the need to prepare a short-term air pollution action plan to address a likely future exceedance of particulate matter at one monitoring station based on a comparison of the 2003 monitoring data with the limit values applying from 1 January 2005.

Question No. 552 answered with QuestionNo. 34.

Waste Management.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

553 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines which have issued from his Department in respect of the location of landfill sites in proximity to waterways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36981/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 684 of 25 October 2005. The Environmental Protection Agency has published a series of manuals on the preparation, operation and after-care of landfills. These include guidance in regard to site selection and impacts on ground and surface waters. Details may appropriately be sought from the agency.

Question No. 554 answered with QuestionNo. 34.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

555 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses provided on a country basis throughout the country under the affordable housing initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36983/05]

Substantial progress continues to be made under the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative with provisional figures to the end of September 2005 indicating over 1,000 housing units provided to date on AHI sites and through Part V affordable schemes. The number of housing units provided on a county basis throughout the country is set out in the following table.

County

Housing Units

Clare

7

Cork

51

Donegal

4

Dublin

643

Galway

11

Kildare

30

Laois

22

Limerick

2

Louth

3

Mayo

55

Meath

28

Offaly

9

Tipperary

14

Waterford

54

Westmeath

41

Wexford

24

Wicklow

14

Total

1,012

Question No. 556 answered with QuestionNo. 551.

Capital Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

557 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he is satisfied that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [37359/05]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 151 of 17 November 2005. My Department is not aware of a cost-benefit appraisal having been completed in the past six months in respect of any project sponsored by it or by a local authority.

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