Written Answers.

National Development Plan.

John Gormley

Ceist:

9 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has studied the Western Development Commission’s submission to the National Development Plan 2007-2013; and if he has had consultations with the Department of Finance regarding the priorities for the rural areas in the forthcoming plan. [36898/06]

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

The Western Development Commission (WDC) was consulted by the Department of Finance regarding the new National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 and submitted a very detailed and useful document in this regard highlighting a number of key issues. Officials from that Department also met with representatives of the WDC earlier in the year to discuss their submission.

With regard to my own Department, officials have had a number of high-level discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the new Plan and the programmes and measures that will be included in it.

In this context, the Deputy should also note that an Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by my Department, was established earlier this year to prepare a draft chapter on the development of the rural economy for inclusion in the new Plan. The Group sought to identify the main challenges specific to the rural economy in Ireland and the issues critical to its future development. It also considered existing and planned sectoral measures from across Departments that will significantly support or impact on the rural economy.

The proposed chapter will reflect many of the key issues highlighted by the WDC in their submission. I understand that the new NDP is now being finalised by the Department of Finance and will be published in January 2007.

National Drugs Strategy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

10 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to allocate funding under the various schemes available to his Department to groups involved in drug treatment programmes and rehabilitation in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37045/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for grant aid currently before his Department from groups involved in combating drugs and relevant rehabilitation courses from County Kildare in 2006; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond favourably to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37299/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 194 together.

The 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) that have been established to include all parts of the country not covered by a Local Drugs Task Force are charged with researching, developing, implementing and monitoring a co-ordinated response to illicit drug use at regional level.

The South West RDTF has responsibility for County Kildare, West Wicklow, and parts of South County Dublin and South Dublin City. Its strategic plan outlines responses to illicit drug use across the region while focusing on specific problematic issues, such as pockets of illicit drug use and emerging needs. The information emerging locally, combined with information on drug prevalence and opiate use in the region, has provided the basis upon which projects were proposed and approved for funding.

I was happy to make €735,000 available to the South West RDTF in 2006 towards the implementation of its plan, with follow-up annual funding of over €1.5m. Good progress has been achieved, with over half of the projects already commenced or due to commence by the end of the year. Some ten projects have been approved for funding spanning the main pillars in the National Drugs Strategy — prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Of these, five projects, with approved full-year implementation costs of over €1.1m, relate specifically to the provision of drug treatment programmes and rehabilitation. These include the establishment of a Community Drug Team, to be based in Naas, and which will provide additional treatment places and ancillary treatment services in Kildare and West Wicklow.

Overall, I am satisfied with the progress being made by the South West RDTF and by RDTFs generally. There is an increasing level of co-operation and partnership evident in the regions as the RDTFs become more established. Furthermore, the rate of progress being achieved has accelerated with the recruitment of full-time co-ordinators earlier this year. I am confident that significant results can be achieved in respect of Co. Kildare in the coming year.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

11 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the phone line established by Blanchardstown’s local drugs task force; his further views on the roll out of this service to all drugs task force areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36911/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

40 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he or his Department have had or intend to have discussions regarding the roll out of local drugs task force confidential anti-drug dealing phone lines. [37025/06]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

43 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his view on the local drugs task force confidential anti-drug dealing phone line; and if funding will come from his Department for its roll out here. [37023/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 40 and 43 together.

I was pleased to launch the report, to which the Deputies refer, last week. The campaign was brought about through a unique alliance of groups and agencies working on the frontline on drugs issues in the area in question and funded by my Department through the Local Drugs Task Force. The main function of the campaign was to gather information about drug dealing and to ensure that the information reached the Gardaí.

The Gardaí have confirmed that much information was generated by the campaign, especially in its earlier stage, and that a significant amount of this information was useful. Following on from the evaluation of the campaign, the steering group has proposed, as one of a number of recommendations, that the campaign be piloted nationwide. The recommendations arising are now to be considered by the National Drugs Strategy Team and on receipt of their views I will consider the matter further.

In considering the matter going forward I will be particularly interested in the views of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and An Garda Síochána. It may be the case that initiatives such as this have maximum impact when strongly targeted at specific local areas for defined short periods, rather than being rolled out generally with no specific timeframe.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

12 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the recent funding that was approved from the dormant accounts fund; the money allocated to provide addiction counselling and employment supports for prisoners and ex-prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37006/06]

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

Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are for the purpose of assisting three broad categories of persons — those who are economically or socially disadvantaged; those who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability.

To date in 2006, the Government has approved the allocation of over €13.4 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund to support a range of funding measures under the economic and social disadvantage heading. In this regard, €11.35 million has been approved to support 188 priority projects in RAPID areas; €574,989 to support 6 projects providing services for vulnerable immigrant families; €999,889 to support 20 suicide prevention projects; and €502,722 to support 6 projects providing supports for prisoners and ex-prisoners.

In relation to the funding approved to support prisoners and ex-prisoners, a total of €250,004 has been allocated to provide addiction counselling services for prisoners in Dublin's prisons. In addition, a further €252,718 has been approved in order to maximise the employment opportunities for prisoners in the Mountjoy and Midlands campuses and Castlerea and Cork prisons.

Details of the specific allocations are shown in the following appendix.

Dormant Accounts Fund 2006
Social and Economic Disadvantage Category
Funding Measure – Supports for Prisoners/Ex Prisoners
Name of Group	Location	Purpose of Funding	Grant Amount
			€
Addiction Counselling Funding Measure
Merchants Quay Ireland	Dublin 8	To provide counselling and improve accessibility of drugs counselling to prisoners with drug problems across Dublin’s 6 penal institutions.	140,754.00
GROW in Ireland	Co. Dublin	To put supports in place for prisoners in the men’s and women’s sections of Mountjoy prison to help them to tackle their addictions.	27,000.00
Ringsend & District Response to Drugs	Dublin 4	To employ a part-time counsellor to provide one-to-one drug addiction counselling/group therapy for prisoners and ex-prisoners.	42,250.00
The Deora Project	Dublin 1	To recruit an accredited counsellor, specifically to carry out addiction work in a prison setting.	40,000.00
		Addiction Counselling Measure Sub-total	250,004.00
Employment Supports Funding Measure.
Business in the Community Ireland	Dublin 1	To provide a fulltime prison-based service to provide training and employment opportunities for offenders in Wheatfield prison.	185,614.00
You’re Equal Ltd	Co. Roscommon	To develop a self employment programme in Castlerea and Cork prisons with a view to equipping prisoners with the skills to set up their own businesses.	67,104.00
		Employment Supports Measure Sub-total	252,718.00
		Total Recommended Allocation	502,722.00

National Drugs Strategy.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

13 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the claim made by the chief executive of Merchants Quay Ireland that the national drugs strategy is failing. [36889/06]

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

I would not accept the view that the National Drug Strategy is failing. Indeed, the main finding of the mid-term review of the Strategy was that the current aims and objectives were fundamentally sound and that progress was being made across all pillars of the Strategy.

It would seem from newspaper reports that the Chief Executive of Merchants Quay Ireland, speaking at the launch of his organisation's 2005 report, deduced from the heavy demand on the services provided by them that there is a lack of development of local drugs services and an increased need for local needle exchange programmes. He also noted that changing trends and patterns in drug use, specifically relating to cocaine, have impacted on their services.

With respect to local drug services, these have been developed in all Local Drug Task Force areas and are being developed throughout the country. At the end of September 2006, the Central Treatment List indicated that 7,966 people with heroin problems were in receipt of methadone treatment and that the waiting list for treatment services was 156. This latter figure represents a drop of 36% on the number recorded in September 2005.

With respect to needle exchanges, an allocation of €3m was made by the Department of Health and Children in 2006 for the further development of Harm Reduction Services. I am informed by the HSE that needle exchange services are provided at a local level in each of the former Eastern Health Board areas and are currently being developed in other areas where there is likely to be a demand.

With regard to the emerging trend of cocaine misuse, a joint briefing paper that I requested from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the National Drug Strategy Team was received in September. I am currently awaiting responses from the relevant Agencies and Departments as to how the recommendations of the briefing paper might be addressed.

I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years — be it in the areas of drug seizures, expansion of treatment services, establishment of the Regional Drugs Task Forces, prevention programmes in schools and the very encouraging results of the Research Outcome Study in Ireland (ROSIE), which evaluated heroin treatment effectiveness. I am confident that the momentum built up around the various initiatives in the National Drugs Strategy will see them implemented within the appointed timescale, which runs to the end of 2008.

Departmental Bodies.

Rural Development.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

17 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding to be spent on the area based rural development initiative in 2006; the type of projects which are typically funded under this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/06]

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

The Estimates allocation for the Area Based Rural Development Initiative is €13m for 2006. The programme is delivered by 35 area-based groups covering all rural areas in the country and 3 national bodies, Muintir na Tíre, Irish Country Holidays and Irish Farmhouse Holidays.

The types of projects funded under the area based rural development initiative are—

Training

Analysis and Development

Innovative rural enterprises, craft enterprises and local services/facilities

Exploitation of agriculture, forestry and fisheries products

Enhancement of natural/built/social/cultural environment

Environmentally Friendly Initiatives

Inter-territorial

Trans-national

Agri-tourism

Rural-tourism.

Inland Waterways.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

18 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way his Department plans to support the re-development of the Ulster Canal. [36900/06]

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

The Irish Government regards the re-development of the Ulster Canal as a priority project for progression in a North-South context. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 1150 on 27 September 2006 in which I indicated that the Ulster Canal project was discussed with the Minister for Culture, Arts, and Leisure, Ms Maria Eagle, MP, when I met her on 19 June 2006. When I meet with Minister Eagle again, it will provide an opportunity for us to further explore the ways in which the re-development of the Ulster Canal can be progressed.

Departmental Programmes.

John Gormley

Ceist:

19 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the envisaged timescales and completion dates of the works to proceed under the RAPID local authority housing estate enhancement scheme 2007 to 2008. [36897/06]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

41 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to the fact that each RAPID area received a total allocation of €100,000 in February 2006 and his recent announcement of new allocations for estate enhancement, his views on the need for a greater spending on estate environments; if he has raised the issue with the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37065/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 41 together.

In February of this year I announced the Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme for 2007/2008. Each of the RAPID areas has been allocated €45,000 by my Department to match similar levels of funding to be provided by local authorities from their internal capital receipts and a further contribution of €10,000 from their internal revenues. Local authorities have been invited to make proposals for eligible works including landscaping, improvement of open spaces, seating areas, lighting, boundary walls and works to make open spaces in flat complexes amenable to recreational use. The 2007/2008 scheme is the third series of funding for this purpose.

The Terms and Conditions of the scheme allow local authorities sufficient time to consult with the RAPID Area Implementation Team in selecting and agreeing details of the projects to be proposed. Local authorities are required to ensure delivery of the projects within a reasonable timeframe and the terms of the scheme are designed to support early execution. Ideally, projects should be completed during 2007 or early 2008 at the latest. Local authorities have been informed that they will be reimbursed for up to 50% of the costs of projects in 2007 and may be entitled to a higher level of funds if sufficient resources are available. Any costs incurred by local authorities in 2007 and not recouped in that year can be claimed in 2008.

I introduced the RAPID Leverage Schemes in 2004. Through these schemes my Department, in partnership with other Departments and agencies, funds proposals to; provide playgrounds, institute traffic control measures, improve health facilities, support sporting infrastructure, install community CCTV systems as well as enhancing housing estates. The schemes are aimed at small-scale capital works – works that require relatively small amounts of funding but can produce real and concrete benefits to the local communities in which they are delivered. Importantly, these schemes allow the people who will be affected to have a direct input into influencing and deciding what projects will be undertaken. The RAPID Area Implementation Team in each RAPID area plays a role in prioritising and selecting projects.

It is not intended that the leverage scheme will be the full solution to the needs of many housing estates in RAPID areas. However, the strength of these small schemes is that they are sufficiently flexible to address projects that are identified by people living in RAPID areas and that can make meaningful improvements to their quality of life. Residents in RAPID areas are central to how projects are identified and prioritised. In working with the local authority, short-term needs can be addressed that give immediate benefits.

The recently published evaluation of the RAPID Programme indicates that the leverage schemes make an important contribution to the development of the Programme. The schemes provided funding that could be linked directly to the Programme and encouraged greater buy in from local stakeholders as a result.

Teangacha Oifigiúla.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

20 D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nach bhfuil dada sna dréacht-rialacháin a chuir sé os comhair na Dála faoi alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, faoi fhógraíocht atá luaite go sonrach san alt; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37019/06]

Mary Upton

Ceist:

21 D’fhiafraigh Dr. Upton den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth go bhfuil díolúine iomlán ón dátheangachas sna dréacht-rialacháin maidir le logainmneacha poiblí faoi alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a chuir sé os comhair na Dála; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [37020/06]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

28 D’fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nach bhfuil dada sna dréacht-rialacháin a chuir sé os comhair na Dála faoi alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, faoi shíneacha tráchta d’ainneoin go bhfuil comharthaí luaite go sonrach san alt; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37018/06]

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

29 D’fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nach bhfuil gá ann go mbeadh an leagan Gaeilge chomh feiceálach agus chomh hinléite leis an mBéarla ar chomharthaí reatha roimh 2026 sna dréacht-rialacháin a chuir sé os comhair na Dála faoi alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [37022/06]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

35 D’fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige fáil réidh leis an díolúine ón dátheangachas sna dréacht-rialacháin de bhun alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 maidir le fógairtí taifeadta béil agus le stáiseanóireacht atá le húsáid taobh amuigh den Stát. [36891/06]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

50 D’fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth go bhfuil díolúine iomlán ón dátheangachas sna dréacht-rialacháin maidir le fógairtí taifeadta béil agus stáiseanóireacht atá le húsáid taobh amuigh den Stát faoi alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a chuir sé os comhair na Dála; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [37021/06]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

55 D’fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige glacadh le spriocdháta réasúnach agus le 2011 ar a dhéanaí, faoi réir na ndréacht-rialachán de bhun alt 9 d’ Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. [36892/06]

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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 20, 21, 28, 29, 35, 50 agus 55 le chéile.

Mar atá tugtha le fios agam i bhfreagraí ar Cheisteanna sa Teach seo faoin ábhar seo cheana féin, is d'aon ghnó a d'fhoilsigh mé na rialacháin i bhfoirm dréachta le go mbeadh deis ag Teachtaí agus ag Seanadóirí iad a phlé agus moltaí a dhéanamh maidir le leasuithe, más mian leo, sula síním iad.

Tá mé ag súil go mór leis na dréacht-rialacháin a phlé sa Dáil agus sa Seanad go luath agus le moltaí agus tuairimí a fháil. Fáiltím leis roimh thuairimí agus aiseolas chuig mo Roinnse ó eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus ón phobal i gcoitinne.

Irish Language.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

22 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently published draft regulations under the Official Languages Act 2003 on the use of the Irish language by public bodies on stationery and signage; the intention behind these regulations; if he has received feedback to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37009/06]

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

As I have already indicated on the record of the House, these regulations have been published and laid before each House of the Oireachtas in draft form. This is in order to give Deputies and Senators the opportunity to debate the draft regulations and to make suggestions for amendments, if they so wish, before I sign them.

I look forward to debating the draft regulations in the Dáil and Seanad in the near future and to hearing suggestions and comments from Deputies and Senators.

Countryside Recreation Strategy.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

23 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the work completed to date in relation to the expert group tasked with examining the legal aspects of the recommendations contained in the countryside recreation strategy; when this group will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36902/06]

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

52 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the expert group which is to examine countryside access issues for walkers has been established; the persons who comprise the group; and if there are countryside walkers represented within the group. [36895/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 52 together.

In its report on a national countryside recreation strategy, Comhairle na Tuaithe raised a number of legal issues to be addressed, along with a proposal that the Law Reform Commission be requested to make recommendations on the broad issue of access to the countryside for recreational users. Because of my concern to ensure that these issues are addressed as a matter of priority, I am establishing an expert group comprising, a leading Senior Counsel nominated by the Attorney General and a representative of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my own Department to urgently advise on tackling each of the legal issues raised by Comhairle na Tuaithe in its report.

I expect to receive the Attorney General's nomination of a Senior Counsel to chair the group over the coming days. A draft Terms of Reference for the expert group is to be considered over the next week by the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe which include representatives of State bodies with an interest in the countryside, the farming organisations and recreational users of the countryside.

I envisage that the expert group will report by the end April 2007 and that if the group considers that certain issues can be addressed in advance of that period that the group should prepare an interim report on those issues.

Offshore Islands.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

24 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the findings of the recent consumer survey on cost comparisons by a company (details supplied) between living on an island and the mainland; and if these findings will feed into his Department’s policy practices on the issue. [36894/06]

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

I understand that the findings of the survey referred to by the Deputy are to be presented to Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann (The Irish Islands Federation) for consideration. While my Department has received a copy of the survey, I consider it would be appropriate to await the views of An Chomhdháil as the representative organisation for all our inhabited offshore islands, before commenting on a survey such as this.

In regard to island development policy in general, I should point out that my Department has been at the forefront in recent years in bringing forward proposals and introducing initiatives designed to reduce the cost of living for island communities and enhance their lifestyle accordingly. Examples of practical steps that have been taken in this regard include:

reduced maximum fares for island passengers on subsidised ferry services;

50% reductions in cargo tariffs for the Aran Islands cargo service;

substantially increased New House and House Improvement Grants on Gaeltacht islands; and

dedicated assistance schemes for enterprise development on non-Gaeltacht islands.

Another aspect of my Department's work is the co-ordination of Government policy in relation to the provision of State services on the islands. Among the objectives achieved in this regard, which have had the effect of reducing the cost of living on the islands, are:

an extra €12.70 per week for old age pensioners and other categories of social welfare recipients living on the islands;

a special rate of €66 in respect of road tax and an exemption from the NCT for island based cars; and

a significant increase in the Remote Area Boarding Grant payable by the Department of Education and Science in respect of island children attending secondary school on the mainland.

While considerable progress has been made in dealing with cost of living issues, I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention to continue to examine ways of making further progress in this regard.

Departmental Programmes.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

25 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the current operating co-ordinating role of his Department is the most effective way of operating the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36997/06]

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

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. In addition, RAPID priority status was recently extended to Ballyfermot. My Department, with the support of Pobal, has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the RAPID programme.

As already indicated to the House, following discussions with my Department, Pobal commissioned a formal evaluation of the programme the final report of which was launched on 1 June last. The report indicates that the experience of the RAPID Programme has been very positive in many areas and the Programme has made substantial progress in identifying the needs of disadvantaged communities and in implementing important local projects in response to those needs. The report also indicates that since my Department took over the co-ordinating role in relation to the programme it has been very proactive in its development and has been a real driver of the changes which made the programme a more effective mechanism for addressing the problems of disadvantaged communities.

As I have previously indicated, I believe that the RAPID Programme should continue into the future and that RAPID in its current form provides a long-term model to support disadvantaged communities.

Departmental Expenditure.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

26 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the percentage of his overall departmental budget that was spent in urban and suburban communities, rural communities, and Gaeltacht communities respectively in the years 2004 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36778/06]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, details of the allocations to individual programme areas are included in the Annual Revised Estimates Volume and details of annual expenditure outturns are published in the Annual Appropriation Accounts published by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Gross expenditure by my Department in 2004 was €308.777m, while gross expenditure in 2005 was €354.950m. A breakdown of this expenditure across the main expenditure areas is set out in the Table. Also included for the Deputy's information is a summary of the Revised Estimates Allocations for the current year.

Expenditure within these programme areas (in respect of which information is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie) takes place across a wide range of schemes and projects countrywide. If the Deputy would like further information in relation to any particular scheme, I would be glad to provide the details to her.

Breakdown of gross expenditure by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for 2004 and 2005, as well as a summary of the Revised Estimates Allocations 2006
	2004	2005	2006 (provision per Revised Estimates Volume)
Administration	€16.842m (6%)	€15.566m (5%)	€19.482m (4%)
The Irish Language & the Gaeltacht	€85.807m (28%)	€88.392m (25%)	€103.318m (22%)
Community Affairs	€136.230m (44%)	€137.877m (39%)	€207.769m (43%)
Rural Affairs	€41.160m (13%)	€74.061m (22%)	€99.101m (21%)
Other Services	€28.738m (9%)	€30,054m (9%)	€48.800m (10%)
Total	€308.777m	€345.950m	€478.470m

National Drugs Strategy.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

27 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the types of programmes which have been initiated by the regional drugs task forces in 2006; the projects developed by these task forces in 2006 and their location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36906/06]

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

Ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) have been established to include all parts of the country not covered by a Local Drugs Task Force, thus achieving full coverage of the country. The RDTFs are charged with researching, developing, implementing and monitoring a co-ordinated response to illicit drug use at regional level. Each Task Force has an independent Chairperson and is made up of representatives from the various Departments and agencies, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The RDTFs produced strategic plans for their respective regions, having regard to evidence available on the extent and specific location of illicit drug use in the region.

An initial total allocation of €5m has been approved in 2006 to the ten RDTFs to commence implementation of their plans. It is envisaged that funding will be increased on an incremental basis to achieve the full roll-out of the RDTF plans currently estimated to cost around €12.2m on an annual basis. Meanwhile, nine of the ten RDTFs now have full-time co-ordinators in place and the rate of progress is increasing.

The National Drug Strategy Team has been working closely with the RDTFs to get their programmes up and running. A total of 68 projects have been initiated in 2006. It is envisaged that around 80 projects will be in progress by the end of the year. The projects involved range from prevention initiatives and work with youth to treatment services and outreach work.

Overall, I am satisfied with the progress being made by the RDTFs and the increasing level of co-operation and partnership which is evident as they become more established. I have no doubt that the rate of progress being achieved will accelerate over the coming year. I am arranging to have a list of the 68 initiated projects forwarded to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 28 and 29 answered with Question No. 20.

Irish Language.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

30 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the future development of the Irish language requires a long-term strategic plan; if his Department will develop such an action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36905/06]

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

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 31 on 5 October 2006.

National Drugs Strategy.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

31 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the information he has of a developing use of a mixture of heroin and cocaine being taken intravenously by drug users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37013/06]

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

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs is in the process of completing an update on Cocaine Use in Ireland and, while this research is still a work in progress, the indications are that the use of cocaine is increasing and that a small number of injecting drug users are combining cocaine and heroin (speedball).

The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), which is an epidemiological database on treated problem drug and alcohol use in Ireland, reports 282 cases of the use of a mixture of heroin and cocaine administered by injection in 2003 (latest year for which figures are available). While this represents an increase on previous years (e.g. 138 cases in 2000), it is clear that the practice is not a common occurrence. However, it is very risky, tending to lead to increased and more risky injecting behaviour and greater risk of overdose.

The NDTRS also reports on the number of cases of both heroin and cocaine being used as the first and second problem substances. In the six years from 1998 to 2003 a total of 2,620 such cases were reported, again with an increasing trend, with 742 cases reported in 2003.

It should be noted that the NDTRS figures are case based, rather than representing individuals. As some clients use more that one service as part of their treatment, the number of individuals involved may be less than the case figures.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

32 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there is information available to him that crack cocaine is available in areas throughout the country other than in a particular area in Dublin’s north inner city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37012/06]

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

Through the implementation structures of the National Drugs Strategy, my officials have ongoing contact with representatives of An Garda Síochána, and the prevalence of crack cocaine in the country is among the issues discussed from time to time. I also periodically meet senior officers of An Garda Síochána to review developments in regard to illicit drugs.

The Gardaí have reported a slight increase in the quantity of crack cocaine seized in the jurisdiction over the past two years. However, this represents a small proportion of the total number of cocaine seizures recorded annually.

The Gardaí are satisfied that the use of crack cocaine is largely confined to a small geographical area in Dublin. Furthermore, they have had some success in targeting the supply and use of this drug in that area. Also, in my visits to various Drugs Task Force areas in the past year or so, the issue of crack cocaine did not arise to any great extent in my discussions with community representatives and others on the nature of the drug problem in their regions.

I am confident that, through the implementation of the actions in the National Drugs Strategy, the projects and initiatives operated through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces and the operations of an Garda Síochána, the problem of crack cocaine use can be, and is being, addressed. Each of the Drugs Task Forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in their area, based on their own identified priorities, and they continue to have ongoing contact with their local communities.

However, I fully accept that a potential danger exists that the use of crack cocaine could spread. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to monitor the situation and that I will ensure that any necessary steps are taken to address increased threats, should they arise.

Departmental Programmes.

Damien English

Ceist:

33 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way he will address the weakness identified with the delivery of the RAPID programme, identified recently in an evaluation report of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36903/06]

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

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question number 4 of 5 October 2006.

Decentralisation Programme.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

34 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the decentralisation of Pobal to Clifden and the proposed relocation of 30 Foras na Gaeilge posts to Gaoth Dobhair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37008/06]

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

Pobal is relocating 40 posts to Clifden, 21 of which are now in place in temporary offices there. A selection process to fill a further 3 posts is ongoing. The full complement of staff will be relocated when Pobal's permanent offices are complete, which is expected early in 2008.

As I indicated in previous replies to Questions in the House, the Board of Foras na Gaeilge has been asked to bring forward firm proposals in relation to the phases of locating a staff complement of 30 in Gaoth Dobhair, as well as the precise sections and functions to be located there. The current position is that a detailed business case in relation to the filling of a number of posts, including posts to be located in Gaoth Dobhair, is being prepared by Foras na Gaeilge and will, I understand, be submitted shortly. Once the business case has been examined and approved by the North-South Ministerial Council, arrangements for the location of Foras staff in Gaoth Dobhair will proceed.

Question No. 35 answered with QuestionNo. 20.

Proposed Legislation.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

36 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the recently published report of the Law Reform Commission on charities regulation will inform the proposed legislation in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36910/06]

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

The recently published report of the Law Reform Commission (LRC) to which the Deputy refers related to the areas of Charitable Trusts and of Legal Structures for Charities.

With regard to the issue of Charitable Trusts, the Deputy will be aware that, following the publication by my Department of its Consultation Paper on Establishing a Modern Statutory Framework for Charities, the LRC agreed to assist my Department on aspects of the proposed new framework, in particular the role and function of charity trustees. I am glad to be able to confirm to the Deputy that the General Scheme for the Charities Regulation Bill, which was published in March last, was informed in a number of aspects by the work of the LRC in the area of charitable law. Indeed, I informed the House in response to Question No. 89 of 26 Deireadh Fómhair 2005, following the conclusion of the LRC consultation process on its proposals for the reform of charitable trust law, that my Department had been fully apprised as to the outcome of the LRC deliberations in this regard. The Deputy may wish to note that in its recent report the LRC acknowledges that the draft Charities Bill 2006 incorporates many of the provisional recommendations in the Commission's Consultation Paper on Charitable Trust Law.

The recent LRC report also examines the need for a new legal structure for charities in Ireland. As I have already informed the House, the matter of legal structures for charities does not constitute the purpose of the proposed Charities Regulation Bill, which is to regulate the charities sector for the first time since the foundation of the State. Under the Agreed Programme for Government, there is a commitment to ensure accountability of the charities sector and to protect against abuse of charitable status and fraud. That is the commitment on which the Charities Regulation Bill will deliver.

I should add that since publication of the General Scheme for the Charities Regulation Bill, the feedback from the charities sector has been favourable. The General Scheme has been called a hugely positive step in the right direction. A welcome has also been given to our stated intention that the legal structure of those charities which are companies limited by guarantee under existing company law will not hinder compliance with the new legislation. The proposed Charities Regulation Bill will also ensure that dual registration and dual filing of annual returns, such as with both the future Charities Regulator and the Companies Registration Office, will be avoided where corporate charities are concerned.

Rural Development.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

37 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department’s rural development initiatives; the level of coordination and integration with other Departments particularly in the area of health, education, transport and social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36777/06]

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

My Department manages a number of programmes that support rural communities. In this context, my officials are in regular contact with other Departments regarding the operation of these schemes, where this is necessary for their effective and efficient implementation.

I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to two programmes in particular that my Department manages that are relevant in this regard. Firstly, under the CLÁR Programme, my Department co-funds a number of measures with a range of other Departments/Agencies such as: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Local authorities; Department of Education and Science; Health Services Executive; Department of Communications, Marine and National Resources; and Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The various measures under the Programme support a range of local and community infrastructural developments such as village/housing/ schools enhancement, electricity conversion, roads, water supply, sewage disposal, health, coastal, sports and community projects. The content of each of the measures and how they operate is agreed in advance with the relevant Department/Agency.

Secondly, in the implementation of the Rural Social Scheme, my Department is in regular contact with the Dept of Social and Family Affairs as the Scheme is aimed at providing support to low-income farmers and fishermen who are in receipt of long-term social welfare payments.

The Deputy should also note that my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food, is currently drafting the new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. At least €60m per year will be available under the Programme through a combination of European and National funding.

Finally, the Deputy should note that my Department is represented on all inter-departmental committees where issues relevant to rural communities are being discussed.

Departmental Agencies.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

38 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the internal selection procedures in place for the appointment of chairpersons and board members of non-departmental bodies under the aegis of his Department. [36899/06]

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

An Foras Teanga comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency. The Board of the Foras Teanga has 24 members appointed by North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). Of those members — (a) 16 are drawn from among persons appearing to NSMC to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Body in relation to the Irish Language; and (b) 8 are drawn from among persons appearing to NSMC to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Body in relation to Ullans and Ulster Scots cultural issues. One member from each Agency is appointed by NSMC as Chairperson of that Agency and they will act as joint Chairpersons of the Body.

Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge was established in 1952. It has 12 members. All board appointments including the Chairperson are made by the Minister. Members are drawn from among persons appearing to the Minister to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Bord. The Board's remit is to develop and foster writing and publishing in the Irish Language.

An Coimisiún Logainmneacha (The Placenames Commission) was established in 1946. It currently has 15 members. The remit of the Commission is to advise on the research of the placenames of Ireland and on providing authoritative Irish versions of those names for official and public use. Appointments to the Commission including the Chairperson are made by the Minister. Members are drawn from among persons appearing to the Minister to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Commission.

The Charities Act 1961 outlines the procedure in place for the appointment of the chairperson and the Board members of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland. Section 8(1) states that "the Government shall appoint persons to be members of the Board from time to time as occasion requires" and 8(5) states that "...as occasion requires, the Board shall appoint a member of the Board to be the Chairman of the Board..."

The Articles of Association of Pobal provide that the Government appoints the members of the Board having regard to a balance of: Persons with significant expertise and participation in local, urban and rural development, social inclusion, community development and equality issues; Persons with significant expertise and experience in one or more of the following fields: business, trade unions, financial management, social and/or economic policy and the appraisal of strategic plans and/or grant applications; equality of gender, that all reasonable endeavour is used to ensure that 40% of the Board membership comprise either gender; and appropriate geographical spread covering both urban and rural communities. In order to achieve these objectives, Article 3 of the Articles of Association requires the Minister to consider nominations received from a list of stakeholders defined by the Government. The stakeholders are: The Social Partners, Area and Community Partnerships, County Childcare Committees, and the County and City Managers Association. Where vacancies arise on the Board, the Minister, in the first instance, requests nominations from each of the stakeholders and upon receipt of nominations makes proposals to the Government to appoint persons to achieve an overall balance of representation as required by the Articles of Association.

In the case of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the relevant legislation provides that the Minister will appoint the Chairperson and two members to the board while the remaining 17 board members will be elected by the Gaeltacht community. The legislation further provides that the person appointed as chairperson shall have such special skills or experience as the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the functions of the body and shall not have stood as a candidate in the last election.

The Chairperson and members of the Dormant Accounts Board are appointed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in accordance with Section 32 of the Dormant Accounts Acts 2001 to 2005

The Western Development Commission Act 1998 provides that the Minister will appoint the Chairperson and 11 ordinary members, with the consent of the Minister of Finance. The legislation further provides that the chairperson and ordinary members will hold office for a period of 3 years from the date of his or her appointment.

Community Development.

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

39 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the approach his Department takes to the national spatial strategy in relation to community development in areas where there is rapid housing development but an imbalance in community facilities; the interface his Department has with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36779/06]

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

My Department is represented on the overall Steering Committee for the National Spatial Strategy, which is chaired by the Department to Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Department actively contributes to the work of this steering committee.

Question No. 40 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Question No. 41 answered with QuestionNo. 19.

Official Engagements.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

42 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the meeting of the recent Indigenous, Minority and Lesser Used Languages British-Irish Council ministerial meeting in Galway; the issues that were discussed; the future work programme for the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37003/06]

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

The Ministerial meeting to which the Deputy refers was held in Na Forbacha, Galway on 27 October last and was attended by representatives from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. As Wales is the lead administration for the Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages Group within the British-Irish Council, the meeting was chaired by the Welsh Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport.

As is outlined in the agreed communiqué issued by the Ministers from the member administrations, the meeting considered and approved 3 discussion papers relating to: Language Transmission within the Family; Information and Communications Technology and Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages; and Adult Education Provision for the Teaching and Learning of the Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages.

As well as continuing to advance work in these three areas in the future, the Group will also focus on two new areas, namely: Planning and Linguistic Considerations; and Research, Data and Language Use Surveys.

I am very encouraged by the work being done on an ongoing basis under the auspices of the Indigenous, Minority and Lesser Used Languages Group of the British-Irish Council and I look forward to a continuing process of information exchange and mutual learning, both at official and Ministerial levels.

The Deputy will also be interested to note that a practitioner's conference on the theme of Language Transmission within the Family was held the day prior to the Ministerial meeting and that this was also considered to be a great success.

Question No. 43 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

44 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the types of project which will be funded under jointly funded flagship projects initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36909/06]

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

The key objective in allocating funds from Dormant Accounts is to ensure that disbursements are targeted at those most in need in society. Funding from Dormant Accounts is designed to complement the range of Government programmes that address economic, social and educational disadvantage and assist persons with a disability.

An innovative feature of the 2006 round of Dormant Accounts Funding is the provision of up to €10 million for flagship projects that can attract significant private, philanthropic or community based funding. This funding measure has the potential to release significant amounts of matching funding from such sources and will have a very positive impact in tackling disadvantage and assisting persons with a disability. There is a widely held belief that as individual wealth increases as a result of our economic successes, philanthropy has a bigger part to play in addressing inequalities in society. Applications under this funding measure were invited on 18th October 2006 and as soon as these applications are fully processed, announcements will be made detailing the specific groups and organisations that have been successful.

It is anticipated that these will be initiatives addressing matters of major public concern and/or headline policy interventions for which funding from private philanthropic or community sources can be levered. The nature of projects to be funded will be determined by the proposals submitted.

Irish Language.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

45 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the outcome of the plebiscite among the residents of the Gaeltacht town of An Daingean to change the name of the town to the bilingual Dingle Daingean Uí Chuis; if he has met representatives of the town to discuss the outcome of the vote; if he will take action following the outcome of the vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36998/06]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

The socio-economic benefits will also be felt in all of the towns in the airport's hinterland through the provision of services to the airport and to the Department. There will be benefits also for those towns as places where those working in the airport area will be living as active members of their new communities.

Rural Development.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

48 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department will be involved in sourcing alternative economic activity for coastal communities in view of the Government’s decision to ban the drift net fishing of salmon. [36890/06]

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

No final decisions have been made in relation to this matter and how it will involve my Department. However, the new Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and the Rural Social Scheme would seem to me to be important vehicles of assistance for the fishermen affected.

Údarás na Gaeltachta, whose remit involves the development of the Gaeltacht, have recently established a strategic marine committee to co-ordinate the development of various sectoral activities that will benefit Gaeltacht coastal communities. I have asked Údarás na Gaeltachta to take account of the Government's decision to ban the drift net fishing of salmon in their plan.

National Drugs Strategy.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

49 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the new study An Overview of the Nature and Extent of Illicit Drug Use Amongst the Traveller Community commissioned by the national advisory committee on drugs; his further views on its conclusion that social exclusion and racism against Travellers is exacerbating drug abuse in the community; the efforts he is making to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37002/06]

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

54 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will elaborate on the findings of the report on illicit drug use amongst the Traveller community undertaken by the national advisory committee on drugs. [36896/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 54 together.

The study referred to by the Deputies, which was commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) under Action 98 of the National Drugs Strategy, was an exploratory study of relatively small scale, aimed at assessing the nature and extent of drug use amongst the Traveller Community in Ireland. The study shows that Travellers are a community for whom the risk of drug use, and its consequent problems, is now emerging.

Broadly, the study found that patterns of drug use amongst the Traveller community are similar to the general population. Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug, followed by cocaine and ecstasy; more men than women are involved; and usage of illegal drugs is largely confined to younger adults (aged 15 to 34).

The risk factors for drug misuse among Travellers include issues such as educational progression, health, employment opportunities, accommodation and criminal justice issues. It is reported that lack of knowledge about drugs and drug services has hampered Travellers' responses to drug problems, including tackling drug dealing. Also, cultural issues can affect the degree to which they access drug services, as can experiences of social exclusion among this community.

I recognise that, as with the general population, social deprivation can be a key factor affecting drug use among Travellers and that the issues that have been identified will need to be considered and addressed appropriately. While acknowledging that the report recognises a number of issues affecting Traveller take-up of services, I would be disappointed if discrimination and stereotyping were having a significant impact in this regard. The projects developed under the Drug Task Force programme have always sought to be inclusive of all communities.

Arising from the report, the NACD is holding a series of meetings with Traveller groups and will be issuing its report in consultation with the National Drugs Strategy Team to all Local and Regional Drug Task Forces. Meanwhile, the National Drugs Strategy Team will be taking the findings of the report on board with respect to the future development of services for Travellers. The report will also be brought to the attention of the High Level Group on Travellers.

The Government remains committed to working with Traveller groups through the relevant Department and Agencies to address the issue of drug misuse in the Traveller Community.

Question No. 50 answered with QuestionNo. 20.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

51 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding an all-Ireland co-operation in the area of the national drugs strategy. [37026/06]

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

53 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the recent co-operation in the area of the national drugs strategy on a North-South basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37024/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 53 together.

My Department and the bodies under its aegis co-operate with colleagues in Northern Ireland on an ongoing basis in relation to various aspects of the National Drugs Strategy.

Prominent among the more formal links is the work of the British-Irish Council Sectoral Group on the Misuse of Drugs. As the Deputy is aware, the British Irish Council (BIC) is a forum for the exchange of information and best practice and arose from the Good Friday Agreement. Members of the BIC include the British and Irish Governments, the devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. Ireland is the lead administration in relation to the Misuse of Drugs sector. The Sectoral Group, chaired by a representative of my Department, meets four to five times each year, with administrations hosting meetings on a rotational basis. The last meeting of the Group took place on 3 November in Belfast on the subject of cocaine. A BIC Ministerial Meeting, which I will chair, will take place on this issue in Belfast on 7 December next.

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (Northern Ireland) worked together to commission the first Drugs Prevalence Survey in 2002/2003, the purpose of which was to establish the population prevalence of drug use on the island of Ireland. This study surveyed over 8,000 people in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Work on the second joint Drug Prevalence Survey has begun and it is expected that a first report of national prevalence figures and trends will be available in the latter part of 2007.

On a broader level, there is ongoing co-operation between various agencies involved in the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy. For example, An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) co-operate on an ongoing basis in tackling the problem of drug trafficking across both jurisdictions, which resulted in searches, arrests and seizures of drugs with an estimated street value of €1.75m in 2005.

In addition, the fourth cross-border seminar on organised crime took place in Limavaddy, Co. Derry, on 9 and 10 October 2006. The purpose of the seminar, which was organised by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office, was to enhance co-operation between North and South in tackling cross-border criminality.

Delegates included representatives from various units within An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, the UK's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Customs Branch of the Revenue Commissioners, the Northern Ireland Office, and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Question No. 52 answered with QuestionNo. 23.

Question No. 53 answered with QuestionNo. 51.

Question No. 54 answered with QuestionNo. 49.

Question No. 55 answered with QuestionNo. 20.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

56 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects the next drugs prevalence survey to be published; if this survey will have a special section dedicated to the emergence of crack cocaine use here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37010/06]

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

The all-island Drug Prevalence Survey 2006/07 is currently underway with fieldwork to be completed in April 2007. This will be followed by an analysis of the data, resulting in the publication of the first series of results in late 2007. The study will cover cocaine, including crack cocaine, and figures for the latter will be provided.

A briefing paper on cocaine arising from the 2002/2003 survey (Bulletin 4) was published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs in January 2006. It found that cocaine powder accounted for the majority of cocaine use and that crack cocaine use was very limited. In that survey, 0.3% was recorded for current use of cocaine (i.e. use in the last month) and no current use was recorded for crack. The respective figures for cocaine and crack for lifetime prevalence were 3.0% and 0.3% and recent use (last year) was recorded as 1.1% and 0.1% respectively.

Security of the Elderly.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

57 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that thousands of elderly people living in rural areas who have availed of the socially monitored alarm scheme operated by his Department are being asked to pay €65 plus VAT in order to have their personal alarms reprogrammed as a result of a decision to change the prefix for telephone numbers in certain parts of the country; if his Department plans to cover the cost of this reprogramming or if he will request commercial companies to have the charge reduced or dropped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37014/06]

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

I understand that the situation on which the Deputy's question is based is a particular and localised one and affects approximately 40/45 individuals with socially-monitored alarms in Co. Westmeath, where the 04 STD area underwent a number change under the ‘National Numbering Scheme', which is managed and administered by ComReg.

My Department has been in contact with the local groups and I understand that this number (40/45) of socially-monitored alarms which were funded by my Department under the Scheme of Community Supports for Older People (CSOP), may have been affected due to their particular technical nature. The CSOP is administered by local community and voluntary groups. The vast majority of such alarm holders use a system involving the centralised monitoring of the alarms by the commercial suppliers. In these instances an annual monitoring fee of approximately €80 is payable by the user and my information is that such systems are not adversely affected by the STD code change. In the case of the system affected by the STD area code change, the community group opted to use a system that does not involve centralised monitoring of the alarms by the commercial suppliers thereby avoiding the annual monitoring charge paid by most users but necessitating the reprogramming as a result of the change in the STD code.

My Department has no direct involvement with the commercial suppliers of these alarms as this is dealt with by the local community groups, and my Department was not contacted regarding this matter by the community group who had arranged for the installation of these particular alarms. However, I understand from my Department's contacts locally that it should be possible to have the work arising from the STD area code change completed for a considerably lower fee than that indicated by the Deputy. This would also be considerably less than the monitoring fee that is payable annually by the vast majority of socially-monitored alarm holders.

Voluntary Sector Funding.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

58 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the initiatives which have been funded by his Department under the White Paper on voluntary activity; the status of the white paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/06]

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

Regarding the status of the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 48 of 5th October, 2006.

The current status of funding schemes under the White Paper is as follows:

Under the Funding Scheme to Support the Role of Federations, Networks and Umbrella bodies, 32 groups have been funded to a total of €6.78m over three and a half years;

Under the funding Scheme for Training and Supports, 20 projects have been funded to a total of €2.13m over three and a half years;

The National Anti-Poverty Networks have been funded to a total of €4.8m over three and a half years.

Funding under these schemes will continue until mid-2007. In the meantime, my Department is in the process of reviewing these existing White Paper funding arrangements and it is intended that new funding arrangements to take forward the principles of the White Paper will be advertised towards the end of this year. These will then be implemented from the cessation of the current schemes.

Another important area of activity under the White Paper is volunteering:

My Department is responsible for core funding totalling €624,000 provided to 9 Volunteer Bureaux;

In addition, funding of €150,000 has been provided over three years to Volunteer Centres Ireland for the employment of a Development Officer. A key task for the Development Officer is to develop reliable statistical data on volunteering to inform further initiatives, and to support the further development of Volunteer Bureaux;

A further €500,000 of local area partnership funding is being ring-fenced for measures that encourage volunteers and volunteering;

A further €500,000 of the Department's Cohesion Fund will be spent on measures that will promote volunteers and volunteering locally.

Funding totalling €800,000 over three years is being provided to support the Young Social Innovators programme.

Departmental Bodies.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

59 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 5 October 2006 and the ensuing supplementary questions and replies, the further investigation he has carried out in regard to the matters raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37016/06]

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

I understand that the Deputy's Question relates in fact to Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 5 October 2006.

I must emphasise that, as Minister, I have no function in regard to the day-to-day administration of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including matters relating to internal appointments. However, in light of questions put to me by Deputy Brian O'Shea in this House on 5 October 2006, I asked officials of my Department to seek clarification from Údarás na Gaeltachta in regard to the issues involved.

A copy of the formal response from Údarás na Gaeltachta has been forwarded to Deputy O'Shea.

Community Development.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

60 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the success of the projects which have received funding under the young peoples facilities and service fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36776/06]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

179 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the research that has been carried out to assess if the community facilities that have been put in place under the YPFSF have been successful in attracting the at risk young people into the facilities and activities and direct them away from substance abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37107/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 179 together.

The Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund 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 existed or had the potential to develop.

While some of the expenditure is for capital work on the provision of facilities, the greater part involves current expenditure on the staffing and running costs of community facilities, particularly the employment of dedicated Youth Workers to deliver activities which are specifically aimed at attracting "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into activities that will divert them from the dangers of substance misuse.

To date, the focus of the Fund has been in the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas (12 in Dublin and the others in Bray and Cork City) which were established in the areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse, particularly misuse of heroin, as well as on four other urban centres, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Carlow. Overall approximately €107m has been allocated to support projects employing around 325 people.

Some evaluation of the Fund has been carried out in the past, on both an internal and external basis. Generally feedback from the projects, and from others in the communities concerned, suggest that the initiatives funded have had a significant positive impact on the young people involved.

I am satisfied that the provision of alternative positive and healthy activities and pastimes for young people at risk represents one of the best ways of avoiding their getting involved in the drug culture. It is so much better to prevent a young person becoming involved in the misuse of drugs rather than becoming involved at a later stage to address major problems for that person, his or her family and the local community.

Indeed, the possibility of expanding the number of urban areas that are eligible for funding from the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund may be considered in the coming period. Any decision in that regard will be based on evidence of a significant existing drug problem in a particular centre, or the potential for a drug problem to develop there.

Question No. 61 answered with QuestionNo. 45.

Shane McEntee

Ceist:

62 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent since 2002 on streamlining the delivery of community development services; the actions which have been taken on foot of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36912/06]

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

Arising from the joint ministerial initiative on the review of local and community development structures, the Government agreed a series of measures in January 2004 designed to improve arrangements under which community and local development initiatives are delivered and improve cohesion and focus across various measures. Since then, I have directed the cohesion process, which is informed by the following guiding principles:

Improving on the ground services

Streamlining structures so as to avoid overlaps, duplication and undue administrative overheads

Bringing transparency, co-ordination and improved control to the funding and operation of local and community development measures

Strengthening the democratic accountability of agencies and providers in this area.

As a first step towards improving on the ground services, City and County Development Boards (CDBs) were mandated to oversee the cohesion process at local level and to facilitate the development of cohesion proposals by local agencies. During 2004, a total of €3,248,600 was allocated to the CDBs and Údarás na Gaeltachta in respect of proposals aimed at improving linkages between local agencies, support multi-agency actions and promote sharing of resources to maximise the impact of available funding.

The 2005/2006 phase of the process aims to improve the alignment of local and community development agencies by the end of this year in a way that removes any overlaps and duplication and maximises available resources for the benefit of local communities. The intention is that, from 2007, there will be one unified local development structure providing full coverage in any given area and fewer structures overall in the country. The major advantage of such an approach is that the State will be able to deliver programmes such as the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and Rural Social Scheme through these new unified structures because they will have all-area cover.

My preference is for unified overarching structures based around county boundaries where practicable. However, I am prepared to consider variations across county boundaries on their merits.

In 2005, a total of €4,836,927 was allocated from the cohesion fund, including €1,463,400 for volunteering. To date in 2006, a total of €3,852,862 of cohesion funding has been awarded including €76,600 for volunteering. The actions funded under the current round are primarily focused on actions related to the alignment of local development structures, including facilitation, technical assistance, legal advice, corporate planning and training and development of staff. Funding has also been provided for joint service delivery to underpin collaborative actions by agencies directly involved in re-aligning their structures.

At this stage, 23 of the local authority areas and na Gaeltachtaí have fully agreed the integrated structures which will provide full coverage. Discussions are continuing in the remaining areas.

In the context of strengthening the democratic accountability of local development agencies, I intend to put in place new requirements governing the membership of the management structures of the new companies. In this regard, I have asked CDBS, LEADER groups and Partnership companies to provide their views on a draft discussion document setting out a possible composition of the new structures by 16 November.

Offshore Islands.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

63 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on his Department’s participation at the European Small Island Network meeting held in Sweden in August 2006; and if lessons were learnt regarding Irish transport for permanent small island residents. [36893/06]

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

The Transportation Network meeting of the European Small Islands Network (ESIN), which was held on the island of Gråsö, Sweden, on 22-23 August 2006, was attended by a senior official from my Department. The purpose of the meeting was to examine and compare the provision of transport services to small islands in a number of countries, including Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France, Scotland and Ireland.

The meeting afforded participants the opportunity to gain increased understanding of the varied approaches that pertain in the different countries and to learn from examples of good practice. Presentations were given outlining the current position in each of the participating countries and a series of workshops facilitated further discussion on particular aspects relating to island transport services.

I welcome the active involvement of my Department in meetings of this nature in view of the continued improvements that have been made to our island transport services over the past number of years. Through the provision of State subsidies and enhanced monitoring of contract delivery, our island communities now enjoy regular access services. Initiatives that I have taken recently — such as the capping of passenger fares for islanders on all island services and the halving of the Aran Islands cargo tariffs — have been widely welcomed and the planned introduction of additional cargo services to a number of islands will further enhance the quality of life for island communities.

I should add also that, in addition to participating in the ESIN meeting, my officials have had discussions recently with the Department for Regional Development and other interested parties in Northern Ireland in regard to island ferry services and they have also been in communication with officials from the Scottish Executive on matters of common interest.

Fostaíocht sa Ghaeltacht.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

64 D’fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na hiarrachtaí atá á ndéanamh le fostaíocht a chur ar fáil i gCeantar Chloich Cheann Fhaola; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [36780/06]

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

Mar is eol don Teachta, bíonn iarrachtaí leanúnacha ar siúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun deiseanna fostaíochta agus forbartha a chruthú i ngach ceantar Gaeltachta, ceantar Chloich Chionnaola ina measc. Tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil 142 duine fostaithe i gceantar Chloich Chionnaola i ngnóthaí a fuair tacaíocht ón Údarás.

Le blianta beaga anuas, tá iarrachtaí an Údaráis i gceantar iarthuaisceart Dhún na nGall dírithe ar athbheochan Pháirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair chun deiseanna fostaíochta a chruthú do phobal na dtrí paróiste, Gaoth Dobhair, Cloich Chionnaola agus na Rosa.

Tá maoiniú ceadaithe ag an Údarás freisin chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar fhoirgnimh ar Eastát Tionscail an Fhál Charraigh agus áiteanna eile sa pharóiste.

National Drugs Strategy.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

65 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, further to his comments in Dáil Éireann on 5 October 2006, he will clarify if the number of heroin users has fallen slightly in Dublin and is at low levels nationwide; the information he was drawing on when making this statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37011/06]

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

The 3-Source Capture Recapture Study of the prevalence of opiate use in Ireland, published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) in May 2003, was the source of the information. It estimated that 14,452 people in Ireland were using heroin in the 2000/01 period. Of these 12,456 were in the greater Dublin area. This represented a decrease on a 1996 figure, which estimated that 13,461 people were using heroin in the greater Dublin area. The overall rate per 1,000 population was 5.6, with Dublin having a recorded rate of 16.0 per 1,000 in 2001 and the Rest of Ireland showing a rate of 1.0 per 1,000.

While comparative figures have not been produced in the intervening period, there is a general consensus that with respect to opiate use that the numbers have stabilised. A new study is at planning stage and, furthermore, the current all-island Drugs Prevalence Survey, from which first results will appear in the latter part of 2007, will indicate the overall trends on the use of heroin and other illicit drugs.

Road Safety.

John Perry

Ceist:

66 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of tenders he has received for the roll out of speed cameras: the cost for the provision of same; if a contract has been signed; when they will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37350/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Work is well advanced on the preparation of a call to the market for expressions of interest in tendering for the project. Following the call for expressions of interest, a number of candidates will be awarded pre-qualification status and short-listed to proceed to the next stage. A request for tenders will be made to the short-listed candidates, and the successful candidate will be selected on the basis of the tenders received. In relation to the cost of implementing speed cameras the selection of an outsource provider will be made by way of an open and competitive tendering process. In accordance with EU and national procurement guidelines the Invitation for Expression of Interest will be published in the EU journal and on the Government's procurement website. All responses received will be evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with the criteria set down in the Expressions of Interest document. I am not in a position at this time to indicate to the Deputy the potential cost of the project as this will depend, inter alia, on the tenders ultimately received. I assure the Deputy that I attach a very high priority to outsourcing and expanding the speed camera network and to ensuring there will be no undue delay in the procurement process. I expect that, subject to negotiations, the contract for safety cameras will be awarded and the start up phase commence as early as possible next year.

Crime Levels.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

67 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of shooting incidents and the location of same in Limerick each month to date in 2006. [37124/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

77 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the type and amount of weapons surrendered in the recent amnesty in Dublin and elsewhere. [37134/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 77 together.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the statistics for weapons surrendered under the Weapons Amnesty have, in the first instance, only been compiled on a national basis and work is ongoing on the compilation of the figures on a regional basis. I will write to the Deputy with the information as soon as it becomes available. A detailed breakdown of weapons surrendered to date, on a national basis, is as follows:

Description	Total
Shotguns	206
Rifles	119
Musket	1
Pellet Guns	49
Starting Pistols	31
Stun Gun	4
Crossbows	26
Various Knives	105
Swords	37
Air Pistols/Rifles/Guns	184
Erma Gas Gun	1
Theatre Pistol	1
Grenade	4
Pistols / Revolvers / Handguns	154
.177 Repeater	1
Replica Firearms	27
Mace Spray	1
Humane Killer	1
Flare Gun	1
Total	953

Crime Levels.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

73 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of shooting incidents and the location of same in Dublin each month to date in 2006. [37130/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Question No. 77 answered with QuestionNo. 72.

Advertising Standards.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

78 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the daily advertisements on the European Union carried on a national radio station (details supplied) constitute a breach of the statutory ban on broadcast advertising directed towards a political end here, in view of the fact that these advertisements, consist in the main of a series of statements on the EU that are one sided and unbalanced thereby influencing the attitudes and possible voting behaviour of radio listeners in elections or referendums where EU issues may arise or where candidates may be advancing different policy positions on EU related matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37135/06]

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

79 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is appropriate that the European Commission, is financing advertisements on radio stations have which give a positive picture of the EU and which are capable of influencing the attitudes and votes of citizens where EU matters are concerned, either in elections or referenda (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

The substantive matters to which these Questions relate are outside the remit of my Department. I am, therefore, not in a position to assist the Deputy.

Deportation Orders.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

80 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) was deported; if an opportunity to appeal this decision will be allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37181/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned arrived in the State on 3 January, 2002, (with a valid entry visa and work permit), in order to take up employment. However after approximately one month the person concerned left his employment resulting in the cancellation of the aforementioned work permit. Subsequently the person concerned left the State but returned in July, 2002, without a valid entry visa and secured employment in the ‘black economy' until he came to the attention of the Gardaí in October, 2004, when he was arrested. As a direct consequence of this, the arresting Garda requested my Department to issue him a Notification under Section 3 (4) Immigration Act, 1999, which was duly issued to him on 15 November, 2004, which afforded him three options: to leave the State voluntarily; to consent to the making of a Deportation Order against him; to make representations for temporary leave to remain in the State.

Subsequently his case was examined under Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, (as amended), and I duly signed a Deportation Order in respect of him on 22 December, 2005, which issued to him, by registered post, on 26 January, 2006, requesting him to present to the Garda National immigration Bureau, (GNIB), on 02 February, 2006, so that arrangements could be made for his deportation from the State. However he failed to present to the GNIB as requested and was recorded as having evaded his deportation. He subsequently came to the attention of the Gardaí and a second letter was served on him by hand on 14 March, 2006, and he was subsequently deported to the Ukraine on 3 May, 2006.

The person concerned was afforded the opportunity to make representations to my Department prior to my signing the Deportation Order in respect of him, but did not avail of this opportunity. However, he can apply to my Department to have the Deportation Order revoked.

Citizenship Applications.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

81 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 20 July 2006. Applications received in the second half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 8,400 applications awaiting processing before that of the person in question. It is likely that the processing of the application will commence in the second half of 2008. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on the application.

Garda Ombudsman Commission.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

82 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that no former members of An Garda Síochána will be appointed as Garda Ombudsman Commission investigators. [37211/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is in the process of making an appointment to the post of Director of Investigations. I understand that the successful candidate is a senior Police Officer from outside the jurisdiction. Competitions for the posts of Deputy Director of Investigations (1), Senior Investigations Officer (6), Investigations Officer (12) and Assistant Investigations Officer (9) are currently being conducted by the Public Appointments Service. The job descriptions for these posts emphasise the independence of the Commission and its statutory objectives which are to ensure that complaints against members of the Garda Síochána are examined "with full fairness to all persons involved in complaints and investigations" and to "promote public confidence in the process for resolving those complaints". Candidates are also required to possess a full understanding of and commitment to the fundamental principles of human rights and a comprehensive understanding of the environment within which the work of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will operate.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is independent in the performance of its functions and I have no role in the selection process. As these are public open competitions, the Public Appointments Service, with the participation of the Commission, will select the most suitable candidates.

Drugs Offences.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

83 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug related offences detected by An Garda Síochána in Mayo in the past year; the parts of Mayo these offences took place; the illegal substances detected, in particular relating to the Ballina area; his views on whether the problem is getting worse; if heroin is a problem; his views on whether a dedicated Mayo drugs task force is needed; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37256/06]

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

103 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a dedicated drug unit will be established in Mayo in view of the escalating drug situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37348/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to deal with Questions Nos. 83 and 103 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently two members based at Castlebar Garda Station dedicated to the investigation of drug offences, assisted by members from each of the Garda Districts within the Mayo Garda Division. In addition, it is the responsibility of every member of An Garda Síochána to implement drugs legislation.

I am further informed that plans by local Garda management are at an advanced stage to establish a dedicated Divisional Drugs Unit in Mayo, comprising of one Sergeant and four Gardaí and the unit is expected to be in place in the coming weeks.

In relation to the specific statistical information in relation to drugs offences being sought by the Deputy, it has not been possible, within the timeframe available, to collate such information. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

In terms of the Government's overall response to tackling the issue of drug misuse, I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains resolutely committed to addressing the problem through our National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008.

The National Strategy addresses the problem under pillar headings of education and prevention, supply reduction, treatment and rehabilitation and research and is firmly founded on the principle that drug misuse needs to be addressed in an integrated manner across these headings through a co-operative approach involving the statutory, community and voluntary treatment sectors.

Another feature of the Government's strategy is to ensure that the drugs problem is addressed on a nationwide basis. In this regard, Regional Drug Task Forces in ten designated areas, coterminous with the previous Health Board areas were established during 2003.

The Regional Drug Task Forces bring together statutory and voluntary organisations to work with local community and public representatives to ensure that a co-ordinated response to tackle the problem of drug misuse is in place within their regions. The Mayo county area comes under the remit of the Western Regional Drug Task Force.

Finally I can assure the Deputy that the trafficking and distribution of all illicit drugs at local, national and international levels will continue to be constantly monitored by the Gardaí.

Citizenship Applications.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

84 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2. [37258/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person in question has asked for assistance in travelling due to emergency family circumstances. The matter is currently under consideration and it is expected that the Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department will contact him shortly.

Deportation Orders.

James Breen

Ceist:

85 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 16 February 2006 if the application for the revocation of the deportation of this person (details supplied) has been decided upon; if such a decision will be forwarded to his legal representatives as per his answer on 16 February 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37259/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The legal representatives of the person concerned have recently been informed that the Deportation Order made in respect of their client has now been revoked.

Garda Stations.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

86 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Kilkenny Garda station does not have access to a computer to examine closed circuit television tape; the reason there is no system for the pubic to e-mail the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37260/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am advised by the Garda Authorities that a computer to examine closed circuit television tape is allocated to Kilkenny Garda station. The equipment is temporarily on loan elsewhere in the Division at present.

I am also advised by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Síochána Information and Communications Technology Strategy has identified the requirement for enterprise-wide email within An Garda Síochána. The approach to roll-out, which is currently ongoing, is based on operational requirements with facilities currently available to all Gardaí of Superintendent rank and above including the Superintendent at Kilkenny station. Accordingly, the Superintendent in Kilkenny can be contacted by Email.

Citizenship Applications.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

87 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37268/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 14 April 2004.

I understand that processing of the application of the person concerned has commenced and that the case file will be forwarded to me for a decision in due course.

I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on this application.

Residency Permits.

John Perry

Ceist:

88 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for residency by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37269/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for long term residence from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on the 13th July 2006.

The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not exempt the person from employment permit requirements.

Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long-term residency.

While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

I understand that applications received in May, 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Citizenship Applications.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

89 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the ongoing delay in deciding the citizenship naturalisation application of a person (details supplied). [37281/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 29 April 2005.

The average processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation for adults is approximately 24 months, therefore it is not accurate to say that there has been a delay in dealing with this case. I would expect the file to be presented to me for decision by mid 2007.

I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on the application.

Irish Prison Service.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

90 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the programmes of reformation and rehabilitation available in our prisons; and the funding available therefor. [37282/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Irish Prison Service is committed to helping prisoners to develop their sense of responsibility and to encourage those attitudes and skills which will assist them to return to society with the best chance of leading law abiding and self-supporting lives after release.

Prisoner rehabilitation involves significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory services. Among these are healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, educational, vocational, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These services are important in addressing offending behaviour, drug and alcohol addiction, missed educational and vocational opportunities, anger management and self management in the interest of encouraging positive personal development in prisoners and preparing them for re-integration and resettlement on release from custody.

Rehabilitation programmes are delivered by a wide range of specialist services that operate in the prisons, such as psychologists, teachers, probation and welfare officers and prison officers.

Education

Education in prisons is provided in partnership with a range of educational agencies in the community including the VECs, Public Library Services, Colleges and the Arts Council. Broad programmes of education are made available which generally follow an adult education approach. Since the 1990s, most Prison Education Units have become involved in courses on pre-release, post-release, health education, addiction awareness, anger management, group skills and parenting etc. Very often such courses or activities are run on a multi-disciplinary basis. This service involved 210 whole-time-equivalent teachers who work in the prisons and whose salaries are paid from the Vote of the Department of Education and Science. In addition, in 2005 €1.37 million was expended on this service from the Prisons Vote of my Department.

Work Training

The Work Training programme operates at each prison. As well as organising necessary services such as catering and laundry, it also provides work and training opportunities for prisoners whilst ensuring a high quality of service delivery within the prison. Work Training provides structured pre-vocational and vocational training so that persons in custody can acquire the skills that may help them to obtain employment after their release. A total of €0.94 million was expended on Work and Training in 2005 with a further €0.55 million being expended on Manufacturing. These figures do not, however, include the salaries of the over 200 staff engaged in these activities in the prisons and who are paid from the Prisons Vote. This service is currently being expanded with dedicated new resources and staffing.

Probation Service

This Service has an active role during the course of the prisoner's sentence in helping maintain links with family and community agencies, encouraging prisoners to address their offending behaviour and engaging prisoners in individual counselling and group counselling programmes such as offending behaviour, addiction, violence and sex offending. The Service also provides supervision in certain cases under temporary release provisions.

Chaplaincy Service

Prison Chaplains promote the spiritual and pastoral welfare of prisoners and also participate with other services in the secular care of prisoners. The work of the Chaplaincy Service involves extensive contact with prisoners on personal and family matters as well as other issues which arise in relation to their confinement in prison.

Psychology Service

The principal aim of this service is to provide, in co-operation with others, a generic therapeutic service to prisoners aimed at addressing their psychological needs and at reducing re-offending.

Drug Treatment

Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. The programmes seek to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system through education, treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-addicted prisoners. Particular initiatives include the provision of detoxification, methadone maintenance, education programmes, an information forum, addiction counselling, drug therapy programmes and the operation of drug-free areas.

The new Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy & Strategy — Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons — will see existing drug treatment programmes being expanded and enhanced with the further recruitment of psychologists and addiction counsellors as well as other staff. The Irish Prison Service expended almost €3 million (excluding staff costs) on the provision of medical services to the prisoner population in 2005 but it is not possible to disaggregate, with any degree of accuracy, from this total, the element that related solely to the treatment of prisoners with drug problems.

Sex Offender Programmes

Every effort is made to assist sex offenders in custody who are willing to participate at any level in their personal rehabilitation and relapse prevention. In this regard, there are three forms of direct therapeutic intervention currently available — i.e. individual counselling from the Irish Prison Service's Psychology Service and from the Probation Service; the Sex Offender Programme which has been in operation since 1994, and the Psychiatric Service which provides some support to prisoners in this category.

Recidivism Rate.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

91 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rate of recidivism among our prison population and those who in recent years have been released. [37283/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

While accurate figures relating to rates of recidivism in the prisoner population are not available, I can inform the Deputy that the Institute of Criminology in University College Dublin, with the support of the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences and with the co-operation of my Department, is undertaking a major research project on the issue of recidivism.

International Agreements.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

92 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangement in respect of extradition between this country and the United States of America; the agreements in place in relation thereto; if there are special arrangements with the different states in the US and, in particular, the arrangements which apply to the state of Illinois. [37284/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Extradition arrangements between Ireland and the United States of America are contained in the Treaty on Extradition between Ireland and the United States of America signed on 13 July 1983. The Treaty has been ratified on behalf of Ireland and the United States of America and the instruments of ratification were exchanged in Dublin on 13 January 1987.

The Extradition Act 1965 (Application of Part II) Order 2000 was made by the Government on 19 December 2000 and this applies Part II of the Extradition Act 1965 to a number of countries including the United States of America. There are no special arrangements in place with individual States in the United States of America.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

93 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of Thursday, 25th May, 2006 and Parliamentary Question No. 440 of Wednesday, 27th September, 2006 and the written replies to those Questions. The position is unchanged.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

94 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37311/06]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 28 April 2006.

As a general rule only photocopies of documentation are requested from applicants for naturalisation. I have been informed by staff in the Citizenship section of my Department that there is no record that any original documentation accompanied the application for naturalisation of the person in question.

The non EU national referred to by the Deputy has lodged a residence application on the basis that they are the partner of an EU citizen. I understand that a decision on the application will issue shortly.

My Department has no record of an application to have travel documents issued in respect of the persons concerned.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

101 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all documentation required in respect of the application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37318/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of the person in question, who is a minor, was submitted by her mother to the Citizenship Section of my Department on 1 February 2006.

I have been informed by staff in the Citizenship section of my Department that all necessary documentation appears to have been submitted and the file will be presented to me for decision in due course.

I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when the matter has been finalised.

Residency Permits.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

102 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37343/06]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The person concerned has submitted an application for residence on the basis that he is the spouse of an EU citizen. This application was received on the 5th September, 2006.

An initial examination of the documentation submitted shows the person concerned was originally granted a c-visit visa and following his arrival in Ireland he was granted leave to enter. He was subsequently granted permission to remain up to the 31st October, 2002. I understand that a decision will be reached shortly on this application, and that the above factors will be taken into consideration in reaching a decision.

Question No. 103 answered with QuestionNo. 83.

Road Traffic Offences.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.

Many State Services now have Customer Service Charters and Internal Appeal mechanisms available and these should operate both to reduce the need for recourse to the Ombudsman's Office and, where a complaint is nevertheless made to that Office, to ensure a prompt reply to it. In the case of the civil service, my Department introduced a Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour in September 2004 which sets out the principles that should govern the behaviour of civil servants and the standards and values that the Civil Service wishes to espouse. The Code now forms part of civil servants' terms and conditions of service. The code builds on the principles set out in "The Ombudsman's Guide to Standards of Best Practice for Public Servants". It includes requirements that civil servants must maintain high standards in service delivery by conscientiously, honestly and impartially serving the Government of the day, the other institutions of the State and the public, by performing their duties with efficiency, diligence and courtesy and that they must observe appropriate behaviour at work by dealing with the public sympathetically, fairly and promptly. A copy of the Code is available on my Department's Personnel Code web-site at www.codpearsanra.gov.ie. As regards delays I would add that, if the Ombudsman encounters delay in the investigation of a complaint in a public body, I understand her officials raise the matter direct with the body concerned, and it is a matter for that body to respond appropriately. No instance of undue delay by my Department in responding to the Ombudsman’s Office has been brought to my attention.

Tax Code.

James Breen

Ceist:

110 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Finance if there is a capital gains tax or capital acquisitions tax liability for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37173/06]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the transfer of the farm by the farmer to his son is a disposal by the farmer for capital gains tax (CGT) purposes. As the parties are related the consideration is deemed to be the market value of the farm at the time of transfer. The chargeable gain is the difference between the deemed consideration, net after the costs of transfer, and the costs of acquiring the farm after adjustment for inflation. The first €1,270 of an individual's annual gains are exempt. The balance is chargeable to CGT at the prevailing rate, currently 20%.

By way of general information relief from CGT is available where an individual, aged 55 years or over, disposes of certain business assets. These include land which has been leased under the 1992 or the 2000 EU "Early Retirement from Farming" Schemes, where the land was, for a period of 10 years or more immediately prior to it being leased, owned by the individual and used by him or her for the purposes of farming throughout that period. Full relief is available where the disposal is to a child although the relief is clawed back (and charged on the child) if the land is sold within six years of the transfer. The Deputy should contact the Revenue Commissioners if he would like further information on the availability of the relief in this case.

I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that for the purpose of both Gift and Inheritance Tax (Capital Acquisitions Tax), the relationship between the person who provides the gift or inheritance (the disponer) and the person who receives the gift or inheritance (the beneficiary), determines the maximum tax-free threshold- known as the "Group Threshold". The indexed Group threshold applying to a gift or inheritance received by a child from his/her parents is the Group A threshold and for 2006 this is €478,155. Any other gifts/inheritances that might have been received by the beneficiary from within the same Group A threshold (ie from parents) since 5 December 1991 will also be taken into account when applying the threshold for the purposes of calculating the gift/inheritance tax. The transfer of a farm valued at €168,000 from a father to a son is below the Group A tax-free threshold of €478,155 for gifts/inheritances taken by a child from parents and, assuming the son has received no other gifts/inheritances from parents since 5 December 1991 which, when aggregated with the current gift, would exceed €478,155, no Capital Acquisitions Tax will arise on the gift of the farm by the father to his son.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

111 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Finance his views on removing Government stamp duty on ATM, credit and debit cards in budget 2007; the stamp duty received by the Exchequer on such cards each year since 2000; the number of people who have paid such charges in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37242/06]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield of stamp duties on ATM, credit and debit cards in each year from 2000 to 2005 is as shown in the table.

Year	Credit/charge cards	ATM/debit cards
	€m	€m
2000	18.1	11.6
2001	20.8	11.8
2002	22.9	14.04
2003	51.7	32.64
2004	59.0	35.25
2005	63.8	37.9

The numbers available are in respect of chargeable ATM and debit cards, and of the chargeable accounts of credit and charge cards, and are set out in the table.

Number of ATM, combined and debit cards 2000-2005
Card Type	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
ATM	1,992,615	2,240,090	2,105,152	2,169,591	1,853,287	1,822,570
Combined	1,012,147	642,985	587,976	458,119	—	—
Debit	57,437	255,952	244,167	178,165	—	—
Totals	3,062,199	3,139,027	2,937,295	2,805,875	1,853,287	1,822,570

Number of credit card/charge card accounts 2000-2005
Card Type	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
Credit Cards	1,433,585	1,340,411	1,177,759	1,093,011	991,077	883,041
Charge Cards	162,914	133,442	113,913	109,491	96,839	68,727

Stamp, along with all other taxes, is subject to review every year in the context of the annual Budget.

Tax Yield.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

112 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the amount of stamp duty collected each year since 2000 from residential property transactions; the amount paid each year since 2000 by first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37243/06]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information is shown in the table.

Year	Stamp Duty Yield from sales of Residential Property	Stamp Duty Yield where First-Time Buyer Relief applied
	€ million	*€ million
2000	282	Not available
2001	265	22
2002	349	29
2003	528	52
2004	752	71
2005	945	44

*First-time buyers are identifiable where they have qualified for the first-time buyer relief and paid stamp duty at a lower rate than other buyers. As stamp duty rates for property transactions exceeding €381,000 (up to 1 December 2004) and exceeding €635,000 (on or after 2 December 2004) were the same for all residential purchasers, it is not possible to distinguish first time buyer transactions in excess of these values.

Disabled Drivers.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

113 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer in each of the past five years of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme; and the number of people availing of this scheme in each of these years. [37279/06]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

The Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations, 1994, provides, subject to certain limits, VRT and VAT relief on the purchase of a car, relief from excise duty on fuel and exemption from motor road tax. Based on data available from the Revenue Commissioners the Table sets out information for each of the past five years in relation to the cost of the Scheme for VRT, VAT and relief from excise duty on fuel. It also provides the number of claims for VRT relief on the purchase of a vehicle in each year.

Year	Number of claims for VRT relief on the purchase of vehicles(a)	Costs of VRT, VAT and relief from excise duty on fuel
	3,420	€m
2001	3,420	30.5
2002	3,806	34.7
2003	3.720	36.0
2004	4,447	45.1
2005	4,773	49.5

(a) It is estimated that the number of people in the Scheme is around 2.25 times the annual number of VRT claimants. The estimated cost of the exemption from motor road tax in 2005 is an additional €7.9m.

The position is that the application of VAT to goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Passenger transport is exempt from VAT under the EU Sixth VAT Directive. This means that taxis cannot charge VAT on the services they supply and cannot recover VAT on the goods and services that they purchase. Essentially, only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover VAT. VAT Refund Orders have in the past been used in a limited way to provide refunds of VAT on certain aids and appliances for the disabled and on medical equipment donated voluntarily to hospitals. However, under EU law, it is no longer possible to introduce new schemes to refund VAT on the purchase of goods or services by non VAT registered persons.

In relation to Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), I have no plans to reduce or eliminate VRT on taxis. In this regard, it should be recognised that tax reliefs have proved at times to be a blunt, inflexible and expensive means of providing assistance and achieving policy aims which might be more effectively achieved through regulatory or direct expenditure means. VRT on vehicles helps to broaden the tax base and provides an important source of Exchequer revenue. I am asked regularly to introduce tax reliefs for one purpose or another, but to accede to all such requests would lead to an immediate narrowing of the tax base.

My Department has been in contact with the Taxi Regulator and has advised him that there are no plans to reduce or eliminate VRT on taxis. The Taxi Regulator was also advised in that context that if he considered that some form of State assistance was required to facilitate the greater availability and use of taxi and hackney car services for people with disability, he might in the first instance contact his parent Department to allow it to evaluate the matter and any appropriate measures within an overall policy context.

Site Acquisitions.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

117 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance when a site purchase (details supplied) will be completed; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37346/06]

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

Agreement has been reached subject to contract for the acquisition of a site for Rathcroghan National School. The matter is currently proceeding through the conveyancing process. It is not possible to say when this process will be completed.

Child Care Services.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

118 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has proposals to introduce a national system of affordable child care, in view of the current disincentive that exists for working parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37265/06]

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

The Government has brought in a number of measures, both on the supply side and the demand side, to deal with the growing demand for childcare, which has been created by the economic and social changes which have taken place over the last decade. These measures are aimed at supporting all parents with the cost of childcare and increasing the supply of quality childcare places.

The primary supply side measure of the Government's approach to ensuring the provision of affordable childcare has been to stimulate the provision of quality childcare places, through the provision of grants for the childcare sector. This is being done through the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006 and the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010. These programmes, with a combined budget of almost €1.1 billion, are projected to create over 90,000 childcare places, with some 31,750 of the new places already in place. These places are provided either through community based/not for profit childcare groups or by private providers. Of the total funding committed in the period from the start of the EOCP to August 2006, over €484 million has been allocated to childcare facilities, of which almost €183 million has been allocated to staffing grant assistance. This provides support towards the staffing costs of employing childcare workers in community based childcare centres in disadvantaged areas, ensuring that less advantaged parents in those areas have increased access to quality childcare and that they are charged fees which are less than the economic cost of providing the service. A further €67 million has been allocated to quality improvement in the childcare sector.

On the demand side, Government policy to support parents with the cost of childcare has been to increase Child Benefit payments and introduce the Early Childcare Supplement (ECS). Both instruments support all parents irrespective of income or employment status. Child Benefit has been increased in successive budgets and in Budget 2006, it was increased by €8.40 per month for the first two children to €150 per month; and by €7.70 per month for the third and subsequent children to €185 per month. This means that over the period since 1997, Child Benefit has more than quadrupled.

The ECS of €1,000 per annum was introduced for all children less than 6 years of age and became effective in April 2006. This is a direct, non-taxable payment of €250 per quarter year, in respect of each eligible child. There have already been two payments of the ECS in August and October and the final payment of €250 will be paid on 11th December. From 2007 the payments will be made in April, July, October and December. Taken together, these two payments give a family with 2 children under the age of 6 years a total of €5,600 per annum.

The levels of increase in Child Benefit and the introduction of the ECS is unprecedented and delivers on the Government's objective of providing support for children generally while offering real choice to all parents in relation to the care of their children. I am satisfied that the EOCP and NCIP will serve to moderate prices in the sector over time by increasing the supply of places and giving parents greater choice.

This Government's record in providing enhanced childcare supports is without parallel and I am confident that we are moving rapidly to ensure that there are quality services available to parents throughout the country.

John Perry

Ceist:

119 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the funding allocated to a club (detail supplied) in County Sligo is increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37112/06]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which are being implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children.

I understand from inquiries I have made that the Group in question has submitted a request for a review of the decision on their application for further staffing grant assistance under the EOCP. This request was forwarded to Pobal, which is engaged to carry out detailed assessments of all applications under the EOCP.

Following the review of the application, a recommendation will be made to the Programme Appraisal Committee, prior to a decision being made by the Secretary General of this Department.

The group in question will be informed of the outcome of the assessment in due course.

Cancer Incidence.

Seán Ardagh

Ceist:

120 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will initiate an environmental study of an area (details supplied) in Dublin 20 where 17 out of 30 people have contracted breast cancer; and the further action that will be taken in this matter. [37120/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

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

Health Services.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

121 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some years after telephone numbers were changed and the restructuring of the health service began the Health Service Executive website is still showing the old health boards (details supplied) and contact numbers which in at least one case have been out of date for three years; and if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the apparent reason for this is that HSE webmasters have been apparently instructed not to update websites; the action she is taking to encourage the HSE to get the simple things right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37121/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The establishment of the HSE is one of the largest Public Service Reform Initiatives ever undertaken by the State and it will take time for all of the elements involved in such a complex undertaking to be finalised. I know, however, that the HSE is committed to actively involving consumers, amongst others, in service design, planning and delivery. I am confident that initiatives such as its National Information Line which provides information on a range of over 110 Health and Social Service topics, including medical cards, GP visit cards, Drugs Payment Schemes and Home Help services will enable the Public to access information and services quickly and efficiently.

Section 6 of the Health Act, 2004 states that the Health Service Executive is a corporate body. In view of this, the matter of internal procedures relating to the updating of websites and the provision of contact details is a matter for the HSE.

Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

122 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an elderly person’s care in the west of Ireland is only a maximum of €190 plus one fifth of their pension; and if she will work with the nursing home sector in resolving this discrimination. [37122/06]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993 provide for the payment of subvention for private nursing home care for applicants who qualify on both medical and means grounds. General rules for the assessment of means in respect of an application for nursing home subvention are set out in the Second Schedule of the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993, as amended by the 2005 Regulations.

There are currently three rates of subvention payable, i.e. €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 for the three levels of dependency which are medium, high and maximum and these rates apply in all parts of the country.

The HSE has discretion to pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency in a case, for example, where personal funds are exhausted. The application of these provisions in an individual case is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention, subject to the provisions of the Health Act, 2004. The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates. The supports paid by the HSE vary from person to person and region to region, depending on nursing home fees for example.

Additional funding of €20 million was provided for the administration of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme in 2006. The additional €20 million is to support more basic nursing home subventions and reduce waiting lists for enhanced subventions: it is also to bring more consistency to subventions support throughout the country. The Health (Nursing Homes)(Amendment) Bill 2006 is designed to ensure that the existing subvention scheme for private nursing home care is grounded in primary legislation and to help the HSE to implement the scheme on a standardised basis across the country. In addition, national guidelines on nursing home subvention are currently being developed by the HSE to ensure an even and equitable application of the regulations nationally.

The Government is currently considering new policy on Long Term Care and several principles underlying this were agreed with the social partners in "Towards 2016". These principles include, for example, that there should be one standardised national needs assessment for older people needing care. The use of community and home-based care should be maximised. Sheltered housing options will be encouraged. Where residential care is required, it should be quality care and there should be appropriate and equitable levels of co-payment by care recipients based on a national standardised financial assessment. The level of support for residential care should be indifferent as to whether that care is in a public or private facility. The financial model to support any new arrangements must also be financially sustainable.

The Department is currently drawing up proposals for the Government's consideration based on the principles in "Towards 2016".

Organ Retention.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

123 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the initiatives she plans to respond to the issues raised by parents whose children had organs retained by hospitals without obtaining permission; and the outcome of her investigations to date into this matter. [37180/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Dr. Deirdre Madden, a distinguished expert on medical law, was appointed by Government in May 2005 to provide a report on key issues relating to post-mortem practice and procedures and her report on Post-Mortem Practice and Procedures was published on 18 January this year. Considerable progress has already been made by the HSE in implementing the recommendations of the Madden Report in hospitals across the country and my officials will continue to liaise with the Executive to monitor progress in this regard.

A key recommendation of the report was that a Working Group be established to examine issues not included in the original terms of reference, that is post-mortem issues relating to babies who died before or during birth, minors and adults. This Group, chaired by Dr Madden, was set up in March, 2006 and its membership included representatives of Parents For Justice, Irish Stillbirth and Neo-natal Death Society, together with healthcare professionals from a range of disciplines across the Health Service Executive (HSE). I received the Report from the Working Group this week (6 November) and it is available for download from the Department of Health and Children website: www.dohc.ie.

Dr Madden's first report on paediatric post-mortem issues was a comprehensive and robust one and the Working Group Report dealing with post-mortem practice and procedures in other areas is equally so. The Working Group endorsed the recommendations made in the Madden Report, in particular the need for legislation to be introduced as soon as possible to ensure that no post-mortem examination will be carried out and no tissue or organ retained from a post-mortem examination for any purpose without appropriate authorisation.

Now that the recommendations are complete in respect of all age cohorts, I intend to prepare proposals for consideration by Government in relation to the legislation required to give legal effect to these recommendations.

Mental Health Services.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

124 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the way she plans to ensure that the policy, A Vision for Change, will be fully implemented and that action will be taken on its recommendations for mental health here by all Government Departments whose roles it mentions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37206/06]

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

127 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an explanation for the circumstances of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in relation to the supply of medical supplies (details supplied). [37209/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

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

Hospital Services.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

128 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed that the Health Service Executive will implement the Comhairle na nOspidéal report; if the necessary funding from the Department of Finance will be made available in budget 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37210/06]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

133 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to increase the number of consultant rheumatologists particularly in view of the high number of people who currently have arthritis here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37246/06]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

134 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to undertake an agenda to implement the Comhairle na nOspidéal report regarding rheumatology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37247/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 133 and 134 together.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE/National Hospitals Office and the individual hospitals concerned. However, in 2005, I asked the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to examine the position with a view to further assessing the needs of patients waiting longest on out-patient waiting lists and the most appropriate clinical pathways and protocols required for their care.

In 2005, the NTPF set up a number of out-patient pilot projects around the country. This pilot programme operated successfully and met its targets during 2005. Although a new initiative, where hospitals engaged with the NTPF, the experience was very positive in relation to out-patient waiting times.

In 2006, a further 6,000 patients have benefited from the out-patient pilot programme, bringing the total number of patients seen to 10,000. Also during 2006, the NTPF added new specialties, including Rheumatology, to the out-patient pilot programme. Rheumatology is being piloted in the west where up to 500 patients are scheduled to be seen by a Rheumatologist.

As I have mentioned already, the Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. I have, therefore, asked my Department to request the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 133 and 134 answered with Question No. 128.

Hospital Accommodation.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

135 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of acute hospital bed nights actually taken up by privately insured patients; the percentage of surgical procedures carried out on private, as against public patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37248/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated and I will forward it to the Deputy within the next few days.

Community Care.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

136 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on a recent meeting (details supplied) when she expects to make a decision on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37249/06]

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

The Minister for Health and Children met with representatives of the Borrisokane Day Care Action Group on Thursday 2 November 2006. A number of issues were raised and I understand that the Minister and the Group agreed that it was a useful meeting. The Minister undertook to raise a number of matters with the HSE and has asked the Executive to respond to the Group.

Health Services.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

137 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will work with the Health Service Executive to ensure that chiropody services are made available free of charge to senior citizens nationwide; the costs associated with such a measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37250/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

There is no statutory obligation on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide chiropody services to GMS patients; however, in practice, arrangements are already in place to provide these services. Before the establishment of the HSE the nature of the arrangements for chiropody and the level of service provided was a matter for individual health boards and so a degree of variation in practice developed over time. Priority is usually given to certain groups of people, including people who are medical card holders aged 65 years and over. In several regions the service is provided by private chiropodists by arrangement with the HSE.

I consider that it is inappropriate for private chiropodists who are providing services on behalf of the HSE to charge patients a top-up fee, and I have conveyed this view formally to the HSE. My Department requested the HSE to review the fee arrangements in place for the provision of chiropody services, with a view to ensuring that such additional fees will no longer be levied on persons in receipt of this service. This process has been under way for some time and considerable progress has been made.

My Department is currently preparing legislation to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services. The Bill will define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made and provide for an appeals framework.

Health Service Allowances.

Ceist:

146 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if additional funding has been granted to the Health Service Executive to provide digital hearing aids; and if so, when she expects to have these hearing aids issued to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37342/06]

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

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

Coastal Protection.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

147 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will allocate funding to Kerry County Council for coastal erosion works at Inch-Annascaul, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37219/06]

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

Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In 2005 Kerry County Council submitted a proposal to the Department for coast protection works at Inch with an estimated cost of €2.5 million. There was no funding available under the Coast Protection Programme for this project in 2005 or 2006. The funding available to the Department for these years was €3 million and €4.718 million respectively for the entire country. The question of providing Exchequer funding for works at Inch-Annascaul in future years will depend on the amount of exchequer funding available for coast protection works generally and overall national priorities.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

148 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of contents and recommendations of the report commissioned to examine the possibility of the provision of broadband and modern telecommunications at the Black Valley, County Kerry and other similar locations suffering from a dearth of communications technology; if he will act on the recommendations contained in the report; when he expects such action to take place; when he expects associated works to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37106/06]

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

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator. As regards the deployment of broadband infrastructure, it has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband.

The Kerry County Council and the South West Regional Authority published a Communications Infrastructure Study for the Black Water Region in July 2006. This Study recognises the importance of broadband infrastructure for the region. Despite Government investment in broadband through the regional broadband programme, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address the gaps in broadband coverage are currently being considered.

Harbours and Piers.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

149 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide the necessary funding to enable the development of Scraggane Pier, Castlegregory, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37174/06]

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

Scraggane Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance.

The Department in association with Kerry County Council have prepared a report on a proposed development at Scraggane Pier. Local fishermen and other pier users were consulted on an ongoing basis and expressed satisfaction with the finalised development proposals. I understand that Kerry county Council are about to submit the development proposals for planning permission and other statutory permits in the near future. The proposed development includes the provision of additional pier berthage of 64 metres, a working area of 2,300 square metres, an extension to the existing slipway (for fishery use) and a new slipway which would be dedicated for leisure use thereby alleviating pressure on the existing slipway.

The question of providing funding for Scraggane Pier will depend on the amount of Exchequer funding available for fishery harbours in future years and overall national priorities.

Departmental Staff.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

150 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the criteria for persons with disabilities for seeking employment opportunities within his Department; the application procedures that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37234/06]

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

Recruitment of staff for my Department generally takes place from open competitions run by the Public Appointments Service. In instances where my Department does recruit directly, we ensure that our policies and processes reflect best practice in relation to access for these posts.

Energy Resources.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

151 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the cost of increasing the number of homes dealt with under the Sustainable Energy Ireland warmer homes scheme form 2,000 to 10,000 homes per annum. [37272/06]

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

The Warmer Homes Scheme, which is part of Sustainable Energy Ireland's Low Income Housing Programme, aims to improve the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of homes occupied by low-income households. The scheme provides funding to community-based organisations for the installation of energy efficiency measures including attic insulation (in some areas, and where technically appropriate), in homes in their respective localities. The scheme is intended to benefit those who need it most and the eligibility criteria varies from region to region, depending on the target group of the community organisation in question.

There are 15 community based organisations that area approved for funding to complete homes in 2006. The service available in Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Roscommon, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Cavan, Limerick and Leitrim. The cost of increasing the number of homes from 2,000 to 10,000 homes per year would be a combination of continuing the current funding to community based organisations and to build capacity by engaging building contractors. The current Low Income Programme Budget is €1.7 million. The cost of increasing the number of homes to 10,000 per annum is €8.45 million.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent and nature of discussions he has had with State or semi-State bodies, such as Bord Na Mona, the ESB, Iarnród Éireann or others, in connection with a proposal to provide alternative, independent or State controlled telecommunications infrastructure, with particular reference to the provision of broadband nationwide; if he will publish the report available to him in this regard; if he will act on the recommendations of the said report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37292/06]

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

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

In April 2005 a team of advisors was engaged to examine the potential for enhancing and augmenting existing state owned infrastructure. This team submitted a Feasibility Report in December 2005. The report found that, while technically feasible, there would be considerable financial, legal, regulators, operational and organisational challenges in harnessing and enhancing the existing state owned infrastructures. It is not my intention to publish the report to the extent of the commercially sensitive information contained in it.

As regards the deployment of broadband infrastructure, it has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband. My Department manages a number of interventions to incentivise broadband deployment nationwide.

The Regional Broadband Programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. These Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. The networks offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.

Twenty-seven MANs have been completed under the first phase and are currently being managed by ENet, the Management Services Entity. The second phase extends the programme to over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that do not have a satisfactory broadband offering from the private sector.

My Department's Group Broadband Scheme, which offered funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities. To date, 162 projects have been approved for funding. The most recent phase of the scheme is now closed and the question of a further round of financial assistance for the provision of broadband in rural areas is currently under consideration.

Despite Government investment in broadband through the regional broadband programme, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address the gaps in broadband coverage are currently being considered.

Aquaculture Development.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

153 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide a list of all grants given to the aquaculture industry since 2000 with the name and location of the beneficiary, the amount of the aid, the species, production capacity and duration of each recipient’s licence. [37332/06]

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

I am in the process of compiling a list of all grant recipients, their locations, the grant amounts, species, production capacity and licence duration for each recipient. I will forward this directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Northern Ireland Issues.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

154 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange for a single issue summit with the British Government to discuss collusion. [37119/06]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The issue of collusion is a constant theme in our contacts with the British government. It is continuously raised with the British by both the Taoiseach and myself, and also at official level. Given our constant engagement with the British Government on this, the question of a single issue summit does not arise.

The Taoiseach has already brought the findings of the Barron Inquiries — on which the international panel's recently published report on collusion draws to a significant degree — to the attention of the British Prime Minister. We now await the report of the McEntee investigation into the Dublin Monaghan bombings. I will also raise the international panel's report with Secretary of State Hain at an early opportunity.

The Government continues to press the British to fulfil their obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights at the Council of Europe and, of course, to establish an effective, independent investigation into the murder of Pat Finucane, as recommended by Judge Cory.

Sports Funding.

John Perry

Ceist:

155 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of funding the Government will be providing to Special Olympics Ireland to support its current and future work; if he will ensure that an increase in the allocation is granted to it as current and future fundraising by supporters and volunteers leaves a gap in its finances which threatens its ability to fund services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/06]

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

The Irish Sports Council was set up as a statutory body in July 1999 with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. The provision in funding for the Irish Sports Council in the 2006 Estimates is €40.9 million, in comparison to just over €13 million in 2000.

The Sports Council provides funding to recognised National Governing Bodies (NGB) of sport including Special Olympics Ireland. NGBs are dealt with as autonomous organisations and grants are allocated under agreed funding conditions and with specific priorities in mind. The grant allocation process is run on an annual basis by the Sports Council, with NGBs submitting an application form covering their programmes for the coming year.

I recognise the extensive benefits that accrue to persons with intellectual disabilities through the sporting and social activities provided by Special Olympics Ireland. Since 1999, Special Olympics Ireland has received over €4 million in funding from the Sports Council with grants of €596,473 in 2006. Special Olympics Ireland has made a submission to the Government on the development and funding of the Special Olympics Programme and this submission is being considered.

Departmental Staff.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

156 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the criteria for persons with disabilities for seeking employment opportunities within his Department; the application procedures that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37231/06]

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

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) conducts most of the recruitment to positions in my Department. A new approach to the recruitment and placement of people with a disability into the Civil Service is now being adopted, which will include special competitions or sub-panels being held from time to time with the aim of ensuring that 3% of all recruits to the Civil Service are people with a disability.

Furthermore, recruitment competitions run by the PAS are open to all, including people with disabilities, subject to their meeting the eligibility requirements of the competition in question. Application forms invite applicants to indicate if they have special requirements when undergoing the selection process and the PAS makes every effort to facilitate these requests. My Department is also participating in the WAM (Willing Able Mentoring) Project, which is a work experience placement scheme administered by the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) which aims to place graduates with disabilities with employers in the public and private sectors.

Community Employment Schemes.

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

157 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many participants of the community employment schemes are being forced back on the dole as a result of over stringent regulations by his Department and that people, particularly those aged over 55 years and people with disabilities, are being discriminated against in the context that if they had a herd number and were on the rural social employment schemes they would have far more latitude and a far better chance of remaining in employment within this scheme rather than if they were employed with the community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37263/06]

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

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 I revised the three year CE capping to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a 6-year period on CE (based on participation since 3rd April, 2000). Subsequently, the participation limit for persons eligible for CE based on a Social Welfare disability linked payment was increased by 1 year. These measures were introduced in recognition of the fact that older participants and people with disabilities may find it more difficult to progress into the open labour market.

I am informed that the primary purpose of the Rural Social Scheme, under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, is to provide income support to low-income farmers and fishermen and providing certain services of benefit to local communities. The aim of CE remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. The schemes are quite different in their objectives.

Company Takeovers.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

158 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied with the explanation offered by the Competition Authority as to the reason it failed to investigate a takeover (details supplied); the share of the petrol market held by the companies prior to the takeover; if he or officials in his Department were aware of the proposed takeover and entered into any form of communication with the Competition Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37115/06]

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

Under the merger provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, proposed mergers require regulatory clearance from the Competition Authority. I have no role in this process, other than in the case of media mergers. Accordingly, neither I nor officials in my Department were required to be notified of the proposed merger. Our knowledge of the proposed merger was properly limited to information that was in the public domain. Information relating to the share of the petrol market held by the companies prior to the takeover is commercially sensitive information and it would not be appropriate for me to request such information from the Authority.

Following the announcement from the Competition Authority that it had incorrectly calculated the legal deadline before which it was required to issue a determination under the mergers provisions of the Competition Act, officials in my Department entered into correspondence with the Authority's Chairperson, Mr William Prasikfa. I am satisfied with the explanation offered by the Chairperson. The Authority has informed my Department of the various reviews it has carried out on foot of the error and of the measures it has put in place to ensure such an error will not happen again.

The Authority Chairperson, appearing before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business on 25 October, has also offered a full explanation and apology to that Committee.

Health and Safety Regulations.

John Deasy

Ceist:

159 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to instances where engineering projects being undertaken by local authorities have been delayed due to requirements identified by the Health and Safety Authority; the extent of the increased activity of the HSA in relation to local authorities in 2006 compared to previous years; if this increased activity has resulted from known health and safety deficiencies by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37196/06]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Killeen)

The Health and Safety Authority had a concentrated inspection campaign during the September 2005 Construction Safety Campaign. The campaign focused on health and safety issues within Local Authorities and, in particular, on roadworks. It was divided in two distinct focus areas, namely, site inspections and senior manager meetings. The site inspections focused primarily on roadwork activities, whereas the meetings with the senior managers within Local Authorities focused on their safety management systems and policies for all construction related activities.

The Health and Safety Authority prepared a report on the campaign detailing the findings and recommendations which was circulated to all Local Authorities. Subsequently, in 2006, the Health and Safety Authority has held Seminars for City and County Managers and are supporting the Local Authorities.

I understand from the Authority that following on from the campaign the County and City Managers, supported by the Local Government Management Services Board, have made strong commitments to ensure that a robust health and safety management system is put in place and are working with the Health and Safety Authority to this end. The Authority, through its 2006 Programme of Work has identified construction/civil engineering work as being an area of activity which needed to be prioritised, due to the high risk of injury associated with the activity. In that context, Local Authorities, being duty holders under the Construction Regulations, are required to comply with the provisions of legislation, in particular the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Construction Regulations 2001, replaced since 6 November 2006 by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006.

The Authority's inspectors have been endeavouring to promote the putting in place by employers of a management system for occupational health and safety which would ensure that adequate plans are in place for such construction activities. Inspectors use their enforcement powers under the legislation as necessary and have taken a particular interest in unfinished projects which have left signage, temporary surfaces etc. in place for lengthy periods.

The Authority is of the view that all projects should conform to the law and that as Local Authorities are to the forefront in terms of the scale and complexity of their projects there is a particular onus on them to conform. In any event, the adoption of good occupational safety health management systems make good financial sense, and also the adoption of control measures to protect workers makes for good overall management. In some cases delays may be arising while safety management systems are being put in place, but as safety is paramount, the benefits of a good system will offset any inconvenience and cost of delays especially where these benefits result in the prevention of injury and loss of life.

Departmental Staff.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

160 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if all proper procedures were adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37228/06]

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

All proper procedures were adhered to in this case. The person concerned was employed on a short-term contract as a Temporary Service Attendant. His contract was due to expire on 12th May 2006 but was extended until 28th July 2006 to allow for a number of appeals he made in writing and orally. The Secretary General of my Department, having fully considered the matter, and following legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General, confirmed in writing to the person concerned that his contract would expire on 28th July 2006.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

161 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a back to education grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37178/06]

164 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the criteria for persons with disabilities for seeking employment opportunities within his Department; the application procedures that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37266/06]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the centralised recruitment body for the civil service and is responsible for the recruitment of all persons, including persons with disabilities, for the main civil service grades. Recruitment competitions run by PAS are open to all, including people with disabilities, subject to their meeting the eligibility requirements of the competition in question. PAS also holds competitions specifically for persons with disabilities from time to time. The entry requirements and the standard necessary to pass these confined competitions are identical to those pertaining to the open competitions.

My Department is directly responsible for recruitment of its staff at the Services grades. Recruitment for these grades is conducted through advertisement with FAS and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for these positions. My Department also engages in some direct recruitment of temporary staff outside Dublin to cover short-term absences such as the summer Term Time period or maternity leave. As is the case with all appointments to the civil service, these appointments are subject to the person being suitable for the duties of the position being filled.

The Disability Act, 2005, provides a statutory basis for the implementation and compliance monitoring of the 3% recruitment target for the public sector. The current position in my Department is that 149 or 3.14% of the total staff of the Department are persons with disabilities. In line with the provisions of the Disability Act, specific commitments in relation to human resources and employment practices for staff with disabilities were included in my Department's Sectoral Plan which was published in July 2006. One of these commitments is to continue to work closely with PAS with the objective of ensuring best practice in the area of the recruitment and assignment of staff with disabilities.

Social Welfare Code.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

165 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of raising the lowest rate of social welfare by €35.50 per week. [37323/06]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

166 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of increasing the non-contributory state pension by €34.80 per week. [37324/06]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

167 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of increasing child benefit by €10 per month. [37325/06]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together.

The cost of increasing the lowest rate of social welfare payment (€165.80) by €35.50 per week is estimated as €835 million in a full year. The cost of increasing all payments made to those under 66 years of age, and not just those on the lowest rate of payment, by €35.50 per week, is estimated as €1,081million in a full year.

The cost of increasing the state pension (non-contributory) by €34.80 per week is estimated as €182 million in a full year. The cost of increasing child benefit by €10 per month (for both the lower and higher rates) is estimated as €139 million in a full year.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

168 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to introduce a subsidy or other form of assistance to improve the affordability of taxis for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/06]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

Access to transport is an important issue for people with disabilities in participating more fully in society in general as well as facilitating access to employment opportunities. My Department does not provide direct assistance towards private taxi travel but administers the Free Travel scheme allowing eligible persons, including certain people with disabilities, to use public transport and a large number of private bus and ferry services free of charge. In this regard, I have recently lifted the restrictions which had applied to peak time travel for holders of Free Travel passes so there is now no limit placed on the amount of free travel eligible people may take.

The Health Service Executive, currently administers the Mobility Allowance, which provides financial assistance to eligible people who are unable to walk or use public transport. This allowance is paid at a rate of €173 per month unless the person is also availing of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers scheme which provides tax relief linked to the purchase and use of vehicles, in which case it is paid at the lower rate of €86.50 per month.

In line with a recent Government decision, the Mobility Allowance, together with other income maintenance functions currently administered by the Health Services Executive, will be transferred to my Department and an inter-departmental group has been established to oversee this transfer. This will provide an opportunity to examine schemes which provide financial assistance towards transport in a more integrated way and to identify the scope for further improvements, as resources permit.

Clár Reachtúil.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

169 D’fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea den Aire Iompair an bhfuil sé sásta glacadh leis an Dréacht-Bhille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Leasú) 2006 (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37171/06]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Táim sásta le halt 95 den Acht un Thrácht ar Bhóithre 1961 agus níl sé ar intinn agam aon leasú a dhéanamh.

Harbours and Piers.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

170 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to cover the cost of dredging the inner harbour at Bantry Bay. [37273/06]

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

My Department has no formal Proposal for the Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners in respect of dredging of the inner harbour at Bantry Bay.

Road Safety.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

171 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the range of proposals recently given to him by the Road Safety Authority. [37140/06]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has recently submitted to me a range of proposals, to further augment road safety initiatives, with a particular focus on licensing reform, and, on targeting drivers between 17 and 24 years old. I equally share the concern of the RSA Board about the high risk factors of death and serious injury to this particular category of drivers. My officials are currently examining these proposals.

I have also recently met with the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA to discuss the proposals. I have now asked that the Authority come back to me as soon as possible with a structured approach to a complete transition, with time lines, from the current regime of provisional licences to a regime of learner permits and restricted category drivers and related learner/driver formation arrangements. I know that such a complete transition will take some time, but I genuinely feel that there is great potential for saving young lives in this approach.

Public Transport.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

172 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if it is envisaged that the Metro will be entirely funded by way of PPP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37230/06]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

It is proposed that the Metro North and West projects will be procured as public private partnerships (PPP) and the cost of the construction and maintenance will be borne by the private consortium selected through a tendering procedure. The PPP consortia will be reimbursed through annual Exchequer payments over a period of approximately 26 years, which will start after commencement of services.

The cost of land acquisition for these projects, together with project development costs incurred by the Railway Procurement Agency prior to applying for the relevant Railway Orders, will be funded by the Exchequer. Some of the funding will also be provided through development levies and developer contributions.

Traffic Management.

John Perry

Ceist:

173 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Transport when he will allow motorcycles to use bus lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/06]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The Road Safety Authority has proposed that the issue of allowing motorcyclists access to bus lanes be examined. The matter is presently under consideration by my Department and other relevant agencies.

Taxi Regulations.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

174 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the sections and subsections of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 that remain to be commenced. [37331/06]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The following sections and subsections of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 remain to be commenced: — Section 35, subsections (1), (1A), (2), (5) and (6) of section 36 (as amended by section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 and section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2006) and section 44(5).

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

175 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the regulations in force governing the operation of wheelchair accessible taxis. [37344/06]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The operation and licensing of small public service vehicles, including wheelchair accessible taxis, is currently controlled through the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002 and regulations made by the Commission for Taxi Regulation under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. In particular, the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No 47 of 1998) sets out the requirements for wheelchair accessible taxi vehicles.

National Drugs Strategy.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

176 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the claim made by the chief executive of Merchant’s Quay Ireland that the national drugs strategy is failing. [37286/06]

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

I would not accept the view that the National Drug Strategy is failing. Indeed, the main finding of the mid-term review of the Strategy was that the current aims and objectives were fundamentally sound and that progress was being made across all pillars of the Strategy. It would seem from newspaper reports that the Chief Executive of Merchants Quay Ireland, speaking at the launch of his organisation's 2005 report, deduced from the heavy demand on the services provided by them that there is a lack of development of local drugs services and an increased need for local needle exchange programmes. He also noted that changing trends and patterns in drug use, specifically relating to cocaine, have impacted on their services.

With respect to local drug services, these have been developed in all Local Drug Task Force areas and are being developed throughout the country. At the end of September 2006, the Central Treatment List indicated that 7,966 people with heroin problems were in receipt of methadone treatment and that the waiting list for treatment services was 156. This latter figure represents a drop of 36% on the number recorded in September 2005. With respect to needle exchanges, an allocation of €3m was made by the Department of Health & Children in 2006 for the further development of Harm Reduction Services. I am informed by the HSE that needle exchange services are provided at a local level in each of the former Eastern Health Board areas and are currently being developed in other areas where there is likely to be a demand. With regard to the emerging trend of cocaine misuse, a joint briefing paper that I requested from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the National Drug Strategy Team was received in September. I am currently awaiting responses from the relevant Agencies and Departments as to how the recommendations of the briefing paper might be addressed.

I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years — be it in the areas of drug seizures, expansion of treatment services, establishment of the Regional Drugs Task Forces, prevention programmes in schools and the very encouraging results of the Research Outcome Study in Ireland (ROSIE), which evaluated heroin treatment effectiveness. I am confident that the momentum built up around the various initiatives in the National Drugs Strategy will see them implemented within the appointed timescale, which runs to the end of 2008.

Social Inclusion.

Damien English

Ceist:

177 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the initiatives being undertaken by his Department to specifically facilitate the integration of new ethnic groups into Irish society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37288/06]

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

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform takes the lead role in the matter of the integration of new ethnic groups into Irish society. However, Ethnic Minorities are identified as a target group under the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) which is delivered locally on behalf of my Department by area partnership companies, community partnership companies and local employment pacts. Integrating Ireland and the Irish Refugee Council are being supported under my Department's Federations and Networks Scheme and Anti-Poverty Networks Scheme. In addition a number of projects supporting immigrant families funded under the Dormant Accounts Fund have bee approved, totalling almost €550,000. Details are given in the appendix to this reply.

Appendix
Name of Group	Purpose of Grant	Funding Allocated
		€
Blanchardstown Area Partnership, Dublin	Developing a pre-employment training programme for immigrant families.	69,900.00
Drogheda Partnership Group, Co. Louth.	Developing a job-seeking programme for immigrant families.	113,000.00
Waterford Area Partnership, Co. Waterford.	Implementing a pre-employment strategy for immigrant families.	127,666.00
Meitheal Mhaigheo Teo., Co. Mayo.	Promoting access to employment for immigrant families.	117,983.00
Cork City Partnership, Co. Cork.	Developing a project to assist immigrant families in finding meaningful employment.	99,000.00
Partnership Trá Lí, Co. Kerry.	Providing supports for vulnerable immigrant families to progress to employment.	47,440.00
	Total Allocation	574,989.00

National Drugs Strategy.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

178 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the new measures he proposes to introduce to respond to the drug situation, in view of the new data on fatal drug overdoses, particularly involving cocaine, and the growing concern among communities. [37290/06]

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

There are inherent dangers in drug use, including the use of cocaine. In particular the consumption of cocaine with alcohol, which is converted in the body to cocaethylene and which is more toxic than either drug consumed separately, can be extremely hazardous. I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years — be it in the areas of drug seizures, the expansion of treatment services, the establishment of the Regional Drugs Task Forces, the prevention programmes in schools and the very encouraging results of the Research Outcome Study in Ireland (ROSIE) which evaluated heroin treatment effectiveness.

While I am confident that, through the implementation of the actions in the National Drugs Strategy and the projects and initiatives operated through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces, the problem of cocaine use can be and is being addressed, I also recognised the need for an overview of the emerging threat from cocaine. To this end, I asked the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the National Drug Strategy Team to prepare a joint briefing paper on the current situation with regards to cocaine use. I received this report in September and it contains a number of recommendations to tackle the growth in the use of cocaine. My Department has written to the relevant Departments and agencies regarding the recommendations of the report and they are awaiting responses in this regard. It is envisaged that the matter will be followed up further at the December meeting of the Inter-departmental Group on Drugs. There is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and existing services such as counselling and behavioural therapy are the best treatments available. In this context, the Health Service Executive has recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in the last number of years.

In relation to the Drugs Task Forces, each one has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in their area based on their own identified priorities and they continue to have ongoing contact with their local communities. Six projects in LDTF areas specifically aimed at cocaine have been allocated funding of €421,285 under the Emerging Needs Fund. Five of the projects focus on the provision of direct community based services for cocaine users located within existing services and the sixth is supporting the development of an information booklet.

Furthermore, I launched the four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use, as well as a training initiative focusing on frontline workers. Funding of almost €400,000 was provided by me to support these initiatives.

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.

While these projects are at varying stages of progress, preliminary evaluation reports will be available on most of them shortly. It is hoped that the results of these evaluations will aid the formulation of effective actions aimed at tackling cocaine misuse. I might also point out that all primary and second level schools now have substance misuse prevention programmes. In addition, the National Drugs Awareness Campaign focused one of their campaigns specifically on cocaine use.

The problems associated with cocaine use have not been underestimated. In particular I am determined that we will continue to work to get the message across that cocaine is a dangerous drug and that its use directly contributes to the illegal drugs industry and the crime and violence associated with it. Overall, I believe that progress is being made and I will continue to respond in a flexible and focused way as the situation evolves.

Question No. 179 answered with QuestionNo. 60.

Community Development.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

180 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of priority that is attached to infrastructure under the rural development initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/06]

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

The main infrastructural programme operated by my Department is the CLÁR Programme. It is a targeted investment programme for rural areas and now covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim. The Programme supports a wide variety of local and community infrastructural developments such as village/housing/schools enhancement, electricity conversion, roads, water supply, sewerage disposal, health, coastal, sports and community projects. I believe that the Programme is a very important element of the various rural development initiatives operated by my Department and it is having a major impact on the lives of people living in the CLÁR areas. The Programme ensures that small community and rural infrastructural projects are being supported — many of which might otherwise not be funded. Funding of €22.95m is available for the Programme in 2006.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

181 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding made available by his Department to ADM under the Dormant Accounts Act 2001; the applications made to avail of this fund; and the applications approved to date. [37109/06]

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

Decisions on the disbursements of funds from dormant accounts under the initial round of funding were a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. Under this round, the Board received 1,649 applications and approved 521 projects for funding totalling over €60 million. The Board engaged Pobal (formerly Area Development Management Limited — ADM) as a service provider to administer the funding programme on its behalf. To date over €26 million has been transferred directly from the Fund to Pobal in respect of these approved projects. It is anticipated that the balance (€34 million) will be disbursed during the remainder of 2006 and beyond.

Following the enactment of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005, decisions on disbursements are made by Government following a transparent process. In accordance with the legislation, the Government approved the allocation of €60 million in 2006 for the following purposes:

€24 million to support projects tackling economic and social disadvantage;

€18 million towards projects tackling educational disadvantage; and

€18 million towards projects assisting persons with a disability.

To date in 2006, under the Economic and Social Disadvantage category, the Government has approved funding in excess of €13.4 million in support of 220 projects as shown in the table.

Funding Measure	Applications Received	Applications Approved	Value of Applications Approved
			€m
Priority Projects in RAPID areas	190	188	11.35
Supports for Vulnerable Immigrants	18	6	0.575
Supports for Suicide Prevention	125	20	1.0
Supports for Offenders/Ex-offenders	36	6	0.503

Pobal is, in the main, being used to receive and carry out the initial assessment of applications. The draw down of funding by successful organisations is subject to individual groups satisfying specific contract conditions. Funding for approved applications will be channelled through the Votes of relevant Government Departments. With regard to the remaining funding measures under the Economic and Social Disadvantage category and also measures relating to Education Disadvantage and People with Disabilities, Government decisions can be expected in late 2006 and early 2007 as applications are received and fully processed.

National Drugs Strategy.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

182 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the breakdown of the amount of moneys allocated to support various drug task force groups with their projects over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37110/06]

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

Since the establishment of Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) in 1997 over €122m has been allocated to the 14 LDTFs to implement action plans for their areas. This figure includes monies allocated to some LDTF projects before they were mainstreamed to other Departments and Agencies who now fund them. It also includes capital allocations under the Premises Initiative totalling €14m and Emerging Needs Fund allocations of €4m.

I made an allocation of €5m in 2006 to the ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) to commence implementation of their action plans. The RDTFs cover all parts of the country not included under the 14 LDTFs. It is envisaged that funding will be increased incrementally to achieve the full roll out of the RDTF plans, currently estimated to cost €12.2m on an annual basis. The Premises Initiative has also been extended to include the RDTF areas.

Details of the allocations are provided on the attached tables.

Local Drugs Task Forces	Funding since 1997
	€
Ballyfermot	7,209,761
Ballymun	9,403,427
Blanchardstown	10,426,936
Canal Communities	10,229,161
Clondalkin	10,648,966
Dublin 12	5,928,405
Dublin North East	10,517,849
Dublin North Inner City	10,739,148
Dublin South Inner City	9,508,000
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown	6,738,606
Finglas / Cabra	7,579,589
Tallaght	8,549,747
Cork	8,861,108
Bray	4,489,398
Cross Task Force projects	1,531,362
Total	€122,361,463

Regional Drugs Task Forces	2006 Allocation
	€
East Coast (Greater Dublin)	760,000
Northern Area (Greater Dublin)	509,000
South Western (Greater Dublin)	735,000
Mid West	421,700
Midlands	320,000
North East	410,000
North West	271,760
South East	665,000
Southern	565,000
Western	340,000
Total	€4,997,460

Community Development.

John Perry

The key elements of the settlement were that:

the case was struck out with no order;

no damages payable;

the Assistant Secretary in question would retire with immediate effect on full pension; and

the State would pay a contribution of €100,000 plus VAT towards the legal costs incurred by the Assistant Secretary.

The settlement has now been put into effect.

Question No. 187 answered with QuestionNo. 183.

Departmental Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

188 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure by his Department under the RAPID programme in the past five years; if the funding is derived from the dormant accounts fund, the national lottery or other sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37293/06]

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

As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, it is a matter for individual Departments to report progress with their projects under the RAPID programme. In support of my Department, Pobal collects data from each RAPID area in respect of funding allocations received by projects from Government Departments and local state agencies. The latest data in respect of the programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section (http://www.pobal.ie/live/RAPID). The Deputy may find it helpful to access this information. I understand that full data in respect of the year 2006 will not be collected until early 2007.

The Deputy will be aware that I launched the RAPID Leverage Fund in 2004 to support small-scale projects identified by the Area Implementation Schemes. The Exchequer provides the funding for these schemes. The following are the schemes, the allocations and the draw down to date under these schemes:

Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme 2004, Allocation €1.15m, draw down to date €1.10m;

Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement Scheme 2005/06, Allocation €2.03m, draw down to date €0.75m;

Playground 2004, Allocation €3.00m, draw down to date €2.75m;

Playground 2005, Allocation €2.97m, draw down to date €1.00m;

Traffic Measures 2005, Allocation €1.01m, draw down to date €0.63m;

Health Sector Co-Fund, Allocation €2.30m, draw down to date €0.50m;

Sports Capital 2004, Allocation €2.20m, draw down to date €0.94m;

Sports Capital 2005, Allocation €2.30m, draw down to date €0.31m.

Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are made within the overall framework of the Disbursement Plan provided for in the legislation. Under the initial round of funding, the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board approved 521 projects for funding totalling over €60 million. Consistent with the direction given by Government when approving the Disbursement Plan, approximately €32 million of these approvals were in respect of projects based within RAPID areas. Following the enactment of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005, further funding amounting to €11.35 million was ring-fenced to support 188 priority projects in RAPID areas under the 2006 round of funding.

My Department also has responsibility for the work of the 14 Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTF) and 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces. The LDTFs were established in the areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse, particularly heroin, and many of them have RAPID areas within them. Over €150m has been allocated to the Task Forces to implement two rounds of local action plans. A further €14.36m has been allocated to capital projects under the LDTF Premises Initiative, which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community-based drugs projects.

Approximately €107 million has been allocated to-date to support the work of the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund in LDTF areas and four other urban centres. The main aim of the Fund is to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into recreational facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse. It is not possible to quantify the exact spend in RAPID areas.

Departmental Expenditure.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure by his Department from the proceeds of the National Lottery, the dormant accounts fund or other sources in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37294/06]

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

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established in 2002, bringing together a range of functions previously held by six different Government Departments. Details in relation to National Lottery and Dormant Accounts funding received by my Department for the period 2002-2005, which are included in the Audited Appropriation Accounts published by the Comptroller and Auditor General each year, is summarised below:

Source of Funding	2002	2003	2004	2005
	€m	€m	€m	€m
National Lottery	24.281	30.541	32.705	30.853
Dormant Accounts Fund	0	0.025	3.398	6.602

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

190 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent on various projects under his aegis from the dormant accounts fund in the past 12 months; the current reserves in the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37295/06]

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

Following the enactment of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005, the Government approved the allocation of €60 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2006 under the following headings:

€24 million to support economic and social disadvantage measures;

€18 million to tackle educational disadvantage; and

€18 million to assist persons with a disability.

Under the Economic and Social Disadvantage category, funding in excess of €13.4m has been approved to date by Government in support of 220 projects as follows:

€11.35m to fund 188 priority projects in RAPID areas;

€0.575m to fund 6 projects providing supports for vulnerable immigrants;

€1.0m to 20 projects supporting suicide prevention; and

€0.503m for 6 projects providing addiction counselling and employment supports for offenders / ex-offenders.

It is anticipated that the successful applicants for the other funding measures within all three categories will be decided in late-2006 and early-2007 as the applications received are fully processed.

Adjusted for liabilities of €93.8m, the current value of the Dormant Accounts Fund is €143m. The liabilities in question relate to approved funding that has yet to be drawn down as follows:

(a) €33.8 million remaining to be drawn down from €60m approved prior to 2006 by the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Board; and

(b) €60 million approved by Government for 2006 as outlined above.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

191 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure by his Department under the CLÁR programme in the past five years; if the funding is derived from the dormant accounts fund, the national lottery or other sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37296/06]

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

As the Deputy is aware, the CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas. Earlier this year, following a further analysis of the 2002 population census data, new areas were selected for inclusion in the Programme and it now covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim and benefits a population of nearly 727,000. To meet the increased demands arising from the expansion, I secured an increase in CLÁR funding of approximately €9m for 2006, bringing the overall level of funding available this year to €22.95m.

Expenditure under the Programme in the period 2002-2005 is set out in the table.

Year	Estimate Provision	Outturn for the year
	€m	€m
2002	12.700	14.139
2003	9.517	8.612
2004	13.490	12.116
2005	13.700	13.444

The CLÁR Programme is Exchequer funded and funding is not sourced from either the Dormant Accounts Fund or the National Lottery.

Voluntary Sector Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding awarded by his Department to various groups in County Kildare in each of the past five years; his expected expenditure in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37297/06]

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

Details of the grants allocated by my Department to various eligible groups in County Kildare are set out below.

My Department provides funding to projects under the Community Development Programme (CDP). This Programme supports locally-based groups involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives in their communities so that they can contribute to a process of change in their areas and improve the quality of life of their communities. At present, some 182 projects are currently supported under the programme. These are located in recognised disadvantaged areas nationwide, in both urban and rural areas. Funding of €23.947m has been allocated to the programme for 2006. In addition to core funding, applications are invited each year from Community Development Projects for once-off grants towards limited capital costs, purchase of equipment, and towards programme activities. Decisions on such applications are taken on the basis of resources available.

Specifically, in Co. Kildare the following three CDP's are funded:

Name of Project	2002 Core Funding/ Grants	2003 Core Funding/ Grants	2004 Core Funding/ Grants	2005 Core Funding/ Grants	2006 Core Funding/ Grants
The Bridge CDP Newbridge — set up in 2003		€60,000 €13,000 — start up grant	€62,000	€74,300 €8,000 — once off grant	€92,600 €4,500 — once off grant
Athy CDP – set up in 1999	€86,728 €3,500 — scholarship Grant	€97,400 €2,770 — scholarship Grant	€101,300 €2,400 — scholarship Grant	€105,400 €4,000 — once off grant	€111,200 €5,500 — once off grant
North West Kildare Allenwood, Naas — set up in 2005				€60,000 €10,270 — start up Grant	€78,830 €4,000 — once off grant

This Department, through its Community Services Programme (CSP) which is administered by POBAL, currently funds 5 Projects in Co. Kildare and expenditure in 2006 is expected to be €565,858. This Programme transferred from Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment on 1st January 2006. It was previously called the Social Economy Programme and was administered by FÁS.

Community Services Projects in Co. Kildare
Group Name	Annual Budget 2006
	€
Ar an Uisce Enterprise	150,788
Centre for Performing Arts	56,747
Larkwood Products Ltd	140,339
Lullymore Heritage Park	150,788
Naas Sports Group Ltd	67,196

In addition this Department provides annual funding of €50,000 to Kildare Volunteer Bureau to employ a full-time Development Worker. This funding is in place since 2005.

Expenditure in the 5 year period to end Sept 2006 on the LEADER Programmes in Kildare has amounted to €3,860,869: comprising €3,146,913 for LEADER + and €713,956 for the Area Based Rural Development Initiative, to the end of September 2006. Details on individual projects are available from the organisation delivering the Programmes in the county, Kildare European LEADER Teo.

Funding provided to Kildare Farm Relief Services over the past 5 years
Year	€
2002	2,189
2003	0
2004	0
2005	424
2006	0

Decisions on the disbursements of funds from dormant accounts under the initial round of funding were a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. Under this round, the Board approved 521 projects for funding totalling over €60 million. Details of these allocations are included in Appendix A of the Board's 2005 Annual Report, copies of which were laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 31st August 2006 and subsequently circulated to all Oireachtas members on 8th September 2006. 12 of the projects approved by the Board, involving the allocation of €2.7 million, are based in Co. Kildare. A breakdown of the approved projects in Co. Kildare is provided in the table.

Following the enactment of the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005, the Government approved a series of funding measures providing for the allocation of a further €60 million from the Fund in 2006. These measures are being rolled-out on a phased basis as the operational arrangements are finalised. To date in 2006, details of the specific projects approved in respect of the first €13.4 million of this 2006 allocation have been announced. These allocations are in respect of funding for priority projects in RAPID areas (€11.35 million), supports for vulnerable immigrants (€574,989), projects supporting suicide prevention (€999,889) and also measures providing support for prisoners/ex-prisoners (€502,722.00). Included in these allocations was one project in Athy, Co. Kildare, which was approved for a grant of €200,000 (details in the table).

It is anticipated that Government will make further decisions in relation to a number of other measures over the coming months as roll-out continues with regard to the 2006 round of funding.

Dormant Accounts Round 1 Funding (Co. Kildare)
Group/Organisation	Grant Approved
	€
KARE, Co. Kildare	194,000
Hospitaller Order of St John of God, Celbridge, Co. Kildare	167,336
Board of Management, Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy, Co. Kildare	41,000
Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, Co. Kildare	300,000
Kildare Youth Services (Curragh Youth Project)	81,226
Camphill Communities of Ireland, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare	360,000
Athy Youth Project, Co. Kildare	58,775
Athy Travellers’ Club, Co. Kildare	50,420
Athy Town Council	70,838
ASSET, Athy, Co. Kildare	100,000
Cheshire Ireland, Newbridge, Co. Kildare	1,272,273.00
Dyspraxia Association of Ireland	50,500.00
Overall Total	2,746,368.00

Dormant Accounts 2006 Round — Funding to RAPID Projects, Co. Kildare
Group/Organisation	Purpose of Grant	Grant Approved
		€
Athy Town Council	Refurbishment works to provide Youth Café	200,000.00

RAPID Leverage Fund (Kildare-Athy RAPID Area Allocations)
Scheme	2004 Allocation	2005 Allocation	2006 to date
		€	€
Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement	20,000	45,000 (2005/06 scheme)	Continuation of previous scheme
RAPID Playgrounds	30,000	30,000	Not yet allocated
Sports Capital Top-ups*	90,600	63,600	52,500
Traffic Measures	No Scheme	22,500	45,000
Health Sector Co-fund	No Scheme	38,500	Continuation of previous scheme
Community Based CCTV	No Scheme	35,726	Continuation of previous scheme
Total	140,600	235,326	97,500

*The Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs tops up the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism allocation.

The RAPID Leverage Fund was initiated in 2004. The above figures represent this Departments allocation to the Athy RAPID area. The Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement, Playground, Traffic Measures and Health Sector Co-fund schemes receive matching funding from other Departments. Under the RAPID Programme, the Athy Area Implementation Team (AIT) received support budget funding. Total allocation under the support and communications budget:

Year	€
2002	14,500
2003	9,600
2004	9,200
2005	12,500
2006	12,500

The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) provides a series of Measures, funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, that are designed to tackle social exclusion, deliver a more sustainable economy, improve employment prospects and balance regional development. These Measures are particularly targeted at the areas of greatest need throughout the country. Funding under LDSIP has been provided to both Oak Partnership (Oak Partnership provides services which are roughly evenly split between Kildare and Offaly) and Action South Kildare (The Kildare Community Partnership) in each of the past five years. Details are as follows:

OAK Partnership
Year	LDSIP Funding
	€
2006	717,662 (to date)
2005	779,920
2004	706,742
2003	743,940
2002	886,730

Action South Kildare (The Kildare Community Partnership)
Year	LDSIP Funding
	€
2006	549,066 (to date)
2005	638,294
2004	586,945
2003	651,977
2002	672,195

Funding Scheme to Support the Role of Federations, Networks and Umbrella Bodies in the Community and Voluntary Sector.
Name of Organisation	Address	2003 funding	2004 funding	2005 funding	2006 funding
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Services	Maynooth, Co. Kildare	23,500	47,000	47,000	23.500
Breaking Through Limited	Leixlip, Co. Kildare	23,500	66,000	66,000	33,000
National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education	Prosperous, Co. Kildare	36,500	73,000	36,500	73,000

The Cohesion Process has the aim of streamlining local and community development agencies throughout the country. Details of cohesion funding provided in Kildare since the inception of fund in 2004 are in the table.

Year	Amount	Purpose
	€
2004	76,500	Shared administration supports, integrated services to unemployed and volunteering
2005	50,000	Joint venture with NUI Maynooth Student Services, Volunteering with active and early retired, Volunteering and active citizenship programmes for Ethnic minorities and non-nationals.
2006	382,000	Integration and alignment of three companies €120,000
		Expansion of the LDSIP programme €52,500
		Youth Education initiative €75,000
		Kildare Farming €30,000
		County Research and Statistics €19,500
		Kildare Traveller Network €50,000
		KNIT Intercultural Project €35,000

The Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP) encourages and assists local support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding is provided by way of grant aid to voluntary groups and organisations, which identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.

Funding awarded to various groups in County Kildare
Year	CSOP	Programme of Grants to Locally based community and voluntary — Once-Off
	€	€
2002	51,269.00	N/A
2003	54,240.00	36,545.00
2004	86,838.50	137,825.00
2005	24,065.00	146,641.00

The following payments have been made from the Rural Social Scheme to Kildare European LEADER II Teo. for the administration of the scheme in the County:

Year	€
2004	3,000
2005	10,242
2006	37,672.54

National Drugs Strategy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and value of applicants for funding currently before his Department from groups involved in the fight against and the provision of drug rehabilitation courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/06]

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

Since 1997, across the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas, over 440 community-based projects have been established with funding in the region of €122m provided. These projects, some of which have been mainstreamed to other Departments and Agencies in the interim, employ more than 300 people. In the current year, 361 projects, including those under the Emerging Needs Fund, are receiving interim funding totalling €20.2m from my Department. Of these, 174 projects deal with the issues of treatment and rehabilitation. I allocated €5m in 2006 to the ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) to facilitate the commencement of the implementation of their action plans. The National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST) has been working closely with the RDTFs to get their programmes up and running as speedily as possible. A total of 59 projects proposed by the RDTFs deal with treatment and rehabilitation and are currently at various stages of development.

Projects normally originate at Drugs Task Force level and are submitted to the National Drugs Strategy Team. Following consideration by the NDST recommendations for funding of some projects are made to my Department. No applications for funding of rehabilitation initiatives, or courses associated with rehabilitation, are currently with the Department.

Question No. 194 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Rural Development.

Bernard J. Durkan

As the Deputy will be aware my Department was established on 6 June 2002 to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities, both urban and rural, thereby fostering better regional balance and alleviating disadvantage.

My Department has responsibility for a wide range of programmes covering community and local development, drugs, volunteering, Gaeltacht, Irish language and rural development. Many of these measures, individually and collectively, focus on communities, particularly those that are vulnerable or under threat. Those communities may be in rural or inner city settings, grappling with difficulties caused by a range of factors, including declining populations, unemployment, language issues, social disadvantage or drug misuse. As well as communities that can be defined in terms of geographic location, the Department also supports communities that are defined on the basis of a common focus on a particular issue. My Department operates a number of National schemes such as the Community Services Programme, Local Development Programme, Dormant Accounts Fund and Community Development Programme which provide significant resources to both urban and rural communities.

The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) provides a series of Measures, funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, that are designed to tackle social exclusion, deliver a more sustainable economy, improve employment prospects and balance regional development. These Measures are particularly targeted at the areas of greatest need throughout the country. The LDSIP aims to empower communities in these areas to tackle disadvantage and to have a fresh start.

The LDSIP seeks to improve the quality of life for all members of our communities but specifically targets the following Groups:

The long-term unemployed

Disadvantaged women

Disadvantaged young people

Travellers

Disabled People

Older people

Homeless people

Ex-prisoners

Low-income farm Households

Ethnic Minorities

Substance Mis-users

Lone Parents

The underemployed

Young people at risk

Disadvantaged communities living in isolated rural areas or deprived urban areas.

Pobal administers the LDSIP on behalf of my Department. The LDSIP is delivered by 38 Partnerships, 31 Community Partnerships and 2 Employment Pacts, which are not-for-profit private companies focusing on combating disadvantage and social exclusion in their areas. It is intended to extend the scope of the LDSIP to provide full national coverage under the programme for 2007. Further developments in relation to the programme are dependent on the finalisation of the next NDP.

In regard to the Community Services Programme, the Partnership Agreement, "Towards 2016" commits the government to providing an additional €30m over the next three years to the CSP. This will increase the annual budget from €42m to €72m by 2009. Applications for extra funding in 2006/7 have been assessed and 125 successful projects have been notified.

Funding is available directly from my Department for RAPID areas under the RAPID Leverage schemes, which I introduced in 2004. These schemes cover Local Authority Housing Estate Enhancement, provision of Playgrounds, improved Traffic Measures, locally based Health projects, Justice projects (including Community Based CCTV) and Sports Capital Programme Top Up. I have already announced schemes in all these areas to cover 2006, 2007 and indeed some schemes extend into 2008. I am constantly reviewing the needs and views of the RAPID areas and communities and will consider expanding the remit of the current schemes when and if the need arises.

The Community Development Programme was established in 1990 in recognition of the role of community development in tackling the causes and effects of poverty and disadvantage. The Programme is designed to reduce social exclusion by targeting support at disadvantaged and socially excluded communities in order to improve their capacity to benefit from social and economic development. The Programme is not a grant scheme as projects are funded on a contract basis, and only projects within the Programme are funded. 182 projects, located in recognised disadvantaged urban and rural areas nationwide, are currently supported under the Programme. In keeping with the bottom-up ethos of the Programme, volunteers drawn from the local community manage these projects. Typically, a project will be core-funded to support two staff members and the cost of administration and overheads of a resource premises. Once-off grants are also available, covering minor maintenance of premises, purchase of office equipment and selected programme activities.

Some €24 million has been allocated to the Programme in 2006. This will bring funding to approximately €148m under the Programme through the current National Development Plan since the foundation of the Department in 2002. Funded projects are expected to:

have an anti-poverty focus and promote the participation of people experiencing poverty and exclusion at all levels of the project

act as a resource within the communities of which they are a part

be managed by local voluntary management committees made up predominantly of people from the local area/target groups who themselves have experience of disadvantage and social exclusion

promote co-ordination and co-operation between community, voluntary and statutory groups in their areas.

Reports from the Projects indicate that some 30,000 people use the services and resources of their local CDP on an annual basis with 15,000 of these participating in CDP based training and education courses. CDPs also provide resources/facilities for over 700 local community organisations. These include groups representing lone parents, people with disabilities, the elderly, youth groups, childcare groups and other miscellaneous groups working with disadvantaged communities.

The Community Development Programme 2000-2006 expires at the end of December 2006 in line with the current National Development Plan (NDP) and all such programmes. My Department is currently framing a successor programme to support Community Development Projects under a new NDP to cover the period 2007 to 2013. The development of a new programme must ensure that actions undertaken by Projects and funded by the Exchequer should be fully consistent with the strategic framework agreed for the NDP. The new partnership agreement, Towards 2016; the recent National Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion (NSSPI), submitted to the EU in September of this year; the forthcoming National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAP inclusion); and the NDP (2007-2013) will provide an extensive strategic framework to create more coherent and integrated structures.

Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are for the purpose of assisting three broad categories of persons — those who are economically or socially disadvantaged; those who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability. In accordance with the Dormant Accounts Board's Disbursement Plan, allocations from the Fund are targeted in particular at those areas designated as most disadvantaged (i.e. RAPID, CLÁR and Local Drugs Task Force areas). In this regard, €11.35 million was approved in July 2006 to support 188 priority projects in RAPID areas.

Grant Payments.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

198 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment under the single payment scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [37102/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person named has been fully paid under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme which included an allocation of entitlements from the National Reserve. In order to reflect this allocation the Single Payment Entitlements position required to be updated for the 2006 Scheme year. This process is now underway and this case will be selected for 50% advance payment of the 2006 Single Payment Scheme shortly.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

199 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures that she has taken to reduce the number of complaints received by the Ombudsman in relation to the single farm payment scheme. [37103/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I am committed to providing farmers with the most timely, efficient and courteous service possible. The actions of my Department in this context are guided by the Quality Customer Service Principles set by the Government. These principles are enshrined in my Department's Customer Service Action Plan. The Single Payment Scheme was successfully introduced in 2005. Among the steps taken by my Department to provide a quality customer service and thereby achieve a high level of customer satisfaction were:

The provision of comprehensive information to farmers in a user-friendly format. This included the publication of a series of Information Booklets, conducting farmer information meetings throughout the country, the use of pre-printed application forms, the issuing of statements of entitlements to every farmer showing how his/her single farm payment was calculated, the use of Lo-Call Helpline telephone numbers

Widespread consultation with the farmers' representative organizations

The setting of real and achievable targets for making payments

Monitoring the performance against the achievement of these targets

Ensuring that appropriate Appeals Procedures were maintained

Ensuring that a Customer Complaints Procedure was maintained.

International Agreements.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

200 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the preparations she has made to adopt the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37199/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of animals kept for farming purposes only and it does not extend to animals kept as pets. I understand that the matters relating to ratification of Council of Europe Conventions and the responsibility of Departments in that regard are still under consideration.

Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

201 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the outcome of a REPS appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37201/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

This appeal was received in the Agriculture Appeals Office on 23rd August 2006, assigned to an Appeals Officer on 15th September 2006 and the Appeals Officer issued a decision on 20th October 2006 to disallow the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive, except in the following circumstances,

An Appeals Officer may change a decision where there is new evidence, new facts or a relevant change in circumstances. The Appeals Officer considers that no new evidence has been provided that would warrant a change in the decision.

The Director of Agriculture Appeals may revise a decision where there has been a mistake made in relation to the law or the facts of the case. The Director has reviewed the file and is satisfied that there are no grounds for revising the decision of the Appeals Officer.

If the appellant feels he has been unfairly treated by this office he may contact the Office Of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

The person concerned has submitted an application under the current Installation Aid Scheme which applies to eligible farmers set up for the first time in farming on or before 31 December 2006. His application will therefore be considered in accordance with the terms of that Scheme. The measures to be applied in Ireland as part of the 2007-2013 EU Rural Development Round are under consideration at present.

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

205 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the amount of moneys owing to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the single farm payment will be granted; the amount due; and the reason for the delay. [37232/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person named had leased entitlements in 2005 (a one year lease). In order for his 2006 Single Payment Scheme application to be processed, this 1-year Private Contract clause had to be reversed. This has now been carried out and it is expected that a 50% advance payment in the amount of €11,718 will issue to the person named shortly.

Organic Farming.

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

206 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to develop the organic food production sector here, which currently lags behind all our EU counterparts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37233/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

While the organic sector in Ireland is small by European standards, it is growing. The total area in conversion or with full organic status rose by nearly 5,000 hectares to over 35,000 hectares in 2005, an increase of some 15% on 2004. That figure has increased by a further 1,500 hectares so far this year.

My Department already provides substantial financial supports for organic producers, through the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Scheme of Grant Aid for the development of the organic sector. Since REPS began in 1994, it has delivered some €37 million to the sector. The new Rural Development Programme for the period 2007-2013 will build on the success of REPS by including measures designed particularly to encourage development in the organic tillage and horticulture areas. It is proposed, for example, to allow organic farmers to obtain organic support payments without having to be in the REP Scheme.

Lack of technical expertise has been recognised as a barrier to progress in both the organic tillage and horticultural areas. To address this information deficit, my Department, in conjunction with Teagasc, arranged this year to bring in two specialist agronomists, on a pilot basis, from the UK. Through farm visits and workshops, they shared their experiences with producers and this has been of immense value.

Another successful initiative has been the demonstration farm programme. It continued during 2006 and a total of 13 farms were used throughout the country to promote organic farming systems. My Department will continue to expand and improve this programme which is a major instrument in encouraging conventional growers to switch to organic.

Substantial progress has also been made on the implementation of the recommendations in the Organic Development Committee report, published in 2002. The three additional structures recommended are now into their second three-year terms. The National Steering Group advises me on all policy issues relating to the sector. The Steering Group is supported by two sub-Groups, the Partnership Expert Working Group and the Organic Market Development Group. The Partnership Expert Working Group is responsible for training, education, advice and research. The Organic Market Development Group has overall responsibility for developing a national marketing strategy for organic food.

The development at production level cannot happen in isolation. It needs a market to support it. The most recent initiative in this regard is the three-year Organic Marketing Plan, produced by Bord Bia in consultation with the Organic Market Development Group. The objective of the plan, for which my Department has allocated funding, is to develop the organic sector in Ireland for existing suppliers and new entrants.

Animal Diseases.

John Perry

Ceist:

207 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the herd of a person (details supplied) will be deemed clear following the herd test on 7 November 2006; if she will ensure that all the restrictions are released as they will then have two clear herd tests free of diseases as they do not have adequate housing of foodstuff for the extra animals in their herd and financially cannot the afford the extra costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37271/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

EU Directive 64/432/EEC provides that, where an animal reacts positively to a TB test, two clear reactor re-tests at 2 month intervals are required before the Officially TB-free status of the holding can be restored. The Directive does, however, provide for a derogation from the second test provided certain conditions are fulfilled. This derogation is catered for under the Department's singleton policy which, among other things, provides that glands removed from the reactor must not show any visible lesions following laboratory analysis.

The herd in question was restricted following disclosure of an inconclusive animal on 25 May 2006. The inconclusive animal was retested on 25 August 2006 and deemed a reactor. On 14 September 2006, the reactor was slaughtered and the glands were sent to the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) for histopathological examination. The remainder of the herd was tested on 16 September following the removal of the reactor animal. This test was clear. However, the report from the CVRL indicated that visible lesions were detected in the glands of the reactor animal. In view of this, the herd does not qualify for the singleton derogation referred to above. Accordingly, two reactor retests will be required before the herd can be derestricted. The first reactor re-test will be completed on 10 November 2006. The second reactor re-test will be scheduled for the first week in January 2007. If the two tests are clear, the holding will be de-restricted and the cattle passports will be returned to the person concerned.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

208 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will extend the closing date for submission of applications for grants for agricultural buildings beyond 31 December 2006 as, due to objections to planning permission, some applicants may be penalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37291/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

A revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was introduced by my Department in March 2006 in order to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive. As the Scheme forms part of the current EU Rural Development Round, it must close for new applications at the end of this year.

However, I am aware that some farmers are experiencing delays in preparing planning applications, particularly in regard to the preparation of drawings. I have, therefore, recently announced that my Department is prepared to receive applications up to 31 December 2006 when accompanied by written confirmation by the agricultural planner that it is intended to lodge a planning application on the farmer's behalf. The planner will be required to lodge with the Department by 31 March 2007 both written confirmation that such a planning application has been lodged and also a copy of the set of drawings which accompanied the planning application. Farmers can, therefore, submit an application to the Department under the Scheme before any application for planning permission has been made to the relevant local authority. Before final consideration of the application can take place, full and final planning permission, including conditions, will, of course, be received. All applications which do not require planning permission must be lodged in full by 31 December 2006.

I am satisfied that this additional flexibility should provide every interested farmer with an opportunity to submit an application before year-end under this most attractive grant Scheme.

Farm Waste Management.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

209 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) will be approved for construction by her Department under the farm waste management grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37345/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department has no record of having received an application from the person named for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme.

Third Level Education.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

210 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if the graduate entry medical training scheme will commence in the next academic year. [37225/06]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

211 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if the graduate entry doctor training scheme will be subsidised; and the extent to which it will be subsidised. [37226/06]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

212 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the anticipated cost per annum to students entering the planned graduate entry doctor training scheme. [37227/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 212, inclusive, together.

On the 1 February 2006 the Minister for Health and Children and I published the report of the Fottrell Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training. Among the recommendations of the Fottrell Group was that a graduate stream of entry to medicine be introduced and that all graduates of honours Bachelor degree programmes should be eligible to apply.

It is anticipated that the Higher Education Authority will shortly issue a competitive call for proposals to provide the new graduate entry programme, with a view to additional places being provided on this programme from 2007.

It has been decided that graduate entry will be open to graduates of all disciplines. The provision of a graduate entry stream is an important development in reducing pressures on aspiring medical students who until now have effectively had one chance of entry, based on their Leaving Certificate performance. This will allow students to make a decision to enter medicine at a more mature age and should result in a more diverse range of entrants into the profession.

Children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas are getting more support than ever before to help them to make the most of their time at school. Indeed, with the thousands of extra primary teachers hired by this Government, recent years have seen the largest expansion in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education. Furthermore, the Government is committed to providing even more primary teachers next year to reduce class sizes.

As you know all primary schools are staffed on a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Of course, schools with only one or two teachers have much lower staffing ratios than that – with two teachers for just 12 pupils in some cases and so on — but the general rule is that there is at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children in the school. Next year (2007/2008 school year) this is being reduced to 27 children per classroom teacher.

A further initiative that has been of direct benefit to primary schools has been the change in the criteria for developing schools. For the current school year the threshold for getting a developing school post was reduced specifically to help schools that are seeing large increases in enrolments each year. Over 280 such posts were sanctioned in the 2006/07 school year, compared to 170 in 2005/06.

This Government has shown a clear determination to improve the staffing in our schools and we will continue to prioritise this issue going forward.

Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

242 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make arrangements that persons who are employed as special needs assistants can receive increments in respect of previous service within administrative grades of the public service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37175/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department has agreed the terms of the recently published scheme for the award of incremental credit to Special Needs Assistants. The scheme was agreed following discussions between my Department, the Department of Finance and the Unions concerned.

The purpose of the scheme is to reflect in the remuneration of a Special Needs Assistant the value of previous experience relevant to the current work.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

243 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements that are made for providing additional teachers when a school experiences a significant rise in the intake in the infant class which is not reflected in the previous year's enrolment figures used for calculating the pupil teacher ratio; and the procedure for appealing for additional teaching resources. [37176/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Within the terms of the current staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year.

A developing school is defined as a school where the enrolment on 30 September of one year is projected to exceed the enrolment on 30 September of the previous year by a minimum numerical increase of 25 pupils and by having an excess of 5 pupils above the required appointment figure.

In the case of such schools, an additional permanent post(s) may be sanctioned provisionally pending the confirmation of the valid enrolment on 30 September of the school year in question. In the event of the appropriate enrolment figure not being achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.

Application(s) for an additional post(s) under developing school criteria must be submitted on or before a date in October of the school year in question. In the current school year, the date was the 10th October, 2006.

The above criteria are set out in Primary Circular 0023/2006 which is available on my Department website www.education.ie.

Over 280 such posts were sanctioned in the 2006/07 school year, compared to 170 in 2005/06.

School Curriculum.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

244 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding resources that are available or can be applied for to help cover the operating costs of music programmes in primary schools, including but not limited to music teachers’ fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37177/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department does not have a specific funding provision in respect of the operating costs of music programmes in primary schools. However, arts education, which incorporates music, is one of the seven curriculum areas that comprise the primary curriculum, (revised in 1999). Primary Teachers, as a result of their teacher training, are qualified to teach music and other areas of the curriculum and are paid by my Department.

Further support for the provision of music as part of the curriculum is also provided by way of the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP). This programme provides professional development support to teachers to assist them in implementing the curriculum. The PCSP is engaged in a wide range of support activities, including organising seminars for teachers, visiting schools and providing tailored support for individual schools and clusters of schools. I am however aware that some schools choose to bring in specialist music teachers from outside their school to provide music tuition and may fund this practice by way of voluntary contributions from parents. Voluntary contributions in recognised primary schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.

Physical Education Facilities.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

245 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made by her in providing for the development of a sports hall for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if her attention has been drawn to the large number of pupils at this school and of the pressing needs for additional accommodation to facilitate sports facilities for male and female students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37182/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The proposed PE Hall project for the school referred to by the deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. This project was one that I announced in May of this year to go to tender and construction.

The Design Team's response to my official's queries on the Stage 1 submission (site suitability, briefing and site report) has been recently received in my Department.

A planning and development meeting has been arranged with the School Authorities and the School's Design Team for the 10th November in order to evaluate this documentation. It is envisaged that unless there are very exceptional circumstances involved, the meeting will be sufficient to authorise the project to progress to the next stage of architectural planning.

Questions Nos. 246 to 258, inclusive, answered with Question No. 241.

Schools Building Projects.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

259 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will acquire the further 1.5 acres reserved for primary school development at Littlepace, Castaheany; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that only part of the reserve site was acquired by her Department and is currently hosting three schools; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the existing site (details supplied) is grossly overcrowded and is to be significantly extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37204/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas are getting more support than ever before to help them to make the most of their time at school. Indeed, with the thousands of extra primary teachers hired by this Government, recent years have seen the largest expansion in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education. Furthermore, the Government is committed to providing even more primary teachers next year to reduce class sizes.

As the Deputy may know all primary schools are staffed on a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Of course, schools with only one or two teachers have much lower staffing ratios than that — with two teachers for just 12 pupils in some cases and so on — but the general rule is that there is at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children in the school. Next year (2007/2008 school year) this is being reduced to 27 children per classroom teacher.

A further initiative that has been of direct benefit to primary schools has been the change in the criteria for developing schools. For the current school year the threshold for getting a developing school post was reduced specifically to help schools that are seeing large increases in enrolments each year. Over 280 such posts were sanctioned in the 2006/07 school year, compared to 170 in 2005/06.

This Government has shown a clear determination to improve the staffing in our schools and we will continue to prioritise this issue going forward.

Special Educational Needs.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

263 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve the appointment of a special needs assistant for a pupil (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37237/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Special need assistant (SNA) support is provided specifically to address the care needs of pupils with special educational needs. The nature and level of support provided is based on the assessed needs of the individual child having regard to the criteria set out in my Department's circulars.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs (SEN) supports from primary and post primary schools. The teaching and SNA support allocated are intended to enable schools to meet the needs of pupils as outlined in psychological and other professional reports. In allocating SEN supports for individual pupils, the SENOs examine the teaching and other resources available within the individual schools.

The NCSE has advised that on 27th July, 2005, the SENO allocated access to SNA support as required to the pupil in question. This support was to be provided by an SNA already in the school who was caring primarily for another pupil. A further application for SNA support was received by the SENO for another child enrolling in junior infants in the school in September, 2006. The SENO determined that the SNA allocated to the school can cater for the needs all three pupils, as required. The SENO has not received any further correspondence from the school concerning the pupil in question and SNA support has not been withdrawn.

Schools Building Projects.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

264 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37238/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The School Planning Section of my Department is in receipt of an application for the Small Schools Scheme 2007 from the school referred to by the Deputy. The closing date for this devolved scheme was 27 October 2006. The application will be assessed by my officials and publication of the list of successful applicants for the scheme will be published as soon as possible.

Higher Education Grants.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

265 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person who suffers from a disability or illness which requires supervision, for example epilepsy, but fulfils all other criteria for eligibility for a higher education grant as an independent mature student, is ineligible on the basis of their disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37274/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students which are administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. Generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses at undergraduate or postgraduate level for the first time are eligible for maintenance grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means and nationality.

The Higher Education Grant Schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. The Acts make special provision for the assessment of means in the case of mature students. Under the terms of the Higher Education Grants Scheme, mature students are categorised as either independent mature students or mature students dependent on parents. An independent mature student is defined to mean a mature student who was not ordinarily resident at home with his or her parents from the October preceding their entry to an approved course.

Independent mature students are deemed to be self-supporting and are assessed without reference to either their parents' income or address. The statutory definition of a mature student is a person of not less than 23 years of age who has reached that age on the 1st day of January in the year of entry to an approved course.

Eligibility for assistance under each of the four schemes is determined with reference to age, nationality, income, residency and previous academic attainment. A student's personal circumstances, i.e. a disability, do not influence a decision on eligibility for grant assistance under the student grant schemes. The other schemes of student support for third level students have similar provisions.

Apart from the funding provided through the student maintenance grant schemes support is also available to students with disabilities through the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Grants are provided for students who have serious sensory, physical and/or communicative disabilities. The purpose of the scheme is to provide the students in question with assistance and/or equipment to enable them to enter, partake-in and complete their course of study.

Students are advised to contact the Disability Officer in their institution to discuss their particular disability and the equipment or services required.

Schools Building Projects.

James Breen

Ceist:

266 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science when the application for approval to extend a school (details supplied) in County Clare will be approved by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37275/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The School Planning Section of my Department is in receipt of an application for the Small Schools Scheme 2007 from the school referred to by the Deputy. The closing date for this devolved scheme was 27 October 2006. The application will be assessed by my officials and publication of the list of successful applicants for the scheme will be published as soon as possible.

Departmental Funding.

John Deasy

Ceist:

267 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the categories of funding, other than per capita grants, available to fee paying schools from her Department; the amount of such funding under each category paid in respect of fee paying schools by her Department in each of the past five years; the number of fee paying schools that benefited from such funding in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37333/06]

John Deasy

Ceist:

268 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the categories of funding, other than per capita grants, available to non-fee paying schools from her Department; the amount of such funding under each category paid in respect of non-fee paying schools by her Department in each of the past five years; the number of non-fee paying schools that benefited from such funding in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37334/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and would require an inordinate amount of staff time to assemble. The Deputy will appreciate that my Department provides aid to all recognised schools under a variety of headings, eg., teachers salaries, transition year support grant, secretarial and caretaking grants, supervision and substitution, capital funding etc.

There are 59 fee-charging second level schools in the country; of which one is Jewish, 21 Protestant, 2 inter-denominational and the balance Catholic. These schools, with the exception of the special arrangements that apply in respect of the Protestant and Jewish schools, do not receive capitation or related supports. The Protestant and Jewish schools receive funding mainly by way of a Block grant, which has its origins in the desire of the State to enable pupils of the Protestant and Jewish persuasion to attend schools, which reflect their denominational ethos.

In the case of Protestant schools, the grant is paid to the Protestant Secondary Education Committee who make grants to needier Protestant children to enable them to attend school. A similar arrangement is applied in the case of the Jewish school. Such schools also receive funding, other than the per capita grant, towards support services such as secretarial and caretaking and miscellaneous grants. Fee charging schools not embraced by the Block grant do not qualify for payment of capitation supports.

School building projects, whether for fee-charging schools or schools in the free education scheme, are selected for inclusion in the Schools' Building and Modernisation Programme on the basis of priority of need using published criteria. Considerations of State support for minority religions has been an important factor in the provision of funding for such schools, given that much of the fee-paying sector has traditionally been made up of Protestant schools and those with a minority religious ethos.

The amount of capital funding given to fee-paying schools has been extremely small in recent years. For example, in the period 1999-2004, the total amount of capital funding given to fee-paying schools represented just 1.6% of total second level capital expenditure. Non fee charging schools are of course entitled to claim from the wide range of financial supports made available by my Department.

Second Level Schools.

John Deasy

Ceist:

269 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of voluntary secondary schools that existed in each year since 2001; and the number of pupils enrolled in voluntary secondary schools in each year since 2001. [37335/06]

John Deasy

Ceist:

270 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of vocational secondary schools that existed in each year since 2001; and the number of pupils enrolled in vocational secondary schools in each year since 2001. [37336/06]

John Deasy

Ceist:

271 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of community or comprehensive secondary schools that existed in each year since 2001; and the number of pupils enrolled in community or comprehensive secondary schools in each year since 2001. [37337/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 to 271, inclusive, together.

Details of the number of schools and pupil enrolments in each sector, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the table. The Deputy should note that the pupil numbers include those availing of Post Leaving Certificate courses.

My Department publishes data on the number of schools in each of the sector together with overall enrolment totals in its annual Statistical Report. Although the report for the 2005/06 school year is still in preparation, I have provided the figures for that school year on a provisional basis to the Deputy.

The number of Post-Primary Schools with pupil enrolment for the years 2001-2005
School year	Number of Secondary Schools	Enrolment
2001/2002	416	192,436
2002/2003	410	189,093
2003/2004	406	187,563
2004/2005	403	185,026
2005/2006	398	183,766

School year	Number of Vocational Schools	Enrolment
2001/2002	247	96,467
2002/2003	247	98,233
2003/2004	247	98,134
2004/2005	247	97,693
2005/2006	247	96,903

School year	Number of Community & Comprehensive Schools	Enrolment
2001/2002	87	51,175
2002/2003	89	51,905
2003/2004	90	52,154
2004/2005	92	52,443
2005/2006	90	51,738

Departmental Funding.

John Deasy

Ceist:

272 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the non-pay funding awarded by her Department in respect of voluntary secondary schools in each year since 2001. [37338/06]

John Deasy

Ceist:

273 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the non-pay funding awarded by her Department in respect of vocational secondary schools in each year since 2001. [37339/06]

John Deasy

Ceist:

274 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the non-pay funding awarded by her Department in respect of community or comprehensive secondary schools in each year since 2001. [37340/06]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 274, inclusive, together.

Details of non-pay funding, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the table.

The funding arrangements made by my Department for voluntary secondary, comprehensive & community and VEC schools and colleges reflect the different management and ownership arrangements that apply to schools at second level. Voluntary secondary schools, in the Free Education scheme, which are privately owned and managed, are funded by way of per capita grants.

Community and Comprehensive schools are funded on a budget basis, that is based mainly on pupil numbers, but also take into account additional factors which vary from school to school such as disadvantaged status, age of buildings, size of school etc. Financial allocations for Vocational schools and Community colleges are made to the VECs as part of a block grant which also covers the VEC head-office overheads and other activities apart from the second-level programme.

At the core of all arrangements is a reliance upon capitation as the principle determinant of funding. All schools submit a return of pupil enrolments based on the number attending as at 30th September each year. Schools have considerable discretion as to how this funding is best utilised in the interests of pupils.

In the case of VECs, the Department does not earmark funding allocations for individual schools or for the various activities of VECs. The way in which such allocations are distributed among schools is a matter for each committee in line with their priorities and perceptions of need. As VECs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of their budgets, the extent of information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile.

Major improvements have been made in the funding of our second level schools in recent years and I will continue to prioritise this area. For example, the standard per capita grant for secondary schools has increased from €256 per pupil in 2001 to €298 per pupil from January, 2006. A new support services grant was also introduced in 2000. This amounted to some €25 per pupil when it was introduced, but has increased to the point that it now amounts to €159 per pupil in 2006. Budget allocations for the C&C and VEC sectors also benefited on a pro rata basis with increases in the standard per capita grants.

Non Pay funding for VECs, Comprehensive & Community (C&C) and Secondary schools for the period 2001 to 2005.
Year	Secondary Schools	C&C Schools	VECs
€m	€m	€m	€m
2001	71.5	16.6	41.0
2002	54.6	21.1	44.8
2003	102.3	22.5	45.5
2004	85.6	22.6	44.7
2005	66.0	24.9	51.6

* Annual allocations to secondary schools may vary depending on the date of issue of per capita grants (2nd instalment).

In 2001, 2003 and 2004, the 2nd per capita grant instalment that would normally be paid in the following January was brought forward and paid to schools in December of those years. While payment dates may differ, my Department's provision for non-pay funding to schools has increased every school year since 2000/01.

Animal Welfare.

John Deasy

Ceist:

275 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will exempt registered packs of hounds from the regulations being proposed to control so called puppy farms; his views on whether registered packs of hounds are already stringently regulated by their governing bodies; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the breeding of hounds by the owners of registered packs is not carried out for commercial gain but only to provide replacements for older hounds in the pack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37118/06]

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 also provides that, in certain circumstances, third parties adversely affected by a landlord's failure to enforce the obligations of a tenant under a tenancy can make a complaint to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).

I recently announced a comprehensive Action Programme to promote improvement in standards of private rented accommodation. An important element of the Programme will be the updating of the existing standards regulations in consultation with local authorities, the (PRTB) and other relevant interests.

A key objective of the Action Programme is to achieve more effective enforcement of the regulations. Local authorities have been asked to prioritise action to improve enforcement through a planned and strategic approach and increased funding is being provided to them for this purpose. Around €1.6m was provided in 2005 and this is being increased to around €2m for 2006.

As part of the Action Programme, the Centre for Housing Research is also carrying out a study of measures to promote improvement in private rented accommodation standards, including good practice guidelines to assist local authorities in their functions relating to the private rented sector.

In relation to noise, section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 empowers local authorities to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise. In addition section 108 provides that, in certain circumstances, a person may take court proceedings in relation to noise.

Local Authority Housing.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

278 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to modify or improve the tenant purchase scheme for local authority tenants in view of the current valuation of houses, particularly in the greater Dublin area. [37215/06]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

All aspects of the tenant purchase scheme are currently under review in accordance with the Government's commitment in the housing policy framework — Building Sustainable Communities, announced in December 2005. Details of the revised scheme will be announced over the coming months.

Recycling Policy.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

279 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make funding available to Kilkenny County Council under the farm plastic recycling scheme where statistics show the need for this scheme to be rolled out to Kilkenny at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37218/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

To address the issue of accumulated backlogs of farm plastic, designated facilities are being provided on a temporary, once-off basis by local authorities where farmers may deposit stockpiled farm film plastic and silage wrap. This arrangement operated on a pilot basis in the first instance in counties Galway, Clare, Mayo, Offaly and Waterford during June and July of this year. This service is free to the farmer and funding to assist the local authorities is being made available from my Department through the Environment Fund.

The collections were well supported by farmers in the counties participating in the pilot phase leading to large quantities of plastic being deposited at designated sites. A significant finding from the pilot scheme is that it is not possible to operate collections in a large number of counties at the same time due to capacity constraints on the part of recovery operators. Accordingly, it is necessary to roll out the scheme to other areas on a staggered basis. Arising from a comprehensive examination of the information available, I have recently announced that collections of waste silage / bale wrap will now be put in place by Leitrim, Roscommon, Carlow, Longford, North Tipperary and Wicklow County Councils. Announcements regarding further extensions of collections to other areas, including Kilkenny, will follow completion of collections in those counties taking part in the second phase of the scheme and a review of this second phase of the scheme.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

280 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if and when he will approve contract documents for the Kenmare water supply scheme, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37220/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

Kenmare Water Supply Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme is being examined in my Department and a decision will be conveyed to the Council shortly.

Waste Disposal.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

281 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on introducing a waiver of fees for waste collection services for senior citizens; if there are proposals within his Department for such waiver or contribution towards the cost of waste collection for the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37239/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

Waste management services have traditionally been provided at a local level, with individual arrangements being locally determined and tailored to local circumstances. The present legal framework, as determined by the Oireachtas, reflects this. In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver scheme, is a matter for the relevant local authority, where it acts as the service provider. Similarly, where a private operator provides the collection service, it is a matter for that operator to determine charges. However, my Department has asked local authorities to engage with commercial waste collectors to agree on arrangements to assist lower income households by offering alternatives to periodic lump-sum payments.

In August this year, I published a consultation paper on options for future regulation of the waste sector. Submissions were invited on whether there is a need for a regulator for the sector, if so on what model of regulator might be most appropriate and on what powers any such regulator should be given. Among the possible powers discussed in the paper is the power to impose a public service obligation so that services can be provided where they would not otherwise be economically feasible. Following consideration of the submissions received, which is currently underway, I intend to finalise further policy proposals.

Decentralisation Programme.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

282 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of archaeologists from his Department that are to be decentralised to Waterford; the number that has applied to be decentralised; the efforts being made to encourage others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37240/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I refer to the reply to Question No. 64 of 8 November 2006.

17 archaeologist posts from the Heritage and Planning Section of my Department have been identified for decentralisation to Waterford; to date 3 archaeologists have confirmed their availability to decentralise. Discussions are ongoing at a central level between the Department of Finance and the IMPACT trade union in relation to progressing outstanding issues regarding the decentralisation of professional and technical staff across the Civil Service.

Question No. 283 answered with QuestionNo. 277.

Environmental Policy.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

284 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is taking following the publication of the climate change report in London last week; his views on the widespread concerns throughout communities in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37276/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 79 and 125 of 8 November 2006.

Register of Electors.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

285 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the contacts he has had with South Dublin Council in respect of the new voting register regarding the fact that many voters who have been on the register for years have now been deleted; the advice he is offering to the council to correct this serious situation; if he will give assurances in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37277/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In April 2006, I announced a package of measures to assist local authorities in their work on preparing the 2007/8 Register. This included:

a commitment of up to €6m in new funding from the Exchequer, additional to the normal local authority spend of some €7m, to ensure a comprehensive and well resourced Register campaign;

a €1m national media campaign involving TV, radio, the print media and billboards;

new IT based arrangements so that the names of people that have died are automatically notified to local authorities for deletion from the Register;

all local authority websites to facilitate voters in checking that their names are on the register; and

a central website www.checktheregister.ie (which went live on 1 November) giving direct links to each local authority's eReg enquiry screen.

My Department also worked with a group of local authority managers and senior officials to put in place an enhanced programme for improving the 2007/2008 Register. Detailed procedures for the carrying out of registration fieldwork were finalised and issued to local authorities in early July. The procedures included provision for ensuring that each household was visited and provided with forms and information at least twice, if necessary. In the event that this process did not satisfactorily register the household, written notification would then be given cautioning of the danger of being omitted from the Register. Local authorities were also requested to cross check with other data that they might have (e.g council housing lists).

I am satisfied that local authorities have carried out the most extensive registration campaign in decades for the Draft Register 2007/8. The campaign has involved some 1,500 fieldworkers visiting some 1.2 million households; many of these were visited more than once so as to ensure a more accurate Register. While coordinated data on the initial Register campaign is still not finalised, indications are that there has been extensive activity with both significant additions to, and deletions from, the Register.

As a result the extensive activity at local level, combined with strong media-based national awareness campaign, public interest in the registration process and its fundamental importance to democratic participation is now at a very high level.

The Draft Register has now been published by each local authority. It can be checked up to 25 November in;

Council offices,

Public libraries,

Post offices,

Garda stations, and

On-line on each local authority web-site and through the central site www.checktheregister.ie.

People aged 18 and over, who are not registered, or whose details are not correctly registered, may apply to their city or county council for registration or correction as appropriate; a form for this purpose can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie. Valid registration applications will be reflected in the final Register which will be published in February 2007.

The second phase of the national awareness campaign, encouraging people to check the register, will run on national and local media until 25 November.

In relation to the period after 25 November, it will be open to eligible persons still not included on the Register to secure their registration through inclusion the Supplementary Register; applications for this purpose may be made up to 15 days before polling day.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

286 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the Skibbereen sewerage scheme; if funding has been provided for same; the amount of funding and when it is expected to start. [37278/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The Skibbereen Sewerage Scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007 at an estimated cost of €13.4 million.

I approved Cork County Council's contract documents for the collection system in June 2006 and it is a matter for the Council to advance the tender process for this element of the scheme. The wastewater treatment plant is being procured as part of a grouped project with schemes for Baltimore, Ballylickey, Dunmanway, Schull and Skibbereen. The Council's contract documents for the grouped project are being examined in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Planning Issues.

John Perry

Ceist:

287 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a derogation can be given from a local area development plan approved by a local authority for the provision of long-term nursing care and a retirement village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37354/06]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

Under sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002, the making, amending or revoking of a local area plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority.

The legislation requires a local area plan to be consistent with the objectives of the development plan and to consist of a written statement which may include objectives for the zoning of land for the use solely or primarily of particular areas for particular purposes. A local area plan may also include such other objectives in such detail as may be determined by the planning authority for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to which it applies, including detail on community facilities and amenities and on standards for the design of development and structures.

There are no specific provisions in the legislation regarding the granting of a derogation from the adopted local area plan. However, Section 18 (5) of the 2000 Act states that a planning authority may at any time amend or revoke a local area plan; a consultation and adoption process is stipulated for this purpose.

As stated above, the legislation requires that a local area plan shall be consistent with the objectives of the development plan, and section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that when a planning authority is making a decision in relation to an application it shall have regard to, inter alia, the provisions of the development plan. Where an application for development would materially contravene the development plan, a planning authority may decide to grant permission under section 34 (6) of the Act provided the requirements set out in that section are complied with.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Thursday, 9 Nov 2006

National Development Plan.

John Gormley

National Drugs Strategy.

Bernard J. Durkan

Bernard J. Durkan

Phil Hogan

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Seán Crowe

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Joe Costello

National Drugs Strategy.

Dan Boyle

Departmental Bodies.

Ruairí Quinn

Departmental Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Pat Rabbitte

Rural Development.

Shane McEntee

Inland Waterways.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Departmental Programmes.

John Gormley

Seán Crowe

Teangacha Oifigiúla.

Eamon Gilmore

Mary Upton

Michael D. Higgins

Eamon Gilmore

Trevor Sargent

Michael D. Higgins

Trevor Sargent

Irish Language.

Kathleen Lynch

Countryside Recreation Strategy.

Dinny McGinley

Eamon Ryan

Offshore Islands.

Ciarán Cuffe

Departmental Programmes.

Brian O'Shea

Departmental Expenditure.

Catherine Murphy

National Drugs Strategy.

Paul Connaughton

Irish Language.

Enda Kenny

National Drugs Strategy.

Willie Penrose

Thomas P. Broughan

Departmental Programmes.

Damien English

Decentralisation Programme.

Liz McManus

Proposed Legislation.

Phil Hogan

Rural Development.

Ivor Callely

Departmental Agencies.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Community Development.

Catherine Murphy

Official Engagements.

Brendan Howlin

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Paul Kehoe

Irish Language.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Joe Costello

Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Nov 2006