Brendan Howlin
Ceist:55 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he expects the Charities Bill to be published by spring 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36928/05]
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.
Questions Nos. 12 to 46, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 47 to 49, inclusive, answered orally.
Question No. 50 lapsed.
Questions Nos. 51 to 54, inclusive, answered orally.
Proposed Legislation.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:69 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to bring forward legislation on charities regulation before the summer recess in 2006; if the general scheme of the Bill will go before the Government in January 2006; the reason for the delay in this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36925/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 69 together.
As I have previously pointed out in the House, I do not accept that the publication of legislation to regulate charities has been subject to delay. In fact, it is only following the establishment of my Department in June 2002, and the setting up of a dedicated charities regulation unit in February 2003, that substantive moves began to be taken towards regulation of the charities sector. The draft legislation under preparation in my Department will ensure that charities are regulated for the first time since the foundation of the State.
With regard to a publication date, I have already publicly signalled spring 2006 as our target for publication of the Bill and my Department continues to give priority to the work of advancing this important legislation.
Foclóirí Gaeilge agus Béarla.
Joe Costello
Ceist:56 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Costello den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain atá súil aige a bheidh an Foclóir Leictreonach Béarla-Gaeilge ullamh ag Foras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36948/05]
Mar a thug mé le fios cheana, tá céim a haon den tionscadal seo críochnaithe.
Tuigim ó Fhoras na Gaeilge go bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu conraitheoir seachtrach a roghnú le linn 2006 chun tabhairt faoi chéim a dó den tionscadal (is é sin, scríobh agus tiomsú an fhoclóra ina iomláine) tríd an ngnáthphróiseas tairisceana poiblí. Meastar go dtógfaidh sé trí nó ceithre bliana ar an gconraitheoir a roghnófar an obair thiomsaithe seo a chur i gcrích. Déanfar an leagan leictreonach den fhoclóir nua Béarla-Gaeilge a thiomsú agus a scríobh ag an am céanna leis an leagan clóite den fhoclóir.
Decentralisation Programme.
Liz McManus
Ceist:57 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department will be able to meet the end of 2007 deadline he recently set for its full decentralisation to Knock; the staged decentralisation of staff in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36933/05]
Preparation for the relocation of my Department to Knock Airport is an ongoing process and I have every confidence that the deadline of the end of 2007 will be met. As part of this process, my Department is planning to relocate up to 70 posts — about 40% of the total — 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 2007 deadline.
Regional Development.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:58 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in 2005 by his Department in reviewing the structure and functions of Údarás; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36859/05]
As I have previously indicated, I initiated a public consultation process at the beginning of this year in regard to my Department's review of the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta. A total of 67 submissions were received from various organisations and individuals as a result of this process. The current position is that my officials are currently working on a comprehensive paper for my consideration.
Community Development.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:59 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if an analysis or evaluation has been undertaken by his officials in relation to the impact of the RAPID scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36861/05]
RAPID aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. The priorities for each RAPID area are identified locally by each RAPID area implementation team and are incorporated into a plan for each area. Each Department reports on progress in relation to the proposals from these plans that fall within their remit for the quarterly meetings of the RAPID national monitoring committee. It is estimated that over €337 million has been spent in the RAPID areas in social provision under the NDP.
My Department, supported by Pobal, which was previously known as Area Development Management Ltd., ADM, co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID programme. As part of its co-ordinating role, my Department receives regular updates on the implementation of the RAPID programme. These updates range from informal ad hoc updates to reports prepared for the quarterly RAPID national monitoring committee, which I chair. These reports can be accessed at www.pobal.ie .
In addition, I also arrange to meet the RAPID co-ordinators, the chairpersons of area implementation teams and directors of community and enterprise twice yearly to review the ongoing implementation of the programme.
As regards a formal review of the programme, following discussions with my Department, Pobal has initiated a tender process to appoint consultants to undertake an evaluation of the RAPID programme.
Departmental Programmes.
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:60 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made in regard to simplifying delivery structures with improved coverage and level of service locally of development schemes under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36930/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply of 4 February 2004 to Questions Nos. 151, 153, 156, 163, 172, 173 and 185 on this topic.
Arising from the review of local and community development structures which I initiated in conjunction with my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Government agreed, in January 2004, a series of measures designed to: improve delivery of services on the ground; improve arrangements under which community and local development initiatives are delivered; re-affirm the Government's commitment to local and community development programmes; and improve cohesion and focus across various measures and enable communities to more readily access and make maximum use of the funding available.
In line with that decision, local and community development agencies were requested to advance improvements in linkages, cohesion and sharing resources. City and county development boards were given the role of co-ordinating the cohesion process. Cohesion funding of €3,248,600 was allocated during 2004 to support specific measures arising from that process. These were mainly focused on improving current arrangements with regard to resources, staffing and geographic coverage.
I am making funding of €7 million available over 2005 and 2006 to advance cohesion at the local level. The core objective of this round is the alignment of local, community and rural development organisations to achieve full area coverage of these programmes by the end of 2006. In rural areas, this will involve rural and local development groups coming together to secure a unified overarching structure which will provide full area coverage. In urban areas, this will involve local development groups securing full area cover.
Until now, there have been parts of the country not covered by the local development social inclusion programme whereas the Leader programme covered all of rural Ireland. As part of the change that will take place on a gradual basis over the next year and a half, it is intended that in both urban and rural areas, the local development social inclusion programme will cover all parts of the State. The major advantages of such an approach are that the State will be able to deliver programmes such as the rural social scheme through these new unified structures because they will have all-area cover.
Proposals from local and community development groups are currently being assessed and I hope to be in a position to make a decision on funding support very shortly.
Question No. 61 answered with QuestionNo. 54.
Departmental Schemes.
John Gormley
Ceist:62 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects the order to be signed to allow for the transfer of the social economy scheme to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36769/05]
The legal arrangements for the transfer of the social economy programme to my Department are a matter to be advanced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Rural Development.
Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:63 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects the new national rural development scheme to be approved and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36765/05]
Willie Penrose
Ceist:72 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the new rural development strategy that he is developing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food; the person who will be consulted in the formation of this strategy; the person who will oversee its development and implementation; the length of time for the consultation process; when the new strategy will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36937/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 72 together.
One of the key challenges facing rural Ireland in the coming years is how best to achieve an appropriate balance between supporting farming as the traditional source of income in rural areas on the one hand and fostering sustainable economic diversification in rural areas on the other. The recent EU negotiations marked a clear shift from a predominant focus on agriculture income support to a new integrated rural development approach with special emphasis on the rural environment and rural economic development outside the farm gate.
At present, officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food are finalising the preparation of an overarching national strategy for rural development. This task is being carried out in association with the EU Commission. It is envisaged that the strategy, which is a regulatory requirement, will be formally agreed and adopted very early in 2006.
In the meantime, both Departments recently invited all those with a stake in the future direction of rural development in Ireland to indicate if they wished to be consulted on preparation of the next rural development programme. Formulation of a detailed programme will follow on from the adoption of the national strategy. The response has been very positive with numerous expressions of interest received. In the near future, my Department will issue guidelines to help inform the preparation of submissions regarding the programme. These guidelines will reflect key priorities established in the national strategy.
Preparation of the national programme for rural development will commence once the national strategy has been adopted. It is intended that the national programme will be finalised and agreed with the EU Commission by the middle of 2006 to allow commencement in January 2007.
National Drugs Strategy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:64 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if extra funding will be offered to voluntary or community groups involved in combating drug abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36962/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. It also has responsibility for the work of the local and regional drugs task forces as well as the young people's facilities and services fund. Through these initiatives, a range of voluntary and community groups are funded to tackle drug misuse in their areas.
To date: approximately €95 million has been allocated to implement in the region of 440 projects contained in the two rounds of plans of the local drugs task forces; a further €13.66 million has been allocated to projects under the premises initiative which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects; approximately €90 million has been allocated under the young peoples facilities and services fund to support in the region of 450 facilities and services; and in relation to the regional drugs task forces, allocations totalling just under €5 million have been made to support their action plans, thus allowing them to get a range of projects up and running in their areas.
My Department was allocated €31.5 million to fund drugs initiatives in 2005, an 18% increase on the original allocation for 2004. The additional moneys were targeted particularly at the local and regional drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund.
In relation to the coming year, I can report to the Deputy that, in the Abridged Estimates Volume published recently, my Department was allocated a further increase of 8% over this year's allocation to fund drugs initiatives in 2006.
Polasaí Dátheangachais.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:65 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aige, más ann, chun tacú leis an togra go ndéanfaí cathair dhátheangach oifigiúil de chathair na Gaillimhe, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37000/05]
Bhí teagmhálacha agam le bainisteoir Chomhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe níos túisce i mbliana faoin ábhar seo. Ina dhiaidh sin, bhí cruinniú idir oifigigh ó mo Roinnse agus ionadaithe ón gcomhairle cathrach chun féidearthachtaí éagsúla a phlé, agus tá i gceist ag an gcomhairle cathrach teacht ar ais chuig mo Roinnse arís faoin gceist.
Ar ndoigh, bíonn mo Roinn ar fáil chun pé tacaíocht is féidir a thabhairt d'aon tionscnamh oiriúnach a thagann chun cinn chun stádas agus úsáid na Gaeilge a láidriú i gcathair na Gaillimhe. Mar is eol don Teachta, tá tácaíocht á tabhairt ag mo Roinnse cheana féin don togra Gaillimh le Gaeilge agus do Thaidhbhearc na Gaillimhe trí Chiste na Gaeilge. Tá cúnamh ceadaithe agam freisin d'Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta i gColáiste na hOllscoile Gaillimh thar thréimhse trí bliana. Chomh maith leis sin, faigheann Gaelfhorbairt na Gaillimhe tacaíocht ó Fhoras na Gaeilge, atá maoinithe ag mo Roinnse. Tá mé cinnte go gcuidíonn an cúnamh seo uile le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge i gCathair na Gaillimhe.
Post Office Network.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:66 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made to fulfil his commitment to have all post offices on the islands fully automated. [36763/05]
In September of this year, an application for funding to automate a number of island post offices was received by my Department from An Post. This application is currently being evaluated and I will make a decision on it as soon as the evaluation is completed.
National Drugs Strategy.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:67 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide an update on the work of the working group to develop a policy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services under the aegis of the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36939/05]
As the Deputy may be aware, rehabilitation emerged as a key issue during the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. The conclusion of the steering group overseeing the review, with which I agree, was that the strategy's rehabilitation provisions needed to be strengthened and expanded, particularly in light of the significant and ongoing expansion in treatment provision in recent years. Accordingly, the report of the steering group recommended that rehabilitation become the fifth pillar of the strategy. To progress this, it was further recommended that a working group, under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, be established to develop a strategy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services.
This group has been established and includes representatives from a range of Government Departments and agencies involved in delivering rehabilitation services as well as the national drugs strategy team, NDST, the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, and representatives from the community and voluntary sectors. The group is examining the provision of existing rehabilitation services in Ireland and will seek to identify existing best practice as well as gaps in current services. The final report of the group will recommend actions to develop an integrated rehabilitation service.
The group has met formally three times to date and its fourth meeting is being held today. In addition, the group has held two days of consultation meetings with various stakeholders and experts in the field of rehabilitation, and other stakeholders and experts have been invited to meetings of the group. It is hoped that the working group will complete its report by the end of the year and that its recommendations will be considered by the inter-departmental group on drugs and the Cabinet committee on social inclusion early in 2006.
Community Development.
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:68 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to introduce reforms to facilitate small voluntary groups that find it difficult to fulfil the local fund-raising requirement, which is often imposed on groups before they are able to draw down national funding allocations. [36768/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department operates a number of schemes designed to facilitate small voluntary groups including the programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations. This programme offers two schemes of once-off grants to local community and voluntary organisations for equipment and refurbishment of premises and-or education, training and research grants.
Under the Gaeltacht improvement schemes, my Department may provide a grant of up to 80%, including CLÁR contribution if applicable, of the cost to local committees in order to provide community and leisure facilities together with furniture and equipment in Gaeltacht areas.
I am not aware that the local fund-raising requirement has been a difficulty and I have no plans to change the current arrangements. If, however, the Deputy has specific cases in mind I am prepared to examine the issue.
Question No. 69 answered with QuestionNo. 55.
Rural Development.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:70 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason action has not been taken by his Department on foot of its publication of the review of enterprise supports in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/05]
The review of enterprise support in rural areas, published in January 2005, remains under consideration in my Department following consultation with my colleagues, the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Arts, Sport and Tourism, whose areas of responsibility are also covered in the report.
As I previously advised the Deputy, the rural enterprise report will be examined in the context of the post-2006 EU rural development programme which places special emphasis on rural economic development outside the farm gate and, in particular, the creation of new micro-enterprises and jobs.
At present, my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food are finalising the preparation of a national strategy for rural development from which the national programme for rural development will be developed during 2006. This will reflect a strong emphasis on the need to support rural micro-enterprises.
National Drugs Strategy.
Joan Burton
Ceist:71 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the results of a pilot programme run by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children showing that children as young as 12 have been treated for problems relating to cannabis abuse, some as young as 14 for heroin, while others between 15 and 18 for ecstasy and cocaine problems; his views on whether programmes such as this can help identify the causes and cures for drug use among young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36926/05]
I am aware of the recent launch by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, of the three-year statistics for its schoolmate drugs and alcohol pilot prevention programme as well the launch of the 4Me service and its information leaflets on drugs for parents and children. I welcome research in this area and what it can tell us about the causes of drug misuse.
I note that, as result of the experience of running this service, the ISPCC believes that drug awareness and prevention needs to be introduced as an integrated component of both the educational system and of parenting practice in general. I agree and I want to assure the Deputy that the national drugs strategy already has a dedicated prevention pillar which seeks to progress both these issues.
In this context, guidelines to assist schools in the development of a drugs policy have been developed and were issued to all primary and post-primary schools in May 2002. Furthermore, since September 2003 the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programme is a curriculum subject at both primary and post-primary level. At both levels, there are dedicated modules which focus on the prevention of substance misuse, including alcohol. In addition, one of the actions agreed in the mid-term review of the strategy is that drug prevention education should be part of the curriculum for student teachers.
The second phase of the national drugs awareness campaign was targeted specifically at parents and featured, among other things, a television, radio and print advertising campaign, specific parent-focused information on the website, www.drugsinfo.ie, and a Parents Guide to Drugs information leaflet. The most recent phase of the campaign was aimed at young people and focused on the dangers of cannabis use.
The Deputy should also note that my Department has responsibility for the young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF. By developing youth, sport and other recreational facilities and services, the YPFSF seeks to attract "at risk" young people away from the potential dangers of substance misuse. In this regard, the YPFSF has provided funding for the ISPCC to employ a youth resource worker for the new 4Me service. This person will work with young people in the 13 to 18 years age group at risk of drug and alcohol misuse.
To date in 2005 over €13.5 million has been spent under the YPFSF. This is in the context of the total allocation to date through the fund of over €90 million. In broad terms, this has funded approximately 450 facility and services projects. These include building, renovating or fitting out of approximately 190 community centres, purpose built youth facilities and sports clubs as well as funding over 170 youth and outreach workers and 14 sports development officers.
Question No. 72 answered with QuestionNo. 63.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:73 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the large number of cocaine seizures by the Garda Síochána over the course of 2005, the growing social acceptance of cocaine as a recreational drug, the cheapness and availability of cocaine generally, and the consequent feuding between gangs here as they fight over the sale and distribution of cocaine, he believes it necessary to discuss with the regional drugs task forces the need to educate the people here regarding the dangers of cocaine and develop a new strategy in conjunction with them to combat the sale and consumption of cocaine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36924/05]
As part of the national drugs strategy, ten regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, have been established throughout the country. The RDTFs work in a partnership manner, similar to the local drugs task forces, and are made up of nominees from State agencies working in the region, the community and voluntary sectors and elected public representatives.
At the outset, the RDTFs were involved in mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas, as well as the current levels of services in place to address drugs misuse in their regions. This work informed the development of action plans to address gaps in key services going forward which were then forwarded to the national drugs strategy team, NDST, for assessment. All of the ten regional drugs task forces plans have now been assessed and allocations totalling just under €5 million have been made to allow them to get a range of projects up and running in their areas. The projects and services involved will deal with a range of drugs, including cocaine, and I look forward to working with them in this regard in the future.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that the national drugs awareness campaign, which was launched in 2003, has included two specific phases aimed at cocaine misusers — in autumn 2004 and again in May this year. These campaigns sought to outline the dangers of cocaine misuse in a targeted manner.
Countryside Recreation Strategy.
Joan Burton
Ceist:74 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects Comhairle na Tuaithe to have completed the national countryside recreation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36927/05]
Willie Penrose
Ceist:77 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the countryside code and the national countryside recreation strategy to be developed by Comhairle na Tuaithe; when this strategy will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36936/05]
Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:98 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the percentage of the increased expenditure announced in the Estimates 2006 for the national rural development scheme which will be spent on the national countryside recreation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36766/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 77 and 98 together.
Comhairle na Tuaithe has agreed the key features necessary for a countryside code, with a focus on the potential application of the internationally-recognised Leave No Trace initiative. Details of the code are available in a booklet, which I launched in September of this year, and on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
An Comhairle is currently working on the development of a national countryside recreation strategy. The first phase in the development of the strategy involves consultation with interested parties. In this regard, it has invited submissions from interested individuals and groups. This invitation appeared in the national and provincial newspapers at the end of October and in addition Comhairle na Tuaithe wrote to groups representing recreational interests, State agencies and relevant Government Departments seeking their views. Comhairle na Tuaithe has requested that submissions should reach it by 7 December 2005. The work of drafting the countryside recreation strategy will proceed following examination of the submissions received.
While an agreed definition of countryside recreation will emerge as part of the development of the strategy the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe felt that a working definition would aid the consultation process and therefore agreed the following as an interim definition: countryside recreation applies to those sporting, recreational and holiday pursuits based on use of the resources of the countryside and which contribute to healthy active lifestyles. The term "countryside" includes land, water and air. The term "recreation" in this context applies to sporting and recreational activities, which operate in the countryside as defined above. It does not refer to sporting activities which take place in the countryside on confined courses or pitches specifically designed and constructed for those sports e.g. golf, football, show jumping etc.
I anticipate that Comhairle na Tuaithe will have completed its work on the national countryside recreation strategy during the first half of 2006.
As regards resources to support the work of the Comhairle, the rural social scheme will assist in this regard. Provision has been made in the 2006 Estimates for the employment of 2,500 participants on the scheme by early in the new year. Provision has also been made for capital expenditure on the scheme. Funding is also available under the area based rural development initiative for rural and agri-tourism.
Departmental Projects.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:75 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the cocaine treatment pilot projects announced earlier in 2005 are fully operational; if he will commit to increasing the number and range of such projects nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36863/05]
As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year I launched four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use, as well as a training initiative focusing on front-line workers. Funding of almost €400,000 was provided by me to support the pilot treatment projects and the training programme.
The four projects deal with the following cohorts of cocaine users: intravenous cocaine users; poly-drug users using cocaine; problematic intranasal cocaine users; and problematic female cocaine users. The pilot treatment projects are now all operational.
In regard to the training initiative, the first two levels have been completed by approximately 160 front-line personnel from various backgrounds and level 3, final part, has commenced in the last two weeks.
Goodbody Economic Consultants Ltd have been engaged to conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects and this work has commenced. It is expected that a preliminary report will be available early in 2006. The main thrust of the evaluation will be to analyse, in a systematic manner, what is being achieved by the projects and to report the findings of the projects and the positive and negative lessons to be learned as a result. The evaluation will focus particularly on the structures, effectiveness, efficiency and value for money of the projects. Following receipt of the final evaluation I will be a position to decide on the next steps in this regard.
Irish Language.
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:76 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when in 2006 it is expected that the linguistic study on the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht will be completed; his views on whether it is realistic to expect that legislation arising from this study will be enacted during the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36945/05]
The linguistic study of Irish language usage in the Gaeltacht to which the Deputy refers commenced in April 2004 and is scheduled for completion in September 2006. This important study, which is being conducted on behalf of my Department by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, University of Ireland, Galway, in conjunction with the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, University of Ireland, Maynooth, is therefore well under way.
Given the complex nature of the subject matter, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be impossible to presuppose what precise findings and recommendations regarding the issue of the Gaeltacht boundaries will emerge from this study. As I have already outlined to the House, any proposals regarding the redefining of the boundaries that may emerge from the study will receive detailed and careful examination by my Department before being put before Government in due course.
Question No. 77 answered with QuestionNo. 74.
Care of the Elderly.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:78 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to introduce a subsidy in regard to the annual servicing charge for security pendant alarms for older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36810/05]
Seán Ryan
Ceist:83 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the €2.8 million provision for the scheme of community support for older persons in 2005 has been sufficient to meet the funding needs for equipment to improve the security of older persons in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36942/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 83 together.
The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The scheme provides maximum individual grants of: €300 in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms; €150 in respect of door locks, window locks and door chains; €150 in respect of security lighting; and €50 in respect of smoke alarms. I have no plans to further extend the scheme to introduce a subsidy in regard to the annual servicing charge for socially-monitored alarm systems.
The yearly allocation for the scheme of community support for older people is based on the demand received under the scheme in previous years. A figure of €2.8 million has been allocated to the scheme of community supports for older people in 2005. This constitutes a 17% increase on the 2004 scheme, which received an allocation of €2.4 million. I am satisfied that the 2005 allocation will meet the demand for equipment funded under the scheme.
National Drugs Strategy.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:79 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps which have been taken by his Department to implement the recommendations in the report of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on the treatment of cocaine addiction, with particular reference to the Irish experience. [36829/05]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:92 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department’s views on the report of Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on the treatment of cocaine addiction, with particular reference to the Irish experience. [36834/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 92 together.
As the Deputies are aware, my Department has responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. Since the mid-term review of the strategy earlier this year, it contains 108 individual actions to be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies.
In this context, I welcome the additional information on the treatment of cocaine misuse provided through the work of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which was published last July. The report, which goes into considerable detail on the effects of cocaine and the various treatments for misusers, adds to the existing knowledge base on the misuse of cocaine in Ireland.
I attended at a meeting of Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on 9 November and I broadly welcomed the recommendations contained in the report. I am seeking, in the context of the outcome of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy, to progress a number of actions that are relevant to the report and its recommendations. However, direct responsibility for the implementation of these recommendations falls under the responsibility of my colleagues, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin, and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.
Offshore Islands.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:80 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the reports he has received from the official in his Department who has chaired the Blasket management group meetings will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36940/05]
Although an official from my Department chaired the Blasket Island management group, the group itself reported directly to the Office of Public Works and not to my Department.
If the reports to which the Deputy is referring relate to the management plan for the island, I understand that the group completed that plan in September 2004 and that it is already in the public domain. I will be happy to arrange with my ministerial colleague in the Office of Public Works to have a copy of the management plan sent to the Deputy, if she so wishes.
An Ghaeilge sa Státchóras.
Joe Costello
Ceist:81 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Costello den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta i mbliana ag a Roinn chun cumas agus líofacht sa Ghaeilge i measc fhostaithe an Státchórais a fheabhsú go mór; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36947/05]
Níl freagracht ar mo Roinn maidir le cumas agus líofacht sa Ghaeilge i measc fhostaithe an Státchórais go ginearálta a fheabhsú.
Rural Development.
John Gormley
Ceist:82 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a geographical breakdown of the demand for the rural social scheme together with a similar breakdown of the capacity for employment under current projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36770/05]
There are 2,500 participant places available under the rural social scheme. To date, 1994 of these places have been filled. The geographical breakdown in respect of the current participants is as follows:
|
County |
Number of Participants per County |
|
Carlow |
12 |
|
Cavan |
61 |
|
Clare |
101 |
|
Cork |
120 |
|
Donegal |
181 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
|
Galway |
241 |
|
Kerry |
199 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
|
Laois |
15 |
|
Leitrim |
102 |
|
Limerick |
46 |
|
Longford |
43 |
|
Louth |
8 |
|
Mayo |
440 |
|
Meath |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
22 |
|
Offaly |
30 |
|
Offshore Islands |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
134 |
|
Sligo |
87 |
|
Tipperary |
39 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
29 |
|
Wexford |
29 |
|
Wicklow |
11 |
|
Totals |
1994 |
In addition to the figures outlined above, 506 rural social scheme participant places remain available throughout the country. It is anticipated that these places will be filled in early 2006.
The 35 Leader companies, along with Údarás na Gaeltachta, which is implementing the rural social scheme at a local level, allocate appropriate work to all participants who join the RSS. This is achieved by balancing the demand for RSS participant places with the demand from local organisations promoting work projects under RSS.
Question No. 83 answered with QuestionNo. 78.
Oideachas Tríú Leibhéil.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:84 D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil an comhoibriú breise óna chomhghleacaí an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta lena raibh sé ag súil chun ceist an oideachais tríú leibhéil trí Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn tar éis tarlú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36951/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:89 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéil lena bhfuil a Roinn ag obair chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear leis an soláthar sainchúrsaí dírithe ar riachtanais na hearnála poiblí i ndáil le cur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. [36950/05]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 84 agus 89 le chéile.
Mar a thug mé le fios roimhe seo, bunaíodh grúpa oibre idir-ghníomhaireachta don oideachas tríú leibhéil sa Ghaeltacht sa bhliain 2002 faoi chathaoirleacht na Ranna Oideachais agus Eolaíochta le hionadaithe ón Roinn sin, ó mo Roinn féin, ón Údarás um Ard-Oideachas agus ó Údarás na Gaeltachta chun plean forbartha don oideachas tríú leibhéil sa Ghaeltacht, a bhí réitithe ag grúpa ollscoileanna, a mheas.
Cuireadh tuarascáil agus moltaí an ghrúpa faoi mo bhráid agus faoi bhráid an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta anuraidh. Ó mo thaobhse, táim ag breathnú ar na moltaí agus ar na féidearthachtaí agus tig leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go mbíonn teagmháil idir mo Roinn agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ar bhonn leanúnach.
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá sé leagtha síos mar sprioc ag mo Roinn go bhféachfar le "ceist oideachais tríú leibhéil trí Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn". Ar ndóigh, is faoi chúram an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta go príomha atá an fhreagracht sin. Agus é sin ráite, aithním go bhfuil ceist an oideachais tríú leibhéil mar thosaíocht fíor-thábhachtach do thodhchaí na Gaeilge agus mar riachtanas ar leith ó thaobh chur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla de.
Mar atá ráite agam roimhe seo, tá fonn speisialta orm go gcuirfear an cheist seo ar aghaidh agus sa chomhthéacs sin is féidir liom a rá go bhfuil comhoibriú agus tacaíocht iomlán faighte agam ó mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, chun na críche sin.
Maidir leis an gceist faoi sholáthar sainchúrsaí dírithe ar riachtanais na hearnála poiblí i ndáil le cur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, mar atá ráite agam roimhe seo, tá mo Roinnse ag obair go dlúth le Foras na Gaeilge, Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí, An Foras Riaracháin agus institiúidí tríú leibhéil chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear le soláthar sainchúrsaí den chineál seo, ar a n-áirítear córas creidiúnaithe do aistritheoirí, córas creidiúnaithe do theagasc na Gaeilge, sainchúrsaí oiliúna Gaeilge, agus bunachar sonraí leictreonach de chomharthaí caighdeánacha. Bhí áthas orm an chéad chomhartha de thoradh dearfach na hoibre sin a aithint le déanaí nuair a sheol mé dhá shainchúrsa atá forbartha ag An Fhoras Riaracháin.
Sa bhreis air sin, mar is eol don Teachta, feidhmíonn Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ar dhá bhealach. I dtosach báire, tá forálacha ar leith a bhaineann go díreach le gach eagras poiblí. Chomh maith leis sin, tá forálacha ann maidir le scéimeanna reachtúla a chaithfidh gach comhlacht poiblí— institiúidí tríú leibhéil san áireamh — ar iarratas uaimse, mar Aire, a ullmhú agus a aontú. I dtaca leis sin, ní miste a lua go bhfuil scéimeanna ó roinnt institiúidí triú leibhéil i measc na scéimeanna atá daingnithe agam agus foilsithe go dáta. Sa chomhthéacs sin, is féidir liom a rá go bhfuil forbairt sainchúrsaí, agus go deimhin forbairt oideachas tríú leibhéil trí Ghaeilge go ginearálta, ar cheann do na tosaíochtaí atá sonraithe sna scéimeanna sin agus go leanfaidh sé mar thosaíocht ag mo Roinnse agus í ag plé dréacht-scéimeanna le hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéil eile amach anseo.
Community Development.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:85 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects undertaken by his Department that would not otherwise have been developed other than for the fact they were undertaken under the RAPID scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36938/05]
RAPID aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. The priorities for each RAPID area are identified locally by each RAPID area implementation team, and are incorporated into a plan for each area. Each Department reports on progress in relation to the proposals from these plans that fall within their remit for the quarterly meetings of the RAPID National Monitoring Committee. These reports can be accessed at www.pobal.ie.
The Deputy will be aware of the RAPID leverage scheme that I introduced in 2004. This scheme has seen total funding in the region of €42 million —€14 million from my Department and €28 million from co-funding Departments and agencies — allocated to RAPID areas under a number of schemes that were co-funded with other Government Departments and agencies in 2004 and 2005. These schemes include local authority housing estate enhancement, traffic measures, playground grants, sports capital top-ups and community based CCTV.
I have secured an increase of 15% in my Department's provision for RAPID in 2006. The amount available from my Department for RAPID leverage schemes will be €8.8 million next year, compared with €7.5 million in 2005.
Grant Payments.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:86 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has ensured that past grant applications to Údarás na Gaeltachta have been rechecked, in view of the failure of Údarás na Gaeltachta to notice that one such application made in 1998 contained an incorrect address which placed the company in question inside a Gaeltacht area; the steps he has taken to ensure that grant applications to Údarás na Gaeltachta contain the correct details of the entity, including the address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36772/05]
The Deputy will appreciate that matters pertaining to grant applications do not come under my remit as they relate to the day to day operations of Údarás na Gaeltachta and are a matter for the organisation itself, within the statutory framework in which it operates and having regard to national and European regulations and guidelines. My Department's function in such matters relates to ensuring that the appropriate principles and directions in relation to corporate governance are in place and are being implemented by the organisation.
I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that no fresh cases have come to light where a grant was incorrectly approved by Údarás for a company outside the Gaeltacht. However, for the sake of completeness, I should mention that such an error did arise in a case originally approved by its predecessor organisation, Gaeltarra Éireann, in 1974, with the last grant payment being made to the company in 1987. The company is no longer in existence.
The Deputy may be aware that on foot of issues that came to light in the case of M & M Cairéal Teo, Údarás has taken appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of such cases. These steps include the issue of an internal memorandum in 2002 emphasising the importance of identifying the Gaeltacht boundaries and setting down guidelines to deal with cases of uncertainty; ensuring availability of maps within the organisation detailing townlands and local roads, in addition to availability of copies of folios from the legal division or on-line; and updating of the staff handbook in regard to administration of grants.
Question No. 87 answered with QuestionNo. 52.
Drugs in Prisons.
Damien English
Ceist:88 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has consulted with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to changes in prison drugs policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36860/05]
An Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introducing mandatory drug testing for prisoners, where necessary, and to make treatment and rehabilitation available for those prisoners who need it. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, is currently working towards this objective. I can assure the Deputy that, in this context, there is regular and ongoing contact between my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Irish Prison Service.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is represented on the National Drugs Strategy Team, NDST, where drugs issues of a cross-sectoral nature are regularly discussed, including the issue of drug use in prisons. In addition, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Irish Prison Service are represented on the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs, IDG, which I chair. In this regard, Irish prison drugs policy is intended to be the substantive item for discussion on the agenda of the next IDG in December, when a presentation on current and prospective developments will be made by a representative of the Irish Prison Service.
Tackling the problem of drug misuse involves a range of Departments and agencies and the Government remains strongly committed to this multi-agency approach.
Question No. 89 answered with QuestionNo. 84.
Drug Abuse.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:90 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the latest information his Department has on the extent of the cocaine crisis nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36929/05]
The NACD-DAIRU drug prevalence survey is generally regarded as the most reliable baseline data on drug prevalence in Ireland. That study, which surveyed 8,442 people aged 15 to 64 years old in Ireland and in Northern Ireland between October 2002 and April 2003, reported that 3% of the respondents had used cocaine, 1.1% had used it in the last 12 months and 0.3% used in the last month. Compared with similar comprehensive population surveys undertaken in other European countries, these figures suggest that Ireland is roughly average in terms of use. This was borne out by last week's European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, EMCDDA, 2005 annual report on the state of the drugs problem in Europe which reported that the average lifetime use rate of cocaine in Europe was 3% of the adult population, 15 to 64 year olds, and the various national rates of cocaine use varied between 0.5% and 6%.
The highest rates of cocaine use recorded in the drug prevalence survey were in the three former health board areas in the east of the country, with the East Coast Area Health Board area, ECAHB, having the highest levels of lifetime use among adults at 6.3%, last year use at 2.3% and last month at 0.5%. No use levels were recorded in any age group in the former North Western Health Board, NWHB, area, though I must caution that this does not imply that there is no use of cocaine in that region but it does indicate that any use is at very low levels. The next lowest was the North Eastern Health Board, NEHB, area at 1.2% lifetime use with no usage level recorded over the last year or month by any age group.
The NACD-DAIRU drug prevalence survey was the first such general population survey on drug use so there is no baseline figure against which to compare it. However, the increased frequency and scale of cocaine seizures, and the increase in the numbers presenting for treatment for the drug, can be taken as a reasonable indication of increasing use. A new comprehensive drugs prevalence survey is due to be commissioned in 2006.
Íocaíochtaí Deontais.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:91 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil a fhios aige go ndealraíonn sé a bheith i bhfad níos deacra deontas a fháil ó Údarás na Gaeltachta le haghaidh tionscadail i gcuid na cathrach den Ghaeltacht ná mar a bhíonn sna codanna tuaithe, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37001/05]
Tuigim go bhfuil comhthuiscint agus comhoibriú praiticiúil pragmatach ann ar bhonn leanúnach idir Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na gníomhaireachtaí forbartha eile maidir le tograí gnó agus tionsclaíocha a láimhseáil i mbruachbhailte chathair na Gaillimhe. Mar a thuigfidh an Teachta, níl sé éasca idirdhealú a dhéanamh sna ceantair sin idir tionscail a mheas de réir chritéir Ghaeltachta agus tionscail de chuid an IDA nó Fiontair Éireann, a d'fhéadfadh a bheith lonnaithe in aice láimhe ar shuíomh neamh-Ghaeltachta, a mheas de réir chritéir eile.
Sa chomhthéacs sin, agus ag éirí as cinneadh Rialtais ar 9 Márta 1999, bunaíodh coiste ar a raibh ionadaithe ó mo Roinn féin, mar a bhí, an Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta, IDA, Fiontraíocht Éireann agus Údarás na Gaeltachta chun athbhreithniú agus moltaí a dhéanamh maidir le cúrsaí tionscail a fhorbairt laistigh de theorainneacha chathair na Gaillimhe. I gcomhréir le moltaí an choiste sin, tá an tÚdarás ag feidhmiú pholasaí ginearálta faoina gcuirtear cúnamh ar fáil laistigh de limistéir Ghaeltachta na cathrach do mhiontionscail dhúchasacha ó phríomhaithe le Gaeilge, má chomhlíontar coinníollacha teanga agus forbartha an Údaráis. Is ar an IDA-Fiontraíocht Éireann a bhíonn an cúram déileáil le tograí eile sna ceantair chéanna. Ar ndóigh, má tá cás ar leith ar intinn ag an Teachta, bheinn sásta tuilleadh fiosruithe a dhéanamh ina leith.
Question No. 92 answered with QuestionNo. 79.
Grant Payments.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:93 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a list of the cases in which grants were allocated under the scheme of equipment and refurbishment grants, and the scheme of education, training and research grants for 2003 and 2004; if, in his reply, he will provide the details of instances where funding provided through these grants was not fully used by the benefactors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36879/05]
The programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations is funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups, addressing disadvantage in their community.
The programme consists of two schemes: one 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 it is €10,000; and for training, education and research it is also €10,000.
The list of applicants approved for grants under the 2003 and 2004 programmes are available on my Department's website, www.pobail.ie.
With regard to 2003, I am not aware of instances where funding provided through these grants was not fully used. I am aware that a small number of groups which were awarded larger grants under the 2004 programme have not yet completed their projects, however, except in one case, these projects are due for completion by end 2005. My Department is in ongoing correspondence with all these groups. In addition, there are a number of instances involving smaller grants, less than € 10,000, where my Department is not yet completely satisfied that the grant paid has been fully accounted for. My Department is following up with the relevant groups.
Full accounting for such grants is a prerequisite for consideration of any further funding under the programme for the groups concerned.
Irish Language.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:94 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he supports the development of a national strategy for the Irish language; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36862/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Fóram na Gaeilge, which includes representatives of relevant State and voluntary organisations with expertise on a wide range of language policy and practice issues, was established to advise, inter alia, on the advisability of preparing a 20-year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State.
In the context of the general discussions thus far relating to this matter, the need for the provision of a clear statement on the part of the Government in relation to the Irish language and its importance has emerged as a key issue. I hope to be in a position to elaborate further and to make specific proposals on this matter in the near future.
Departmental Expenditure.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of grant aid offered directly or indirectly, on a county basis, by his Department to various community groups throughout the country; the range of the services granted aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36963/05]
The gross expenditure allocation for my Department in 2005 is approximately €354 million. As the Deputy will be aware, details of the allocations to individual programme areas are included in the Revised Estimates Volume 2005, which was published earlier in the year.
Expenditure up to 24 November 2005 across the three main programme areas, including administration, is approximately €278 million, which can be broadly broken down as follows: An Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht, €66 million; community affairs, €126 million; rural affairs, €73 million; and administration, €13 million.
The Deputy will also be aware that expenditure within these programme areas takes place across a wide range of schemes and projects, descriptions of which are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
It is the practice of both my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, and myself to make details of all announcements relating to grant approvals and other expenditure-related decisions under these programmes available on the Department's website. If the Deputy would like information in relation to a particular scheme, I would be glad to provide details to him.
Public Transport.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:96 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the recent closure of the only petrol station on Inis Mór, he would consider the introduction of a public bus service for the inhabitants. [36764/05]
In July 2003, I approved a grant of €30,800 to Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Teo towards the purchase of a minibus for use in the provision of a scheduled public transport service on Árainn, Inis Mór. I am informed that the operator of this service, who holds the minibus on a lease from the Comharchumann, currently runs a scheduled service six days per week.
Community Development.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:97 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of projects that were allocated funding in the first six months of 2005 from dormant accounts in the RAPID region Togher-Mahon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36771/05]
The Deputy will be aware that decisions on the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts moneys in the initial round of funding are a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board. The board is an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. The board engaged Area Development Management Ltd., ADM, to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf.
The process of assessing and approving applications has now been completed and the board has approved 521 projects totalling approximately €63 million. I understand that overall funding of €456,324 in respect of eight projects based in the RAPID region of Togher-Mahon were approved by the board. Decisions to approve two of these projects were taken in the first six months of 2005 and in relation to the remaining six projects, decisions were made in the latter part of 2004.
The details of the eight approved projects, including the names of the individual groups, the specific grant amount approved and the month in which the decisions were made by the board, are appended for the Deputy's information.
|
Group/Organisation |
Amount |
Approval Granted |
|
€ |
||
|
Ballyphehane/Togher Community Development Project Ltd |
127,639.00 |
February 2005 |
|
Mahon Childcare Network |
126,413.00 |
February 2005 |
|
37th Cork Togher Scout Group |
14,000.00 |
December 2004 |
|
Mahon Resource Centre Ltd |
141,205.00 |
October 2004 |
|
Togher Family Centre After Schools Activity Programme |
29,620.00 |
October 2004 |
|
Togher Wednesday Social Group |
4,000.00 |
October 2004 |
|
Togher Family Centre |
3,447.00 |
October 2004 |
|
Scoil na Croise Naofa, Mahon |
10,000.00 |
August 2004 |
|
Overall Total |
456,324.00 |
Question No. 98 answered with QuestionNo. 74.
Tourism Industry.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:99 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. [36842/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply of yesterday to his identical Question No. 306.
Community Development.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:100 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the improvements which have been brought into effect in regard to the local development social inclusion programme in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36946/05]
The local development and social inclusion programme, LDSIP, aims to counter disadvantage and to promote equality and social and economic inclusion through the provision of funding and support to local partnerships. The programme is managed on behalf of my Department by Pobal, which was previously known as Area Development Management, ADM, Ltd. and is delivered at local level by 38 area partnerships, 31 community partnerships and two employment pacts across three sub-measures. (1) Services for the Unemployed: This sub-measure aims to support individuals in accessing suitable employment opportunities though actions in the areas of education, training, work experience, job placement, enterprise, self-employment and the social economy. During the period January to June this year, 10,607 people were supported under this measure. Of those supported, 4,497 participated in education and training programmes, 14% were placed into employment and 5% were supported into self-employment.
In addition, partnerships and employment pacts undertake initiatives that provide progression pathways locally for individuals, in conjunction with strategic partners and mainstream providers. These include the operation of outreach initiatives, job clubs, employment and training, mentoring and enterprise and social economy initiatives. A further 15,668 individuals were supported in this manner during the first six months of this year. (2) Community Development: Actions under the community development sub-measure deal with capacity building work that enables local communities to participate in the development of their areas. The development of community groups and new forms of local organisation to vitalise and strengthen the local community infrastructure in the area s of greatest need is a major element of the work within this sub-measure. During the first six months of 2005, 986 community-based projects focusing on target groups and 101 infrastructural projects were supported. (3) Community-Based Youth Initiatives: Under this sub-measure, actions take place that are aimed at enhancing the social and personal development of young people who have left school early or who are at risk of leaving school early. Many of the actions aim to increase the range of community based education and youth development opportunities available from early years through to early adulthood. During January-June 2005, 26,553 young people and 4,495 adults were supported under this sub-measure.
I have dealt with improvements in service delivery arising from the review of local and community delivery structures in PQs answered earlier today.
Drug Abuse.
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:101 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the National Advisory Committee on Drugs will next issue a report; the issues being considered for this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36944/05]
The National Advisory Committee on Drugs, NACD, was established in July 2000 to advise the Government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland, based on the committee's analysis and interpretation of research findings and information available to it. Its membership reflects statutory, community, voluntary, academic and research interests. In July 2004, the Government extended the mandate of the NACD up until the end of 2008.
To date, the committee has either completed or commissioned research on a range of drugs issues. Among the more high profile research projects are: overview of research in relation to the prevention of drug misuse, published in December 2001; Prevalence Estimate of Opiate Users — results released in May 2003; All-Ireland Drugs Prevalence Survey on Drug Use — 1st bulletin, outline of overall results, released October 2003; 2nd bulletin, regional results, released April 2004; 3rd bulletin, cannabis use, released October 2005; Study on Cocaine use in Ireland, published in December 2003; Review of Harm Reduction Approaches, published in May 2004; Study on Cannabis, published in September 2004; Drug Use and Homelessness, published in April 2005; and the Longitudinal Study on Treatment Outcomes, Research ongoing.
The next publication planned by the NACD will be the fourth bulletin from the drugs prevalence survey, which will focus on cocaine use. No date has been scheduled although it is envisaged that it will be released early in the new year.
Adoption Services.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:102 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if and when Ireland is entering the Hague Convention; the proposed age limits for people making an application to adopt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37011/05]
The Heads of Bill on the Adoption (Hague Convention, Adoption Authority and Miscellaneous) Bill, which when enacted will ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, 1993, are currently being drafted into a Bill in the Parliamentary Counsel's office. I hope that the Bill will be published in the earlier part of 2006.
The Bill includes proposals regarding the imposition of an upper age limit for people who wish to be assessed for inter-country adoption. It has been decided to impose a maximum age of 50. This age limit will apply to individuals and to the younger of a couple at the time they apply to be assessed for inter-country adoption.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:103 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to bring in a bilateral agreement on adoption between Ireland and Russia similar to that between Ireland and China; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37014/05]
Further to the meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Russian Foreign Minister in July 2005 at which it was decided to follow up at official level the question of pursuing a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Russia on inter-country adoption, the Adoption Board has been in ongoing contact with the Irish Embassy in Moscow. Ambassador Harman met with the director of the Department of Governmental Youth Policy, Upbringing and Social Welfare of Children, on 21 September 2005 to further discuss the matter and follow up action is being taken on foot of that meeting. Copies of Ireland's bilateral adoption agreements were forwarded to the Russian Ministry on 4 October 2005 and the Ministry has indicated that it will forward an official response to the Irish Embassy in Moscow within the next few months. The Ministry has also indicated that it will be pleased to meet a delegation from the Adoption Board early next year. It is important to note, however, that it is not possible at this stage to confirm either a timeframe for the completion of the negotiations or whether or not such negotiations will result in a successful outcome.
Rape Crisis Centres.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:104 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to increase funding to the Rape Crisis Centres, whose operating budget has been capped since 2002, in view of increased pressure on their services following the publication of the Ferns Report. [37191/05]
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.
Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:105 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the frustrations of many persons in Dublin south west in respect of orthodontic services; her plans to increase funding in the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37005/05]
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 of Health and Children 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.
Michael Ring
Ceist:106 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an ear, nose and throat appointment. [37017/05]
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 of Health and Children 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.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:107 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that only half of one community physiotherapist’s time is available to serve the needs of persons with a disability among the 104,000 population of the Waterford community care area of the Health Service Executive south east region; her proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37018/05]
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 of Health and Children 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.
Ambulance Service.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:108 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the paramedic grade in the ambulance service will be rolled out nationally to provide this essential service; her views on whether sufficient persons are qualified to operate this system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37019/05]
The funding required to facilitate the development and rollout of the advanced paramedic training programme has been provided in line with proposals set out by the Health Service Executive and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. The National Ambulance Training School, NATS, which operates under the auspices of the HSE, in conjunction with University College Dublin, is providing training for advanced paramedic candidates on behalf of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. Each course at the moment comprises 16 students and the first cohort completed their training in October 2005. Students from the second course are currently undergoing their field internship and will complete their training in December 2005. It is proposed to train approximately 50 additional advanced paramedics in 2006. The operational element of the programme is to commence in early 2006.
The deployment and utilisation of the advanced paramedics is a matter for the Health Service Executive and accordingly, the Department of Health and Children 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.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:109 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the helicopter emergency medical service will be introduced to persons here in view of the continuing loss of life and disabilities due to the lack of same; her views on whether this is a necessity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37020/05]
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:110 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress she had made in the establishment of an all-Ireland helicopter emergency medical service as recommended by the helicopter emergency medical service feasibility study consultants report which was published on 30 April 2004; if she has completed discussions with the relevant Departments on the matter; if recent meetings have been held regarding establishing this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37021/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
The report referred to by the Deputy is that of a consultancy study jointly commissioned by the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, DHSSPS, in Northern Ireland on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical services, HEMS, for the island of Ireland. The report was published last year and is available on the Department of Health and Children's website. The study concluded that the introduction of a dedicated inter-hospital air ambulance service would be appropriate in an all-island context. In considering the report, the DHSSPS advised that its priority at present is the need for further investment to improve the ground ambulance service.
On foot of the report the Department of Health and Children had detailed discussions with the Department of Defence regarding the future provision of air ambulance services by the Air Corps. Arising from these discussions, a detailed service level agreement has recently been prepared and signed. The signatories to the agreement are the Department of Defence, the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, the Defence Forces and the Air Corps.
The agreement sets out the range services to be provided by the Air Corps, specifically: inter-hospital transfer for spinal and serious injury and illness; air transport of neonates requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland; air transport of patients requiring emergency organ transplant in the UK; air transport of organ harvest teams within Ireland; and air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the Coast Guard service is not available.
A steering group comprising representation from each the signatories to the service level agreement has been established. The group will monitor the operation of the agreement and will amend, if necessary, the provisions of the agreement to take account of service developments, including the new fleet replacement programme currently being put in place by the Air Corps. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has confirmed that the Irish Coast Guard will continue to provide services on the same basis as currently delivered.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:111 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the ambulance response time for persons living in remote areas; the target time for transfer of casualties from a specified remote area to hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37022/05]
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:113 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the continuing delay in establishing an ambulance base in Mulranny, Achill and Ballycroy areas of County Mayo; if her attention has been drawn to the dangerous situation whereby the health of persons residing in these areas is at a serious risk due to the unacceptable time lapse that exists between when an ambulance is called and when it arrives; when this project will be undertaken; her views on this matter; when same will be a priority in practice (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37024/05]
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:114 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the residents of Achill, Mulranny and Ballycroy, County Mayo will see the benefits of advice (details supplied); when this area can realistically expect this essential ambulance base; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37025/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 113 and 114 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, the Department of Health and Children 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.
Cancer Screening Programme.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:112 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the short-listing, fee negotiations and interviews have been completed for to the BreastCheck extension; if the discussions on the staffing requirements are complete; when in 2007 the national rollout of BreastCheck can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37023/05]
The rollout of the national breast cancer screening programme to the remaining regions in the country is a major priority in the development of cancer services. BreastCheck has advertised for lead consultant radiologists and radiographers for the two new clinical units, one at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork and one at University College Hospital, Galway. The recruitment of other key clinical posts will commence early in 2006. A design team has been appointed to work out detailed plans for the new units. It is anticipated that, subject to obtaining satisfactory planning approval, the design process including the preparation of the tender documentation will be completed by mid-2006.
Approximately 130,000 women in the target population for screening live in the remaining regions. BreastCheck is confident that the target date of 2007 for commencement of the rollout will be met, which will ensure that all women in the 50 to 64 age group in every county have access to breast screening and follow up treatment where appropriate.
Questions Nos. 113 and 114 answered with Question No. 111.
Health Services.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:115 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department will release €400,000, required to advance a nursing home in Ballinrobe, County Mayo to the design and planning stage; her views on whether this is a priority case; when she expects the land involved to be in the hands of the Health Service Executive western region; the commencement date her Department expects for this facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37026/05]
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.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:116 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37028/05]
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:117 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the policy which exists in relation to the provision of incontinence pads by the Health Service Executive; the criteria used for assessing same; the position regarding persons who urinate more than the prescribed amount of times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37029/05]
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:118 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a situation regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20, where severely disabled persons primarily cared for in the community by their families and whose medication leads to more frequent urination never have to suffer the indignity of being told there is a quota of pads available, never happens again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37030/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, 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, the Department of Health and Children 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.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:119 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in the context of the policy decision to put a cancer satellite centre into the north west announced in summer 2005, a defined timescale for the progression of this project exists; and if she will make a statement on the importance of this announcement for the current and future services of Letterkenny General Hospital. [37073/05]
The Government has agreed that the best option in terms of improving geographic access for patients in the north west is to facilitate access for those patients to radiation oncology services as part of North-South co-operation on cancer. Specifically, it was agreed: that the issue of access in the short term to the radiation oncology centre at Belfast City Hospital for patients in the north west would be progressed; and to progress consideration of a joint initiative for the provision of oncology services in the medium term to patients in the north west from a satellite centre linked to Belfast City Hospital.
I have agreed with the Minister for Health for Northern Ireland, Mr. Shaun Woodward MP, that the new Belfast Cancer Centre, which is due to open next March, will treat patients from County Donegal. Details of the arrangements will be finalised in discussions involving the Health Service Executive, Belfast City Hospital and our respective Departments. This will involve assessment of the specific radiotherapy needs of cancer patients in County Donegal and the development of clinical treatment protocols, including appropriate transport arrangements, to ensure best patient care. Discussions will also be necessary on the funding arrangements involving the hospital and the HSE.
The Deputy will appreciate that my first priority was to gain access for cancer patients in the north west to Belfast City Hospital as early as possible. The issue of a satellite centre in the north west will continue to be progressed as a joint initiative involving bilateral discussions at departmental and political levels.
Health Services.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:120 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department proposes to provide funding for a community unit for the elderly at Moore Abbey, Monasterevin, as previously envisaged by South Western Area Health Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37077/05]
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.
Grant Payments.
Pat Carey
Ceist:121 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an application for a lottery grant from her Department by an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37088/05]
The Department of Health and Children received an application for a grant from the Health and Children allocation of national lottery funds from the organisation referred to in June 2005. The Department of Health and Children has a protocol for processing applications for national lottery grants. When the completed application form is received in the Department of Health and Children it is registered in the finance unit and forwarded to the relevant service division for assessment, evaluation and recommendation. All applications are then considered in the context of the recommendation and the overall level of funds available. The application is one of many under consideration for a grant from the Department of Health and Children and the organisation will be informed as soon as a decision has been made.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Michael Ring
Ceist:122 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the enhanced subvention that is being awarded; if there is a shortage of funding; the amount which was spent on enhanced subvention in the past year; when funding will be provided again for enhanced subvention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37094/05]
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.
Nursing Homes.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:123 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the nursing qualifications required to be matron or person in charge of a nursing home, in the case of a nursing home (details supplied) in County Dublin; the number of matrons or persons in charge who have held that position since the nursing home opened; the length of time they held this position; and if all were fully qualified to hold this position. [37097/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Domestic Violence.
Tony Gregory
Ceist:124 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her response to the funding crisis being experienced by agencies providing essential services for the victims of domestic violence; the need for additional women’s refuges in the Dublin region; if additional funds will be provided for these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37100/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy. Responsibility for the provision of women's refuges lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Hospital Accommodation.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:125 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of new beds at Beaumont Hospital (details supplied). [37107/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists.
Jack Wall
Ceist:126 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an appointment will be obtained for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37117/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:127 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 will receive a long-term stay bed in Cherry Orchard Hospital. [37176/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:128 Mr. Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the detailed submission to her Department for a project (details supplied) in County Kilkenny which exemplifies the new proactive approach in the health services. [37192/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy. The chief executive officer of the HSE has emphasised the importance of developing primary care services as the appropriate means of meeting most people's health and social care needs and to complement the services provided by acute hospitals. It is an important priority of the HSE, which has my full endorsement.
Medical Cards.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:129 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37225/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:130 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if community employment participants currently employed by the Irish Wheelchair Association will be given an opportunity to apply for permanent positions with the Association in view of the fact that the system of dependance on community employment participants has become extremely difficult due to the fact of the age and time restrictions placed on such participants; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a great deal of training given to community employment participants is unfortunately lost when places on such employment schemes are given to other participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37237/05]
The 2006 Estimates, which were recently published, provided for significant additional funding for the improvement of services for people with disabilities. Funding is being made available as part of that provision to address core under-funding and 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 HSE's consideration of such needs will take into account services which are staffed through community employment schemes. The Department of Health and Children does not have any involvement in the procedures for recruitment to the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Health Service Staff.
Michael Ring
Ceist:131 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be replaced at a health centre. [37287/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Charges.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:132 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person availing of a private in-patient bed or a day care bed will be charged the public bed night charge of €60 in each case, as well as the proposed charges of €551 and €397 respectively. [37295/05]
It has always been the practice to apply the two charges to which the Deputy refers in the cases of private patients who pay a daily charge under section 55 of the Health Act 1970. With effect from 1 January 2006, the charge for private care will be €551 per day in the case of a regional hospital, €460 per day for a county hospital and €197 per day for a district hospital. The corresponding charges for semi-private care are €432, €370 and €168, respectively. Private day case charges will be €397 in the case of a regional hospital, €329 for a county hospital and €146 for a district hospital. Private patients are also liable for the public hospital charge, which will be €60 per day from 1 January 2006, up to a maximum of €600 in any 12-month period.
Departmental Offices.
John Perry
Ceist:133 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the ministerial directive which she has issued to the Health Service Executive in relation to the future role of the former North Western Health Board office in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, which caters for up to 10,000 staff members; the negotiations and meetings which have taken place with the IMPACT union; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to lack of clarity, senior management are unsure about their future role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37305/05]
Organisational and human resources management issues within the Health Service Executive are a matter for the HSE itself. I have been advised by the HSE that it has identified Manorhamilton as one of the five lead sites for its national shared services directorate and that, in this context, Manorhamilton will be a lead site for human resources within the directorate. Industrial relations issues arising from the health service reform programme are the subject of ongoing engagement between the HSE and IMPACT. A framework agreement was agreed by the HSE and IMPACT in December 2004 to assist co-operation with the new structures and reforms, as well as to provide for a genuine working partnership between IMPACT and the HSE in the interests of the users of services and the staff who ensure their provision. I have been advised that processes aimed at resolving any emerging difficulties are in place across the range of functional areas which comprise the HSE. The HSE also intends to have a communications and organisational development strategy in place from the start of next year. It will seek to approach the strategy in a participative fashion with IMPACT and other trade unions.
Hospital Services.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:134 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the extent of under dialysing of patients due to pressure of time and waiting lists; if her attention has been drawn to the extent of consequences for the health of patients arising from insufficient dialysing; if evidence of this kind has been presented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37322/05]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:135 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of renal dialysis units currently in operation here; the number treated each year for the past five years and the estimated cost of each treatment where persons attend at renal dialysis units in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37323/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
In line with the commitment given in the national health strategy, Quality and Fairness — A Health System For You, a national review of renal services is being undertaken by the Health Service Executive. The purpose of the review is to make recommendations for a high quality and patient-centred renal service to meet current and projected demand, having regard to current best practice and the need to obtain the best use of and maximum benefit from the resources available. It is expected that the review will be completed in 2006. Additional revenue of €8 million is being provided to the HSE in 2006 to support the provision of dialysis facilities and the development of a living-related renal donor programme. This brings to €36 million the total additional funding provided since 2000 to meet increasing national demand for renal services. The Department of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the specific matters investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Health Service Staff.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:136 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the creation of local health officer positions; if those posts replaced those of general manager in the health board system; the number of local health officers appointed to each region; the reason positions were changed from being contract positions to permanent posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37324/05]
The Deputy's question relates to human resource management issues within the Health Service Executive, which are matters for the HSE under the Health Act 2004. The Department of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matters investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Foster Care.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:137 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the context in which the foster care allowance, the property of foster parents, was merged with the orphan’s allowance payable to and the property of the child; if this merger took place contrary to legal advice that both payments had different functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37325/05]
The 1995 child care regulations provide that "A Health Board shall pay foster parents in respect of any child placed with them in accordance with these Regulation an allowance of not less than such amount as may from time to time be specified by the Minister". Sections 109(2) and 151(2) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 1993 provide that the orphan's contributory allowance and the orphan's non-contributory pension, respectively, "be paid to some other person for the benefit of the orphan" if the Minister thinks it fit. The orphan's payments are normally paid to the guardian of the orphan. This is usually the person with whom the orphan is normally resident and who is responsible for the care of the orphan. The orphan's payment is therefore considered to be the property of the foster parent and is not considered to be the property of the child.
Paragraph 5.42 of the 2001 report of the working group on foster care recommended that "Orphan's Allowance and Pensions should not be paid in respect of children in respect of whom foster care allowances are being paid". The working group considered it was not appropriate that both the orphan's payment and the foster care allowance be paid in respect of the same child, given that a fundamental feature of the foster care placement is that contact between the child and his or her family is maintained, and also as the group was recommending an increase in the foster care allowance to ensure that the cost of looking after a foster child would be adequately covered. Until 2001, children who were orphaned could receive orphan's payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs and foster care allowance payments from the health boards if such children had been taken into care by the health boards and placed in foster care. It became apparent that many foster parents, who were claiming foster care allowance but were unaware of their entitlement to the orphan's payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, were not in receipt of their full entitlements. Under new arrangements which were introduced in August 2001, the orphan's payment ceased to be paid directly to foster carers; instead, the Department of Social and Family Affairs transferred the relevant moneys to the former health boards in respect of, and for the benefit of, the foster child. The former health boards combined the orphan's payment with the foster care allowance to make a total payment to the foster carer.
After legal concerns were expressed about the new scheme, the Department of Health and Children referred the matter to the Attorney General for the appointment of senior counsel and the examination of the matter. The legal opinion subsequently received by the Department indicated that the scheme was not in contravention of the statutory or regulatory framework governing foster care allowances or orphan's payment or pension. A working group comprising representatives from the two relevant Departments was established in July 2002 to examine certain difficulties with the scheme and to make recommendations with a view to streamlining arrangements. The group recommended an amendment to the social welfare legislation to disqualify from receipt of orphan's payment children in respect of whom foster care allowance is payable. An amendment effecting the change in operation of the allowance scheme was agreed by the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and now forms part of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003. It should be noted that there is no financial loss to the recipients under the new arrangements.
Child Care Services.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:138 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost to the State of a unit (details supplied) in County Limerick under all headings since a manager and assistant manager were appointed in 2002; if a clinical psychologist was appointed and when such appointment took place; when children were first accepted into this unit; the reason the unit was closed in 2004 and opened under review in 2005; the number of extra staff employed and the costs involved; the reason no child was accepted in this unit by October 2005; if she has satisfied herself with this chain of events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37326/05]
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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.
Drug Seizures.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:139 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance his plans to develop the customs division drug sniffer dog team from the current level of 11, particularly in the context of a rise in availability nationally of a variety of drugs and also in the context of the significant services that are being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/05]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs and Excise has increased the number of detector dog teams deployed from nine to 11 this year. As part of this expansion, a cash detection dog team has been deployed in recent weeks to fulfil the developing role of the Customs and Excise under the proceeds of crime legislation. The deployment of such resources is in keeping with the Government's 2001-08 national drugs strategy. In this context, it should be pointed out that the Customs and Excise had seven detector dogs teams in 2001. The detector dog teams, which assisted in the detection and seizure of drugs worth €6.4 million in 2004, provide back-up support to the Garda Síochána, on request. The Revenue Commissioners constantly evaluate their drug detection resources and have made provision for the training of two detector dog teams next year.
Tax Code.
Pat Carey
Ceist:140 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Revenue Commissioners issues a certificate indicating that the payment of inheritance tax has been deferred in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/05]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in accordance with section 108(2) of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003, when an Inland Revenue affidavit is delivered to the Revenue Commissioners and they are satisfied that the payment of inheritance tax in respect of such property may be deferred for the time being, they issue a certificate to this effect. This certificate is required for the High Court in order for letters of administration to issue to the legal personal representative. Letters of administration will not be issued in the absence of such a certificate. In this particular case the beneficiaries are not liable to inheritance tax as they are within the tax free threshold of €466,725.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:141 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the timeframe and planned programme to re-balance vehicle registration tax and motor taxation in order to favour the purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles by 2010 as required under the national climate change strategy; the steps which have been take since 2000 to date in 2005 to re-balance vehicle registration tax and motor taxation in order to favour the purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles; the steps he intends to take to re-balance vehicle registration tax and motor taxation in order to favour the purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles by the 2012 target date; the target for total reduction of carbon emissions to be achieved by this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37177/05]
While no specific measures have been introduced to date in connection with re-balancing the vehicle registration tax and motor tax in order to favour the purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles, I should point out that in last year's budget, I announced an extension of vehicle registration tax relief for hybrid vehicles, which are highly fuel efficient. With regard to future policies in this area, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:142 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the forms of taxation which have been levied within the industry and commercial sector since 2000 with the purpose of controlling greenhouse gases as specified under the national climate change strategy and governed by the guiding principles of that strategy; the amount of revenue which has been generated annually to date in 2005 by such taxation measures; the further forms of taxation planned to be levied within the industry and commercial sector by 2012 with the purpose of controlling greenhouse gases as specified under the national climate change strategy and governed by the guiding principles of that strategy; the amount of revenue which will be generated from these taxation measures for each of the years between 2005 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37178/05]
The climate change strategy states that from 2002 onwards taxes will begin to take into account the amounts of greenhouse gases produced in any activity. It is the Government's 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, the Department of Finance 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 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 in developing policy on tax measures we take into account any effects on Ireland's international competitiveness, particularly regarding non-EU countries which compete with us and which may have low taxes on energy. Apart from the carbon tax, the national climate change strategy does envisage other initiatives in the tax area with one such example being tax reliefs for green initiatives. This approach uses the tax system to provide incentives for certain behaviour. Examples include capital allowances for corporate investment in renewable energy projects, available since 1998, and a provision for the current pilot scheme for excise tax relief for bio-fuels.
I cannot comment on any plans in this area which may be the subject of a budget provision.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:143 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the taxation measures initiated since 2000 to date in 2005 in respect of cars with air-conditioning using HFCs and products or processes emitting HFCs, as specified under the national climate change strategy; the further steps he intends to take in respect of the use of HFCs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37179/05]
There have been no specific tax measures introduced in respect of cars with air-conditioning using HFCs and products or processes emitting HFCs. With regard to future policies in this area, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.
Office of Public Works.
John Perry
Ceist:144 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance when the portacabin will be removed from the Abbey graveyard in Dromahair, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37308/05]
The national monuments section of the Office of Public Works is undertaking essential conservation to Creevylea Friary which is located in the Abbey graveyard in Dromahair. The portacabin in question is required to accommodate the workforce engaged on the project. In locating the portacabin, every care was taken to ensure the location chosen was the most discreet possible. The portacabin will continue to be required for staff accommodation until the end of 2006.
Tax Code.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:145 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce tax relief, grant support or other financial assistance for persons with physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37313/05]
I refer the Deputy to the long-standing practice of Ministers for Finance not to comment on what may or may not be contained in forthcoming budgets. I do not intend to depart from that approach.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:146 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the industry, commercial and services sector due to no regrets low cost energy efficiency gains by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to no regrets low cost energy efficiency gains for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:147 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the industry or commercial sectors which he has put agreements in place to achieve agreed global energy efficiency benchmarks to date in 2005 under the national climate change strategy; the greenhouse gas reduction targets specified under each of these agreements; the timetable set out in respect of each of the targets that have been set with which industry and commercial sectors he has yet to put such agreements in place; the steps he intends to take to complete such agreements; when each outstanding agreement is planned to be completed. [37162/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:152 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the total reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector by 2010; the reduction achieved to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases in the energy sector for each year between now and 2010; the estimated annual cost to Ireland if greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector remain at their current level; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37144/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:153 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the total reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by fuel switching to gas by 2010; the total reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37145/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:154 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by switching from oil to gas by 2010; the total reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:155 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by substituting for coal by 2010; the total reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the timeframe he has set to close Moneypoint; the timeline set out for the closure of Moneypoint to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37147/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:156 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 by using CHP technology; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005 by the use of this technology; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37148/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:157 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 by using renewables; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005 by the use of renewables; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37149/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:158 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 by improving energy efficiency; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005 by the improving of efficiencies; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37150/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:159 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 by using DSM; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005 by the use of DSM; the steps he intends to take to ensure the 2010 target is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37151/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147, and 152 to 159, inclusive, together.
Overall responsibility for the national climate change strategy rests with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
With regard to targets, the strategy made a range of proposals and gave indicative quantities of reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases. For the energy sector the strategy set out the indicative sectorial targets business as usual for 2010 as contained in the following table.
|
Fuel Switching to gas |
4.15 Mt CO2 |
|
Moneypoint |
3.4 Mt CO2 |
|
Oil |
0.75 Mt CO2 |
|
CHP |
0.25 Mt CO2 |
|
Renewables |
1.0 Mt CO2 |
|
Efficiencies |
0.1 MtCO2 |
|
DSM |
0.15 Mt CO2 |
|
Total |
5.65 Mt CO2 |
Installations are obliged to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the Environmental Protection Agency which operates under the auspices of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The agency makes returns to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Ireland's overall greenhouse gas emissions. This data is available on the Environmental Protection Agency website, http://coe.epa.ie/CRF2005/.
The information being sought by the Deputy involves a significant amount of analysis which cannot be collated within the timeframe of his parliamentary questions. In addition, in some cases the data may not exist yet. In the circumstances, I propose to have that analysis carried out with the assistance of the Environmental Protection Agency and I will revert to the Deputy at a later stage.
Post Office Network.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:148 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is giving due consideration to apply a public service obligation to the post office network to computerise the smaller offices and to guarantee a minimum income or if he is considering other positive measures in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37051/05]
The Government and An Post share the objective of maintaining a viable nationwide post office network through a strategy of maximising the volume of both public and private sector business handled by the network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, the Government recognises the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development strategies for the network continue to take full account of these social benefits.
While the Government will support the network in any way it can and has demonstrated its commitment in a tangible fashion, with a €12.7 million capital injection in 2003, the way forward is for An Post to enhance existing services and, building on existing strengths to develop new product offerings. The Government has no plans for a public service obligation in this regard.
The network has a high footfall and to capitalise on these advantages it is essential that existing and new services are developed to meet customer requirements. The network also has the capacity and potential to deliver more private business especially in financial services and opportunities are actively being pursued by An Post in this area.
With regard to computerisation of non-automated offices, the automated network accounts for over 95% of An Post's counter business. This means that the 1,000 automated offices transact 95% of counter business with the remaining non-automated offices undertaking 5% of business. This figure illustrates the level of business transacted by individual non-automated offices. The current level of automated coverage is considered by An Post to be extremely comprehensive by any objective standard and this level of coverage makes it difficult to justify on either customer-service or economic ground the extension of automation to all offices, regardless of their location or business volumes.
Automation of the post office network was completed in 1997. It is, therefore, only in exceptional circumstances, such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts significant volumes of welfare business, that offices are automated today. Nevertheless, in order to gauge the impact of automation on business generation, I asked the company to initiate a pilot project to automate ten small post offices. This project is under way and the results of the project will be evaluated after the trial period has come to an end.
I have also asked the company to ensure any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long-term viability of the post office network and in this light, An Post is working on a new initiative which could see the development and expansion of the range of financial services that it can deliver through its network of post offices. If successful, it could lead to a significant increase in post office business and contribute to the viability of the network. With regard to the income levels of post offices, the remuneration of postmasters is a contractual matter for An Post and postmasters.
Semi-State Bodies.
Fiona O'Malley
Ceist:149 Ms F. O’Malley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the statutory borrowing limit on Bord na Móna plc will be reviewed to enable it to deliver its new strategy. [37063/05]
I have no proposal from Bord na Móna plc to increase the statutory borrowing limit. Any such proposal would be considered on its merits. I am not aware of any immediate pressure on the existing limit.
Harbour Authorities.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:150 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to address the future of fishermen in the south east following the decision of the High Court in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37069/05]
The High Court decision in question concerned a case taken by the owners of large trawlers that have used the North Wharf and Frank Cassin Wharf, which are owned by the Port of Waterford Company. The case was taken by the fishermen against the company.
The implications of the court judgment for the fishermen, including the location of alternative landing facilities, are primarily a matter for the fishermen concerned to address. There are several fishery harbours around the coast which may be available to them. It is part of the Department's policy to provide fishery harbour facilities for the fishing industry to the extent possible within the resources and funding available. As part of this policy the Department operates five fishery harbour centres and, with funding made available under the national development plan, seeks to enhance the infrastructure and efficiency at these facilities as well as other key fishery harbours.
The Port of Waterford Company is statutorily responsible, under the Harbours Acts 1996 to 2005, for the control, operation, management and development of its harbour. The company now provides its core facilities for ships and goods at Belview, County Kilkenny. In accordance with its statutory remit, the company has conducted a review of its non-core assets to determine the appropriateness of their retention in present circumstances. The North Quays is one of the company's principal non-core assets, and the company has contracted to sell this property in order to facilitate the ongoing development of the port. Vacant possession is one of the conditions of the contract for sale.
Broadcasting Legislation.
Pat Carey
Ceist:151 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the need to introduce measures to protect children from the marketing of unhealthy goods to children through the Internet and through cable and satellite television as the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland code only covers terrestrial broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/05]
Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with and rules and practices to be observed in respect of advertising on both television and radio which relate to matters likely to be of direct or indirect interest to children.
The commission published a children's advertising code, which came into effect on 1 January 2005. The drafting, monitoring and review of the code are functions which the Oireachtas has provided the commission with statutory responsibility for and in respect of which I have no role. The commission's codes apply to all radio and television channels licensed in Ireland. In the case of television channels, the codes and rules apply to such services whether transmitted by terrestrial means or on cable, MMDS or satellite platforms. The codes do not apply to television channels licensed in other EU member states.
In the context of the forthcoming broadcasting Bill, I will consider whether the existing legislative provisions need to be updated to take account of new and emerging delivery platforms for broadcasting services.
Questions Nos. 152 to 159, inclusive, answered with Question No. 146.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:160 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the economic instruments planned in order to drive the achievement of the targets set under the national climate change strategy for the energy supply sector; the details of these instruments which have been initiated to date in 2005; the timeframe for further economic instruments to be initiated in relation to the energy sector under the national climate change strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37152/05]
Details of the key energy drivers in terms of meeting the sector's obligations under the national climate change strategy are set out in chapter 4 of that document. The primary economic instrument for dealing with the NCCS targets is the EU's emissions trading scheme. Since the NCCS was published, the emissions trading scheme has been agreed and commenced operation on a pilot basis. It covers all thermal installations of 20 MW or more and all electricity generating stations.
The scheme involves a cap and trade system under which installations are granted allowances to emit a certain level of greenhouse gases and are required to limit their emissions to that level or purchase additional allowances from other installations to cover any additional emissions of greenhouse gases. The level of allowances granted is set to ensure the installations in question make an appropriate contribution to meeting Ireland's overall obligation under the Kyoto Protocol.
The NCCS, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is under review. In addition, the emissions trading scheme proper is to begin in 2008 and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is conducting an exercise aimed at producing Ireland's national allocation plan for that period.
Electricity Generation.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:161 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the planned date for the closure and cessation of coal firing at Moneypoint as required under the national climate change strategy; the steps that have been taken to date in 2005 towards the closure of Moneypoint by the target date of 2008; the planned timeline and strategy for the cessation of coal firing at the plant; the steps he has taken to date in 2005 to establish a modern CCGT plant; the steps he intends to take to provide capacity using a CCGT plant by 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37153/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:162 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has made to comply with the requirement under the national climate change strategy to ensure the security of energy and electricity supply in the conversion of the Moneypoint plant output to gas; the steps he has taken to date in 2005 towards this aim; the steps he intends to take by the target date of 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37154/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
The reference to the closure and cessation of coal firing at Moneypoint under the national climate change strategy does not amount to a requirement. Commercial decisions regarding the future of the plant are a matter in the first instance for ESB. On 29 July 2004, my predecessor and current Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, gave shareholder approval to the ESB for a €368 million environmental retrofit project at the 900 MW coal fired Moneypoint power station in County Clare. The decision to approve the retrofit was taken in the context of the Government's commitment to maintaining fuel diversity in the interests of ensuring strong levels of security of supply. The Moneypoint project will ensure coal continues to be an important element of our electricity generation fuel mix and that our dependence on natural gas is kept at a sustainable level. It also means we will have gone a significant way to meeting our emissions reduction obligations in regard to sulphur dioxide, SOx, and nitrogen oxide, NOx, under the large combustion plant directive. The issue of carbon emissions is being dealt with under the emissions trading scheme.
Harbours and Piers.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:163 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the proposal from Howth Yacht Club referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 24 November 2005 has been made available to interested stakeholders; and if he will supply a copy. [37286/05]
I understand that the proposals of Howth Yacht Club relating to acquisition of additional berthing space in Howth harbour have not yet been finalised. When they finalise their proposals it will be a matter for the yacht club to submit its proposals for planning and other statutory permissions. Interested stakeholders will then have an opportunity to consider the proposals.
Foreign Adoptions.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:164 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts which are being made by his Department to liaise with the Adoption Board and Belarus to ensure that it re-opens to foreign adoptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37013/05]
Responsibility in this area is primarily a matter for the Department of Health and Children and the Adoption Board. The ambassador in Moscow, who is also accredited to Belarus, is available to help in every way possible.
When I visited Minsk on 9 June 2005, in my role as envoy of the United Nations' Secretary General, I took the opportunity to raise with the Belarussian Minister for Foreign Affairs the issue of inter-country adoptions between our two countries. All inter-country adoptions had been suspended by the authorities there in October 2004. It was agreed that Belarus would accept a delegation from Ireland to consider what could be done.
Subsequently, a delegation from the Adoption Board visited Belarus in September and met with the relevant authorities. The delegation was accompanied by a representative of the embassy in Moscow. I am pleased that the Belarussian authorities agreed in principle that adoptions from Belarus by Irish applicants will recommence as soon as a new adoption agreement between the countries is in place. In this regard, the Belarussian authorities handed over a draft agreement and I understand that this is currently being considered by the Attorney General.
My Department will work closely with the Adoption Board in taking this important and sensitive issue forward.
Undocumented Irish in the USA.
Michael Ring
Ceist:165 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to his recent visit to America, the progress which has been made on the legislative process in relation to the undocumented Irish in the United States; the persons he met with regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37053/05]
The welfare of undocumented Irish people in the US is a matter of the highest priority for the Government. In all our contacts with US political leaders, including when the Taoiseach and I met with President Bush earlier in the year, we emphasise the importance of addressing the situation of this vulnerable section of our community in a positive and sympathetic way. In doing so, we recognise that immigration is a highly sensitive and divisive issue in the United States, in particular since the tragic events of 11 September 2001.
My recent visit to New York and Boston included meetings with Irish immigration groups and the Irish-American media. I also briefed the editorial board of The New York Times and former President Clinton on the situation. The former president showed a deep understanding of the issue and promised to convey his supportive views, including those on the Kennedy-McCain Bill, to his wide range of contacts.
As the Deputy will be aware from the briefing that I have circulated to all Members of the Oireachtas, the legislative debate in the United States on immigration is entering a critical phase. Various proposals are under consideration at present. The Bill jointly sponsored by Senators McCain and Kennedy, to which I have already referred, is particularly attractive as it would offer the undocumented a path to permanent residency. I was pleased that both Houses of the Oireachtas strongly supported it recently.
I will have an opportunity later this week in Washington, including at a meeting with the Secretary of State, Ms Condoleezza Rice, to put forward the Government's thinking on the need to resolve satisfactorily the position of the undocumented. I will also review the overall prospects for legislative reform with Senator Edward Kennedy, and will express our appreciation of his exceptional efforts on this issue in Congress.
Foreign Conflicts.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:166 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the rationale behind the decision to donate €390,000 to the demobilisation process in Colombia; and the way in which he envisaged this money would move the peace process forward. [37133/05]
As set out in previous replies to parliamentary questions, most recently on 10 November 2005, the Government, together with its EU partners, is broadly supportive of the efforts of the Colombian Government to develop a peace process in that country. In that context, the European Union has consistently stressed the need for a negotiated peace settlement in Colombia and has called for illegal armed groups to demobilise.
Ireland has committed €390,000 over a three-year period to the Organisation of American States', OAS, peace and verification mission in Colombia. The mandate of the OAS mission in Colombia is to provide comprehensive support to the peace process, with a focus both on demobilisation and on strengthening institutions concerned with the rule of law. The grant was made in response to a request from the OAS to EU member states. It fits in with Ireland's strong commitment to the promotion of human rights and democratisation in Latin America. The EU has also welcomed the involvement of the OAS in supporting the demobilisation of paramilitary groups.
Among our EU colleagues, the Netherlands and Sweden also fund this mission and Ireland will work closely with them, in addition to ensuring that the mission maximises its role in the peace process.
Human Rights Issues.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:167 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to conduct an investigation along the lines of those being carried out in Sweden, Spain and Iceland to determine whether CIA prisoner flights have used Shannon Airport, as indicated by a map of alleged CIA flight routes published on the BBC website on 22 November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/05]
The situation remains as set out in my replies to several previous questions, most recently Question No. 374 of 22 November 2005.
The Government has on many occasions made clear to the US authorities that it would be illegal to transit prisoners for rendition purposes through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, acting in accordance with Irish and international law. The US authorities, for their part, have confirmed that they have not done so and that they would not do so without seeking the permission of the Irish authorities. No request for such authorisation has been received from the US authorities. I will raise this issue again when I meet the US Secretary of State, Ms Condoleezza Rice, in Washington tomorrow.
The Government will continue to follow the long-standing practice whereby details supplied to the Department of Foreign Affairs in this area by the US authorities are accepted in good faith as being accurate. However, if anyone has credible evidence that Shannon Airport, or indeed any other Irish airport, has been used for the purposes described by the Deputy, this should, as has been made clear by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, be shared with the Garda authorities. I need hardly emphasise that any such development would be viewed with the most serious concern by the Government.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:168 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the report An Act of Free Choice commissioned by the Dutch Parliament; if the United Nations will be urged, in view of the findings, that the Act of Free Choice was a sham and if responsibility will be taken up and a timetable set for a UN-supervised referendum to enable the West Papuan persons to exercise their right to self-determination. [37238/05]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:169 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent publication of the report An Act of Free Choice commissioned by the Dutch Parliament, the Indonesian authorities will stop the practice of arbitrarily arresting persons for their non-violent political activities and ensure that all West Papuan persons have the right to freedom of expression and association, without fear of harassment, arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, torture and ill-treatment, and unconditionally release all West Papuan prisoners detained or convicted solely for the non-violent expression of their views. [37239/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.
I am aware of the report entitled An Act of Free Choice, published in the Netherlands on 15 November by the Institute of Netherlands History. The overall position is that members of the European Union accept that Papua forms part of Indonesia. The Dutch Government, for instance, in responding to the report in the Netherlands’ Parliament, made clear that this is its position.
The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council has adopted conclusions on Indonesia, which reiterated the EU's attachment to a united, democratic, stable and prosperous Indonesia and also reiterated the EU's respect for the territorial integrity of Indonesia. The Council encouraged the Indonesian Government to seek peaceful solutions in conflict and potential conflict areas. It welcomed the statement by President Yudhoyono that he intended to implement a special autonomy law for Papua and Aceh.
The Government, therefore, believes that the most productive approach to dealing with the human rights situation in Papua is through dialogue with the Government of Indonesia. We will continue to urge full implementation of the special autonomy law for Papua which provides for special autonomy while respecting the territorial integrity of Indonesia. Under the law, a Papuan provincial government would have control over all matters other than international relations, defence, monetary policy, religion and the supreme court. Papua would be able to conduct international relations in so far as they related to trade, investment, technology and culture. Papua would also have its own flag, coat-of-arms and anthem, but as cultural symbols rather than as symbols of sovereignty.
Ireland and our EU partners continue to monitor the political situation in Indonesia and human rights issues are regularly raised in discussions with the Indonesian authorities. Together with our EU partners, the Government will continue to take every opportunity to raise concerns regarding Papua in contacts with the Indonesian authorities.
Sports Capital Programme.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:170 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position of an application (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the amount of work carried out by this community in association with his Department; when funding can be expected by this group to enable the community to plan the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37054/05]
The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The organisation in question was allocated a grant of €250,000 under the 2002 sports capital programme towards the cost of developing their facilities. This allocation was increased by the extra allocation of €5,000 as a "top-up" grant under the CLÁR programme by my colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. All of this grant aid has already been paid to the organisation. The organisation's application for funding under the 2005 programme was unsuccessful and it was advised accordingly on 2 August 2005.
Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications is 20 January 2006. It is open to the organisation in question, should it wish to do so and should it have a project which satisfies the terms and conditions of the programme, to submit an application for funding under the 2006 programme.
Departmental Correspondence.
John Gormley
Ceist:171 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received correspondence regarding the future of a studio (details supplied) Dublin 4; if his Department will support efforts to secure a suitable central location for the valuable cultural facilities currently provided at the studio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37240/05]
I have only recently received correspondence from this studio. State assistance towards current or revenue funding for arts facilities is channelled via the Arts Council, which is independent of my Department in the disbursement of its funds.
From time to time, my Department does run programmes of capital grants for arts and cultural facilities such as the ACCESS grant scheme, which is currently nearing completion. The introduction of a successor scheme to ACCESS is under consideration at present. Were a new scheme to be introduced, any project submitted for consideration would be assessed on the basis of its potential contribution to the arts and in light of applications from other projects for funding. Should such a scheme be approved, applications would be invited by public advertisement.
Disposal of Property.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:172 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of land disposed of by the IDA; the amounts raised by the disposal of this property in County Kildare in the years 2000 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37027/05]
The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day to day operational matter for the agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas for the attraction of foreign direct investment to the State and its regions. While I may give general policy directives to IDA Ireland, I am precluded under the Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings.
All IDA Ireland lands are sold on the basis of commercial valuation in line with public sector guidelines and subject to IDA board approval. In the period 2000 to 2005, the IDA disposed of a total of 5.2199 hectares in County Kildare, details of which are set out in the following tabular statement.
It would not be appropriate for me to divulge details of the amounts raised by these sales, as to do so could compromise the IDA's negotiating position and breach client confidentiality.
|
Year |
Location in Co. Kildare |
Size of site sold in Hectares |
|
2000 |
Naas |
0.4047 |
|
Newbridge |
0.8057 |
|
|
2001 |
Monasterevin |
0.0631 |
|
Newbridge |
0.325 |
|
|
2002 |
Athy |
0.7284 |
|
Newbridge |
0.8696 |
|
|
2003 |
— |
— |
|
2004 |
— |
— |
|
2005 |
Newbridge |
2.0234 |
Job Creation.
James Breen
Ceist:173 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new foreign companies brought by the IDA to Ennis, Scariff, Kilrush and Miltown Malbay in County Clare since 2000; the number of jobs in those companies; the number of jobs originally projected in those companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37055/05]
Under the Industrial Development Acts, IDA Ireland is the agency charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment to this country, its regions and its areas, with the exception of the Shannon free zone which is the responsibility of Shannon Development. The latter is also responsible for providing industrial property solutions in the four towns cited in the question to assist IDA in attracting FDI to the region. Since 2000, there has been one start-up and one expansion of IDA assisted companies in County Clare.
In March 2004, it was announced that Monster Cable Products Incorporated of the United States, the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance cables used to connect audio, video and computer systems, would establish a shared services centre in Ennis that would create 50 new high quality jobs over five years. These jobs would be in finance, order administration, technical support, engineering, merchandising services and supply chain management. At present, the company employs seven people.
In September 2004, Organic Lens Manufacturing began a €6.5 million investment for the development of its manufacturing operation in Ennis to create 100 additional jobs, of which all are now on stream.
A central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of balanced regional development. IDA Ireland's regional strategy reflects the NSS, with an emphasis on the gateway and hub locations. In Clare, Ennis is designated as a hub location. The attractiveness of Clare, including Ennis, for inward investment has to be seen within a regional context and particularly by reference to Shannon airport and to their location on the Limerick-Galway corridor.
At the end of 2004, there were 917 people in permanent employment in eight IDA supported companies in County Clare, five of which are located in Ennis. Over the last three years employment trends have remained broadly constant in IDA supported companies. Industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, engineering-consumer products, ICT and health care are well represented in County Clare.
IDA Ireland's sectoral emphasis in the mid-west region is on attracting new knowledge intensive projects in information communications and technology, international services, medical technologies and life sciences.
Between 2001 and 2004, IDA Ireland companies in the mid west committed to research and development projects worth €37 million. IDA Ireland works closely with the local educational infrastructure — the University of Limerick and Limerick Institute of Technology — to foster collaboration between industry and academia with a focus on research and development and emerging new business sectors, such as digital media and e-Learning.
Economic Competitiveness.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:174 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in view of the fact that IDA factories in County Mayo are being sold off as car showrooms and that west of Ireland manufacturing companies are being encouraged to move their business as far away as China, his views on whether manufacturing, fishing and agriculture are all in decline in the west; his plans to improve this constantly deteriorating situation in the western region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/05]
I can comment only on that part of the question relating to my remit. The Government facilitates the creation of an environment attractive to businesses and business creation. Government policies in this regard have helped propel economic growth and employment expansion and these have encouraged deeper and stronger links to both international and enlarging EU markets. Clearly, having an open economy has greatly assisted Ireland's economic development and has benefited the country. However, an open economy also presents threats, in particular where the country no longer operates as a low cost location for investment. Our strengths and competitive advantages have inexorably changed.
High output and productivity together with high returns to labour in the form of wages, salaries and better living standards now typify Ireland's economy. The low technology production that characterised our economic output in the past is being replaced by higher technology and services enterprises. A more attractive cost environment abroad will inevitably entice some firms that are unable to generate the required return from the modern enterprise economy into which we are transforming ourselves. A continuing structural evolution of our economy is both unavoidable and necessary to maintain present levels of growth and low unemployment.
Part of this evolution entails some inevitable plant transfers and other adjustments but, where relocation has occurred to date, it has largely been limited to relatively low technology, labour intensive activities. It is imperative that our companies survive and grow. If high value functions such as research and development, design, marketing and management are retained in Ireland then outsourcing a low value activity, which has no hope of being profitable, is a viable business decision.
That is not say that we can do nothing. In fact, the opposite is true. To counterbalance the competitive threat from lower wage competitor economies, our policy is to encourage a move to higher levels of productivity and value added products and services. We are continuing to develop those infrastructures, both physical and intellectual, to create and maintain an attractive environment for investment and expansion in Ireland. Such investment will be sourced by a combination of developing existing clients and new investors in existing or new activities or sectors.
Given the critical mass of foreign direct investment in Ireland and its linkages with indigenous companies, one of the greatest potential contributions will come from developing companies already operating here. The enterprise development agencies have a clear mandate to align their operations around this policy objective and are continuing to encourage companies into more sophisticated activities, reducing the likelihood of our competitive advantage being eroded by cost based competition.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to work and co-operate with all agencies in the region on any initiatives that are deemed appropriate for the area. Enterprise Ireland has approved funding support of over €22.3 million and paid over €16.8 million to companies in the western region in the period 2003 to date. Of this, EI client companies in County Mayo have been approved funding of €2.6 million and received payments of €2.4 million. This financial support will enable the companies to fund their plans for innovation and new product development. As further support to client companies, Enterprise Ireland has arranged for staff from each of its 33 overseas offices to be available both in Galway and Dublin in January 2006 to meet clients who wish to develop their exports.
The campus incubator units at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in both Castlebar and Galway, together with the units at National University Ireland, Galway, received approval for capital grants of €5.45 million from EI, together with grants of €314,000 towards the cost of centre managers. The centres will serve the needs of the west, with companies starting at these centres moving out in time to locate in other areas.
I am advised by IDA Ireland that it has not disposed of any factory buildings that are, or have been, used as car showrooms. IDA owned buildings are normally sold to clients on a freehold basis with a restricted use covenant attached. However, there are instances in County Mayo where IDA clients have, as part of their restructuring, sold their building which then been used as car showrooms, such as the Volex building at Castlebar. This was constructed by Volex itself on a site it acquired from a third party and as such could be disposed of as it wished. The enterprise development agencies are focusing attention on the elements of investment that now best fit Ireland's competitive characteristics and which will provide the maximum positive sustainable benefit to the economy at both a national and regional level.
Planning Issues.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:175 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date on which planning permission was given for the 20,000 sq. ft. factory at Lisfannon, Fahan; the efforts which have been made to market that opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37071/05]
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:176 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the State agencies will purchase a premises for job creation in an area of unemployment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
I understand from the Industrial Development Authority, IDA, that planning permission was granted on 5 April 2001 for a 20,000 sq. ft. factory at Lisfannon, Fahan, County Donegal. The planning permission and plans are available to any potential client who wishes to commence construction and to facilitate an early start up of a project.
However, since the planning permission was granted, a local developer approached IDA with plans to build a 12,000 sq. ft. factory and a 10,000 sq. ft. office in Lisfannon. The factory is now complete and the office is nearing completion. Both of these facilities are available for any new project considering the location for investment and are being prioritised by IDA for investment purposes, particularly as the premises are available for early occupation.
I am also advised that IDA Ireland does not intend to proceed with the 20,000 sq. ft. building until progress has been made in respect of the occupation of the facilities currently on the ground in Lisfannon. IDA Ireland has informed the owners of the Clubman factory that the agency will not be purchasing the facility given existing property availability. However, the IDA will include this facility, along with the newly developed office and factory facilities in Buncrana, in its promotional programme for overseas mobile investment.
Work Permits.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:177 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the different permits allowing migrants to engage in economic activity issued or intended to be issued by his Department to different categories of workers; what distinguishes the different schemes from each other and what are, or will be, the distinctive rights and entitlements of the various categories of workers with particular regard to employment permits, work permits, spousal work permits and green cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37116/05]
I refer the Deputy to my Second Stage speech on the Employment Permits Bill 2005 on 12 October when I gave the House a detailed account of the present and proposed employment permit arrangements. Under the present system a work permit is granted to an employer to recruit a specific employee to fill a specific vacancy where the employer has been unable to find a suitable employee within the European Economic Area.
The working visas-work authorisations scheme introduced in 2000 is designed to facilitate the employment of individuals from outside the EEA who are highly skilled in particular economic sectors where labour shortages exist. Principally, these are health professionals, information computing technology professionals, and construction professionals, such as architects, engineers and town planners. In these instances the would-be employee is granted the authorisation or visa at an Irish embassy or consulate abroad on the basis of a job offer in these sectors by an employer in Ireland. Spouses of work permit holders require a work permit in order to enter the labour market, whereas employers of spouses of authorisation or visa holders are granted permits without having to under take a labour market test. All of the above information is available on my Department's website at www.entemp.ie.
An intracompany transfer facility is available on a case-by-case basis, without an economic needs test, for international companies located here to enable them to transfer senior managers or exceptionally skilled staff to Ireland for a fixed duration. When enacted, the Employment Permits Bill 2005 will put the existing administrative arrangements on a sound legislative footing. It will also facilitate the issue of employment permits of extended or indefinite duration and provide additional protections for migrant workers.
The new arrangements being introduced as part of an active managed economic migration policy comprise a green card for occupations where there are skills shortages, which will be 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. Green cards will be issued for two years initially, with the possibility of permanent or long-term residence after that. For 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. Third, a re-established intracompany transfer scheme for temporary transnational management transfers.
A key feature of the Bill is the provision of a number of new important protections for migrant workers. These include the granting of both the employment permit, whether the work permit or the green card, to the employee rather than the employer. The new employment permit will also contain a statement of the rights and entitlements of the migrant worker. In addition, the Bill prohibits employers from deducting expenses associated with recruitment from remuneration and from retaining personal documents belonging to the employee.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:178 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the target that Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the industry, commercial and services sector; the reduction achieved in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the industry, commercial and services sector for each year between now and 2012; the estimated annual cost to Ireland if greenhouse gas emissions from this sector remain at their current level; the steps he is taking to ensure the target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:179 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the target that Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the industry, commercial and services sector due to up to £75 tonne CO2 efficiency measures by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due up to £75 tonne CO2 efficiency measures for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37159/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:180 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the target that Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the industry, commercial and services sector due to process substitution for cement by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due process substitution for cement for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37160/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:181 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the target that Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the industry, commercial and services sector due to measures relating to industrial gases such as PFCs, HFCs and SF6 by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due process substitution for cement for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:182 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date in 2005 in respect of the planned agreement regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases under the national climate change strategy between his Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the cement industry to ensure that the reductions in emissions achieved are at the global benchmark for industry best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:183 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date in 2005 in respect of the planned agreement regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases under the national climate change strategy between his Department, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the fertiliser manufacturing sector to ensure that the reductions in emissions achieved are at the global benchmark for industry best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37164/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:184 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date in 2005 in respect of the planned agreement regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases under the national climate change strategy between his Department and the semi-conductor industry to control the emissions of PFCs and other industrial gases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37165/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:185 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of an agreement that has been negotiated under the national climate change strategy as between his Department and the relevant industry sectors in respect of HFC use; the target date set by such agreements for the elimination of the use of HFCs; the progress which has been made to date in 2005 to eliminate HFC use; the steps he intends to take between now and the target date set to ensure the elimination of the use of HFCs; the percentage reduction in HFC use he expects to achieve by 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37166/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 185, inclusive, together.
The national climate change strategy, NCCS, published in 2000, sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol, which is to limit growth in greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels in the 2008-12 commitment period. In respect of the industry, commercial and services sector, the NCCS stated that total emissions in 1990 were 9.65 metric tonnes of CO2 and were projected to rise to 15 metric tonnes of CO2 by 2010. The NCCS set a target of a reduction of 2.175 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum on projected emissions in that sector for the period 2008-12.
The most up to date figures available on emissions are those in the National Inventory Report 2005, prepared by the EPA, which provides data up to 2003. That shows that, in 2003, emissions of CO2 from the industrial, commercial and services sector amounted to 11.180 metric tonnes of CO2. The target in the NCCS relates to the average for the Kyoto Protocol period and is not defined on an annual basis.
There have been a number of policy developments since the publication of the NCCS in 2000, the most significant of which is the establishment of the EU emissions trading scheme, EU ETS. Over 80% of Irish industry CO2 emissions come within the scope of the EU ETS. A market based mechanism, works on a cap and trade basis. It is a very important instrument in achieving our Kyoto Protocol targets in the industry sector because it requires the Government to set an overall cap on CO2 emissions for industry participants in the trading sector.
In terms of the cost to Ireland if greenhouse gas emissions remain at their current level, it is for individual installations to ensure compliance with the scheme and they may do so in the most cost effective manner available to them. If emission reductions cannot be achieved through their own action, installations may meet their individual targets through emissions trading, which permits access to least cost emissions reduction opportunities throughout the EU and internationally. The cost of the actions taken is a matter for participating installations.
The target set in the NCCS for emission reductions due to process substitution for cement is 0.5 metric tonnes of CO2 per annum over the period 2008-12. However, since the publication of the NCCS in 2000, the EU ETS has been developed and it commenced operation on 1 January of this year. The cement sector comes within the scope of the EU ETS and each individual installation has been given a cap on its emissions, which includes process emissions. As stated above, it is for individual installations to ensure compliance with the scheme and they may do so in the most cost effective manner available to them, including process substitution. The cement sector is currently engaged with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on possible measures to facilitate the more widespread use of lower clinker content cement in the Irish market.
Regarding emission reductions from up to £75 tonne CO2 efficiency measures, the target set in the NCCS is 0.25 metric tonnes of CO2 per annum in the period 2008-12. At this stage, disaggregated figures are not available. Therefore, it is not possible to identify reductions attributable to such measures. Regarding industrial gases, such as HFCs, PFCs and SF6, the target set in the NCCS for emission reductions is 0.5 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum over the period 2008-12. The EPA is currently undertaking an updated inventory study on industrial gases and its results are expected shortly. As noted in the 2005 national inventory report prepared by the EPA, the compilation of emissions estimates for industrial gases present major new challenges for inventory agencies because they emanate from diverse sources that are entirely different to those traditionally covered by atmospheric emissions inventories and the uses of many of the substances concerned are changing very rapidly in the marketplace.
The 2005 national inventory report shows that, in 2003, the latest year for which figures were available, emissions from industrial gases accounted for less than 1% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. It also shows that emissions of industrial gases from the semi-conductor sector were approximately 20% lower in 2003 than in 2000. There are two major companies involved in semi-conductor manufacture in Ireland that utilise industrial gases in their processes. Information on the use and losses of these compounds are reported by the individual companies in their annual environmental reports to the EPA. The Irish semi-conductor manufacture sector is party to a voluntary agreement to reduce global warming gas emissions to 10% below 1995 levels by 2010.
Regarding HFCs, the European Commission put forward a proposal in 2003 to regulate emissions of fluoridated gases, including HFCs. The proposal is divided into a directive dealing with HFCs in vehicle air conditioning and a regulation dealing with containment, use, recovery and destruction of fluoridated greenhouse gases and the placing on the market, labelling and disposal of products and equipment containing those gases. Foam blowing, which is specifically mentioned in the NCCS, comes within the scope of the proposed regulation. The regulation, when adopted, will facilitate the achievement of our reduction targets. Concerning the proposed agreement on the reduction of greenhouse gases from the fertiliser manufacturing sector proposed in the NCCS, the position is that the only fertiliser manufacturing plants in the country, Irish Fertiliser Industries, closed in June 2002.
I believe that good progress is being made towards achieving the NCCS target for the industrial, commercial and services sector. In fact, the third national review of Ireland under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change states that there has been a notable degree of decoupling between GDP and greenhouse gas emissions. None the less, my Department is very conscious of the significant challenges involved in meeting our Kyoto Protocol targets and my officials are continuing to work with industry and with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure that our commitments will be met and as cost effectively as possible.
As indicated earlier, 80% of industry emissions come within the scope of the EU ET, and my Department is currently engaged with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and other Departments on the preparation of Ireland's national allocation plan for the period 2008-12. My Department is also engaged with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the review of the national climate change strategy. I understand that a review document will be published shortly, which will assess progress in implementing the strategy, assess emission trends across each sector and propose additional measures for Ireland to cost effectively meet its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol.
Job Losses.
John Perry
Ceist:186 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the recent announcement of a company (details supplied) in County Sligo in relation to the future closure of their plant where an employee has been offered employment elsewhere if they will be entitled to their redundancy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37306/05]
The company in question has announced that it intends to close its Sligo operation by the end of 2006. I understand that the company has commenced a staff consultation process and the outcome of this process will be a phased transfer of the operation outside of Ireland in 2006. The company expects to make all 120 employees in Sligo redundant.
I understand that it is the company's intention to enter into consultations, in accordance with the Protection of Employment Act 1977, with the employee council which will represent employee interests in relation to the proposed redundancies and the company is proposing that the consultation period lasts for an extended timeframe of 60 days. These consultations will include detailed discussions as to the redundancy terms available and the proposed timeframe. Following this process, the company proposes fulfilling all its contractual and statutory notice requirements and is planning to provide redundancy terms over and above the statutory requirements to all employees who are made redundant. The consultation process will be completed before notice of termination of employment is given to any employee.
With regard to an employee who has been offered employment elsewhere, the position in relation to statutory redundancy is as follows: if the employee is transferred to a subsidiary or sister company of his-her present company within this jurisdiction, then he-she would not be entitled to statutory redundancy at this point in time but would carry his-her service with him-her from the old company to the new one and if he-she were subsequently made redundant, then all his-her service from the time he-she commenced employment with the old company would be reckonable for the calculation of his-her statutory redundancy payment; if the employee is offered employment abroad with his-her present company and is subsequently made redundant abroad, then the redundancy scheme of that country would apply. In both of the above circumstances, if the location of the new job or the wages are unacceptable to the employee he-she is entitled to statutory redundancy. Disputes in this regard are resolved by the Employment Appeals Tribunal; and if, on the other hand, the offer of employment within this jurisdiction and the new employment has no legal relationship to the company concerned, then the employee would be entitled to receive redundancy terms from the company concerned and he-she would start afresh with the new company.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:187 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to persons who collect their social welfare payments from the post office if there is a strike in An Post; his plans for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37045/05]
My Department has developed a range of contingency plans to address interruption in payments through the postal or post office counter services. These plans are kept under review to ensure that they offer the best response to any disruption to payments.
Among the approaches available to my Department is the option of changing the payment method used by the customer, changing the location where customers receive their payments or using my Department's nationwide network of offices to distribute payments.
My Department has arrangements with An Post for the delivery of social welfare payments. Where a disruption of the payment service takes place it is the responsibility of An Post to ensure that customers receive their payment. In these circumstances my Department maintains ongoing contact and communication with An Post management to ensure that any disruption of services has minimal impact on our customers. In the past, where a number of post offices have closed, arrangements were made to transfer payments to nearby post offices which continued to operate.
In situations where the postal services were disrupted arrangements were made to distribute cheques through the local and branch office network of my Department. This arrangement was most recently used when during a two week dispute in March 2004 affecting postal services in the Dublin area, when my Department's existing resources and services were used to implement a contingency plan by using social welfare local and branch offices as cheque collection centres.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:188 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department will increase the fuel allowance rates as they are not sufficient and are becoming less so in view of the ever increasing fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37057/05]
Fuel allowances are a supplementary entitlement payable over the winter heating season to eligible people in receipt of pensions and other qualifying social welfare schemes. Some 274,000 people receive this allowance, at an aggregate cost of €85.4 million this year. Fuel allowances are incorporated in the recipient's weekly payment and are not intended to meet heating costs in full. The Government's objective is to ensure that the recipient's total weekly income, including the fuel allowance, is sufficient to meet all of their income needs, including heating costs.
The Government has concentrated budget resources on providing significant real increases over and above inflation each year in all primary social welfare pension, benefit and assistance rates. This is a more costly approach than increasing fuel allowances because the increase is paid for the full year and not just for the 29 weeks of winter heating season. This approach delivers a better outcome for pensioners and others by substantially increasing their income in real terms over the whole year, to better assist them in meeting their normal basic living costs, including heating.
For example, inflation including fuel price inflation has amounted to 12.8% since January 2002 when the value of fuel allowance was last increased. Total weekly social welfare rates incorporating fuel allowance have increased by between 33% and 37% in that period. Other related schemes, particularly the household benefits of electricity and gas allowances payable all year round, are also available to assist with heating costs.
Increases in the rate or duration of the fuel allowance would have significant cost implications. For example, increasing the fuel allowance by €1 per week would cost €8 million per annum. Increasing the duration of the fuel allowance by one week would cost just under €3 million per annum.
I am keeping the adequacy of the fuel allowance scheme under close review. Given these significant potential extra scheme costs, any increase in fuel allowance rates or duration are matters to be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget.
Social Welfare Appeals.
Michael Ring
Ceist:189 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of an appeal for the disability allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37093/05]
The person's claim for disability allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that they did not satisfy the statutory condition that a person must be habitually resident in this State. The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and an oral hearing was held on 8 November 2005. Having considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, the appeals officer determined that the person did not satisfy the conditions as to habitual residence for receipt of disability allowance and disallowed his appeal. The person was notified of the decision of the appeals officer on 23 November 2005. 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 regard to making such decisions.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:190 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the practical schemes to assist people with disabilities living in poverty and hardship. [37105/05]
My Department operates a number of schemes which provide income support for people with disability or illness: disability benefit which is a payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness; invalidity pension which is paid to people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy contribution conditions; disability allowance, a means-tested payment, which is paid to people with a disability who are substantially handicapped in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications; blind pension, also a means-tested payment, payable to persons who are blind or with low vision; and a number of payments under the occupational injuries scheme for people who are unable to work due to an accident at work or a disease contracted due to the type of work undertaken. These payments include injury benefit, disablement benefit, medical care and unemployability supplement.
In addition to these primary payments, extra benefits may also be payable, depending on a person's circumstances and these include the free travel pass; fuel allowance; household benefits package; assistance under the supplementary welfare scheme and medical card, from the Health Service Executive.
Facilitating return to work or participation in the active labour force is one of the main objectives of the social welfare system. There are a number of specific employment and training incentives available within the system to encourage and facilitate people with illness and disability to take up available work or training options. These include exemptions from the general "no work" conditions of the disability benefit and invalidity pension schemes to facilitate people to undertake employment of a rehabilitative nature and income disregards on the means-tested payments.
Access to the back to work allowance scheme, designed to assist people to return to employment, is also available, subject to certain conditions, to people in receipt of disability benefit, invalidity pension, disability allowance, blind pension and unemployability supplement. This is a weekly payment which allows people to take up approved employment while retaining a percentage of their social welfare payment for three years, four years in the case of self-employment, and to retain any secondary benefits to which they have been entitled for that period.
Access to the back to education scheme, subject to qualifying conditions, is similarly available for people in receipt of the aforementioned schemes. This is an allowance paid at a standard rate, for the duration of the educational course which the person undertakes, at either second or third level. Any secondary benefits to which the person had entitlement are also retained for the duration of the payment. In addition, an annual cost of education allowance is payable at the commencement of each academic year to assist with the purchase of books and other relevant materials. It is clear that the barriers faced by people with disabilities and indeed other groups who are vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion are multifaceted and require a multi-agency response. The national action plan against poverty and social exclusion 2003-2005, sets out the framework for the Government's response to these problems. The current plan sets out the range of policies and programmes, such as income and employment supports, health and education, which are being undertaken by relevant Departments aimed at reducing or eliminating poverty and social exclusion.
The national action plan specifically targets people with disabilities as one of a number of groups who are particularly vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion, the overall aim being to increase their participation in work and society generally and to assist them and their families to lead full and independent lives. The plan details specific targets and actions which include: rehabilitative training provision and skills development; increased participation in third level education; specific employment supports for people with disabilities and employers; access to health care; and care of people with disabilities.
The office for social inclusion, OSI, which is based in my Department, has overall responsibility for developing, co-ordinating and driving the national action plan. Consultation seminars are currently being held around the country on the development of the new national action plan, 2006-2008, offering an opportunity to obtain views and feedback at regional level specifically on the priorities set for each region.
This Government remains committed to continuing efforts to alleviate poverty, especially for those who have not been in a position to benefit from the employment opportunities afforded by higher economic growth.
During the period 2001 to 2005, there were substantial real increases in social welfare rates, with the lowest rates increasing by 40% while the consumer price index increased by just over13%. As a result of budget 2005, social welfare payments have increased by three times the expected rate of inflation. It is Government policy to increase the rates of social welfare payments over the period to 2007 and this commitment will be delivered. This will benefit all social welfare recipients, including those in receipt of disability payments.
Jack Wall
Ceist:191 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the funding a person in need of clothing can obtain under the clothing allowance scheme as operated by the CWO on behalf of his Department; his plans to increase the allowance; if he will publish the guidelines attached to obtaining the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/05]
My Department has no specific clothing assistance scheme for adults, though there is a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance scheme administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, HSE, in respect of school-going children. In general, people are expected to meet normal clothing and footwear requirements as they arise from their household income.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is also administered by the HSE, provides for an exceptional needs payment to be made to assist with essential, once-off costs which the applicant is unable to meet from his-her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
Tax and Social Welfare Codes.
Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:192 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the changes that have been approved in respect of PRSI contributions which will affect job share and part-time workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37242/05]
There have been no recent changes to PRSI which could impact of work-sharing and part-time workers. The most significant changes benefiting these workers were implemented in 1991 when part-time workers were brought into full social insurance coverage subject to a minimum earnings threshold. In 1997, changes were made to the home-maker's scheme to allow for the award of credited contributions where a person who is job-sharing and the week off coincides with the PRSI "contribution week". These credits maintain entitlement to old age contributory pension. The contribution requirements for unemployment, disability and maternity benefit were relaxed in 2001, providing an alternative test to the usual requirement, that is, 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year. The alternative test requires 26 contributions paid in both the relevant tax year and 26 paid in the previous year also. This easing of the contribution requirements benefited all those work-sharing, working part-time, seasonally or intermittently. The Deputy may be referring to the impact on the liability for and award of PRSI contributions for job-sharers in particular years when the workers pattern of work is aligned with the PRSI "contribution week", that is, each successive seven day period beginning on the first day of the year, as defined in social welfare legislation. This alignment will affect the number of PRSI contributions amassed in any contribution year and may in turn affect entitlement to social welfare benefits. Starting in 2005 and for three years to 2007, the contribution week is aligned to the working week. When this occurs, a person who is job-sharing may accumulate fewer PRSI contributions. Work-sharers who work a split week, for example, Wednesday to Tuesday, can similarly be affected during the years when the contributions year commences on a Wednesday. Depending on the exact work pattern, work-sharers may work 26, 39 or 52 weeks in a year. However, additional contributions may be due on the basis of entitlement to public holiday pay as provided for under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:193 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if provision has been made in Estimates 2006 for change in the maximum rent payment which can be considered for supplement for households of different sizes. [37297/05]
Rent supplements are subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant for rent supplement may incur. The limits vary according to geographic location and household size.
My Department completed a review of the rent limits earlier this year in order in determine if the existing maximum rent limits required any adjustments in the light of the market situation in the sector. Following this review, I introduced regulations on 26 July 2005 specifying new maximum rent limits to be applied to the scheme for the period from then to 31 December 2006. These regulations provided for moderate increases in certain rent limits, with no change in others. No rent limit was reduced. Setting maximum rent limits higher than are justified by the open market would have a distorting effect on the rental market, leading to a more general rise in rent levels and in landlord income. This in turn would worsen the affordability of rental accommodation, with particular negative impact for those tenants on lower incomes. The 2006 Abridged Estimates for my Department are based on a continuation of the current statutory position, and contain no provision for further changes in the rent supplement rent limits.
Social Welfare Benefits.
John Perry
Ceist:194 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason elderly persons who are not living alone are not entitled to the fuel allowance of €9 or €12 as the carers who are looking after elderly parents; the reason the Government is discriminating against a small minority of the elderly by refusing them the fuel allowance due to the fact that they do not meet the criteria, for example living alone and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/05]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders on long-term social welfare or health board payments towards the cost of their additional heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 29 weeks from end-September to mid-April and are not intended to meet the full cost of heating. Some 274,000, 151,000 with basic fuel allowance and 123,000 with smokeless fuel supplement benefit under the scheme at a cost of €85.4 million in 2005. The main conditions that apply to the scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or only with: a dependent spouse or partner; a dependent child; a person who gives full-time care and attention where the applicant requires constant care and attention; a person who is in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department; a person in receipt of a short-term unemployment assistance payment; a person in receipt of a carer's allowance. The purpose of the household composition and means test rules for fuel allowance scheme qualifying purposes is to ascertain the ability of applicant households to meet their normal heating requirements out of their own resources and to ensure the maximum amount of support is targeted at those most in need of the fuel allowance support. The scheme is not intended for households that include a person in full-time employment.
If an elderly person in the situation outlined by the Deputy is not eligible for a fuel allowance on these grounds, but has an exceptional heating cost by virtue of a particular infirmity or medical condition which he-she is unable to meet out of household income, it is open to him-her to apply to the local community welfare officer for a special heating supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
Tax and Social Welfare Codes.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:195 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to recognise the role of farm spouses by permitting spouse and partners to make PRSI contributions in order to qualify themselves for the range of self-employed social insurance benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34118/05]
Spouses of an employed or self-employed contributor are specifically excepted from social insurance contributions. This exclusion recognises the practical difficulties in establishing the nature of a genuine employment relationship in circumstances such as when a person employed under a contract of service, that is, as an employee, by his or her spouse is classed as an "excepted" contributor under social welfare law. As a result, farming spouses can only pay PRSI if they are involved in one of three scenarios.
First, spouses who are actively engaged in a commercial partnership, as opposed to simply being the joint owners of a property, are treated as individual self-employed contributors and are thus liable to social insurance contributions. These contributions — made under PRSI class S — enable them to build up an insurance record in their own right and to receive accruing benefits. A partnership is commonly understood to be an association of two or more persons for the purpose of gain or of sharing in the work and profits of an enterprise. Liability for PRSI contributions is not contingent on the ownership of property but rather on the nature of the business arrangements between the couple. Co-ownership of property does not in itself create a partnership.
Second, where a family business in incorporated as a limited company, spouses involved in the business can establish a social insurance record as either employees or as self-employed contributors depending on whether a contract of service exists.
Third, it is known that persons engaged in farming are increasingly taking up "off-farm" employment. This enables farming spouses who might otherwise not be insured to develop a social insurance record on the basis of their "off-farm" earnings. Also, farming spouses who were previously employed are able to maintain their social insurance coverage in the long-term by contributing to the voluntary PRSI contribution scheme.
The legislation that exempts spouses who assist in family enterprises, such as farming, from liability to social insurance has been the subject of review on a number of occasions. In 2002, an interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development concluded: The formation of business partnerships offers an immediate route of access to social insurance cover as it is based on existing legislation. Such arrangements would not impose any significant additional administration costs on farm business: for example, couples who are liable for income tax under joint or separate assessment will continue to make one income tax return each year, the only change being that the income of the farm enterprise will be apportioned in accordance with the partnership arrangements.
A FISIM social partnership group that included representatives from various local and national farming organisations recently considered how the social insurance framework in Ireland should develop to become more inclusive. The report of the group, published in June of this year, acknowledged the significance of the partnership option and recommended that more information on the tax and social welfare implications of families working in either a partnership or limited company be made available. This recommendation is presently being progressed. There are currently no plans to change the existing provisions.
Rural Transport Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:196 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he can facilitate travel facilities for the elderly in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37228/05]
James Breen
Ceist:198 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided in the 2006 rural transport initiative to provide transport from west Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37037/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 196 together.
The provision of transport services for older people in rural areas is a core feature of the rural transport initiative, RTI, which has been operated by my Department on a pilot basis since 2002. All 34 RTI pilot projects throughout the country provide transport services for older people as part of their public transport remit. Indeed, the RTI arose as a response to the needs of specific categories of people in rural Ireland, such as older people, who did not have access to transport.
Area Development Management Limited, ADM, administers the initiative on behalf of my Department and makes specific allocations to individual project groups from funding provided by my Department. Neither I nor my Department has any role in the specific allocations. Similarly, ADM together with the individual RTI project groups are solely responsible for all the operational aspects of the initiative, including the specific services to be provided. Neither I nor my Department has any role in these matters.
Earlier this year I announced the extension of the pilot phase of the initiative to the end of 2006. In this regard, I was taking account of the principal recommendation of the appraisal of the RTI, carried out in 2004. I also announced that from 2007 onwards I intend to put the scheme on a permanent footing.
I will be providing some €5 million for the initiative in 2006 and I have already announced that, in parallel with the implementation of Transport 21, I will double the cash funding available to the scheme by 2007. Thereafter, I will steadily increase the funding available for rural transport services; ultimately to a cash level about four times what it is this year.
Parking Regulations.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:197 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Transport when all disabled parking bays in County Mayo and nationwide will be painted blue as directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37031/05]
The design and specifications for disabled persons' parking bays are prescribed in the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997 — SI 181 of 1997. The regulations provide that a roadway marking consisting of the symbol of a wheelchair user be provided in a disabled person's parking bay and that the symbol and bay markings are white. There are no requirements set down on the colour of the road surface in such bays.
My Department is currently engaged in a consultation process with groups representing the interests of disabled persons who are engaged in the issue of the disabled person's parking permits, the Garda, local authorities and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the regulatory provisions made under the Road Traffic Acts that relate to the operation of disabled person's parking permits and the use of disabled persons' parking bays. The issue of the future designation of disabled persons' parking bays is being considered in the context of that process.
Question No. 198 answered with QuestionNo. 196.
State Airports.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:199 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport if he will instigate a full economic impact study on the western region as a result of the new changed circumstances at Shannon Airport; if his attention has been drawn to the despondency and anger that is shown by community leaders in the mid-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37038/05]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to a priority question dealing with Ireland-US aviation relations on 24 November 2005, and to subsequent answers to similar questions.
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 forwards and grasp the undoubted opportunities that open skies offers.
It has been known for many years that open skies between the EU and US was inevitable. The European Commission received its mandate and began negotiations on an open skies deal over two years ago, and that deal, now recently finalised, will enter into force next November, following approval by EU Transport Ministers at a forthcoming Transport Council. In addition to all of that time, I have negotiated a further transitional period of one and a half years starting from next November, extending Shannon stop arrangements until April 2008. All of this extra time will allow Shannon to plan the move to open skies in an orderly way.
I do not accept that there are any grounds for despondency or anger in the Shannon region. What the transitional arrangement does is give the airport extra time to prepare. It does not bring the Shannon stop to a premature end — in fact, it is exactly the opposite. No doubt that the Deputy will share my view that the qualities and abilities of the management and staff of Shannon Airport, and of the local businessmen and community leaders in the Shannon region, means that they are well positioned to exploit all of the opportunities that an independent airport can take from open skies.
Road Safety.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:200 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Transport, in view of the high number of road traffic accidents, his views on whether a greater than recognised number of road traffic accidents are due to road conditions; the steps he is taking to ensure that public safety is protected through proper observance of recommendations that already exist and may not be complied with or may not be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37039/05]
The latest available analysis from the National Roads Authority, NRA, of the factors contributing to fatal and injury accidents, as published in Road Collision Facts — Ireland 2003, indicates that behaviour of drivers, at 86%, and pedestrians, at10%, are the key contributory factors, whereas road factors were identified as contributory factors in only 2.8% of fatal and serious injury collisions. The corresponding figures for 1998 were 79% for driver behaviour, 12% for pedestrians and 5% for road conditions.
Despite the fact that the level of injuries and fatalities that can be directly attributed to road-related issues is relatively small and decreasing, it is still vitally important that any risk posed by the road is minimised. In recognition of this the NRA funds an extensive programme of engineering works with the aim of improving road safety and dealing with accident black spots on national roads.
The NRA has an extensive high risk accident black spot remedial programme that aims to reduce the number and severity of accidents occurring on the existing network of national roads. An average of 80 such locations are treated each year. In addition the NRA has introduced a new initiative this year, the high cost remedial measures programme, where more expensive works are required to solve the accident problems at particular locations. A total of 12 sites have been targeted this year, at a cost of nearly €2 million.
Furthermore, the major investment in the upgrade of the national roads network, in excess of €18 billion over the lifetime of Transport 21, is also delivering a major road safety dividend. New roads, constructed to best practice standards, help to reduce road accidents and fatalities.
The safe management of road improvement works is a matter for the road authorities involved and their contractors. I understand that requirements and standards on pavement improvement works and resurfacing and the signage of such works are set out in the NRA Specification for Road Works and two circular letters issued by the NRA in March and May 2002. I understand that the NRA has since consolidated and re-issued these circulars supplementing, where appropriate, the previous guidance.
The timely completion of road improvement works in accordance with these requirements is a matter for the local authority concerned and, as part of its overall supervision of the national roads programme, the NRA.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:201 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 2010; the reduction achieved in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the transport sector for each year between now and 2010; the estimated annual cost to Ireland if greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector remain at their current level; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37180/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:202 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by means of vehicle efficiency improvements by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases by these means for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37181/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:203 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by the use of fuel measures by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases by these measures for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37182/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:204 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by the use of public transport measures by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the public transport sector for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37184/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:205 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by traffic management measures by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to traffic management measures for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37185/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:206 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight sector by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases from the freight sector for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37186/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:207 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the overall target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the new car fleet by 2012; the total reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases from the new car fleet for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37187/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:208 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if the target estimates for the transport sector under the national climate change strategy have been adjusted according to the CO2 savings made to date in 2005, as was specified would be the case under the strategy; the adjustments which have been made to date in 2005; the resultant new targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37188/05]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 201 to 208, inclusive, together.
The national climate change strategy, NCCS, published by the then Department of the Environment and Local Government in 2000, sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its Kyoto Protocol target, which is to limit growth in national greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions to an average of 13% above 1990 levels in the 2008-12 period. The NCCS identifies a range of policies and measures to control the growth of national GHGs across various sectors, including transport. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, DEHLG, has overall responsibility for the implementation of the NCCS and in this context one of their functions is to ensure that CO2 savings are monitored and estimates adjusted accordingly.
Addressing national GHG emissions requires action to be taken across the economy in a cost efficient and equitable manner. A cross-departmental approach is therefore essential to addressing emission reductions, particularly in view of the fact that a number of the policies in the NCCS aimed at tackling one particular sector's emissions are implemented by more than one Department or agency.
According to the latest national inventory data compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency — 2003 — the transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to national GHG emissions. Accounting for 17.7% of the national total, transport is the third largest contributor to national emissions, after agriculture's 28.9% and energy's 24.5%. However, the data show that the transport emission growth rate has slowed from +8.4% in the period 2000 to 2001, to +1.3% in 2001 to 2002 and +1% in 2002 to 2003. It should be noted that Kyoto Protocol reporting requires emissions from the transport sector to be based on fuel sales in the State, rather than on fuel consumption; it is estimated that cross-Border fuel trade increases Ireland's reportable CO2 emissions from the transport sector by up to 18%.
In addition to the sectoral policies and measures set out in the NCCS, Ireland's Kyoto target will also be achieved through emission reductions by installations participating in the EU emissions trading scheme, which excludes transport, and through the purchase by Government of carbon credits to address any shortfall. The ultimate financial cost to the Exchequer in this regard will depend on the final purchasing requirement and the prevailing price of carbon. The cost-effectiveness of potential measures in the non-trading part of the economy varies from sector to sector. It therefore makes sense to consider the costs of addressing emissions from the non-trading area as a whole rather than on a sectoral basis, thereby ensuring that the cost to the economy as a whole of compliance with our Kyoto commitments is minimised.
Transport's contribution to national emissions must be considered in the context of its pivotal role in supporting economic prosperity, regional development and social inclusion. Increasing transport emissions are driven by strong transport demand associated with our sustained economic growth. In the context of strong population and household growth, high employment rates and increased passenger and freight movements, reducing or slowing the growth of transport emissions represents a considerable challenge. In recognition of this challenge, my Department identifies sustainability as a key objective in the Statement of Strategy 2005-2007, and is seeking to incorporate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability into the development and delivery of transport policy. Additional resources have been devoted to this area in my Department, including the appointment of an environmental economist in April 2005.
The Deputy has inquired about the GHG reductions associated with various measures under the NCCS transport chapter. The document Determining the Share of National Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Emissions Trading in Ireland, prepared by ICF-Byrne Ó Cléirigh consultants, which was published in early 2004, sets out Ireland's progress to date in the achievement of our national Kyoto target, including a sectoral analysis. A copy is available on DEHLG's website. The DEHLG has commissioned further work from the consultants on the updating of emission projections and I understand that this work is due to be completed shortly.
Table 1, which follows, provides a summary of the NCCS targets for transport emission reductions and the estimates in the 2004 consultancy study of the extent to which those targets will be achieved. The table also sets out the range of Departments and also identifies the agencies with responsibility for the various transport measures included in the NCCS.
On the areas within my remit, a range of policies and measures are being progressed which will facilitate progress towards improving sustainability and addressing the transport emissions issue. Transport 21 will provide unprecedented levels of funding for public transport. However, significant investment in public transport has already been made since the NCCS was published, much of it paving the way for Transport 21. In the period 2000 to date, there has been substantial investment in upgrading the public transport system and particularly in increasing the capacity of urban public transport. There has also been significant investment in improved traffic management, particularly bus priority measures.
Road freight accounts for the bulk of Irish freight transport. Analysis of the DEHLG's 2004 Bulletin of Vehicle and Driver Statistics shows that 41% of goods vehicles are less than four years old. This is positive from an emissions viewpoint, as newer vehicles are more fuel efficient and have reduced emission levels. The road haulage sector is predisposed to maintaining fuel efficient operations, since fuel represents a significant cost for the sector.
On rail freight, Iarnród Éireann has held consultations with business interests to identify those freight activities best suited to rail transport and has developed a business plan which includes the targeting of trainload traffic, increasing the existing profitable business but withdrawing from those businesses that are heavily loss-making. They have made significant progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage.
Emission reductions from the new vehicle fleet can be achieved through vehicle efficiency improvements undertaken by vehicle manufacturers and Ireland supports the EU voluntary agreements negotiated between the Commission and the motor industry. Vehicle taxation and vehicle labelling measures are outside of my remit, as indicated in Table 1. My Department has responsibility for implementing EU vehicle standards and ensures that each new vehicle entering into use in Ireland conforms with the relevant standards, including CO2 emissions. Complementary to this, optimal vehicle operation enhances fuel efficiency. The national car test, which was introduced in 2000, facilitates vehicle optimisation and is operated by NCTS on behalf of my Department.
Improved spatial planning is also part of the solution to tackling emissions in terms of integrating land use and transport planning. My Department has participated in the preparation of regional planning guidelines. These guidelines, which will be implemented by local authorities, will be of benefit in this regard.
Transport 21 points the way forward. It provides for total capital funding of over €34 billion in transport over the next ten years and represents a major rebalancing of investment in favour of public transport, which will facilitate modal shift to public transport. It will see public transport capacity almost double over the period of this investment programme.
Transport 21 also provides funding for a range of sustainable transport initiatives. The purpose of these initiatives is to facilitate the main-streaming of sustainability criteria into transport investment decision-making and to make cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles available, embracing public transport, the haulage industry and taxis. These initiatives include pilot projects for biofuel and hybrid-electric technologies, and eco-driving. My Department will be engaging with the relevant sectors to progress these initiatives.
I understand that the DEHLG is currently reviewing the NCCS in light of developments at national, European and international levels since its publication five years ago. I understand that the DEHLG intends to publish a review document shortly which will assess progress in implementing the strategy and assess emission trends across each sector for Ireland to meet its national Kyoto target in a cost-effective way. It is anticipated that adjusted targets and additional measures, where appropriate, will be considered in the context of this review. I am aware of the clear link between GHG emissions and climate change and I consider it to be a key cross-departmental issue. My Department will continue to play its part in ensuring that the transport sector makes an appropriate contribution to this important task, having regard to the objective of minimising the impact to the Irish economy by implementing those measures across all sectors in a way which involves least economic cost.
|
Emission Reduction Measure |
Responsibility |
NCCS Target |
ICF/BÓC Estimate of achievable reduction |
|
Vehicle efficiency improvements |
EU Commission and vehicle manufacturers (Voluntary Agreements) |
0.77 |
0.77 |
|
Fuel measures (displace bunkering) |
Department of Finance |
0.90 |
0.00 |
|
VRT, Taxes |
DEHLG (motor tax) Department of Finance (VRT) |
0.50 |
0.06 (combined) |
|
Vehicle labelling |
DEHLG |
0.10 |
|
|
Public transport |
Department of Transport (and public transport operators) |
0.15 |
0.27 (combined) |
|
Traffic management |
Department of Transport (and Dublin Transportation Office; local authorities) |
0.20 |
|
|
Freight |
Department of Transport (and road haulage industry; Iarnród Éireann) |
0.05 |
0.05 |
|
Total |
2.67 |
1.15 |
Care of the Elderly.
Michael Ring
Ceist:209 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason grants under the scheme of support for older people have not been paid out in 2005; the further reason a lot of the applications were sent back to applicants in 2005; if there is a particular reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/05]
To date, 175 applicant organisations have been approved for funding under the 2005 scheme of community support for older people. Payments have been made to 100 of those groups and I expect the payments to issue to the remaining groups over the coming days. I expect to approve funding to a further 80 organisations shortly and those payments will also issue over the coming days. A number of applications received under the scheme could not be processed on receipt, as the Department did not receive all the information necessary for processing the application. In most of these cases a letter issued from the Department requesting the necessary information from the applicant groups. In a small number of cases this required that the application form be returned to the applicant organisation for completion.
As requested information from groups concerned is received in the Department, their applications are processed as soon as possible.
Community Development.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:210 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of money spent under the young people’s facilities and services fund in Counties Carlow, Waterford, Limerick and Galway; if he will provide a breakdown of the projects in each county; the systems in place to monitor and evaluate such expenditure; if he has satisfied that moneys spent have a direct impact on young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37135/05]
The young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF, was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. To date, approximately €90 million has been allocated to support in the region of 450 projects, primarily in local drugs task force, LDTF, areas. The combined current and capital allocations made from 1998 to date, in Carlow, Waterford, Limerick and Galway are as follows:
|
Carlow |
€ 385,000 |
Waterford |
€1,024,000 |
Limerick |
€1,036,000 |
Galway |
€1,066,000 |
A breakdown of this funding is as follows.
The monitoring and evaluation of the projects is undertaken by the relevant funding agency — VEC or HSE — with annual reports submitted to my Department. I am satisfied that the provision of high quality services and facilities in areas where they are most needed has a direct positive impact on young people. The projects being supported have the potential to provide positive alternatives to drugs for our young people. Details of projects funded under the YPFSF in Carlow, Waterford, Limerick and Galway are as follows:
|
Carlow Drugs Education Worker |
€325,092 |
|
€ |
|
|
Ferrybank Drugs Prevention Project |
149,481 |
|
Farranmore Park Community Youth Project |
149,481 |
|
Innercity Community Youth Project |
149,481 |
|
Frontline Project |
149,481 |
|
Small Grants Fund |
95,395 |
|
Waterford Young Adults Programme/Bridge Project |
44,441 |
|
Peer Education Preventative Project |
12,697 |
|
Youth/Drug Preventative Officer |
38,092 |
|
Outdoor Preventative Proj-Manor St John |
15,237 |
|
Waterford Area Schools Project |
11,428 |
|
Art Project Groups |
69,836 |
|
€ |
|
|
Northside We’re OK Youth Initiative 04/05 |
128,664 |
|
Southill Youth Drugs Awareness Prog. |
97,538 |
|
St. Mary’s Partnership |
127,492 |
|
St. John’s Partnership |
42,363 |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes Services Group |
97,538 |
|
Limerick Travellers Development Group |
68,075 |
|
Educare |
26,347 |
|
Project Co-ordination |
131,129 |
|
Training and Development of Volunteers and Project Workers |
164,487 |
|
Moyross Drugs Awareness |
76,184 |
|
St. Munchin’s Focused Youth Activity Prog. |
76,184 |
(Moyross Drugs Awareness and St. Munchin's Focused Youth Activity Programme amalgamated into Northside We're OK Youth Initiative in 2004).
|
€ |
|
|
Bohermore Comm. Activities |
252,649 |
|
Ballybane Adv. Programme |
266,789 |
|
CAPE Project |
234,322 |
|
Le Chéile / Rahoon |
248,609 |
|
GTSG Drug Awareness |
16,506 |
|
Bishops Field Traveller Project |
17,141 |
|
Carlow |
|
|
Central Youth Facility |
€60,000 |
|
€ |
|
|
Spraoi Development Project |
40,000 |
|
Children’s Group Link |
15,000 |
|
Lisduggan Youth Resource Centre |
64,000 |
|
15th Water (Sacred Heart) Scout Troop |
20,000 |
|
Bohermore Community Hall |
€30,000 |
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if broadening or extending the eligibility for applicants for assistance under the RAPID programme will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37226/05]
I refer the Deputy to Question No. 121 of 19 May 2005.
Irish Language.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:212 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to promote the use of the Irish language in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37227/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Fóram na Gaeilge, which includes representatives of relevant State and voluntary organisations with expertise on a wide range of language policy and practice issues, was established to advise, inter alia, on the advisability of preparing a 20-year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State.
As regards my plans for the promotion of use of the Irish language in the future, the Deputy will be aware that this is part of the ongoing remit of my Department. This remit is carried out through a broad range of policies including implementation of the Official Languages Act and the funding of agencies, including Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge, which are directly involved in promoting the Irish language.
National Drugs Strategy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he can offer financial assistance to community groups involved in combating the drugs problem throughout the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-08. It also has responsibility for the work of the local and regional drugs task forces as well as the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund. Through these initiatives, a range of community and voluntary groups are funded to tackle drug misuse throughout local drugs task force areas across the Dublin area. To date, approximately €95 million has been allocated to implement in the region of 440 projects contained in the two rounds of plans of the local drugs task forces; a further €13.66 million has been allocated to projects under the premises initiative which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects; and approximately €90 million has been allocated under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund to support in the region of 450 facilities and services.
Initiatives this year include: a third round of capital funding under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, YPFSF, in LDTF areas; a further round of funding through the premises initiative for community based drugs projects in LDTF areas; a new fund to tackle emerging needs in LDTF areas; and pilot projects to specifically tackle problems of cocaine.
The Deputy might also note that, in addition to the above, over the past couple of years a significant number of projects — initially developed through the LDTFs and the YPFSF — have been mainstreamed to operate under various Departments and agencies. It is estimated that these account for further annual expenditure in the region of €20 million.
Community Development.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:214 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the moneys at his disposal in 2005 for the promotion of areas of responsibility within the ambit of his Department; the expenditure to date in 2005; his plans for the remainder of 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/05]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to support community based organisations in County Kildare in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 216 together.
I refer the Deputy to my previous replies to Questions Nos. 221 of 26 October 2005, 114 of 19 May 2005 and 116 and 117 of 14 April 2005. I can inform the Deputy that my Department provides significant support for community based organisations in County Kildare, and in all other counties. Expenditure up to 24 November 2005 in the community affairs programme area is €125.93 million. I envisage maintaining that level of support for the future.
The gross expenditure allocation in 2005 for the promotion of areas of responsibility within the ambit of my Department is approximately €354 million. Expenditure up to 24 November 2005 across the three main programme areas, including administration, is approximately €278 million.
Dormant Accounts Fund.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the spending of funds likely to accrue to his Department from the dormant insurance accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37231/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 48 of today where I have dealt with this issue.
Question No. 216 answered with QuestionNo. 214.
Departmental Programmes.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:217 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to introduce new schemes or initiatives with a view to addressing rural or urban economic blight or deprivation throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37233/05]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department operates, either directly or through bodies under its aegis, a wide range of schemes and projects which address rural and urban disadvantage throughout the country. The descriptions of these schemes are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie. I also refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 420 of 15 November 2005, 3 of 19 May 2005, 118 and 119 of 14 April 2005 and 40 of 22 February 2005.
The foregoing is concrete and comprehensive evidence that my Department is committed to supporting communities as they tackle difficulties caused by disadvantage, exclusion and isolation. My Department will continue to make a sustained and strong, positive contribution to alleviating rural and urban disadvantage. Only this week, I announced the establishment of a new enterprise scheme for non-Gaeltacht islands. The purpose of the scheme is to encourage entrepreneurs to develop and set up a varied range of enterprises thus promoting the long-term sustainable development of the islands. Details of the scheme can be obtained from the relevant county enterprise boards and my Department's website.
Rural Depopulation.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:218 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he proposes to address the issue of depopulation by way of specifically funded projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37234/05]
Through the CLÁR programme, my Department has continued in 2005 to address depopulation, as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. The programme covers areas in 18 counties, with a population of 362,000, including areas I announced in January 2003 in light of the 2002 population census data. The average population loss in the selected areas is 50%. The exception is the Cooley Peninsula, which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused there by foot and mouth disease. CLÁR funds or co-funds, together with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, investment in selected priority developments. These investments support physical, economic and social infrastructure across a wide range of measures and reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas whom I consulted at the start of the programme. This funding helps rural communities overcome local difficulties and achieve access to a range of essential services such as water supply, sewerage disposal, road access, broadband communication, community and economic infrastructure and so on. I intend to continue these procedures for any new measures introduced, depending on needs identified. I will keep the operation of existing measures under review.
CLÁR funds of €35 million were spent on the various measures from 2002-2004 with related public and private expenditure of approximately €36.5 million. The financial provision for 2005 is €13.7 million and a comprehensive work programme will be completed this year. The Estimates provision for 2006 is €13.95 million and this funding will again be targeted at disadvantaged rural areas experiencing low or declining populations. I am satisfied that the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas are being met through the efficient and effective delivery of the programme and that CLÁR is making a sustained and strong positive contribution to rural communities. My Department also funds a range of other programmes such as the Leader programme, the rural social scheme, Gaeltacht and island schemes etc. which address rural depopulation in a general way through a number of supports. Information on these programmes is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
Grant Payments.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for grant aid under the various schemes administered by his Department from bodies, groups or individuals from County Kildare in the past 12 months; the number that were successful or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/05]
The number of applications for grant aid under the various schemes administered by my Department from bodies, groups or individuals from County Kildare in the past 12 months are given in the following appendix. My Department has received 31 applications from groups in County Kildare under the 2005 programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations. I expect to be deciding on qualifying applications shortly. Four applications were received from groups in County Kildare under the 2005 scheme of community support for older people. Two of these applications have been approved and the other two are currently being processed. Kildare County Development Board applied on 10 November 2005 for a grant of €330,970 for cohesion measures and €84,500 for volunteering measures. A decision on this application will be made shortly.
There are Leader programmes delivered in County Kildare through Kildare European Leader Teoranta. Full details of all Leader projects funded in County Kildare are available on its website at www.kelt.ie. Under the initial round of funding, administered on behalf of the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board by Area Development Management Limited, a total of 22 were received from organisations based in County Kildare. Twelve of these applications were successful and were approved for funding of over €2.7 million. A breakdown of these approved projects is provided in the following table.
|
Group/Organisation |
Grant (€) |
|
KARE, Co. Kildare |
194,000.00 |
|
Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, Celbridge, Co. Kildare |
167,336.00 |
|
Board of Management, Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy, Co. Kildare |
41,000.00 |
|
Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, Co. Kildare |
300,000.00 |
|
Kildare Youth Services (Curragh Youth Project) |
81,226.00 |
|
Camphill Communities of Ireland, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare |
360,000.00 |
|
Athy Youth Project, Co. Kildare |
58,775.00 |
|
Athy Travellers’ Club, Co. Kildare |
50,420.00 |
|
Athy Town Council |
70,838.00 |
|
ASSET, Athy, Co. Kildare |
100,000.00 |
|
Cheshire Ireland, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
1,272,273.00 |
|
Dyspraxia Association of Ireland |
50,500.00 |
|
Overall Total |
2,746,368.00 |
There were two applications for community development programme grant and both were successful. The balance relates to corefunding.
|
Name |
Final Quarter 2004 Funding |
2005 Total Funding |
|
The Bridge CDP Newbridge |
Core-funding —€13,900 |
Annual core-funding —€62,400 |
|
CDP Grant —€4,000 |
CDP Grant —€8,000 |
|
|
Athy CDP |
Core-funding —€29,143 |
Annual core-funding —€105,400 |
|
CDP Grant —€2,000 |
CDP Grant —€4,000 |
|
|
North West Kildare, Allenwood, Naas |
Not funded |
Annual core-funding —€60,000. (As the Group was admitted to the Programme in Sept 2005 they will receive core funding of €15,000 and Start-up €11,270 in 2005) |
|
Total |
€49,043 |
€206,070 |
The local development social inclusion programme allocation to Kildare for 2005 is as follows. Action south Kildare received €638,294, OAK partnership received €389,960. The RAPID programme in Kildare is confined to Athy under strand II of the programme. Allocations for 2005 from my Department are as follows. Local authority estate enhancement for 2005-06 totalled €45,000. Sports capital top-ups totalled €63,600. RAPID playgrounds totalled €33,000. Traffic measures totalled €22,500. The health and children co-fund totalled €38,500.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:220 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector; the reduction achieved in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the agriculture sector for each year between now and 2010; the estimated annual cost to Ireland if greenhouse gas emissions from this sector remain at their current level; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37137/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:221 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector by the total reduction of CH4 from the national herd by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to the total reduction of CH4 from the national herd for each year between now and 2012; the steps she is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37138/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:222 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector by the reduction of CH4 from the national herd by the use of lower emissions feeding regimes by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to the reduction of CH4 from the national herd by the use of lower emissions feeding regimes for each year between now and 2012; the steps she is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37139/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:223 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector by the reduction of fertiliser use by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to the reduction of fertiliser use for each year between now and 2010; the steps she is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37140/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:225 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector by reducing the national herd by 2010; the reduction achieved to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to the reduction of the national herd between now and 2010; the steps she intends to take to ensure that the 2010 target is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37142/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:226 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy by which the national herd is to be reduced by 2010; the reduction in the national herd achieved to date in 2005; the target for reduction of the national herd between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; the proportion of the total reduction of the herd which will be achieved by direct reductions in stock numbers; the proportion which will be achieved by other measures through existing REP schemes and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37143/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 223, inclusive, 225 and 226 together.
The national climate change strategy sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its target under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Ireland's target is to limit growth in greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels in the 2008-12 commitment period. The target is not set on an annual basis but relates to the average for that period.
Overall responsibility for the strategy lies with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It sets targets for various sectors of the economy including agriculture. The target for the agriculture sector is to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2.41 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent below business-as-usual projections by the end of the commitment period. The target for the sector includes a reduction of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for methane, corresponding to a reduction in livestock numbers of 10% below business-as-usual projections. However, around 0.5 million tonnes of the methane target is allocated to reductions arising from changes in feeding regimes in a longer term perspective, depending on the outcome of a research programme. This research programme is scheduled for completion shortly. Current indications are that voluntary reductions in stocking levels, arising mainly from the effects of decoupling and decisions taken by farmers in response to the market for livestock, will enable the target to be reached.
The target for the agricultural sector also includes a reduction of 0.9 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent for nitrous oxide, which equates to a reduction in nitrogenous fertiliser use of 10% below business-as-usual projections for the commitment period. The strategy provides that Ireland will support appropriate proposals at EU level seeking necessary adjustments to CAP mechanisms to pursue climate change abatement action through further integration of environmental considerations into agricultural policy. Following the Luxembourg agreement on CAP reform, Ireland chose the option to decouple aid fully from production and introduced from 1 January 2005 the single payment scheme with its requirements for farmers to observe cross-compliance with various environmental regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for the compilation and submission of inventory data, in the form of the national inventory report, to the UN on an annual basis. The latest year in which information is available from this source is 2003. These reports show that from 2000 to 2003, greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector fell from 20.22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to 18.75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a fall of 1.47 million tonnes. During the 2000 to 2003 period, methane emissions fell from 11.35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to 10.64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a fall of 0.71 million tones. Nitrous oxide emissions fell in the 2000-03 period from 8.17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to 7.44 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a fall of 0.73 million tonnes. The figures for sales of nitrogenous fertilisers in the 2004-05 fertiliser year — the latest figures available to my Department — fell by 55,433 tonnes from 1999-2000 to 2004-05, a drop of 13.6 % and were lower than the sales figures for the 1989-1990 fertiliser year. REPS is an acknowledged major contributory factor to fertiliser usage. A significant increase in funding to a level of €323 million has been provided for this scheme in 2006 and the measure will be continued under the new rural development regulation from 2007.
The compilation of the national inventory by the EPA used UN default values, known as tier 1 methodology, to calculate emissions of methane from livestock. However, based on the results of a dedicated research programmed on methane emissions in Ireland, the EPA will use tier 2 methodology, which is country specific to Ireland, for calculating methane emissions from cattle in all future data sets.
The FAPRI-Ireland partnership, which produces and publishes objective analysis of agricultural policy options, conducted an analysis of the Luxembourg CAP reform agreement in October 2003, which included projections for greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector for each year up to 2012. These projections show emissions from the sector falling by 2.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to 15.1 million tonnes between 2004 and 2012. Nitrous oxide emissions are projected to fall by over 1 million tonnes during the 2004-12 period while methane emissions are projected to fall by almost 1.6 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent in that period. The projected reduction in methane emissions is underpinned by predicted reductions in livestock numbers during the 2004-2012 period. During that period cattle numbers are projected to fall from 8.37 million to 7.22 million in 2010 and 7.06 million in 2012. Sheep numbers are projected to fall from 8.5 million in 2004 to 7.17 million in 2010 and 6.88 million in 2012. The analysis was based on the assumption that all EU 15 countries would opt for full decoupling. However some EU 15 countries opted for partial decoupling instead and ten new countries have since joined the European Union. The FAPRI-Ireland partnership is currently revising its projections to take account of these factors, but significant changes to the projections are not expected.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:224 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector by on-farm forestry sequestration by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to on-farm forestry sequestration between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37141/05]
The target set out in the national climate change strategy for carbon sequestration by on-farm forestry is 0.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, per annum, by 2010. The strategy also indicated that an additional 0.76 million tonnes of carbon dioxide could be contributed within the national forestry programme, giving a possible total of 1.01 million tonnes of carbon dioxide sequestered per annum by 2010. Estimates of carbon sequestration are based on current knowledge and practice and are continually updated as new information becomes available. The latest estimates indicate that the level of sequestration in Kyoto-eligible forests, which are mainly those newly established since 1990, will actually reach 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2005 and is anticipated to rise to 2.13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2010. The anticipated level of sequestration by 2010 is based on the unprecedented levels of afforestation achieved since 1990, as a direct result of grant aid and premium support by successive governments and the EU. The Government is committed to supporting an active afforestation programme and the required supports will continue to be available to ensure that Ireland maximises the potential of its forestry programme for carbon sequestration.
Questions Nos. 225 and 226 answered with Question No. 220.
Grant Payments.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:227 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be granted their area aid entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37292/05]
Payments under the 2005 single payment scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005 and a payment amounting to €8,664.06 under this scheme will be issued by my Department to the person named on that date.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:228 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be granted their area aid entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37293/05]
Payments under the 2005 single payment scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005 and a payment amounting to €7,101.58 under this scheme will be issued by my Department to the person named on that date.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:229 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the compensation available for beet suppliers who supplied to a company (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37311/05]
Following the closure of its Carlow sugar plant last March, Irish Sugar Limited made arrangements to have the full Irish sugar quota processed at its Mallow plant. Accordingly, beet growers who formerly supplied the Carlow plant are now sending their beet to Mallow.
Under the reformed EU sugar regime agreed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers last week, all beet producers will receive compensation at the rate of up to 64% for the reduction in the minimum beet price. This compensation will be incorporated in the single farm payment. In the event that sugar production ceases in Ireland, beet growers will also be able to avail of a special once-off payment and they will also be taken into account in the distribution of the restructuring fund. The sugar reform package will be formally adopted by the Council of Ministers early next year and the Commission will then come forward with detailed implementation rules.
Departmental Programmes.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:230 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the policy in place to assist pig farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37327/05]
The pig sector is an important part of Ireland's agricultural industry. It contributes 6% of gross agricultural output and exports of pork and bacon contribute €270 million to our export earnings. The current pigmeat market situation is satisfactory and the outlook for the sector over the next few years is positive.
The EU market support regime for the pig industry is very modest compared to some other sectors, with the result that pig producers are normally competing on world markets without financial supports. However, market support mechanisms in the form of export refunds and aids to private storage are still available and may be called into play by the EU in exceptionally difficult market situations.
The nitrates directive is the subject of most immediate concern for pig farmers. To assist farmers in meeting the requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now awaited.
The proposed new arrangements will see the extension of the farm waste management scheme to the pig sector for the first time. The scheme will introduce a standard grant-rate of 60%, with 70% being available for zone C counties, namely, Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan, in place of the current grant-rate of 40%, with additional aid available for young farmers at rates of 10% in less-favoured areas and 5% in other areas. It will extend the maximum income unit ceiling for farmers from 450 to 650 income units, with no upper limit being applied in the case of pig and poultry farmers. It will also raise the maximum eligible investment from €75,000 to €120,000 and remove minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme so that all small farmers can benefit. A new 40% grant rate is proposed 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 the grant rate remaining at 20%.
I am satisfied that the proposed new scheme will provide a very satisfactory platform for Irish pig farmers who must carry out additional investment works to meet the requirements of the nitrates directive.
Teagasc's programme of activities includes a significant element of research in the area of pig nutrition, health and welfare. The main objectives of the advisory function in regard to the pig sector are better profitability and competitiveness based on improved growth rates and this is delivered to producers through farm visits, conferences and newsletters. In the context of the nitrates programme, I will ask Teagasc to undertake a promotion campaign to encourage the use of organic manure on farms in preference to chemical fertilisers.
The health status of the pig herd is vital to maintaining the good image of Irish pigmeat and ensuring access to all our export markets. To this end, my Department is working with the pig industry in the ongoing monitoring and control of a wide range of diseases such as Aujeszky's disease, salmonella and PRRS.
With regard to market access, it is my aim that Irish producers have access to as many markets as possible worldwide. Significant veterinary resources are assigned to the monitoring of pigmeat production in slaughtering and manufacturing plants in order to ensure food safety and to facilitate the certification of products for our many export destinations. Bord Bia has a programme to promote Irish pigmeat on foreign markets and my officials and I are continually engaged with the board for the purpose of identifying and developing these markets.
Visa Applications.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:231 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Chernobyl children visiting Ireland on holidays require a visa; if efforts can be made to remove or simplify this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37015/05]
A number of years ago my Department introduced a scheme whereby the requirement to hold a valid visa prior to entering the State was waived for certain persons travelling from Belarus with the Chernobyl Children's Organisation for the purposes of visiting Ireland for a period of rest, recuperation or both. At the time, the groups involved were limited in number and were well known to my Department. The number of groups seeking such visa exemptions has increased significantly and there are now between 35 and 40 such groups.
This practice worked well in the past but we found it necessary to re-evaluate the system for a number of reasons. First, the introduction of the Children Act 2001 has placed extra obligations on all parties involved in the establishment of private foster care arrangements. Some, but not necessarily all, of the arrangements entered into between host families, the Chernobyl groups and the parents of the children involved, fall into the category "private foster care arrangements" as defined by the Department of Health and Children. Indeed officials of my Department met officials of the Department of Health and Children on this matter to ensure consistency and agreement on the revised practices.
Second, the introduction of carrier's liability under section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 means that visa waiver letters are no longer an acceptable alternative to visa endorsements on passports. Third, unfortunately there are indications that in certain cases, children have not returned to Belarus on the agreed date.
While my Department may not be directly responsible for the welfare of these children as such, we have an obligation to put into place a system that guarantees their safety in so far as possible. Were the Department to continue the practice of issuing visa waiver letters, it could be in breach of the relevant legislation.
We now have a dedicated visa office in the Irish Embassy in Moscow which can process these applications and officials of my Department have informed the Chernobyl groups that such applications will be prioritised by that office. Ultimately, our aim is to ensure the safety and welfare of the children who arrive into the care of this State and we are satisfied that the "one person, one visa" system for all is the best way forward in this regard.
My Department has had consultations and discussions with the various groups involved to ensure a smooth transition from the previous procedures and I am satisfied that the new procedures and the management of such procedures by staff assigned to our visa office in Moscow will work very well.
I emphasise that the safety of the children concerned is the primary reason for the introduction of these revised practices and I am sure the Deputy and the House will support any such measures.
Asylum Support Services.
Jackie Healy-Rae
Ceist:232 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the parents of the children attending a school (details supplied) in County Kerry for their children’s safety with the proposal to house 80 all male refugees in Linden House, Killarney which is across the road from this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37112/05]
Jackie Healy-Rae
Ceist:233 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is proposed to house 80 all male refugees in Linden House, Killarney, County Kerry which is across the road from a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/05]
Jackie Healy-Rae
Ceist:249 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he intends to take to ensure that the proposed 80 all male refugees proposed to be housed in Linden House, Killarney, County Kerry are investigated before they are housed there (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37110/05]
Jackie Healy-Rae
Ceist:250 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the refugee families staying in Linden House, Killarney, County Kerry are to be moved to make room available for 80 all male refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 233, 249 and 250 together.
The reception and integration agency, RIA, is charged with providing accommodation to asylum seekers under the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Decisions regarding the opening, reclassification or closing of centres are made in the context of the overall demand for accommodation and the need to achieve value for money in the context of managing a large portfolio.
Such management requires responses to changing numbers of asylum seekers in RIA centres and the Deputy will be aware that a considerable number of asylum seekers have left accommodation having been granted leave to remain in the State on the basis of having an Irish born child. The RIA is, therefore, engaged in a major review of its accommodation needs. As well as seeing value for money in this review, it is incumbent on the RIA to optimise overall service provision, make the best use of its accommodation resources and provide accommodation in a sensitive, balanced and proportionate way.
In this overall context, the RIA decided to move families from the accommodation centre at Linden House, Killarney to centres which are more suitable for accommodating families with young children. The families were moved to centres at Millstreet accommodation centre, County Cork and Johnston Marina accommodation centre, Tralee, County Kerry. Both of these centres have excellent links with local support services, such as public health nurses, VECs and so on. In addition, Millstreet accommodation centre has a dedicated pre-school service for children, while the two pre-school children who moved to Tralee attend the local, community-based pre-school service. Both centres have ample outdoor space for children to play in.
Despite the need for rationalising the accommodation portfolio, the RIA is cognisant of the disruption that can be caused to school-going children when a family is moved to another centre. In this specific case, the RIA was aware that a small number of children were attending the nearby school and every effort was made to relocate school-going children in alternative centres where they could access schools nearby, thus providing the least disruption to the children's schooling. I might add that Linden House is on a main road and has no outdoor play facilities and is thus more suitable for a single male population.
I can assure the Deputy that every step will be taken to ensure that there are no issues arising from the proximity of the centre to the local school. The centre will be monitored on a regular basis by the inspections unit of the RIA and an independent inspectorate in accordance with standard RIA practice. I should add that the male asylum seekers moving to the centre are accustomed to adhering to the house rules and procedures imposed by centres, having been accommodated at the Shannonside accommodation centre in Limerick city for some time before its closure.
The RIA has contractual on-site management and security at centres on a 24-hour basis and has also recently introduced a child protection policy at accommodation centres. The manager at Linden House has undergone the Health Service Executive's "Keeping Safe" training and plans are in train to extend this training to all remaining staff at centres throughout the State.
The RIA will continue to liaise with management and staff at the centre, local support groups, local gardaí and other service providers to ensure that the centre is operated in accordance with the standards expected by the agency. The RIA currently operates 18 other accommodation centres for single males, some of which are located close to schools, at locations in counties Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford, Waterford and Wicklow. These centres have been operating successfully for up to six years.
The RIA is very much aware of the disruption caused by the inevitable movements brought about by the need to manage the accommodation portfolio. It is also aware of the enormous efforts made by teachers, support groups and the local community in supporting asylum seekers. Movements are, however, sometimes necessary and a balance is needed to minimise disruption on the one hand but to optimise overall service provision and get value for money on the other. The RIA will show as much flexibility and sensitivity as possible in securing this balance.
Garda Stations.
Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:234 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if progress is being made towards reaching a decision in respect of the redevelopment of Tallaght Garda station and a second Garda station for the Tallaght west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37006/05]
As the Deputy is aware, there are plans to build a new Garda divisional headquarters station in Tallaght on part of the site of the existing Garda station. I understand from the Garda authorities that the details of their accommodation requirements are being finalised and I expect to have sight of them shortly.
Garda Transport.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:235 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if patrol cars are fitted with the vehicle recognition system; when the system will be rolled out here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37033/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that none of the vehicles in the Garda fleet are fitted with automatic vehicle recognition systems. I am further informed that the use of such systems is currently being examined by the Garda authorities.
Child Care Services.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:236 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason an application for a grant lodged in April 2003 in respect of a child care crèche (details supplied) in County Galway was refused; the reason a grant was not approved in view of the fact that the potential number of children that need such a facility in the area could not be facilitated by one crèche; if an appeal of the original decision will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37034/05]
As the Deputy may be aware, the private provider in question was not recommended for funding under the capital measure of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-06, EOCP. In this case it was considered that, as the project is located in close proximity to a child care project that has already received EOCP funding, there was a consequential potential for duplication and displacement between the two child care services.
Where funding is not recommended, it is open to an applicant to submit an appeal to my Department. Appeals are assessed, in the first instance, by Pobal, formerly known as Area Development Management Limited, which is engaged by my Department to administer the day to day operation of the programme. When the assessment of an appeal has been completed, it is forwarded to the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, before a final decision is made. I understand from inquiries I have made that, to date, no appeal of the decision made has been received from the private provider in question.
Northern Ireland Issues.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:237 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated number of “on-the-runs” here; his views on granting them an amnesty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37058/05]
Billy Timmins
Ceist:238 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if “on-the-runs” will be requested to outline the crimes that they were involved in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37059/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
It is not possible to quantify in advance the number of persons who might be appropriate to avail of a pre-trial pardon in this jurisdiction to deal with so-called "on-the-runs", although it is expected that numbers will be small.
The proposal can be seen as a logical follow through of the early release provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. This does not mitigate in any way, however, the distress which the operation of the scheme is likely to cause people, particularly those who had been the victims of outrages perpetrated by paramilitary organisations. Nevertheless, in the context of bringing about an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland, both Governments have indicated for some years their belief that this issue had to be addressed.
The Deputy will already be aware that I have made it clear publicly that there is absolutely no question of this scheme benefiting persons wanted in connection with the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe or the wounding of Detective Garda Ben O'Sullivan.
Garda Investigations.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:239 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if any person is under investigation for the murder of persons (details supplied) in County Leitrim December 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37060/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the time, a full-scale investigation was immediately launched, which involved the arrest of persons in connection with the kidnapping, false imprisonment and subsequent murders.
In 1998, a person was charged with false imprisonment and firearms offences. This person was subsequently successful in his application to the High Court to prohibit his trial proceeding. The order of the High Court is currently under appeal by the State to the Supreme Court. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation file remains open.
Garda Strength.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:240 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serving gardaí in each Garda district in the Dublin metropolitan region south division and the population in each such Garda district. [37070/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the information sought by the Deputy was, as at 29 November 2005, as set out in the table. Corresponding figures sourced from the 2002 census of population are also included.
|
Garda District |
Garda Strength |
Population |
|
Crumlin |
157 |
59,513 |
|
Rathmines |
170 |
55,273 |
|
Tallaght |
250 |
128,412 |
It should be noted that the allocation of Garda personnel both on a national basis and within each division is determined by a number of factors including demographics, administrative functions, crime trends and other operational policing needs.
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 the Dublin metropolitan region south division will be fully considered.
Drug Seizures.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:241 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the high level of access to drugs nationally and the success that drugs teams are having, the reason there is not a higher investment in sniffer dogs in all regions of the country rather than four nationally at present and a pilot programme in one geographical area planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37075/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that two dog handlers from Cork and a further two dog handlers from Limerick have commenced training with a view to establishing a Garda dog unit in the southern region as a pilot initiative.
I am further informed that an evaluation of this initiative will be carried out at the end of the pilot period and consideration will then be given to extending the initiative nationwide.
Garda Disciplinary Proceedings.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:242 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to the payment of over €1.3 million to 27 suspended gardaí when he sought and received the report; the steps he proposes to take to ensure that significant delays are avoided in the future regarding Garda disciplinary cases in respect of the report from the Garda Commissioner. [37076/05]
I have previously expressed my concerns regarding the lengthy suspension of certain members of the Garda Síochána. I am very concerned that lengthy court proceedings lie behind particular cases of lengthy suspension, and I am examining whether strict maximum time limits for suspension can be introduced in statutory regulations.
In my reply to Question No. 28 of 20 October 2005, I mentioned that I had asked the Garda Commissioner to furnish me with a report outlining what steps have been taken in the management of these cases to resolve, one way or another, the legal proceedings which have prevented the completion of the disciplinary process. I also asked the Commissioner for his views on how best to ensure, as far as possible, that significant delays are avoided in future disciplinary cases.
I have received a report from the Garda Commissioner in the above matter. I am studying the report carefully to consider what steps need to be taken to address this issue of concern, and I will shortly be consulting further with the Garda Commissioner on these steps.
Proposed Legislation.
Niall Blaney
Ceist:243 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce legislation as part of the Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004, whereby rogue claims of title on land parcels can be dealt with in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/05]
It would appear that the Deputy is referring to claims of title to land based on adverse possession of the land.
The position is that applications for title based on adverse possession of land are made to the Land Registry under section 49 of the Registration of Title Act 1964. In such cases, the applicant claims that the rights of the registered owner have been extinguished under the Statute of Limitations and that the applicant is now entitled to be registered as owner.
The Land Registry considers all applications for registration based on adverse possession with particular care and attention. In each case, the facts and circumstances are examined in great detail by the Registrar of Titles. It is also usual for notices to be served on the parties whose rights, according to the application, have been extinguished by the passage of time. Some applications are withdrawn by the applicant on receipt of correspondence from the Land Registry outlining the legal conditions that are necessary in order to acquire title by means of adverse possession.
Where it appears to the Registrar of Titles that an application in any particular case is vexatious or frivolous or does not meet the stringent requirements of section 49, the application will be refused. It is open to any party to a section 49 application to appeal a decision of the Registrar of Titles to the courts but in practice such appeals are rare.
Section 119 of the 1964 Act also provides that a person who makes false claims under the Act commits an offence and is liable to the penalties contained in that section. I am increasing these penalties by means of an appropriate amendment of the 1964 Act to be included in the Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004.
The Law Reform Commission, LRC, and my Department have been engaged in a joint project with a view to modernising our land and conveyancing law, including provisions relating to adverse possession of land. This project culminated in publication of an LRC report containing a draft land and conveyancing Bill in July last. The Government legislation programme, which was published on 27 September, provides for publication in 2006 of a land and conveyancing Bill based on the LRC report.
Citizenship Applications.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:244 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for naturalisation received each month since 2002, in tabular form; the number of applications processed for which a decision was made in each month; the number of applications granted in each month; the number of applications denied in each month; the date of applications being examined in each month; the expected time in months for applications received in each month to be processed; the number of staff employed in that section each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37083/05]
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:245 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in respect of the number of applications for naturalisation received in his Department that are taking 24 months to be processed, he plans to reduce these delays and the target time in weeks in which he intends to reduce same; when he intends to reach this target; his plans to increase the number of staff employed in that section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
Statistical information available in the citizenship section of my Department has always been based on the number of applications received, certificates issued and applications refused. It is not possible, therefore, to provide details of the level of processing, where such processing has not yet resulted either in the issuance of a certificate or in the refusal of a certificate.
Details of the number of applications received, certificates issued and applications refused for the period 2002 to 2005, to the end of October, are set out in tables A to D as follows. It should be noted that the numbers of certificates issued or applications refused in a given period do not necessarily refer to the applications received during that the same period.
|
2002 |
New applications |
Certificates issued |
Applics. refused |
|
January |
208 |
67 |
0 |
|
February |
138 |
132 |
0 |
|
March |
139 |
96 |
0 |
|
April |
235 |
80 |
2 |
|
May |
216 |
226 |
2 |
|
June |
177 |
130 |
3 |
|
July |
374 |
95 |
26 |
|
August |
402 |
99 |
31 |
|
September |
279 |
149 |
24 |
|
October |
318 |
173 |
3 |
|
November |
451 |
83 |
0 |
|
December |
637 |
2 |
18 |
|
Totals |
3,574 |
1,332 |
109 |
|
2003 |
New applications |
Certificates issued |
Applics. refused |
|
January |
271 |
90 |
29 |
|
February |
256 |
179 |
4 |
|
March |
321 |
178 |
60 |
|
April |
312 |
238 |
35 |
|
May |
283 |
177 |
1 |
|
June |
319 |
174 |
0 |
|
July |
351 |
114 |
1 |
|
August |
236 |
89 |
4 |
|
September |
354 |
142 |
7 |
|
October |
298 |
90 |
0 |
|
November |
304 |
122 |
18 |
|
December |
275 |
71 |
20 |
|
Totals |
3,580 |
1,664 |
179 |
|
2004 |
New applications |
Certificates issued |
Applics. refused |
|
January |
334 |
162 |
8 |
|
February |
326 |
155 |
49 |
|
March |
380 |
144 |
137 |
|
April |
155 |
107 |
20 |
|
May |
515 |
82 |
20 |
|
June |
413 |
115 |
9 |
|
July |
388 |
146 |
43 |
|
August |
266 |
23 |
57 |
|
September |
361 |
183 |
9 |
|
October |
311 |
110 |
192 |
|
November |
341 |
63 |
227 |
|
December |
284 |
45 |
8 |
|
Totals |
4,074 |
1,335 |
779 |
|
2005 |
New applications |
Certificates issued |
Applics. refused/ deemed ineligible** |
|
January |
224 |
36 |
88 |
|
February |
347 |
82 |
511 |
|
March |
330 |
103 |
187 |
|
April |
518 |
205 |
424 |
|
May |
341 |
151 |
285 |
|
June |
344 |
121 |
200 |
|
July |
311 |
171 |
177 |
|
August |
393 |
97 |
154 |
|
September |
490 |
132 |
41 |
|
October |
488 |
134 |
233 |
|
Totals |
3,786 |
1,232 |
2,300 |
**Since 1 April 2005, applications are examined shortly after receipt for compliance with statutory residency criteria. Those which do not have the necessary period of residency are deemed to be ineligible and are returned to the applicants. Just over 950 applications have been deemed ineligible in the period 1 April to the end of October.
There were 20 staff assigned to the citizenship section of my Department in November 2004. The major reduction in the number of asylum applications has given me an opportunity to re-focus resources on areas of service provision for non-nationals which have been under-resourced. In the past 12 months, the number of staff working exclusively on citizenship matters has doubled to 41. However, it is important to bear in mind that the citizenship area of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service cannot be considered in isolation. Other sections within that area, such as the section involved in processing of visas, have also seen a significant increase in work volumes in recent time and the distribution of any additional resources has to be undertaken with that in mind.
The average processing time for an application for naturalisation has fluctuated between 12/15 months and 24 months in the period 1997 to date. It is approximately 24 months at present. This is primarily due to the increase in the volume of applications being received, from 1,431 in 2001 to more than likely over 4,500 in 2005. This trend is likely to continue and it is not possible, therefore, to be definitive about future processing times for such applications.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:246 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has been informed, in relation to her application for naturalisation on the basis of marriage to an Irish citizen, that her declaration and the affidavit of her spouse are required to be signed on the same date and that her naturalisation application is not acceptable due to the fact that her declaration was signed on 13 November 2005 whereas her spouse’s affidavit was sworn on 14 November 2005; the precise basis on which synchronisation of declarations is demanded by his Department in regard to such applications for naturalisation. [37092/05]
Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that a non-national may make a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship following three years' marriage to an Irish citizen, provided that the marriage is subsisting at the date of lodgement of the declaration, and the couple are living together as husband and wife and the spouse who is an Irish citizen submits an affidavit to that effect when the declaration is being lodged.
When a person makes a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship, he or she is effectively declaring that his or her marriage is subsisting on a particular day, that is, the date of lodgement. The date of lodgement is regarded as the date the declaration is completed and witnessed.
Consequently, since the husband of the person concerned completed his declaration on 13 November 2005, he is declaring that the marriage is subsisting on 13 November only, and not that it was subsisting before that day or will be subsisting after it.
Similarly, the wording, "the couple are living together as husband and wife and the spouse who is an Irish citizen submits an affidavit to that effect when the declaration is being lodged", clearly refers only to the time when the affidavit is being sworn. An affidavit sworn on 14 November 2005 does not meet the requirements outlined in this wording since it does not aver that the couple were living together as husband and wife on the date of lodgement, in this case 13 November 2005.
Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act was repealed on 30 November 2002 and a transition period to facilitate those persons who married before that date ends on 29 November 2005. As matters stand, the husband of the person concerned has not lodged a valid declaration and I understand that, in view of the impending deadline, officials in the citizenship section of my Department were in contact with the Deputy some days ago to make him aware of the substance of this reply. I further understand that the person concerned has indicated to my officials that she and her husband have taken steps to have a new declaration completed in advance of the deadline.
Drugs Legislation.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:247 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the sale of the drug known as “magic mushrooms” is legal and if not the steps which have been taken to ensure it is not for sale openly. [37095/05]
The scheduling of substances as controlled substances under misuse of drugs legislation is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children. I am informed by the Department of Health and Children that "magic mushrooms" contain as one of their natural constituents the drug psilocin and that the phosphate salt of psilocin, namely psilocybin, may also be present. I am further informed that these two substances and any preparation or other product containing any proportion of any such substances are controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 481 on 22 November 2005, outlets suspected of having "magic mushrooms" for sale are regularly monitored by local gardaí and district drugs units.
Grant Payments.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:248 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide an adequate staffing grant to a crèche (details supplied) in County Limerick; if he will ensure that this grant is sufficient to meet the needs of the crèche and the staffing levels required under Health Service Executive regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/05]
The community-based group in question was approved for a grant of €266,645 over three years, as a contribution towards the staffing costs of the project, in September 2002. The group was subsequently approved for a further grant of €194,100 towards staffing costs for a 27-month period to the end of December 2007. The funding currently allocated to the group is based on €225,000 over three years pro rata and is inclusive of a 15% increase from 1 September 2007.
The reason the second grant allocation is at a lower rate than that originally approved is because the group has not met the projected number of child care places agreed in the contract governing the initial grant.
I understand from inquiries I have made that the group has requested a review of the level of staffing funding allocated to the end of 2007 and that this review is currently in the final stages of the appraisal process. The group will be informed of the outcome in due course and I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this point.
The Deputy may wish to note that the group in question was approved for a €1.2 million capital grant in December 2004 for the construction of a new building and the renovation of its existing premises. Should this work, when completed, result in a material change to the project, it will be open to the group to re-apply for a review of its staffing grant at that time.
Questions Nos. 249 and 250 answered with Question No. 232.
Work Permits.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:251 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements his Department is putting in place to facilitate family reunification for holders of green cards issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the terms of the employment permits legislation that has been brought forward by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37115/05]
There is currently in operation in the State a scheme of family reunification for migrant workers. However, a revision of this scheme is being considered and the issue of family reunification, in general, will be examined fully in the context of the development of the proposed Immigration and Residence Bill. With regard to arrangements for holders of the proposed "green card" announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, this matter will be discussed fully and agreed by myself and Minister, Deputy Martin, prior to the introduction of the "green card" scheme.
Departmental Reports.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:252 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the report drafted by a person (details supplied) on an international review of the policy and legislation on expunging criminal convictions; and if he will give a date as to when it will be published. [37158/05]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the report commissioned by my Department from UCC law department and entitled, Extending the scope of Employment Equality Legislation: Comparative Perspectives on the Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination. This report focused on the various grounds of discrimination used in other jurisdictions, and included the use of trade union membership, socioeconomic status or social origin, political opinion and criminal conviction or ex-prisoner or ex-offender as grounds of discrimination. This report was published on 3 September 2004. It is available from the Government Publications Office and my Department's website: www.justice.ie.
Crime Prevention.
John Perry
Ceist:253 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which his Department promotes the national community development organisation active in rural Ireland, for example, community alert through Muintir na Tíre and the Garda Síochána available to address community issues; the budget he has in place to call on all community members nationwide to actively support the ethos of community alert in an effort to diffuse the sense of fear being created by media coverage for persons isolated and vulnerable in remote communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37309/05]
The community alert programme is a community based crime prevention initiative in rural communities similar to neighbourhood watch which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It is a national movement with its network comprising approximately 1,285 local community alert groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in rural communities who are vulnerable, in particular the elderly, by: crime prevention; neighbourliness and self reliance; general community safety and well-being; accident prevention; promotion of personal safety; and having an anti-poverty focus and awareness of social inclusion.
I am strongly of the view that community organisations have, through their support and co-operation with the Garda Síochána, an important role to play in crime prevention and the promotion of community safety and I very much support the work in this area being carried out by Muintir na Tíre through the community alert programme. The programme is operated by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Garda Síochána and this relationship is formalised in a memorandum of understanding between both organisations for the development and operation of the programme.
My Department assists the operation of the programme and has provided €120,000 this year. This funding provides assistance towards the cost of the programme's national co-ordinator, based at Muintir na Tíre's headquarters in Tipperary town, and three local development officers. The community alert development officers are assigned on a regional basis and travel extensively to promote the establishment of new groups and contribute to increasing the effectiveness and level of activity of existing groups. They also liaise with the gardaí and other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies working in the local areas.
Funding for two additional local development officers is provided by the South Eastern Health Board. A national conference on the topic, Enhancing Community Safety and Crime Prevention through Partnerships, was held jointly by Muintir na Tíre and the Garda Síochána on 12 November 2005 in Mullingar, with financial assistance from the Garda Síochána.
The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, which I established earlier this year, has agreed in principle to provide funding to Muintir na Tíre for the development of follow-up supports for elderly rural crime victims, through the community alert programme. Discussions are ongoing on this project and an announcement will be made in due course.
Road Safety.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:254 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in County Westmeath who have applied to her Department for the installation of traffic calming and safety measures at primary and secondary schools; the number of such schools that have been granted financial aid to enable them to put in place such safety measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37040/05]
The issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of primary and secondary schools would be a matter that should be raised in the first instance with the relevant local authority. Local authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools and should ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children.
It is open to the boards of management of individual schools to make an application for funding under my Department's summer works scheme, SWS, for any works that are required within school boundaries. Details of the schools in County Westmeath that have been approved for funding under the SWS since the scheme commenced will be forwarded to the Deputy.
School Accommodation.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:255 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of recent correspondence from a school (details supplied), she will take steps to ensure that the necessary additional funding is provided to the board of management to enable it to complete the much needed building and avoid the situation whereby the project as it currently stands is half built; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37041/05]
As part of the expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works, a grant of €350,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation. The initiative allows boards of management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control of the building project.
The intention of the scheme is to provide funding to schools to enable them to undertake wanted building projects. The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fund-raising needs but for the school to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available funding. The decision on whether to continue participating in the scheme or to drop out, if the scope of build is more than the funding envelope permits, is a matter for each school authority.
An appeal by the school in question was considered by the appeals board and it is satisfied that, under the terms of the scheme, the school does not warrant additional funding. The board has been informed of the position.
Vocational Education Committees.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:256 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of boards in place at all vocational education committees; the composition of these boards; the name of the persons sitting on each board; the VEC to which each board is attached; the home town, city or area of residence of all those who sit on VEC boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37042/05]
Individual VECs are not required to provide details of their various boards and committees to my Department. Therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.
School Staffing.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:257 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position relating to the one teacher schools support group which is anxious to have another adult employed in each one teacher school to safeguard the health and safety of all members of the school community; if this request will be sanctioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37043/05]
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 my 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 you 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 pupils is being undertaken and will be completed as speedily as possible.
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.
Schools Building Projects.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:258 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when finance will be available for the purpose of building a new school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37044/05]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for a new building 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.
Summer Works Scheme.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:259 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if summer works for a college (details supplied) in County Longford will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37066/05]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the authority of the school to which he refers has submitted an application for funding under the summer works scheme for 2006. The school planning section of my Department is in the process of assessing all applications received. Details of the successful applicants will be published when the assessment process has been completed.
Special Educational Needs.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:260 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of learning resource teachers in County Kildare in the years 2002 to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37078/05]
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:261 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in County Kildare schools in each of the years 2002 to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37079/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
The information regarding the number of special education teachers for County Kildare in the years 2002 to 2005 is not readily available within my Department. I can confirm, however, that at primary level there are now approximately 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. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
To date, at second level there are 1,614 whole time equivalent additional teachers in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to approximately 200 teachers that were in place in 1998 for such pupils. In addition, there are 532 whole time equivalent learning support teachers in our second level schools.
I can also confirm to the Deputy that there are currently approximately 309 whole time special needs assistants, SNAs, in our primary and second level schools in County Kildare supporting children with special needs. My Department is not in a position to provide details of SNAs employed since 2002. However, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally.
Schools Recognition.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:262 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been achieved towards permanent recognition of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37080/05]
: The school to which the Deputy refers opened with provisional recognition from my Department in September 2004. The school is required to complete a minimum period of three years in this mode, during which time it must demonstrate its viability and that it is operating in accordance with the rules and programme for secondary schools. The matter of permanent recognition can be considered when this period has expired.
School Accommodation.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:263 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in County Kildare that have applied for funding under the 2006 summer work scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37081/05]
A total of 33 schools in County Kildare have applied for funding under the summer works scheme for 2006. All applications are currently being assessed and a list of successful applicants will be published when the assessment process has been completed.
School Staffing.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:264 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the recourse which is open to a person who is of the opinion that they were more qualified for a post (details supplied) than the person who was appointed to the post; if there is an appeals process that can be accessed in a situation such as this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37090/05]
Appointments to posts of the kind indicated are a matter for the vocational education committee as the employer. My Department prescribes qualifications for appointment but does not sanction individual appointments. It is open to interested parties who are dissatisfied with such an appointment to present a complaint to the VEC. If no satisfaction is obtained, the matter may be brought to my attention for investigation. Appointments made by VECs are covered by the Vocational Education Acts.
The case in question has been the subject of correspondence between the VEC, the unsuccessful applicants and my Department. I am satisfied the appointment is in conformity with the relevant regulations.
Pension Provisions.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:265 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [37091/05]
The person is question gave four years and 21 days of pensionable service as a primary teacher between September 1981 and 13 March 1987. The teacher also gave some intermittent service as a substitute teacher between 1986 and 1990 but substitute service was at that time not reckonable for pension purposes.
As matters stand, the person in question does not retain any entitlement to pension and lump sum under the national school teachers' superannuation scheme as, at the time her pensionable service ended in 1987, she had not completed the minimum service of five years which was then the required threshold for preservation of superannuation benefits. The threshold has been reduced to two years in the case of teachers, and public servants generally, who have given pensionable service on or after 2 June 2002.
It is open to the person referred to by the Deputy to return to teaching at any time in the future. Under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, she would, on such return, be treated as a new entrant to the public service. The upper age limit for retirement on pension, 65 in the case of teachers, has been abolished in the case of new entrants. Similarly, a new entrant may not retire voluntarily on full pension before age 65. It is, however, open to new entrants to retire on pension between age 55 and 65, with actuarially-reduced benefits, under the cost-neutral early retirement scheme.
Any teaching service given following return would be aggregated with the teacher's earlier service. In this connection, and in line with the Protection of Employees (Part-time) Act 2001, service as a substitute teacher is now pensionable on an ongoing basis.
Schools Building Projects.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:266 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage at which the proposal to construct a new school at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 5 has reached; the system which is being used by her Department for prioritising applications for rebuilding; and the prospective starting date for this school. [37098/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school in question was listed in my announcement of April this year as a project to progress through architectural planning up to pre-tender stage, that is, up to and including advanced architectural planning. My Department's officials are in the process of examining a recently received revised stage 1,2,3 submission — for site suitability, briefing and site report, outline sketch scheme and developed sketch scheme — and when this examination is completed will be in contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in progressing this building project.
Details of the published criteria for prioritising applications for funding of large scale primary and post-primary school capital building projects will be forwarded to the Deputy. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme for 2006 to 2009.
Higher Education Grants.
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:267 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if funds for the higher education grant are to be made available to a group (details supplied) when they have been deemed eligible for a higher education grant by the relevant county council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37104/05]
My Department has received correspondence from the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland seeking approval for the inclusion of the winter streams of the professional practice course 1 under the higher education grant scheme for 2005 and 2006. The application for course approval is currently under active consideration within my Department.
School Accommodation.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:268 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the priority with regard to funding classrooms that are rat infested, old and without toilets or new physical education halls and gyms. [37106/05]
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, individual school authorities are responsible in the first instance for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. Provision is built into the annual school building programme to enable schools to address urgent health and safety issues as identified by the school authority by way of an annual allocation, currently amounting to €3,809 plus €12.70 per pupil, under the devolved grant scheme for minor works. This allocation can be used entirely at the discretion of the school authority to address basic health and safety issues as they arise.
Where schools are unable to address all issues arising on an incremental basis it is further open to the school authority to apply for funding from my Department under the appropriate scheme, that is, the summer works scheme, which provides capital grants for small scale improvement works at primary and post-primary schools during the summer holidays. The scheme is advertised annually.
With regard to physical education facilities in schools, it is open to each management authority to apply for capital funding on form FLE — application for grant aid for major capital works for national schools. Each application is assessed against the published prioritisation criteria.
Third Level Fees.
Jack Wall
Ceist:269 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is being asked to pay fees for a course; the effect the stated payment would have in regard to the person graduating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37119/05]
The criteria for eligibility for the free fees initiative includes the provision that students who have pursued a course of third level study which has attracted Exchequer funding, for example, free fees, and who have not secured a terminal qualification and subsequently resume third level studies are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course.
The operation of the free fees initiative is a matter for each third level institution in accordance with the guidelines issued by my Department. I understand that the student in question pursued first year of a course at the Institute of Technology Carlow and then entered first year of a course at the University of Limerick. As the student did not complete the course at the Institute of Technology Carlow, the student is liable to pay tuition fees for her first year at the University of Limerick.
State Examinations.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:270 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of marks allocated for spoken Irish in the leaving certificate for Irish at lower level; if she intends to restructure this system with a clean bias towards spoken competency; when she intends to do same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37318/05]
Enda Kenny
Ceist:272 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the structure and category allocation of points marking for Irish in the leaving certificate for both lower and higher grade; the educational purpose of Irish in the lower grade; if she has satisfied herself that this purpose is being achieved with specific reference to spoken Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37320/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 272 together.
Irish is examined at higher, ordinary and foundation levels in the leaving certificate examination. All candidates take an oral examination where the productive skills of the candidate in spoken Irish are tested in an interview format. They also take an aural test where a candidate listens to a recording of native speakers representing the three main dialects and where the candidate's receptive skills regarding spoken Irish are tested.
At each of the three levels, the oral component accounts for 25% of the total marks for the examination. The aural component accounts for 16.6% of the total marks at higher level, 20% of the total marks at ordinary level and 30% of total marks at foundation level. The syllabuses in Irish at all levels are built around the communicative approach to the learning of the language and require that the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed in an integrated way. As to the extent to which the aims of the syllabuses are being achieved by our students, my view is that we need to work towards improvements in area of spoken Irish and that placing more emphasis on oral Irish in the leaving certificate examinations should be considered.
As the Deputy knows, I have already 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.
Teacher Training.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:271 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost accrued by the State in training a primary teacher in each official teacher training college; the cost of training a primary teacher by a recognised on-line facility for graduates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37319/05]
There are three different methods of providing funding to the five colleges of education, reflecting the historical context within which the colleges were established and developed over time.
Coláiste Mhuire Marino and the Froebel College of Education are funded on a capitation basis with funding linked to a payment per student registered in these colleges which is certified by the college president. My Department is not prescriptive in how this funding is spent by the colleges, only that in accordance with regulations governing all public expenditure, the monies are spent in accordance with the purposes for which they are allocated. For Coláiste Mhuire Marino and the Froebel College of Education, this purpose is teacher training.
The Church of Ireland College is funded on a budget basis: this involves that college submitting annual returns and financial projections for agreement by my Department. St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, are funded through the Higher Education Authority, HEA.
The amount of current funding provided by my Department for the 1999-2004 period is set out in the following table. Finally, I assume the on-line facility referred to by the Deputy is the Hibernia College. As this is a privately-owned and operated college, my Department does not provide it with any funding.
|
College |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Froebel College |
1,028,352 |
1,292,369 |
1,745,624 |
2,124,431 |
2,357,985 |
2,254,133 |
|
Mary Immaculate College |
9,060,366 |
9,907,969 |
11,417,415 |
12,790,423 |
14,234,001 |
14,168,420 |
|
St. Patrick’s College, Drumcomdra |
9,410,547 |
10,144,927 |
12,191,310 |
14,273,448 |
15,725,886 |
15,326,610 |
|
Coláiste Mhuire |
1,449,010 |
2,027,097 |
2,836,506 |
3,534,125 |
4,025,096 |
4,159,172 |
|
Church of Ireland College |
1,040,426 |
1,302,972 |
1,406,616 |
1,486,466 |
1,184,316 |
1,476,705 |
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra are funded by the HEA.
Question No. 272 answered with QuestionNo. 270.
School Curriculum.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:273 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of hours in the primary teacher training curriculum; the number of hours spent on dyslexia; the way in which same is monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37321/05]
The position is that the number of student or lecture contact hours in the colleges of education, on average, amounts to 1,650. I would like to inform the Deputy that the existing pre-service teacher training programmes provided by the colleges of education include specific elements aimed at enabling all primary teachers to recognise and deal appropriately with the particular needs of all children who have learning disabilities, including those associated with dyslexia. For example, in St. Patrick's College, dyslexia is treated in the context of other causes of reading failure within the curriculum course in reading in first and second years and in the special education course in the final year of the B Ed course. There are also a number of elective courses in the final year. The reading course is 22 hours in first year 22 hours in second year. In the third year, the special education course is 27 hours and the elective course is 40 hours.
The teacher education section of my Department met recently with representatives from all the publicly funded primary teacher training colleges. A working group has been established to consider a range of issues pertaining to the B Ed programme including, inter alia, the range of special educational needs including dyslexia.
I would like to take the opportunity to refer again to the continuum involved in the development of teaching as a profession and to say that in order to further enhance the relevant preparation that teachers will have received at pre-service level in the colleges, my Department, in co-operation with colleges of education and universities, also provides a nationwide programme, on an annual basis, of additional specialist training at post-graduate level for learning support teachers and resource teachers.
As the Deputy is aware, learning support teachers are available to all primary schools as additional support for children with learning difficulties, including dyslexia. Resource teachers are available to primary schools, as required, as an additional support for children with special educational needs, including children with dyslexia.
In addition, my Department has completed a major programme of professional development for all teachers in primary schools, with particular emphasis on whole-school and classroom-based strategies for responding effectively to the learning needs of children with reading difficulties, including those associated with dyslexia. The programme is based on the learning support guidelines which have been made available to all schools by my Department. Support is continuing to be provided to schools by the support team.
This specialist training is supported and directly funded by the teacher education section of my Department, which is responsible for the education, training and continuing professional development of teachers across the continuum from initial pre-entry education to continuous professional development. The course syllabi include training in the diagnosis and identification of reading difficulties including the appropriate techniques for remediation. In particular, there is a focus on the problem of specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia, in relation to diagnosis and pedagogy.
Through the special education support service, which was established in September 2003, my Department also supports many other relevant short-term intensive courses, including some on-line courses, for primary teachers. In its current programme of support and professional development, the special education support service has identified dyslexia as a priority which, with other similar courses, are provided through the network of education centres, teachers' organisations and through the programme of summer courses for primary teachers.
Defence Forces Recruitment.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:274 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the position is in relation to a person who is interested in joining the cadets and who is a diabetic; the present policy; his views regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37035/05]
All applicants for a cadetship in the Permanent Defence Force are required to be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his-her duties. The professional advise of the medical military authority is that a person who is a diabetic is below the medical standards for enlistment, which includes becoming a cadet, to the Permanent Defence Force.
As regards serving military personnel who have been diagnosed with diabetes, members of the Defence Forces are medically classified in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations A12. Guidance in the practical application of these regulations is contained in instructions issued to medical officers by the director, Medical Corps. The director's instructions recognise that each case must be decided on its merits. The regulations and instructions are framed in the context of the unique and demanding nature of the physical requirements of operational military life.
The military authorities advise that, in general terms, personnel of the Defence Forces who develop diabetes during service are reclassified to an appropriate medical classification code in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations A12 and may be restricted to appropriate limited duties in accordance with their condition. I am advised that a diagnosis of diabetes may not necessarily, of itself, result in a member of the Defence Forces being reclassified "Below Defence Forces Medical Standards". Each case is treated individually on its merits and it is solely a matter for the appropriate military medical authorities to determine the appropriate medical classification code of any member of the Defence Forces and their suitability for continued service in the Defence Forces.
Non-commissioned personnel of the Defence Forces are required to retain specified minimum medical classifications to be eligible for consideration for extension of service, re-engagement or continuance in service, as appropriate, beyond their specific service engagements. A diagnosis of diabetes could result in a medical classification code below the required minimum for extension, re-engagement or continuation in service. However, such a diagnosis does not automatically render a member of the Defence Forces medically ineligible for extension, re-engagement or continuation in service.
Ambulance Service.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:275 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether the air ambulance service provided by the Air Corps should be on more than an “as is” basis as these new helicopter types will have the capacity of being configured for the ambulance role and in view of the fact that parts of west Mayo have no ambulance base; if his Department has formalised the arrangements for the provision of the air ambulance service with the Department of Health and Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37036/05]
The Department of Health and Children is responsible for policy formation in respect of pre-hospital emergency care, and the Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the provision of ambulance services throughout the state. A detailed service level agreement for the provision of an air ambulance service by the Air Corps, prepared by my Department and the Department of Health and Children, in consultation with the Health Service Executive and the Defence Forces, which are all signatories to the agreement, has recently been finalised and signed. The agreement sets out the range of the service to be provided by the Air Corps, specifically inter-hospital transfers for spinal and serious injuries and illnesses, air transport of neonates requiring immediate medical intervention within Ireland, air transport of patients requiring organ transplants in the UK, air transport of organ harvest teams within Ireland and air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the Irish Coast Guard service is not available.
Both of the new helicopter types will have the capacity of being configured for the air ambulance role and an air ambulance kit is part of the additional equipment ordered with the helicopters. Both kits will be fully certified for airborne use and will enable the transfer of one patient along with up to two medical personnel in the helicopter cabin. Both systems will incorporate basic medical facilities such as electrical power, oxygen supply and suction.
Courts-Martial.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:276 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel that were in detention or confined to barracks, during the week ending 27 November 2005; the exact details of the detention or confinement; the offence or offences which were involved; his plans to change the disciplinary process in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37312/05]
The Defence Forces policy is that commanders are advised to exercise their quasi-judicial statutory discretion by way of the award of confinement to barracks, or the award of a monetary fine, rather than detention, when considering punishment.
During the week ending 27 November 2005 the number of Defence Forces personnel confined to barracks was eight: 4th Western Brigade, one person under sections 137 and 168 of the Defence Act 1954, as amended — awarded three days confined to barracks; Naval Service, two personnel under sections 131 and 168 of the Defence Act 1954, as amended — one was awarded seven days stoppage of shore leave and one was awarded three days stoppage of shore leave; Air Corps, five personnel under sections 137, 157 and 168 of the Defence Act 1954, as amended — four were awarded two nights confined to barracks and one was awarded three nights confined to barracks.
The Government's legislative programme for the current Dáil session, which commenced on 28 September 2005, as announced by my colleague, Deputy Kitt, Chief Whip and Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach, lists in section B the Defence (Amendment) Bill which will amend Part V (Discipline) of the Defence Act 1954, as amended, and certain other provisions of the Act. Since its enactment over fifty years ago, Part V (Discipline) of the Defence Act 1954 has been subject to relatively minor revisions, including the establishment in 1983 of the Courts-Martial Appeals Court, CMAC, the introduction of a special legal aid scheme, and some subsequent updating of the punishments available for breaches of military law.
There have been relevant developments in the intervening period. The military legal authorities have had regard to various decisions of the Courts-Martial Appeals Court since 1983, to developments in the ordinary criminal courts of the State and to developments in the administration of military law in other common law jurisdictions. They have been especially aware of the need for the Irish military legal system to be fully compliant with all of the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights which was incorporated into Irish law through the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003. In this regard, the military authorities are entirely cognisant of recent decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in the area of military law.
In July 2001 the Deputy Chief of Staff, Support, convened a military law review board to review the current provisions of the Defence Act 1954, as amended, to ensure that the military law justice system is both expeditious and fair to the individual and contributes significantly to the maintenance of discipline within the Defence Forces and complies with the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. The board report, together with legal advice from the Attorney General's Office, have been considered within my Department with a view to deciding upon the most suitable approach to be taken to the recommendations, in light of the general legislative programme of the Government. Accordingly, on 14 June 2005 the Government approved the urgent drafting of the Defence (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, which is being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, in consultation with officials from my Department, for publication by mid 2006.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:277 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions due to the altering of the fuel mix for the purposes of heating in the built environment and residential sector by 2012 (details supplied); the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases by altering of the fuel mix for the purposes of heating in the built environment and residential sector for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37155/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:284 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment and residential sector by 2012; the reduction achieved in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the built environment and residential sector for each year between now and 2012; the estimated annual cost to Ireland if green house gas emissions from this sector remain at their current level; the steps he is taking to ensure the target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37167/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:287 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas achieved by energy efficiency measures for existing buildings by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in this sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases achieved by energy efficiency measures for existing buildings for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37170/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:288 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions due to the altering of the fuel mix for the purposes of heating in the built environment and residential sector by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases by altering of the fuel mix for the purposes of heating in the built environment and residential sector for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37171/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 284, 287 and 288 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 7 of 29 November 2005. The national climate change strategy sets out Ireland's approach to meeting its target for the propose of the Kyoto Protocol, which is to limit growth in greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels in the 2008-12 commitment period. The strategy projected greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment and residential sector to decrease from 7,018 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 1990 to 6,789 million tonnes in 2010, with proposed reduction targets for the entire sector of 0.9 million tonnes. In 2003, the latest year for which figures are available, total emissions from the sector were 6.6 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.
The strategy proposed that measures to change the mix of fuels which are used for space and water heating would result in a reduction of 0.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2010 while improved energy efficiency of existing buildings would result in savings of 0.4 million tonnes over the same period. Figures published by Sustainable Energy Ireland in Energy in Ireland 1990-2003 indicate that for the residential, commercial and public services sectors there has been a significant shift from the more carbon intensive fuels to less carbon intensive fuels for space and water heating. As a result, unit carbon dioxide emissions associated with space and water heating in the residential sector have fallen by 25.1 % over the period 1990-2003, though there has been an increase of 0.7% between 2000-03. In the commercial and public services sector, however, there has been a growth in carbon dioxide emissions of 31.5% between 1990 and 2003 associated with space and water heating in this sector though between 2000-03 there has been an average annual decrease of 1.2%.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:278 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by the introduction of a labelling system for vehicles by 2010; the reduction achieved by these measures to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases attributable to the use of labelling for each year between now and 2010; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2010 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37183/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:291 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the planned timeframe and agenda set out to implement the EU initiative for fuel economy labelling of all new cars as specified under the national climate change strategy; the steps which have been taken since 2000 to establish this system; the steps he intends to take to implement this system by 2010; the target for total reduction of carbon emissions to be achieved by this measure; the reduction of carbon emissions achieved to date in 2005 by this measure. [37175/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 291 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 105 of 29 November 2005.
Capital Expenditure.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:279 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to the mid-east and other regions for the years 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 from his Department; the payment this represented per head of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37003/05]
The mid-east region comprises counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. The funding for capital purposes allocated by my Department to the mid-east region, together with allocations to the remainder of the southern and eastern region and the Border, midlands and western, BMW, region for the years 2000 to 2004 is set out in the following table:
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
(€million) |
(€million) |
(€million) |
(€million) |
(€million) |
|
|
Mid-East |
114.613 |
152.285 |
170.689 |
165.286 |
173.094 |
|
Remainder of S&E |
782.050 |
1,121.114 |
1,228.999 |
1,123.417 |
1,118.604 |
|
BMW |
407.981 |
522.268 |
609.887 |
601.388 |
590.046 |
These allocations are for the provision of the following services: housing, water and waste-water services, waste management, non-national roads, urban and village renewal and habitats and heritage conservation.
Based on population information supplied by the Central Statistics Office, these allocations can be represented on a per capita basis as follows:
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Mid-East |
295 |
381 |
414 |
389 |
396 |
|
Remainder of S&E |
326 |
462 |
498 |
450 |
443 |
|
BMW |
408 |
516 |
587 |
569 |
547 |
It should be noted that the remainder of the southern and eastern region includes all but one of the country's major cities and that major expenditure on housing and urban regeneration has been concentrated in Dublin and Cork. In addition, it should be noted that in the early years of the national development plan priority was given to investment in major water services projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
However, with the completion of major projects in the major urban areas, per capita expenditure on water services has increased in the mid-east region in recent years compared to the rest of the southern and eastern region. Investment by my Department on non-national roads throughout the years in question, expressed in per capita terms, indicates the mid-east region is ahead of the rest of the southern and eastern region. Per capita benefit is higher in the BMW region but it should be borne in mind that the BMW region, which consists of 47% of the land area, accounts for just 27% of the national population.
Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:280 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the situation regarding the application for funding for a sewerage scheme at Dunlavin, County Wicklow by Wicklow County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37004/05]
The Dunlavin sewerage scheme has been included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 as a scheme to enter planning. I understand that Wicklow County Council have prepared a preliminary report for this scheme and are also working to complete internal consultations on the proposals. Following this, I intend that my Department will consider its approval for the preliminary report for the scheme.
Housing Grants.
Liz McManus
Ceist:281 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if measures will be put in place to ensure that the necessary staffing is allocated to the disabled persons’ grant and that the essential repairs grant is increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37032/05]
The improvements made to the terms of the essential repairs grants scheme in recent years have permitted a significant upscaling of the level of activity. In line with these changes and the efforts of local authorities the number of individuals benefiting has increased significantly. The effective maximum grant has been increased to €9,523 and the level of recoupment by my Department to local authorities has increased from 50% to two thirds. Increased capital funding has been made available to meet the cost of the activity generated by these improvements. Some 2,075 grants were paid by local authorities under this scheme in 2004 at a cost of €9.6 million compared to 957 at a cost of €2.2 million in 1998. While there are no proposals to increase the maximum grant at this stage, the operation of the scheme is included in the review of the disabled persons grants and related schemes which is being finalised in my Department.
Local authorities are individually responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out their functions, including in relation to housing grants. As regards to the level of the essential repairs grant, I refer to the reply to Question No. 36 of 29 November 2005.
Social and Affordable Housing.
John McGuinness
Ceist:282 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the clawback arrangement will be reviewed as applied in the social and affordable housing scheme operated by local authorities with a view to reducing the percentage being clawed back and reducing the period from 20 years to ten years; his views on the success or otherwise of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/05]
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)
Houses sold under the various affordable housing schemes at a discount from market value contain a clawback provision. This clawback provides that if a house purchased under the affordable housing schemes at a discount from market value is resold before the expiration of 20 years from the date of the purchase, the person selling the property shall pay to the local authority a percentage of the proceeds of the sale. This percentage is equal to the percentage discount allowed by the local authority on the original sale of the house where the house is resold within the first ten years. The amount payable is reduced by 10% in respect of each complete year after the tenth year during which the person who purchased the property has been in occupation as his or her normal place of residence.
The provision for a clawback is necessary to ensure that there is no short-term profiteering on the resale of a house provided by a local authority at a discount from market value. I am satisfied that the provision works well in protecting the public interest in these affordable houses and, accordingly, I have no plans to alter the present arrangements.
Since its introduction in March 1999, some 4,650 housing units have been provided under the 1999 affordable housing scheme and over 1,600 social and affordable units have been acquired under Part V agreements with developers. In addition, the shared ownership scheme has attracted in excess of 17,000 purchasers to date. I am confident that these schemes together with housing to be provided under the partnership agreement Sustaining Progress are all contributing to the Government's strategy for social and affordable housing and will deliver substantial output over the coming years. It is estimated that over 12,000 units in total will be delivered from all of the affordable schemes between 2005 and 2007.
Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Jack Wall
Ceist:283 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the timescale for the completion of a water scheme (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37118/05]
The water supply to Athy is being augmented as part of phase 1 of the Kildare water supply strategy which has been approved for construction under my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06. Earlier this month I approved Kildare County Council's tender documents for the augmentation works. It is now a matter for the council to proceed with the invitation of tenders for the project.
Question No. 284 answered with QuestionNo. 277.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:285 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the target which Ireland has set in the national climate change strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions due to the implementation of building regulations by 2012; the reduction achieved by these measures in the sector to date in 2005; the target for reduction in greenhouse gases due to the implementation of building regulations for each year between now and 2012; the steps he is taking to ensure the 2012 target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/05]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:286 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated annual cost to Ireland due to greenhouse gas emissions for 2005 and each additional year that the new building regulations are delayed; the estimated loss of savings in terms of emissions for 2005 and each additional year that the new building regulations are delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37169/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.
Higher thermal performance standards apply to new dwellings commencing on or after 1 January 2003 under amending Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Building Regulations 2002 and the related 2002 edition of technical guidance document L published by my Department. The setting of a single operative date, 2003, involved bringing forward phased operative dates, 2002 and 2005, envisaged in the national climate change strategy. This was made possible when an independent energy research group, UCD study, commissioned by the broadly based building regulations advisory body, showed that all commonly used house building systems could be insulated to comply with the higher thermal performance standards involved.
The operative date of 1 January 2003 is subject to a transitional exemption of new dwellings for which planning permission was sought on or before 31 December 2002, provided the construction of the dwellings concerned is substantially completed by 31 December 2005. This transitional provision is commonly included in major changes to the building code, so as not to disrupt the start of work on new buildings at an advanced stage of planning or design.
It is estimated that the amendment to the Part L regime in 2002 will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 250,000 tonnes per annum by end 2012, in line with the estimate contained in the national climate change strategy. This estimate is based on the assumption that some 420,000 new houses will be completed to the amended Part L standards, by end 2012. It is not possible reliably to estimate how many new houses have benefited from the transitional provision outlined above during 2003-05.
It is reasonable to expect that the overall target of an estimated 420,000 house completions will be achieved by end 2012. Specific house completion forecasts have not been made for each year to 2012. Accordingly, the question does not arise of annual shortfalls from CO2 emission reduction targets, or consequential annual costs, between 2005 and 2012.
I intend to amend Part L of the building regulations soon to set higher thermal performance and insulation standards for new non-domestic buildings commencing on or after 1 July 2006, which it is estimated will result in a further reduction in CO2 emissions of 45,000 tonnes per annum, by end 2012. The thermal performance standards for new dwellings are due for review and further upward adjustment by 2008. These prospective developments should enable CO2 emission reduction targets from new construction, as contained in the national climate change strategy,to be exceeded by 2012.
Questions Nos. 287 and 288 answered with Question No. 277.
Building Regulations.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:289 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date in 2005 in respect of the plan specified under the national climate change strategy to require vendors of pre-1991 houses to produce an energy efficiency certificate from a competent contractor, showing the annual energy consumption, including cost, of the premises; the number of such certificates that have been produced since 2000 to date in 2005; steps he intends to take to ensure that all persons purchasing pre-1991 houses will receive such a certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37173/05]
The national climate change strategy, 2000, contained a proposal for the production of energy efficiency certificates by vendors of older, pre-building regulations 1991, houses.
This proposal was overtaken by the subsequent publication, in May 2001, of a draft EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings. This directive, 2002/91/EC, was formally adopted on 19 December 2002. The directive provides for the introduction of building energy performance certificates, to be known in Ireland as building energy rating certificates, for a much wider range of buildings covering both newly constructed buildings and existing buildings, when existing buildings are sold or let.
The draft action plan for the implementation of the directive in Ireland, April 2005, provides for the phased introduction of the mandatory building energy rating certificate, over the period 2007-09, for newly constructed dwellings, with effect from 1 January 2007; for newly constructed non-domestic buildings, with effect from 1 January 2008; for existing buildings when sold or let, 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 EU Commission shortly.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:290 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date in 2005 in respect of the planned agreement regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases under the national climate change strategy between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, his Department, and the cement industry to ensure that the reductions in emissions achieved are at the global benchmark for industry best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37174/05]
In the context of the potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the cement sector, companies within the sector are now covered by the EU emissions trading scheme and participating installations are expected to reduce emissions according to the provisions of the scheme.
A report commissioned by my Department and published in February 2004, determining the share of national greenhouse gas emissions for emissions trading in Ireland, outlined a range of cost-effective abatement options available to sectors covered by the EU scheme. For the cement sector such options include fuel switching and process substitution. It is, however, a matter for individual installations to achieve emission reductions in the most cost-effective manner available to them. My Department is engaged in discussions with the cement sector on possible measures to facilitate the more widespread use of lower clinker content cement in the Irish market.
Question No. 291 answered with QuestionNo. 278.
Local Authority Staff.
Tony Gregory
Ceist:292 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 583 of 22 November 2005 if persons originally employed as general operatives but who carry out clerical duties for local authorities are entitled to eligibility for interview for Grade IV level and should not be excluded on the basis that they do not hold a leaving certificate (details supplied). [37241/05]
The qualifications declared for the post of assistant staff officer enable existing local authority employees, including persons originally employed as general operatives, to compete for such posts if they have at least two years' satisfactory experience as a clerical officer or in an analogous post. In such cases, the leaving certificate requirement does not apply. It is a matter for the employing authority to determine whether an applicant for a post of assistant staff officer possesses the qualifications for that post.
Local Authority Funding.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:293 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the requests currently under consideration or ongoing at his Department for funding for projects in Counties Wicklow and Carlow; the names and stages of the projects; the projected costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37316/05]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Recycling Policy.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:294 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a refundable deposit scheme at the point of sale on plastic and aluminium bottles and cans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37317/05]
Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste is based on the concept of producer responsibility, which effectively requires producers to contribute to the waste management costs of products which they have placed on the market at end-of-life. Under the directive, Ireland was required to achieve a 25% recovery rate of packaging waste by 1 July 2001, increasing to a 50% recovery rate by 31 December 2005. Practical implementation of the directive in Ireland is organised mainly through a collective industry-based compliance scheme operated by Repak Limited which is working successfully and in 2001 met the target of 25% packaging waste recycling required by the directive.
The latest indications are that Ireland is on course to meet the higher recovery and recycling target of 50% specified for end 2005. The EPA has reported in its national waste database interim report for 2003, published in December 2004, that packaging waste recovery increased to 44% in that year, up from 35% in 2002.
While Article 15 of Directive 94/62/EC makes provision for member states to adopt economic measures, such as deposit and refund schemes, in support of the objectives of the directive, successful deposit and refund schemes operating internationally for beverage containers are generally located in those countries where there has been no break in the continuity and cultural tradition of deposit and refund arrangements. This is not the case in Ireland and there would now quite likely be significant costs involved in re-establishing deposit and refund arrangements here.
Account would also have to be taken of the possible impact on existing compliance arrangements. Given that these arrangements are achieving the desired result in relation to meeting the recycling targets, the introduction of deposit and refund schemes for beverage containers is not under consideration.